When you’re planning to take on a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, like a trek to the Everest Base Camp, it’s easy to become caught up in the excitement of it all. You become focussed on training and packing and planning. Every second conversation revolves around the sights you’ll see and the experiences you’ll encounter. And you’ll alternate between unadulterated enthusiasm and butterfly-riddled dread. And amidst it all, it’s easy to forget some of the most important practicalities. Including how to make sure you’re not hit by ill-health on your travels.

Health Precautions to Take Before Booking an Everest Base Camp Trek

What are the health risks associated with the Everest Base Camp Trek?

While every precaution will be taken to keep you safe while you are travelling with Choose a Challenge, there’s not much we can do to protect you against disease. And travellers to Nepal are at particularly high risk of typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever. Hepatitis and diphtheria are also relatively common in the area. And all visitors to Nepal should be aware of the risk of malaria.

Other frequent health complaints include: altitude sickness; sprains and strains; gastro enteritis; blisters; coughs and colds.

What vaccinations do you need for the Everest Base Camp trek?

Before you embark on your travels, it’s important to arrange a full suite of vaccinations. In most cases, this will include making sure that you are up to date on:

· Typhoid

· Yellow fever

· Measles

· Hepatitis A & B

· Diphtheria

· Japanese encephalitis

· Rabies

And while there is not a vaccination available, everyone visiting Nepal is advised to take antimalarial prescription drugs before, during, and after the trek.

What other health precautions should you take before undertaking an Everest Base Camp Trek?

Trekking to the Everest Base Camp isn’t hugely difficult. You don’t need to be an experienced climber. But. Before you commit to a trek, you should always:

· Speak to your GP to ensure that it is compatible with any underlying health problems. If you have a heart condition, for example, trekking at altitude can be uncomfortable at best, dangerous at worst. Other areas of concern might be severe asthma, diabetes, kidney problems, and blood pressure issues, amongst other things. And the last thing any of us want is to put anyone in danger. So, find out what your body is capable of before you book.

· Organise your regular prescription medications. Arrange to have additional medicines to take with you, if necessary. And ensure that you keep them all in their original packaging with prescription details. This will help to prevent any unnecessary delays when passing through customs. And enable emergency repeat prescriptions to be arranged should your return be unexpectedly delayed for any reason.

· Bring basic first aid. If you join any reputable Everest Base Camp trek, the organiser should carry basic first aid equipment. But it’s a sensible precaution to being your own. So, pack plasters, paracetamol, blister pads, antiseptic cream and wipes, antacids, diarrhoea tablets, sun block, and insect repellent.

Choose a Challenge Everest Base Camp Treks are devised to give you the very best experience possible. This means choosing the best route. Finding the best accommodation. Working with the most experienced guides. And taking every possible health precaution. But there are some things that you have to take cake of yourself. And making sure that you are fully vaccinated, and that travel is compatible with of your existing health complaints, is your responsibility. If you’re at all unsure, speak to your GP. You can find full details of your prospective trek itinerary on the Choose a Challenge website, so you know exactly what will be involved in your trekking experience. And you can contact the Choose a Challenge team if you have any additional questions.

Find out more about trekking to the Everest Base Camp with Choose a Challenge.