Classic:

My wife and I flew into Lhasa from Kathmandu on a Tuesday. We both began taking Diamox on Sunday morning. We arrived at our hotel in early afternoon and didn't do too much. The next day we toured the Potala Palace and dragged a bit climbing the stairs, but otherwise were fine. We stayed in Lhasa till Friday and then continued overland to Kathmandu. Other than feeling like you have a perpetual cold and waking up a couple of times at night, we felt no major effects. We drank plenty of water and had little problems with loss of appetite. We were both in our early 60's when we took the trip. Most of the literature on the subject indicates that everyone reacts differently to the situation. I would recommend that you do look into Diamox. Have a great trip!

Nearly all the tourists entering Tibet have to experience highland altitude sickness, for some the effect is strong, while for others it is just a little. The reaction may various form person to person.It has nothing to do with the ages, sex. Whether you are old, or young, male or female, however, it does have to do with your health status. Here are some of the precautions tips for you to pay attention to before entering Tibet according to previous experiences.

Most of Tibet is high enough to produce some adverse reaction in most people. For the majority of people, the reaction will be a matter of discomfort, breathlessness, poor sleeping patterns or limited capacity for physical exertion. In some, more serious reactions can develop. These can be potentially life-threatening conditions that may only be relieved by moving to a lower altitude; travelers should inform themselves about the symptoms so that they can recognize them.

Adverse reaction to altitude is usually reduced if one acclimatizes by reaching high altitude over a period of at least a few days. For this reason, it is often supposed that driving to Lhasa is better than flying. But the altitudes where nights are spent while driving to Lhasa may be far in excess of Lhasa's 3600m. Roads blocked by landslides or otherwise may require travelers to exert themselves, carrying packs at high altitude, so increasing the likelihood of adverse reaction. Flying to Lhasa, acclimatizing there, and driving out may well be preferable.

On arrival by at high altitude, it is possible that no immediate effects of altitude will be felt. Nevertheless, it may be of great importance not to exceed the lowest level of physical exertion on the first day, and only increase exertion very gradually over the following days.

Most of western Tibet is at least 1000m higher than Lhasa, and is best only approached after several days acclimatizing at a lower altitude.

Tips against Highland Sickness

The reaction may various form people to person.It has nothing to do with the ages, sex and nationalities. Do not believe that taking some practice beforehand may be great helpful to prevent you from Highland Sickness. However, it is really necessary for you to know some precaution tips before planning your trip to Tibet.

1. People with serious heart diseases not go there and people with light heart troubles follow doctors' suggestion.

2. People with high or low blood pressure follow doctor's suggestion.

3. Try to keep healthy and not to catch a cold before entering Tibet.

4. Try to keep healthy and not to catch a cold in Tibet.

5. The first day arriving in Tibet, suggest visitors not take a bath and smokers not smoke.

6. Drink plenty of water in Tibet for the first few days.

7. Tell in time the guide when you don't feel well and follow guide's advice.

8. The sunscreen, sunglasses or dark glasses and lip creams are advised to protect your eyes and skin, for Tibet's high altitude and the atmosphere allow the sun's solar radiation to strike the earth with unusual intensity.

9. In addition to the normal medications for traveling, just like the Aspirin and Ibuprofen etc, you should bring some high altitude medication. Better ask your doctor for suggestions.

To be frankly, most of the people I met in Lhasa didn't have any serious complications resulted from the attitude sickness. Most people had minor headaches only, just remember you won't feel the effect of attitude sickness on the same day you arrive, the effect will usually appear a day later.

So, try to relax on the first day visit, drink plenty (not alcohol, but water) as mentioned above, diamox will ease the effect also.

Also, you can easily buy those compressed oxygen in Lhasa, around Y20 per bottle. If you feel uncomfortable, don't be hesitate to use it, this will ease the effect of low oxygen level also.