When you go to the mountains, the air changes. The higher you go, the thinner it gets, and that means the less oxygen for your body. If you move too fast, your body may not have enough time to recover from the delay, which is when altitude sickness (or acute mountain sickness, AMS) can arise.
Along with the Adventure Tansen Trek, there are excerpts where you will be walking in higher elevations. Most people are fine, but it’s worth knowing what altitude sickness is, what to look for, and how to prevent it from spoiling your trip.
Altitude disease does not choose your victims – this can happen to experienced trekkers, weekend hikers, young, or elderly. The reason is simple: as you go up louder, the air pressure drops, and your body needs to work more to get the necessary oxygen. Although it is not something to panic about, it is something that is worth treating with respect.
The first signs are usually easy to ignore – perhaps a light headache, a touch of nausea, or feeling more tired than usual. Some people realize that they don’t feel like eating, while others find it harder to sleep all night.
If these symptoms are set aside, altitude disease may progress under more dangerous conditions, such as high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). They are rare but serious and require immediate medical assistance.
The secret is simple: go slow and give your body time to adapt. A few tips that help:
First, don’t ignore it. Stop going higher, rest, and hydrate. Light snacks can help too. If a doctor has prescribed you medicine like Diamox, this might be the time to use it. And if things don’t improve — or get worse — head down to a lower altitude right away.
With Adventure Tansen Trek, your safety is always at the top of the list. Our guides have the training and experience to spot altitude problems early and act fast. We plan our itineraries so there’s plenty of time to adapt, letting you enjoy the walk without pushing your limits.
Altitude Sickness is common in the mountains, but you do not need to ruin your trek. With the correct approach, a little preparation, and support from our team, you can enjoy all the steps. Remember – Trekking is not about speed. It is about impeding the views, breathing the mountain air, and making memories that you will take forever.