Most visitors to Nepal stay healthy, especially if they prepare before travelling and take a few simple precautions. This guide gives general advice; always speak to a doctor or travel clinic about your own needs.
Quick answer: see a travel clinic four to eight weeks before you go. Make sure routine vaccinations are up to date, and ask about travel vaccines commonly recommended for Nepal, such as hepatitis A and typhoid, and others depending on your plans. Drink safe water, eat freshly cooked food, ascend slowly at altitude, and buy insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Vaccinations
Health authorities such as the US CDC and the UK's NHS publish country-specific advice for Nepal. Your doctor may recommend:
- Routine vaccinations (such as measles, tetanus and diphtheria).
- Hepatitis A and typhoid, spread through food and water.
- Depending on your trip: hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis or cholera.
Yellow fever vaccination is only relevant if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk.
Food and water
Drink treated water and eat freshly cooked food. See is tap water safe in Nepal?
Altitude
Altitude sickness can affect anyone above about 2,500 m. Ascend slowly, drink plenty and descend if symptoms worsen. See our altitude sickness guide.
Mosquitoes
In the lowlands, especially in the monsoon, use repellent and cover up at dusk to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue.
Medical care
Kathmandu and Pokhara have hospitals and travel clinics. In the mountains, health posts are basic and serious cases need evacuation by helicopter. See our travel insurance guide.
First-aid kit
Bring plasters, blister care, oral rehydration salts, pain relief and any personal medicines, plus anything your doctor recommends for altitude or stomach problems.