General Information
Cloths to wear
While volunteering, casual and comfortable clothes are recommended. However, due to the culture, modest clothing is advised (tank tops and shorts are not acceptable).
Meals
At least 3 times a day while staying in the host home.
Food and accommodation
The host family will provide food for vegetarians and non-vegetarians and reasonable accommodation (own room, bed etc.)
Learning local language
English language works well unless you want to learn a new language. Many volunteers learn basic words and phrases while staying with their host families.
One month Nepal stay budget to volunteer
This is a typical budget for most volunteers. Your stay may cost more or less, depending on your personal needs and the amount of activities or shopping that you may do.
| Volunteering fee |
350 Euros |
| Gifts and shopping |
80 Euros |
| Extra tour expenses |
170 Euros |
| Total |
500 - 700 Euros for a month |
| Miscellaneous Amenity Prices |
| Internet |
Rs 15-30 per hour (20 – 40 cents US) |
| Phone (international call) |
Rs 3-50 (USA, Europe, Japan, Aus, UK, East Asia) 1 – 68 cents US |
| Mid range hotel |
Rs 2,000; or + per night ($28 US) |
| A kg Oranges, Apples, Grapes |
Rs 70; or + ($1 US) |
| A Litre of bottled water |
Rs 15-20 (20 – 30 cents US) |
| Souvenir T-shirt |
Rs 500 per piece ($7 US) |
| Pizza (normal size) |
Rs 150 ($3 US) |
| Post card |
Rs 10-50 per piece (15 – 70 cents US) |
| Hand made paper gift |
Rs 100; or + per item ($1.40 US) |
| Taxi hire (a whole day) |
Rs 2,000; or + ($28 US) |
| Normal lunch |
Rs 300; or + ($4.15 US) |
| Pure Pasmina |
Rs 1,000; or + per item ($13.80 US) |
| Facilities with Amenities |
|
| Project location |
Facilities |
| Chitwan (semi-rural) |
Everything |
| Kathmandu (urban) |
Everything |
| Gorkha (rural and remote) |
Internet (4 hrs walk), Phone (just incoming), Health Post |
| Nuwakot (rural and remote) |
Internet (2 hrs walk), Phone, Health Post |
| Suggested items to bring with you |
 |
Camera |
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Binocular |
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Personal items and toiletries |
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Reading materials, drawing supplies, etc. |
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Special medicines (be advised to check with your medical insurance company to see if your coverage extends to overseas emergency treatment) |
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Sunglasses, sunscreen, hats or visors |
Host family provides with the food, bed and blankets.
Electrical Voltage
220 V (US electrical items typically use 110 V. A converter will be necessary to charge your phone, laptops, camcorders, etc. An international converter can typically be purchased for approximately $10 - $25. Try online vendors such as Amazon and Ebay for an economical way to purchase this item. (Please be advised to check with your Embassy or Consulate as to what items you are able to bring into Nepal. Certain items are duty free as long as you bring them back out with you).
Special Amenity for Volunteers
Free entry to every tourist destination in Nepal
Health
In the summer, we get mosquitoes throughout Nepal except in the cold, upper mountain region. We supply a mosquito repellent and generally run the programs in places that are safe from flu outbreaks and other possible infectious diseases.
Greeting
You should say ‘Namaste’ to greet people.
Individual security
There is no current insurgency and all programs are in safe places.
Currency and exchange
The Nepalese Rupee is the legal currency. Foreign currencies (traveler’s cheques, debit and credit cards) can be easily changed into Nepali currency (Rupee) by a local exchange service in most areas.
Drive
We drive on the left hand side of the road; (right hand side in USA)
Travel information
| Entry port |
|
Foreign Exchange Rates |
| Via air |
| Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Inland Ports of Entry |
|
Birganj, Nepal |
|
Bhairahawa, Nepal |
|
Kakadvitta, Nepal |
|
Nepalgunj, Nepal |
|
Dhangadi, Nepal |
|
Mahendranagar, Nepal |
|
|
| Euro 1 |
Rupees 110 |
| US $ 1 |
Rupees 75 |
| Pound Sterling 1 |
Rupees 120 |
| Japanese Yen 10 |
Rupees 6 |
| Indian Rupees 100 |
Rupees 160 |
| Currency rates fluctuate |
|
Luggage
20 kilos (44 lbs) free baggage allowance per economy class passenger from Europe; 64 kilos from USA
Languages
English, Nepali
Shopping
Bargaining to get a discount is common. Generally, tourists are charged a higher rate but can get a 20 - 30% discount if you bargain well enough.
Visa
On arrival you are given a visa. It is not mandatory to get a visa from the Nepalese council. Just carry your valid passport with 2 recent passport size photographs, and you can get a visa in the Nepal entry port. It takes approximately 1-2 hours to get a visa in Nepal. If you wish to stay longer, it is also easy to extend your visa. Check with your country to see what travel conditions may apply. US Nationals must have a passport that is valid 3 months beyond their intended stay.
|
Free visa for all who stay less than 3 days |
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Free for SAARC country and China nationals |
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Single entry US$ 30 up to 60 days |
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Multiple entry US$ 50 + US $30 |
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Get a visa at the entry port in Nepal, or a Nepalese embassy or consulate office abroad |
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Requires one passport size photograph |
| Airport tax on departure |
|
Rs 1356 to depart for SAARC countries |
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Rs 1695 to depart for rest of the countries |
Temperature (average range)
Elevation plays a major role in the climate of Nepal. In the high mountain ranges, temperatures remain cold throughout the year. In the Terai (lowland plain area) and the Valley of Kathmandu, summers are hot and rainy, and winters are cool. Temperatures are highest from late spring to midsummer. The higher mountain elevations are always snow-covered.
| Location |
Temp. in summer (°C) |
Temp. in winter (°C) |
| Chitwan |
20 - 40 |
5 - 25 |
| Kathmandu |
15 - 34 |
3 - 20 |
| Gorkha |
15 - 35 |
3 - 20 |
| Nuwakot |
15 - 35 |
5 - 20 |
The above figures are an approximation.
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