Volunteer in the heart of the Himalayas amongst the rugged Himalayan mountain people that have made Nepal famous
At a glance: For those seeking a taste of rural Nepal, these mountain homestays will place you right into the midst of the famously hospitable Sherpa people.
Solukhumbu (Everest) Region:
Salleri: Teaching in Schools, Teaching in a Monastery, Health (Camp, Clinic, Hospital), Construction
This is a small Himalayan town that serves as the headquarters of Solukhumbu District. It is everything you would imagine from the Everest mountain region: beautiful landscape; hillsides dotted with villages, a lively weekend bazaar, a Tibetan refugee camp, and many spectacular Buddhist monasteries.
Accommodation is in simple lodgings with a shared bathroom with pit toilet, but will have running water. There is now also basic internet in the town you can use.
Garma: Teaching in Schools, Health (Camp, Clinic, Hospital), Orphanage, Construction,
Garma is a small village in the Everest region. If you are looking to experience remote mountain life then this is your best choice. Home to approximately 2,500 people there is no road to the village. You will be far from modern services and amenities, but the opportunity of living with the Sherpa people will be a once in a lifetime experience. Many volunteers love the isolation and peace of the mountain lifestyle and do short trips to get closer views of Mount Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,501m) and Ama Dablam (6,556m).
At 2,240m above sea level and away from any paved roads the quickest way to get to Solokhumbu is to take a flight to Phaplu from Kathmandu (approx $200) and then a short trek from the air strip.
Dholakha Region:
This area is connected by rough road, 5 hrs from Kathmandu.
Charikot: Teaching in Schools, Teaching in a Monastery, Health (Camp, Hospital), Construction, Disabled School
Situated half way along the Jiri road that takes you into the trekking centres for the Everest region, the Newar centre of Charikot is surrounded by stunning views. You will be living in the town of around 7,000 people on your placement and this location provides a good mix of remote walking and cultural exploring for your spare time.
The views from the town of Gauri Shaunkar mountain and the peaks to the East are breathtaking and the famous Bimsen Temple has a superstition surrounding it that tears come out from the stone of this temple whenever Nepal is facing threats to it’s existence.
Your homestay will be basic in Charikot. The house will be in the traditional style of stone and mud walls with a pit toilet and minimal electricity. There is now very low speed internet in town, but these placements are for those who want to experience rural Nepal.
Please note that English speaking is much more limited in rural areas than in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan. If you want to volunteer in remote, rural areas then please be willing to learn some Nepali.
