Location
  • Nepal
    • Pokhara
Length
1 to 12 weeks
General grants/scholarships

Program Details

Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Host Family
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)
Travel Type
Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa Wifi
Nov 02, 2023
May 05, 2024
23 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Surrounded by Himalayan mountains, Nepal is home to eight of the highest mountains in the world, with Mount Everest as the tallest. Contribute ethically to projects with short, mid, and long-term sustainable objectives that are measured by the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

You could join projects focused on community development, infrastructure, education initiatives, gender equality, child development, workshops supporting economic development and public health.

When you aren’t on base, watch the sunrise over Annapurna and Machapuchare mountains from one of Pokhara’s viewpoints, experience local life or go on a river rafting adventure.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • View some of the highest mountains in the world.
  • Volunteer in an ethical way that supports the objectives of various projects in community development, gender initiatives, child development, public health workshops and construction.
  • Learn about different cultures and languages in Nepal, while staying in the country, connecting with local communities and people from other parts of the world.
  • Gain technical and social skills, with first-hand experiences in your chosen project focus.
  • Learn about the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Popular Programs

Woman painting a wall in Nepal.

Support the development of community infrastructure in Pokhara. You’ll assist in the renovation work at schools working on projects in the classrooms, libraries and bathrooms. Experience life from the Nepali perspective during your stay, trek along Himalayan trails and make new friends from around the world.

Woman helping a young girl learn in Nepal.

Support the education of pre-primary and primary school learners in Pokhara. Assist local teachers in the development of educational resources as well the children’s reading and mathematical abilities, motor coordination and conversational English skills.

Woman posing in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal.

Volunteer in Pokhara where you will assist local teachers improve literacy and numeracy skills of young learners and local women. In your spare time, dive into the Himalayan culture and trek through the beautiful mountains.

Women at workshop in Nepal

Learn about different gender dynamics and culture in Pokhara as you assist with educational classes for both women and girls focusing on literacy and numeracy. Facilitate skill-based workshops, and conduct discussions in local communities on human rights violations and health.

Program Reviews

4.86 Rating
based on 22 reviews
  • 5 rating 90.91%
  • 4 rating 4.55%
  • 3 rating 4.55%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.6
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.8
  • Value 4.55
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 22 reviews
Default avatar
Cathy Lorna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

the best experience and most worth while 2 weeks of my life

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If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Book 4 weeks not 2.
Pros
  • Tremendous welcome from Tara - feeling safe in the homestay and looked after
  • Really rewarding working with the women
  • Fabulous camaraderie between volunteers
Cons
  • Can't think of any
191 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Cathy

Thank you so much for leaving such an in-depth review on your trip to Nepal with GVI. We really value the time that you took to do this and know that future participants will find this extremely helpful.

It was so amazing to read about how your hard work and efforts improved the lives of those women around you and how despite their hardship, their resolve has inspired you. I am sure you did the same for them and we thank you for your dedication on your project!

We are thrilled that you felt so connected to each place that you visited and that you had such a memorable and life changing time. We also love to hear how our volunteers and participants gain so much insight through experiencing these programs through local people they meet as well as immersing oneself in a new environment, for example at the homestays.

Thank you for your kind words about our staff, we will be sure to pass them on! It is great when their leadership and dedication are also recognised! We are so pleased that you felt supported throughout by them and that you felt they had created a "family" atmosphere!

We hope to see you again soon, perhaps in Nepal or on another GVI program!

All the best,
Katherine

Default avatar
Genevieve
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Community Development Internship 2023

In October 2023 I worked on the GVI Nepal Community Development internship for 4 weeks. During my time I worked one to one with the women’s empowerment project to teach computer literacy skills as well as English language skills in a group and one on one setting. The work was very rewarding as I got to build rapport with the wonderful women I was working with. Whilst completing the internship I gained valuable communication skills as learnt a great deal about Nepalese culture from the women we worked with. At weekends and evenings we visited the local surroundings including hiking to take in the beautiful scenery, watching films at an open air cinema and enjoying food in the lakeside restaurants. It was so lovely to meet likeminded people and it felt like a big family by the end of my time.

311 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Genevieve,

Thank you so much for leaving a review on your GVI experience! We are so pleased that you gained so much from your time in Nepal, not only through your internship but also through meeting local people, learning about the culture and travelling to see as much as possible!

It is always great to hear that as participants, you became so well connected and made great friendships!

Perhaps we will see you again on another GVI programme?

All the best
Katherine (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Shannon
3/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Not worth the price

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Pros
  • Sweet genuine deserving women in women’s empowerment/the current WE staff
  • Beautiful views of the mountains
  • Beds fairly comfy. Pokhara is enjoyable to walk around, food is easily accessible
Cons
  • EXPENSIVE EXPENSIVE EXPENSIVE
  • Misrepresentation in the descriptions of the programs on the website. Management CAN do better but chooses not to.
  • Loud. This city is loud.
338 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Shannon,

Thank you for taking the time to provide a detailed review of your experience with us in Nepal. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed connecting with the local women, as well as the beautiful surroundings. However, I’m sorry to hear that you have grievances regarding your experience with us as well. I have sent your feedback on to our feedback team who will be conducting a full review on all your points of concern. Should you wish to add anything further, please feel free to email feedback@gviprograms.com. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we take it seriously.

Thank you again for your time,

Amanda - Head of Alumni Services (Global)

Default avatar
Aileen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Women's Empowerment - Nepal

My first experience of volunteering was with GVI in Nepal, I was very excited but also apprehensive as i didn't know what to expect. I had the most amazing time and met incredible people who I will never forget. The ladies were so open to learning and to see their progress over the six weeks was uplifting and humbling.
I also worked with the children, doing simple things like arts and crafts had them wide eyed with amazement, it was such a pleasure to see their faces and when we did sports they joined in and had so much fun.
GVI staff were so supportive, especially as i had a bereavement during my stay. there was so much to at weekends, which allowed me to find out more about the country and culture

Pros
  • Experience of a lifetime
  • Meeting new people
  • Learning new skills
Cons
  • Can't think of any
391 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Aileen!

Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I am delighted to hear that you felt secure and well-assisted during your time with us. It warms my heart to learn that you not only contributed significantly to your program but also were influenced by the women in the community. It's truly heartwarming that you've established these meaningful connections, and I hope we can look forward to seeing you again soon!

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Carol
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life Changing Experience

I spent five weeks in Nepal four of those were spent in Pokhara on the "Womens Empowerment Program" what a truly amazing experience, Nepal is a beautiful country, people and the scenery is breathtaking. The program was a very rewarding experience, Im 52 and would never have thought I would have had the confidence to stand up in front of a class and teach English to a room full of strangers. Thanks to Hannah and Sita the lovely GVI staff they helped me overcome my nerves and help me find my confidence. I thought I was there to teach and empower these lovely girls and ladies, in actual fact they were there to teach me. I learnt so much about myself, and loved spending time with the students, children and fellow housemates in my homestay. I have made lifelong friends and any travel I do in future I will do as a volunteer its so very different than travelling as a tourist, you are embraced into the community and really feel you are making a difference to peoples lives. What a fabulous experience , do yourself a favour and step outside your comfort zone, It really is life changing.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
On my weekend off my fellow volunteers and I decided to fly in a small plane to Lumbini in the South of Nepal to see the birthplace of Buddha. The flight had been delayed by 3 hours due to poor visability eventually we boarded the flight. We flew into heavy cloud flying over the Himalayas the scenery was breathtaking the plane was bouncing around. The Nepalese lady in the seat beside me was praying. It was the most terrifying and exhilarating experience of my life. But I would do it again in a heartbeat as the size of the mountains we flew over was mind blowing .Fabulous Experience
475 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Carol, thanks for your review! I'm so glad to hear that you loved pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone! We would love to see you back someday. In the meantime, keep on sharing your love and passion for GVI and our projects!

Default avatar
Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The most amazing 4 weeks!

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What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
The more you put in the more you get out of the volunteering! But with lots of effort and commitment, you are guaranteed to have a life changing experience!
491 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Elizabeth, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

Default avatar
Katie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing month in Nepal

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If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would go for longer! Pokhara was a really easy place to feel at home in, and I would have loved to stay for another month or so.
503 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Katie, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

Default avatar
Michael
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GVI construction program in Nepal!

If you're looking to make a difference in a beautiful country full of beautiful people then this is the trip for you! GVI caters for everyone and I always felt safe and well looked after even though this was my first time in Asia. The construction coordinator Bibek always makes sure you have something to do so you feel like you are making the biggest impact you can!
As well as the volunteer experience you gain, you also meet fantastic people, I still keep in contact with today, a year after meeting them!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Although the week is packed full of your volunteer duties, the weekends are yours to spend as you will. I faced my fear of heights by paragliding over lake fewa which was an unforgettable experience organised by GVI!
482 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Michael, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

Questions & Answers