Visit a doctor before travelling
We strongly recommend that you see a doctor for the latest health advice at least six weeks prior to your holiday to allow time for any necessary vaccinations etc. Remember to take your itinerary
with you to the appointment. For up to date travel health advice, please check www.travelvax.com.au before departure and always seek your doctor’s advice.
Drinking Water
Though most water in the Middle East is potable (excluding Egypt), we strongly recommend only drinking bottled water, and avoid ice in your drinks. Some hotels will provide bottled water in the room, which is suitable for drinking and cleaning teeth. Bottled drinking water, soft drinks and beer are widely available and affordable.
Toilets
Most sites visited will have western style facilities however, you may encounter limited, traditional public toilets such as squat toilets or where toilet paper is placed in bins provided and not flushed. We suggest you carry tissues with you, as public facilities may not always supply toilet paper.
Personal Medical Kit
We strongly recommend taking all pharmaceutical products that you may require with you on your tour. Do not rely on being able to purchase these during your holiday. While there are pharmacies in country, foreign prescriptions cannot be filled, and non-prescription medicines will be different from the western brands you are used to. It is also unlikely that the
staff will speak English. Consider taking a ‘personal medical kit’ containing any medication or medical equipment you may need during your travel:
- All prescribed medication (with a cover note from your doctor)
- Headache tablets
- Anti-diarrhoea tablets
- Cold and flu tablets
- Travel sickness tablets
- Lozenges
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- Antibacterial hand wipes and/or hand wash
- Spare pair of glasses/contact lenses
- Small first-aid kit
If you need to purchase any pharmaceuticals or medical equipment whilst in country, 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.
Restricted and Prohibited Medicines
A number of over the counter or prescription medications that may be available in other countries such as sleeping tablets, may be restricted or prohibited in the Middle East. Customs officials may not be sympathetic if you claim ignorance. If in any doubt, check with the nearest Embassy or Consulate before you travel.
You should declare all prescription medications and other restricted items on arrival and also urge travellers to carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
- What the medication is
- Why you require the medication
- The dosage amount
- That it's for personal use
The staff at Wendy Wu Tours and our local representatives are not medically qualified. Therefore they are neither able, nor allowed, to give any medical advice, recommendations or administer medications.