Rhino Conservation in Nepal School Trip
Projects Abroad
Nepal offers a unique setting for active conservation learning in a globally significant context. The Community Forests of Chitwan provide a powerful case study of how humans and wildlife can coexist, with buffer zones serving as vital spaces that balance ecological needs with local livelihoods. These forests are home to a remarkable diversity of species, giving students the chance to encounter wildlife first-hand while playing an active role in its protection.A defining feature of this programme is the opportunity for students to contribute directly to safeguarding the endangered Greater One-Horned Rhino. Alongside this, they will build practical skills in ecology and environmental science while developing cross-cultural understanding through engagement with local communities.
By bringing academic lessons to life-whether in conservation, biology, geography, or ethics-the programme fosters leadership, empathy, and a strong sense of environmental responsibility. It is an enriching and impactful experience that strengthens curriculum outcomes through immersive fieldwork and meaningful service.
Your unique home in Nepal will be a small village within the Community Forests that border Chitwan National Park, a vital habitat for the endangered Greater One-Horned Rhino, as well as many other wildlife species, - including Bengal tigers, Sloth Bears, monkeys, wild boar, various deer, and over 544 recorded species of birds.
Your days will be split between hands-on conservation fieldwork and structured learning, guided by local experts. Expect to track rhinos, map animal movements, and conduct biodiversity surveys. You'll also help to maintain this critical buffer zone through tree planting and anti-poaching patrols.
Alongside this, you'll visit local schools to lead wildlife education sessions, help plant trees with students, and share the importance of environmental stewardship with the next generation. In the evenings, you'll have plenty of time for reflection, group discussion, and cultural exchange, helping you connect your daily activities to wider environmental and social challenges.
By the end of the programme, you'll leave with new research skills, a deeper appreciation of Nepal's biodiversity, and a strong sense of how community-led conservation protects threatened species and their habitats.
Teacher Checklist
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Example Itineraries for our 2026 & 2027 trips
Days 1 - 2
Touch down in the sprawling capital city of Kathmandu, where you will be met by our staff. They will escort you to a nearby hotel so you can rest up before travelling to the outskirts of Chitwan National Park in the morning.
You'll take a private bus to Nawalparasi, on the edge of the National Park, where you'll check into your hotel and enjoy sunset by the river, before attending a detailed culture and project induction session to prepare you for your time here.
Days 3 - 6
Spend the next few days completing various wildlife surveys. You'll head out in a jeep to survey rhinos in their natural habitat, gear up for a reptile and butterfly survey, and track bird and mammal populations in the forest.
Your key focus will be tracking the Greater One-horned Rhino, which is classed as a vulnerable species in Nepal. Your efforts will help support conservationists in protecting these incredible animals. You'll also help create and paint bird nests to put up around the community, and complete a walking bird and mammal survey in the forest.
After every survey, you'll organise and input the data you collected into a database, helping expert conservationists inform future conservation efforts. In the evening, enjoy a momo cooking class, learning to make one of Nepal's staple, iconic dishes.
Days 7 - 8
Take the time to explore the local area, starting with a stunning hike to Devchuli Hill in search of the rare Spiny Babbler. Spend your evening with the Thakuru villagers who will perform their traditional dances and singing including the famous Tharu fire dance.
Then, visit CG Shashwatdham Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and take a cable car to Maula Kalika temple, with incredible views of the area and the chance to learn about Hinduism.
Days 9 - 11
Discover more of the local farmland whilst conducting a walking survey for birds and butterflies. As you explore the area on foot, you'll learn more about local communities and rural livelihoods.
Then, prepare an educational presentation on local and global environmental challenges to deliver in nearby schools. Share your experiences and insights about local wildlife and the importance of preserving natural habitats and sustainable living.
You'll also embark on your final Greater One-horned Rhino survey in a jeep, building on the knowledge you've developed and deepening your understanding of conservation.
On the final day of your project work, you'll work alongside the local community in a tree-planting initiative, contributing to reforestation efforts and restoring local biodiversity.
Days 12 - 13
Travel back to Kathmandu, checking into your hotel to rest up before taking a casual stroll around Thamel, a historic part of the city. Take the chance to wander the local markets and buy some souvenirs.
Start your penultimate day with a trip to a viewpoint at Nagarkot where - on a clear day - you'll get incredible views of the Himalayan mountain range, including the mighty Mount Everest. Then, head to Bhaktapur city to soak in the atmosphere at the lively Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and explore the medieval streets filled with impressive architecture. In the afternoon, return to Kathmandu and visit the iconic Swayambhu Nath, also known as the monkey temple, with panoramic views of Kathmandu Valley (home to a group of 'holy' monkeys!).
Day 14
Spend your final evening in this amazing country with a shopping excursion along with a farewell dinner and cultural show at a local restaurant.
Reflect on the once-in-a-lifetime journey you've undertaken as you head back to the airport, ready to return home. Don't forget to pack your souvenirs to remind you of your time in Nepal!
Think about your newfound confidence, skills, and memories during your journey - these will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Touch down in the sprawling capital city of Kathmandu, where you will be met by our staff. They will escort you to a nearby hotel so you can rest up before travelling to the outskirts of Chitwan National Park in the morning.
You'll take a private bus to Nawalparasi, on the edge of the National Park, where you'll check into your hotel and enjoy sunset by the river, before attending a detailed culture and project induction session to prepare you for your time here.
Days 3 - 6
Spend the next few days completing various wildlife surveys. You'll head out in a jeep to survey rhinos in their natural habitat, gear up for a reptile and butterfly survey, and track bird and mammal populations in the forest.
Your key focus will be tracking the Greater One-horned Rhino, which is classed as a vulnerable species in Nepal. Your efforts will help support conservationists in protecting these incredible animals. You'll also help create and paint bird nests to put up around the community, and complete a walking bird and mammal survey in the forest.
After every survey, you'll organise and input the data you collected into a database, helping expert conservationists inform future conservation efforts. In the evening, enjoy a momo cooking class, learning to make one of Nepal's staple, iconic dishes.
Days 7 - 8
Take the time to explore the local area, starting with a stunning hike to Devchuli Hill in search of the rare Spiny Babbler. Spend your evening with the Thakuru villagers who will perform their traditional dances and singing including the famous Tharu fire dance.
Then, visit CG Shashwatdham Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and take a cable car to Maula Kalika temple, with incredible views of the area and the chance to learn about Hinduism.
Days 9 - 11
Discover more of the local farmland whilst conducting a walking survey for birds and butterflies. As you explore the area on foot, you'll learn more about local communities and rural livelihoods.
Then, prepare an educational presentation on local and global environmental challenges to deliver in nearby schools. Share your experiences and insights about local wildlife and the importance of preserving natural habitats and sustainable living.
You'll also embark on your final Greater One-horned Rhino survey in a jeep, building on the knowledge you've developed and deepening your understanding of conservation.
On the final day of your project work, you'll work alongside the local community in a tree-planting initiative, contributing to reforestation efforts and restoring local biodiversity.
Days 12 - 13
Travel back to Kathmandu, checking into your hotel to rest up before taking a casual stroll around Thamel, a historic part of the city. Take the chance to wander the local markets and buy some souvenirs.
Start your penultimate day with a trip to a viewpoint at Nagarkot where - on a clear day - you'll get incredible views of the Himalayan mountain range, including the mighty Mount Everest. Then, head to Bhaktapur city to soak in the atmosphere at the lively Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and explore the medieval streets filled with impressive architecture. In the afternoon, return to Kathmandu and visit the iconic Swayambhu Nath, also known as the monkey temple, with panoramic views of Kathmandu Valley (home to a group of 'holy' monkeys!).
Day 14
Spend your final evening in this amazing country with a shopping excursion along with a farewell dinner and cultural show at a local restaurant.
Reflect on the once-in-a-lifetime journey you've undertaken as you head back to the airport, ready to return home. Don't forget to pack your souvenirs to remind you of your time in Nepal!
Think about your newfound confidence, skills, and memories during your journey - these will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Which Curriculum Subjects do we cater for?
Citizenship
During this conservation programme, your students will learn about the issues facing wildlife in Nepal and educate the local children about the importance of protecting animals. This helps bring real issues to life and shows them that they have agency as global citizens to make a difference where change is needed.
Cultural
Your group will be fully immersed in the vibrant Nepali culture. Our local team will guide you through cultural training to provide the basic customs knowledge you need. You and your students will also take part in traditional dance classes, cooking lessons, and other cultural activities to ensure they live the full Nepali experience.
Conservation Wildlife Animal Care
You will be based in Chitwan National Park and will work within the Namuna, Shantikunja, and Krishnasaar community forests. During this programme, your students will provide wildlife education to the local community, such as planting trees at a local school, leading presentations on wildlife protection, and going on field trips into the forest.
Students will also be trained in field tasks to preserve the community forest, including erosion control, removal of invasive plant species, road maintenance, and joining the anti-poaching efforts. Finally, you will study the local wildlife and protection methods: follow footprints and set camera traps, collect and analyse data, and conduct surveys to track the population of animals.
What size groups do we cater for?
All group sizes of 5 or more. Free staff place with every 9 students.
Access for visitors with disabilities?
Disabled facilities can be offered on request.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Visitors with special educational needs can be catered for on request.
Anything else?
Projects Abroad holds the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge and operates in compliance with BS 8848 standards for overseas activities. For school leaders and governors, this means the programme meets recognised national benchmarks.
We provide comprehensive risk assessments, safeguarding policies, and approval-ready documentation for every trip, supporting SLT, governor, and district approval processes. The team that plans your trip is the team on the ground when you arrive.
By travelling with us, you also contribute positively to local economies, environmental protection, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Don't take our word for it; we're B Corporation Certified! We're committed to setting the new sustainability standard in school travel by offsetting 110% of carbon emissions associated with your in-destination programming.
Our Partnerships Team is happy to answer any queries and guide you through the process of booking the school trip of a lifetime!
We provide comprehensive risk assessments, safeguarding policies, and approval-ready documentation for every trip, supporting SLT, governor, and district approval processes. The team that plans your trip is the team on the ground when you arrive.
By travelling with us, you also contribute positively to local economies, environmental protection, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Don't take our word for it; we're B Corporation Certified! We're committed to setting the new sustainability standard in school travel by offsetting 110% of carbon emissions associated with your in-destination programming.
Our Partnerships Team is happy to answer any queries and guide you through the process of booking the school trip of a lifetime!
Who are Projects Abroad?
Since 1992, Projects Abroad has helped young people step beyond the familiar and discover what they're truly capable of. As a global leader in educational travel, we've partnered with over 500 schools to deliver transformative school trips that help shape students' passions, careers, and futures.
We realise that each school has its own goals and interests, and the students have their own interests. We work with every school to develop a tailored itinerary that reflects their values and allows the students to make a connection with the community in which they serve.
We're proud of our dedicated in-country staff whose diverse skill sets, local knowledge and love of their community allow us to develop relevant, immersive and worthwhile schedules for school trips. These experiences give the students responsibility and teach them to see the world through a different lens.
The result is a trip that students remember long after they've left school, and one that reflects well on the school that made it possible!
Teacher Checklist
Risk Assessments Inspection Visits Free Places for Teachers Resource Packs LOtC Quality Badge Expedition Providers Association Tailor your trip Help promoting your trip Offset your trip carbon footprint
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