Vaccinations
We recommend that you see your doctor and dentist for a check-up before travelling to Nepal. Your doctor will have access to the most up to date informative on the vaccinations needed for Nepal. In general, vaccinations for Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid and Hepatitis 'A' are recommended. Malarial prophylaxis is not usually required for trips in the Himalaya or in Kathmandu and Pokhara but, if you are visiting Tarai region for extended period or doing jungle safari, you should take precaution against malaria.
Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Altitude sickness is a serious consideration if you are climbing or trekking in Nepal. If you are intending to trek above 3000m, you should consult your doctor and discuss the causes, symptoms and treatment of altitude sickness before you travel to Nepal. The doctor may prescribe Diamox to combat AMS but ensure that you follow his/her advice on its use.
At high altitude there is less oxygen and our body tries to adapt by increasing the rate and depth of breathing, as well as the heart rate. Most will experience mild symptoms which include headache, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, insomnia and dizziness. These symptoms are usually resolved by spending one or two extra nights at the same altitude and by following the rules below.
More serious form of AMS are high altitude cerebral edema or HACE and high altitude pulmonary edema or HAPE. Symptoms for HACE are increased tiredness, severe headaches, vomiting, loss of coordination, shortness of breath, lethargy, confusion and hallucinations. With HAPE, symtoms includes increasing shortness of breath at rest, extreme fatigue, dry cough or wet cough with frothy sputum, gurgling respirations and possible fever. These two conditions can rapidly prove to be fatal if ignored. If you cannot touch the tip of your nose with your eyes closed, or walk in a straight line you are suffering from either HACE or HAPE. You must descend immediately and seek medical assistance. Helicopter evacuation may be necessary for serious cases.
General Rules: All our itineraries are carefully planned to allow adequate acclimatisation period(s) so that you can successfully complete the trek. But you can help the acclimatisation process by strictly following these rules:
- Drink at least 1 litre of water for every 1000m height i.e. at least 4 litres if you are at 4000m.
- You should not consume alcohol or anything that cause dehydration or smoke.
- Eat a high-calorie diet.
- Learn and recognise the early symptoms of altitude illness and tell our staff and your colleagues.
- Never ascend to sleep at a higher altitude if you have the symptoms. Walk high but sleep low.
- If your symptoms are the same or getting worse, Descend..Descend..Descend.
