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
