Health & Safety

Your health and safety is our utmost priority whilst on trek in Nepal. All camp food is prepared to very high standards and all tea house cooks have been trained in food preparation and hygiene. Tourism is the main industry in the Himalayas resulting in a high standard being set to keep tourists healthy, safe and happy.

Safety brief prior to commencing trek

Your guide will give you a brief before you start on trek regarding rescues, evacuations if required and how to use your hiking poles to your advantage to minimise the weight put on your knees on the downhills. Also giving you advice on how to minimise the strain on your cardiovascular system walking uphill; they will teach you how to zig-zag your way up hills and you will be amazed at this technique and how it will support you through your trek.

Insurance

Insurance is essential prior to trekking. The insurance cover note has to be presented to Hemingway's Journeys prior to commencing your trek. If you have insurance through your credit card, confirm with your bank that they have provided full comprehensive cover up to US$50,000. This must cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and emergency evacuation. Also check the fine print with regards to altitude restrictions if there are any. We will not allow travellers to commence trekking without insurance.

Helicopter Rescue

If, due to sickness or injury, you need to be evacuated, our team will have a helicopter dispatched and transport you promptly and safely back to Kathmandu, escorting you every step of the way. We have daily contact with our office in Kathmandu to check on your progress and status.

Immunisations

Vaccinations are required when visiting Nepal. Please refer to your "Travellers Medical Clinic" or equivalent to ensure you receive all required vaccinations before travelling.

First Aid Kit

You can purchase from the Travel Doctor or put together your own kit , the main focus is on stomach bugs. A good diarrhoea kit is recommended and a medical booklet from the Travel Doctor advising what drugs to take if the need arises, you don't want a bout of diarrhoea to stop your trek. Many strains of diarrhoea in Nepal are viral and require a dose of Norfloxin to control. More information is given in your travel dossier on booking.

Blisters

Even the best-fitting boots can occasionally create a blister so be prepared and never ignore a hot spot (an area that is a hot friction point) and never travel without a blister pack ie. Compeeds, also known as Moleskins. This is a second skin that will immediately protect the affected area allowing you to continue on with your journey. Don't allow a blister to put the brakes on your trek. Always deal with a hot spot with a blister treatment immediately.

Trekker’s Knee

Often people suffer from a case of trekker’s knee. Using two walking poles as shock absorbers will aid in preventing your knees from taking too much load. It has been proven that each pole absorbs approx 3 kgs off each knee. (Poles can be purchased in Kathmandu on arrival for approx US$15-20 a pair.) We also recommend yoga to strengthen your knees prior to trekking. "Sleeping Hero” or “Fixed Firm” pose is a wonderful healer of the knees flushing the knee joint with fresh blood and oxygen to heal scar tissue and previous injuries.

Water Purification

Many tea houses have water purification machines which is fantastic news for the mountains, getting rid of the mass plastic bottle disposal problem. There are also water stations with safe water along the way but mainly in the Annapurna area……on booking we will give you these locations. The other option is to buy yourself a Steripen and treat the water yourself along the way - another great alternative to using plastics or the not so nice tasting iodine tablets.

We endeavour and encourage our trekkers to reduce pollution and our footprint in Nepal and we can all start by not buying plastic water bottles along the path as there are other options available. At least we try to reduce our purchasing of them as much as possible. On a camping tour, all water will be boiled.