Nepal is one of the most spectacular countries in the world with breathtaking scenery, wildlife and endless adventures. If you are planning a gap year and are keen to visit Asia, then Nepal is a great destination to consider adding to your itinerary.
Paid Work, Volunteer Programs & Trips in Nepal
Community Volunteer Nepal
• 2-12 weeks
• Price from £1,245
TEFL Course in Kathmandu
• 4 weeks
• Price from $1,490
Dog & Farm Animal Shelter Volunteer
• 2-8 weeks
• Price from £1,295
Highlights of Nepal
• 8 days
• Price from £829
Himalayan Adventure
• 20 days, 3 countries
• Price from £3,949
India & Nepal Adventure
• 15 days
• Price from £1,449
Travelling & Backpacking in Nepal
Nepal is a country of beautiful landscapes, generous smiles and enormous potential. People are extremely friendly and hospitable. Nepalese are proud of their culture and love welcoming people from outside to integrate them with Nepalese customs and our way of life.
Nepal is one of the most exotic natural and cultural destinations among the famous tourist destinations. These are some of the most popular tourist destinations you should try to see: • Kathmandu • Nagarkot • Pokhara • Sagarmatha National Park • Lumbini • Chitwan National Park.
On a gap year you can combine volunteer programs with adventure and recreation. You can enjoy many Nepalese attractions such as Trekking, Rafting, Bungee jumping, Jungle safari, Mountain flight and much more; or you can just spend time in helping and coordinating your volunteer program.
Volunteer in Nepal
Make a difference and help amazing local causes by volunteering in Nepal. There are so many worthwhile projects helping people, communities, education, the environment and animals. Placements are available in places like Kathmandu Valley, Langtang, Pokhara, lamjung, Tanahun, Gorkha and Chitwan, all of which are near to a major city.
Volunteers can look up the places to get more of a feel for the areas and we can discuss where you will stay when you arrive according to your needs and with considerations of safety of volunteers and availability. Local co-ordinators will be looking after you.
A lot of trips include Nepali language and cultural training, and accommodation with local Nepali families.
Types of programs can include:
Teaching English
The primary purpose of these centers is to offer community youth the opportunity to develop their English language skills and to give the young people a beneficial and positive way of spending their time rather than taking up drinking, smoking or gambling.
Resource Centers offer English language instruction and cultural interaction to young people and adults in the community.
Ultimately, the philosophy is that improved language skills will lead to employment, particularly in the Chitwan and Pokhara tourist areas as well have enormous advantage in any further education: English language is the medium for tertiary education in Nepal.
Being able to consolidate classroom knowledge with a native or very good speaker of English is an enormous advantage in learning English and learning about cultures is also enriching and important.
Environmental Awareness
Volunteers can teach environmental awareness at the local school and/or Environmental Post for 2 to 4 hours each day, Sunday through Friday. Environmental awareness projects will be defined by the individual volunteers based-upon their areas of expertise and the needs of the village community.
Example projects include: creating “green” clubs, planting a flower garden, planting trees, garbage management, recycling programs making a smokeless stove, building a toilet pit, etc. Volunteers may also provide assist to youth clubs or women’s groups in the community sharing their ideas, skills and knowledge about environmental issues.
Cultural Exchange & Home-stay Programs
Home-stays and cultural exchange programmes can be arranged in most areas of Nepal. Participants will be placed with a Nepali family in a small rural village for the duration of their stay. This provides the an excellent opportunity to learn about all aspects of Nepali culture, lifestyle, language, food and people.
Volunteers should remember that this is a cultural exchange and that an effort to offer some knowledge of their own home culture and customs to the family with whom they stay is appreciated. During their stay, volunteers can attend language lessons and also have the opportunity to visit and help out at local schools.
Home stay programmes are best organized from August to December which is the time when most large local festivals take place. This makes for an overall more exciting experience for the volunteer. Nepali culture is distinctively friendly and open and participants are made to feel as though they are part of the family.
Medical and Healthcare
Healthcare programs provides a wide variety of experiences depending on the time of year.
While at your placement, volunteers may be doing very hands-on work such as giving shots and treating wounds; conducting home-visits; developing and delivering information on health issues such as birth control and personal hygiene; providing office support; and providing knowledge transfer to the health post doctors on the latest first aid techniques.
Volunteers usually work approximately two to four hours a day in the health post, supplemented by teaching health education classes at a local government school or women’s group.
Volunteering at Orphanages
Volunteers can be placed in orphanages assisting children in their day to day routine. The children are mostly between the ages of four and fifteen, and have a basic understanding of English. The general role of the volunteer will be to act as an older sibling: to care for, look after and encourage the children.
Participants will teach the children general life skills, including health and sanitation, as well as arts, crafts and music. Depending on your own skills and interests, though, you can also teach songs, music, dance, cooking, or any number of activities, and generally just spend quality time with the children.
Jobs in Nepal
You could take a TEFL certification and apply to teach English in Nepal – this is one of the easiest ways to gain employment in the country.
Nepal Group Tours
Nepal has a long rich history and there are no limits to the sights to be seen.
From trekking in the Himalayas, white water rafting, jungle safaris and city sightseeing tours, there are lots of trips available. Although Nepal is an adventure destination with trips to places like Everest and the Annapurna Circuit, there are lots of general sightseeing tours available without trekking.
To book a trip you don’t need any technical skills or special equipment. You won’t go anywhere too remote, too cold or too high altitude. Instead all tours are accessible which also take you off the beaten track and avoid busy tourist areas. You won’t climb Everest – trips are tailor made and accessible for everyone.
If you want to take it easy – no problem, local and international travel operators can find a gentle route. Feeling energetic – easy, they can always find extra hills!
