Volunteer Opportunities in Nepal

There are numerous volunteering opportunities available in Nepal, many of which focus on community projects aimed at promoting integration, well-being, enhancing learning and education, as well as tackling health and social care issues. At the moment, help is still needed to rebuild the country following the devastating earthquake of 2015. The ethical issues in volunteering are important to consider but make it an incredibly worthwhile and enriching experience. Locations vary, with many teaching placements located within schools in Kathmandu enabling you to experience the local area and participate in a variety of activities in your spare time. Traditional farming and permaculture is a popular option in more rural areas of Nepal, such as Gerkhu in the southern Himalayas.

The type of activities you are looking to do during your volunteering experience in Nepal will depend on the best time to visit. The winter months tend to be very cold, with temperatures often reaching below zero. The advantage of this is the lower amount of tourists; however, many outdoor activities are likely to be closed out of season. Early autumn, throughout October and November, is a great time as the weather is warmer for enjoying the sunshine and activities, enabling you to explore many of the medieval cities or temples. The spring season is beautiful and warm also, with many activities running, but beware of Nepal's infamous monsoon season which starts brewing in May, taking place during the months of June, July and August where it is likely to rain most days, causing landslides and flooding which could disrupt your travel and plans. Generally, hiking and trekking is possible throughout the year providing you prepare well for the weather during any particular season.

When it comes to visa and documentation needed in order to volunteer in Nepal, the process is very straightforward. Visas are issued upon arrival, providing you fill in the forms as a tourist visa request which will be issued as 15, 30 or 90 days. You also have the option to extend your tourist visa up to 150 days within a calendar year. For a tourist visa, you will need passport photos and foreign currency (preferably US Dollars) to pay the visa fee which is approximately $40 for a 30 day single entry visa or $100 for a 90 day multi-entry visa. The main currency would otherwise be Nepalese rupee, with it currently being about 102 rupee to the dollar. The cost of living is fairly inexpensive with a meal costing around 400-500 rupees. Many languages are spoken in Nepal, but the main language is Nepali.