Personal hygiene is very important. Wash your hands using soap before any meals. We provide a bowl of warm washing water and soap at each meal stop.

Toilet facilities throughout Nepal are usually very basic and toilet paper and soap are not often provided - except in hotels and some restaurants. We erect a 'pit' toilet tent at the lunch stop and the campsite. We also supply you with rolls of toilet paper.

It is advisable to carry with you a container of "wet-ones" for cleaning hands during the day. The Nepali people generally do not use toilet paper, they use water to wash themselves. Consequently, the left hand is not used for eating or passing things to each other.Worth remembering!!

Stomach upsets : It is common for many first time visitors to experience some stomach and associated upset for a short time due to the change in diet. This normally only lasts a few days. You should, however take some precautions to minimise your encounter with these problems. Trying the local food is part of the experience of travel but take care with what you eat and drink and from where you buy your meals -ask your guide.

Water: Be very careful about the water you drink. Even some bottled soft drinks can be suspect. Do not drink or clean your teeth with untreated water from the taps or from the rivers and streams. The water may look clean and refreshing, but many a bug is lurking there to catch the unwary traveller. This goes for ice too - make sure the ice is made from treated water. The water can be treated in a number of ways to make it fit for drinking. Boiling the water vigorously for about five minutes is usually enough but remember that at high altitude water boils at a lower temperature and all of the bugs may not be killed. The use of iodine to purify the water is recommended both as an effective and environmentally sound method of treatment. The tablet form is the most effective but you may need something to give a nicer flavour to the water afterwards. The use of bottled water is being discouraged because of the problem with the discarded plastic bottles. We provide you with boiled water for drinking and teeth cleaning. If you are not sure - ask your trek leader.

Food: As for the food - they say that if you can't cook it, boil it or peel it don't eat it. Salads and fruit should be washed in treated water or peeled where possible. Some restaurants advertise the fact that they use treated water in their food preparation. There is no need to become overly concerned but do choose carefully. The food you are served on the trek is hygienically prepared and should cause you no problems. You may experience some stomach discomfort until your digestive system gets used to the change in diet. This should last only a few days.

NEPALI TREKKING WORDS : bistarai - slowly: chitto - quickly: oraalo - downhill: ukaalo - uphill: jumjum - let's go: thakyo - tired