Volunteer in Everest region of Nepal and experience warm hospitality of the locals Sherpa people while also enjoying the breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The Himalayan region of Nepal is known for its panorama of world’s highest mountains, the unique culture of local people who live in their shadow and also the rugged beauty of the valleys that lie below the mountains. The Everest region, which lies to the north eastern part of Nepal, ranks among the world’s top 10 travel destinations. It is a paradise for nature lovers where you can find - the magnificent tumble of great snow summits, verdant mountains full of rhododendrons, isolated villages and communities, and mountain top monasteries.
With New Hope’s Everest Program you can now experience such spectacular sceneries and also learn about the local Sherpa community. We encourage you to join this program. You will not only observe this most beautiful part of the world but also gain a unique volunteer abroad experience.
Your life as a volunteer in Everest region
The whole of Everest region lacks motorable road. Life here is very simple and natural. In the morning you will wake up to birds chirping or people talking. Himalayas with snow covered peaks that are over 7 thousand meters tall can be seen right outside of your window. While in the monastery, you will wake up at around 7 to enjoy breakfast with the monks. After relaxing a bit, you will teach the young monks. You may also teach in the afternoon, depending on your schedule. Generally, you will have 3 hours of free time during your volunteering days. You can use this time to read books. Better yet, take a walk to nearby village or visit Phakdin, 20 minutes downhill to use internet or eat out in restaurants that serve trekkers to Everest region. You can also visit the village of Thulo Ghumila and talk to local Sherpas and get to know them.
During off days, you can trek 2 hours uphill from the monastery. From there, you’ll get a clearer view of all the Himalayas, especially the Everest. On the way, you will pass a nunnery. And as you reach the top, behold the view! It’s been described as simply breathtaking. You can also trek to Namche Bazar, about 3 hours from the monastery. For this, we recommend that you take at least 3-4 days off and trek further to Tengboche and Everest base camp. This will allow you to be even more close to the Himalayas.
In the teaching project, you will stay with a Sherpa host family in the village of Ghat. The village is about 90 minutes from Lukla and about 4 hours from Namche Bazaar. The school will be about 10 minutes walk from the host family. During your free time, you can explore the village, talk to villagers or hike to many beautiful places around Ghat.
If you love unspoiled nature, the beauty of snow-capped mountains, and living in a region inhabited by warm and welcoming people, then you must volunteer in the Himalaya region. For centuries - Sherpas, the local people of the region, have lived a hard life walking up and down high mountain passes for trade with outside world while also bearing extremely cold weather to grow vegetables in the fields during short summer months. Under such dreadful circumstances, arrival of tourists from around the world has improved the lives of Sherpas. Now, the region has schools, hospitals and food and warm clothes-even during the harsh winter. But this region still needs more help from volunteers to progress. Sherpas who aren’t involved in tourism, and other ethnic groups who have moved to the region, are struggling to sustain themselves even today. By teaching and helping their children and the community, you will give them confidence and a hope for better future.
Volunteer Programs - Everest
Teaching English to Buddhist Monks All well-to-do families in Khumbu region can afford to send their children to schools in the capital city of Kathmandu, where they are taught by well trained teachers. View details
Teaching English in local rural school Monastery plays a vital role in the lives of Sherpas. Every major festival is held in the monastery and the monks conduct rituals and offer blessings. View details
Program Fee - Nepal
New Hope Volunteer programs start on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.
In recent years, volunteering has become more of a business than charity. Many organizations in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand run volunteering programs solely for profit. Please check Travellers Quest volunteer abroad in Nepal page for different organizations and their fees and you'll know for sure. But this is not the case with New Hope Volunteers. Our aim is to offer World’s Most Affordable volunteer program (without compromising the quality) so that all volunteers, irrespective of their income level, can volunteer to serve humanity and enrich their life. We hope to make the dreams of college students and budget travelers come true. In our program, except our registration fee of $259, which we need to advertise, cover office expense and pay salary, volunteers pay their money directly to the projects and host families (sometimes country coordinator will allocate this fee to project and host family, so if you have any question about allocation, please ask directly. This ensures that 100% of your money goes to the project.
In addition to our registration fee of $259, here you find the world’s most affordable weekly program fee, which includes room, food (3 times a day), project details and field support.
Fee for optional programs:
* Language and Program fee for first week: $225
* Language and program fee for second week: $275
The fee includes: Orientation, Food and accommodations (3 meals a day), Porter charge to carry backpack from Lukla to project, lunch on the way to project site on the first day, last night stay at Lukla before leaving for Kathmandu, Placement visits and services, Project support costs or donation, Certificate of performance/appreciation, 24/7 emergency support
The weekly Fee Does Not Include: airfare, daily transportation, visa and visa extension fee, airport drop, airport taxes, any personal expenses on food and travel, mineral water and soft drinks, gifts to project staffs and host family, laundry, telephone, immunization, liability and insurance
In the Himalayan program, you will either stay warm in an on-site accommodation in the project or live with a socially respected Sherpa host family. The Sherpas are known for their legendary hospitality and friendliness, so your stay with the host family is bound to be a home away from home. You will also be able to get an insight into their lives and can participate in their festivals. In the Teaching Monastery Project, you will stay in an onsite accommodation inside the monastery. You will have a room for yourself or might have to share with other volunteer. The resident monk chef will prepare you 3 local meals a day. The meals will be like any traditional Nepalese meals. On breakfast, you will be given tea, sometimes toast, and for lunch and dinner you will have dal, bhat (rice and lentils) with other vegetables. New Hope has a coordinator who is based in Khumbu region. The coordinator will pick you up from the airport and take you to the project site. You will have the coordinator’s mobile phone number and can call him anytime, should any problem arise or need to discuss anything. You can also call our country coordinator in Kathmandu.
New Hope Volunteers provides very affordable, safe, highly meaningful and flexible volunteer programs in 11 countries of Latin America, Africa and Asia. By enrolling, volunteers are able to immerse in local culture, work to empower and develop poor and needy and travel to fascinating destinations. It’s a deeper and more meaningful way to travel.
