Advice For Trekking In Nepal

Nepal is known for its breathtaking natural scenery. It is also quite popular for those interested in adventurous activities especially trekking. There are many great trails in Nepal those who are interested in trekking.

While visiting Nepal, it is necessary to know that, although it is a really beautiful country there is quite a lot of pollution in the environment. You should be careful of what and where you eat and drink. This is also important while you’re trekking in Nepal.

Advice

When you decide to go trekking the most essential thing is your fitness, both physical and mental. You should know if you are capable of trekking the route you have decided to trek. You should also get some physical training before you come to Nepal for trekking regardless of your experience. You should also be mentally prepared for the trek. Besides that, there are other things that you need to know and keep in mind order to stay healthy and have a pleasant trekking experience in Nepal.

Food

When it comes to food, it is important to know that Nepali food contains a variety of spices that your body may not be accustomed to. Some Nepali foods can be quite spicy and a bit oily so, be careful while trying out new dishes. If you cannot handle spice very well, then you can ask for the dish to be made less spicy. If you are not used to oily food or, do not prefer oily food then it is better to avoid those types of foods.

It is also better if you avoid eating food from street vendors, especially uncooked food. In many good quality restaurants, it is alright to eat uncooked food like salads and fruits but avoid eating those in other places. You should absolutely not eat food that looks very colorful or has a very intense color to the point where it looks unnatural. The food coloring in those foods might end up giving you an upset stomach.

Water

Drinking water from taps, streams, and river is not good and should be avoided because the water is polluted. It is better to drink mineral water or purified water. You can get purified water in jars and jar water is usually available in most eateries in the cities. While trekking, you should carry a water bottle with you and ask for boiled and filtered water when you need water.

Try as much as possible not to ingest water that is not filtered, boiled and filtered or mineral water. It is also wise if you carry water purifier with you especially while traveling/trekking to rural places. Water purifying tablets are the most common and easy to carry with you while trekking.

Immunization

The environment in Nepal might be very different from the environment in your country. That can often to cause problems so, it is important to consult a doctor and get the necessary immunizations before you come to Nepal.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is not uncommon, especially in higher altitudes. Even the most experienced trekkers can get altitude sickness. The most common altitude sickness is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), and most trekkers usually experience AMS. While trekking if you begin to experience nausea, headache, fatigue and have trouble sleeping then it is probably because of mild AMS. Mild AMS will get better once your body starts to adjust to the environment in the height you are in. However, if you are feeling uneasy, then it is better to let your body rest for a couple of days before trekking to even higher altitudes.

In rare cases trekkers can get High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE); accumulation of fluid in the lungs, and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE); accumulation of fluid in the brain, which can be life-threatening. If trekkers experience shortness of breath or severe headache, then it is recommended to descend 600 meters (2000 feet) immediately and get medical attention.

In order to prevent altitude sickness, it is crucial to drink plenty of water. It is equally crucial to eat food with good nutrients especially carbohydrates. Remember to ascend slowly and take rest so that your body can adjust to the environment. Finally, even if you ascend high always descend at least 30-40 meters (100 feet.) for sleeping.

Masks

It is important to carry a mask with you while you are in Nepal. The air is quite polluted in and around city areas. In order to avoid any kind of respiratory problems, you should carry a mask. While trekking, carry a mask with you as some parts of treks tend to be a bit dusty. If not mask then anything that can cover your face like scarf or bandana works too.

Sanitizer

It is wise to carry a sanitizer with you in order to keep your hands clean. You are less likely to get sick if you use sanitizer. You can easily get a sanitizer in department stores or pharmacies, so do carry one with you while you’re trekking.

Insect/Bug Repellent

Nepal has its fair share of insects and bugs, and you might encounter some while you’re trekking. In order to avoid getting certain diseases or allergies that are caused by insects or bugs, you should carry an insect and/or bug repellent.

Other Protection

Besides insect repellent, you should also carry sunscreen/lotion; to protect your skin from the sun, long sleeved tops and long pants; these will also help to protect you from the sun as well as bugs and insects, warm clothes which you can easily layer in case you need to wear layers of clothes. If you are trekking to higher altitudes, do carry a woolen hat, gloves, warm socks and a scarf with you. Also, carry a first aid kit with you which includes any medication you need along with other things that you might need.

Packing

The most important thing to keep in mind when you pack for your trek is that you need to pack wisely. It is important to take all the essential things with you, but your bag should not end up being heavy. A heavy bag will only make trekking more difficult.

Medical/Travel Insurance

It is important to get medical insurance or  travel insurance which includes medical insurance so that it can help cover up medical costs in case you need medical attention while trekking.

Conclusion

Trekking in Nepal is quite exciting and will definitely make for a great experience. In order to stay healthy and have a pleasant time do keep the given advice in mind.