Lhasa Travel Forum

We are hoping to travel to Lhasa and around Tibet in October, perhaps even to Base Camp but we are a little concerned with the high probability of AMS or altitude sickness. Have read all the signs and symptoms but woud like any feedback from anyone including how many become really sick and how good are the facilities there.The trip back to Kathmandu will be by road andI know the passes are very high so is it a good trip back ? Thanks.

Usually people will feel bad at the begainning when they arrive in Tibet. Yes, the altitude of Tibet is more than 3000M. But if your health is good and have no cardiopathy or high blood pressure, you will feel better and better after you rest at hotel for enough time, or maybe you need drink enough water too. Remember: do not drink wine and do not move strongly.
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Lhasa is 3650m, while base camp (EBC) is 5000+m. I was planning to go to EBC too last year, but I didn't go from the advice of a doctor at a Lhasa's hospital. You can get oxygen tanks from Lhasa if you're afraid of getting sick on the way. And ask your doc about Diamox. Lhasa has the best medical facilities in Tibet, and after that it is Shigatse, on the way to EBC. It is many hours from EBC to Shigatse due to the poor road conditions. The hospital that I went to in Lhasa looks like it is from the 70s, even though it is the best one in Lhasa and all of Tibet. Nonetheless, they do provide adequate treatments. Take a look at my story in my Lhasa page.

Hi there,

you should take it easy and get adjusted to the altitude on your first days. I never had any real problems but when I arrived in Lhasa I went to the Potala Palace immediately and walking up the hill made me feel breathless - not only because of this magnificent building, but because of the air. I felt like I never did any sports in my life... So take it slowly in the beginning and I think you wont get any problems lateron.

I think I read in LP that on average one tourist dies of altitude sickness per year - just make sure it is not you;-)

I agreed with all of the above. The amount of time each person needed to acclimatized varies.
The first time I went, we drove from Kathmando to Lhasa after hiking in the Khumbu for two weeks. No problems for me but those people in my group who have not been hiking in high attitude all got various degree of AMS, nothing serious though.
The second time, we flew into Lhasa and we did not hike anywhere piror to the trip. I felt shortness of breath just walking around with my backpack searching for a hotel. My companion was fine but we stayed in Lhasa for 4 days just to make sure before heading out to even higher ground.