🇳🇵 Nepal Healthcare Guide
Kathmandu has several clinics that treat international patients well — CIWEC Clinic and Nepal International Clinic are the most established for travellers — but the trekking regions where most visitors spend their time are a different story. The Everest and Annapurna circuits have only small health posts along the route, and altitude sickness is the most common serious issue visitors face — knowing the symptoms, carrying acetazolamide if prescribed by your doctor, and understanding the nearest evacuation points before you trek is more useful than any amount of hospital research.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 102
- Healthcare system: mixed
- Average GP visit: $10 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: medium
Healthcare overview
Kathmandu has Nepal’s best facilities, including Grande International Hospital, Norvic International Hospital, and CIWEC Hospital (specialising in travel medicine). Pokhara has adequate clinics for tourist care. Outside these cities, healthcare is basic, and the trekking regions (Everest, Annapurna, Langtang) are genuinely remote from any medical facility. Altitude affects visitors in Kathmandu (1,400m) and dramatically on trekking routes that regularly exceed 4,000–5,000m. Having your health summary saved and accessible offline covers the Himalayas, where connectivity above base camps is unreliable.
CIWEC Hospital travel medicine
CIWEC Hospital in Kathmandu specialises in travel and altitude medicine. It’s the first stop for trekking-related health concerns.
Trekking altitude extremes
Everest Base Camp sits at 5,364m; Annapurna Circuit crosses 5,416m at Thorong La. Altitude sickness can affect anyone above 2,500m.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Malaria prophylaxis
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Rabies
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Kathmandu’s pharmacies stock basic medications at low prices, but counterfeit products are a concern, particularly for altitude medication (acetazolamide/Diamox). Buy from CIWEC’s pharmacy or hospital-attached outlets. Trekking routes have no pharmacies after the trailhead. Carry your complete supply, including altitude medication if trekking.
Altitude medication sourcing
Buy acetazolamide (Diamox) from CIWEC’s pharmacy or a hospital outlet in Kathmandu. Street pharmacies may stock counterfeit or underdosed products.
Tips for travellers
Kathmandu’s hospitals provide basic specialist care. For complex conditions, Delhi (Medanta, AIIMS) and Bangkok (Bumrungrad) are the standard referral destinations. CIWEC Hospital can coordinate evacuations, including helicopter rescue from trekking routes. Having your treatment plan saved and accessible offline, with altitude-relevant details clearly noted, helps both Nepali providers and any specialist you are referred to.
Helicopter evacuation from treks
Helicopter evacuation from Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang routes is available but weather-dependent. CIWEC and your trekking agency coordinate this.