VIN is dedicated to promote the most affordable and exciting travel and volunteering programs in Nepal for the betterment of local communities in need and to enrich the lives of travelers around the globe. Its unique and innovative ways of working make it a highly competitive and popular travel and volunteer placement in Nepal, providing a truly satisfying and fulfilling experience for all travelers.
Volunteer working in Nepal with VIN gives you a rewarding volunteer and travel experience that feed your soul by knowing the local cultures and different ways of life across Nepal while helping to volunteer with the local communities (women, children, youth and teachers) in Nepal. This is the reason why more and more people are choosing to volunteer in Nepal every year with VIN, as it helps them to gain different perspective, particularly within the realm of the caring field. We heartily welcome you to join our meaningful volunteer programs in Nepal and change the way you see the world! Make a difference!
We aim to support the work of local community through the placement of local and international volunteers and offer a wide variety of volunteer programs in our working area. We provide unique opportunities for safe and memorable volunteering and travel experiences in Nepal combined with enriching and rewarding voluntary work. Our summer volunteer programs give opportunities to have in-country travel and have the real feel of a new culture while living with your home stay local families.
Our volunteer programs include both short term, 1 week to long term 5 months. We however, highlighted the " Summer Volunteer Opportunity" for 3 to 5 weeks to suit your travel plan. With offering low cost volunteer program in Nepal, we invite you to join our volunteer programs in orphanages, healthcare, environment, teaching English, women empowerment, street children, medicine, orphanage, Tibetan monastery and lots more.
VIN has designed two different Summer Volunteer Program options:
1. Summer Volunteer and Trekking Program (Cost: €1099) 2. Summer Volunteer and Travel Tour (Cost: €675)
Summer Volunteer and Trekking Program
Program start dates: 1st and 15th of each month Program Duration: Five Weeks Program Cost: €1099 (Euros) Including Trekking (We offer one of the most affordable program fees compared to other international organizations. We however do not compromise to quality. There is no hidden cost associated with our program and no international agencies fees.)
Summer Volunteer and Trekking Program Highlights
Three to five days program induction including Nepali language, culture, sight seeing
Home stay with local families in rural setting in Kathmandu for cultural immersion
Volunteer with orphans and disadvantaged children, or construction work, Teaching Program, women's empowerment work, youth/ children's clubs
Classic trekking to explore Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp for two weeks (It will otherwise cost you at least 1200USD)
Very personalized small group experience
Friendly program leader for volunteer program and Local guides for trekking
Hiking in the outlying areas of Kathmandu
Program Itinary for Summer Volunteer and Trekking Program
Program Induction Phase (Five Days)
Day one: VIN's staff will receive and welcome you at the airport and place you at a hotel in Kathmandu (during program induction time you will stay there)
Day two: Half day sight seeing to world heritage sight seeing, e.g. Patan Darbar Square, Pashupatinath (world famous Hindu temple); after lunch you will be given an orientation about VIN's community programs, logistics and contarcts and one hour Nepali Language instruction
Day three: Half day sight seeing to Baudhnath and Swoyambhu (monkey temple); and program orientation. Nepali language instruction
Day four: Program orientation, cultural talk and Nepali language instruction
Day Five: Health talk, Nepali language and transfer to the respective rural community host family
Home Stay and Volunteering Phase (Fifteen days)
Community / school / orphanage / women programs and cultural immersion
During these fifteen days, the volunteers will work in orphanage centers, schools, children's / youth / women's clubs; or community building construction work. Volunteers will teach basic conversational English to the children youth and organize fun activities in order to encourage their participation with our staffs. In your free time, hike in the beautiful areas surrounding Kathmandu Valley and experience the peace and tranquility of amazing Nepal. Your role will be made clear during program induction period.
Travel, Trekking and Adventure Phase (14 Days)
The final two weeks offer a chance to satisfy your thirst for exploration and discovery on a Himalayan trekking experience. You may either choose to go Everest Base Camp Trek (EBC) or Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC). You will drive to Pokhara or Bashi sahar or fly to Lukla to begin your 14 days trek to the Himalayan region – the world famous Himalayan trekking route. The Himalayan range is one of the most enthralling treks that one could ever yearn for. The Annapurna and Everest hike is not only a hiking destination, but also a journey where you can witness diverse communities, cultures, religions and most of all, the world famous Gurung or Sherpa culture – the most widely known climbers of the world.
This program itinerary is merely a proposed sample and may be altered to meet the needs of the volunteers and changes in field conditions. This proposed itinerary will be finalized during orientation in Katmandu. It might also alter due to weather!
Shopping and Departure Phase (two days)
The volunteers will stay at Kathmandu in a hotel and can use their time for exploring more of Kathmandu and do some shopping if you wish to. Our staffs will help you if needed and the last day our staff will drop you at the airport. See you again!
Eligibility and Skills Requirement
Minimum age 18 years
You do not need any formal training or experience to participate this program, but whatever skills and experience you have will be taken into account when arranging your day-to-day activities.
Volunteers need to be independent, enthusiastic and adaptable, hard-working with an open-minded attitude.
All applicants should have: a desire to help the people of Nepal, flexibility, self-motivation, openness to a new culture and a willingness to learn.
send with CV and 2 contact details for 2 referees;
Await confirmation from VIN for acceptance on to volunteer / Internship program;
Pay $100 program booking fee (non-refundable);
VIN will confirm payment and send pre-departure information;
Full payment for the volunteer placement will be paid during your induction.
Program Cost Covers
Intensive training and orientation appropriate to the length of your stay.
Meal and accommodation (Nepali standard) with host family during placement.
Transportation (pick up and drop off to/from airport and placement).
Stationaries during training.
Supervision
Sightseeing in Kathmandu (Excluding entrance fees)
Trekking cost either Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 Days or Annapurna Trek -14 Days (An experienced Guide - trained by Ministry of tourism, porters - generally 1 porter for 2 person, their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, for guide and porter. Bus transportation to and from trekking routes.
VIN's staffs and program cost
Tourist service charge, Vat.
Communication and office Service charge.
Note :For Trekking, you may choose any of above mentioned Trekking routes
The fee does not cover
Insurance - medical, travel, personal belongings
Flights - International and domestic
Personal expenses i.e. gift items, beverage, water bottle
Visa renewal and obtaining
Other expenses incidental cases
Summer Volunteer and Travel Tour Program
Program Duration: 3/4 weeks (2/3 weeks volunteer and 1 week travel tours) - You can also extend your volunteer time with VIN. It will cost €50 extra per week.
Program Cost : €675 (Euros) Including Travel to Chitawan Jungle Safari
Start dates: 1st and 15th of each month
Program Orientation: A-three-day orientation will be provided by our staff. We cover areas like some basic language and culture, greetings, locations, TEFL, health talk, transportation Tips etc.
Your Role and Involvement in the Program
Volunteers teach at community schools or orphanage homes to children aged 4-14 years old. Volunteers teach mainly English, and any other subject depending on their interest and ability. The program is non formal teaching and thus does not require any formal training or teaching experience. VIN has 10 partner schools, two orphanage centers, 7 early childhood development centers, 9 children's clubs, 12 women's clubs and 1 youth club. You can choose to work with any groups that interest you. All these listed programs (except orphanage) are in the same community and you can get involved in more than one area. We have chosen a small community (population over 5000) but work with different groups so that we can monitor the impacts. You can do a variety of creative works for them.
Travel Plan during and after Volunteering
Sightseeing of ‘sister' cities ( Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktpur) of Kathmandu valley, with different languages and cultures, the world heritage sites, e.g. Darbar Squares, Baudhanath and Swyambhunath (monkey Temple) Stupas, Pashupatinath (the cultural and religious place for Hindus), Budhanilakantha, Patan,
Visit Nagarkot or Dhulikhel for beautiful mountain views from Sunrise to Sunset.
Return to Kathmandu stay a night and go hiking in Jitpur village for a day.
2 Nights 3 days jungle Safari to Chitawan National Park: The city is south -200km away from Kathmandu valley. Chitwan is famous for wild life and jungle safari. You will have opportunity to see many wild lives,e.g. tiger, One horn Rhino, Elephant, deers and many other species including birds. You may enjoy elephant bathing and Tharu cultural dances! Or 2 nights 3 days Trip to Pokhara Valley: Pokhara is west, 200km away, from Kathmandu, famous for Beautiful lakes, mountains, falls, caves etc.
Skills and Educational Requirements
There is no educational requirement for this project; anyone with a heart to help people are welcome on this project! However proficiency in English is required. Volunteers MUST be flexible enough, committed and willing to learn.
Airport Receive / Transfer
Our representative will receive you at the airport and will transfer you to a hotel / placement / home stay.
Note: You must Pay the entrance fees to the heritage sites (approximately 22 USD in total) and if you wish to stay in the city during beyond the program, you must cover your food and accommodation.
Room / Food / Supervision
VIN makes appropriate provision for food, room and supervision for its volunteers from the very beginning of their trip. The volunteers can expect Nepali standards food (daal-Bhat (lentil soup and rice), vegetables, and pickle). During volunteers’ respective volunteering programs, their accommodation will be provided by a host family. However, volunteers joining in orphanage program will stay with the children in a hostel or host family. You may find our host family very hospitable and caring. Our staffs will assist the volunteers at their placement. We assess the situation of the volunteers, working progress, and also receive feedback during this visit. Throughout your stay in Nepal you will have the support and guidance of the project leaders and team. VIN will provide you with competent field support and assistance and help you with any questions or support you may need during your stay.
The team will be there for you to contact each day and a meeting will also be scheduled for you early on in your placement to give you an extra opportunity to network and socialize with the other volunteers and students in Nepal. In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number
Program Location Descriptions
VIN's main working site is Jitpur, 15 km away from Thamel, Kathmandu. The community has over 5000 population and VIN has launched Integrated programs for women, children, youth and teachers.The construction projects are also located at same site. If you are for construction work, we need a group and should come with some fundraising for school, toilets and drinking water projects.
Kathmandu is a vibrant capital city of Nepal with places of great tourist attractions like Thamel, Patan, Swaymbhu, etc. Kathmandu has a wide range of restaurants, internet cafés, clubs, shopping centers, and banks. The volunteers also have numerous opportunities to explore the sites under cultural heritage during free time. Our volunteers can simply hike in nearby villages, ride bikes in Kathmandu, walk around the tourist city of Thamel , the options are unlimited.
send with CV and 2 contact details for 2 referees;
Await confirmation from VIN for acceptance on to volunteer / Internship program;
Pay $100 program booking fee (non-refundable);
VIN will confirm payment and send pre-departure information;
Full payment for the volunteer placement will be paid during your induction.
Time: Nepal is 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of GMT.
Climate: Our monsoon season starts from June till late August/ early September. Summer is May to September with temperatures reaching 30 / 32 degrees. Even in the winter months from October to April, the bright sunny days can reach 20 degrees but very cold at night
Camden Stephenson, UK, Computer Technology - April 15 to May 13, 2010
VOLUNTEER BLOG
NEWSLETTERS
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