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Palliative and End of Life Care in Nepal

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Tour leader
Shyla Mills
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Dates
24 Mar
4 Apr
2025

Palliative care is still in its early stages in Nepal, where the elderly and sick are traditionally taken care of by relatives. The decline of the extended family structure, an ageing population and more adult children living abroad means that the need for hospice care has grown.

This tour takes a deep dive into the development of palliative care in Nepal, alongside its traditional and spiritual support structures, with professional visits to organisations such as Hospice Nepal, who are key to filling the gap in palliative care, particularly in rural areas. Along the way, you will experience the rich culture, wonderful cuisine and spectacular landscapes of Nepal.

In Nepal, more than 70% of adults and 80% of children with cancer die from their disease. Today, two thirds of deaths in the country are due to non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular or chronic respiratory ailments and cancer. Yet specialised end-of-life care is rare and concentrated in cities like Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. Source: Nepali Times June 2023

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Price (room to yourself)
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Reference:
NEP0325-1
At a glance
What you need to know
Type of tour
Professional
Profession
Palliative Care
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Nights
11
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Countries
1
Tour grade
Moderate
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Remaining places
0
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Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

1
Kathmandu
Monday
,
24
March
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the Shangri-La Hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
2
Kathmandu
Tuesday
,
25
March
Visit Kopan Monastery and learn about its work providing spiritual support and meditation in the context of Nepalese culture and belief. Visit Patan, a marvel of Newari architecture that includes ancient monuments, museums, temples, shrines, statues, and idols. See Pashupatinath and Boudhanath Stupa. Join monk prayers at Boudhanath Stupa with a blessing. Light butter lamps before a welcome dinner.
3
Kathmandu
Wednesday
,
26
March
Visit Hospice Nepal in Lagankhel, an NGO and the first Palliative Care Centre established in Nepal. Learn about palliative care in Nepal and meet with its medical teams. A short walking tour of Ason's old bazaar followed by a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square. See the Temple of the Living Goddess and later visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), atop a serene hill with playful monkeys darting about.
4
Kathmandu / Pokhara
Thursday
,
27
March
Fly to Pokhara and transfer to the hotel. Pokhara Valley is one of the most picturesque spots in Nepal, with lovely lakes that have their source in the glacial region of the Annapurna range of the Himalayas. Visit an Ayurveda clinic to experience and learn more about this this centuries-old natural treatment for holistic health.
5
Pokhara
Friday
,
28
March
Visit Green Pastures Hospital and meet with the International Nepal Fellowship, active in palliative care since 2013. INF's initiatives include community services, hospital-based services, and the establishment of a training centre in Pokhara. Drive to Parsyang for a walk to Sarangkot Hill, with beautiful views of the Annapurna Himalayan range and Dhaulagiri ranges.
6
Pokhara
Saturday
,
29
March
Optional early morning yoga. Visit the World Peace Pagoda, walk down to the Phewa Lake and take a boat ride out to Barahi Temple. Visit the International Mountain Museum.
7
Pokhara / Chitwan National Park
Sunday
,
30
March
Fly to Bharatpur in Chitwan National Park, one of Nepal’s most visited National Parks. Its dense forests and grassy plains are home to rare mammals like one-horned rhinos and Bengal tigers. Visit B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital. Take a walking tour to explore the local community and visit the Tharu Traditional Healer Practice at Chitwan. Enjoy a Tharu cultural dance by the fire with dinner.
8
Chitwan National Park
Monday
,
31
March
Optional early morning birdwatching, followed by a full day of activities in the National Park, including elephant safaris.
9
Chitwan National Park
Tuesday
,
1
April
Optional early morning birdwatching. Morning at leisure OR take part in a Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT), an internationally recognised course that was developed at Stanford University. Your tour leader, Jason, is a qualified teacher on this course. Afternoon at leisure with option for further wildlife activities.
10
Chitwan National Park / Kathmandu
Wednesday
,
2
April
Transfer to Bharatpur for the flight back to Kathmandu.Visit Godawari Botanical Garden, the oldest and largest botanical garden in Nepal. Designed by two British architects, Geoffrey Herklots and Tony Schilling, this botanical garden is internationally recognised as a centre of plant conservation, education, research, display, and recreation.
11
Kathmandu
Thursday
,
3
April
Optional flight over Everest before breakfast. Wrap up session at the hotel. Opportunity to further explore Kathmandu, shop or at leisure in the afternoon. Farewell dinner.
12
Kathmandu
Friday
,
4
April
Morning at leisure and depart hotel after breakfast.
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Tour map

Plot your journey

This tour takes a deep dive into the development of palliative care in Nepal, alongside its traditional and spiritual support structures, with professional visits to organisations such as Hospice Nepal, who are key to filling the gap in palliative care, particularly in rural areas.

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What to expect

Tour highlights

The Himalayas
Parsyang

Spectacular sunset views of the Annapurna Himalayan range and Dhaulagiri ranges and the green, fertile valley with its traditional houses, with lakeside dinner.

Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park

Spend three nights in Chitwan National Park, one of Nepal’s most important national parks, known for its biodiversity.

Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu

Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of the capital’s most visited landmarks. Its historical importance, beautiful Newari architecture, and lively bazaars make it a fascinating place to visit.

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Beautiful landscapes

Tour gallery

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Tour exertion grading

Is this tour right for me?

Moderate
Level 3

Some walking between destinations, more time spent standing, and increased travel distances. Requires a reasonable level of fitness.

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Your expert companions

Tour leaders

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Accommodation

Hotels

We like charm, comfort, convenience in location, and of course, excellence in service. All hotels on this tour will be centrally located medium-grade hotels.

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Ask us anything

If you have some questions about this particular tour, you can contact the Jon Baines Tours team by phone or email.

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