Altitude sickness?
Altitude Sickness is the effect of altitude
on those who ascent too rapidly to elevations
above 3,000 meters. The basic early symptoms
of altitude sickness are headache, loss of appetite
and sleeplessness. One shouldn't ignore these
early symptoms as these symptoms may lead to
more serious warnings and cause death sometimes
within few hours. Medicine is no substitute
for descent. If a doctor is available, he may
give medicine and oxygen. However, the patient
must go down to lower altitude even if treatment
is given.
How will the altitude affect me?
Altitude sickness can be a worry for many people
coming from sea level. Which is why our itinerary
specially designed to suit our customers extra
days to acclimate to the higher altitudes. Our
guides are trained to spot any signs of altitude
sickness and attentive to react.
How difficult is it to adjust to the
high altitude of Nepal?
Unless you are actually climbing a Himalayan
peak, the majority of your time in Nepal is
likely to be below elevations where altitude
sickness is a concern. On treks to the Annapurna
and Everest areas your guide will help you pace
your hiking to minimize symptoms and help you
address them if they occur. Most people do not
have any problems below 9,000’ elevation,
but will feel shortness of breath and mild headache
somewhere between 10-12,000’ elevations.
Usually the symptoms diminish or disappear if
you ascend gradually and take rest days as you
go up. Some trekkers elect not to complete their
trek if symptoms persist or worsen. We are always
prepared to assign a guide to accompany clients
who may have altitude problems down to lower
altitudes where these problems always disappear.
Some trekkers take diamox, or other drugs, which
increase blood flow or eliminate water, build
up. You may wish to ask you doctor for recommendations.
Some medical professionals say that Ginko biloba
started 5 days before the trek may help prevent
these symptoms. If you don’t plan on taking
a high altitude trek, you won’t have to
be concerned about altitude sickness.
What happens if there is an emergency?
Our guides are trained to face in most of the
basic problems that occur during a trek, but
if they’re serious emergency occur, and
then outside help is needed, in that case we
initially provide the rescue services in favor
of you. Regarding to avoid losing payment of
this regard first you should have your own insurance
before coming to Nepal and second you should
have to clear your entire rescue bill before
departing from Nepal. After returning from Nepal
you can claim and get back your money from your
insurance compay.
What do I do in case of emergency?
Though in general, you are not likely to face
any emergency, you can never tell. Once again,
a good trekking company and the guide on trekking
will give you details on what to do in case
of emergency. In cases of non-urgent situation,
you may have to be carried to the nearest health-post
or airfield by trekking guide. If the situation
is more serious, your trekking guide will send
message to his trekking company in Kathmandu
by telephone or by radio service for a helicopter
evacuation. It costs of $1200 - $2000 for an
hour for a helicopter evacuation, and generally
a guarantee for payment is required before the
helicopter actually takes off. Registering with
your embassy can greatly speed the process.