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 is the surrounding area
Kathmandu Valley 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 you are settled it is a hugely rewarding location that fully immerses you in modern Nepali life
A placement in Kathmandu valley 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 starting 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 accommodation 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.
Teaching in Schools, Health (Hospital, Clinic, Camp), Construction, Women’s Groups, Disabled School
Kathmandu Valley Pepsi town planning Several of Volunteer Society Nepal own projects are based in Pepsi-Cola Town Planning 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 its own range of services in the area, it offers a good balance of rural and urban. Many of our volunteers based here use their free time to explore the ancient sites of the valley, hike to nearby villages, ride bikes or just take in the city life.