Visit Us

Visit Us

The foundation has grown from humble beginnings to a flourishing center for eco-development. Renowned professionals from all over the world in fields ranging from biodynamic farming and medicine to architecture and education have come to lend their expertise. We also welcome the creativity and participation of interns and volunteers who would like to learn more about our projects. This generous national and international support has helped garner new perspectives and has encouraged positive change in keeping with our vision.

Since opening our doors in 2010, we have hosted volunteers, interns, and experts from nearly 50 countries around the world! You can become a part of our family by booking an experience that best fits your interests below!

Volunteer with Us

Volunteer stays range from a few days to many months and help in daily tasks, work on current projects and also take up their own initiatives. Volunteers work alongside local people doing various activities related to our goals and needs at any given time. Check out our Projects to see how you can make a positive impact on our community! Read the FAQ menu below for important information before you book your stay.

To book your stay, please email us to let us know when you would like to visit and which program you are interested in volunteering with.

Intern with Us

Many students enrolled in universities across the world complete their independent internships at KRMEF. Students of all majors are welcome to intern here. In the past, majors have included agriculture, education, medicine, hospitality and tourism, religion, and development.

We are also looking for people committed to stay in Nepal for 5 months or longer to act as leaders of KRMEF’s projects. This program is for people who are enthusiastic and are looking to make a difference. It’s also a great opportunity to bring your own innovations to our projects! Below is a list of internship opportunities:

Volunteer Coordinator – KRMEF is home to a big family of international volunteers. We are looking for an intern to help everyone feel at home and to lead/delegate daily projects. Click here for more information and to apply.

Sustainable Development Coordinator – KRMEF continues to improve our existing sustainability initiatives and implement innovative new ideas. We are looking for interns with knowledge/experience in waste management, alternative energies or community development for this program. Click here for more information and to apply.

Technology & Media Coordinator – Daily IT management would be helpful for our administrative office and presence on various media platforms. Photography, videography, and social media skills for the purposes of marketing is also preferred in applicants. Click here for more information and to apply.

Fundraising Coordinator - KRMEF receives funding from multiple local and international sources, however we require someone with experience fundraising for nonprofits, including grant research and writing, implementing awareness campaigns, and international donor development, to assist our efforts. Click here for more information and to apply.

Architecture & Engineering Coordinator – One of KRMEF’s major initiatives is building structures that are eco-friendly and earthquake resistant. This internship position would allow you to help manage these projects. Click here for more information and to apply.

English Teacher - It is our goal that every local woman working at KRMEF has the ability to speak conversational English. This intern will teach the women employed by each of our programs (particularly in the Mahila Shakti Handicraft Workshop). Click here for more information and to apply.

Publicity & Marketing Coordinator – We need assistance in selling the products that help fund KRMEF, especially to new international markets. Applicants with social media and communication experience a plus. Click here for more information and to apply.

Handicraft Design Coordinator – The Mahila Shakti Handicraft Workshop creates jewelry and handicrafts made from local, sustainable materials. This intern would work with our craftswomen to create original jewelry and weaving designs which are Nepali inspired, but can be sold to markets around the world. Click here for more information and to apply.

Community Health Coordinator - This intern will support our medical clinic and implement strategies for greater community access to healthcare. Click here for more information and to apply.

University Study Abroad

We are excited to host university study abroad programs for students spanning many majors. Participating institutions include Johnson & Wales University, Keene State College, University of San Diego, University of Virginia and ISIS Castres engineering school (France).

If you’re interested in establishing a study abroad program at your university, please contact info@krmef.org.

The students participate in projects that aim to help the foundation. For example, the ISIS school students participated in the creation of an Electronic Health Record for clinic patients and students of Ankuran Waldorf inspired School.

"Our two months at the foundation were an experience of pure joy and happiness, we felt at home with the Gurung family who welcomed us warmly. We had the pleasure of spending time with the children and learned a lot from Krishna. We met so many wonderful people from the foundation staff and the volunteers. It is an experience that will stay with us forever.”

Cléa and Defne, two students from France.

*Johnson & Wales University’s (JWU) Sustainability, Community Engagement and Leadership study abroad program accepts non-JWU students to join the program. To read about prior students’ experiences, click here.

Visit Us for the Day

We welcome all visitors staying in Kathmandu or elsewhere to check out all the exciting things happening here at KRMEF for the day! We recommend having a delicious Nepali lunch at Leela’s Eco Cafe, then tour our facilities or hike Champadevi Mountain, which, as we are located at the base of Champadevi, leads you through villages and beautiful ecosystems up to a Hindu temple and Buddhist monastery. Please let us know when you plan to visit so we can prepare accordingly.

Host a Meeting or Conference at KRMEF

Each year, we host a number of gatherings, including biodynamic conferences, psycho-social conferences, and community development meetings. Included in most meetings is lunch at Leela’s Eco Cafe. Please contact info@krmef.org to host your next conference or meeting in KRMEF’s dynamic event space!

We'll Help You Plan Your Stay

Our help desk can help you plan your stay in Nepal, including processing visas and airfare, and booking activities like rock climbing, rafting, hiking, village tours, vehicle rentals, jungle safaris, paragliding, and mountain flights.

Getting to Nepal

A Tourist Visa is required for entry into Nepal. Depending on the duration of your visit, the visa cost will vary. You may purchase upon arrival at the airport or ahead of time from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions. -$30USD for 15 days multiple entry visa. -$50USD for 30 days multiple entry visa. -$125USD for 90 days multiple entry visa. Visas can be extended for up to 150 days total from date of departure. More information can be found at https://immigration.gov.np/
Where is KRMEF located & how do I get there?

KRMEF is located approximately 7km south of Kathmandu, in a small village called Khahare. The local people are very friendly and are familiar with foreigners. There are several ways to get to KRMEF from Tribhuvan International Airport: Ask us to arrange a local taxi to pick you up from Tribhuvan International Airport. The taxi will be Rs. 2,000 ($20USD). Find a taxi on your own. Explain to the taxi driver that we are located in between Chobar and Dakshinkali temple just beside Todhaha lake. The foundation is in the village of Khahare. You may have them call Santosh (9851121118) for him to provide further directions. The taxi should be Rs. 2,000 ($20USD), but you will have to negotiate with your driver before entering the taxi. Take a bus from the airport to Ratna Park (city bus park). Disembark and take a second bus to Dakshinkali Temple, route #22. Disembark at the Khahare bus stop. Note that you should pass a large pond on the south side of the road; Khahare is ¼ mile beyond the pond. Once you have reached Khahare, ask locals or shopkeepers where Krishna Gurung lives. They should be able to direct you towards the hill; walk up the dirt road, approximately 0.1 km, enter the blue gate of KRMEF. Bus fare should cost no more than Rs.50 ($.50USD).
How much is room and board?

Just $35 USD covers three heartily-prepared and nutritious vegetarian meals a day and a bed for a peaceful rest in our standard guest house. Prices increase if you wish to stay in the Bottle House or Straw Bale House.
What are accommodations like?

In the standard guest house you will likely share a room with 1 to 2 other volunteers, depending on capacity. We provide clean rooms, comfortable beds, and warm blankets. There is a shared bathroom with a hot shower as well. We have never had a problem with the disappearance of items from the rooms, but feel free to bring a lock for your bag if you prefer. If you opt for the Bottle House or Straw Bale House, you will have private accommodations and your own shower. Each house can sleep two people.
What are the meals like?

We provide healthy, vegetarian meals with many of the ingredients harvested fresh from our biodynamic farm and served in Leela’s Eco Cafe. A typical breakfast consists of muesli, fresh home-made yogurt, toast, eggs, potatoes, and organic honey with milk tea. Traditional Nepali dal baht (steamed rice and lentil soup) with vegetables and potatoes is served for lunch. Dinner meals vary, but are typically a Nepali-Western fusion.
What is a typical day like?

8:30am – 9:30am – Breakfast 10:00am – 1:00pm – Morning Shift 1:00pm – 2:00pm – Lunch 2:00pm – 5:00pm – Afternoon Shift 5:00pm – 6:30pm – Free Time 6:30pm – 7:30pm – Dinner 7:30pm – 10:00pm – Free Time
What can I do during my time off?

Saturday is a free day for all the volunteers. Here are some suggestions of places to visit: -Kathmandu (1-1.5 hour bus ride) -Champadevi Trail (3-4 hours) -Khokona leprosy community (30 min) -Bungamati Newari village. (45 min) -Kirtipur (2 hour walk, 45 min bus ride) -“The White House” (45 min) -Dakshinkali Temple (30 min bus ride)
What should I pack?

Bring some comfortable clothes for volunteering and any toiletries or medication you will need. In summer it can get quite hot, with lots of rain, so a poncho or rain jacket is a good idea. In winter it is quite cold in the evenings, so a fleece or down jacket is suggested. Nepali custom for women is to keep their shoulders and legs (above the knee) covered, also not to wear low-cut shirts. For men, long shorts are acceptable. We are at the base of the Champadevi Mountain, which is a popular hiking trail so pack good shoes if you have an adventurous side.
Is there an ATM in the village?

Khahare does not have an ATM. If you need money, plan to withdraw at one of the many ATMs in Kathmandu.
Is there internet access?

Yes, there is free wi-fi available at KRMEF.
What’s the water quality like?

Filtered water is available at all times at the foundation because the tap water is not safe to drink. Hot water is available for showers. We ask that you use water in an efﬁcient manner, especially the hot water.
What happens if I get sick?

We can treat many ailments at our onsite medical clinic. In the case of an emergency we cannot treat, we will take you to the closest safest facility. There are many pharmacies in Kathmandu which require no prescription. If you wish to bring your own medications, here are some useful drugs to bring: ciproﬂoxacin (antibiotic that relieves diarrhea), probiotics (builds your immune system), Dramamine (prevents motion sickness) and/or ibuprofen (pain reliever). We also suggest that you review the recommended vaccinations listed on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/nepal. Before you depart from your country of origin we recommend that you review the different types of medical services Kathmandu has to offer. Please be sure to alert us to any serious medical conditions before you arrive (food and medication allergies, chronic illnesses, etc.).
Do I need to speak Nepali?

No, there is no need to speak Nepali, though we encourage everyone to try to learn while you are here! Nepali is a beautiful language and it can be very rewarding to communicate with villagers, not to mention it will help you throughout your travels in Nepal.