Cultural Exchange in Nepal

Stay with locals: Immerse yourself in Nepali culture by living with local families, experiencing their lifestyle firsthand.
Cultural immersion: Engage deeply with Nepali traditions, language, and daily life for a comprehensive cultural experience.
Learn Nepali cooking: Gain practical skills in Nepali cuisine through hands-on cooking experiences and culinary exploration.
Organic farming involvement: Participate in organic agricultural activities, learning about traditional farming methods and sustainability practices.

Basic English, open-mindedness.
A criminal background check certificate
Travel insurance for your safety
Vaccination (Please consult with you your GP first)

Your well-being is our top priority. At VCD Nepal, we value the safety of our participants above all else. Our local coordinator and VCD staff are dedicated to looking after you and ensuring that you stay safe, comfortable, and healthy throughout your time in Nepal. From the moment you arrive at the airport, our coordinator will be available to assist you with anything you may need. We provide a detailed orientation process as soon as you arrive in the country, ensuring that you are well-prepared for your volunteer experience.

Upon your program start date, arrive at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Look for a VCD Nepal coordinator holding a sign with your name, making it easy for you to spot them. They'll guide you to your accommodation, ensuring a smooth transition to your volunteer experience in Nepal.

During your first few days in Kathmandu for orientation, you'll stay with a local host family or at a nearby guest house/hotel. The rooms are basic but comfortable, equipped with Western-style toilets, hot water, and free WiFi. Once your placement begins, you'll stay with local families in villages or cities, enjoying private rooms with basic furnishings. Meals, featuring Dal Bhat Tarkari, are served three times daily, with breakfast around 7 am, and lunch and dinner around 9 am and 7 pm, respectively.

In city areas, hosts provide amenities like Wi-Fi, western toilets, and hot showers. However, village hosting families may have limited facilities such as internet access, hot showers, or western toilets. Nonetheless, the village stay offers a unique, rustic experience. Participants can purchase bottled water or request filtered/boiled water.

Upon arrival, you'll undergo orientation to familiarize yourself with daily life in Nepal. You'll spend a couple of days at a host family or local hotel, meeting fellow volunteers, and adjusting after your flight. You'll have the chance to try local food and get ready for your placement. During orientation, you'll receive:

Language lessons
Information about cultural and gender issues in Nepal
Details about your placement
Introduction to Nepalese cuisine
A Kathmandu city tour, including famous sites like Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple.

This orientation ensures you're well-prepared to begin your cultural exchange program and immerse yourself in Nepali culture.

Our cultural exchange placement is very diverse. We offer placements across Nepal, ranging from subtropical weather to cold weather, and from the flat Terai belt to hilly and mountainous regions. Our popular destinations include Chitwan, Kathmandu, and Pokhara. As a participant, you can choose where you want to go or seek recommendations from our experts. Your cultural exchange journey begins with a scenic public bus ride, providing a glimpse into local life. Upon arrival, you'll be guided to your assigned family.

You will wake up around 7 am. A cup of morning tea is served around 7:30am. Main meal is ready around 9:30am. A cup of tea and light socks is provided around 3pm. Dinner is served about 7pm. But this can slightly be different one family to another.

Given the nature of cultural exchange, there's no rush, allowing participant to take it easy and savor the experience. Festivals and local events often provide exciting opportunities for exploration. We strongly suggest you to help your family in daily household and agricultural works. It is the best way to immerse in to Nepali culture, learn language and learn how to cook Nepali food. You can also organize some fun activities for family members and village kids. They absolutely love it.

Nepal offers breathtaking adventure activities year-round, including trekking, hiking, paragliding, white water rafting, bungee jumping, jungle safaris, and more. VCD Nepal also offers combined packages with tourist activities, allowing for a tailor-made itinerary.

The program operates year-round. Our affordable program fee, starting at $250, covers accommodation at a local family, three local meals per day, and project support.

1 week $250
2 weeks $300
3 weeks $350
4 weeks $400
5 weeks $450
6 weeks $500
7 weeks $500
8 weeks $600
Additional week $50