Health and Insurance

Do you provide trip insurance?
It is obligatory for anyone traveling with Adventure Thirdpole Treks to have adequate travel insurance. We can only arrange insurance for citizens of Nepal. You may make your own arrangements from your home country.

Do I need travel insurance?
Oh yes, some sort of travel insurance is highly recommended. Most travel insurance covers emergency flights, medical expenses, and theft or loss of possessions. The insurance premium in general is between $50 to $75 for a two-week period, and progressively less for longer periods. It's a price worth paying. If you plan to go rafting or trekking, make sure your insurance covers these "dangerous activities." Remember to keep your receipts to make claims. In order to make claims on lost or stolen items, you will need a police report issued in Nepal by the Interpol Section of the Nepal Police.

Will I get a stomach upset?
Many, if not most, travelers to Nepal are likely to get stomach problems at some point during their visit. If you take sensible precautions, you should stay healthy. The main problem comes during the eating and drinking in cities. Untreated water is the main cause of problems. There is no reason why you should contract stomach trouble if you take sensible precautions. Those people that do encounter 'travelers tummy' will usually find that this is merely an inconvenience, and rarely anything more serious. We do not advocate the use of Imodium, which does not cure the illness and actually adds another problem - constipation. Anyone going on a trek should take the precaution however of carrying a course of antibiotics, suitable for treating any major stomach trouble, with them.

Do you think I should bring some medicines with me when I come to Nepal?
As said, prevention is better than cure; it's highly recommended that you bring medicines for common illness like nausea, vomiting, cold and flu when you come to Nepal. Though there are many pharmacy shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara, it's worth carrying some basic medicinal stuffs like insect repellent, sunscreen, lip balm, eye drops, bandages and so on.

You can find effective medicines against amoeba diarrhea in any drug store in Kathmandu and Pokhara Carry some with you when you are going to be away on trekking trails. A dehydrations package called "Jeevan Jal" is found everywhere in Nepal; it is quite effective.

Where do we get water during the trip?
All teahouses have boiled water for trekkers. Your guide will provide you boiled or iodize water of your need. We discourage the purchase of bottled water while on the trail. The plastic bottles are difficult to dispose and have become an environmental problem.

What particular diseases do I have to watch out for?
Malaria is under control in Nepal. The risk of catching it is small and only in the southern plains. Mosquito netting and repellent are advised when there, especially during the summer and monsoon seasons. Also, as a preventive measure, take chloroquine pills starting two weeks before and six weeks after your visit to the plains.

AIDS is a growing problem. Official figures of only a couple of dozen cases of HIV in Nepal are a better indicator of the government's inability to collect data (or deny them) than the actual cases of the disease. Don't be misled into believing that unsafe sex is okay. Though prostitution in Nepal is insignificant compared to other Asian countries, watch out.

If I need to see a doctor, where can I do so?
Almost all good doctors and all well equipped hospitals and clinics are in Kathmandu. Visiting a doctor in a clinic is probably better than going directly to a public hospital. Hospitals in Kathmandu can be very crowded with the whole country coming there for medical treatment. Private "Hospitals" and clinics are plentiful in Kathmandu. Elsewhere in the country, there is not much of a choice: you can at best get a service that may pull you through until you reach Kathmandu.

Any health precautions that I need to consider during my trek?
Get a good travel book to guide you on health matters. Don't forget to take a first-aid kit: the details of which are also mentioned in most trek books. All of what you will need to take along can be purchased in Kathmandu; so don't bother carrying stuff from home. Read the health guidance in Health and Insurance section and Dining and Drinking section for more details.

Besides minor ailments stomach problems, a blister, cold and headaches, the most important health problem you may run into is altitude sickness. You will not have to worry about it in Kathmandu, Pokhara or other lower places. But once you are on the trekking trails and above 3000m in altitude, watch out for its symptoms. Refer to a good travel book for details on how to recognize altitude sickness and what to do about it. As a suggestion for travel planning, you may want to plan for "rest days" at about 3,700m - 4,300m altitude levels. This means sleeping at the similar altitude for two nights. Also remember that you should not try to climb too high too soon: about 450m per day are the recommended amount. Beside above you don't have to be worried if you have join with the licensed trekking agencies; your trekking guide will be active to protect your health problems.

What immunizations are required for Nepal?
None are required, but several are suggested. Most travelers will update their immunity to Hepatitis A, cholera, tetanus and typhoid fever. Many travelers carry a course of antibiotics in case they contract dysentery. Nepal does have chloroquine resistant malaria in the southern part of the country, but not in Kathmandu or any areas above 4500 feet elevation, which includes all of the Everest area. Discuss the most appropriate malarial prophylaxis and immunizations with your physician.