Guide to living and volunteering in Nepal

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Through volunteering in Nepal, I was given the opportunity to dig past the momos and temples of Nepal and get to know its soul. I was welcomed with open arms by a local family in a tiny village on the edge of the Kathmandu Valley.

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Every night we sat rugged up by a raging fire, gobbling down fresh dal baht and potatoes. I was merely a visitor to Nepal when I arrived, but by the end, I was family.

Volunteering in Nepal is a delightful mission; the people are open, proud and wildly generous. There is so much more to the peaceful land than world-famous trekking and UNESCO-listed sites.

Are you curious to get to know authentic Nepal and create a meaningful impact? Take a peek at the guide below – we go through everything you need to know about living and volunteering in Nepal.

Finding your perfect volunteering in Nepal experience

Volunteering in Nepal experiences come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s completely up to you to determine which one suits you best.

First things first – determine what you want out of your volunteering in Nepal experience, and determine what you can give back.

  • What are your skills?
  • What are you passionate about?

You’ll also want to take into consideration how much time you have.

Generally, it’s best to spend at least a few weeks if you really want to make your volunteering in Nepal experience impactful (which you should). This assures that the work you’re doing goes deeper than creating a surface ripple.

Another route you can take is to immerse locally. Doing it this way may not give you a textbook volunteering in Nepal experience, but it’s a guaranteed way to keep your money (and impact) circulating locally.

Home Stay

I found my experience through Airbnb, and was welcomed into an equal cultural exchange. I paid for my board (as you do on Airbnb), but helped out with chores and watching the children. In return, I was welcomed with warm hospitality, a novella of tales and a glimpse into local Nepali life. I was interested in an experience like this one because I had less than a week left in Nepal. In my eyes, staying with a local family was more worthwhile for everyone.

My homestay in Kathmandu Valley: Volunteering in Nepal
(Home stay in Kathmandu Valley: Photo by Imogen)

It’s no secret that there are a plethora of options out there, so one of the best ways to narrow down your search is to know exactly what you’re looking for in terms of length and impact. When you do, research reputable organisations and NGO’s to find your match.

Organisations offering volunteering in Nepal

To lend a hand, I’ve rounded up a few renowned volunteering companies that guarantee ethical and impactful volunteering in Nepal experiences:

  • Global Volunteers – this is a US-based organisation that has been granted special consultative status by the United Nations, so your impact is guaranteed.
  • Global Vision International – focused on high-quality development programs, GVI has received awards from Responsible Travel and National Geographic for their work.
  • International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) – partnering with local NGOs, this organisation has been catalysing meaningful initiatives in local communities since 2007.
  • Raleigh International – well-known for their dedication to youth leadership and engagement, this organisation has been running since 1986 and focuses on experiences in only four countrie including Nepal.

Volunteering in Nepal and creating an impactful experience

It’s important to choose a volunteering in Nepal experience that is ethical, authentic and sustainable. In fact, even though your heart is likely still in the right place, it can actually be harmful to volunteer in any other setting.

Not all volunteering in Nepal experiences require expertise, but it is vital that you’re skilled suitably. The experience should be complemented by your skills, and you definitely shouldn’t be involved with projects you lack familiarity with. Think about it this way – your volunteering in Nepal experience should centre around the community you’re in. If you’re not appropriately skilled, it’s unhelpful for that community – instead, the experience revolves around you.

Once you’ve found an organisation or experience, ask them a lot of questions to determine if it truly is an impactful choice. You can ask things like:

  • Who is behind the project?
  • Are they an organisation that actively gives back to the community and sustainably creates change?
  • What is their motivation?
  • Are there specific goals that are actively being met?
  • Do they abide by an ethics and responsibility policy? Does it match their actions?
  • Is there evidence they’ve made ripples? Look for hard facts and statistics. Remember, an ethical volunteering organisation will have a track record of the ripples they’ve made. They will also be in for the long-haul.
  • Is it involved with well-known NGOs or government organisations?

This is the very tip of the iceberg, so be sure to do more research on ethical volunteering before you sign up to a program. A great place to start is the organisations mentioned above. These companies are vetted to include only sustainable and meaningful experiences, so your impact is safe in their hands.

Culture and courtesy when volunteering in Nepal

As Nepal rests at the modest crux between Hindu and Buddhist cultures, it’s important to dress and act respectfully. Generally, Nepalis are conservative when it comes to dress code, so keep that in mind, especially if you’re visiting a religious centre or village.

It is common now for women in Kathmandu and Pokhara to wear shorter clothing, but as Nepalis have a conservative attitude towards clothing, dressing respectfully will generally earn you more respect from the locals. For men, always wear a shirt in public and long pants. Women should wear skirts, saris or pants that hang around mid-calf.

Kathmandu temple: Volunteering in Nepal
(Kathmandu temple: Photo by Imogen)

Foreigners are doted on in Nepal, so don’t be shocked when locals want to exchange numbers and take selfies. To show great respect to new friends and passersby, use the Nepali greeting namaste, which translates to “I salute the god within you”.

Learning the basic greetings and using them with impact is one of the simplest ways to show respect within Nepali culture.

Greetings when volunteering in Nepal

If you want to go above and beyond, get familiar with the way Nepalis address each other:

  • Didi for older sister.
  • Bahini for younger sister.
  • Daii for older brother.
  • Bhaai for younger brother.

Keeping these words in your vocabulary while wandering around Nepal will keep you surrounded by warm, welcoming smiles.

While volunteering in Nepal, it’s likely you may feel a bit of culture shock. The best thing you can do is get comfortable with cultural norms and just jump right in! Some of the norms that I had to get used to included eating with my hands (I was originally given a spoon for my dal baht, but after a few days of watching the family around me, I had to join in) and making sure I could finish what was on my plate. In Nepal, an unfinished meal means you were unsatisfied, so be cautious to not eat with your eyes. I also learned that it’s important to never point the soles of your bare feet towards other people, as it’s said to signal a transferral of negative energy.

Another thing I had to get used to was using water. In the village I stayed in, the water was cut sometimes. You could choose to skip your shower, or have a bucket bath. This was a little daunting at first (especially in the crisp Himalayan air), but it soon became natural.

It’s okay to make mistakes and learn as you go along – the most important thing is that you’re trying, listening and open to evolving.

Transportation

Transport in Nepal is simple enough to work out, but it can be time consuming because of the mountainous terrain. Depending on your budget and how much time you have, there are a plethora of transport options across the country.

Your volunteering in Nepal experience may be located in a hub or in a rural area, so it’s important to become familiar with your transport options.

Tourist Buses

Foreigners and Nepalis alike merge on the tourist buses – these are your best bet if you’re on a budget but still value some sort of comfort, which most people do.

Dozens of bus companies travel daily between the major hubs of Kathmandu and Pokhara, making it simple to dot around the country. There are also simple connections between Kathmandu and Chitwan, Pokhara and Chitwan, and Kathmandu and Lumbini.

Tourist buses are generally more comfortable than local buses, as they’re not over-crowded, sometimes have air-conditioning and often give out free water. These connections stop regularly for toilet and meal breaks, giving you plenty of time to soak in the dazzling Himalayan scenery. Free wifi is also usually generously advertised, but rest assured, it rarely works.

The seven hour ride between Kathmandu and Pokhara costs between $8 and $10 USD, and it’s usually best to book your ticket beforehand at a travel agent or your hotel. During peak tourist season this is especially true, as they’re known to book out. All of the tourist buses leave at 7:00AM from Sorakhutte. You can find this area by walking to the end of Paknajol road, then turning left. It’s best to arrive around half an hour earlier at 6.30 AM.

Renowned tourist bus companies:

  • Holiday Adventure.
  • Rainbow Adventure.
  • Lineup.
  • Blue Sky Travel

Here are a few quick tips for travelling on tourist buses:

  • Buy your ticket from a trustworthy source and keep a digital copy of your ticket as well.
  • Bring lots of water with you – some companies may give out free water but this isn’t a given.
  • Take a sweater or blanket on board in winter.
  • Pack your own lunch if you have a weak stomach or food intolerances. Roadside food is delicious but could cause a sensitive stomach issues.
  • Keep tissues/toilet paper and hand sanitiser on board – what can I say? Roadside toilets can be an experience!

Local Buses

Local buses are the main method of transport for most Nepalis, so if you’ve got a keen sense of adventure, this one is for you. The local buses are less comfortable, and only cost a fraction less than tourist buses.

Expect to pay around $5 USD for a bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara, and expect it to be as full as a can of sardines. You’ll have to be brave to nab a seat and keep it, and the drivers often flirt with danger, driving at crazy speeds.

There is one downside to taking a local bus out of Kathmandu: local buses often leave from stations that aren’t located in the centre, so it may end up costing you the same as just booking a tourist bus.

If you decide you’re in for the adventure (or you’re just on a hardcore budget) the best way to book a local bus is to ask around at the bus station.

Signs usually only display information in Nepali. Alternatively, you could ask your hotel or a travel agent but they may just book you on a tourist bus.

Flights

This option is definitely the quickest, but I’d only recommend it if you’re in Nepal for a very short amount of time and have a little more wiggle room with your budget.

Though it does strip a lot of time from your journey, travelling slowly along the dusty roads was the catalyst for some of my greatest adventures.

A flight will also set you back around $110 USD, making it the most expensive mode of transport by far. However, your itinerary or volunteering may take you to some regions of the country which are inaccessible by road. Taking a flight to these regions will undoubtedly shave days off your journey, so don’t rule flying out just yet.

Taxis

Depending on your journey, grabbing a taxi could be well worth it. While they do cost more than buses, they are definitely the most comfortable mode of transport, and suit medium-distance journeys best. I took a taxi from Kathmandu to Changu Narayan (about an hours drive), and it cost around the same as a tourist bus trip to Pokhara.

You can take a taxi on a long-distance journey, but be aware that city taxis need permission to leave their area, so this fee will be added to your fare. In Nepal, there is no fixed rates for taxi rides, so make sure you negotiate before you jump in.

A good way to pay fairly is to ask someone from your organisation, hotel or guesthouse, but it should be around 45Rs/km around the city.

Nepalese food

Nepalese food is delicious and inclusive – featuring an array of spices, grains and fresh produce, it’s more often than not gluten-free and vegetarian. Let’s take a quick peek into Nepals’ favourite dishes:

Dal Baht

Dal Baht is the centre of all in Nepal. It’s usually eaten at least once a day, and locals and foreigners alike love it! Served typically on a metal plate, the feast features dal (thick, delicious lentil soup), baht (rice) and trimmings that chop and change with every meal, including pickled vegetables.

Eating dal baht and volunteering in Nepal
(Eating dal baht: Photo by Imogen)

One thing to note is that traditionally, Nepalese people eat their dal baht without cutlery. To do as the locals do, use your right hand to make small balls of food, then push it into your mouth with your thumb. It can take a little getting used to but embrace it!

Momos

Momos are another crowd-favourite in Nepal. These sticky dumplings are usually served as the main meal, and are surprisingly filling! You can find them steamed or fried, and a typical serving is ten, so order up!

Traditionally, momos were stuffed with buffalo, but it’s easy to find a vegetarian or chicken version today.

Newari Cuisine

You can’t visit Kathmandu without sampling (and getting to know) Newari food. The Newar people are the indigenous people of Kathmandu Valley, and they’re famous for around 200 delicious dishes. Expect delicate blends of cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, chilli and ginger. Mmmm!

Aside from these delicious foods, you’ll also find sel roti, samosas, pani puri, lassi and thukpa. Your tongue will be spoiled for choice!

Power cuts when volunteering in Nepal

This was one of the biggest elements of my culture shock; power outages occur daily, depending on where you are. It generally cuts for between ten minutes to an hour, but you’ll want to be prepared regardless. It’s safe to say the power cuts usually correlate with how rural your location is.

Most hotels, hostels and restaurants will use a backup generator, but if you’re staying locally or volunteering, it’s best to be prepared with a flashlight and a portable charger.

At my homestay experience in the Kathmandu Valley, the power went out a few times a day for about an hour at a time. It was never too inconvenient, but it did make going to the bathroom at night a little difficult if the lights were out. It’s all part of the experience though, so take it in your stride.

Regardless of how you choose to create ripples in Nepal, your experience is guaranteed to be one of the most colourful adventures of your life. So soak it up, get out of your comfort zone and have a few momos for me.

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