Trip Details

Teaching Volunteer at Buddhist Monasteries in Nepal

Of all of our programmes, we think this opportunity to teach English in Nepal is the most unusual!  Stay in a Buddhist Monastery, teaching children and adult monks with some basics on the English language.  If you practice, or are simply curious about Buddhism –  this programme allows rare insight into the Buddhist monks’ way of life.  Moreover, you can learn about the philosophies behind the practice from the monks themselves! This programme is for anyone with a good standard of the English language, and of course – a passion for teaching!

Unique Opportunity to live amongst Buddhist Monks in Nepal!

The monasteries we work with are located in different areas in Kathmandu, Pharping, Nala and the Everest region. The nearest monasteries to our centre are Tinchuli, Nala and Pharping, which range between 30 minutes to 2 hours’ drive from Kathmandu.  Additionally, we will take care of your journeys to and from your locations, so all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the views! Lastly, if you’re coming alone, don’t worry! You’ll be sharing a room with other volunteers, so you won’t be here by yourself and will make friends quickly!

Learn about the Buddhist Way of Life in beautiful Surroundings!

During your stay here as a Volunteer Teacher at these Buddhist monasteries, you will be staying within some of the most beautiful landscapes in Nepal. And if you are located to the Everest region, you’ll be blown away by the scenery!  It takes about 12 hours of a jeep drive and an overnight stay, before you hike to the monastery itself.  And if, after your week as a Teaching Volunteer, you want to explore more, you might want to consider booking our Trekking Week to extend your experience here in Nepal!

Why be a Teaching Volunteer at a Nepalese Buddhist Monastery?

  • Unique experience to live and work with Buddhist monks, learning about Buddhism
  • Improve your English teaching skills, whilst helping children and adult monks
  • Stay in some of the most peaceful and spiritually rousing places in Nepal
  • Make new friends and deepen your understanding of yourself and others
  • Enjoy authentic Nepalese food, with all food and beverages* included in our programme

                                   *tea, coffee, milk, and drinking water

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

Your days as a Teaching Volunteer in Nepal will be split between teaching English to the monks and helping at a local school.  The actual schedule will be dependent on the monastery and local school’s timetables during your stay but you would normally be expected to spend 1-2 hours teaching at the monastery and then move onto a local school where you would work for another 1-2 hours. Although you will only be teaching for around 4 hours a day, you will be expected to spend some time preparing for your lessons and activities.

You will arrive on Sunday and have plenty of time to relax and be refreshed ahead of your exciting week as a Teaching Volunteer project in Kathmandu!

Weekly Schedule

Monday to Friday

  • Breakfast
  • Volunteer teaching  2-3 hours
  • Lunch
  • Volunteer teaching  2-3 hours
  • Dinner

Please note: This schedule can be changed depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Evenings and Weekends

At the end of your day as a volunteer teacher, you can choose to take part in other activities, from gardening to helping in the kitchen or reading in the library. Many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their new volunteer friends during the week and plan their weekend adventures together!

Places to Visit

If you are staying remotely, you will be able to explore Kathmandu on your return back to the valley. Thamel is a tourist hotspot, where shoppers can find Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian artefacts, wood carvings, handicraft and unique clothing. There are also several malls where you can find fashionable clothing and grocery stores offering everything from wine to breakfast cereals. And if dining out is your thing, you can have a dish from a different country every night, with a wide range of restaurants serving local and international dishes!

 

Trip Accommodation

Your new home will be an authentic Buddhist monastery or accommodation nearby. According to availability you can choose between different monasteries in or around Kathmandu. While the nearest one is just within Kathmandu, the farthest takes a 12 hour (overnight) bus ride and 4 hours of hiking to get to. Did we already say it’s authentic?

We take care of the (public) transport to and from the monastery.

About the Accommodation

You will likely be accommodated at one of the monasteries, sharing a room with other volunteer teachers on a single-gender basis. You may also opt for a private room, subject to availability.

Food Arrangements

The meals are a mix of Western and Nepalese food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about once per week. You can also choose to eat out at any of the local restaurants, depending upon where you are staying. In the more remote areas, such choices will not be available, but in return, your experience will be all the more authentic!

Facilities

The most local monastery is located about three kilometres away from the city centre, where you can find anything you might need. The nearest ATM and supermarket are located  15-25 minute walk away from the accommodation. We advise you to use the ATMs available in Kathmandu before leaving to further away monasteries – some, located 16 hours away from Kathmandu.

Transportation

From this location we provide free transport to your next program at the following location(s):

  • Kathmandu

Trip Country Info

Nepal

Population: Approx. 28.98 million
Capital: Kathmandu
Language: Nepali
Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR)
Time zone: UTC +5:45

Namaste and welcome to Nepal, a country of high Himalayan Mountains, artistic monuments, exotic wildlife, and diverse cultures. Located between 80 12′ east longitude and between 26 22′ and 30 27′ north latitude, Nepal extends along the south slopes of the Himalayas in central Asia.

Although Nepal is small, it has the greatest latitudinal variation of any country. The land rises from the southern plains of the Terai, barely above sea level at 70 meters, to the top of the Mt. Everest, the highest peak on Earth at 8848 meters above sea level, in a distance of less than 200 km.

Book your volunteer travel  holiday and experience one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world as well as the highest mountain ranges. Nepal has lush valleys that team with exotic wildlife ready to be explored on your gap year adventure.  It is a beautiful country located in South Asia bordering both India and China.  As you enjoy your volunteer travel experience in Nepal you will come across many remote monasteries and villages that adorn the stunning landscape where you will experience the best of Nepal.  The outstanding beauty and friendly Nepalese people are the main reasons people book gap year holidays to Nepal and why they are a popular choice with us.   We have a compreshensive selection of gap year holidays in Nepal with a number of teaching and community programs on offer.

Have a look at our latest gap year experiences in Nepal or contact us for more about work & travel in Nepal or your questions about specific programs.  The volunteer Nepal program is a very good way for you to experience the most of what the spiritual and enchanted land of Nepal has to offer. You may also choose to trek Mount Everest or smaller mountain hikes like Poon Hill.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

Under 18, Parental Consent is Required
Travel Insurance
DBS, Police Background Check

Additional Requirements

Team Player

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa