Visit a doctor before travelling
We strongly recommend that you see a doctor for the latest 24 health advice at least six weeks before your holiday to allow time for any necessary vaccinations etc. Remember to take your itinerary with you to the appointment. For travel health advice, please check
www.travelvax.com.au before departure.
Covid-19 Vaccinations
You may be required to provide proof of Covid-19 Vaccinations when travelling to India, Nepal and Bhutan. Check www.smartraveller.gov.au for the latest information.
Altitude
Some of our tours reach areas of high altitude. Your Tour Dossier will list altitudes reached each day (where applicable i.e. over 3,000 metres). Please refer to this information to satisfy yourself that you are physically able to undertake your chosen itinerary. AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) occurs in some people of varying ages and fitness levels when they travel to altitudes over 3,000m. Symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, nausea or loss of appetite, breathlessness or headache. These usually develop over the first 36 hours at altitude and not immediately on arrival. Usually the symptoms will subside after a day, however; if symptoms worsen you should seek medical advice and descend in altitude immediately. It is recommended to drink more water, non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated drinks and avoid exertion after arriving over 3,000m. Our itineraries ensure you will stay overnight at least 100m below the maximum altitude reached during that day, another effective method for combatting AMS.
Toilets
Toilet facilities are very basic throughout Asia and it is rare that you will find a ‘western’ style toilet (except in hotels). ‘Squat’ toilets are very common in public places and toilet paper is never supplied. We suggest that you carry toilet paper in your day backpack as well as not turn down the opportunity to use a ‘nice’ toilet when you see one!
Drinking water
We recommend avoiding drinking tap water and exercising caution taking ice in drinks. There will usually be a kettle or flasks of boiled water in your hotel room and on-board trains. Boiled water is suitable for drinking and cleaning teeth. Safe, bottled drinking water is readily available for sale everywhere – from small shops, supermarkets, restaurants and hotels. It is not customary for hotels to provide complimentary bottled drinking water. Always ensure that the seal is unbroken.
Travel advice
Before departure, we recommend that you check www.smartraveller.gov.au for up-to-date governmental travel information and advice.
Personal medical kit
Take all pharmaceutical products that you may require on your tour; do not rely on being able to purchase these during your holiday. You will see pharmacies all over India and Nepal, but they stock local traditional medicine and many unregulated brands of western medicine. You are also unlikely to find anyone who can speak English, nor any products with English writing. Consider taking a personal medical kit containing any medication or medical equipment you may need during your time in India.
- All prescribed medication (with a cover note from your doctor for prescribed medication and/or equipment you will carry)
- Headache tablets
- Anti-diarrhoea tablets
- Cold and flu tablets
- Travel sickness tablets
- Lozenges
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- Antibacterial hand wipes and/or hand wash
- Small first-aid kit
If you need to purchase any pharmaceuticals or medical equipment while in India and Nepal – you may ask your National Escort/Local Guide or hotel staff to help you locate a pharmacy, identify medication or to translate from the local language to English. If you need medical attention they will be able to arrange a call from a doctor, usually one who speaks English. However, the decision to purchase or take any non-prescribed (either western or traditional local medicine) is entirely your own.
The staff at Wendy Wu Tours (in Australia, New Zealand and India and Nepal) are not medically qualified. Therefore they are neither able, nor allowed to give any medical advice, recommendations or administer medications