Category: Blog

While Volunteering in Nepal you will have ample options to explore and get the experience of a number of attractions. As all know, Nepal is a treasure of natural beauty. On the other hand, diverse and unique culture makes Nepal more beautiful.

1. Mountain Trekking

Mountains! These are the pride of Nepal.  Hundred thousands of people visit this country from around the world every year. They spend valuable time money for a glance of mountains. Why would we miss to grab this opportunity once you are in Nepal?

There is a number of ways to explore Mountains, Himalayas, that you can organize a day trip to a week-long tour. It just opts for you. Like a budget, your time, fitness, and the main thing is interest. There are many trekking routes in Nepal. Each route has its own attraction and charm. Most famous trekking routes in Nepal are Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake. Similarly, Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Ghorepani Poon Hill, and Langtang Valley trek secure at a highly visited route list. The above routes require a week or longer time. For 1 to 3 days trip Chisapani to Nagarkot, Dhampus to Australian Camp and Pokhara to Poon Hill hiking routes are ideal.

2. Jungle Safari

This tour requires two to three days a long time. There are many national parks in Nepal. But Chitwan National Park, most visited, and easy to access is the best option for Jungle safari. The Safari tour includes various activities, such as Local Tribal Dance, Elephant Back riding to safari, Jeep riding to safari, Tharu Village Tour, Elephant Breeding Centre visit, Canoeing, and Bathing with Elephants. In the safari tour, we will have the opportunity to see different kinds of animals and their habitat. The jeep or elephant back riding safari takes us into the deep forest. We see different kinds of wild animals, one-horned rhinos, and various species of deer, crocodiles, porcupines, macaques, and birds. Sometimes, royal Bengal Tigers appear while they come to hunt in wide grass-land and deep forest.

3. Heritage Site Visit

Kathmandu, an accredited city of Temple, is famous for its heritage sites and Temple. There are numbers of UNESCO listed as heritage sites; including Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square. Swayambu Nath, Pashupati Nath, and Bauddha Nath also come in most visited attraction list. Except for places, many other temples, not listed UNESCO, are existing in the city and outskirts.

It will be a great opportunity visiting these places to know closely about the spectacular art of Licchabi and Malla dynasty who ruled over Kathmandu for years. The then dynast built temples and palaces that influenced with traditional Hindu and Buddhist Art. The picturesque sites visit will give you information about Nepalese history, culture, practices of Hindu and Buddhist.

4. White Water Rafting

There are some water sports activities on freshwater rivers that flow from the mountains.  The white water river rafting is the most famous tour rather canoeing and kayaking.  You do this trip from 1 day to several days, it depends on your interest. We recommend going rafting for a day trip that you can combine with other activities like safari and hiking. On the rafting tour, you won’t experience only river rafting, more than this you get time to acquaint with nature and local people. For day-tour rafting Trishuli, Seti and Bhote Koshi Rivers are best.

5. Paragliding

Paragliding is another adventurous activity which is newly flourished in Nepal. There are two places in Kathmandu from where flights are operated. Comparing to Kathmandu Pokhara is more popular for gliding, as it has more natural and beautiful scenery. Most of the gliders begin flight from the top of the hill, Sarangkot, and land at the bank of Phewa Lake. This tendon flight, someone escorts, takes you over the open sky for 30 to plus minutes. You will have an exhilarating view of the snow-capped mountains, fishtail, and Annapurna. You will see many other enticing views of the beautiful valley, lakes, forest, settlement, landscape etcetera.

6. Bungee Jumping

If you are a daring person, then you should not miss this activity. There are two places for Bungee Jump activity in Nepal. One is close by Nepal and China border, nearer from Kathmandu than Pokhara.  The one is in Pokhara.

7. Yoga

Yoga is getting popular day by day in Nepal. It seems Nepalese are getting more cautious in fitness. Many veteran yoga instructors, Gurus, from India come to Nepal to organize Yoga camps since long ago. Nowadays, there are many Nepalese Yoga teachers set up institutes, that offer nominal fees or free yoga classes. Some Buddhist Monasteries offer yoga sessions from hours to server days.

8. Meditation

If you are looking for peace of mind, then no doubt meditation will give you relief. It makes you happy and teaches you about the way of life. The massive influx of travelers to Nepal combines this course with other holiday activities then why you miss this chance. There are many meditation centers in inner town or in a quiet location. Some centers cost you a fee and some centers are free like Vipassana.

9. Country Tour

Outside of the capital city Kathmandu, there are many places to see and things to do while you are in Nepal. You can do this tour solo or organize it as per your interest. The places you should not miss are; Pokhara, the most tourist visit town which is known n as nature blessed city. Another city Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, has many beautiful temples and monasteries. There are more places like Bandipur, Gorkha, Nuwakot, Tansen, Dharan, Ilam, etc.

10. Village stay

This is activity is to go and stay with a local family in the countryside.  You will have time to see culture, practices and their day-to-day lifestyle, and livelihood, etc. You will get time to be acquainted with local people which other travelers and holidaymakers rarely do. As a paying guest or family member, you can stay a day to several days in sharing food prepared prepare locally. Sometime, if there is an event like a wedding or festival you won’t miss this incredible opportunity to observe closely.

As like earlier years, this year, 2020, the most prominent festival Holi seems gloomy. Hundred of thousands of people, including tourists, used to celebrate this festival in Thamel and Durbar Square. Maximum peoples’ influx used to go this carnival in a massive number in around at celebration locations Durbar Square, Thamel, and Tudhikhel. This year few Nepalese kids and a little number of tourists were enjoying Holy by smearing colors to each other.

We saw Thamel Square, in front of Kathamandu, Guest House, looks pretty deserted. There were a little number of tourists were playing colors with each other. No Crowed, having fun and dance appeared at all. A  color selling women were telling us this year the Coronavirus strikes her business as one of two people is buying her colors.

We asked a coloring playing tourist group, why they were celebrating this festival where Nepalese authorities have requested not to celebrate this festival. They answered us they don’t care about bloody coronavirus and also said that Nepal is safe,  no Nepalese people have been affected yet. Furthermore, they responded in a hilarious term, “Nepalese people are already used to resist more harmful viruses.”

Usually, tourists, volunteers, and other foreigners who come to Nepal to travel and trekking in the mountains used to celebrate this festival with full of joys. It used to be there lifelong cultural experience, including nature and mountains.

• Adopt a relaxed attitude and be flexible

Nepal may be an unpredictable country for organized people. People in Nepal live in a more relaxed and carefree way and don’t follow strict deadlines and will often be late for appointments. Taking a flexible approach will be helped you to enjoy yourself while integrating into Nepali culture.

• Keep only small amounts of cash on your person

Nepal is a safe country for travelers, and there are few incidents of crime. Nepali people prefer to live in understanding and co-operation, which is why, although living in conditions of poverty, most Nepalese appear to be happy and carefree. There are, however, isolated incidents of new travelers being duped. Not carrying large amounts of foreign currency is always wise. Please note that only Kathmandu and Pokhara have credit card cash retrieval or currency exchange facilities. Therefore, if you plan a trek or trip lasting several days, please ensure that you take sufficient Nepalese currency.

• Avoid buying from street vendors

Although street vendors do not harm travelers, they may pester them to buy cheap souvenirs at inflated prices. If you are particularly keen to speak to them and share experiences, please ensure that you do not have much cash. In fact, they are likely to know a great deal about the locality and may give you useful information. However, street vendors are known for telling stories in an attempt to gain sympathy. A naïve traveler will fall for these stories and buy the street vendor a book or some milk, which he will then sell on for a tidy profit. These incidents happen very frequently in the major tourist areas of Thamel in Kathmandu.

• Punctuality

This is a significant problem with general Nepali people. You can hope for something to be done in one hour, but please allow more time. Nepali people rarely follow a strict deadline, and to be half an hour late for appointments is considered normal. You will hear this referred to as ‘Nepali time.’ If you have official business to conduct such as visa renewal, seeking trekking permits, etc., please allow ample time. Be assured that at Hands for Help Nepal, we are always punctual and prefer to follow deadlines in a more western manner.

• Don’t worry if you get lost

Shopkeepers are always able to help you with finding addresses and the right means of transport if you are lost. They know the local area very well and may allow you to use the phone for a small fee, e.g., 4-5 rupees for a local call or borrow a mobile phone with strangers. You can buy Nepalese Simcard upon arrival in Kathmandu. Remember to keep the telephone numbers of the Hands for Help Nepal director and your host family with you at all times.

• Avoid traveling late in the evenings

Generally, there is nothing to do after dark in Nepal. Nepali people spend their time at home with their families and rarely go out at night. You may encounter drunken people or street people after dark. In rural areas, where after 9 pm most of the shops, traffics is closed. Late-night travel is unpredictable, and you may disturb your host family. Please, remember to let your family know where you are and that you are all right.

• Be discrete with new people

Nepali people are generally keen to speak to foreigners, but they rarely stop them from chatting. Travelers should beware of those who very interested and offer food or drinks or take them home to visit their family. This may be a ploy to encourage the traveler to buy things for the family. Female travelers should be especially cautious in such situations.

• Use emails and phones, rather than depending on the postal system

WIFI with hight and moderate speed internet is used widely in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and all major cities, even in villages in Nepal. It is the most convenient, fast, and secure way to communicate while away from home. In Kathmandu, there are many cafes, restaurants, and hotels offering Internet access at free cost. The postal system in Nepal is unreliable; therefore, post boxes or collection agents should not be used unless their reliability is assured. Only send valuables by registered post from the central post office in Kathmandu at Sundhara, below the tallest tower.

• Bargain

Travelers should ensure they do not buy things without knowing the lowest prices. Shopkeepers can usually identify new visitors by their demeanor and will inflate prices accordingly. Always take time to compare prices between the many shops before buying.

• Use the Nepali you have learned

The use of the Nepali language brings you closer to people. It will also reduce the chance of you being bothered by those trying to profit from the inexperience of new tourists.

• Sharing food with others

People in Nepal always share food with one another. If you are with a Nepali, be it a friend, teacher, or family member, it is expected that you share food. Not to share is considered to be bad manners. It is better not to eat in front of someone if you do not wish to share.

• Toilets and bathing

Toilets in villages are unlike the western toilets found in hotels in Kathmandu. Toilets are usually a small room with a hole in the ground. Some toilets have taps. For those where there is no tap, you may need to carry water in a bucket and pour it for flushing. Toilet paper is not generally used as it causes blockages. Most of the host families do not have bathrooms. It’s usual to have a bath in public taps. Volunteers will be oriented to having an open shower and squad toilet during pre-placement talk.

• Staying with a host family

You are here in Nepal to experience Nepali culture, customs, beliefs, food, and many other aspects of daily life. Please be prepared to put aside some of your western expectations and customs. Different cultural practices will inevitably cause some confusion, but your time with your host family will be easier if you try to adopt a Nepali lifestyle. It will also be a smooth relation with your host family if you follow their family rules, for example:

1. Please avoid going out during the night. If you do, ensure you explain where and with whom you are going. Remember to inform your host family whether or not you are eating dinner with them.
2. Please, avoid eating with others on too many occasions. If you are eating elsewhere, please explain clearly that where you are eating and what time you will be back.
3. Please, do not bring many friends to your host family home, especially those of the opposite sex.
4. Please only use your host family’s telephone for short periods so that other family members can use it. Please only give their telephone number to important people, such as your family back home.

• Food and Drink

‘Daalbhaat’ is the traditional Nepali meal and is eaten twice a day at around 9.30 am and 8 pm. Daalbhaat is boiled rice, lentil soup accompanied by a vegetable curry dish. Many volunteers find it tasty and healthy. Foods such as chips, sandwiches, burgers, and cakes are not available in rural areas due to a lack of proper refrigeration systems and ideas of cooking styles. However, travelers who do not like daalbhaat may find light foods like noodles, biscuits, chawmins, etc. more palatable. While your body adjusts to different diets, it may be advisable to avoid eating food with a large meat content for the first few days of your visit and choose plain, light foods such as sandwiches, fruits, salads, and baked goods.

Drink water straight from the tap is not recommended anywhere in Nepal. Please ensure you have boiled water properly or purified with tablets. Bottled water is safe for drinking and is widely available. Please ensure the seal has not been broken before purchasing. Hands for Help Nepal has arranged for all volunteers to have boiled water whilst staying in villages.

• Climate

The climate in Nepal ranges from freezing cold in the high altitude regions of the Himalayas to subtropical in the lowland of Terai region. The mountainous or middle parts of Nepal have a moderate climate. The day-time temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius all year round. However, during the summer months of May and June, the temperature can rise to 35 degrees Celsius in this region. During the winter months of December to February, days are slightly shorter and cooler. The evenings and nights can reach as low as 0 degrees Celsius in Kathmandu. During the monsoon season, July to August, there are a few hours of rain on most days; however, there are still many days of bright sunshine. Obviously, it’s the wettest time of the year, and traveling around the country may not be the most pleasant experience. During the monsoon season, Nepalese people plant rice, and the vegetation is lush green. The best seasons to visit Nepal are between October and December, when there are many festivals, and between March and May.

If the climate of Nepal is very different from your own country’s climate, please take special care of yourself during the first 72 hours of your stay in Nepal. Humidity, pollution, air infections are likely to cause illnesses such as diarrhea, cold, etc.

The paragraphs below give approximate costs of essentials in Nepal. This information may be useful for planning ahead.

(1 US$  = approx. 118 NPR)

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) affected a vast number of people in the world. Over sixteen thousand people died, and more than three hundred thousand people are infected worldwide. Infected patients number and the death toll is rising speedily.

Here in Nepal, due to this virus, a hidden terrorist traumatizes the whole country. The country has been locked down for a week. The situation seems an emergency. Officially, the Nepal government suspended Internation flights and issuing visas. Trekking, mountaineering, and other tourism activities are banned for an indefinite time.

To support the Nepalese government’s efforts, people stay at home, organizing no public functions, etc. However, the lock-down situation affects a significant number of working-class people who have to survive with daily wages.

As a volunteering organization, we, Hands for Help Nepal, used to play a supportive role in helping the deprived class of communities. During the earthquake,2014, we were able to support affected people with the help of local and international volunteers help. Unfortunately,  due to a lack of expertise,  well-manpower,  and equipment, we are unable to take part in the field to fight with the Coronavirus. However, we will do our best to raise awareness to fight with this bloody virus.

To date, there are no members of our organization, community partners,  partner institutes, and host families who are infected from COVID-19.

At the moment, we do not have any volunteers in placement. All who were working with us, lastly, in February,  had good health; they had a great time with us in Nepal.

We are also not accepting volunteering applications for March and April 2020. For the upcoming months, June, July, we better wait and see the situation of the coronavirus outbreak. It also depends on the Nepalese government rule whether it will be lifted or not.