Volunteer in Nepal with housing available up to 25 volunteers, A Broader View has hosted hundreds of university student groups, peace corp alternative teens and family volunteer programs in our Nepal medical, dental and social welfare projects. Groups of 5 or more interested in volunteering together can be customized. A Broader View Volunteers has extensive experience working in Nepal with students, teachers and families providing tailor-made service trips for small groups.
Nepal is a magical Himalayan country with an unusually diverse landscape. Eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest, are found here, making it a haven for trekking, mountain biking, and hiking. The country is also known for its national wildlife parks, jungle safaris, river rafting, and its many beautiful temples and places of worship. Nepal offers visitors a mix of ancient and modern with common sites like cows walking down the streets, Buddhist monks talking on cell phones and local children playing on 1000 year-old temple ruins.
The population of Nepal is approximately 27 million people; almost half of them are under 18 years old. Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world, most people living on less than $1000 a year. Almost 80% of the population still makes a living from agriculture. The rate of unemployment is almost 50% and poverty levels are very rampant. Nepal’s youth is quite large, accounting for almost half of the population. Many children are orphaned, abandoned, homeless and living on the streets.
Our programs provide a safe, enriching experience working in a community clinic, rural village, with At Risk youth, and little babies and toddlers. Take part in meaningful community service work, while discovering the people, sights, smells and tastes of Nepal.
Important Overview
Overview
- Project Length: From 1 week to 12 weeks
- Project dates: Year round. Choose any date to arrive.
- Arrival airport: Kathmandu (KTM)
- Accommodation: Homestay/Shared Guesthouse
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner daily
- Airlines: Qatar, Air India, Jet Airways, Thai Air, Ethiad
- Vaccinations: Typhoid and Hep A wwwnc.cdc.gov
Program Schedule
- Program starts and ends in Kathmandu
- Airport meet and greet in Kathmandu. Afternoon city tour and orientation
- Monday to Friday volunteering. 35-40 hours per week
- Weekends free to sightseeing
- Typical shift work: 4 hours in morning, 4 hours in the afternoon
- Support: Local ABV Director support 24/7 during placement
- Departure: ABV Staff Escorted Airport Transfer
Not included
- Flights to Nepal. Entry Visa. Departure taxes. Vaccinations. Local Transportation. Travel & Health Insurance. Laundry and Internet
Extra- Not Included activities:
- UNESCO Heritage car/ bike tour full day/half day
- Hiking guide hire Horse riding
- Nepali Dance Class Nepali language learning (basic/intermediate/advance level)
- Trekking around the Himalayas.
Volunteer Opportunities in Nepal
PreMedical / PreNurse / EMT Students
Volunteer in Nepal, if you are an undergraduate studying biology, chemistry or any of the sciences and are considering a career in medicine this is the ideal program for you. This program is as much about learning about universal health care, as it is to offer hands on assistance to the local medical staff who you will be working with Kathmandu. This type of experience is a great way to strengthen your resume and application to medical/nursing/PA school.
Volunteers are based at a charitable hospital in Kathmandu Nepal. It is assumed that 55% of the Nepalese population does not have access to basic health care and there are only a few facilities for plastic and reconstructive surgery (due to burns) for the whole Nepalese population. Serious burns are a major problem in Nepal. Most people still cook and sleep mostly by open fires. Mothers also tend to leave their young children at home while they work in the fields, which can lead to serious burn injuries. Moreover, the technically insufficient "modern" kerosene stoves can easily explode, causing many serious burns, mainly to children and women.
Volunteers will be able to observe surgeries for congenital deformities (such as cleft, lips), and the limbs: deformities causes by second and third degree burns; skin and soft after- effects caused by a severe injury or any other dysfunctional after –effects of improper or non-existent medical care. The medical hospital focus is treatment of burns, deformities and tumors.
Volunteers will be able to rotate through departments at this hospital. The hospital has general operation, surgical checkup, and dental treatments, physiotherapy, orthopedics, gynecology, health education, laboratory, X-Ray and ambulance facilities as well. The staff include a general surgeon, specialist in hand/plastic surgery, 21 nurses, 3 residential doctors, an assistant surgeon, dental hygienist and a physiotherapist. Opportunities can arise for volunteers to be part of the health outreach and village surgical/medical brigades.
Pre-medical volunteers required to pay US$100 monthly administrative fee for the Nepal hospital. This extra fee is collected by ABV during the final payment. White medical scrubs are recommended for all volunteers.
HIV Orphans & Community Care
With an organization which is providing care and education to children infected with the HIV virus or have been directly affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Volunteers support the three tied mission: education of the children, a safe home environment, and the awareness campaign
At the Home, the children are provided nutritional food, clean environment, weekly medical check-ups, psychosocial support and above all, a stigma free environment. The mission of the Home is to allow the children to grow up in a safe and loving environment without discrimination & be provided with the resources to have a happy, secure future. Currently there are 30 children and 5 women residing in the Home. Volunteers can help in different areas including: teaching in the primary school, helping care for the children in the Home, support the outreach projects and help with project donor proposals.
This program is for motivated individuals willing to share their skills and experience with our organization. In return, we provide you with the opportunity to work in a local Nepali NGO, live with a family and have a “local” experience. This project is located in a village about 35 minutes outside of Kathmandu, and local transportation costs approximately US$25 per month.
Required: US$100 per month project donation to be added to the program cost.
Dental Hospital
Volunteer in Nepal, this program is recommended for trained professionals, dental students and qualified dental hygienists. Dental volunteers are based in a large dental hospital in Kathmandu which focuses services on the poor, marginalized and destitute people of the community.
Volunteers will work under the supervision of local registered dentist. Different types of treatment can include scaling, fillings, RCT, crowns, dentures, orthodontic, periodontal, surgical extraction which are a common daily treatment at the hospital. Volunteers will be also be part of community outreach work. Planned visits to local schools, orphanages, monasteries to promote oral health and hygiene practices and pass out donations. Volunteers will show children how to properly brush their teeth and give oral health check-ups.
Most Nepali people have limited understanding of safe dental practices, and oral hygiene standards in Nepal are very low. Dental treatment is also considered very expensive in Nepal. People are very less concerned about the dental hygiene which results in various sever dental problems.
Required:
- Must be sudlicensed in your home country. Dental students/Pre-dental can join the dental internship.
- Medical scrubs (white preferred) or lab jacket. Basic examination kit: mirror, probe, periodontal probe, tweezers, gloves
- $200 supply/donation fee for all dental placements. This extra fee is collected during the final payment. Will be used to organize 2-3 dental outreach visits, for dental supplies and for local dental support on outreach days.
Note: It is recommended all the volunteers to take Nepali language class which includes Nepali dental terms and help in effective communication during the placement with the staff and patient.
Dental Student Internship
Volunteer in Nepal a dental internship in Kathmandu offers dental students and undergraduates the opportunity to shadow, learn and enhance their dental knowledge by observing a variety of dental procedures. Internship hours are approximately 35 hours a week, leaving free time on the weekends to explore this fascinating city and surroundings. Interns are based in a large dental hospital in Kathmandu which focuses services on the poor, marginalized and destitute people of the community.
Volunteers will work under the supervision of local registered dentist. Different types of treatment can include scaling, fillings, RCT, crowns, dentures, orthodontic, periodontal, surgical extraction which are a common daily treatment at the hospital. Depending on your skills and qualifications, you may have the opportunity to assist with dental restoration, root canal treatments, and tooth extraction.
Our internships and volunteer programs are available year-round. Whether you have one week or one month, volunteer with us and gain a broader view of the world.
Required:
- Medical scrubs (white preferred) or lab jacket. Basic examination kit: mirror, probe, periodontal probe, tweezers, gloves
- US$100 hospital administration fee. This extra fee is collected during the final payment. Will be used to organize your internship with the hospitals. ts.
Note: It is recommended all the volunteers to take Nepali language class which includes Nepali dental terms and help in effective communication during the placement with the staff and patient.
Teaching (Monks Monastery)
Volunteer in Nepal, it’s a tradition of Buddhist of sending to their children (Monk/nun) to the Monastery. Their level of English is very poor compare to other school children. Most of them are from poor families throughout Nepal. There are about 130 monks in Monastery ranging between 4 years and 18 years old. Most of the parents send their children to monastery for the sake of the better living condition and education.
Volunteers will get opportunity to teach English to the Monks/Nuns. You will work under the supervision of monastery teacher/administrator and get memorable experience. Volunteer can participate in various activities that occurred within the Monastery.
Required:
- US$100 program fee paid with your program cost
Note: Volunteers can bring anything that aids the teaching e.g. books, picture books, maps etc and make their learning more creative and interesting. It is recommended all the volunteers to take Nepali language class which helps communication during the placement with the staff and the students. This placement required 20-40 minute of traveling everyday from host family to the placement.
Teaching English
Volunteer in Nepal a local primary school in Kathmandu. You will get the opportunity to learn about education challenges in a developing country like Nepal. By being a volunteer English teacher in a school, you will help underprivileged children improve their English skills, gain knowledge on various health issues, social issues and enhancement of academic performance.
As a volunteer in this project you may be asked to participate or organize the following activities during the placement:
- Lesson planning with the local teacher: English, Health, Math lessons
- Develop training, teaching and communication manuals for students.
- Conduct workshops for students in various subjects and skill development for sports, science, art, health awareness etc.
- No Prior experience is needed however; volunteers should be very good in English, child friendly, caring, dedicated and have a lot of patience.
Note: Volunteers are asked to bring teaching aids (flash cards, maps, multiplication tables, and other visual aids) as well as any sports or arts and craft materials. It is recommended all the volunteers to take Nepali language class (optional activity) which will help volunteers in effective communication during the placement with the staff and children.
Required:
- US$100 program fee paid with your program cost
Disabled Care Center
Volunteers in Nepal needed at a Special needs children’s care center located in a suburb of Kathmandu. This center is caring for physically challenged children by providing them with the accommodation, daily care, health care, medication in the form of corrective surgery and education. Most of these children come from poor families who cannot care for them at home. Currently there are more than 40 children being cared for, most of them between 10-12 years old.
Volunteer duties include helping take care of the children’s daily activities, getting them ready for school classes, creating interesting activities, playing with them, home work assistance and helping them to learn better English and other subjects.
The following activities are practices in the center:
- Physiotherapy
- Musical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Art therapy
Required:
- Volunteers required to pay US$100 for each month they volunteer at this program paid with the program cost.
Note: No prior experience is needed for general care giver however; volunteers should be caring and have a lot of patience. Those with medical/therapy training are welcome and will be placed under the local registered medical profession supervision.
Nepali Language Immersion
Volunteer in Nepal there are about 123 languages spoken as a mother tongue in Nepal. Most belongs to Indo-Aryan and Sino-Tibetan families. The official language of Nepal is Nepali.
Learn the local language from a native speaker in a one-on-one setting. Class schedule is approximately 4 hours (45 min each) per day. Lessons can include outings and interaction with the local community. The Immersion program is vital for those who are willing to volunteer in school, hospital, orphanage, and monastery.
Immersion lessons consist of 20 hours a week of lessons and 20 hours a week of volunteering.
Orphanage / Childcare Support
Volunteer in Nepal, childcare program. When it comes to making the world a better place, there is nothing more important than giving children the education and encouragement they need. By working with local children volunteers make a huge impact in the community they travel to.
Volunteers work with local children in school projects, after school library, special needs care homes and at orphan school projects. Wherever you are placed you will be part of the ABV team working to make sure some of the countries’ most disadvantaged children have a better start in life.
Be immersed in the community, work along side the local Nepalese staff and fellow volunteers. Learn about early childhood development, education and the benefits of long-term community-based care. Volunteer with A Broader View to experience a safe and sociable way to give back, all while building your own confidence and understanding of global children care issues.
ABV’s childcare programs include a residential care home for boys and girls with 35 children, a small local orphanage with 11 children mostly females, a special needs care center home to 25 children and an after-school community library center which hosts about 50 children daily.
These childcare programs are based in the Danchi area of Kathmandu, located about 6 miles from downtown Thamel. Ages of the children in these programs range between 5years-14 years old. Work schedule is Monday to Friday, minimum 6 hours per day.
Volunteer tasks can include:
- Work closely with kids – in kindergarten, special needs center, after school library – teach them, design fun games for them, help in making meals, feed them and engage in playful activities
- Support early childhood development through fun games and lessons
- Make educational resources (flashcards or posters) to improve hygiene levels
- Assist with preparation of classroom materials (cutting, gluing, art projects)
- Reading stories to the children
- Organize special events like music, dance, other cultural activities to share
- Provide companionship, talk and supportive listening to the children
- Help with simple chores around the center
Prior experience is not needed. Volunteer need to be very caring, child friendly, pro-active and patient.
Required:
- Volunteers required to pay US$100 for each month they volunteer at this program paid with the program cost.
Street Dog Care Shelter
Volunteer in Nepal, nearly 25000 dogs are wandering in streets of populated Kathmandu. Many of these dogs are living in very poor condition suffering from starvation, disease and maltreatment. At the same time more 200 people dies every year due to rabies and contact with street dogs so to the animal center had been operating for more than 10 years, rescuing and sheltering the stray dogs and trying to bring down this figure into Zero. Currently the center has 60 dogs under treatment. Animal center is main focus on treating street dogs and currently main objective is focus on three major programs:
- Animal birth control (sterilization)
- Rabies vaccination
- Public Awareness Program
This program could be suitable for anyone who is very animal loving and who wants to build career as a veterinary doctor. You can either volunteer as a PreVet student or post vet (non technical or technical). Interns can help in providing care, examination, field trip, treatment and assistance to the vet Dr during the surgery. On the other hand, the volunteer can participate in awareness campaign about the importance of care of animal and reporting the cruelty to the concern authority at school and local community and also taking care of the ground and painting.
No Prior experience is needed. Volunteer need to be very caring, patience and dedicated. Volunteers need to take anti- rabies vaccination and other required vaccine suggested by your GP in your home country.
Required:
- US$100 program fee paid with your program cost.
Women Empowerment / Agriculture
Volunteer in Nepal is a Patriarchal society where men go to work and women stay at home tending the home and children. Slight trend changes are happening in parts of Kathmandu, however it still remains the same in the villages. As few Nepali women enter skilled work and leadership in the private and public sectors, it remains difficult for women to find opportunities. Domestic abuse in Nepal is rampant. The leading cause of death among women of childbearing age is suicide. Widows are tossed out and branded as witches. Victims of the sex trade are shunned by families. There are many issues that Nepalese women face due to illiteracy and dependency into their husband income for even small things.
This program helps to empowerment women in terms of education and get involved in learning income generating activities.
This program focuses on education of woman, both young and old. Help within the community to teach and promote women’s rights, initiate discussions on health issues, lead activities promoting life skills such as tailoring, food cart/tourism work/handicrafts and sustainable farming techniques. Nearly all Nepali women have a great skill-set as farmers. You will be helping these women to provide a sustainable future for themselves and their children. The program is designed to promote the importance of education, and provide training which can be turned into income generating life skills. Teach a English lesson, help on the farming days, teach a woman about money management, participate in health talks etc.
This program can be combined with the Nepali Language Immersion program, or the orphanage support project - all located within Kathmandu.
Program Donation:
USD $100 to be included in the program fee.
Community Development
Volunteer in Nepal, after the earthquake disaster Nepal is in need of huge reconstruction and renovation. So why not let your hand forward for a great social cause.
Our Construction, renovation and community awareness placement in Nepal will provided with a fruitful interaction between yourself and the community in which you are working with the community members together to help them build a required infrastructure. In this program Physical labour like mixing cement, carrying, digging hole is needed on development and renovation work as well as our social awareness campaigns helping to involve the local people by bringing them ownership of their village, its facilities and social issues.
You will spend most of the time engaging with community development work as well as focusing on social development should you wish to work in both areas. For our development work you will be involved with the reconstruction homes for the earthquake hit victims, painting, repairing and beautification of schools, day care centres, gardens or homes which are below the poverty line. This manual work may also include an element of motivating and creating teams of village children to help clean up litter on the streets or help to plants trees depending on where your project is based. You may also get involved with our dustbin construction initiative where you will be working to create hygiene awareness amongst children.
Note: if you are 5 or + volunteers in a group then we can plan for your dates, we can customize the project. To buy materials and cover logistic. Each volunteer needs to donate USD$150 per week to cover the materials.
All our work sites are located in Kathmandu and outside Kathmandu (transportation to villages is not included). Our priority renovation projects are as follows:
- To build toilets in the villages, schools and for community centers
- Constructing/ Restoration/Painting of Library and classroom
- Restoration and decoration of local Heritage site including temple, Stupa etc
- Restoration and painting of local health care centers
- Restoration and decoration of Government/ Community school etc.
- Artistic decoration of school interiors (artists welcome!)
- Preparing sports facilities for clubs and centers
- Repairing houses for families that need urgent support
- Developing garbage and recycling facilities
Elderly Care
Volunteer in Nepal, this Care center provide residence, day care and club facilities to the senior citizen and commitment to build a fulfilling, motivational age friendly social life for our aged citizen. Though this is a very new concept for the Nepali community however, the need of aged care is growing rapidly and there is only few that actually working for it.
This center main objective is to promote the wellbeing of senior citizen and help them engage in different creative, motivational and recreational activities, providing those services, care and support that suit their specific needs so they can live a dignified life. The center recently extended a special ward to provide care services to Alzheimer’s dementia.
In this program, the volunteer can use their creativity to conduct activities for them and help them in their daily schedule for e.g. help in preparing meals and serving them, help them in Physio, playing music and dance classes, playing games, participate in the production and transmission of programs related to ageing, take around for the local tour, check blood pressure, sugar level, serving medication on time, hospital visit etc.
The most needed time is from 7am- 11 am and 3pm-7 pm so this program can be combine with other programs too. Volunteer can take Nepali language immersion during the break time and will be advantage during the program.
Required: US$100 program fee paid with your program cost.
Country Info
Nepal Introduction
Are you ready to help people in need, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and culture of a new country and have the experience of a lifetime? With poverty, disease and a lack of skilled providers putting a strain on important services such as health and childcare in developing countries across the globe, there are many corners of the world which rely on the help of volunteer travelers like yourself.
Volunteer in Nepal with A Broader View Volunteers a top rated non-profit charity organization, which works tirelessly to support our wonderful volunteers and serve the local communities where our volunteer programs are located. Placements in Nepal are based in the city of Kathmandu. Program placements are tailored to the volunteers different interests and skill sets, but still allow volunteers time to explore the Asian local culture and activities during their free time.
The type of programs in Nepal vary widely, offering everything from education to health care. Volunteers can choose between 17 program opportunities in the orphanage. International volunteer help is not only appreciated by the local community, it is severely needed by the millions of Nepalese living below the poverty line. With thousands of children living and working on the streets, as is so often the case in developing countries like Nepal, our volunteer programs are designed to support the needs of local teens and children in desperate need of assistance.
Many of our volunteer abroad programs cater to underprivileged women and children’s care, education and health requirements. Our extensive range of social programs near Kathmandu, Nepal programs include: Pre Health Students, Elderly Care, Community development, women Empowerment, Animal Rescue, Orphanage Care, Children Education and many more.
Volunteering in Nepal is an incredibly rewarding experience. We welcome volunteers of all ages and from all backgrounds to join us. Whether you’re seeking volunteer abroad programs for college students or voluntary work for over 60s, as a trusted non-profit organization which prioritizes the safety of our volunteers, we are the go-to for volunteers across the globe. We also offer customized programs with flexible arrival dates to best suit the needs of the remarkable volunteers we depend on to help us make the world a better place.
If you’d like to volunteer, Nepal is just one of the countries we’ve taken under our wing, supplying a steady flow of volunteers and providing year-round financial support to local projects in near Nepal. Wherever you decide to volunteer, A Broader View give you the opportunity to participate in meaningful community service work, learn a foreign language, make lifelong friends and discover that one person really can make a difference. Your search for the best volunteer abroad programs ends here – volunteer in Nepal with us and gain A Broader View of the world.
Coordinator
Welcome to Nepal! 🇳🇵. Our Names are Sarita and Sudhir and we are your ABV coordinators while you are staying in Nepal. Our country has one big city, Kathmandu. You will be working in Kathmandu Center. We will be ready for support 24/7 in case you need to contact me urgently. We will introduce you to your volunteer location and staff.
You are most welcome to seek our assistance and don’t hesitate to ask us questions while in country.
Weather
What's the best time to go to Kathmandu in Nepal? Here are some annual weather facts we collected from our historical climate data:
- Hot season / summer is in April, May, June, July, August and September.
- A lot of rain (rainy season) falls in the months of: June, July, August and September.
- Kathmandu has dry periods in January, February, November and December.
- On average, the warmest month is May.
- On average, the coolest month is January.
- July is the wettest month.
- December is the driest month.
Reviews & Multimedia
Reviews
Till now everything went smooth and as I expected. This is life-changing experience for me in Nepal Kathmandu. I got opportunity to explore my own self. I came to know that love, happiness; smile and help are away from nationality, culture, skin color or language.
Staffs at dental hospital were so welcoming and kind. Bought us food and drinks, introduced us to many good food and phrases to interact with the patients. Did extractions, pulpectomy, fillings, etc. Great if I could have done more but sadly no, due to language barrier
I loved my stay with the coordinator and his family. They are very caring and helpful and like a second family to me. My work environment was great and people were really friendly. I would definitely come back to Nepal with my family and spend more time here.
Videos
Prices for Nepal
Program Fees
Since A Broader View Volunteers is a 501c(3) charitable organization, You can fundraise (optional) for the expenses of the trip after you get confirmed in our programs. Prices are per person and in US dollars (US$).
| Length of program | Program Fee $USD |
|---|---|
| 1 week | $890 |
| 2 weeks | $1030 |
| 3 weeks | $1170 |
| 4 weeks | $1310 |
| 5 weeks | $1450 |
| 6 weeks | $1590 |
| 7 weeks | $1730 |
| 8 weeks | $1870 |
| 9 weeks | $2010 |
| 10 weeks | $2150 |
| 11 weeks | $2290 |
| 12 weeks | $2430 |
| Country / weeks | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal - Language Immersion | $1050 | $1310 | $1650 | $1950 |
* Nepal Immersion: Any extra week of “accommodation and meals” will be US$210/week, Extra Nepali lessons can be paid locally to the coordinator.
Start Dates
Most of our programs run year round, you can start any volunteer/internship program on any day. When you apply you will lets know your start and end dates. Our programs run year round and have volunteers arriving almost every day from many different countries.
Since our programs sometimes depend on the local holiday calendar, there are brief occasions when normal programs work is suspended. For example, schools/daycares often close for long winter/summer vacations. During these times, we arrange for alternative work programs that are similar in substance to our ongoing programs, but address the short-term, direct needs of the local communities.
If you would like to arrange your start and end dates around the local holidays, please call us at 1.866.423.3258 or email us at [email protected].
Money Matters
A Broader View Volunteers work tirelessly year round to support our volunteers, and also to serve the local communities where ABV projects are based. As a tax-exempt 501 c(3) organization A Broader View receive 100% of our funding from volunteer contributions. Through your program fee contribution our non-profit charity organization can operate beneficial humanitarian aid programs which are successful and continuous supported year round.
Local, professional full-time coordinators, placement logistics, airport pick up and departure transportation, arrival orientation, food & local accommodations, are a major part of providing a safe, meaningful volunteer experience. When you join A Broader View, you will receive pre-trip visa and vaccination support, assistance with flights, fundraising planning, through our interactive online volunteer portal. Our local partners not only benefit from volunteers valuable contributions at the project, they benefit financially with year-round monetary support from A Broader View. In the last decade A Broader View has donated over 4.5 million dollars in international aid.
By joining A Broader View you are not only helping to make a difference during your own trip, your impact will last even after you go home.
Extras
Day Trips
Day Kathmandu World Heritage City Tour - From Kathmandu Nepal
It is an ancient mix of spirituality and history. Here the major Eastern religions come together to form a unique synergy as Hinduism and Buddhist unite. In the Triple 1 Day Treat, this unique spirituality and history comes alive as you visit in one day three of the most influential UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Kathmandu Manokamana Pokhara Tour
Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu valley: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Naranhiti Royal Palace Museum, Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Budhanilkantha. and Boudhdhanath Stupa, Nagarkot for Sunrise, Manokamana Temple with Cable Car ride, Pokhara, Sarangkot sunrise. Your guide will explain you about all the places while this tour. This tour will be starts after meet and greet you in International Airport, Kathmandu and ends after departure to Airport or your onward journey from your hotel in Kathmandu.
Chandragiri Hills Kathmandu Day Trip
Chandragiri Hill, 16 kilometers from Central Kathmandu, lies on the South-West of Kathmandu Valley and is 2551 meters from sea level. Chandragiri can be reached via Cable car, driving or trekking. The second cable car in Nepal after manakamana has been commencing in this route. The cable car route is around 2.5 km and it takes around 9 to 14 minutes depending on the windspeed on the cable car. It is easy, thrilling and fun-filled experience exploring in the cable car. You can view stunning view of Mountain range from view tower. It is a easy one day trip from Central Kathmandu Valley.
Festivals and Festivities
Festivals in Nepal are as number as there are days in a year. Blessed to be one of the most diverse countries in the world, almost everyday Nepal and Nepalese are participating in some sort of festivals and celebrations.
January 18, Lhosar
Lhosar is celebrated by Nepalese ethnic groups who trace their history to Tibet, namely the Gurung, Tamang and Sherpa people. Lhosar is the first day of the new year, and each community celebrates the festival differently. Traditional dress is worn by young and old, and festivities held in cities and more remote regions.
January 22, Basanta Panchami
Devotees worship goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and creator of arts, education and music. Basanta Panchami also marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
February 14, Maha Shivaratri
‘Shivaratri’ means the ‘night of Lord Shiva’. Devout Hindus bathe early in the morning and fast on this day, then visit Shiva temples. The best place to witness the festival is at the Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu, where thousands of Sadhus (Hindu holy men) and smoke marijuana and hashish, considered dear to Lord Shiva. People also drink Bhang, a drink made by mixing ground nuts, spices, herbs and extracts of marijuana into milk.
March 01, Holi
Holi is a very colourful and playful festival. It is celebrated in the Terai on one day, and in Kathmandu and the hill regions on the next day. People smear coloured powders on their friends, relatives and family members, and throw coloured water and water balloons. It’s important not to take any valuables out with you on this day, unless they are sealed in a plastic bag!
March 18, Ghode Jatra
Ghode Jatra is important in the Kathmandu Valley and is celebrated to ward off demonic Gurumapa. It is said the soul of the demon still lives underground at Tundikhel. To prevent him from rising again, a horse race is organised on this day by the Nepal Army.
April 14, Nepali New Year (Bisket Jatra)
This is a major holiday in Nepal. A particularly lively place to spend the day is Bhaktapur, where the Bisket Jatra festival takes place. A huge chariot carrying the god Bhairab is pulled through the streets, ending with a chariot battle at Bhaktapur’s Khalna Tole.
On this day, children (including adult children!) offer sweets, fruits and gifts to their mothers to show their respect and gratitude. Those whose mothers have passed away visit Mata Tirtha in the west of Kathmandu, take a holy bath and make offerings in their mother’s memory.
April 29, Buddha Jayanti
Buddha’s birthday falls on the first full day of the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar and is celebrated by Hindus as well as Buddhists. It is observed at Buddhist shrines and monasteries throughout Nepal, but a particularly grand ceremony is held at Buddha’s birthplace in Lumbini, on the Terai. In Kathmandu, the Tibetan enclave of Boudhanath is a particularly good place to watch the festivities.
May-June 2018, Rato Machchhendranath
This is Nepal’s longest and largest festival, held in Patan. A large chariot is built on Pulchowk Road over several weeks, and finally, the god Machchhendranath is placed inside. Three days later, the chariot begins its procession all throughout Patan and wider Lalitpur, towards Bungamati. Machchhendranath is the Newar god of rain, and the festival ushers in the monsoon.
August 15, Naag Panchami
Naag Panchami falls in the middle of the monsoon. It is a Hindu festival that worships the serpent god, Naag. Pictures of Naag are posted in doorways, and milk is offered to him. It is believed that worshipping Naag protects against snake bites. This festival marks respect to serpents as the water guardians, and to ensure regular rainfall in the Kathmandu Valley.
August 26, Janai Purnima
Janai Purnima is Sacred Thread Festival. On this day, Hindu men, especially the Brahmins and Chettris perform their annual change of Janai and all who celebrates this festival put a sacred thread around their wrist. Gosaikunda, the sacred pond in high altitude, witnesses the great celebration on this day.
August 27, Gai Jatra
The festival’s name is Gai Jatra (literally meaning the festival of cows) and nowadays it is a fusion of three traditions that came into being in three different periods of time. The first and the oldest tradition incorporates a cult and a worship of the ancient god of death – Yamaraj. Thus, the festival marks the acceptance and celebration of death in a positive way, as an inevitable part of life. Every family who has lost a member, in the previous year, is supposed to lead a carefully and intricately decorated cow through the city. In the absence of a cow, a boy dressed as a cow (the oldest for a lost male memberand the younger for a female) can successfully take on the role.
September 02, Krishna Janmastami
Krishna Janmastami marks the birth of Krishna. Considered the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Krishna is the most important character in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharat. On this day Hindu devotees visit Krishna temples. In particular, thousands of devotees gather at the stone Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square.
September 12, Teej
Teej is a festival celebrated by Nepali women, for the long life of her husband and a long and firm relationship between them until the death this life and all the lives to come. Teej is observed for marital happiness, the well-being of spouse and children and purification of own body and soul. Teej is the most famous festival among Nepali women.
September 14, Rishi Panchami
Rishi Panchami is a festival that is celebrated immediately after Teej Puja. Hindu women attach undue importance to this festival of Rishi Panchami because they believe that by observing Rishi
Panchmi fast and by paying homage to Rishis (Saints) on this day of the festival, they will be blessed and forgiven for all their sins that they are bound to commit during their menstrual cycle by not following the strictures laid down for them by their religion.
October 10 – 19, Dashain
Dashain is the most important festival to Nepalis. It is a celebration of good prevailing over evil. Most families offer male goats, ducks, chickens, eggs and coconuts to the goddess Durga. People return to their home villages and spend the fifteen-day festival with their families. Large swings are set up for children, and from the tenth day, family members receive Tika (rice, red vermillion and yoghurt) on their foreheads from their elders.
November 5 – 9, Tihar
Tihar is Nepal’s second most important festival, after Dashain. In each of the three days, a different deity is worshipped: on the first day the crow, the messenger of Yama (the bringer of death); on the second, dogs, which are believed to be Yama’s custodian; and on the third, the goddess Lakshmi is worshipped, the bringer of wealth. Lakshmi is worshipped by lighting houses with oil lamps, candles and colorful lights.
October 13 Chhath
Chhath is the most important festival observed in the Terai region and falls on the seventh day after Tihar. Devotees fast and make offerings to the sun by gathering at river banks. The Terai region is the best place to observe this festival or the Rani Pokhari tank in central Kathmandu.
Note:
Hartalika Teej and Rishi Panchami are observed by females only. Ghode Jatra, Gai Jatra and Indra Jatra are observed in Kathmandu valley only. Some dates of the festivals are subject to change. In such cases.
