Frequently Asked Questions — Seeing a Doctor in Thamel, Kathmandu

Both are welcome. Thamel Clinic is open daily from 08:00 to 20:00 Nepal Time (NPT) for walk-in patients. Booking online takes 60 seconds and reserves a dedicated 30-minute physician slot so your wait time is under 5 minutes.

Please bring: (1) Your passport or a photo of your passport bio page on your phone, (2) Your travel insurance policy number and insurer name, (3) A list or photo of any current medications or allergies, and (4) Your vaccination card if coming for immunizations or Rabies PEP.

Yes. Unlike government outpatient departments that close on Saturdays and festival holidays, Thamel Clinic is open 7 days a week — Monday to Saturday 08:00–20:00 NPT, and Sundays & public holidays (including Dashain, Tihar, and Holi) from 09:00–19:00 NPT.

Follow-up consultations within 7 days for the same condition are $20 USD (roughly half the standard fee) and include lab review and treatment adjustment. Post-visit WhatsApp questions about your treatment are always free.

Yes — free triage messages. Send symptoms or photos of a rash, wound, or bite to +977-9747726036 and a clinician replies during clinic hours (08:00–20:00 NPT) telling you whether self-care, a visit, or the ER is right. Formal prescriptions and insurance reports still need an in-person exam.

Yes — a second opinion costs the same $40 consultation fee. Bring your records, labs, prescriptions and imaging (phone photos work). We review independently, explain in plain English, and give you a signed written opinion for your insurer or the original clinic.

Yes — groups of 4+ can book back-to-back slots in one visit: individual physician review, group Diamox prescriptions, acclimatization plans per person, and a pre-departure AMS briefing. Group discounts apply from 5+ trekkers; schools and NGO teams get custom rates.

Yes — same day for $40. We issue English medical certificates on clinic letterhead with NMC registration for Nepal work permits, visa extensions, employment physicals, and school/sports physicals. Bring your passport and the required form if you have one.

At Thamel Clinic, a standard foreign traveler consultation is $40 USD (approx. NPR 5,400), and a follow-up visit within 7 days is $20 USD. Routine lab tests range from $12 to $28 USD, and monitored IV rehydration is $55 USD. We confirm all prices upfront before performing any test or procedure.

Yes. Because Thamel Clinic is a licensed medical facility staffed by Nepal Medical Council (NMC) registered physicians, outpatient visits, lab tests, IV fluids, and prescribed medications are covered by standard travel medical insurance policies (World Nomads, SafetyWing, Allianz, AXA, IMG, Cigna, GeoBlue, etc.).

Yes — automatically and at no extra charge. At checkout you receive both a wet-stamped paper packet and an emailed PDF containing your Physician Medical Report (with ICD-10 diagnosis codes), signed prescriptions, lab test results, and an itemized official receipt.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express via our on-site POS terminal, cash in Nepali Rupees (NPR) or major foreign currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD), local QR payments (Fonepay/eSewa), and direct billing when a written Guarantee of Payment (GOP) is issued in advance by your assistance company.

Yes — free. Email info@thamelclinic.org with your full name, date of visit, and booking reference (TC-…). We re-issue the complete insurance packet (ICD-10 report, itemized receipt, lab results) as PDF, usually the same business day, even months after your visit.

Realistically $3,500–$8,000 from common rescue points (Namche, EBC, Thorong Phedi) and up to $15,000+ from remote restricted areas like Manaslu. Your insurer's assistance company must usually pre-authorize before liftoff — without it you may pay upfront and claim later.

Visit summary (diagnosis + treatment), itemized invoice, payment receipt, lab reports, and prescriptions — we provide all of these at checkout. For larger claims, we write a formal medical report. File within your policy deadline (usually 30–90 days).

Log into the World Nomads member portal, upload the visit summary, itemized invoice, and payment receipt we provide at checkout. File within 60 days. For larger bills or evacuation, call their 24/7 line first for a Guarantee of Payment.

Your policy must cover trekking to at least 5,500m, include helicopter evacuation coverage of $10,000+, and have medical coverage of $100,000+. World Nomads, True Traveller (with add-on), and IMG/GeoBlue cover EBC. Standard policies often cap at 3,000–4,000m — verify before you go.

Yes. We stock genuine, quality-verified Acetazolamide (Diamox 250mg tablets) as well as Dexamethasone and Nifedipine in our temperature-controlled pharmacy. During a pre-trek altitude consult, our doctor checks for sulfa allergies, checks your baseline SpO2, and provides a written dosing schedule for your trek.

Yes. Our on-site diagnostic laboratory processes urine microscopy in 30–45 minutes, stool microscopy (checking for Giardia, Amoeba, and bacterial infection) in 60–90 minutes, and CBC/CRP/Dengue/Typhoid blood panels in 1.5–2 hours. Results are emailed to your phone as an English PDF.

Thamel Clinic is an outpatient primary and urgent travel-care clinic, not a 24/7 inpatient emergency room. If you require hospitalization, surgical care, or 24-hour ICU monitoring, we stabilize you and arrange immediate transfer to CIWEC Hospital (1.1 km away in Lazimpat), Norvic International Hospital, or Grande Hospital. In an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 102 or go directly to the nearest 24/7 ER.

Yes. Bring your medication packaging or a digital copy of your home prescription. We can evaluate you and prescribe local equivalents for blood pressure medications, asthma inhalers, thyroid hormone, diabetes medications/insulin, SSRIs, and oral contraceptives.

Yes. We treat pediatric travelers for ear infections, respiratory illnesses, gastroenteritis/dehydration, minor injuries, and travel vaccinations. Bookings for patients under 18 require an accompanying parent or legal guardian.

Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for 15 minutes, then come straight to the clinic. We perform a medical povidone-iodine virucidal irrigation, administer WHO-prequalified cell-culture Rabies vaccine (Verorab/Rabipur) and Tetanus booster, and coordinate Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) when indicated.

Almost certainly not. Kathmandu (1,400m) and all trekking regions (Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, Mustang) are far too high and cold for malaria transmission. Only extended stays in the southern Terai lowlands (Chitwan, Bardia, Lumbini) in monsoon carry theoretical low risk — and even there, bite prevention is the standard advice. See a physician before buying medication.

Yes. We run rapid antigen and flu panels on-site with results and a signed travel certificate in under 60 minutes — valid for airlines and transit countries that still request documentation. Bring your flight time; we prioritize same-day departures.

Usually yes, with planning. A pre-trek medical clearance includes baseline vitals and SpO2, a medication review for altitude interactions (e.g., diuretics and dehydration), an emergency action plan, and a physician letter your insurer may require. Many patients with stable chronic conditions complete EBC and the Annapurna Circuit safely.

We perform ECGs, microscopy, and blood/urine panels on-site. For X-rays, ultrasound, or advanced imaging we coordinate same-hour appointments at vetted partner imaging centers in Kathmandu, review the results with you, and include the referral documentation in your insurance packet.

Start with WHO oral rehydration, then bland low-fiber foods: plain rice, dal soup, toast, bananas. Avoid dairy for 7–10 days after Giardia (temporary lactase deficiency), and avoid alcohol around Tinidazole/Metronidazole. Most travelers return to normal eating within a week — we give you a written recovery diet sheet.

Yes — confidentially and same-day at our clinic. HIV PEP must start within 72 hours of exposure (ideally under 24); emergency contraception works best within 24–72h. Both are handled in a private room with no judgment, and receipts describe the visit generically.

Usually yes — but altitude changes how diuretics, beta-blockers, and other cardiac medications behave, so a pre-trek medication review is essential. We check resting/exertion vitals, do an ECG, review interactions, and give your guide written warning-sign instructions.

Not alone. Hollow-fiber filters remove bacteria and Giardia but NOT viruses (hepatitis A, norovirus) — and Nepal water carries viral pathogens. Add chlorine dioxide tablets, UV (SteriPEN), or boil — one chemical/UV method plus a filter is the safest combo.

Yes — people with Type 1 and Type 2 complete Everest and Annapurna treks regularly. Key planning: insulated insulin storage, 150% medication supply, 4–6 daily glucose checks on the trail, fast sugar in every pocket, and a pre-trek consult for altitude dosing adjustments.

Kathmandu (1,400m) and Pokhara (820m) are manageable with precautions, but most trekking routes above 2,500m are NOT recommended in pregnancy. Food/water rules are stricter, some vaccines are off-limits, and emergency obstetric care is limited outside Kathmandu.

Technically yes — practically unwise. Alcohol dehydrates (altitude already does), hits harder at low oxygen, disrupts altitude sleep, and hangover symptoms mimic early AMS so you can't tell which it is. Best rule: zero above 3,000m during ascent; celebrate at lower altitude on the way down.

Better than most countries — Nepal's staple dal bhat (rice + lentils + veg) is naturally gluten-free. The hidden trap is hing (asafoetida), a wheat-containing spice paste in many curries. Our printable Nepali allergy card explains this in Devanagari for restaurants.

South Asia has some of the world's highest antibiotic resistance — 50–70% of common pathogens no longer respond to first-line drugs like ciprofloxacin or azithromycin. That's why we do stool culture + sensitivity testing first — we identify the exact bug and which antibiotic still works.

Yes — UV intensity increases ~10–12% per 1,000m. At 4,000m it's nearly double sea-level, and snow reflects 80% upward. SPF 15 won't cut it — you need SPF 50+, zinc oxide, and Category 4 glacier glasses for snow zones.

That's periodic breathing (Cheyne-Stokes) — a normal altitude response, not dangerous in itself. It feels scary but is harmless. Diamox helps significantly. If it's combined with headache, nausea, or worsening fatigue — that's AMS, not just "bad sleep."

The flight itself is safe — it's the 1,400m→2,860m altitude jump in 25 minutes that causes problems. Mild AMS symptoms are common within hours of landing. Start Diamox 24h BEFORE the flight, hydrate, and sleep at Phakding or Lukla on day 1 — don't push higher immediately.

Yes — a $20 finger pulse ox is the best altitude monitoring tool. Check every evening, same conditions. Normal at Kathmandu is 95–99%; at 4,500m expect 85–92%. Below 80% is a warning; dropping trends matter more than single readings.

For May–Oct monsoon season or extended stays, yes — malaria is endemic in the Terai (unlike Kathmandu). We prescribe atovaquone/proguanil or doxycycline depending on duration and your medical history. Also get JE vaccine if staying >1 month in the Terai.

Yes — every monkey bite or scratch in Nepal is a WHO Category III exposure. You need the vaccine series plus rabies immunoglobulin, ideally within 24h. Wash the wound with soap for 15 min immediately, then come in — don't wait for symptoms.

It can be — at licensed studios with autoclave sterilization, sealed needles, and gloves. The real risk is hepatitis B/C from unsterile needles. Get your Hep B vaccine first, inspect the studio's sterilization setup, and walk away from anything that looks unhygienic.

Simple herbal products (tulsi tea, turmeric) are generally fine. But unlabeled preparations from markets often contain heavy metals (lead, mercury) or undisclosed pharmaceuticals. Buy only from registered Ayurvedic pharmacies, never as a replacement for real treatment, and always tell us what you're taking.

Stick to branded, sealed bottles at reputable establishments. Counterfeit liquor is a documented problem in Nepal — unbranded "vodka" or "whisky" sometimes contains methanol, which causes blindness and death. Homemade raksi varies wildly in strength. If a shot deal seems too cheap, it's not real liquor.

Wash the wound with soap and running water for 15 minutes immediately — this alone removes most viral particles. Then come in for rabies assessment the same day. Any skin break from a dog bite or scratch in Nepal needs PEP evaluation — don't wait for symptoms.

Downhill walking puts 5–7x your body weight through the knee joint — soreness is normal, pain that changes your gait is not. Trekking poles reduce knee load by 25%. If you're limping or the pain is sharp/localized, rest a day — continuing on a damaged knee makes it worse.

Mad honey (rhododendron honey) contains grayanotoxins that cause dizziness, vomiting, and dangerous drops in heart rate and blood pressure. It's a real toxin — a teaspoon can be an unpleasant experience, a tablespoon can be a hospital visit. If you must try it, try a tiny amount near medical care, not on a trail.

Yes — improperly vented wood/dung stoves in teahouses produce CO, and it kills silently. Symptoms mimic altitude sickness (headache, nausea, dizziness). If multiple people in the same room wake up with headaches — suspect CO, not AMS. Crack a window and choose rooms away from the stove chimney.

Yes — hyponatremia (low blood sodium) from overhydration causes headache, nausea, confusion, seizures, and coma. It looks like altitude sickness but the treatment is opposite. Drink to thirst + electrolytes on long days, not to a forced "4–5 liters" schedule.

The "umbles": stumbles (clumsiness), mumbles (slurred speech), fumbles (dropping things), grumbles (irritability). When shivering stops, it's severe — the body's heating reserve is exhausted. Get to shelter, remove wet clothes, add dry insulation, and monitor.

In the Terai and forested hills, yes — ticks live in grass and on animals. Check your body every evening for ticks, especially behind ears, in armpits, and at your waistline. Remove with tweezers close to the skin, pull straight out, and watch for fever/rash for 4 weeks.

If you woke up with a bat in your room, yes — bat bites are often painless and undetectable, so any direct contact or waking up to a bat needs PEP evaluation. Just seeing a bat fly past doesn't count. Wash the contact area for 15 minutes and come in for assessment.

Most well-controlled asthmatics can trek — cold, dry air is a bronchoconstrictor, but managed properly it's safe. Carry double your inhaler supply, keep them warm, cover your mouth with a buff, and start each morning with your reliever. Poorly controlled asthma + altitude is dangerous.

Pain that starts around your belly button and migrates to the lower-right abdomen over 4–12 hours, gets progressively worse, worsened by walking/coughing, with fever and nausea — that's appendicitis until proven otherwise. Don't wait; this is a surgical emergency that needs descent, not rest.

It depends on your route, speed, and history. Diamox reduces AMS risk ~50–75% and makes sense for rapid ascents (like flying to Lukla), previous AMS history, or time-limited itineraries. Most trekkers carry it as rescue medication without pre-committing — take it at first symptoms or if ascending faster than planned.

Yes, if your BP is controlled below 150/90 for 4+ weeks on a stable regimen. Altitude raises BP 5–15 mmHg initially then settles. Keep taking your meds, bring a wrist monitor, and watch for readings above 180/110 with symptoms — that means descend. Diuretics need extra hydration care.

Migraines are usually one-sided and throbbing with light sensitivity, and respond to your usual triptan. AMS headaches are bilateral, appear 6–12h after ascent, and improve with descent. The safety rule: any headache at new altitude is AMS until proven otherwise — stop ascending first.

Usually not — it's a non-infectious dry cough from cold, dry air stripping your airways. Cover your mouth with a buff, breathe through your nose, and it self-manages. The danger is confusing it with HAPE: dry hack + feeling fine = Khumbu cough; breathless at rest or wet cough = descend now.

Only if you're certain it won't refreeze — refreezing thawed tissue is far more destructive than staying frozen. Walking on frozen feet to reach definitive care is better than rewarming mid-trail then refreezing. Never rub frozen tissue, never use direct heat, and never rewarm if a refreeze is possible.

If it's fresh and throbbing (first 48h), draining the blood under the nail gives instant relief — a sterile procedure we can do. If it's old and painless, leave it — the nail will grow out over 6–12 months. Trim nails short, tighten laces for descents, and use poles to prevent it.

Dexamethasone is a rescue steroid for AMS and HACE — it reduces brain swelling and buys 12–24 hours for descent. It does NOT help acclimatization and the most dangerous mistake is taking it to keep ascending. If you need dex, you need to be descending, not climbing.

Most common sleep aids are risky: benzodiazepines, high-dose zolpidem, alcohol, and opioids all suppress breathing — dangerous when your body needs MORE breathing drive at altitude. Acetazolamide actually improves altitude sleep, melatonin is safe, and earplugs + eye mask solve most teahouse noise.

Roughly 33ml per kg of body weight, plus ~30% above 4,000m and more for exertion — a 70kg trekker on a normal day at altitude needs ~3–3.5L. Drink to thirst plus a margin, with electrolytes — forced overhydration causes hyponatremia, which mimics and compounds AMS.

No — the early promising studies didn't replicate in larger trials. Ginkgo performs no better than placebo for AMS prevention and carries bleeding risk. Acetazolamide (Diamox) remains the only drug with consistent strong evidence. Don't rely on supplements for prevention.

No — coca is a South American tradition and is illegal in Nepal. It's not available on Himalayan treks. For natural relief, teahouse ginger tea and garlic soup help symptoms; for actual prevention, acetazolamide and gradual ascent are what work.

Probably — most "sulfa allergies" are to sulfonamide antibiotics (Bactrim), which have a different structure than acetazolamide. Cross-reactivity is low. But verify with a physician first; a supervised test dose clarifies whether you're truly at risk.

Low risk for healthy people, but real — 10+ hours immobile on a long-haul flight can cause DVT. Wear compression stockings, move every 1–2 hours, do calf pumps, stay hydrated, and avoid sleeping pills. One-sided calf pain or swelling after flying needs evaluation.

Azithromycin for diarrhea (better than cipro in South Asia), amoxicillin-clavulanate for wounds/infections, metronidazole for Giardia. Skip ciprofloxacin — 50–70% resistance here. If diarrhea lasts >48h or has blood/fever, get a stool test rather than guessing.

Depends on the condition. Controlled hypertension usually can with monitoring. Stable angina or past heart attack needs cardiologist clearance. Severe heart failure or pulmonary hypertension should not trek. The key is a cardiologist clearing you for THIS specific altitude, not just "normal activity."

For most people it's a self-limiting illness like hepatitis A — but for pregnant women it has a 20–30% mortality rate in the third trimester. It's waterborne, endemic in Nepal, and there's no widely available vaccine. Pregnant travelers must be obsessive about boiled/bottled water and avoiding raw food.

Sulfur burps, greasy floating stools, symptoms lasting >2 weeks, and antibiotics not working all suggest parasites (Giardia, amoeba, worms). Bacterial infections usually resolve or get severe quickly; parasites just persist. A stool test identifies exactly which one — $15 for certainty.

The device works fine at altitude — the question is whether your underlying heart condition can handle the workload. Pacemakers for conduction issues usually can; ICDs for arrhythmia need careful assessment; CRT for heart failure should stay below 3,000m. Cardiologist clearance is essential.

Yes — many ostomy patients trek successfully. The challenges are logistical: altitude increases gas output, cleaning water is limited, and you need double supplies. Pack a portable changing kit, bring treated water for care, and use a porter — the planning is different, not impossible.

Yes — sickle cell disease means no altitude above 2,000m, period. Even the trait (carrier state) can trigger crisis at altitude with exertion and dehydration — documented cases of splenic infarct and sudden death. If you have African, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, or South Asian ancestry and don't know your status, get tested before trekking.

Short-term tourists: minimal risk — TB needs prolonged indoor exposure, not trail contact. Long-stay travelers (3+ months), healthcare workers, and orphanage/school volunteers have real risk — get baseline testing before and 8–10 weeks after your stay. The symptom is a cough lasting 3+ weeks with night sweats.

Often yes — it depends on treatment status. Active chemo means no. Recent treatment (under 6 months) needs oncologist sign-off and easy routes. Long-term survivors with normal counts usually trek normally. Bring an oncologist letter, recent CBC, and verify insurance covers pre-existing cancer.

Usually yes with preparation — prior clot raises recurrence risk, and altitude stacks more (dehydration, exertion, the long flight). Compression stockings, hydration discipline, and continuing anticoagulation are essential. If you take warfarin, ask your doctor about switching to a DOAC for the trip.

Early-stage PD patients can absolutely trek — vigorous exercise actually slows progression. The keys: never miss levodopa dose windows (protein interferes with absorption), trekking poles mandatory for balance, and a partner who knows freezing cues. Advanced stages aren't realistic for trails.

Prevention: 125mg twice daily starting 1 day before ascent, continuing through the climb. Treatment (if AMS develops): 250mg twice daily. Common side effects: tingling hands/feet, more urination, flat-tasting beer. It buys acclimatization time — it doesn't permit faster ascent.

At Namche (3,440m): 88–93%. At 4,400m: 84–89%. At 5,000m+: 78–85%. Below 75% with symptoms = descend. Trends matter more than single readings — a downward trend over days means your body isn't acclimatizing.

Yes with precautions — altitude air (under 20% humidity) dries eyes badly. Switch to daily disposables (no solution needed), pack lubricating drops, use wraparound sunglasses for dust, and always bring glasses as backup. If eyes get gritty/red, contacts out.

No — fitness and acclimatization are separate. Marathon runners get AMS regularly; acclimatization is genetic/cellular adaptation that happens at its own speed regardless of VO2 max. Fit people sometimes do worse because they ascend too fast and mask early symptoms.

Could be both — and treating it as "just a hangover" is the dangerous mistake. Hangovers improve through the day; AMS persists or worsens. If you feel hungover without drinking, that IS the AMS warning. No alcohol during ascent; when in doubt, don't ascend.

Depends entirely on aortic status — stable aortic root under 4.0cm with cardiology clearance may allow gentle low-altitude walking with porter and HR limits. Dilated aorta or dissection history means trekking is not survivable if dissection occurs remotely. Cardiology clearance is mandatory.

Altitude suppresses taste buds ~30% — sweet and salty perception drops; umami survives better. Dry mouth compounds it. This is why airline food is bland and why dal bhat tastes flat at 4,000m. Solution: stronger seasonings, hot food, eat by schedule.

Yes with well-controlled HIV (CD4 >500, undetectable on ART) — standard trek rules apply plus strict medication continuity and heightened food/water discipline. Advanced HIV (CD4 <200) limits route options; newly diagnosed should stabilize on treatment first.

Clean the wound immediately with soap and water for 15 minutes, then come to the clinic same day — monkey bites need rabies post-exposure evaluation. Don't wait or "watch and wait" — rabies PEP is time-sensitive.

No — a fresh tattoo is a wound; altitude slows healing 20-30%, UV damages fresh ink, and hygiene limits risk infection. Get it in Kathmandu AFTER the trek — the healing happens where you have facilities.

Many knee replacement patients trek successfully — the implant handles walking well. Downhill is always harder: descending loads the artificial knee with 4-7x body weight. Trekking poles mandatory, downhill-minimized routes, and surgeon clearance specific to trekking.

Yes — STI testing at Thamel Clinic is fully confidential: results go only to you, no partner notification without consent, no reporting to embassies or insurers. Walk-in, minimal personal details required.

72 hours — absolute maximum. PEP is a 28-day antiretroviral course that prevents HIV infection if started within 72h of exposure, ideally within 24h. It is the one sexual-health decision that cannot wait.

Thamel Clinic provides confidential same-day STI testing for travelers — HIV 4th-gen, syphilis, chlamydia/gonorrhea NAAT, Hep B/C — results in under an hour for most tests, English reports, $40 consult.

Yes — the majority of chlamydia, throat/rectal gonorrhea, HPV, and trichomoniasis infections are completely asymptomatic. Feeling fine proves nothing — only testing does.

Yes. All of our physicians and clinical nurses speak fluent English, and all medical reports, lab results, and prescription labels are written in plain English. We also speak Nepali, Hindi, and conversational German and French.

We are located on Chaksibari Marg in central Thamel, 120 meters (a 2-minute walk) east of the Kathmandu Guest House main gate, opposite Nirvana Garden. Ground-floor access is available for patients with ankle sprains or fatigue.

From Tribhuvan Airport (TIA) take a prepaid taxi or Pathao/InDrive (~25–40 min, NPR 800–1,200) to Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel — we are 120m east on Chaksibari Marg. From the tourist bus parks (Sorhakhutte/Kantipath) it is a 10–15 minute walk. Show drivers: चाक्सीबारी मार्ग, ठमेल.

Treat it as seriously as your own illness — they face the same altitude. Never send a sick porter down alone; accompany them. Registered-agency porters have mandatory insurance. Basic health checks for your porter are free at our clinic.

Eastward is the hardest direction — Kathmandu is UTC+5:45. Shift your sleep 30–60 min earlier nightly before departure, stay awake until ~9 PM Nepal time on day 1, get daylight immediately, and consider 0.5–3mg melatonin at Nepal bedtime for a few nights.

Ask directly each evening in a tone that permits a real answer — porters hide illness to keep the job. Never send a sick porter down alone. Registered-agency porters have mandatory insurance. Basic porter health checks are free at our clinic.

Most major trekking routes now require a licensed guide under the 2023 regulation — Annapurna, Everest, Langtang included. Poon Hill and Kathmandu valley hikes remain possible solo. Restricted areas (Mustang, Manaslu) have always required guides. Check with your agency for current enforcement.

Limited — most "health posts" are staffed by nurses, not physicians. The exceptions are HRA aid posts at Pheriche (EBC route) and Manang (Annapurna Circuit) staffed by altitude-medicine physicians. Everything else is basic first aid — for anything serious, you're looking at evacuation.

Kathmandu and Pokhara Lakeside are partially accessible — flat promenades, some hotels with accessible rooms, ground-floor clinic access. Trekking and temples are not accessible — no ramps, stairs, uneven trails. A car + driver is the most practical way to get around. We do house calls if you can't reach us.

All Nepali airlines have been banned from EU airspace since 2013 due to safety deficiencies — the accident rate is higher than the global average. The Kathmandu–Pokhara route is the safest; mountain routes like Lukla are the riskiest. Tourist buses are a safer alternative for intercity travel.

File a police report first — you need it for the replacement. Contact your embassy for an emergency passport (typically 1–3 days). Have a photo of your passport ID page on your phone. We can help coordinate with your embassy and provide medical documentation if you're also injured or sick.

Hear the bells, find a wide spot, move to the UPHILL side, and stand still. Mules carrying wide loads push everything off the downhill side — standing on the wrong side of a passing train is one of the most common trail injuries. Wait for the whole train to clear.

Yes — Nepal's staple dal bhat (lentils + rice + vegetables) is naturally vegan. The challenge is hidden animal products: ghee, milk tea, egg in dough, meat stock in soups. Ask for "no ghee" and "black tea" and most dishes are plant-based. Bring B12 supplements — no plant sources exist.

Most common medications are available under local brand names — metformin, SSRIs, antibiotics, BP meds — often cheaper than home. But EpiPens are NOT reliably available, controlled substances need Nepali prescriptions, and some formulations differ. Use our medication checker or WhatsApp us to verify.