Namaste and welcome to Nepal, a country of high Himalayan Mountains, artistic monuments, exotic wildlife, and diverse cultures. Nepal extends along the south slopes of the Himalayas in central Asia.
Although Nepal is small, it has the greatest latitudinal variation of any country. The land rises from the southern plains of the Terai, barely above sea level, to the top of the Mt. Everest, the highest peak on Earth, in a distance of less than 200 km.
ABOUT KATHMANDU
Kathmandu, the capital and largest city in Nepal, is like no other city in the world. The decaying buildings in the heart of the city are a contrast to the lively atmosphere that permeates the streets. The smell of incense wafts from the stores while street sellers push their wares, and people go about their daily lives, all against a backdrop of historic temples and carved statues.
For most visitors to Nepal, Kathmandu Valley is the arrival point and the primary focus of the visit. This small, mountain-sheltered valley is the historical center of Nepal, a place where kingdoms rose and fell, where palaces and temples were built and rebuilt, and where Nepali art and culture was developed and refined. Rivers and streams interlace with the landscape, the brick-red villages cling to ridges to preserve precious land and even from the bustling centers of each of the cities, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the snow-capped peaks of the majestic Himalayas against the intense blue skies.
Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older, though exceptions to this age requirement may be made on a case-by-case basis. Successful volunteers are hardworking, flexible, and open to truly immersing themselves in the culture. Keep in mind that all countries have different visa restrictions for varying types of passports.
World Endeavors volunteers in Nepal can contribute to the following projects:
Kindergarten Teaching Project
The kindergartens usually consist of 35 to 45 children between 3 to years 6 years old. The kindergartens consist of teachers as well as supporting staff to assist the teachers. The children are taught basic English, alphabets, numbers, rhymes, names of various objects etc. Most of the children come from underprivileged families who live below the poverty line.
Construction and Renovation Project
You will be able to participate in renovation and construction activities in schools, children’s home, rehabilitation centers, KAT Centre (Kathmandu Animal Treatment Center), disabled children’s home and women empowerment center. During this project, you will be staying in Kathmandu at our center.
Your daily work would involve outdoor construction and renovation activities including, demolishing broken structures, building walls, painting, carpentry, fencing the school premises etc.
Health Outreach Program
The main objective of the Health Outreach program is to educate and provide knowledge and skills to promote wellbeing. It motivates students to improve and maintain their health, prevent disease, and change unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors. Health education curricula and instruction help students learn skills they will use to make healthy choices throughout their lives.
In this program, you will visit schools, monasteries, childcare centers and women's empowerment groups where you will conduct healthcare awareness sessions to teach about sanitation and hygiene, bodily health, first aid and more.
We encourage you to prepare your own lessons on subjects like handwashing, brushing and flossing teeth, first aid, CPR, and nutrition, and be creative in finding the best way to communicate the information according to your diverse audiences with different backgrounds and ages.
This project has an additional fee of $55 per week.
Volunteers interested in Healthcare can participate in the following projects:
Dental Program
In our Dental program, you will gain comprehensive experience by working as an intern at a Dental Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal.
You will spend your time here shadowing the practitioners and observing the practices done by the expert dentists. You will also be called upon to assist dentists and nurses when required. You will have to work with several Departments in the hospital such as Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Prosthodontics, Department of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Department of Community Dentistry, Department of Periodontics, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics and the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology.
This project has a minimum duration of 4 weeks. Please note, you should be enrolled in a university course in any Dentistry field to participate.
The Dental Program is an additional $55 per week.
Medical Program
Our medical program allows you to gain valuable experience by working as an intern in either a government, private, or community hospital in Kathmandu and around the Kathmandu Valley.
You will spend your time here shadowing doctors, observing medical experts and may be called upon to assist doctors and nurses.
There will not be any hands-on work and most of your learning will be through observation.
This project has a minimum duration of 4 weeks. Please note, you should be enrolled in a university course in any medical field to participate.
The Medical Program is an additional $55 per week.
Physical Therapy Program
Our physiotherapy internship program allows you to gain valuable experience by working as an intern in a Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Hospital in Kathmandu.
You will spend your time here shadowing doctors, observe the medical experts, physiotherapists and will be called upon to assist doctors and nurses.
There will be able to experience hands-on work. Participants will be helping the patients of various health conditions and engage in different therapeutic sessions at the hospital. The sessions shall be assigned to you, according to your field of study and expertise.
This project has a minimum duration of 4 weeks. Please note, you should be enrolled in a university course in any field of therapy to participate.
The Physiotherapy Program is an additional $55 per week.
Volunteers interested in Teaching can participate in the following projects:
Education Project
Most people in Nepal can't afford to travel, and in the villages there is little chance of contact with the outside world. Foreign teachers enable students to form relationships with someone from another background and culture, and the teachers can learn different teaching methods and techniques. You will mainly assist the regular school teacher and so do not need to have any teaching background.
You will teach and educate children from different age groups and with different learning capacities. You are free to use different methods to teach but you can use the course book as reference or educate children through conversational English. During your time there you can teach them different subjects such as mathematics, history, science, geography, computer technologies, music and other subjects, arts and crafts, different educational games, personal development, environment awareness, general health and safety and so on. All higher education in Nepal is in English, so it is vital that the children must learn English to continue with higher education. A trained teacher is committed to raising standards in schools in Nepal, and with an adult literacy rate of 67% there is plenty of room for improvement.
Teaching at Buddhist Monasteries
Interested in teaching while also learning something new? When you join this unique project, you will teach English and other subjects to monks of all ages while being immersed in the day-to-day lifestyle at the monastery and learning about Buddhism.
The monasteries we work with are located in different areas in Kathmandu, Pharping, Nala and the Everest regions. During your program, you will live in the monastery itself where you will be teaching.
The nearest monastery to our Kathmandu center is Tinchuli (near the Bauddhinath Stupa) which is about a 30 minute drive from our center in Kathmandu.
The monasteries in Nala and Pharping are about 2 hours by car from Kathmandu.
The monasteries where we teach in the Everest regions - Serlo Taksindo, Mendo Pakhe and Choying - require a bit more of an effort to reach. After a 12 hour jeep ride and an overnight stay in Phaplu, your journey will conclude with a hike of between 30 minutes and 4 hours to reach your monastery.
These projects require a minimum duration of 3 weeks, and there is an additional fee of $55 per week.
Canine Rehabilitation
The condition of animals in Nepal is very impoverished. They are poorly kept and often kicked out of their homes as they grow old. On the streets, the conditions are even worse. A lot of stray dogs and cows can be seen in almost every street and square of Kathmandu. They are left to fend for themselves and roam freely on the streets.
During the program, you will aid in the rescue and rehabilitation of street dogs and those that have been abandoned by their owners. These dogs are usually mangy and starving. A lot of these animals suffer from the agony of maggots, infected wounds, skin disorders, worms and parasites, and run the risk of losing their limbs. The program has been operating in the valley to resolve these issues and to counter the growing number of street dogs. After being rescued, the dogs are kept in the animal shelter and later released or offered for adoption and into a better life.
Women Empowerment Project
This project is specially designed for women who have come to Kathmandu from rural areas to work as housemaids and housewives specifically those who were deprived of formal education. Most of these female workers do not even have basic education and find it difficult in this age where education has become a fundamental aspect for survival. Therefore, through our project, the foreign teachers enable students to form relationships with someone from another background and culture, and the teachers can learn different teaching methods and techniques.
Such schools were established to educate and enlighten, make self assured and independent women in Kathmandu. This is the age of science and technology so education has risen in importance. The main target of this school is to motivate the women to find their hidden talents and enable them to participate in developmental activities of family, society and nation.
You will teach and educate adult women of different age groups with different learning capacities. You are free to use different methods to teach. You can use the course book as a reference or educate them through conversational and spoken English. During your time there you can teach them different subjects such as mathematics, science, geography, computer technologies, music, spoken and conversational English, personal development, environment awareness, general health and safety and so on. All higher education in Nepal is in English, so it is vital that they learn English. A trained teacher is committed to raising standards in schools in Nepal, and with an adult literacy rate of 67% there is plenty of room for improvement.
Our Culture Week will kickstart your volunteer experience in this amazing country located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. You will learn not only about the language and lifestyle - you will also visit temples, go on a hiking tour and even take part in a scavenger hunt at a local market!
During this week, you will learn about Nepalese culture through a series of introductory culture classes which are designed to help you develop your Nepalese language skills and deepen your understanding of the Nepalese way of life complete with details on rituals and customs. You will learn about Nepal's history and the religious influences which have shaped it. Moreover, we will pay a visit to the local shops and markets that will get you practicing your language skills and immersing yourself in the culture. As part of your city tour and orientation, you will also visit some amazing sites such as the temple of Swoyambhunath - one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Kathmandu.
CULTURE WEEK SCHEDULE
- Monday: Orientation, meet the team and get to know fellow volunteers, traditional puja - worship ritual to the gods and goddesses and name-giving ceremony, and Kathmandu city tour
- Tuesday: Nepali language training, shopping at the local market, and scavenger hunt in Kathmandu
- Wednesday: Discussion on the schooling and education system in Nepal, cultural and historical tour of the Swoyambhunath temple, and traditional Nepali cooking class
- Thursday: Yoga and meditation session, Buddhist religious tour, and visit to the Hindu temple
- Friday: Full day of trekking into the mountains for a picturesque outlook over the Kathmandu Valley
During the four-week program, you will get to experience Kathmandu, Annapurna and Chitwan districts through varied and action-packed activities. Scheduled for the month are days of sightseeing, cultural and language lessons, five days of intense trekking, whitewater rafting, five days of community work in one of our projects and much, much more!
As part of this unique Nepalese experience, you will work with local communities on teaching projects or the construction and renovation projects. You will visit really interesting places, such as the Swayambhunath Buddhist temple and the vast Royal Chitwan National Park.
Enjoy a rafting adventure down the Trishuli River, a village hike in rural Kathmandu, a rewarding 5 day trek up Poon Hill from which you will see some of the most breathtaking mountain ranges in the world, body and mind sessions with Yoga and Meditation, not to mention visits to the local markets and some great cultural introduction sessions.
Nepal 4 Week Experience Schedule
WEEK #1:
- Orientation, meet the team and get to know fellow travelers
- Language and cross-cultural introduction classes
- Tour of Swayambhunath Buddhist temple
- Yoga and meditation session, cooking class and scavenger hunt
- Tour of the ancient city, Kirtipur, followed by a cultural activity in the evening
- Full day trekking tour through the mountains
WEEK #2:
- Whitewater rafting down the Trishuli River from Charaudi
- Two-day excursion to Chitwan National Park - home to rare mammals like the one-horned rhino and Bengal tiger - for an amazing wildlife viewing experience, trekking through the jungle, visit to the Elephant Breeding Center, canoeing and cultural experiences
- Visit to Pokhara to see Phewa Lake, explore the Lakeside district and pick up necessities for trekking
- Travel to Nayapul and trek to Tikhedhunga, a little village in the Annapurna Himalayas
WEEK #3:
- Trek to Ghodepani, see the sunrise at Poon Hill and hike to Tadapani
- Hike to Tolka via Ghandruk-Landruk, trek to Phedi, drive to Pokhara for a well-deserved massage
- Return to Kathmandu for the final week
WEEK #4:
- Give back to the local Nepalase people by joining one of our volunteer projects from Monday to Friday - Teaching in local schools or joining the Construction and Renovation project
- Transfer back to Tribhuvan International Airport
Inclusions:
- Airport pick-up and drop-off from Tribhuvan International Airport
- Dedicated program coordinator throughout the program
- Authentic Nepali and European meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - for the duration of the entire program
- Accommodation at hotels, tea houses, and main volunteer house in shared accommodation
- Local transportation to all venues
- Entry fees to all attractions
- Overland public local transportation
This program is an additional $130 per week.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts from the trailhead at Nayapul, crosses river beds and terraced hillsides, on trails disappearing into blazing rhododendron clusters and oak forests, to picturesque villages of the Gurungs!
The first week will be a great introduction to this amazing country, located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. You'll learn the local language and about the culture and lifestyle and visit temples, do some local hikes and participate in a scavenger hunt!
The second and third week will be focused on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and the final week will be spent serving others through the volunteering projects.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Schedule
WEEK #1:
- Orientation, meet the team and get to know fellow volunteers, traditional puja - worship ritual to the gods and goddesses and name-giving ceremony, and Kathmandu city tour
- Nepali language training, cultural and historical tour of Swayambhunath, and shopping at the local market
- Yoga and meditation session, Nepali language training, discussion on religion and culture, tour of the famous Kirtipur Temple - an ancient settlement of indigenous people in Kathmandu
- Nepali language training, traditional cooking class, scavenger hunt at the local market
- Full day of trekking into the mountains for a picturesque outlook over the Kathmandu Valley
WEEK #2:
- Travel to Pokhara, drive to Nayapul, trek following Bhurung Khola to reach Tikhedhunga then stay at a lodge
- Ascend to Ulleri Village through a pleasant rhododendron forest and arrive at the top of Ghorepani pass
- Hike up to Poon Hill to watch the sunrise and see the magnificent mountain views, trek to Tadapani
- Descend to Kimron Khola, ascend again to Chhomrong village at the base of Himchuli at an elevation of 21,000 feet and see the stunning sights of Annapurna and Machhapucchre
- Continue to Kuldi Ghar and down the bank of the Modi River, viewing thickets of bambo and passing Tomo and Panchen Barah
- Follow the west bank of Modi to the open valley of Machhapuchhre Base Camp
WEEK #3:
- Descend to a pleasant camp spot at Bamboo, then walk up to Chhomrong and further to Jhinu
- Following the Modi River ascend to Landrung, a beautiful Gurung village and stop for lunch at Tolka, followed by an easy ascent up to Deurali
- Continue down via Dhampus Village to Phedi, followed by an hour's drive to Pokhara and overnight stay at the volunteer house
- Drive back to Kathmandu by bus
WEEK #4:
- From Monday to Friday, you'll lend a hand and contribute your time and talents at one of the volunteer projects, choosing from teaching at local schools, helping at a kindergarten, or working with rescued dogs at the Canine Rehabilitation project.
Inclusions:
- Airport pick-up and drop-off from Tribhuvan International Airport
- Dedicated program coordinator throughout the program
- Authentic Nepali and European meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - for the duration of the entire program
- Accommodation at hotels, tea houses, and our volunteer houses in shared accommodation
- Local transportation to all venues
- Entry fees to all attractions
- Overland public local transportation
This program is 4 weeks and has an additional fee of $90 per week.
The Everest Base Camp Trek introduces you to Nepalese culture while reaching the base camp of the mighty Mount Everest. You will encounter the highland Sherpa people’s lifestyle and their unique cultural hospitality, and get to see ice fall views from Kala Patthar, visit local places such as Namche Bazar, Tengboche Monastery, Khumjung and so much more! The Everest Base Camp Trek is a mountain adventure journey to the roof of the world!
The first week will be a great introduction to this amazing country, located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. You'll learn the local language and about the culture and lifestyle and visit temples, do some local hikes and participate in a scavenger hunt!
The second and third week will be based in the Everest Trekking region, which is known as the most popular destination among high alpine travelers, and to make it to the base is on every adventurer's bucket list. The final week will be spent serving others through the volunteering projects.
Everest Base Camp Trek Schedule
WEEK #1:
- Orientation, meet the team and get to know fellow volunteers, traditional puja - worship ritual to the gods and goddesses and name-giving ceremony, and Kathmandu city tour
- Nepali language training, cultural and historical tour of Swayambhunath, and shopping at the local market
- Yoga and meditation session, Nepali language training, discussion on religion and culture, tour of the famous Kirtipur Temple - an ancient settlement of indigenous people in Kathmandu
- Nepali language training, traditional cooking class, scavenger hunt at the local market
- Full day of trekking into the mountains for a picturesque outlook over the Kathmandu Valley
WEEK #2:
- Fly to Lukla, which is at an elevation of 2700m and trek to Phakding
- Continue trekking north following the Dudh Kosi River and on to Jorsale, entering the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, and on to Imja Drangpa and the Nango Tsangpo, followed by a steep climb to Namche Bazaar, the main town in the Khumbu region
- Namche Bazaar is tucked between two ridges among the giant peaks of the Khumbu. Once named the "Trekkers Mecca of Nepal," Namche is the ideal place to spend a rest day, acclimatizing to the new altitude of 3450m before headong off towards Gokyo.
- From Namche, the trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi, presenting our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam.Passing by several villages and tea shops, we will descend steeply to a bridge oer the river at Phunki Tenga - an excellent lunch stop before making the steep climb to Tengboche, passing rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds and mountain scenery. Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu.
- Venture up to Pheriche with the majestic Amadablam overshadowing our journey as we pass through the little Sherpa village called Pangboche.
- Continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Taboche on the left, turning right and climbing more steeply toward the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. At the top of this climb, there are many stone cairns built as memorials to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing Mount Everest. The path continues to climb gently along the glacier to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche.
- Journey to Gorakshep and Kalapattar, and back to Lobuche.
WEEK #3:
- We will descend here as we retrace our steps to Dughla and then to Pheriche. The Himalayan Rescue Association has their trekker's aid post here, and it is interesting to visit.
- Continue following the river and after crossing it, climb back up throug birch and rhododendron forests to Tengboche
- Descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at Phunki and see the water-driven prayer wheels, then climb and contour around the hillside to Namche.
- The trail descends steeply to the village or Jorsale, passing the villages of Phakding and Choplung, reaching Chaurikharka, and the trail that cuts up to the airstrip at Lukla.
- Early morning flight back to Kathmandu.
WEEK #4:
- From Monday to Friday, you'll lend a hand and contribute your time and talents at one of the volunteer projects, choosing from teaching at local schools, helping at a kindergarten, or working with rescued dogs at the Canine Rehabilitation project.
Inclusions:
- Airport pick-up and drop-off from Tribhuvan International Airport
- Dedicated program coordinator throughout the program
- Authentic Nepali and European meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - for the duration of the entire program
- Accommodation at hotels, tea houses, and our volunteer houses in shared accommodation
- Local transportation to all venues
- Entry fees to all attractions
- Overland public local transportation
This program is 4 weeks, and has an additional fee of $200 per week.
Volunteers stay in a shared volunteer house and stay in shared rooms by gender. Three meals a day on weekdays (two on weekends) are included during your stay. The meals are a mix of Western and Nepalese food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about once per week. You can also choose to eat out at any of the local restaurants.
The World Endeavors Volunteer in Nepal program is flexible in duration and can be tailored to last between 1 to 12 weeks. If you have the time, we recommend a stay of at least 4 weeks. Admissions are rolling, and World Endeavors volunteers can choose when they would like to start their program. Due to holidays, traditional vacation schedules, and seasonal work availability, there might be better times than others to volunteer at a specific location or in a specific project.
When you are ready to start planning your volunteer trip to Nepal, contact us. Our experienced advisors will help you sort through any timing considerations unique to your destination or your volunteer project.
Please wait until after you are accepted into the program and you have received the confirmed arrival and departure dates before you book your flight.
| Program Name | First Week | Each Additional Week |
|---|---|---|
| Volunteer In Nepal | $1,790 | $300 |
INCLUDED FEATURES
- Program Advisor: dedicated, experienced, and accessible for one-on-one guidance
- Local Onsite Coordinator with 24/7 availability; pre and post arrival orientation
- Visa guidance and support
- Comprehensive travel medical insurance
- Travel Protection with 24/7 Emergency Travel Assistance
- Re-entry Support
- Airport reception
- Shared, single gender rooms in volunteer house
- 3 meals per weekday and 2 meals per weekend provided
OTHER BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
- Round-trip transportation to Nepal
- Visa expenses
- Optional trips and excursions
- Personal expenses
Congratulations on your decision to embark on a life-changing experience abroad! We look forward to working with you to make your trip a memorable, meaningful one. We can accommodate applications received 4 weeks prior to the intended start date up to a year in advance. If your intended start date is less than 4 weeks away, contact World Endeavors for more information.
