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What are the health and vaccination requirements for Nepal?

Health and Vaccination Requirements for Nepal

What health and vaccination rules do I need to follow when traveling to Nepal?

When planning a trip to Nepal, it’s important to know about some health and vaccination guidelines

Vaccinations to Consider
Regular Vaccination Make sure you have all the usual vaccines, like those for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP), and the flu.
Hepatitis A This is important for most travelers because it can spread through food or water that isn’t clean.
Hepatitis B This is especially important if you might come into contact with blood or have unprotected sex.
Typhoid This is recommended if you plan to eat or drink in places with poor sanitation.
Japanese Encephalitis This is important if you’ll be in rural areas for a long time, especially during the rainy season.
Rabies This is something to think about if you’ll be in areas where rabies is common.

I am female trekker. Do I get female trekking guide for my trek?

Travelling in Nepal is a relatively very safe affair. We treat our guests with the utmost respect. Regardless, there can be some things that women find difficult to share with men guides.

Female guides are available at your request. However, female guides are only provided if you are a solitary female traveller, Female family or female groups. Plus, a female guide will offer you a different perspective on your journey than men guides can.

How much should I tip guides and porters?

Trekking Guides
Daily Tip About $15 to $20 per day depending on how much you are satisfied with their service and the difficultness of the trek.
Total for a Multi-Day Trek For a week-long trek, you may want to consider tipping $100-$150.

Porters
Daily Tip About $10-$15 a day.
Total for a Multi-Day Trek For a week-long trek, this would translate to about $40-$90.

Additional Tips

Group size If you go as part of a large group, you may want to increase your tip, as guides and porters usually share among themselves any tip they get.
Service Quality You may give extra if you think the service has been outstanding.
Cultural Context Although it may not be obligatory, tipping is very well appreciated. This would be one way to show your appreciation for the employees’ attention and work toward you.

Always contribute in cash it is the most straightforward way they will be told about your appreciation. More questions on tipping or trekking in Nepal?

How much do guides and porters cost?

The cost of guides and porters in Nepal for tours and trekking can vary according to the region, duration, and type of trek. General overview

Guides
Daily Rate Typically from $30 to $50 per day.
Experience Level Charges rise with experience.
Inclusions Some guides will include meals and accommodation in their quotation; make sure you know what’s included.

Porters
Daily Rate Generally, between US$ 25  to US$ 35 per day.
Weight Limit A porter can carry around 12-15 kg (33-44 lbs). Extra weight is usually charged extra.

Extra Costs
Tips It is absolutely expected that guides and porters be tipped after your trek. This will be roughly between 10-20% of their total fee depending on your satisfaction.
Insurance Make sure your guides and porters are properly insured, which in some cases may be an additional cost.

General Budgeting
Package Tours Some tour agencies offer a package deal that includes guides, porters, accommodations, and meals. Prices can very greatly depending on the length of time and difficulty of the trek from $700 to $1,800 or more.

It is always worth gaining quotes and inquiring with other trekking companies to gain a more accurate idea of the costs involved for your particular itinerary.

Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

Many hikes in Nepal require the use of guides and porters such as Upper Dolpo, Kanchenjunga and Upper Mustang due to the areas being restricted. However, places such as the Annapurna Conservation Area and Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camps do not require guides.

It is best to organize your Nepal trekking tour before you get to Nepal to save time and avoid the confusion of finding a trekking company while you are in Nepal.

It’s important to keep in mind that no matter what trek you do, you are going to have to get a Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) permit.

Are the trekking guides and porters licensed/certified?

Yes, usually guides and porters have to be licensed and certified in Nepal. It is known that the MoCTCA of Nepal issues licenses to the guide for trekking, ensuring proper training and knowledge of safety, navigation, and first aid.

Many guides are certified through a recognized training program, often through the NMA or another accredited agency. In the case of porters, while licenses may not necessarily be in order, it’s possible to hire them through reputable trekking companies that make priorities of safety and fair treatment.

This means that at the time of booking a trek, it is worth confirming whether or not guides and porters are certified to ensure one will have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Is all your departure guaranteed to run?

A guaranteed departure means that the tour will definitely operate on the day it is scheduled and will not be cancelled. All departures will run except in the event of a natural disaster or other similarly disruptive events that are beyond our control.

Almost all of our tour departures are guaranteed to run. Some tours are guaranteed more than 1 year ahead of time. Others may not be guaranteed until 2 months ahead of time. Every week we receive more bookings and this allows for more guaranteed departures.

Our itineraries are based on historical and current weather patterns, schedules and popular periods. Our itineraries are flexible so that the more people who book tours which are not ‘guaranteed departures’, the more tours we can name as guaranteed departures.

Can I customize the itinerary from your website?

Yes, you can do so from the website, but to a certain extent. Please note that for a more personalized experience, we highly recommend contacting us via email or over the phone. This is so we can get a better understanding of your personal interests and tailor your itinerary according to your needs.

Are you trekking guides and porters trained for first aid?

Yes, many trekking guides and porters in Nepal undergo basic first aid training. This training typically covers

  • The guides learn basic first-aid abilities, thus enabling them to deal with ordinary injuries and sudden ailments such as cuts, sprains, and altitude sickness.
  •  Altitude Sickness Awareness They have particular training in the recognition and management of altitude sickness symptoms, including the administration of oxygen when necessary.
  • Emergency Response Guides are trained in assessing situations and taking necessary actions, which may include the evacuation of trekkers if necessary.
  • Basic First Aid Kits Many guides carry with them a basic first-aid kit that may include supplies to treat minor injuries.
  • However, the training may vary, and it’s always advisable to make inquiries about experience and qualifications from your guide or trekking agency. Always consider personal insurance that covers medical emergencies on a trek.

Can I continue my trek if I got sick?

Continuing your trek after getting sick is generally not advisable. Here are some key considerations

1. Assess Your Symptoms
Mild Infection If minor – such as a headache or light stomach ache  you may be able to rest and carry on. However, listen to your body.

Severe Symptoms If any of the following symptoms persist, such as severe headache, repeated nausea, dizziness, or any symptoms of AMS, do not continue.

2. Altitude Sickness
Urgent Action The only thing you can do if you feel that you have altitude sickness is to go down to a lower height. Continuing to trek to high altitude means your case is deteriorating.

3. Rest and Recovery
Rest for A While Sometimes all you need is rest for one or two days. You can always inform your guide, who will help modify the schedule accordingly.

4. Consult Your Guide
Professional Advice Your guide will be trained to observe your condition and make intelligent decisions about your continuation or descent.

5. Safety Above All
Health First Trekkers should not commence the trek if they are ill as it will prove risky for themselves and others in the group.

6. Emergency Plan
Know your options: Know how to get back down to a lower elevation or seek medical attention if you need to.

What this means, more simply, is that if a person does not feel well, then the concrete evaluation of being sick should be highly considered for taking priority over the continuation of the trek.

How to avoid Altitude sickness during trekking?

Here are some useful tips for preventing altitude sickness during trekking in Nepal
1. Acclimatize Gradually
Ascend slowly, giving your body time to adjust. Daily increase no more than 300-500 meters (1,000-1,600 feet) if arriving at 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level.
2. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Drink at least 3-4 liters a day. Also, do not drink alcohol and caffeine as these will dehydrate you.
3. Eat Light and Nutritious Meals
Consume adequate amounts of carbohydrates, and have a balanced diet. Do not eat too heavy meals that would put stress on your digestive system at high altitudes.
4. Recognize Symptoms Early
 Know the various symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue-all these are related to altitude sickness. If these symptoms persist, then go to lower altitudes.
5. Rest and Take Breaks
Also allow in your itinerary days off, especially above 3,000 meters or 10,000 feet elevation. And, finally, listen to your body and take days off if you feel you need it.
6. Take Medication
Some drugs, such as acetazolamide, which is popularly referred to as Diamox, can halt altitude sickness. Consult a doctor regarding medication of this nature. Start your medication one day ahead of your climb.
7. Climb High, Sleep Low
If possible, go to higher altitudes during the day but sleep at lower elevations until acclimatization is enhanced.
8. Avoid Vigorous Exercise
Avoid heavy exercises during the first days in high altitude. Go easy to give your body a chance to acclimate.
9. Travel with a Companion
Trek with someone who knows the area and can help you in case symptoms develop.
10. Stay Informed
Study the altitude profile and the route of the trek in advance. Be prepared for changing altitudes and weather conditions.
By following these tips, you will minimize the chance of developing altitude sickness and will have more fun with your trek!

What immunizations will I need?

Important immunizations to get before you start you trek in Nepal are:

  • Hepatitis A.
  • Typhoid Fever.
  • Chickenpox.
  • Measles
  • Influenza
  • Tetanus
  • Rabies
Nepal Tourism Activities