Join other volunteers between the ages of 15 and 17 to make an impact in Nepal’s city of Pokhara, known as the gateway to the Himalayas, before going on to trek this famous mountain range. GVI has successfully been operating ethical and responsible programs for under 18s since 2012. Since then, it has treated health and safety as a number one priority and takes extra measures for its under 18 programs. As such, it is also a British Standards 8848 compliant provider.
Teens volunteering with GVI in Nepal will focus on improving the health and safety standards of educational facilities in Pokhara. Projects might include building desks for classrooms or installing water tanks for drinking water. This allows teen volunteers to directly contribute not only to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation, but also other goals like 3: Health and Well-being. Teens will also learn about the ethical best practices used to set up international developments like these, including the importance of ensuring these projects are led by the local community.
During this time teen volunteers will also visit some of the Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries in the region, including Bahari temple, a sacred site located on a tiny island on Phewa Lake dedicated the goddess Durga, and the World Peace Pagoda, a hilltop Buddhist monument dedicated to inspiring kindness and consideration throughout the global community.
GVI teen volunteers in Nepal will also visit the SASANE, Samrakshak Samuha Nepal, an organisation committed to spreading awareness about the prevalence of human trafficking. The women of SASANE will guide teens in a cooking class, teaching them how to make a popular dish in Nepal, Nepali dumplings, also known as momos.
Afterwards teens will be guided on a trek through the foothills of the Himalayas affording trails through lush forests in bloom leading up to panoramic views of some of the tallest mountains on earth. During the trekking portion of this trip, overnight accommodation will be provided by the many Nepali teahouses along the trail, allowing for an authentic Himalayan trekking experience. This is a very active program. Physical fitness is a requirement.
All teen participants are greeted by GVI staff at their arrival destination and supported throughout their GVI program. Teens with less time on their hands can also choose to book onto the program for one week. This allows them to complete volunteering projects included in the two-week program, but not the adventure activities.
Location(s)
- Pokhara, Nepal, Asia
Schedule
- July 20th - August 2nd, 2025
- August 3rd - August 16th, 2025
Cost/Compensation
- $3,145 (airfare not included)
Eligibility Requirements
- Teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17
Deadline
- Rolling until full for each program
Application or Entry Requirements
- A completed online application