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
Mar 19, 2025
72 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

4.88 Rating
based on 68 reviews
  • 5 rating 92.65%
  • 4 rating 5.88%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 1.47%
  • Impact 4.6
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.75
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 33 - 40 of 68 reviews
Default avatar
Calon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Would highly recommend IVHQ

This was my first international volunteer project. I could see IVHQ had enough media presence for me to be confident it was legitimate.

IVHQ always answered my queries promptly and prior to departure I was given an info pack with lots of useful learnings. Upon arrival, there was an orientation where the volunteers from different projects met and we had cultural awareness sessions, got our homestay locations and a briefing of what's expected etc.

I stayed with a local family in a homestay which was a great experience as it immersed me fully into Nepalese culture, their food, values and was able to join in with their way of life. It was really eye opening to notice what we take for granted - things like washing machines, AC and even strong carrier bags!

The project itself comprised of women aged 16-60 and the teaching takes place on the roof of a ladies house as unfortunately they dont have a school. The women are so eager to learn and desperately need materials and support. There is no curriculum so you plan the lessons yourself based upon your assessment of the group and we were able to cover maths, english, using a calculator, dancing (just for fun!), singing and understand the challenges faced by the women with lack of domestic abuse support and period poverty.

It really has been an emotionally awakening experience and I would fully recommend anyone who is debating, to go ahead and just do it!

I would recommend you plan some sessions ahead of time and materials wise bring basic english language books etc where you make photocopies of pages for the women to take home. There is a whiteboard but thats all they have.

I was a solo female traveller and I felt safe on this project too.

Pros
  • Great communication
  • Homestay with a local family
  • Beautiful country
Cons
  • Lots of bugs - takes some getting used to!
81 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Hanna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Childcare in Pokhara

Absolutely incredible life changing experience. I met the most amazing people and had such an authentic genuine experience really immersing myself in the culture. The homestay was a beautiful welcoming family and was the one of the best parts of the trip. I gained such a new perspective on life and really reassessed my values. Truly unforgettable experience and such a beautiful country. Paragliding was so fun and I recommend doing at least one trek! The mountains and lakeside of Pokhara are so beautiful!

92 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kyle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Construction project Pokhara, Nepal

I had the adventure of a lifetime. From the moment I committed to my trip I was in good hands. The program guide and online application were very clear and had me set up for success! Everything leading up to the flight was smooth and I felt comfortable traveling to a far away land by myself (1st time). The support stayed top notch as the local team in Nepal were extraordinary. I stepped out of the airport to a warm welcome from Mukunda. Couldn’t have been in better hands with the local team. My hotels were booked, I got a solid orientation and a stroll around the neighborhood. My home stay was a wonderful family I enjoyed sharing conversation with the sons. From planes, to bus rides to my home stay, to jeep rides to the trek add-on, I was taken care of and never felt abandoned or lost or scared. Affordability, cultural immersion, fun add-ons, this organization has it all! Can’t wait to book my next trip! 10/10

Pros
  • Affordability
  • Cultural immersion
  • Epic add-ons
Cons
  • NA
  • NA
  • NA
100 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Leila
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Already applying for my next program!

This experience was almost 2 years ago, but I still think about it almost daily.

THE PLACE: Nepal is such a beautiful country! It has a variety of landscapes/altitudes to explore. For the orientation portion, we stayed in Kathmandu. We met with all the volunteers and stayed in a nice hostel located in Thamel - the tourist region of the country's capital. Once we all got our volunteer and homestay assignments, we all bused out to various regions. I went to Pokhara - a mountainous town with stunning views of Anna Purna. There are lots of tourists here, mainly trekkers, and the air is much cleaner than Kathmandu. The town is nestled on a large lake - Lake Phewa. I was up in the hills of Sarangkot, a sweet little village with absolutely amazing views. This neighborhood is famous for paragliding - which was so fun!!
Once I returned home from my trip, I realized that there are a surprising amount of people in the world who know very little about the country and its geographical location. Everyone should visit Nepal.

THE PEOPLE: Nepal is a very spiritual country. There are many monasteries located throughout the country and the air smells of incense constantly. The people are so connected to the country, each other, and they are so eager to help. Specifically, my homestay family in Nepal made me feel like family. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with them every day, trying to translate and learn about each other.

THE STAFF: The IVHQ staff in Nepal were all local people, passionate about helping their country. You could tell that they loved their jobs and were proud of what they were doing. They made the process easy and made you feel safe. I still keep in touch with Rajesh - the most amazing staff member that lead us through orientation.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK: You MUST do this. I can't recommend doing this trek enough. If you do go, please request Nabin or Basanta be your guide. This was the best experience of my life thus far!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Let yourself unplug from your life at home and indulge in this beautiful place.
153 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Leila, thanks for leaving a review! I'm so pleased you had such a wonderful time in Nepal and that your first overseas volunteer experience was a success. Your review is a fantastic resource for future volunteers, so thank you for the time you took to put it together. ^Courteney - IVHQ Nepal Program Manager

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

My first oversea volunteer experience

This is my first oversea volunteer trip. IVHQ is a very organized organization and has been very supportive during my stay in Nepal. It is a life rewarding experience for me and I am definitely will recommend to all of my family and friends. I worked in a pre school during my time at the school which I was mainly responsible for teaching English and math and help with home works. I have also did a paper fold lesson and we have made some very pretty butterflies and I was so pride of myself when I see the kids were carry the butterfly and running outside. On the last day, we bought some stationeries for the class. I handed out each kids a pencil and an eraser. And the smile on their face is one thing I would never forget in my life. They are so simple and innocent. I watched them and deeply felt how lucky I am to know them and to experience this.

What was your funniest moment?
To share the simple happiness with a group of kids. We study together and play together, we also learn from each other.
132 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Ying, thanks for leaving a review! I'm so pleased you had such a wonderful time in Nepal and that your first overseas volunteer experience was a success. We would love to have you join us again! Courteney - IVHQ Program Manager.

Hala
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Nepal - Kathmandu Women's Education Program

The IVHQ local team was helpful in every way! I was placed with a lovely host family who made my stay in Kathmandu 10 times better and I really had a blast getting to know them. I also really loved the food, especially the Momo's! My volunteering experience was phenomenal - getting to know the women at the school and seeing their commitment to learning new things and achieving good grades was a learning experience in itself for me. I can say with confidence that I grew as a person during my time there. I also got to see Nepal's beauty in my free time and got to visit a lot of beautiful temples as well! Thamel is a heaven for shoppers, and Pokhara's scenery is a must-see. I highly recommend this program for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a new culture.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I volunteered in March so I was there during the Holi festival, which is a public holiday where everyone walks around throwing powder colors on each other. It was the most fun day and my favorite Nepal memory!
128 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Zehao
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing stay in Nepal!!!

It was my first time to do volunteer work abroad. A friend of mine once went to Africa through IVHQ and highly recommended it to me. IVHQ provided an horizon-opening and affordable opportunity for us to help others, meet others and explore the world.
I chose to do childcare in Pokhara, Nepal because I've heard that the 2015 earthquake did a lot of damage to this beautiful country. I have to say, this experience is really great.
I had a great time with the kids in the labor school. They are all so lovely and eager to learn new things. Though their English is not very good, we all tried our best to understand each other. The homestay family is also very nice. We danced a lot in the evening because, well, it's Nepal. The other volunteers are cool as well. I met many friends there and every day after our volunteer work, we would have a walk around Phewa Lake and enjoy food and the view. It was amazing!
All in all, I am very satisfied with this trip and if I wouldn't hesitate to do it again in a different location if I had time in the future.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I went to a local wedding and saw some unique traditions.
123 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Jiang, thanks for your review! It is great to hear that your first travel experience was made very easy! It is awesome you had such a great time that you would volunteer with us again, we would love to have you back! Brigitte - IVHQ Program Manager.

Default avatar
Jake
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IVHQ Nepal

The IVHQ programme in Nepal is very well worked. Orientation is organised well and you're looked after to a great degree by the locals there, while also doing some good sightseeing out and about before going to placements. As far as my experience went, the homestay in chitwan was fantastic, the family felt like family and the home felt like a home. You'll always be the priority and the work is fulfilling.
You'll meet a whole lot of new people so its great for getting yourself out of your comfort zone, particularly of you're in between eighteen and thirty years old. During the work, atleast for me, I had the chance to meet a lot of locals due to the rural nature of our placement and see just how different regionally and traditionally the locals lifestyle compares with the normal city lifestyle. In that regard its really refreshing and a nice change of pace.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Just obviously know you'll miss some taken for granted gone comforts
116 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Jake, it is great to hear from you and to hear that you really enjoyed the orientation! It is always pleasing to hear that you were well looked after and that it felt like home! Thanks for volunteering with IVHQ! Brigitte - IVHQ Program Manager

Questions & Answers