Nepal Medical Service Journey
With an optional add-on of seven days in Tibet
“Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from our own actions.” -- H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama
Nepal October 7 – October 20, 2017
This Medical Services Trip offers the opportunity for BodyTalk practitioners, doctors, nurses, acupuncturists, herbalists, chiropractors, massage therapists and other holistic practitioners to experience Nepal and at the same time to be of service to children, families, monks, nuns and the elderly. We also welcome non-medical support volunteers to assist with the clinics.
We strongly believe that natural medicine and its techniques are effective for all populations and especially for areas where native healing traditions exist. During this health services trip, we will be offering hands off and hands on healing techniques, acupuncture with and without needles, moxibustion sessions, and medicinal herbs brought from the U.S. We are very happy to be able to work with the local population to provide free, high quality healthcare, and, at the same time, to introduce our participants to the richness of Nepalese culture.
The Organizers: Dr. Janet Galipo, Holly Steflik and Lama Glenn Mullin have all spent time in Nepal, Tibet and the Himalayas. Janet and Holly will be co-leading the volunteer medical efforts in different locations throughout Nepal. Lama Glenn Mullin will serve as cultural guide, supporting the group through practices helping to deepen the connection to our inner wisdom through compassionate action.
Program Summary: We will meet in Kathmandu, Nepal on Oct 7th. Please note that this means leaving the US on oct 5th, because one loses a day crossing the date line. Once there, we will take two days to recuperate from the long flight, and during this time will visit some of the Valley’s historic sights.
October 5, 2017 : Depart U.S. (Thursday night)
Day 1: This is Oct 7th, Saturday, the day of our arrival in the city. We will gather in the lobby of our hotel, the Kathmandu Guest House, https://ktmgh.com/kathmandu-guest-house/ at 4 p.m., October 7 for welcome meeting and orientation. We will then head out to the Swayambhunath Stupa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath for an evening walk. This complex is also known as the Monkey Temple, because of the tribes of wild monkeys that live on the hill. It is located in the southwest of the city. The site itself is one of the holiest (and the oldest) in Kathmandu and offers panoramic views of the valley. Buddhists and Hindus alike revere this temple complex and devotees can be seen circumambulating the stupa at all times.
Dinner after walk.
Day 2, Sunday October 8
Today we will visit Patan, also known as Lalitpur https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lalitpur,_Nepal Once a separate kingdom, it is located to the south of Kathmandu. It is believed to be one of the oldest known Buddhist cities in the world. Patan Durbar Square, the “King’s Square,” is adorned with temples, statues and fantastic local culture. Nepal is famous for its Buddhist metal artists, who create some of the finest statuary in the world. We will explore King’s Square, have lunch in the elegant Museum Restaurant, and walk to the Golden Temple, that was built in the 12th century by King Bhaskar Verma. After that we will return to our hotel and rest up before dinner.
Day 3, Monday October 9: Offer medical service in the Songtsen Secondary School in Baudhanath http://songtsen.org/F/siddhartha/projet_Boudhanath.php?front-office=2855d65c4c2c759e48283e5971f77632. This is a residential school of Tibetan refugee children.
Days 4-5-6: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Tuesday we will fly to Pokara https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/, the beautiful “lake city” at the foot of the Annapurna Mountain Range. Here on Wednesday we will offer a medical clinic in the local Tibetan refugee center. On Thursday we will hike in the Annapurnas for a day. We might organize a village visit and afternoon medical clinic in the Annapurnas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annapurna_Massif#Annapurna_I
Days 7-8-9: Fly back to Kathmandu and drive up to Pharping http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Pharping, a “temple town” an hour from the city. Here we will stay in a medical retreat center, and offer a one day clinic to local meditators, monks and nuns. The town has over a dozen Buddhist monasteries, temples and retreat hermitages.
Day 10-11-12: Drive to Kathmandu for lunch, and continue to the Last Resort, https://www.thelastresort.com.np/ a unique resort and health spa run by a consortium of Western and Nepali enthusiasts. We will stay here three nights, and during the second day will offer a medical clinic to Buddhist nuns in Tatapani https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatopani,_Bagmati, a hot springs town near the Tibet border that was badly affected by the earthquake.
Day 13-14: Return to Kathmandu, and have a free day before either returning to the US or continuing on to Tibet for seven days on the Roof of the World.
Fly home Saturday. Oct. 20, or fly to Tibet.
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Our Nepal Service Trip is limited to 20 people.
Registration is complete with deposit.
Trip Cost - $ 4,500
Prices are per person, double occupancy. For single room, add $600
Deposit - $1,500 non-refundable to reserve your space.
Balance: $3,000 due by July 1, 2017. The total cost of the trip is non-refundable after July 1, 2017.
A valid credit card is necessary to cover any trip incidentals.
Payments by Paypal: servicejourneys@gmail.com (3% must be added for credit card payments.)
Please note: You must purchase travel insurance and have current medical insurance.
We recommend that all participants consider buying trip-cancellation insurance.
Included in Price:
All Hotels (double occupancy), all meals, in country transportation, domestic round—trip flights.
The following are not Included:
International Airfare, Nepal Visa Fees, Surcharge for single occupancy rooms, personal care items, tips for staff including drivers, support staff and translators (usually around $100), alcohol, and emergency evacuation.
PLEASE NOTE: The trip itinerary is completely dependent upon government and non-government authorization. It may be subject to change.
ALSO PLEASE NOTE: Many people flying to Nepal chose an airline based on their air miles partners. Others chose an airline based on a stop-over in a city they want to visit, either on the way to Nepal or on the return journey.