1 Week Special Volunteer Program in Nepal

Overview

Be a part of the 1 Week Special Short Term Volunteer Program in Kathmandu, Nepal, with Volunteering Solutions and contribute effectively towards renovating the schools and making them more kids' friendly. In a span of just a week, this would be the best way to explore Nepal and make a difference. This volunteering opportunity is meant for high school/ college students, gap year travelers and backpackers as well as for families who are looking forward to something different and unique.

A tiny landlocked country surrounded by the mighty Himalayas, Nepal is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous countries in the world, known for its untapped natural beauty and the undying spirit of the people. While not many would know this, but Nepal is that auspicious land where Buddha was born. Travel to this country and volunteering for the people would be an enriching experience for one and all.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu & Cultural Evening

Welcome to Kathmandu - the capital city of Nepal. You'll get to meet our coordinator at the airport who would take you to the accommodation in Kathmandu followed by refreshment and a brief orientation session about the schedule of the trip.
An exciting traditional dance and dinner await participants at night to kickstart a memorable journey of Nepal.

Overnight at a volunteer house/guest house in Kathmandu.
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Kathmandu City Tour

The second day begins with a Kathmandu city tour and encompasses visits to the Pashupatinath Temple, Durbar Square, and Boudha. While Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see and hard to miss location in the heart of the capital city Kathmandu, Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudha are religiously significant sites in Kathmandu.

Overnight at a guest house in Kathmandu.
Meals: BD

Day 3: Volunteering Program in Kathmandu

You'll start working at the project site from today. Placed in a local school/community center, you'll get to renovate the center which caters to children from underprivileged communities and paint murals and art pieces along with them. All the materials shall be provided and you can help in giving a new fresh look to the school classrooms.
It'll be a great learning opportunity for you, as you'll work as a team with your fellow volunteers.

Optional Activity

In the evening, you can learn Momo making. Momo is a dumpling made of all-purpose flour and filled with either meat or vegetables. Inspired by Tibetan dumplings, the dish is a very popular Nepali street food. In Nepal, the most common type of momos is buff (buffalo) momos followed by chicken.

Overnight at guest house in Kathmandu.
Meals: BD

DAY 4 – Day 7: Continue with Volunteer Work in Kathmandu

You'll be continuing with your work at the school, adding your creative ideas and making a perfect kid's friendly environment. You can write alphabets and numbers on the walls, so that kids can see them and learn. You'll have to find what new you can do! Once the program ends, you'll surely be satisfied with your contributions.

Overnight at guest house in Kathmandu.
Meals: BD

(On Day 5, there’s an Optional Tour for Exploring Patan
You can choose to travel and explore the beautiful historic city of Patan, and soak in the old world vibes.)

Day 8 - End Of Program

As this incredible journey comes to an end, it’s time head back home (or continue with your adventures on the roads!).

Meals: B

Project Requirement

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.

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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 hotel/guest house in Kathmandu. The accommodation is 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 the hotel at extra charges as well.

The accomomdation is very centrally based and is five minutes away from the popular Thamel area.

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

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
1 Week	$450

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

what's included

All transfers and transport as per program
All accommodation as per program
Local team support
All meals as mentioned (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
All entrance fees on tour
Cost for the Project/Project Materials
Service work coordination
Pre Departure Guidebook and Support

what's not included

International/Domestic Airfare
Vaccinations
Any monument entry fee
Visa fees
Any personal expenses
Meals not mentioned

FAQ's

Health and Safety

Do I need to buy a health insurance?: 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.
How safe is Nepal and Kathmandu in particular?: 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.
What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?: 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.

Application and Program Details

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Nepal volunteer programs?: 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.
Does VolSol provides with a reference or a certificate after program completion?: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?: 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.
Does VolSol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?: 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.
When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Nepal?: 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.
What are the Program Locations in Nepal?: In Nepal, all our volunteering programs as well the accommodations are based in and around the capital city, Kathmandu.
How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted ?: 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).
When do I need to arrive in Nepal for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Nepal?: 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.
What will be my usual working hours?: 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.

Accommodation and Living

Can vegetarians be accommodated?: 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.
Where can I change my money in Nepal? Are there ATMs in Nepal?: 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.
Would I have free time during my program? Can I do sightseeing during my program?: 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.
What should I pack for my trip to Nepal?: 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.
How do I get to the accommodation and the program location?: 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.
Are there more expenses once I arrive in Nepal?: 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.
Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?: Accommodation is shared on the same gender basis in the home stay/host family 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. Two meals a day are provided to the participants (Breakfast and Dinner).

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Nepal alumni as well as other former and current volunteers?: 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 thehttps://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/">; Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook">https://www.facebook.com/groups/volunteeringsolutions/">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">https://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer">Meet a Volunteer’ section on our website.

Flights and Visa

Tell me more about Visa for Nepal: 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.
What are the recommended inexpensive airline options to reach Nepal?: 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