Location
  • Nepal
    • Kathmandu
    • Chitwan
    • Pokhara
Length
1 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Host Family
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)

Pricing

Starting Price
275
Price Details
Fully hosted experience from only $275 for 1 week - this includes accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.
What's Included
Accommodation Airport Transfers Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
May 01, 2024
Apr 22, 2024
59 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 136,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Nepal and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 6 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in Nepal.

Our affordable projects start from $20/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-12 weeks. Choose from 11 projects, ranging from Childcare in Pokhara surrounded by gorgeous mountain views to supporting Elephant Conservation in a local elephant sanctuary in Chitwan. Plus, you’ll stay with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Cheapest volunteer programs from $20/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
  • Volunteer for 1-12 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays
  • 15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization
  • Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy
  • Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

Popular Programs

Elephant Conservation Volunteer in Nepal

Volunteer on an Elephant Conservation project with IVHQ and help provide exceptional care to rescued elephants who were previously used for rides. Support local staff with tasks like cleaning, preparing food, and building projects. Gain hands-on experience in animal care and make a positive impact on the wellbeing of these majestic creatures!

Volunteer in Nepal with IVHQ

Based in either Kathmandu or Pokhara, you'll be based in a childcare center helping with early stages of education and entertainment, fostering an appetite for learning and fun in local children.

Volunteer in Nepal with IVHQ

Help with construction and maintenance around educational facilities across Nepal. This is well suited to fit an eager volunteer who enjoys physical, hands-on work.

Volunteer in Nepal with IVHQ

Assist education centers for women who did not complete high school qualifications, but want another chance. Volunteers focus on teaching English, which boosts job prospects and helps with cultural understanding.

Volunteer in Nepal with IVHQ

Provide valued input as a fluent English speaker in lessons in both public and private schools across Nepal.

Program Reviews

4.86 Rating
based on 58 reviews
  • 5 rating 91.38%
  • 4 rating 6.9%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 1.72%
  • Impact 4.55
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.7
  • Value 4.7
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 49 - 56 of 58 reviews
Yue
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

See the smiling face and enjoy the time

It is quite an interesting experience to me in Nepal, where I have acquired much inspiration and happiness. Once you go out to see the different world,you can have an amazing memory and time to enjoy.
The program I took part in was Childcare in Nepal. The routine work is to look after, accompany and teach children. Sometimes I assist local teachers to do some daily work.The children there are beautiful with big eyes and they are around three years old. Yet they are too young to understand English so we mainly communicate by facial or body languages. They are cute and willing to play with volunteers. It is quite interesting to communicate with them by that way and gives me lots of fun. Sometimes I talk to them using simple Nepali language where I learn from the local, but you know ,this time is always short. hahaha. You can give your creative ideas and teaching methods of your country to the teachers, talking and exploring with them so that you can build a fantastic class. It is quite a good opportunity for me to see diversities and different culture there.
Besides that ,what I want to mention is that children are like to eat candies and chocolates and volunteers need to learn to give them in a proper way such as when they perform well in class they can get a bonus. It is significant to give sweets to children as a bonus or inspiration rather than a simple give. Some children may ask you to bring sweets another day and we need to tell them every effort counts since they are young and important to develop. Actually, this action helps the class more interesting and active and you can truly enjoy time there.
The homestay there is very good to me and I really enjoy the scenery there. This is my first time to Nepal and take part in program. Everyday can be wonderful only if you put efforts and try to make it happen. I miss Nepal and people there.:)

What would you improve about this program?
Different volunteers may go to different schools. I think it is meaningful to tell volunteers the children's age range in advance so that we volunteers can make full preparation to think what we need to do.
It can help the program work more effectively.
52 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Yue, It's great to hear from you. Thank you for sharing a little from your experience in Nepal. It sounds like you had a really meaningful time and we are glad that we were able to facilitate this for you. Thanks for being an IVHQer!

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Jacob
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Creates Prespective

My time volunteering in Nepal was unique and an experience I will remember for years to come. In order to fully enjoy your time as a volunteer you have to be open minded, and have the ability to be flexible. You never know where the program coordinators are going to need you the most, and what your placement will be until you arrive in the country. Having an open mind will not only make your experenice more enjoyable but allow the job of your coordinators to be easier as well.
I was originally placed in the Katmandu Valley for childcare but was switched to the beautiful city of Pokhara, a popular tourist destination in the country. I stayed at a beautiful homestay with a local family, and for a country so different than my own I felt like I as at home. My placement itself ended up involving me, along with two other volunteers, to be teaching English to students older than we were. It took us by surprise as the three of us had signed up for a childcare position but the ability to keep an open mind helped us to enjoy the experience and be thankful that we were helping in any way possible. The following week the program coordinator switched the three of us to a daycare where we were able to fulfill more of a childcare role. I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking to make a difference in a country that could use its help, but I would say don't go into this program thinking you'll be doing certain things... Come with a open mind and this experience could change your life!

What would you improve about this program?
In order to improve this program it would be nice to get put in a placement that matches the description of what you signed up for. Fortunately you always have program coordinators to assist and they can always make the necessary changes.
55 people found this review helpful.
Linn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering in a smiling community

After the massive earthquake earlier in 2015 I decided that I would be going to Nepal, and it would happen soon. In October I booked my flights and in the middle of November I found myself alone at the airport in Kathmandu. But I was never worried. I was picked up and driven to the guest house where all the volunteers would spend some days before heading off to our placements.
I think that's one thing I'll remember after volunteering in Nepal. I was never worried.
Because even though I wasn't speaking to the program coordinators very often, I felt safe and happy. Even when I was placed teaching English to people older than myself (I had signed up for childcare), I knew that things would be okay. After just a few days I was moved to a daycare for young children. One thing that you just have to get used to, is the fact that the people you're working with does not speak English very well. You might be very confused at times, but it's a part of the experience. I have to say that I have been frustrated at times, especially when I suddenly was teaching English (which isn't even my first language), but I have learned that there are people here who only wants the best for you and are trying very hard to make you happy.
Because even though the people in Nepal doesn't have much, they are the most friendly and smiling people I have ever met. They always do their best for you, because you are worth so much to them.
I think the family I'm staying with plays an important role in making me feel safe here. I thought I was very lucky with my host family, but after talking to other volunteers here it seems like every family is amazing (and makes amazing food).
I would recommend volunteering in Nepal to everyone. I love Nepal, and my trip back is already being planned.

What would you improve about this program?
If I would change one thing, it would be to make sure the placements knows what the volunteers have signed up for, and organize the program better.
54 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Linn, Thanks for sharing your photos and thoughts, from your time in Nepal. It's great to hear that you felt so cared for by our local team in Kathmandu. It sounds like you faced all of the challenges of travelling abroad head on and this ensured you had a memorable experience. Thank you for being an IVHQer and we look forward to welcoming you on another program again in the future.

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SUN
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Leave what you live with, appreciate what you live on.

I've spent 2 weeks in Nepal.Nicky and I helped in an orphanage.We lived in the mayor's house(the mayor of the urban area of Pokhara).Everyday we walked to the orphanage in several minutes. We helped with the kitchen,cutting decayed and wormy potatoes, peeling immature bananas.All these foods can be cooked into something tasty by adding curry. We also have the same meals with them. I made dumplings for them and luckily they like the dumplings.Although they don't have many kinds of good foods, they have pretty much sources for knowledge. They went to private school being taught in english and there are volunteers from all over the world going there.They may don't have many things we live with, but they are happy with what they live on, and have enough spiritual foods.

What would you improve about this program?
Tell us more about the condition of orphanage we are going to before we leave home, so that we can make suitable preparing.
46 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Sun, Thanks for sharing a little from your experience volunteering in Nepal. It's great to have you as an IVHQer and we hope to have you back on another program soon.

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Nuri
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Nepal, Unity in Diversity

Being a volunteer with IVHQ was a very great experience for me, especially in Nepal, which is one of the poorest country in the world. I was taking a break from my concert photography job, and using this volunteer trip as my getaway. As a person who really loves children, my childcare placement was perfect for me. It's very delightful and grateful to meet and play with children in the orphan house, because I learn about how to communicate with them in English, which is not our first language (I'm from Indonesia, so I speak bahasa Indonesia as my first language). They taught me how to speak Nepali, and I taught them bahasa Indonesia little bit. Not only the language, but also about our culture and religion. It was very awkward moment when I had to do meditation before dinner, I'm a Muslim so I don't do meditation. I told them why I don't do meditation and they understood, then we share knowledge about our religion between Hindu and Islam. Diversity is most welcome in Nepal. I was worried about the communication because I don't speak Nepali, turns out most of Nepali people speak very good English. I didn't finished my program because the Ministry of Foreign Affair of Republic Indonesia flew all Indonesian back to Indonesia after the earthquake. Yes, I'm still disappointed but humans can't control a natural disaster. So I went back to Indonesia 2 weeks earlier. It was good and terrifying experience at the same time. But I promise myself to go back to Nepal to meet the children because my departure was so sudden. I miss Nepal already.

50 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Nuri, Thanks for sharing your experience volunteering in Nepal with IVHQ. We are glad you are safe and well back in Indonesia and hope you will have the opportunity to return to Nepal to volunteer with IVHQ again in the the future.

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Sara
1/5
No, I don't recommend this program

WASTE OF TIME AND WASTE OF MONEY

I arrived in Nepal ready and eager for the experience and challenge of international volunteering, and I (along with the other members of my volunteer group) was deeply disappointed and enraged by what we got. In fact, out of a large group of volunteers, all of those planning to stay more than 2 weeks terminated their stay early. It's almost like the descriptions on the websites are just made up by staff who've never actually been to the placements. The "orphanage work" description says that we'd be staying in a homestay and would work all day with needy children, helping them in all areas of their life. In reality, we were grouped into one-bedroom apartments or hotels and the children were gone ALL DAY at school and we were only with them for an hour in the evening to help with homework. When we showed the IVHQ staff in our local placement what the website said we'd be doing and the schedule they provided us of our daily routines, they laughed and couldn't believe it-- saying that that's never how it's been and that it's "impossible". There were even several volunteers who were scheduled to teach in schools for a month DURING the children's school holidays when no one was there!!! Clearly the staff doesn't care at all about the impact of its program. Meanwhile, the staff all drove the nicest cars we'd seen anywhere in Kathmandu, and other than that we couldn't figure out for the life of us where on earth our dues were actually going. It would have been infinitely better in EVERY way, and we all could have made a significantly greater impact in the communities, had we just traveled there and volunteered on our own without this ridiculous excuse for a volunteer program.

50 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Sara,

Thank you for your feedback. Our Nepal program typically receives very positive feedback, so when I saw this review I was naturally concerned. I’ll personally review this feedback and make the appropriate improvements with our local team and the IVHQ Program Manager, and we will respond to you directly by email to ensure we understand each of your concerns fully.

While there is some variance in how our programs run around the world, we generally don’t have volunteers working with children for whole days and I hope that we’re clear enough about this in our information. However, if there are ways that we can improve this along with other aspects of the program, I am very interested in examining in more detail how we can do this.

We have confidence in the quality of our Nepal program, however it is clear that you have some specific concerns based on your experience. I know your IVHQ Program Manager has contacted you directly in regards to your feedback and I can assure you that we take all comments and recommended improvements seriously. We are constantly looking at how we can improve, so I appreciate the time you have taken in communicating with us on this matter.

If anyone reading has concerns based on this review, they can contact me directly via ben@volunteerhq.org, or you are welcome to seek feedback directly from our community of past and present Nepal volunteers at our IVHQ Nepal Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/473783705993466/?fref=ts

Ben Brown
IVHQ Head of Sustainability

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Christian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Perfect so relaxing so enjoyable best expirance for your money

Im staying for five months and the three months that i have been here so far were great. Lots of fun friendly staff and host family! Everyone was quick to help and i was placed right where i wanted to be. The only downside was the lack of things to do at the placements. Most of my days were lazy days because nobody had any work for me at all which was nice at first so i could explore around but now I have no things to do at all. If there was a construcion program or a pure water building program that would be great but most of the time people at the orphangaes and schools dont step to need volenteers. So a variety of program would go a long way here.

What would you improve about this program?
Again more variety of program i feel like my time is being wasted and i could give so much more this isnt this shouldnt feel like a vacation
50 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Thanks for your review, Christian. We're pleased to hear you appreciated the support and company of our local team and your host family. While most volunteers work at their placements for 3 or 4 hours per day, there is an expectation that further time is spent each day preparing for the next day's volunteering. We appreciate your feedback in regards to expanding project opportunities, as IVHQ and our locals team are always looking for opportunities for volunteers to support our existing projects and volunteer input is encouraged through initiatives such as the IVHQ Booster Grants: www.volunteerhq.org/booster-grants.

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septastic
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Orphanage Work - Nepal

I volunteered for orphanage work in Nepal in 2011, and was a bit apprehensive about booking online. With the sea of scams and uncertainty, it's hard to know who can be trusted. After a few chats with past volunteers and a large amount of positive reviews online, I chose to go through IVHQ and was pleased to find the trip went smoothly.

The staff in NZ was very friendly and accommodating to some special requests I had prior to booking my trip, and I was able to pick the specific volunteer location I wanted to work at. Airport pickup went smoothly, and the hotel I was placed at in Kathmandu was located within walking distance of Thamel. The hotel staff was very accommodating and helpful, the food served was more than average, and the tours and lessons upon arriving were a nice way of getting a feel for the country. With all the new sights and sounds of a new place, it's easy to get overwhelmed. IVHQ's placement services took all the guesswork out of my arrival, and let me really enjoy my first few days there.

I was transported to a small orphanage outside Kathmandu a few days after arriving to Nepal, and received a warm welcome from the children and house staff. Accommodation was right at the orphanage where I had my own room, and it was simple but comfortable. Living right at the orphanage greatly enriched my understanding of what life is like for the boys, and it was great to be there day and night. Meals were basic, but since they were identical to what was traditionally served and consumed in Nepal, I was fine with them. We had running water, a heated shower, and power for a good portion of the day.

Most days were spent getting the children ready for school, walking them to class, and helping with homework afterwards. On the weekends we'd play games or walk into town, and sometimes I'd help out at the school with lessons. It's a slower way of life than I was used to, and if one doesn't have their heart set on really helping the children, it might turn into a boring experience. I loved it, and threw myself into helping, mentoring, and spending time with the children.

Nepal was a great experience, and I was able to see parts of the country on the weekends. Since there was really no set structure at the home, I was able to come and go as I wished. I took a mountain flight to see Mt. Everest, and did some canyoning up near the Tibet border. Prices were very inexpensive, allowing me to stay weeks longer than I could have afforded in other places around the world.

Like all new places and cultures, you certainly need an open mind when traveling to Nepal. It's vastly different than things are back home, but it's a wonderfully beautiful country filled with very warm and caring people. Just make sure you get out of Kathmandu and see what the country has to offer.

What would you improve about this program?
I would have liked to know more about where my program costs actually went. I got conflicting stories from the in country hosts and placement workers, as well as from other volunteers. Also, the first few days at the orphanage were hard, simply for the fact I had no idea what to do. I was literally dropped off, introduced to the children, and that was it. I didn't receive any instruction on what I would be required to do or how many hours I was expected to be there, etc. After a few days, I developed a routine and things sort of fell into place, but it did make for two or so very uncomfortable and rather awkward days. Other than that, it was fine. For the cost, I don't think you can beat it.
51 people found this review helpful.
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