contact_support

Kathmandu, Nepal

Summer Volunteer Program Nepal 2024

Apply now

Ask a Question

Trip Highlights

Volunteer in Nepal this summer to work at a local childcare center and teach kids
Experience the joy of sharing the love by serving at the orphanage, teaching English to the children or taking care of the mentally disabled kids.
Soak in the beauty of the Himalayas and know more about the Nepalese culture
Explore the cities of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Nagarkot, and Pokhara
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chitwan National Park and spot the wildlife

Apply now

Ask a Question

Overview Program Requirements Itinerary Living Costs Dates Reviews

Overview

Be a part of the Summer Volunteer Program in Nepal with Volunteering Solutions and spend 3 amazing weeks at this Himalayan nation. You will embark on your volunteering journey in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal where you would experience the joy of sharing the love by serving at the orphanage, teaching English to the children or taking care of the mentally disabled kids.

It'll be an enriching experience for you, and you'll be able to make a difference in the lives of the little ones. This program is meant for all those adventurous souls who are looking forward to exploring the picturesque countryside and gain first-hand international work experience as well. No matter whether you are a high school or college student, or a gap year traveler, this will surely be one of the best experiences of your life!

Still, you have a query? Enquire now.

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program.

Schedule

Day 1 (Sun): Arrival in Kathmandu volunteering in kathmandu nepal – Upon arrival, you will be picked up from Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu and transferred to the accomodation. Pick up timings from the airport are between 6:00AM and 10:30PM. Once you are settled at the accomodation, orientation session will be provided along with other participants. Orientation will include information regarding your placement, modes of transport, the locality, basic dos and dont’s of the facility, etc.Dinner will be provided at the accomodation, subject to arrival time.

(Meals – Dinner – Subject to arrival time)

Day 2 (Monday) – Project Placement and Kathmandu City Tour

Today is the first day of your programme. In the morning you will be taken to your pre-decided placement where you will spend the first half of the day experiencing a rewarding and memorable time.

At 2PM you will be taken for a city tour of Kathmandu. Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal, the valley consists of 3 cities which were once upon a time individual countries - Kathmandu, Lalitpur (commonly known as Patan) and Bhaktapur. During the tour you will find many Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples and see how Buddhism and Hinduism is intertwined and live in harmony. You will visit historical and heritage sites, see beautiful pagodas and shrines in Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Temple of Goddess Kumari (Living Goddess) and Swayambhu Stupa.

Breakfast and dinner will be provided at the accomodation.

Volunteers on a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu

Day 3 (Tue) to Day 6 (Fri) – Volunteering in Kathmandu

Day 3-6 will be dedicated to volunteering work at your project placement. Any time remaining after completion of daily volunteering work on these days are free and easy unless detailed separately.
Breakfast and dinner will be provided at the accomodation.

Day 4 – Project Placement and Kathmandu City Tour

Participants will spend first half of the day at the placement. At 2 PM you will be taken to Pashupatinath temple and Boudhanath Stupa.Pashupatinath is one of the most important temples for Hindus and is one of the oldest temple of Lord Shiva in the world. It is referred to as the most sacred and a maze of cultural treasure. It is commonly known among foreigners as a Hindu cremation site with tourists visiting the place just to watch cremation from a distance.

Boudhanath commonly called Boudha is a Buddhist Stupa. It is said that the eyes on the four sides represents Lord Buddha looking at everyone and no one can deceive him. Boudhanath Stupa is an important place of pilgrimage and meditation among Buddhist around the world.
After the tour, participants will be dropped back at the accomodation.
Breakfast and dinner will be provided at the accomodation.

Day 7 (Sat) – Weekend Trip to Chitwan

Chitwan is most popular for its National Park, the first one of Nepal. Located in the South-Central of Nepal, Chitwan is renowned for its one horned Rhino. Depart Kathmandu by Tourist Bus to Chitwan : Approximately 6 hours to destination

On arrival to Chitrasari Chitwan, participants will be collected the station by a jeep from. At the accomodation you will be greeted with a welcome drink. After check-in and orientation, lunch and snacks will be served.

After lunch you will be taken to Sauraha Museum and Tharu village walk. Participants will get to enjoy Tharu Stick Dance in the evening. Tharu are an ethnic community who live in Southern Nepal.

Depending on the time of arrival participants may get an opportunity to ride an Ox-cart to visit an elephant breeding center. This is only possible if the arrival is before 2PM.

Participants may be able to watch a slide show about the safari on request.

Lunch and Dinner will be provided at the hotel.

(Meals – Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 8 (Sun) – Chitwan

After an early breakfast participants will be taken for a half hour canoeing at the river. This will be followed by jungle walk which will last approximately half a day. Lunch will be provided back at the hotel. The adventure will end with an Elephant Safari. Upon return to hotel participants can enjoy the summer and swim at hotel or Sun Bathe.

The day will end with fun filled Tribal dance, camp fire and Bar-be-cue.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner will be provided at the hotel.

Day 9 (Mon) – Travel back to Kathmandu

On Monday we depart Chitwan after breakfast and farewell drinks. Participants will be dropped at the bus station by jeep. The journey back to Kathmandu by bus is approximately 6 hours.
Dinner will be provided at accomodation.

Volunteer in a childcare project in Nepal

Day 10 (Tue) to Day 12 (Fri) – Volunteer work in Kathmandu

Day 10-12 will be dedicated to volunteering work at your project placement. Any time remaining after completion of daily volunteering work on these days are free and easy unless detailed separately.

On Day 11, participants will spend the first part of the day at the placement. At 2PM you will be picked up from the placements and taken for the tour of Patan city. Patan, now a city, was once one of the three ancient Kingdoms within the valley of Kathmandu. Although Patan is just a few kilo

metres from central Kathmandu, it is worth seeing the contrast. Temples and Palaces in Patan are well conserved and one can feel the culture.

Breakfast and dinner will be provided at the accomodation.

Day 13(Sat) – Trip to Bhaktapur and Nagarkot

Bhaktapur, also known as the city of devotees, is the smallest and the most populated city out of the three. It is the best preserved city boasting the cultural heritage and ethnic Newar living. Almost every alley of Bhaktapur has temples, mostly in Pagoda style. After the tour of Bhaktapur, you will be given time for lunch at your own cost. Bhaktapur has many small restaurants which provides tourist friendly food.

The next destination after lunch is Nagarkot. Not very far from Bhaktapur, Nagarkot is most popular for its amazing view of the Himalayas, breathtaking sunrise and crimson sunsets. Participants will enjoy the sunset view and return to Kathmandu.
Breakfast and Dinner will be provided at the accomodation.

(Meals – Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 22 (Sat) – Departure from Kathmandu

It’s time to say bye to Nepal. Check out from the accommodation and proceed to airport for your onward / return flight.

Living

It is our duty to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable, so the moment you land in Nepal we take care of you. From arranging airport transfers to providing you a comfortable accommodation, clubbed with meals of your choice plus assisting with weekend tours, we try to serve you the best.

Airport Transfer

Volunteers are picked up from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu by a member of the local coordinating staff. Those volunteers who will be already in Nepal will be met by the staff at a designated meeting point decided beforehand.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided on a shared basis at a homestay accommodation in Kathmandu. The accommodation is managed by the local program coordinator.In case there is no availability at the volunteer accommodation, then volunteers are also provided accommodation at a guest house as well. Depending on the availability you would be assigned your accommodation. Both the home stay and guest house accommodation are neat and provide a comfortable stay during your volunteering period in Nepal. All accommodations have running water, electricity and all basic amenities available. The accommodations have hot water showers for winters and wifi internet is available. Private rooms are available at guest house at extra charges as well.

Orientation

An orientation and briefing will be provided by your local program coordinator. We cover areas like, culture, greetings, locations, transportation etc. Start your volunteering experience by taking the 1 week Language Culture Orientation week in Kathmandu.

Meals

Two Nepalese meals (Breakfast and Dinner) will be provided to all volunteers depending on your work schedule.Breakfast typically consists of Bread, Butter, Jam, Sandwich, Tea etc.Typical meals provided include Dal (Lentils), Rice,Vegetables,Chicken and meat etc.The staple meal for most Nepalese people is dal bhat, which consists of lentil soup (dal), rice (bhat) and vegetables in curry (tarkari).If you have any special dietary requirements, you can let us know in advance and we can try our best to accommodate that.

During your Free Time

On the weekends volunteers usually head out to Chitwan National Park to do a Safari trip or to the beautiful town of Pokhara. On the weekdays, evenings are free and volunteers usually hang out at Thamel which is a famous backpacking touristy area with numerous cafes and restaurants or explore some of the most famous attractions of Kathmandu.

Dates

2023

2024

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

Filling Fast

Costs

3 Weeks $1050

Please Note: -An application fee of $229 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 4% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment)

What are you Paying for?

Comprehensive pre-departure guide
Assistance from support staff and In-country program coordinator
Airport pickup in Kathmandu
Program orientation
Accommodation in volunteer house during program
Volunteering in Kathmandu
Breakfast and meals as specified in itinerary
City tour of Kathmandu
Trip to Bhaktapur and Nagarkot
Visit to ancient town of Patan
Amazing weekend trip to Chitwan and Pokhara
Accommodation in hotels during Chitwan-Pokhara tour

Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

International/Domestic Airfare
Visa fees
Travel insurance (available at nominal cost)
Entry fees at monuments
Local transportation to and from program location
Departure transfer to airport (can be arranged at nominal cost)
Vaccinations
Any personal expenses, TIPS, extra meals, beverages, laundry and any other services which are not mentioned (approximate personal expenses for food and traveling per week would be USD 40 to USD 50 per week)

Reviews

Apply Now Ask a Question

Frequently asked questions

: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to connect with other participants and our team.
You can also visit the Nepal Program Reviews page to view the testimonials and feedbacks of our past participants.

To read alumni interviews and experiences, visit the ‘Meet a Volunteer’ section on our website.
: Getting a Visa for this little Himalayan nation isn’t difficult in any way. You can get your visa on arrival at Kathmandu Airport itself or alternatively, you can also apply for Nepal Visa at your nearest Nepal Embassy.
: Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is the major international airport serving all flights arriving in Nepal. It is well connected with direct flights from major Asian and Middle Eastern countries. If you are arriving from North America or Europe, you will probably need to book a flight with a stopover at a Middle Eastern city such as Abu Dhabi or Doha.

The major airlines flying into Kathmandu are:

Qatar Airways

Etihad Airlines

Air Arabia

Air India

Air Vistara

Silk Air

Dragon Air

Thai Airways

Fly Dubai

AlJazeera
: This fabled land of Buddha attracts thousands of travelers from around the world. The country has easily embraced the western culture and is one of the most traveled destinations in the world. Women, especially, can feel relaxed in this country. It is safe to go out in the night; however, avoid the company of strangers. Volunteers are advised to follow the safety guidelines given in the pre-departure handbook as well as told to you by your coordinator during orientation.
: Carry general medicines with you, other than that consult your doctor before flying. We recommend these basic vaccinations for your safety:
Tetanus
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid

You are also requested to consult your doctor before traveling to Nepal to get a list of recommended vaccinations.
Also, if you have altitude sickness then ask your doctor to prescribe proper medicines.
: Yes, for all participants it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider at a very nominal cost.
: Your in-country coordinator will take you to your placement location from the airport and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program, city, culture etc. You will be told about the daily mode of transport that you will need to take to go to your project location. Usually, the projects are within short distance from your accommodations. Some projects are within walking distance while others are a short ride away.
: Accommodation is shared on the same gender basis in the volunteers home which is managed by the VS Nepal in-country coordinator. The accommodations are neat and provide a comfortable stay during your volunteering period in Nepal. The accommodations have running water, electricity and all basic amenities available. Volunteers need to understand that living conditions in Nepal can be different as compared to what you have back at home. You need to be flexible, open minded and adapt to the culture and environment. Living with other like-minded volunteers from around the world is a great experience in itself.
: Yes – please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can guide you so that you get to taste the best food available out there! Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.
: Typically, volunteers are required to put 5-6 hours every day, 5 days a week. However, work timing is dependent on the project chosen by the volunteers and can vary. You will get free time in the evenings and on the weekends. You can utilize this time to explore the local market streets of Thamel, visit Durbar Square, see evening prayers at the “ghat” of the Pashupatinath Temple and also visit Swayambhu temple. During the weekend, you can visit Chitwan National Park or go visit the famous tourist destination Pokhara.

We encourage our volunteers to travel. We have designed various weekend tours which can be booked under the ‘Add-on Tours’ section in your ‘My Account’. Your in-country coordinator will also help you book and organize the tours once you are in the country.
: Nepal is an inexpensive country. It is recommended to get your personal stuff from a proper general store that sells on MRP (Maximum Retail Price). Locals can often quote high prices for souvenirs, try to bargain and you will get a good price. A simple bracelet should not cost you more than 50-100 NC (Nepalese Currency). Food and dining in Nepal are very reasonable. A 10% (flexible) service charge is applicable in dining and lounging areas.
: There are many money exchange shops in Kathmandu city. The best option is to change your money at the airport counters itself. There are ATMs located all around the capital city, Kathmandu as well.
: We always suggest our volunteers to pack light. Being a country on the lap of the Himalayas, the temperature is usually on the colder side, and we would recommend you to get woolen wears and jackets. Pack comfortable clothes and walk shoes. Nepal is a conservative country with numerous sacred worshipping places where short, tight and revealing clothes wouldn't be allowed.
: Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for your application to be processed and placement to be confirmed by our team. After your application is accepted, your placement document will be updated in your ‘My Account’ online and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (age, skills and experience etc).
: VolSol recommends all its volunteers to apply for the desired programs well in advance. Our major booking seasons are from January to July and September to December.

As we have limited spots available in our programs and serve on first come first basis, it is strongly recommended to apply for the program and book your spots well in advance. You can book your spot in the program by filling an online form and paying the application fee.

Once you complete your application, your individual 'My Account' will be active in which you will receive your placement confirmation after which you can pay the program fees. You can pay the program fees later as well in installments, but 45 days before the program starts.
: The minimum age requirement for the programs in Nepal is 17 years. For the Medical program, volunteers must be 18-year-old and above.
He/she should have the flexibility to adjust in new environment and culture.
For Medical Program – Pre-Medical, Medical and Nursing students as well as Medical Professionals are welcome to join. Participants with other qualifications in the medical field such as CAN, EMT can also join the program.
Participants must be in good health.
Volunteers who are 16-year-old are also accepted in the Childcare program in Nepal. However, they need to provide a notarized parental consent form.
: Yes, you are welcome to take part in any of the volunteering projects in Nepal as a group. It is a popular destination for group participation. Our Nepal programs have hosted large student groups from around the world including that of schoolies coming for short term volunteering programs. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.

In our experience of more than 12+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.
: In Nepal, all our volunteering programs as well the accommodations are based in and around the capital city, Kathmandu.
: All volunteers need to arrive in Kathmandu on the mentioned program starting date.
All volunteers are provided with the airport pick up from the Tribhuvan International Airport (Airport Code: KTM) by the local coordinator or representative. Those who are arriving overland or are already in Nepal will be picked up at? a meeting point decided beforehand.
: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
: If you are planning to come for multiple programs in your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a year's time (from the date of application). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.

For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next VolSol program.
: Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day, however. It can vary depending on their program. You will have the weekend off so you can go and travel on weekends. However, in some placements, you will need to work on some Saturdays as well.