Dandagaun Village School Volunteer Program
Tour Details
The Dandagaun Village School Volunteer Program offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution while experiencing the authentic lifestyle of rural Nepal. Located on the peaceful outskirts of Kathmandu, at the edge of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Dandagaun is just 15 kilometers from the city center, approximately a 40-minute drive. Surrounded by lush forests, terraced farmland, and breathtaking Himalayan scenery, the village provides an ideal setting for volunteers seeking both cultural immersion and community engagement.
As a volunteer, you will work alongside local teachers in the village school, supporting classroom activities, English language practice, creative arts, sports, and other educational programs. Your presence helps create a positive and interactive learning environment while encouraging cultural exchange between local children and international volunteers. Whether you are assisting with lessons, organizing games, or sharing your own skills and experiences, your contribution will leave a lasting impact on the students and the community.
Beyond the school, you will have the opportunity to experience the traditions and daily life of Dandagaun by interacting with local families and community members. You can learn about the important role of the Ama Samuha (Mother’s Group), whose members actively participate in organic farming, environmental conservation, and village development initiatives. These experiences provide a deeper understanding of Nepalese culture and the strong sense of community that defines village life.
Your journey to Dandagaun takes you through the beautiful Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, where an entry permit is required. The park is home to diverse flora and fauna, peaceful forest trails, and spectacular viewpoints overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. On clear days, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Himalayan peaks, including Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung, and Dorje Lakpa, making this volunteer experience a perfect combination of education, culture, and nature.
Itinerary
Welcome to Nepal! On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you’ll receive a warm welcome and then will be transferred from there to your hotel in the heart of Kathmandu. While on the way to the hotel, you’ll be able to see some of the most famous places in Kathmandu like Pashupatinath Temple, Narayanhiti Palace Museum, and Garden of Dreams.
The hotel is based in the lively Thamel area of Kathmandu, the most popular tourist destination in Kathmandu known for its lively markets full of cafes, restaurants, craft shops, trekking stores, etc. You can spend time in the busy markets of Thamel after getting checked into the hotel.
Includes: Private transport and an overnight accommodation at a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu.
After breakfast, you will be leaving for the serene village of Dandagaun, located in the buffer zone of the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. In the private transport arranged, you will be taken to Budhanilkantha from where you will meet your local guide and start walking inside the national park. Once you reach the park, you will get the entry permit issued and then continue your walk through the forest trails. During the walk, you will have plenty of chances to observe the biodiversity present in the region like birds, deer, wild boar, and various Himalayan plants.
Upon reaching Dandagaun, you will be welcomed warmly by the locals and the members of the local organization called Ama Samuha (Mother’s Group). After settling down and enjoying your stay, you can take a short walk around the village and meet the teachers and children at the local school where you will be doing your volunteer work.
Includes: Private Transport, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, an English-speaking guide, and an overnight accommodation at an available homestay in Dandagaun Village.
Awake to the serene ambiance of Dandagaun and have your delicious breakfast before proceeding for a wonderful trek to Shivapuri Peak, the highest peak of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. You will hike with the help of your local guide along forest trails surrounded by dense forests with different species of native flora and fauna, including birds and other animals like deer and wild boars, and your guide will brief you on the trail before starting the hike.
As you climb up, you will feel fresh air and enjoy serene surroundings and beautiful views of the valley of Kathmandu. Along the trek, you will also have a short break to relax and take some refreshments. However, the latter part of the hike is somewhat difficult, yet worth visiting as it gives you stunning panoramic views of the majestic Himalayan ranges including Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung, Dorje Lakpa, and in clear weather, even Mt. Everest!
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, an English-speaking guide, and an overnight accommodation at an available homestay in Dandagaun Village.
Post the exciting trek to the summit of Shivapuri Peak, today is reserved for some community interaction and cultural exchange at Dandagaun Village. Start your day with a healthy and tasty breakfast prepared in your host family’s home and spend the morning at the village school helping the teachers with the class, teaching children in subjects like mathematics and English language, arts and craft, games and other interesting lessons. This will be a great chance for you to not only develop new friendships but also help children learn.
For lunch you’ll head back to the host family, after which spend the afternoon interacting with members of the local community and getting to know their culture better. You can take a walk to the village farms to see how farming is done traditionally in Nepal or spend some time with members of the village’s Ama Samuha to get acquainted with the work they do in community development and the life of villagers in general.
End the day with a healthy and hearty dinner, after which spend your evening with other volunteers and the host family discussing the events of the day.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and an overnight accommodation at an available homestay in Dandagaun Village.
Start the day by relishing a traditional home-cooked breakfast and make your way to the local school where you will experience yet another fulfilling day of volunteering. You will get to help teachers within the classrooms with English classes, educational games, arts and crafts, physical exercises, and other interactive classes for the kids. The more time that you spend with them, the more chance that you will develop strong relationships with the children and boost their confidence in themselves by engaging them in some fun games.
After lunchtime, immerse yourself into the village life of Dandagaun village by visiting local farms and meeting with Ama Samuha (Mother’s group) in order to learn sustainable agriculture, season’s crops, and the importance of farming in sustaining the village society. During certain periods of the year, you will be able to engage in farming activities and learn more about the rural life of Nepal.
In the evening hours, go back to your accommodation place to have dinner at your host family home. Spend the rest of the evening sharing stories about your day.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and an overnight accommodation at an available homestay in Dandagaun Village.
Day 6–7: School Volunteering & Community Engagement
Over the next two days, you will continue your rewarding volunteer experience at the local school in Dandagaun. After enjoying a nutritious homemade breakfast each morning, you will join the teachers and students to support a variety of educational activities. Depending on the school’s needs, you may assist with English language lessons, classroom instruction, creative arts, sports, educational games, or other interactive learning sessions. Your involvement helps create a fun and encouraging environment while giving students the opportunity to learn from different cultures and experiences.
Throughout the program, you will work closely with the teaching staff, providing support wherever it is needed and building meaningful relationships with the children. During breaks and lunchtime, you can interact informally with the students, share stories, play games, and gain a deeper understanding of daily life in the village. These moments of cultural exchange often become some of the most memorable parts of the experience.
In the afternoons, you may continue classroom activities or participate in community-based initiatives, school improvement projects, or extracurricular programs, depending on the priorities of the school and the local community. Each evening, you will return to your accommodation to enjoy a traditional home-cooked dinner with your host family, reflect on the day’s experiences, and share stories about the positive impact of your volunteer journey in Dandagaun Village.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and overnight accommodation at an available homestay in Dandagaun Village.
After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your homestay and make your way to Kathmandu. Our driver will be ready to pick you up.
Explore the cultural and historical heritage of Kathmandu during a sightseeing tour in a private car. Your trip starts from Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for the age-old palaces, carved temples, and spectacular Newari architecture of Nepal’s royal past.
Proceed to visit the famous Monkey Temple of Swayambhunath, one of Nepal’s oldest religious sites and a symbol of coexistence of Buddhism and Hinduism. From this elevated site, get views of the Kathmandu Valley and explore the ancient stupas, shrines, and prayer wheels here.
Further, the tour will take you to visit the holy Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest Hindu temple of Nepal. Watch the traditional rites of cremation that take place along the banks of the Bagmati River. Visit the adjoining Guhyeshwari Temple as well.
Complete your cultural journey with a visit to the stunning Boudhanath Stupa, which is not only one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world but also a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO. The stupa is encircled by monasteries, prayer flags, and colorful local cafes, and it provides an ideal setting for walking and observing the surroundings.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transport, an English-speaking tour guide, and an overnight accommodation at a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu.
Your unforgettable journey in Nepal comes to an end today. After breakfast, you will be transferred by private vehicle to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, arriving approximately three hours before your scheduled departure. This allows ample time to complete check-in and other airport formalities before your flight.
We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home and hope to welcome you back to Nepal for another adventure in the future.
Includes: Breakfast and private Transport.
Price Include/Exclude
Price Includes
All private ground transportation, including airport transfers, is provided to ensure smooth and hassle-free travel throughout your journey.
Room Arrangement:
Rooms are typically shared by two people (twin sharing). If you prefer a private room, please let us know during the booking process. Private rooms are subject to availability and may incur an additional charge.
Kathmandu:
2 nights of accommodation at a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis.
Dandagaun:
6 nights of comfortable accommodation in the best available Homestay in Dandagaun.
- Expert Local Guide: Friendly, experienced, government-licensed, English-speaking trekking guide trained in first aid.
- Assistant Guide: An additional assistant guide will accompany the group if there are more than seven participants.
- Guide Support: Includes guides’ wages, meals, accommodation, insurance, and all necessary trekking equipment.
- Meals: Three freshly prepared meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the volunteering, with a selection of local and international dishes.
- Safe Drinking Water: Water purification tablets or drops are provided to ensure safe drinking water throughout the trek.
- Seasonal Fruits: Fresh seasonal fruits served each evening during the tour.
- Government Fees: All applicable local government taxes, permit fees, and official charges.
Luggage Storage: Complimentary and secure storage for any non-essential luggage or trekking gear at our office or your hotel in Kathmandu during the trek.
- Certificate of Appreciation at the end after the trek.
- A farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
Price Excludes
Visa fees are not included. You can easily obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Current fees are USD 30 for a 15-day visa, USD 50 for a 30-day visa, and USD 125 for a 90-day visa.
All drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as hot drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate) and cold drinks, are not included throughout the trip.
Tipping (Tips for guides, drivers and support staff).
International airfare to and from Nepal is not included.
Hotel upgrades, donations at temples, schools, monasteries, and other sites, personal hiking gear and equipment, and any additional costs arising from illness, injury, emergency evacuation or rescue, natural disasters, flight delays or cancellations, itinerary changes, or other unforeseen circumstances are not included. Any items or services not specifically mentioned in the “Includes” section are also excluded.