due to the china visa waiver we r thinking to go Lhasa Tibet tour. here to ask if anyone has experience going there n dealing with possible altitude sickness? no experience with high altitude so wondering if i can handle it? the highest i hv gone b4 might be Genting in Malaysia when young and remember vomitting then :'(
Experience with Altitude Sickness?
Tomato on 12/07/2024 - 20:28
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I was on a mountain at 3400m elevation and felt really off. Headaches and a little lightheaded. On another trip I was hiking up to 4095m so decided to get some Diamox from my GP. It must have worked as I don't remember having any altitude sickness.
Lhasa is at 3656m so it could be worth looking into Diamox?
BTW airplane cabin pressure is usually around the equivalent of 2100m so what happened at Genting (1865m) could have been due to something else.
Genting 1,865m, Kosciuszko 2,228m, Lhasa 3,656m. Do a little research on the best ways to acclimatise. Some travel insurers require additional cover above 3,000m. In Peru I travelled in this order with no adverse effects whatsoever: 2,335 | 3,278 | 3,827 | 2,430 | 3,399
Diamox and slow acclimatisation. Possible oxygen supplementation (very popular in China) and and just be prepared to bail if it's a real problem.
It's not rocket science, tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people have done this trip before. There will be a zillion writeups.
I climbed mount fuji 3776 metres . my tip - take plenty of water, wear a hat, sunscreen.
I used Diamox for the Lares Trek (4700m) to Machu Picchu. No real issues.
Diamox makes most people piss like a horse… that's the typical minor issue.
But at 3500M there's a good chance that it's not necessary if they acclimatise gradually.
If you are flying in from low altitude, just give your body time to acclimatise in Lhasa before doing anything strenuous, or going higher.
No need for diuretics at that altitude.Cocoa leaves and tea are great… Though that's a South American (legal) thing. Otherwise just take whatever drugs from the pharmacy that help. I've done many hikes over 4000m. It's been fine when I can acclimatise though it seems you won't have the luxury.
Isn’t it the coca leaf?
I’ve been to Lhasa and into high altitude places more times than I can remember. Going from sea level into high altitude it will be the first day or two that will hit you because you ascend quickly.
Make sure you drink a ton of water. You’ll pee it out as quickly as it goes in but water will help you immensely.
Also, before you book, check your entry requirements. I went in 2012 and needed a Tibetan permit which my tour company arranged. I had a China visa which got cancelled in order to be issued with the permit to enter the province.
It’s a gorgeous part of the world - one of my favourite places I’ve been to!
I used to work in Kabul (1800m) and would get whacked each time I landed. My legs felt like lead for 3 days before I recovered. Good luck.
Genting highlands are only an average of 1,500m with the highest peak at 1,800m. Highly unlikely altitude sickness was the cause of your vomiting at that height.
Get the medication from your doctor if worried. Over the counter cans or bottles of oxygen, don't do anything for altitude sickness despite being advertised as doing so.
The train to Lhasa has a special oxygen system and passes through some magical landscapes.
Enjoy the trip!
If you’re that worried, see a GP to get a prescription for a tablet you can take. You might’ve vomited when you were younger due to 101 other things such as the local water or food.