Will I Get Altitude Sickness if I Enter Tibet from Nepal

Altitude sickness is not just limited to those who have never been to high altitudes before, and can strike anyone, regardless of age, gender, physical fitness, and previous resilience at high altitudes. Just because you were not susceptible to altitude sickness on previous trips does not make you immune to the symptoms.

Traveling from Nepal to Tibet means ascending from around 500 meters above sea level to elevations above 4,500 meters, and there is a very real chance that you could see some of the symptoms of altitude sickness once you get up to the Tibetan plateau.

There are two main ways to enter Tibet from Nepal, by flight from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport and by road, traveling overland from Kathmandu to Gyirong Town, via the Rasuwagadhi Fort/Gyirong Port border crossing.

If Go to Tibet from Nepal by Air

Flying to Lhasa from Kathmandu means a massive increase in altitude of more than 3,000 meters in one go, which is not recommended if you wish to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. There is also no chance of acclimatizing at an intermediate altitude, as the flights are direct from the Napoli capital to the Tibetan capital.

All aircraft that carry commercial passengers have pressurized cabins, to enable the air equivalent of sea level at all times when in the air. This means that, from the moment you take off in Kathmandu to the minute that you land and the doors open in Lhasa, the cabin pressure is equal to that of a zero altitude, or sea level. Once the doors of the plane open, the pressure normalizes to that of Lhasa, at 3,656 meters.

When flying to Lhasa from Kathmandu you will suffer from massive increase in altitude.

This huge increase in altitude in one go is the main reason why people that fly into Tibet have a greater risk of getting the symptoms of AMS than those that travel overland. Without the chance to acclimatize at an intermediate altitude, the huge chance in barometric pressure means that the body has to work harder to produce more red blood cells than at an intermediate altitude, which gives rise to higher cases of tiredness and fatigue, as well as headaches, as the body desperately tries to adapt as quickly as possible.

In cases like this, it is essential to maintain your hydration and avoid all forms of exercise, except mild and light walking, as this can exacerbate altitude sickness. Healthy eating, and a varied diet, in small amounts, can help to reduce the risk of AMS for those traveling to Tibet by flight, although there is actually nothing that can really prevent it.

Diamox, a form of Acetazolamide, can help in certain cases to reduce the effects of altitude sickness, and in some cases, when taken as prescribed for a few days prior to ascending, can actually help to greatly reduce the risk of getting the symptoms of AMS. It should be noted that such drugs have no guarantee of working, and you should consult your own doctor before taking them, as there may be side effects in some people that only a physician would be able to predict.

If Go to Tibet from Nepal by Overland

Traveling overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa is a journey of over 1,000 kilometers, with a total altitude increase of around 3,156 meters, which is a major increase in altitude. Making this ascent in one go is not advisable, and the advantage of traveling overland from Nepal is that you will get chance to spend time at a lower elevation to acclimatize to the increase in altitude. The route from Kathmandu to Gyirong Town, where you can acclimatize, takes you through the Gyirong Port border checkpoint, then on to the town itself.

On the Nepal side, Rasuwagadhi Fort is a ruined fort in the Rasuwa District of Nepal, on the border with Tibet. Three kilometers north of the town of Timure in Nepal, it lies at an elevation of around 1,983 meters, and is on the southern side of the Trishuli River Gorge, over which the Resuo Bridge spans the distance to Tibet. On the other side of the gorge lies Gyirong Port, the new overland international border checkpoint for entry into Tibet, which lies at an elevation of around 2,800 meters.

When traveling from Nepal by overland you can gradually acclimatize to the increase in altitude.

Once across the border, your guide will normally take you to Gyirong Town, at an altitude of 2,700 meters above sea level, making your total increase in elevation around 2,200 meters. Altitudes between 2,400 meters and 3,000 meters are the optimum elevations for primary acclimatization to high altitudes that is necessary before traveling to altitudes above 3,500 meters.

Traveling overland, and having the opportunity to acclimatize at a lower elevation, doers reduce the risk of altitude sickness once you reach the higher elevations of Tibet, such as Mount Everest Base Camp (5,200m), Shigatse (3,836m), and Lhasa (3,656m). However, it does not completely eliminate that risk, and there is still a chance that the symptoms may show up as you progress higher on the plateau, especially where you travel to altitudes above 5,000 meters.

Ideally, ascents should be no more than 500-600 meters a day, with a pause for acclimatization each time you increase in altitude by 1,000 meters. However, that is not always possible, since the Tibet tour from Nepal takes you to places you wish to see in a pre-planned itinerary, and time is limited. Altitude sickness can be reduced by a few simple measures, such as remaining hydrated, eating healthy meals at regular intervals, avoiding excessive and strenuous exercise, alcohol, and smoking, and recognizing and treating the milder symptoms as they appear.

Once in Lhasa, or at any altitude above that of Gyirong Town, you should spend some more time acclimatizing to the additional increase in altitude, as having acclimatized at a lower altitude does not preclude you from getting altitude sickness when you go higher up.

Tips for Reducing Altitude Sickness

There are a few ways to help reduce the risk of altitude sickness when you get to Tibet, whether you fly or travel overland. While it is no guarantee, being physically fit does have its advantages. A fit and healthy body can produce the increased number of red blood cells required with less effort than a less fit person, and does have a reduced risk of AMS. You should also avoid traveling to high altitudes if you have a cold or flu, as this means the body’s defenses are already overstretched, and the production of red blood cells can be hampered by the natural defenses against illnesses.

Avoid traveling to high altitudes if you have a cold or flu.

Getting a full medical check-up before you leave for Tibet is recommended to learn of any ailments that may increase the risk of getting altitude sickness. People with high blood pressure, anemia, and heart disease should consult with their physician before traveling to high altitudes, as these conditions can increase the risk of AMS, and if altitude sickness does occur, can exacerbate the symptoms making them worse, and even potentially fatal. Regular exercise and some light training for a few months before your trip can help you to prepare better for the increase in altitude, as the fitter body resists the effects more.

Avoiding alcohol, smoking, and fatty foods can help reduce your risk of getting altitude sickness, and a good, healthy diet once you reach Tibet is another way to help the body adapt better. Knowing the symptoms of AMS or altitude sickness can also help you prepare in case you do suffer any of the effects of high altitudes, and knowledge is a great weapon. If you are able to understand the symptoms, and recognize them in yourself and others, you have a greater chance of a faster recovery, as you can treat the lighter symptoms as soon as they occur. This helps to relieve the effects of AMS, and improve your chances of faster acclimatization.

Learn More about Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is the illness many people get when traveling to higher altitudes of over 3,000 meters, and it can be a debilitating illness that, if not treated, can become even more serious, and is potentially fatal if not treated.

Altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is caused by the lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes. As you increase in altitude, the level of oxygen decreases, making it harder to breathe in enough air to keep the blood supplied with oxygen. However, contrary to what many people think, the oxygen does not actually get less in the air, it just gets more spread out.

Barometric pressure at sea level makes sure that the atmosphere is thicker, and ensures that the oxygen is enough in each breath to allow proper oxygenation of the blood to provide oxygen to all parts of the body, from brain to internal organs. As the altitude increases, the air becomes thinner, or more spread out, due to the reduced barometric pressure, so each breath contains less oxygen.

In order to counter this, the body automatically produces more red blood cells to enable it to infuse the blood with more oxygen. This takes some time, and is part of the natural acclimatization process.

Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

1.Loss of appetite
2.Nausea or vomiting
3.Excessive flatulence
4.Fatigue or weakness
5.Headaches
6.Dizziness or lightheadedness
7.Insomnia
8.Peripheral edema (swelling of hands, feet, and face)
9.Nose bleeding
10.Shortness of breath upon exertion
11.Persistent rapid pulse
12.Pins and needles
13.A general feeling of malaise