Before The Trek

No matter how old you are, and even if you are perfectly healthy, it is wise to have a medical check-up before you leave. It is even more advisable to do so if you suffer from chronic diseases such as asthma or diabetes. To visit your dentist may not be a bad idea, since tooth cavities tend to occur with the altitude. Make sure your international vaccinated certificate is up-to-date. If not, update it and if you have not been vaccinated, this is the best time to do. That may take some time since all the vaccinations cannot be administered at the same time.

Although no special inoculations are required to obtain a Nepalese Visa, protective measures against poliomyelitis, tetanus and diphtheria is advisable. Again, make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date. It is also advisable to be vaccinated against typhoid and rabies. Cholera is not very widespread in Nepal so vaccination is not necessary. Another protective measure to consider is the new vaccination against Hepatitis A, effective for ten years. To date there is no effective vaccination against malaria, which still prevails in the remote areas of the Terai. The best way to avoid it is to deprive mosquitoes  of the opportunity of biting you by covering up properly and using effective repellants and coils.

Physical exercise is of course the best way to prepare oneself. For the duration of the trek, your body will be under considerable stress caused by the continuous effort, the climate, the different heights and uncomfortable living conditions. These changes may be drastic so to be in good physical condition is really the best protection against illness or accident.