water    food facilities    cold weather    sun /wind    altitude sickness

Your enjoyment of your time in Nepal will depend a great deal on how healthy you are when you arrive and how healthy you stay during your visit. Your trek leader is experienced in dealing with ailments which you are likely to encounter during your trek. If at any time you feel unwell, let your trek leader know. Inform the trek leader of any medication you are taking and ask his advice before taking any other medication. Some medication may have a different reaction when used at higher altitudes.

Personal hygiene is very important. Wash your hands using soap before any meals. We provide a bowl of warm washing water and soap at each meal stop.

Toilet facilities throughout Nepal are usually very basic and toilet paper and soap are not often provided - except in hotels and some restaurants. We erect a 'pit' toilet tent at the lunch stop and the campsite. We also supply you with rolls of toilet paper.

It is advisable to carry with you a container of "wet-ones" for cleaning hands during the day. The Nepali people generally do not use toilet paper, they use water to wash themselves. Consequently, the left hand is not used for eating or passing things to each other. Worth remembering!!

Stomach upsets: It is common for many first time visitors to experience some stomach and associated upset for a short time due to the change in diet. This normally only lasts a few days. You should, however take some precautions to minimize your encounter with these problems. Trying the local food is part of the experience of travel but take care with what you eat and drink and from where you buy your meals -ask your guide.

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Water : be very careful about the water you drink. Even some bottled soft drinks can be suspect. Do not drink or clean your teeth with untreated water from the taps or from the rivers and streams. The water may look clean and refreshing, but many a bug is lurking there to catch the unwary traveller. This goes for ice too - make sure the ice is made from treated water. The water can be treated in a number of ways to make it fit for drinking. Boiling the water vigorously for about five minutes is usually enough but remember that at high altitude water boils at a lower temperature and all of the bugs may not be killed. The use of iodine to purify the water is recommended both as an effective and environmentally sound method of treatment. The tablet form is the most effective but you may need something to give a nicer flavour to the water afterwards. The use of bottled water is being discouraged because of the problem with the discarded plastic bottles. We provide you with boiled water for drinking and teeth cleaning. If you are not sure - ask your trek leader.

Food : As for the food - they say that if you can't cook it, boil it or peel it don't eat it. Salads and fruit should be washed in treated water or peeled where possible. Some restaurants advertise the fact that they use treated water in their food preparation. There is no need to become overly concerned but do choose carefully. The food you are served on the trek is hygienically prepared and should cause you no problems. You may experience some stomach discomfort until your digestive system gets used to the change in diet. This should last only a few days.

Nepali trekking words: bistarai - slowly: chhitto - quickly: oraalo - downhill: ukaalo - uphill: jaun-jaun - let's go: thakyo - tired

Question: What is "Nepali flat"?
 

Altitude sickness - Acute Mountain Sickness occurs at high altitude (usually above 3000m) and can lead to death if signs and symptoms are ignored. The lack of oxygen at higher altitudes (over 2500m) affects most people to some extent but usually not enough to cause any problem or concern. It is often the young and fit who feel the effects more - perhaps they tend to push themselves too hard.

Our treks are organised to minimize the chances of you being affected by AMS - slow ascent rate and time to acclimatize.

Trek leaders are trained to recognize and deal with the condition but you must inform your leader of any problems you have with headaches, lethargy, dizziness, nausea, trouble sleeping or lack of appetite - all of which can be signs of the onset of AMS when ascending above 2500m. The effects are short term if you do the right thing. Don't take any medication which may mask the symptoms unless your leader gives the OK. Do keep up your fluids and rest frequently as these help in the control of AMS.

DON'T IGNORE THE
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
OF
ALTITUDE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS
IT CAN AND HAS BEEN FATAL
KEEP YOUR LEADER INFORMED OF YOUR STATE OF HEALTH NO MATTER HOW MINOR YOU MAY FEEL IT IS.

Cold weather - don't try to 'brave out' the cold. Loss of body heat happens very quickly and can be dangerous. Heat lost through inadequate clothing, particularly in the evening when you are less active and when stopping for a rest in the shade, is difficult to replace.

We've earned a rest
It is much more sensible to add warm clothing as the temperature drops so that body heat is maintained. It is better to be too hot and remove clothing than the other way around. Remember that we lose a great deal of our body heat through our head - so keep it warm!!
Its a long way to go...!

Sun and wind burn - be aware that at higher altitudes, the UV effects are greater. Protect yourself from these effects by wearing suitable clothing and a good sunscreen application. Use a lip-salve to protect your lips against the dry air and wind. Your skin will tend become dry from the very dry air - use of a moisturizing lotion is recommended.

Useful words: pheribhetaunla - see you later pardaina - no thank you pugyo - enough

Answer: Nepali flat is a guide's version of any trail with a slope of at least 600!! :-)