Visa
A tourist visa is valid for up to 150 days from the date of issue. For more information about visas, contact the Nepali Embassy in your country.
If required, a tourist visa can be issued for a stay of 21,22,23:
- 15 days: USD 30.
- 30 days: USD 50.
- 90 days: USD 125.
For more information on visas, visit the following website: https://www.immigration.gov.np/
Embassies
It is a good idea to register with your embassy while in Nepal. You may give them the Future Nepal contact information so they will be able to contact you through us. For more details, visit https://www.tourism.gov.np/
Length of Stay
We require you to work with us for a minimum of one week. The amount of time you are able to give has a direct impact on what you will be able to achieve, and the amount that you will get out of the placement. The longer you are here, the more opportunities you will have to explore the country by trekking, rafting, going on jungle safaris.
Health
Several vaccinations are required prior to coming to Nepal, some need a course of treatment before you leave. Visit your nearest traveler’s medical center to discuss your needs. Ensure you have adequate travel insurance. The vaccinations you may need include:
- Tetanus
b. Diphtheria
c. Polio
d. Hepatitis A & B
e. Typhoid
f. Yellow fever
g. Rabies
h. Tuberculosis
i. Malaria
Please consult your doctor before traveling. More information is available from the WHO’s (World Health Organization) Travelers health information.
Money
Nepali rupees serve as the local currency. Presently, the exchange rate is approximately 125 rupees to US$1, around 140 rupees to 1 Euro, and roughly 160 rupees to a Pound Sterling. Bank ATM facilities are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and US traveler’s checks can be conveniently exchanged. While credit cards are widely accepted, they may incur an additional 3-4% tax.
For budgeting purposes, a daily allocation of US$20-30 is generally sufficient to cover food and accommodation in a budget hotel or lodge. Please ensure you stay updated with the latest exchange rates and financial recommendations before your trip.
Nepali rupees can be obtained on arrival at Kathmandu airport
Food and Drink
The local staple meal is dal/bhat (rice with lentil soup, vegetables, and pickle). On trekking routes and in tourist areas, a variety of western dishes are also served. Drinking tap water is not recommended unless it has been treated with chlorine or iodine tablets which are readily available. You can also get the water boiled or buy bottled mineral water.
Weather
The width of Nepal is only about 200 km on average, but within this short distance the altitude of the land rises from a lowly 60 meters to all the way up to above 8,848 meter high. Hence the weather depends upon the altitude of the place in Nepal. However, in general Nepal has four climatic seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Spring starts from March to May. The temperature of this season fluctuates between 20°C to 30 °C (68 °F to 86°F).Summer starts from June to August. These are also the pre-monsoon months with occasional evening-thunderstorms and hot temperature. Autumn starts from September and ends by November. During this period, the climate is dry and mild with temperature fluctuating between 20 °C to 30 °C (68 °F to 86 °F).Winter starts from December to February. The morning and evening are very cold while the afternoon is pretty sunny. The temperature during these months rises from 15 °C to 20 °C (59 °F to 68 °F).
Peoples and Cultural Attitudes
In Nepal, observing people and things is a common cultural practice, often considered a national pastime. This may require some adjustment on your part. One notable aspect you might encounter is that the notion of personal privacy is distinct from what you might be accustomed to. It’s important to acknowledge that the concept of personal space and privacy may vary between cultures.
Furthermore, you may notice that there is a tendency for your Nepali friends to treat personal belongings more communally. Sharing and openness are integral parts of Nepali culture. While this might contrast with your individualistic approach, it’s an opportunity to engage in cultural exchange and embrace the local way of life.
Activities
Many volunteers like to try something in addition to volunteering during their time in Nepal. Previous activities have included trekking, rafting, visiting the jungle, bungee jumping, visiting Lumbini and much more. Most activities can be arranged by yourself or you may want to team up with other volunteers. However, if you do want to do an arranged activity, such as Trekking, Jungle Safari, bungee jumping or rafting, there are a couple of companies we would recommend. Organizations will usually offer discounts to volunteers, so make sure you take your volunteering card along to see them.
Getting to Kathmandu
By Air: Nepal has only one international airport which is in Kathmandu. All international flights and the majority of domestic flight start or terminate here. Although a number of major airlines sell flights to Nepal, most of these do not operate direct flight themselves so most people will arrive via flight from Dubai, Bahrain, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Qatar or the India. Among the airlines that fly direct to Nepal are Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Austrian Airways, Korean airlines, Korean airlines and Indian Airlines as well as a number of smaller Indian airways.
Nepal Airways operate flights to a number or locations, although they do not have the best reputation for reliability. Tribhuvan airport is located about 20 minutes from the center of Kathmandu and all volunteers will be met by a Future Nepal representative at the airport.
NOTE: Most international flights require confirmation 72 hours before departure. Try and obtain the confirmation telephone number before you go to your placement, so that wherever you are 3 days before you are due to leave you can easily confirm that you still have a seat.
Over land: Volunteers occasionally arrive in Nepal overland after traveling in either India or Tibet. It’s possible to arrive in Kathmandu by bus, or sometimes a combination of bus and train from Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata and Darjeeling among other places in India and also from Tibet. The majority of buses arrive at the city bus station in Kathmandu although arrival times can obviously vary dramatically so we will arrange arrival information with you once you have booked You will be met outside the airport terminal by a Future Nepal representative holding a placard with your name on it who will then take you to your guest house. Please provide us your flight information as soon as possible so that a punctual pick-up can be arranged. If you are planning to arrive by bus let us know when and what time you are arriving in Kathmandu. Just in case, give us a call.
Application Process
Our application process typically takes one or two days, but can be speed up if there is a need for that. When we get the “application” from you, we will send confirmation email to you.
Letter of Appreciation
Once you finish your placement, you will get a Future Nepal’s letter of appreciation stating the time and place you have worked.
Internet
Nepal offers a relatively accessible internet environment for volunteers. In urban areas like Kathmandu and Pokhara, you can find internet cafes, Wi-Fi hotspots, and mobile data networks. While internet connectivity might not be as fast or consistent as in some developed countries, it’s generally sufficient for communication, research, and staying connected. Internet services are readily available in urban centers, and many accommodations also offer Wi-Fi access. Keep in mind that rural and remote areas may have limited connectivity, so planning ahead and having alternatives for communication can be beneficial during your volunteering journey.
Haggling
Everywhere you go in Nepal you will find yourself haggling, especially once you speak a little Nepali. Practice haggling from day one and always offer less than what the shopkeeper asks.
Sightseeing
You’ll usually get to see some of the sights in Kathmandu with Future Nepal, but you may want to see some places yourself as well. Try to get your Future Nepal identity card first, as it will help to get you into places such as Swayambu, Durbar Square etc for free when foreigners usually have to pay.
Some temples may insist that you remove all leather before entering, so if you have a non leather belt and bag that may be useful. Many places in Kathmandu are so used to tourists that they may not say anything, but out in the regions this may happen more often.
Clothes
Resist the initial shopping spree urge when you arrive in Nepal. Prices can vary greatly beyond Thamel. Once you’ve familiarized yourself with local values and picked up some Nepali language, bargaining becomes more effective.
Hold off on major purchases until your trip’s end. This allows you to budget smartly and buy what truly matters. For specialized items, bring someone from the office along for advice.
Nepal offers scarves, shawls, incense, jewelry, and fabrics. While Pashmina, cashmere, and Thangkas are pricier, they’re still affordable compared to home prices. And don’t miss tailor-made clothing – imagine tailored trousers for a few dollars!
Be savvy, shop wisely, and enjoy Nepal’s unique shopping experience.
Books
If you want to read anything whilst in Nepal, you can buy books from several second hand stores in the Thamel area. All of these stores will then buy the book back at 50% of what you paid, and they will also buy books that you brought with you and no longer need.
Laundry
There are plenty of places to get your clothes washed in Kathmandu. Most places charge by the kilo.