One of my constant fears of travel is getting sick while on the road. While I was able to dodge many metaphorical bullets while on the road, I got sick in Nepal. Very sick. Hopefully, after reading my story that is incredibly difficult and embarrassing to relive (let alone post online) you will be more equipped to make better sessions than I was.

On top of this slightly embarrassing story, I’ll also touch on the common question “will I get sick in Nepal?” and “can I get sick in Nepal”. Two similar, but different questions for travelers visiting this beautiful country.

Foreword, this isn’t a post for the weak-stomached. This is a story involving sickness and I’d rather be honest. So only read on only if that’s something you want to hear about.

If you’ve ever been sick while on the road, then you may feel my pain, even cringe at this story. I’ve always been pretty lucky with “travelers belly”, one of the first times I got sick while traveling was in Nepal.

The worst part? I had the medication with me the entire time that would’ve ended this ordeal. Couple that with no running water at an orphanage, a 9-hour bus ride filled with dusty streets and potholes and a 4-day hike through the Annapurna Mountain Range, or Poon Hill.

This is one of those times travel was not sunshine and rainbows (there was actually a monsoon-like downpour). Dangerous fevers, seeing stomach aches and a literal definition of shitting the bed.

 

Can you get sick in Nepal?

Short answer, yes, it’s not hard to get sick while traveling Nepal. But that can be said about many countries in the world, so it shouldn’t discourage you from exploring this unique nation and the ancient wonders inside its borders.

So, exactly, how can you get sick in Nepal? Well, for me, I’m 90% sure I ate some semi-cooked food, momo’s, a style of Nepali dumbling kind of. You’ll learn more about my personal experience (and how to avoid it) below.

While it’s very possible to get sick in Nepal, there are a number of ways for you to try and prevent getting sick.

 

Will I get sick in Nepal?

How to help your chances of staying healthy in Nepal, here’s an easy to follow list:

• Wash your hands

Pretty basic one and falls under general hygiene, but when traveling it’s especially important to keep hands clean

 

• Choose your meals carefully

Food is one of the most common causes of travelers diarrhea in Nepal. Choose well-cooked meals and fruits that have to be peeled before eating.

 

• Don’t drink the tap water

Even if the locals are drinking the tap water, it might not be a good idea for foreigners due to our bodies not being accustomed to the local supply.

 

• Wash dishes and utensils carefully

Harmful bacteria can live on unwashed or dirty plates, cups, knives, and forks easily. If you’re not sure if something has been washed, better to be safe than sorry.

 

• Hand sanitize often

Even if you wash your hands well at every stage, having an easily accessible bottle of hand sanitizer can help just before you sit down for a snack.

 

This question, “will I get sick in Nepal?” is subjective. I obviously can’t say for sure you will/won’t become ill in Nepal, but by following these 5 simple steps, you can greatly reduce your chances of sickness in Nepal.

Always make sure you have travel insurance when adventuring other countries – take these 18 travelers for example, travel insurance saved their trip!

 

What is my travel mistake in Nepal?

I visited Nepal in 2017. I flew into Kathmandu with my partner and stayed for a few weeks in total. I’ve never been shown up by so many kids at soccer in all my life. My partner and I booked a tour guide for a multi-day trek through the towering mountain range of Annapurna. It was a great time. Until.it wasn’t.

 

How did I get sick in Nepal?

I’m not 100% sure exactly how I got sick. What I am sure of is that the sanitary conditions in Nepal didn’t help.

I believe it was the Momos, a Nepali dish that is kind of like a dumpling. Coupled with a lack of sanitary conditions, they were slightly undercooked, so the bacteria could have survived. That’s what I put it down to at least. In reality, it could’ve been anything. I’ll never know the cause of it, but I’ll never forget how it made me feel.

Please note: If you do get sick while traveling, and symptoms become severe or persist way long than they should, consult real medical advice or a doctor.

 

My story of getting sick in Nepal

I arrived in Kathmandu in the midst of the first general elections in 20 years. As the kids walked off to school, my partner and I set off to explore this busy city.

But it was deserted.

To prevent ballot stuffing in the election, most vehicles were banned from the streets for 24 hours (This included bicycles). Normally, buses and screaming cars kick up the dust covering the streets. Today, there was nothing.

Most restaurants were closed. This means the hotplates weren’t heated, and cooking took a little longer (or in my case, not cooked enough). Maybe the price tag of 90 cents for 10 momos should have raised a red flag.

A day later, and a day before heading to the town of Pokhara for the Annapurna range trek, my partner and I ingested our very first malaria pill (there was a faint risk of malaria around Pokhara), we didn’t want to take any chances.

Exactly one hour later, it began. The stomach cramps caused me to curl over in agony at times. Instinctively, we both assumed these stomach cramps were a well-known side effect of the anti-malaria pill can have on people.

It was just too convenient not to be a side effect. It fit so perfectly.

So I struggled on the best I could. Trying to be an adult and not poop my pants. There were a lot of close calls. But it was only downhill from here.

Traveling Nepal while sick sucks!

Leaving Kathmandu was a challenge in itself. A taxi sped around the chaotic streets and I had trouble hanging on and keeping my stomach from complaining.

From a building to no running water, to a bus without a flushing toilet. Along a 280km, 8-hour journey with many more.potholes than rest stops.

I passed out as soon as I got to my bed in Pokhara. But it wouldn’t last long as I woke up with a fever of 39.8 Celcius, shivers and so much pain I was on the brink of canceling the 4-day hike – I still think that maybe should’ve canceled.

The four-day trek to Ghorepani, also known as Poon Hill had it’s up and downs (I guess I meant that as a hiking pun).

The first morning, I felt fine in the morning, but exhaustion got the better of me quickly and I was feeling. These “anti-malaria side effects” were really getting the better of me and each day they slowly got worse.

Side note – want a massive page of travel tips for better travel here. Also, check out the running series of Tuesday Travel Tips from travelers just like you!

 

The hike to Poon Hill, Ghorepani will very sick

There were some memorable experiences, ones that relieved the pain. Donkeys crossing a one-way bridge just outside a small village, or stunning vistas of mountain peaks. But nothing beat sunrise on Poon Hill, a short and vertical hike upstairs that was a large-lunge apart.

The third day was an early start, with no appetite I began to feel constantly drained. But as the sun shone light on the Annapurna Range for the first time, it was all worth it. Machha Puchhre, standing at 6997meters high, got the very first rays of the day. Soaking in the peaky vista it was the first time in days I felt good.

The feeling of euphoria didn’t last long at all. I was apologizing for, as a direct quote from my travel journal, “unleashed hell on a western-style toilet”. At least I didn’t have the nervous shakes while using a squat toilet with violent diarrhea like the rest of the trek.

 

Why my sick in Nepal mistake is so shameful…

Back in Pokhara, I collapsed on my hotel bed. I’ve never enjoyed fresh sheets and a hot shower as much as that day. Unfortunately, come 6am the next morning, all that would change. After a deep sleep, my partner woke me and with only a half-hour to be gone, I was startled. I relaxed a little too much and, for the first time in my adult life, shit the bed. Not bad, but I did.

At 30 years, I crumpled the sheets and tried to stick my shame and embarrassment in there as well. Just writing this, it’s hard to type the words, so I guess it didn’t work. I boarded the bus back to Kathmandu and bounced along the dirty, potholed road.

Back in the Kathmandu hostel, symptoms only got worse and worse. Eventually, the anti-biotics were taken and worked their magic. Unfortunately, not before I had disgraced myself two more times with the “poo-poo’s” – the affectionate term given by the hostels caretaker, Maiju.

A lovely lady who didn’t realize her concerned words were also pretty funny.

To conclude this difficult article, shit happens. It really does. I don’t expect to be able to travel the world to places with less focus on sanitary conditions, eat what i want when I want, and not get sick. New spices, enzymes in the water, E-coli, it all exists to make travel a challenge. Without a tiny amount of suffering, the best moments of travel wouldn’t be as sweet.

 

I’d love to hear about your travel mishaps in the comments below.

 

Looking for what to read next?

• To make your next travel planning easy, get your PDF planner here.
• Here’s my first travel culture shock
• 17 travelers talk about the culture shock experiences

 

 

Thanks for reading!

Happy and safe travels,

Ben – Horizon Unknown