At Mystic Tibetan Tours we don’t want your trip of a lifetime to be spoiled by health problems. It is therefore in your best interest that before traveling overseas you consult your general practitioner, family physician or a travel medicine clinic. If you have any ongoing medical complaints you should ensure that you have enough medication for the duration of your trip.
Health & Travel Preparedness
Your health and safety are paramount to us at Mystic Tibetan Tours. A journey to Tibet is an incredible adventure, but its high-altitude environment and remote locations require careful preparation. We strongly advise all travelers to take the following proactive steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
1. Comprehensive Pre-Travel Medical Consultation
We are not medical professionals; therefore, a consultation with your healthcare provider 4-8 weeks before departure is essential. This visit should include:
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Full Health Review: Discuss your itinerary in detail, especially the planned altitudes. Disclose any pre-existing conditions (e.g., heart, lung, neurological, or blood pressure issues). Your doctor can assess your fitness for high-altitude travel.
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Vaccinations: Inquire about recommended and required vaccinations for travel to Tibet and China. Common recommendations include Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, and Influenza.
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Prescription Medications:
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Ensure you have an adequate supply for your entire trip, plus extra in case of delays.
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Carry medications in their original, labeled containers in your carry-on luggage.
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Obtain a letter from your doctor listing all medications and underlying conditions. This facilitates customs checks and assists local doctors if needed.
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Travel Health Kit: Ask your doctor to recommend items for a personal first-aid kit, including treatments for common travel ailments like diarrhea, nausea, mild pain, allergies, and altitude-related symptoms.
2. Understanding & Preparing for High Altitude
Tibet’s average elevation exceeds 4,000 meters (13,000 ft). Altitude Sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness – AMS) is common and unpredictable, affecting even the very fit.
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Education is Key: We highly recommend reviewing reputable resources like the International Society for Mountain Medicine’s (ISMM) guidelines to understand symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
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Critical Pre-Existing Conditions: Individuals with sickle cell disease, severe COPD, congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, or unstable heart conditions should NOT travel to high-altitude regions like Tibet.
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Prevention Strategy: Our itineraries are designed with gradual ascent and acclimatization days. Key preventive measures include:
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Hydration: Drink plenty of water (3-4 liters daily).
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Moderate Pace: Avoid overexertion for the first 48 hours.
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Avoid Alcohol & Sedatives: Especially during initial acclimatization.
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Consider Medication: Discuss Acetazolamide (Diamox) with your doctor as a potential prophylactic.
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Recognizing Serious Illness: AMS can progress to life-threatening High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Know the symptoms (severe headache unrelieved by medication, confusion, loss of coordination, coughing up frothy spit, severe shortness of breath at rest). Immediate descent is the primary treatment for severe AMS, HACE, or HAPE.
3. General Health & Sanitation
Medical facilities in remote areas of Tibet are basic. In Lhasa, clinics for foreigners are available, but complex cases require evacuation.
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Food & Water: Drink only bottled or purified water. Avoid ice, uncooked vegetables, and unpeeled fruits from street vendors.
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Hygiene: Use hand sanitizer frequently, especially before eating.
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Sun Protection: The high-altitude sun is extremely intense. Use high-SPF sunscreen, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat daily.
Travel Insurance: A Non-Negotiable Requirement
We strongly require that all guests purchase comprehensive travel insurance and provide proof of coverage before tour commencement. This is not merely advisable; it is a critical component of your travel safety plan.
Your policy MUST include the following coverages:
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Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation: This is the most critical coverage. It must cover emergency helicopter evacuation from remote high-altitude areas and medical repatriation to your home country.
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High-Altitude Coverage: Explicitly confirm that your policy covers trekking and travel at elevations above 4,000 meters. Many standard policies exclude this.
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Trip Cancellation & Interruption: Covers non-refundable costs if you must cancel or cut short your trip due to covered reasons (illness, family emergency, etc.).
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Medical Expenses: Covers hospital stays, doctor visits, and medications abroad.
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Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions: If applicable, ensure these are declared and covered.
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Lost, Stolen, or Delayed Baggage: Provides recourse for belongings or essential gear.
Our Responsibility Disclaimer:
Mystic Tibetan Tours acts as a ground operator and cannot be held liable for unforeseen events. We are not responsible for trip delays/cancellations (by airlines, weather, or political circumstances), loss of personal belongings, illnesses, injuries, or the costs associated with emergency evacuations. A robust insurance policy is your financial and medical safety net.
By traveling with us, you acknowledge that you have sought appropriate medical advice, are medically fit for this adventure, and have secured the comprehensive insurance coverage described above. We are here to facilitate an amazing journey, and your preparation allows us to focus on providing you with an unforgettable experience.
Health Concerns
Altitude Sickness, or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the major concern of all travelers to Tibet. We recommend reading through the International Society for Mountain Medicine’s Non-Physician’s Altitude Tutorial and http://ciwec-clinic.com/
We recommend speaking to your doctor before traveling to Tibet, and inquiring with your doctor about recommended vaccines for the area.
Insurance
All travelers’ visiting Tibet are strongly recommend you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical evacuation, emergency rescue expenses, trip cancellations or any other unexpected mishaps. In all of our tour packages, we will not take any responsibility for any delays, flight cancellations, trip cancellations, loss of belongings, or cancellation of booked trip due to sickness or any other reasons.
