Gorkha School Volunteer Program - 18 days

Things to Know
  • Duration18 Days
  • Difficulty Level Easy
  • Altitude 1800 m
  • Trip Type Volunteering
  • Start and End Kathmandu - Kathmandu
  • Best Time Jan-Jun, Sep-Dec
What You’ll Do
  • Volunteer in a rural village of Gorkha and support the local community 
  • Experience authentic Nepali culture, traditions, and local food
  • Stay with a local host family and experience everyday village life
  • Help students through teaching and educational activities
  • Explore beautiful villages and places away from the main tourist routes
  • Develop communication, teamwork, and teaching skills
  • Meet local people and build meaningful cultural connections
  • Make a positive and responsible contribution to the local community
  • Create unforgettable memories through a genuine Nepal experience

The Gorkha School Volunteering Program offers a genuine opportunity to experience rural Nepal, support local education, and become part of a welcoming community. Instead of simply visiting Nepal as a tourist, you will spend meaningful time in a local village, work with teachers and students, and experience everyday life from a local perspective. During your stay, you can support classroom teaching, help students with their studies, organise educational games, sports, art, and other extracurricular activities. You can share your knowledge and skills while learning from the students and teachers themselves. Even small contributions can make a meaningful difference to a village school and its students. A special part of the program is the local homestay experience. You will stay with a Nepali host family, enjoy authentic homemade food, learn about local traditions, and experience the simple rhythm of village life. You will have opportunities to walk around the village, meet local people, participate in community activities, and discover a side of Nepal that most visitors never experience. If time allows, you can explore nearby villages and viewpoints, learn about local history, and experience the culture and hospitality of the Gorkha community. The program can also include community development activities, allowing you to contribute beyond the classroom. This is more than a teaching placement—it is a cultural exchange and community experience. You will share your time, knowledge, and ideas while developing communication, teamwork, leadership, and cross-cultural skills. At the same time, you will learn about Nepali culture, village life, local traditions, food, and community values directly from the people who call Gorkha home. If you are looking for a meaningful volunteer experience in Nepal, the Gorkha School Volunteering Program offers a chance to slow down, connect with local people, support children’s education, and experience authentic rural Nepal. Come not only to volunteer, but to learn, share, connect, and create memories that stay with you long after you leave Nepal.

Why Choose Gorkha?

We choose Gorkha for our volunteering program because it offers a genuine rural Nepal experience while remaining conveniently accessible from Kathmandu, at less than 200 km from the capital. The area has good road connections, welcoming communities, authentic local food, and beautiful natural surroundings. As we are also connected to this community, we have a strong understanding of the local environment and can communicate easily with community representatives, school staff, and host families, helping us provide a smoother and more meaningful volunteering experience. Gorkha is also a fantastic destination for mountain and cultural experiences, with views toward Mount Manaslu (8,163 m), Himalchuli (7,893 m), Boudha Himal (6,672 m), Ganesh Himal, and the Annapurna range on clear days. During your stay, you can also visit Barpak, one of the villages at the epicentre of the devastating 2015 earthquake, and learn about how local families and communities have rebuilt their homes, livelihoods, and daily lives since the disaster. Gorkha is also well known for its strong tradition of sending young people to serve in the British and Indian Gurkha forces, as well as the Singapore Police Force. We have selected Gorkha because it brings together community, education, culture, mountain scenery, history, and authentic rural life, allowing volunteers to experience Nepal beyond the usual tourist routes while making a meaningful contribution to the local community.

Itinerary
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  • Altitude1400m
  • AccommodationHotel

When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, one of our officials will be there to greet you. They will accompany you to your hotel using our private tourist vehicle. 

  • Altitude1400m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time4-5 hours

We will start the day with breakfast at your hotel, and then take some introductory sessions. There, we'll have a quick lesson to learn some essential Nepali words and phrases that will be useful for daily conversations and teaching in the village. The lesson length can be adjusted based on what the group prefers. After the lesson, we'll go on a guided sightseeing tour of important historical, religious, and cultural sites in Kathmandu, including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath.

  • Altitude1702 m
  • AccommodationLocal house
  • Time6 hour drive and 1 hour walk

Our main target is Hansapur, but Bhachchek is a renowned destination that serves as a central hub connecting several villages in the area. To reach Hansapur, we will embark on a journey to Bhachchek. It is a popular and well-known village that acts as a gateway to other nearby villages. After our 1-hour walk from Bhachchek, we will arrive at the village of Hansapur. As we reach the village, we will be warmly welcomed by the villagers. Their hospitality and friendly nature will make us feel right at home. It will be a heartwarming experience to be greeted by the locals, who will be excited to have us as volunteers in their community.

  • Altitude1500m
  • Accommodationlocal House

Upon arrival at the school in Hansapur, a special welcome ceremony will be organized to greet the volunteers. The school staff, students, and community members will come together to extend their warmest greetings and appreciation for your presence. This welcome ceremony will mark the beginning of your volunteering activities in the school and community. It will be an exciting and memorable moment, filled with cultural traditions, heartfelt speeches, and joyful interactions. Following the ceremony, you will dive into your volunteering work, engaging in various activities such as teaching, assisting students, organizing educational initiatives, and contributing to the overall development of the school.

 

During their free time, volunteers can fully immerse themselves in the local community, engage in cultural activities, explore the surroundings, and participate in traditional dances, music sessions, and leisurely walks. Saturdays are reserved for exploring nearby beautiful places, while one day during their stay is dedicated to social awareness programs and activities, where volunteers share their knowledge and skills with the local community. These leisure time activities offer valuable opportunities for connection, cultural exchange, and personal growth, enhancing the overall volunteer experience.

  • Altitude1500 m
  • AccommodationLocal House

As the school volunteering program comes to an end, a heartfelt farewell program is organized by the school to bid farewell to the volunteers. It's a special event filled with gratitude and appreciation for the time spent together. Emotions run high as everyone says their goodbyes and cherishes the memories created during their time at the school.

In the evening, an enchanting cultural program takes place, showcasing the vibrant traditions and talents of the local community. Volunteers, along with the students, teachers, and villagers, gather to enjoy traditional music, dance, and other cultural performances. It's a night of celebration and joy, where the richness of the local culture is celebrated and shared.

The farewell program and cultural evening leave a lasting impression, creating fond memories and strengthening the connections formed between volunteers and the community.

  • Altitude1400m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time7 hours

The trek to Bhachchek Bazaar and the return journey to Kathmandu create an incredible journey, filled with adventure, cultural encounters, and natural beauty. We will host a farewell dinner at a typical Nepalese restaurant with cultural dance and music in the evening.

    We wish you safe travels and hope that the memories and experiences from your time in Nepal will stay with you forever.

    You can choose how long you want to volunteer for in the Gorkha School Volunteering Program. Whether it's a few weeks, a month, or even longer, you have the freedom to decide the duration that works best for you. 

    Trip Cost Details
    Included
    • Arrival / Departure management 
    • Three star hotel accomodation in Kathmandu including Breakfast
    • Guided Sightseeing in Kathmandu by Private tourist vehicle
    • Basic accommodation in local villagers' homes including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    • All ground transportation in Kathmandu and Village transfer by Private tourist vehicle
    • The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage up to the village Wages, accommodation, meals, gear, insurance, and medications for all staff
    • Farewell Program on the last day in the Village with a cultural programme
    • Necessary Permits during your stary
    • Note: USD 100 donations per person from the cost you have paid to the School for students from marginalized communities in the village
    Excluded
    • International flight fare and airport departure tax
    • Nepal Entry Visa | Nepal Visa Information
    • Travel insurance along with high-altitude emergency evacuation coverage
    • Personal essentials items
    Useful Info

    Why Volunteering

    The Gorkha School Volunteering Program offers a meaningful opportunity to support local education while experiencing the authentic culture and daily life of rural Nepal. The program is flexible, allowing volunteers to participate for a few weeks, a month, or longer, depending on their availability and interests. Volunteers may assist teachers in classrooms, support students with assignments and learning activities, organize educational games and extracurricular programs, and share their knowledge, skills, and experiences with students. Alongside educational support, the program encourages genuine cultural exchange through homestays with local families, participation in community activities, and opportunities to learn about Nepali traditions, customs, and rural lifestyles. English is generally sufficient for communication and classroom support, while an interest in learning basic Nepali is highly appreciated. Volunteers receive orientation, guidance, and ongoing support throughout their stay, with accommodation and meals arranged through local host families or designated volunteer houses. Program fees generally cover accommodation, meals, transportation, and educational support for the local school and students. Volunteers should have a valid passport and obtain the appropriate Nepal visa, while their educational background, skills, and social interests help us design a suitable and meaningful volunteering experience. We also encourage volunteers to reflect on their experiences and the positive contribution they make to the local community. For convenience, heavier equipment and supplies are transported by vehicle or with the assistance of porters, while volunteers are advised to carry only their personal daily essentials, such as a water bottle, money, rain gear, camera, sunscreen, and toilet paper. Packing personal belongings in two separate bags is recommended so that essential items remain easily accessible while heavier materials are handled by the support team. Ultimately, the program is designed to create a responsible and sustainable exchange, benefiting both local students and volunteers through education, cultural understanding, and shared experiences.

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