Volunteer in Nepal: Project Locations and Free Time Options
Most Global Crossroad volunteers are placed in and around Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital and core city, and in Chitwan, which is about 4-5 hours south of Kathmandu. Kathmandu stands at 4600 feet and the Kathmandu valley is only slightly smaller than Singapore in terms of area. The city sits in a bowl created by four major mountains: Shivapuri, Phulchowki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri. Kathmandu has two sister cities nearby, Patan or Lalitpur, and the area is often referred to as Tri-City.
In Kathmandu, urban adventures are plentiful. A city unlike any Western city experience, Kathmandu calls to travelers offering adventure and discovery at every turn. Immersing in the city can overwhelm your senses with all the traffic, noise, colors and city chaos, but there is serenity, outside the city’s mainstream, in simple temples and peaceful courtyards. Kathmandu is the starting point for most adventures in Nepal, so the tourism infrastructure is solid and dependable. Volunteers can find many free time activities ranging from participating in a simple Buddhist ceremony to a 7-day trek in the Himalayas.
Our projects in Chitwan are located in a village setting. As a volunteer in Chitwan, you'll be able to experience authentic Nepali village life as you live with a local host family and immerse yourself in Nepali culture. The famous Chitwan National Park, where elephant safaris and tiger spotting are a big hit, is about an hour away from the project site. You will find internet access, ATM machines and restaurants in the town nearest the village, which is about a half an hour away.