Travel Preparation
Medical advise
Tours to the high Himalayas got their special medical risks. It will be indispensable that you are absolutely healthy if you want to join.
Please check with your doctor and tell him that you want to go to the Himalayas. Please inform your doctor especially if your are suffering from heart diseases, diseases of the respiratory organs and blood circulation or if you are having nervous diseases, cramps or fits. We will send you a form to fill in where you should inform us about these diseases also. This form will have to be sent back to us.
It is very important that you will be physically fit before going. Please do some sports during the next months and try to build up some condition.
Vaccinations
There are no vaccinations required for India. However, we suggest the following:
- If necessary, refreshment of Polio and Tetanus. Try to do this soon!
- If you chose to do so, get a vaccination against hepatitis with Havrix. Check with your doctor.
- Typhus could be done just prior to departure
- There is no Malaria in Ladakh. If you want to stay in India after the trip, you should take medicines like Lariam with you. Your doctor can tell you when, where and whether they are required.
Equipment
Following gear is absolutely
necessary:
Good sleeping-bag (preferably down), rain protective jacket,
good isolation mat, wear in shoes and warm
clothes (down jacket...),
water-bottle (& e.g. Micropur for those, who stay
longer), sun cream, hat or head scarf against the sun, day
pack.
Tips for further equipment:
Torch, batteries, pocket-knife, money belt, alarm clock,
sewing things, plant books, magnifying glass, shampoo,
handkerchiefs, contraceptive, tampons ,
diary & writing stuff, tobacco,
sandals or training shoes for the evenings, 1 pair of warm
socks, scarf ...
Medicine:
Sticking-plaster, gauze bandage, elastic bandage; ointment
against sprain, a remedy for diarrhoea
(e.g. charcoal tablets, immodium), sore throat, for wound
disinfection, lowering fever;
electrolyte solution, antibiotic. Tweezers , a pair of
scissors, thermometer.
Other recommended stuff:
Chocolate (-bars), dried fruits,
enough films and perhaps
a plant press
...
During the day the temperature in Ladakh is pleasantly warm.
When the sun is shining one can walk with a T-shirt, or
better with a long-sleeved shirt. At night however the
temperature could drop to 0° celsius.
A day pack for the camera, some clothes and food everybody should have with one, because the animals often go ahead and the luggage is only available in the evening.
All participants are requested to limit their personal luggage to max. 20 kg. The stuff will be carried during the trek by pack-animals, which should not be overloaded.
