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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.

Volunteer Highlights

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.

Nepal Volunteer Project Information

Global Health Quests Nepal

Global Health Volunteer Projects

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

Children and Education Quests, Nepal

Children and Education Volunteer Projects

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.

Environmental Sustainability Internship, Nepal

Environmental Sustainability (Internship)

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

Your Nepal Quest

Nepal Country Coordinator

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.

City tour of Kathmandu, 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.

Language lesson in Nepal

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!

Cooking class in Nepal

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.

Hiking in Nepal

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.

Host family 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.

Book optional excursions in Nepal

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!

Free Time in Nepal

Boudhanath Stupa, Nepal

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.

Thamel, Nepal

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.

Pashupatinath, Nepal

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.

Plate of momo, Nepal

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.

Nepal in Photos

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

Volunteer Voices

Alexandre on the wonders of volunteering 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>>.”

Quick FAQs

Nepal Quests are offered year-round.  The projects start on the first and third Monday of each month.

For the Nepal Quest, volunteers can choose to volunteer from 2 weeks to 12 weeks. Some projects do require a minimum stay.

Projects require volunteers to be at least 18 years old.

There is no language requirement to volunteer in Nepal. Volunteers will receive 2 Nepali language lessons as a part of program.

We ask that volunteers enroll at least 60 days prior to their anticipated departure date. This gives us enough time to schedule volunteer placements, coordinate in-country activities, and provide sufficient pre-departure training. If you are interested in enrolling for a program starting in less than 60 days, please contact us directly.

Quest Fees and Details

United Planet Quests are designed to be immersive, authentic, comprehensive and provide you everything you’ll need to succeed. The program elements allow you to engage fully with a new culture, forge strong relationships, and challenge yourself. Most importantly, we partner with the community to ensure your experience will be important, relevant and helpful to the community you serve.

Included in Your Quest Fee

  • Lodging at a local homestay
  • Two home-cooked meals per day
  • 2-day orientation in Kathmandu
  • 2 Nepali language lessons
  • City tour of Kathmandu
  • Cultural activities and excursions
  • Online pre-departure training with our Boston staff
  • In-country airport transportation
  • Emergency medical and travel insurance
  • 24/7 in-country support and supervision
  • A United Planet t-shirt

Health and Safety

United Planet provides emergency travel and medical insurance for all volunteers. All Nepal staff members participate in extensive health and safety training, and are available at all times by 24-hour phone line. Upon enrollment, you will receive a full emergency contact list. In addition, we register all of our volunteers with US Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). We recommend booking a doctor’s appointment or visiting a travel health clinic a few months out to update your vaccinations.  Read more about health and safety.

Transportation and Flights

Due to varying airline prices, United Planet does not arrange or cover the cost of flights to and from Nepal. However, we arrange all ground transportation to and from the airport in Nepal and will ensure that you arrive safely at orientation in Kathmandu and at your host house. Volunteers can either walk or take public buses or taxis to their project sites. Daily commuting costs are covered by volunteers.

Quest Fee

 
2 Weeks 3 Weeks 4 Weeks 5 Weeks 6 Weeks 7 Weeks 8 Weeks 9 Weeks 10 Weeks 11 Weeks 12 Weeks
$2575 $2975 $3365 $3775 $4145 $4995 $5445 $5865 $6355 $6735 $6975
*Quests outside Kathmandu: add $250 to regular Quest fee

About Our Quest Fee

We want you to succeed. That means having in place the support our volunteers need. We don’t just drop you in country and hope for the best. We provide training before you leave … language exposure … 24/7 in-country support … support for your host family … accommodations, meals and airport transportation … activities and excursions. The whole idea is to make the experience successful and productive for you and the host community, and we have found that these things are crucial. Remember that we are a non-profit, mission-driven organization – we wouldn’t spend money on something that wasn’t important.

*Payment Plan Details: A $300 deposit is due at the time of your enrollment to lock in your spot in our program. After your confirmation in a program, you can choose to pay the Quest Fee all at once or in installments. The total Quest Fee is due 4 weeks before your departure date.

Have questions? We’re here for you. We’d love to help.

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