Volunteer in the Kathmandu Valley and experience life in the ancient cultural heart of Nepal
At a glance: Perfect for those who prefer a more developed homestay and want to discover the rich cultural heritage of the capital city and it’s surrounding area
Kathmandu and Lalitpur: Teaching in Schools, Teaching in a Monastery, Orphanages, Health (Hospital, Clinic, Camp), Construction, Women’s Groups, Disabled School
Kathmandu is the vibrant capital city of Nepal where modern internet cafés and organic restaurants nestle in between medieval palaces and temples. Originally split into 3 separate city states; Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, the modern city is home to 7 UNESCO world heritage sites such as Patan Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple. The pace of life in Kathmandu is fast for Nepal with narrow streets filled with rickshaws swerving around tiny shrines and ancient courtyards. It takes a little getting used to the culture shock when you get off the plane, but once your settled it is a hugely rewarding location which fully immerses you in modern Nepali life
A placement in Kathmandu or the suburb of Lalitpur also gives you the flexibility to travel to lots of different places within Nepal. The airport has regular domestic flights to many outlying regions and buses to all areas of Nepal start in the capital. This allows you to spend time during your stay exploring the full range of Nepal’s himal (mountain), hill and terai (jungle) regions.
Your accomodation in Kathmandu will be more developed than in nearly all our other sites. You will most likely be in a modern house with flushing, western style toilets and also continual running water. Some of the placements have hot showers as well.
Pepsi-Cola Town Planning: Teaching in Schools, Orphanages, Health (Hospital, Clinic, Camp), Construction, Women’s Groups, Disabled School
Several of VSN’s own projects are based in Pepsi-Cola and many of our volunteers make this their base. On arrival in Kathmandu you will be staying in this area just east of the airport. It is an oasis of green space and clear air just outside of the main hustle and bustle of the city centre. A 30 minute bus ride from Kathmandu’s centre, just 40 minutes from Bakhtapur and with it’s own range of services in the area, it offers a good balance of rural and urban. Our volunteers are regulars at the local bar, called simply ‘The Hut’ and walking the streets you will find people stopping to talk to you, practice their English or just invite you for a game of football. Many of our volunteers based here use their free time to explore the ancient sites of the valley, hike to near by villages, ride bikes or just take in the city life.
Duwakot, (Outside Bhaktapur): Teaching in Schools, Orphanage, Health (Hospital, Clinic, Camp), Construction
The village of Duwakot lies in the hills just above the medieval city of Bhaktapur. Although only a short bus ride from Kathmandu, the rice terraces, peaceful fields and slower pace will make you feel a million miles away. The village also lies about a 2 hour walk from Nagarkot; one of the valley’s prime sites for sunrise viewing of the mountains.
We offer the chance to volunteer in the local government school or in one of the areas orphanages. There is also the chance to work in the health post and construction. Your homestay will be basic with a flushing squat toilet and a cold shower.
