Volunteer in Nepal

Serene, breathtaking, and captivating, volunteers in Nepal are immersed in a vibrant culture. Most famous for Mt. Everest, but brimming with hundreds of other remarkable sites, Nepal will capture your heart and soul with its generous people and customs. Nepalis are known for cooking hearty, flavorful meals and for greeting others with the traditional “Namaste.” While tourism is popular, Nepal remains one of the world’s poorest countries. Volunteers here have loved the impact that their time volunteering in Nepal has made on them, and vice versa, as they work with others in rural communities.

As a volunteer in Nepal, people are sought as caregivers at child care centers, teaching assistants at schools, and counselors for women and girls who have been victims of human trafficking and abuse. Because of numerous volunteer opportunities, Nepal is a great place for families to volunteer together.

United Planet also offers long-term (6 month and one year) volunteer programs in Nepal.  Learn more about all of our volunteer programs in Asia.

Faculty and Students from Mercyhurst University and Ursuline College serve, immerse, and explore while applying their art therapy skills and training through a United Planet volunteer abroad Quest in Nepal.

Volunteers have the opportunity to assist local dentists who travel throughout Kathmandu and surrounding areas. Your tasks may include brushing and flossing with patients, providing fluoride treatments, and educating community members about proper oral hygiene. Your placement will vary based on when you are looking to travel and your level of dentistry experience.

Available Dates: Quests start the first and third Monday of each month, year-round
Minimum Stay: 2 weeks
Requirements: At least 18 years old, education or work experience in dentistry

Volunteers have the opportunity to care for children at a shelter, teach English in private schools, or work with women and children at a counseling center for those who have been victims of abuse.

Interns will work at a non-profit organization in Nepal that promotes travel philanthropy, tourism, and social responsibility. Interns may assist with basic administrative tasks and daily activities while utilizing their customer service skills and experiencing the business of tourism from another culture’s perspective. Please note that this placement is offered as an internship only.

Available Dates: Quests start the first and third Monday of each month, year-round
Minimum Stay: 4 weeks
Requirements: At least 18 years old

Nepal Country Coordinator: Raj Gyawali. In addition to United Planet, Raj is the founder and director of Socialtours, your host organization in Nepal. He is also involved in the Nepal River Conservation Trust, Joy Foundation Nepal, KEEP Nepal, and Namaste Nepal.

During your two-day country orientation, you will experience the diverse culture of Nepal through a city tour of Kathmandu. You’ll explore Nepal’s rich religious tradition by visiting Hindu and Buddhist temples, and much more.

To help you immerse yourself in your surroundings, you’ll receive two Nepali language lessons during your Quest. You’ll be surprised how quickly you pick up words and phrases!

As a volunteer in Nepal, you’ll participate in a cooking lesson. Learn how to make some of the delicious Nepali food you’ve been eating on your Quest.

As a United Planet volunteer, you’ll get acquainted with the gorgeous environment of Nepal through a guided day or overnight hike. Length of hiking excursions will depend on the length of your stay in Nepal.

Most United Planet Nepal volunteers live with host families for the duration of their placement. This is a great opportunity to form close friendships and to practice the beautiful Nepali language.

If you’d like to do more exploring, hiking, trekking, or sightseeing, volunteers may book additional excursions through United Planet’s partner organization in Nepal. Ask your country coordinator for details!

Visit Boudhanath Stupa: This ancient stupa is one of the holiest sites in Kathmandu and one of the largest stupas in Nepal. In your free time, check out this iconic landmark.

Explore Thamel: Thamel is one of the most bustling areas of Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu. If you’re looking for some traditional Nepalese food or for a souvenir to bring back home with you, check out this vibrant area.

Visit Pashupatinath Temple: This temple in Kathmandu is the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the 275 Holy Abodes of Shiva in Asia. Pay a visit in your free time and learn more about Nepal’s vibrant historical and religious tradition.

Try Nepalese Momo: These steamed dumplings are one of the most popular foods in Nepal. Filled with buffalo or chicken meat, this delicious meal is generally eaten with pickles.

Check out the experiences of previous United Planet volunteers in Nepal.

“It is simply impossible to describe one´s experience when its lived on so many different levels, I could spend weeks talking about my contact with the culture, religion, places I’ve seen etc. Yet one constant remains, one word that can sum up what I cannot begin to put into writing, “wonder”. A truly lived experience depends fully on the mentality which you adopt when making the decision to volunteer or travel abroad, if you are open and receptive to the environment you are about to be immersed in, then that environment itself will provide you the most complete experience you could wish for. The saying remains <<When in Rome, be Roman>> and thus <<When in Nepal, be Nepali>>.”

“Raj and Roopa were the perfect guides for this journey. Their deep knowledge of both fair trade practices and Nepali culture added so much depth to the experience. Every site we visited welcomed us with open arms, sharing history, insightful details about their work and the impact of fair trade. Our students were fully engaged and came away with a much richer understanding than we could’ve ever provided in a classroom alone.

The whole trip was seamlessly organized—from the beautiful, comfortable hotel to the variety of impactful visits. And to top it off, we ended the week at a serene retreat center on an organic farm with a beautiful view of the Himalayas. It was the ideal setting for our group reflection and a perfect way to wrap up such a meaningful week.”