General Information
Nestled
in the lap of the Himalaya Mountains between India and China, Nepal is
indeed a true natural wonder. Although small in size, Nepal offers a
wide range of diversity (both geographically and ethnically). The
country is populated by vivid ethnic groups and spotted with colorful
festivals. With the incomparable natural beauty, the warmth and
hospitality of the Nepalese people and opportunities to serve the local
communities. There are lakes amidst breathtaking settings,
strong-current rivers for rafting, Wildlife Safaris, the tallest
mountains to climb, trekking across vales and dales, and, above all,
warm, friendly, welcoming people. Nepal’s programs are highly organized
and respected, offering opportunities to serve poor children and
communities in/around three bustling cities: Kathmandu, Pokhara and
Chitwan. SM invites volunteers to volunteer in Nepal. Explore this
extraordinary Himalayan kingdom and serve children, communities,
farming, ecotourism, research, health and many more volunteer
opportunity on this meaningful journey of a lifetime. She has natural
beauty, cultural diversity and very bests holiday destination around
the globe. Google Map of Nepal
In
this respect, Nepal becomes a perfect holiday destination for tourists,
trekkers, mountaineers, writers, honeymooners, lovers, retired people
and people interested in research and many more volunteer opportunity.
The capital and largest city is Kathmandu. The currency of Nepal is the
Nepalese Rupee(NPR). $1=NPR 85
How to Get in?
You
may need a tourist Visa to enter the country. A prospective visitor can
apply for the visa from several embassies and consulates in most
countries in the world. Nepal has diplomatic missions in
Australia,
Bangladesh, Belgium, Burma, Canada, China, Denmark, Finaland, France,
Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, The Netherlands, Norway,
Pakistan, Phillipines, Spain , Sweeden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tibet,
the United Kingdom and the United States of America that issue visas to
the prospective visitors.
Entrance/Egress
The following entery/exit points have been set by the government of Nepal for the foreign visitors:
1. Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu by air any country
2. Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (North) by bus from Tibet
3. Karkarvitta, Jhapa (East) by bus from India
4. Belahia,Bhairhawa (West) by bus from India
5. Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal) by bus from India
6. Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Mid-East) by Bus from India
7. Mohana, Dhangadi (Far-West) by Bus from India
8. Gadda Chauki, Mahendranagar (Far-West) by Bus from India
Tourist Visa Information: A tourist visa is valid for up to 150 days of a year from the date of issue. For more information about visas, please contact the Nepali embassy in your country.
15 days Multiple entry - US$25
30 days visa fees Multiple entry - US$40
100 days Muntiple entry - US$100
Likewise, the government has also revised fee required to extend days of stay and visa renewal. As per the revise fee structure, Tourist Visa can be extended by paying US$ 2 or equivalent Nepalese currency per day. Likewise, Multiple Entry facility can be obtained only for the extension period by additional US$ 20 and visa fee for the extended period.Similarly, tourists can renew their visa by paying Nepalese currency equivalent to US$ 3 on the regular visa extension fee.Please use this link for more information about visas to Nepal http://www.immi.gov.np
Embassies: You might want to register with your embassy whilst in Nepal - give them SM's details as your contact address in Nepal so that they will always be able to contact you through us. For more details please use this link: http://www.tourism.gov.np/neplese_mission.php
Length of stay: We require you to work with us for a minimum of one week. The amount of time you are able to give has a direct impact on what you will be able to achieve and the amount you will get out of the placement. If you are here for longer, there will be more opportunities to explore the country by going trekking, rafting, or on a jungle safari.
Health: Several vaccinations are required prior to coming to Nepal, some need a course of treatment before you leave. Visit your nearest traveler's medical centre to discuss your needs. Ensure you have adequate travel insurance. The vaccinations you may need include:
a. Tetanus
b. Diphtheria
c. Polio
d. Hepatitis A & B
e. Typhoid
f. Yellow fever
g. Rabies
h. Tuberculosis
i. Malaria
Please consult your doctor before traveling. More information is available from the WHO's (World Health Organization) Travelers health information.
Money: Nepali rupees are the local currency. There are about 77 rupees to US$1, approximately 104 rupees to 1 Euro and 130 rupees to a Pound Sterling. There are bank ATM facilities in Kathmandu and Pokhara; US traveler's cheques can be easily changed. Credit cards, though accepted at most places, usually incur 3-4% additional tax. Generally, US$12-18 per day is sufficient for food and accommodation in a budget hotel/lodge. Nepali rupees can be obtained on arrival at Kathmandu airport.
Food and Drink: The local staple meal is dal bhat (rice with lentil soup, vegetables, and pickle). On trekking routes and in tourist areas, a variety of western dishes are also served. Drinking tap water is not recommended unless it has been treated with chlorine or iodine tablets which are readily available. Otherwise you can get the water boiled or buy bottled mineral water.
Weather: The width of Nepal is only about 200 km on average, but within this short distance the altitude of the land rises from a lowly 60 meters to all the way up to above 8,848meter high. Hence the weather depends upon the altitude of the place in Nepal. However, in general Nepal has four climatic seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
Spring starts from March to May. The temperature of this season fluctuates between 20 °C to 30 °C (68 °F to 86°F).
Summer starts from June to August. These are also the pre-monsoon months with occasional evening-thunderstorms and hot temperature.
Autumn starts from September and ends by November. During this period, the climate is dry and mild with temperature fluctuating between 20 °C to 30 °C (68 °F to 86 °F).
Winter starts from December to February. The morning and evening are very cold while the afternoon is pretty sunny. The temperature during these months rises from 15 °C to 20 °C (59 °F to 68 °F).
Peoples and Cultural Attitudes: Staring at things and people in Nepal is a national pastime, and is something you will have to adjust to. One of most problematic things that you will encounter is the fact that the concept of personal privacy does not exist in Nepal. Also that all your property will be treated as public property by your Nepali friends.
Activities: Many volunteers like to try something in addition to volunteering during their time in Nepal. Previous activities have included trekking, rafting, visiting the jungle, bungee jumping, visiting Lumbini and much more. Most activities can be arranged by yourself or you may want to team up with other volunteers. However, if you do want to do an arranged activity, such as Trekking, Jungle Safari, bungee jumping or rafting, there are a couple of companies we would recommend. Organizations will usually offer discounts to volunteers, so make sure you take your volunteering card along to see them.
Getting to Kathmandu
By Air: Nepal has only one international airport which is in kathmandu. So all international flights and the majority of domestic flight start or terminate here. Although a number of major airlines sell flights to Nepal, most of these do not operate direct flight themselves so most people will arrive via flight from Dubai, Baharain, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Qatar or the India. Among the airlines that fly direct to Nepal are Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Austrian Airways, Korean airlines, Korean airlines and Indian Airlines as well as a number of smaller Indian airways. Nepal Airways operate flights to a number or locations although they do not have the best reputation for reliability. Tribhuvan airport is located about 20 minutes from the center of Kathmandu and all volunteers will be met by a Inside-Nepal representative at the airport. NOTE: Most international flights require confirmation 72 hours before departure. Try and obtain the confirmation telephone number before you go to your placement, so that wherever you are 3 days before you are due to leave you can easily confirm that you still have a seat.
Overland: Volunteers occasionally arrive in Nepal overland after traveling in either India or Tibet. It's possible to arrive in Kathmandu by bus, or sometimes a combination of bus and train from Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata and Darjeeling among other places in India and also from Tibet. The majority of buses arrive at the city bus station in Kathmandu although arrival times can obviously vary dramatically so we will arrange arrival information with you once you have booked.
Meeting Volunteers: You will be met outside the airport terminal by a SM representative holding a placard with your name on it who will then take you to your guest house. Please provide us your flight information as soon as possible so that a punctual pick-up can be arranged. If you are planning to arrive by bus let us know when and what time you are arriving in Kathmandu. Just in case give us a call.
Volunteer's Work: The number of hours worked by volunteers will depend upon the area of volunteer work. The Nepali work week falls from Sunday - Friday with Saturday being the only day off. Volunteers work from 3-5 hours per day with the opportunity to work more if you choose. Times for each placement vary, when working in children's homes or at the monastery you will teach and help them in the morning before school and for a few hours after school. Hours are approximately 6:30-9am and 5:30-7:30pm. However these are just approximations, as we try and tailor your hours to the needs of the children.
Accommodation: Volunteers either stay at a home with local families or if working in an orphanage they often stay in the orphanage and volunteers working at monastery stay at the monastery. Nepali people are extremely hospitable and volunteers will be well looked after however the accommodation will be typically Nepali and therefore basic by Western standards. Toilets and showers are usually Nepali style and the electricity supply in many places can be unreliable. Most of our home stay families have lots of previous experience in looking after volunteers. Volunteers staying in orphanages or at the monastery are given their own room within the orphanage.
Program Fee: The program fee should be paid to us upon your arrival in Kathmandu. If you would like to transfer money in to our bank account we will email you bank details.
Application Process: Our application process typically takes two or three days, but can be speeded up if there is a need for that. When we get the "application" from you, we will send confirmation email to you.
Letter of appreciation: Once you finish your placement, you will get a SM's letter of appreciation stating the time and place you have worked.
Internet: Kathmandu has plenty of internet cafes, all of which charge the same kinds of rates. When you first arrive in Kathmandu, you'll probably be shocked at the slowness of the internet here. Get used to it. Once you leave Kathmandu things get slower and slower and taking an hour to open your inbox will become a regular occurrence. That's before you think about things such as electricity cuts and telephone line failures. By the time you return to Kathmandu, you'll be amazed at the speed of the internet there and when you return home you won't quite believe how fast you can send emails! Whilst in Kathmandu take advantage of the better internet to tell people that you may not be able to read emails or reply to emails for weeks at a time and that they shouldn't worry. Maybe also threaten them with dire consequences should they decide to send you attachments - attachments make it almost impossible to do anything with your email.
Haggling: Everywhere you go in Nepal you will find yourself haggling, especially once you speak a little Nepali. Practice haggling from day one and always offer less than what the shopkeeper asks.
Sightseeing: You'll usually get to see some of the sights in Kathmandu with SM, but you may want to see some places yourself as well. Try to get your SM identity card first, as it will help to get you into places such as Swayambu, Durbar Square etc for free when foreigners usually have to pay.
Some temples may insist that you remove all leather before entering, so if you have a non leather belt and bag that may be useful. Many places in Kathmandu are so used to tourists that they may not say anything, but out in the regions this may happen more often.
Clothes: When you first get here it's tempting to go out and buy yourself a whole new wardrobe simply because it's so cheap. DON'T. It's amazing how many volunteers lose or gain weight during their stay, so wait until you're ready to leave before buying clothes.
Shopping: As per clothes, when you first get here it's tempting to buy lots of things due to their low prices. Again, DONT. Once you've spent some time in Nepal and seen the prices outside of Kathmandu, you have a better idea of the kind of prices that you should be paying for thing. In addition, once you speak Nepali it's amazing how much easier it is to get a discount. Wait until the end of your trip when you have a clear idea of what money you have left, and you know what kinds of things you really want to buy. Try and take someone from the office if you want to buy things such as Pashminas or Thangkas as they can help you find better quality items. yak wool scarves/shawls, incense, jewellery and material. Pashmina, cashmere and Thangkas are more expensive but are still far cheaper than at home. And tailor made clothes are a fantastic bargain in Nepal - perfectly fitting trousers in your favourite material for a few dollars.
Books: If you want to read anything whilst in Nepal, you can buy books from several second hand stores in the Thamel area. All of these stores will then buy the book back at 50% of what you paid, and they will also buy books that you brought with you and no longer need.
Laundry: There are plenty of places to get your clothes washed in Kathmandu. Most places charge by the piece.
Frequently Question
Why do I have to pay a registration fee?
The registration fees goes towards the running of the organization (office space, staff, computers, email/internet and stationery). SM has a central office in Kathmandu and a branch office in Chitwan. We are currently sponsoring some orphanage and deprived children; part of the fee goes towards costs for these children's education and clothes.
What kind of volunteers is SM looking for?
SMC has worked with universities and colleges, organizations, clubs, church groups, youth groups and individuals. You do not need any specialized training to work with us. We will provide you with appropriate training for your program, although experience in teaching, health work or environmental project can be advantage.
When should I arrive in Nepal?
We are very flexible and as such you can arrive at a date which is best suited to your needs. You are welcome to arrive a few days earlier than the start of your program. Our representative will meet you at the airport holding a sign with your name. He will take you to the hotel. We can arrange your accommodation if you arrive a couple of days earlier, but you will need to pay the costs for the extra time yourself, and for any non-SM activities. In some cases, the dates of your program can be adapted if you contact us.
I meet any SM staff at the airport?
Yes, one of our representatives will meet you at the airport to pick you up holding a sign with your name.
Where will I be staying during my training period?
During your training period, you will be in Guest House in Thamel, Kathmandu.
How much money do I need?
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu you can get a room for $5- $8 a night, regular food for about $4 to $8 a day, internet access for about 40 cents per hour, laundry for about $3 for a medium-sized of load (they charge by the item). Transportation is relatively inexpensive too. We recommend that you purchase the Lonely Planet guide to Nepal. The travel guide for Nepal will help you estimate how much money you may need.(Remember that you need money for your visa and your flight tickets as well.)
Where will I be placed?
After we receive your flight confirmation we will find suitable placement for you.
What kinds of thing do I need to bring with me?
Sleeping bag
Hiking boots
Flip-flops
Fleece jacket (during winter months)
Sun cream
Mosquito net/repellent
Water purification tablets and water filter
Photos of your family/ friends
A few examples of your local currency
Music
National flag
Colored pencils, pens, drawing books, grammar books, charity donation t-shirts
Flashlight
Penknife
First aid kit
Is there age limit in program?
No.
What types of immunization/ vaccines do I need before coming to Nepal?
Tetanus
Diphtheria
Polio
Hepatitis A & B
Typhoid
Rabies
Tuberculosis
Malaria
(But first consult with doctor)
Do I need any travel medical insurance?
Yes, we highly recommend that you have travel and medical insurance.
Does SM pay for my trekking and other activities?
No, these are SM activities so you need to pay for them yourself. However, we can organize and recommend some trekking, rafting, travel agencies who will help you to arrange these activities.
Is Nepal safe?
Nepal is the land of Buddha. A couple of years ago it was one of the most peaceful places on the earth but these days because of political unbalance crime is increasing and there is some violence but, unlike many developing countries, Nepal is quite safe. Every year thousands of tourist visit Nepal. These days the situation is getting better.
What's the weather like in the placement areas?
Nepal's climate is seasonally changeable and different in different regions. Geographically Nepal is divided into three parts. The mountain region of Nepal is very cold in winter while the mid-hill region (Kathmandu and Pokhara) and mid-terai region (Chitwan) have different climate in different seasons. The weather is cold from December to March, humid and quite hot in the summer. The spring and fall are cool and pleasant. Please bring your winter clothes if you are coming in November, December, January, February and summer clothes for the rest of the months. We advise female volunteers not to wear short skirts in villages, and male volunteers not to wear shorts. It is traditional for Nepali people dress modestly and for girls to cover most of their body.
Emergency contact:
In case you miss our representative at the airport or if your flight schedule changes suddenly, please give us a call on 977-9851088020 or 977- 9849056230
We live in a small village named Eco-village(Parsadhap, Meghauli-8). 23km from the nearest town (Bharatpur). With a friend, We trying to set up a rural development program in our village. Our village is a new eco-village in Chitwan. Our goal is to develop an international friendly village, and to offer visitors to learn about our way of life. So far we have tried income generating training, self employment training, international idea sharing zone, making compost, eco-training, organic farming, eco-park, Agro-development, rural development project, festival, women/youth empowerment and planting the tree with the help of volunteers. So we are welcome all type of volunteers.
We live in a small village named Eco-village(Parsadhap, Meghauli-8). 23km from the nearest town (Bharatpur). With a friend, We trying to set up a rural development program in our village. Our village is a new eco-village in Chitwan. Our goal is to develop an international friendly village, and to offer visitors to learn about our way of life. So far we have tried income generating training, self employment training, international idea sharing zone, making compost, eco-training, organic farming, eco-park, Agro-development, rural development project, festival, women/youth empowerment and planting the tree with the help of volunteers. So we are welcome all type of volunteers.
