When visiting Nepal one should be aware of health and safety concerns. Due to the varied climate and weather, taking care of one’s health becomes a top priority. Practicing hygienic habits, making sure food, water, and sanitation of restaurants and tea houses are good, and being aware of one surroundings helps to prevent and ward off illness that may come from traveling to a foreign land.

 

Stomach issues are one of the more common problems found in Nepal. Most bodies adjust quickly and a mild case of tummy trouble can be waited out without the need for medication. We live in the age of mega-antibiotics, which do a great job clearing up more severe problems (consult with your doctor at home which ones he/she recommends). Certain immunizations are crucial. Most countries have a national board that recommends the proper jabs for all countries based on what is endemic. Your doctor at home can check and administer the proper shots before your departure. Malaria is endemic only in small lowland areas of Nepal (in and either side of the monsoon). Doctor differ on prescribing. Most people are in Nepal without Malarial prophylaxis, and without any problem whatsoever – and that is our recommendation. HOWEVER, your heath is your concern so this is worth a discussion with your doctor.

 

Some degree of altitude sickness may occasionally occur at or around 3,000 m+. Kathmandu Adventure Treks takes great care with altitude acclimatization and all Kathmandu Adventure Treks guides are able to respond quickly to symptoms, healing, immediate rescue and helicopter evacuation (which is best reason for good personal travel insurance) if such instances arise.

 

The medical infrastructure in Nepal is limited. However, Kathmandu does hold a world renowned tropical diseases and travel medicine clinic. CIEWC CLINIC (http://ciwec-clinic.com) is a private clinic that does take health insurance. It charges western prices for its services, which we would direct (or escort) you to.

 

On our treks at Kathmandu Adventure Treks we boil or sterilize drinking water. WE DO NOT supply plastic bottled water and do not recommend doing this either. This adheres to the environmental code of discouraging disposable non biodegradable containers in natural settings. All water should be regarded as potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or sterilized. Milk is unpasteurized and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and advised. Avoid dairy products likely to have been made from un-boiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.