Medical Elective in Nepal
Experience Medicine in the Heart of the Himalayas
ImpactTrek offers an immersive 4-week medical elective program in Nepal, open to medical students from around the world who are seeking hands-on clinical experience in diverse healthcare settings.
This unique program gives you the chance to learn directly from experienced local doctors while also discovering Nepal’s vibrant culture and breathtaking Himalayan landscapes.
Program Overview at a Glance
| Location | Kathmandu & Rural Nepal |
| Duration | 4 Weeks |
| Program Fee | £1,080 – covers accommodation, placement coordination & support |
| Cultural immersion | Engage with local communities and healthcare systems |
| Optional Trekking | Extend your stay with a guided trek of your choice — available as an add-on |
Week 1-2 : Clinical Placement in Kathmandu
Begin your elective in Nepal’s vibrant capital, Kathmandu, where you will be based in a well-established hospital or clinic. This phase allows you to:
✅ Work alongside experienced Nepali doctors and healthcare professionals.
✅ Gain exposure to diseases and treatments common in South Asia.
✅ Participate in ward rounds, outpatient clinics, and emergency care.
✅ Understand the challenges of Nepal’s healthcare system.
Week 3-4 : Rural Medical Placement
Leave the city behind and travel to a rural healthcare centre, where you will:
✅ Work in community clinics serving remote populations.
✅ Assist in public health outreach and mobile medical camps.
✅ Learn about low resource medicine.
✅ Witness firsthand the impact of limited medical resources.
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Eligibility & Application Guide
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the ImpactTrek Medical Elective Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
1. Medical Student Status : You must be a medical student enrolled at a recognized university, typically in your final or penultimate year of study.
2. Elective Placement Requirement : The elective should be part of your medical degree requirements. Applicants are expected to have completed at least 12 months of clinical experience before starting the placement.
3. Health Clearance and Vaccinations : You will need to provide proof of health clearance and have received all essential vaccinations, in line with international health standards.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents as part of their application for the ImpactTrek Medical Elective Program:
1. Motivation Letter : A brief statement outlining your interest in the program, your goals for the elective, and what you hope to contribute and gain from the experience.
2. Letter of Recommendation : A signed recommendation letter from a clinical or academic supervisor at your medical school.
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV): A concise CV highlighting your educational background, clinical experience, skills, and any relevant extracurricular activities.
4. Academic Transcript : An official transcript from your university, detailing your academic performance to date.
5. Passport Copy : A clear scanned copy of your valid passport (photo page only).
6. Elective Travel Insurance : Documentation confirming “elective travel insurance” coverage for the duration of your elective. ( evidence of this only required prior to placement )
Program Fees
The total fee for the 4-week elective is £1,080. This fee helps us provide comfortable accommodation, local support, and a smooth elective experience from start to finish.
- £200 deposit – due at time of application (non-refundable)
- £550 – due 4 (or 5/6) months before elective start date
- £330 – due 2 months before start of elective date
All fees must be cleared before arrival.
Inclusions
We take care of all the essentials so you can focus on your clinical learning and cultural immersion:
- Airport pickup
- Shared student accommodation
- Daily meals ( Breakfast & Dinner )
- Cultural orientation including basic Nepali language lesson
- Hospital placement coordination
- Official letters for university
- 24/7 local support
Exclusions
There are a few things you’ll need to organize on your own :
- International flights
- Travel/ Elective insurance
- Visa application fees
How to Apply
We’ve made the application process simple and supportive — here’s how it works:
Step 1:
Check Eligibility
Make sure you meet the criteria:
- You are a medical student in your final or penultimate year of study at a recognized university.
- The elective is part of your medical degree requirements.
- You have completed at least 12 months of clinical experience.
- Your vaccinations are up-to-date and you have the necessary health clearance according to international standards.
Step 2:
Prepare Your Documents
You’ll need to upload the following:
- Motivation Letter
- Recommendation Letter from your supervisor
- University Transcript
- Copy of Passport
- Proof of Elective Travel Insurance
Step 3:
Personalised Planning Call
Once you’ve reviewed the requirements, we’ll arrange a short call to personalise your elective to your goals and interests.
During the call, we’ll:
- Explore your interests and any areas you’d like to focus on
- Tailor the elective to suit your academic and personal goals
- Answer all your questions — big or small
You’ll also have ongoing support from both our UK and Nepal teams before, during, and even after your elective.
Step 4:
Submit Your Deposits & Documents
After the call, you can secure your place by:
- Paying a £200 non-refundable deposit
- Sending the required documents listed above to our team
Step 5:
Confirmation & Next Steps
Once your application is approved:
- You’ll receive a placement confirmation letter
- We’ll help you prepare for your trip
- Our team will stay in touch leading up to your arrival in Nepal
Meet Our Team
We’re here to guide and support you — before, during, and after your elective in Nepal. Feel free to learn more about us or get in touch directly.
Callum 🇬🇧
Director – Medical Electives & UK Operations
📍 Royal Blackburn Hospital, UK
Learn More
Callum is a medical doctor and expedition medic, currently working at the Royal Blackburn Hospital. He graduated from Warwick Medical School in 2024, having previously completed an undergraduate degree in Medical Physiology at the University of Nottingham.
He brings a diverse range of experience to his medical practice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked as both an ICU assistant and vaccinator, and he has international experience supporting a children’s autism home in China. His expedition work includes serving as medic for ultramarathons and high-altitude expeditions, such as Kilimanjaro, and he has also spent time with prehospital care services in Nepal.
Beyond medicine, Callum is passionate about the outdoors. An accomplished runner and mountaineer, he holds multiple Fastest Known Time (FKT) records on ultra-distance trail routes. He is currently undertaking “Operation PANGEA,” a self-directed project to climb the highest peak in every country – having summited 32 so far. To date, he has travelled to more than 50 countries, combining a love of exploration with a commitment to pushing both personal and professional boundaries.
Prakash 🇳🇵
Founder & Program Director – Impact Trek
📍 KATHMANDU, NEPAL
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Prakash is the founder of Impact Trek, and has been managing trekking expeditions, medical research projects, and student electives in Nepal since 2013. With over a decade of hands-on experience organizing logistics across both remote Himalayan regions and city-based clinical placements, Prakash ensures every elective is smooth, safe, and meaningful.
He has worked closely with international medical schools, researchers, and healthcare volunteers from across the UK, Europe, and Asia — developing a strong reputation for local coordination, cultural insight, and high standards of safety and support. From arranging hospital placements to organizing mountain treks and rural health outreach, Prakash brings a unique blend of professionalism and heartfelt Nepali hospitality.
Whether you’re preparing for your elective or looking to explore the mountains after your placement, Prakash and his team are here to help you make the most of your time in Nepal — academically, culturally, and personally.