Location
  • Nepal
Length
1 to 12 weeks
Project Types
Education Teaching ESL Medical Journalism

Program Details

Age Min.
18
Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Host Family Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo

Pricing

Starting Price
150
Price Details
IFRE is a 501(c)3 organization, so your program fee will be tax deductible. IFRE Volunteers is proud to offer the world’s best fee.
Our programs are now more affordable than ever. We are proud to focus on the humanitarian aspect of our business, not on profit. We work very hard and smart to keep our costs down, especially for the volunteers because we know the value of your donated time and efforts.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Meals Travel Insurance
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Transportation Visa
Oct 21, 2024
Aug 18, 2024
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About Program

Volunteer with one of our affordable and reputable abroad opportunities in Nepal for the experience of a lifetime in the beautiful Himalayas!

The Everest region in Nepal ranks in the top ten favorite travel destinations in the world for tourists. Mountain-top monasteries and rolling landscapes covered in rhododendrons are just some of the amazing photo ops you’ll encounter.

Our volunteer in the Himalayas in Nepal experience through IFRE, however, is truly about your own compassion and conscience. The ability to communicate in English is a skill set that is highly prized in Nepal especially in the realm of tourism.

You can combine your noblest instincts with your wanderlust and create the most meaningful vacation of your entire life!

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Program Highlights

  • The world’s most affordable volunteer programs – starting at $150.
  • Low Fees are paid directly to host families and projects with absolutely no middlemen!
  • Experience the personal satisfaction of improving the lives of those in need who desperately need assistance.
  • Your one-time low fee cover accommodations, food, project costs, and support by expert and trustworthy local staffs.
  • Your safety is our utmost priority. We fully understand it can feel intimidating to be far from home in an unfamiliar country. But you’ll never feel alone with our 24/7 expert support staff and services.

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Program Reviews

4.55 Rating
based on 11 reviews
  • 5 rating 54.55%
  • 4 rating 45.45%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.2
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.45
  • Value 4.2
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 1 - 8 of 11 reviews
Default avatar
Angela
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An eye-opening experience in Nepal

I joined the volunteer program in Kathmandu and had the amazing experience of teaching in both a school and a monastery, the latter being one of the best opportunities I've had. I've learned tremendously with the monks and the children were the best students I could have ever asked for. I also had the chance to go trekking the Himalayas, namely the Annapurna Sanctuary Circuit, and all the preparations were very good. I loved my daily life of exploring the city and spending time with my "didi" in the hostel, with amazing food, fun conversations and impromptu dance moments and dramatic turns. I was not alone in the hostel and saw a good number of other volunteers coming and going, and definitely created frienships for life. The coordinator of the program was very nice and organized everything very promptly. I recommend anyone to join this program, especially if you would like to go on a spiritual adventure and self-discovery trip as well.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Definitely the trekking to Annapurna. I would never have trusted myself to stay in the mountains for more than a week, and here I am, finished and conquered my first 4130m.
Pros
  • Amazing food at very reasonable prices (dal baht power!)
  • The experience in the monastery was definitely a life-changing one
  • A lot of opportunities to discover Kathmandu (and Nepal) on your own
Cons
  • A lot of rain! (well, it was Monsoon season so understandable)
  • The teaching in the school was unfortunate (but the IFRE team was very helpful with all the issues)
11 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Sarvesh
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical Shadowing

I volunteered at Sahid Memorial Hospital, a small community based hospital in Kathmandu,Nepal. During my volunteering stint, I was attached to the Emergency Department (ED). In the ED, they had a different medical officer in charge every day, which allowed me to interact with and learn from multiple doctors. Despite being a small hospital, there was a significant number of walk-in patients in the ED with diverse medical needs. During the afternoons, I was given the opportunity to explore different departments in the Hospital. My personal favourite was the Surgery department. The highlight of the program was observing live surgeries.

Registering for the program was easy. The program cost is fairy affordable as well.
Anjana, my program coordinator was friendly, accommodating and supportive throughout my stay in Nepal.

I would strongly recommend pre-med students to apply for this program to witness firsthand the diverse medical practices and gain invaluable clinical experience.

Pros
  • The staff at IFRE are friendly and helpful
  • The hospital had various departments for exploring niche opportunities
  • I had an opportunity to interact with different medical officer on a daily basis
Cons
  • The accommodation (Hostel) wasn't comfortable for my stay.
29 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Michael
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sahid Memorial Hospital Experience

I volunteered in Sahid Memorial Hospital in the heart of Kathmandu in April 2024. I was assigned to the ER. I also made rounds in the General Ward with two of the ER young doctors. I participated in the assessments and treatment plans for some of the patients. The nursing and medical staff I interacted with were friendly. I felt at home after the first day. It’s a wonderful experience for me. I’d definitely seize another opportunity to go back. I spent some time touring the city. I also took a guided hiking tour of Shivapuri Peak which was exhausting but fun.

What was your funniest moment?
Riding on a commercial scooter.
Pros
  • Eye opener
  • Fulfilling
  • Cost-effective
Cons
  • Travel time
  • Long layover
23 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Caleb
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Kathmandu Volunteer Work

Had an absolute blast. So much to see in Nepal and so many Nepali youth to help and just have fun with. Nepali locals are friendly and accommodating, and working with the IFRE allowed for a smooth, welcome transition into Nepal. Food and activities are great and cheap. There's a ton to experience in Nepal, especially if you want to take a hiking trip outside of Kathmandu. Try to see and enjoy as much as possible, especially helping with loads of diverse volunteer work. It can be a very fulfilling trip to take, as well just a lot of fun.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Arriving to the Kathmandu airport, especially if you don't have a ton of experience with international travel (specifically entering third world countries), can be pretty surprising and overwhelming. Walking outside into the frenzy of taxis and noise can be nerve-racking. Just keep moving and trust in the volunteer organization that your working with. They'll take care of you.
Pros
  • Diverse volunteer work to participate in.
  • Very cheap once your in Nepal
  • Very kind people all around
Cons
  • It's going to feel like your being too spontaneous with the information your given beforehand. You'll be fine, you kinda just gotta go for it.
  • You might get a little sick of eating very similar foods the whole time.
  • Air pollution/quality is not great.
30 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Anne
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical program in Katmandu

I did a hands-on medical program in Katmandu with 3 of my fellow co-students from Denmark. The host family was so sweet and made sure we were having a good time staying with them. Overall the food was good, but mostly carbs (rice with potatoes) which was a bit hard in the long run.
The hospital stay was okay, mostly observation. Some of the doctors were really good at informing you about cases, some were not.
We made arrangements with the family so that we were allowed to stay out late some days which was nice.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Enjoy!
Pros
  • Nicest hostfamily
  • Nice country with a very sweet population.
Cons
  • A looot of carbs
39 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sofie Amalie Rosales
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Hands on medical volunteer Nepal

I went to Nepal to do a hands on medical program in Kathmandu. I traveled with my three co-students and lived at a homestay with the nicest family. The host mom cooked us breakfast and dinner every day. The food was good but not that balanced, while it was mostly carbs as pasta, rice and potatoes with a small amount of vegetables. The program has strict house rules regarding dinnertime and when you have to be at your room. We didn't know about the rules until the fist morning at the house where we had to sign the acceptance of them. If you want to go somewhere in the evening it is possible to make an agreement with the family which helps alot.
The area neighborhood where we lived was nice but a little far away from the hospital that we worked in. But to our luck the host dad drove us to work many days.
The hospital was great and the staff was mostly nice and welcoming. The program was not as much "hands on" as you could have hoped, but if that is because of missing initiative from ourselves or because of skepticism from the doctors I am not quit sure of.

Already before we arrived at Nepal we were assigned a coordinator who took care of all the practical circumstances and answered all our questions at any time, which was really nice and reassuring. The coordinator welcomed us when we arrived and made sure we settled in well at our homestay. She was also very nice and helpfull with everything.

Overall I had a great time with IFRE in Nepal and the hands on medical program. It was nice to have local people arrange our stay because they know their country and how things are done there. Also it is very valuable to have local contacts who can introduce you to all kind of things.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
We where invited to a wedding anniversary celebration which was very surprising. We were quite underdressed compared to all other guests at the party but nevertheless we had a great time dancing and eating a lot of delicious local foods.
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Well organized
  • Nice people
Cons
  • Unbalanced diet
  • Strict "house rules"
  • Cold at night
31 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sean
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Kathmandu RCDP International Photojournalism

My time in Kathmandu within the photojournalism volunteer placement was a fulfilling experience. My instructor, Ram, had detailed knowledge of photography and the city’s culture. All coordinators were accommodating and helpful making for a great support group. I highly recommend for those looking to embark on international experience as Nepal is an exciting and welcoming country for tourists. There are other volunteer options available which I’m sure are just as impactful, however, I’m partial to the photojournalism placement as it allows for travel access to city’s main attractions and newly equipped photography skills for which to store lasting memories!

Pros
  • New skills and experience
  • Accommodations and 3 meals/day
  • Building relationships and learning of culture
Cons
  • Accommodations are very basic
78 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Nael
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

I came here to explore Buddhism and basic living to train the mind and expand my knowledge of life. I was not disappointed. No Western curriculum could ever teach me what the Buddhist monks have made me realise. Due to the lack of basic luxury, hygiene and some forms of comfort you are forced to appreciate the small things in life, which I guarantee, you will do after this trip. Pratima (my guide in this adventure) was very helpful and reachable throughout the whole experience, as we’re the monks.

Pros
  • Different world, different views
  • Very cheap
  • Breathtaking sceneries
Cons
  • Poor hygiene
  • No luxury
87 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers