# Vaccinations and Health Tips for Nepal

_Published 29 September 2026_

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?](/blog/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](/blog/altitude-sickness-nepal-trekking).

## 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](/blog/travel-insurance-for-nepal-trekking).

## 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.

## Vaccines at a glance

VaccineUsually advised forWhyRoutine (MMR, tetanus-diphtheria-polio, flu, COVID-19)All travellersKeep up to date as at homeHepatitis AMost travellersSpread through contaminated food and waterTyphoidMost travellers, especially to smaller towns and villagesSpread through contaminated food and waterHepatitis BLonger stays, medical work, possible medical treatmentSpread through blood and body fluidsRabiesTrekkers, long stays, remote travel, working with animalsDogs, monkeys and other mammals can carry rabies; treatment is hard to get in remote areasJapanese encephalitisLong stays in rural Terai, especially in the monsoonSpread by mosquitoes in rice-growing areasCholeraSome aid workers and travellers to outbreak areasSpread through contaminated waterThis table is a summary only. Your doctor will consider your health, itinerary, length of stay and previous vaccinations. Some vaccines need several doses over weeks, so start early.

## Common health problems for travellers

### Stomach upsets

Traveller's diarrhoea is the most common problem. Most cases are mild and last a few days. Drink plenty of fluids with oral rehydration salts (Jeevan Jal in Nepal), rest, and eat plain food. See a doctor if symptoms are severe, include fever or blood, or last more than a few days. Giardia, a parasite causing bloating and sulphurous burps, is common and treatable. See [is tap water safe?](/blog/is-tap-water-safe-in-nepal)

### Respiratory infections

Coughs and colds are common, especially in winter and spring, when Kathmandu's air pollution is worst. At altitude, dry, cold air often causes the "Khumbu cough". Wear a buff over your mouth and nose in cold or dusty air, drink plenty, and use throat lozenges. See [air pollution in Kathmandu](/blog/air-pollution-in-kathmandu).

### Altitude sickness

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) causes headache, nausea, tiredness, dizziness and poor sleep, and can develop into life-threatening high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) or cerebral oedema (HACE). The golden rules: ascend gradually, don't go higher with symptoms, and descend if symptoms get worse. Ask your doctor about acetazolamide (Diamox). See [altitude sickness guide](/blog/altitude-sickness-nepal-trekking).

### Dengue

Dengue fever, spread by day-biting mosquitoes, has become more common in Nepal in recent years, including in Kathmandu during the monsoon and early autumn. There is no simple preventive medicine for travellers, so avoid mosquito bites with repellent, long clothing and screens. See a doctor if you develop a high fever, severe headache and body aches.

### Malaria

Malaria risk in Nepal is low and limited mainly to some lowland districts of the Terai, particularly in the monsoon. There is no malaria risk in Kathmandu, Pokhara or the mountains. Most short-stay visitors to Chitwan do not need antimalarial tablets, but discuss your plans with a travel clinic.

### Animal bites

Avoid touching dogs, cats and monkeys, including the famous monkeys of Swayambhunath and Pashupatinath. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek medical advice the same day, even if you are vaccinated against rabies.

## Hospitals and clinics

Kathmandu has several private hospitals and travel clinics experienced with foreign visitors, offering consultations, tests, altitude illness treatment and evacuation coordination. Pokhara also has good private hospitals. In the mountains, there are government health posts in larger villages, and the Himalayan Rescue Association runs seasonal aid posts staffed by volunteer doctors in places such as Pheriche on the Everest trail and Manang on the Annapurna Circuit. Payment is usually required upfront; keep receipts for your insurer.

## Medicines in Nepal

Pharmacies are common in cities and towns, and many medicines are available without a prescription. However, the quality of some medicines can vary, so bring your regular medicines from home in their original packaging, with a copy of your prescription and enough for the whole trip plus extra. Some medicines, such as strong painkillers, may need a letter from your doctor. Pharmacies in Thamel and Lakeside are used to travellers and can help with minor problems.

## A first-aid kit for trekkers

- Plasters, blister dressings and tape
- Antiseptic wipes and cream
- Pain relief (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
- Oral rehydration salts
- Anti-diarrhoea medicine and, if prescribed, antibiotics for traveller's diarrhoea
- Antihistamines
- Throat lozenges and lip balm
- Any altitude medicine your doctor prescribes
- Your personal medicines
- A thermometer and a few pairs of gloves

## Mental health and wellbeing

Long days, altitude, cold and unfamiliar food can affect mood and sleep. Rest days, good food, and talking to your guide and companions help. If you take medication for mental health, bring enough and discuss your trip with your doctor beforehand, especially as some medicines interact with altitude medicines.

## Travel insurance

Medical care and especially helicopter evacuation can be very expensive. Make sure your insurance covers trekking to your maximum altitude, helicopter rescue and medical repatriation, and that you understand the claims process. Carry your policy number and the insurer's emergency phone number. See [travel insurance](/blog/travel-insurance-for-nepal-trekking) and [helicopter rescue](/blog/helicopter-rescue-in-nepal).

## Health on a trek: daily habits

- Wash your hands or use sanitiser before every meal and after the toilet.
- Drink 3–4 litres of treated water a day.
- Eat well, even if your appetite drops at altitude; dal bhat, soups and carbohydrates help.
- Protect your skin and eyes from the strong sun with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Look after your feet: dry socks, early treatment of hot spots, trimmed toenails.
- Sleep warm and keep your head and neck covered at night in cold lodges.
- Tell your guide about any symptoms early, however small they seem.

## Women's health

Women trekkers should bring their own sanitary products, as choice is limited outside the cities; menstrual cups and period underwear are practical on treks. Altitude, exercise and changes in routine can affect cycles. Women taking hormonal contraception should discuss altitude with their doctor, as there may be a small extra risk of blood clots at high altitude with some types. See [women trekking in Nepal](/blog/women-trekking-in-nepal).

## Pre-existing conditions

If you have heart or lung disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or another long-term condition, see your doctor well before your trip and discuss the altitude, the remoteness of treks and your medicines. Many people with well-managed conditions trek safely, but you may need to adjust your itinerary, carry extra medicines and make sure your insurer knows about your condition. Tell your trekking company too, so your guide can support you. See [trekking over 60](/blog/trekking-in-nepal-over-60).

## Frequently asked questions
### Which vaccines do I need for Nepal?
Ask a travel clinic; hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly recommended, plus routine vaccines.

### Is there malaria in Nepal?
Risk is limited to some lowland areas; ask your doctor.

### Is medical care good in Kathmandu?
Yes, there are hospitals and travel clinics.

### Do I need special insurance?
Yes, insurance covering trekking altitude and helicopter evacuation.

### Do I need a rabies vaccine for Nepal?
It is often advised for trekkers, long stays and remote travel, as treatment is hard to get in the mountains; ask your travel clinic.

### Is dengue a risk in Nepal?
Yes, increasingly, especially during the monsoon and early autumn, including in Kathmandu.

### What is the Khumbu cough?
A dry cough caused by cold, dry air at altitude; a buff over your mouth and plenty of fluids help.

### Can I buy medicines in Nepal?
Yes, but bring your regular medicines from home in their original packaging, with a prescription.

### What should I do after a dog or monkey bite?
Wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek medical advice the same day.

### Should women bring their own sanitary products?
Yes, as choice is limited outside the cities; menstrual cups and period underwear are practical on treks.


Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/vaccinations-and-health-for-nepal