Tibet Travel Forum

hi,

i am planning a short trip to tibet in april. Will be bringing my 2 children ages 5,2. Anyone knows how children react to altitude sickness ? what about adults ?

Thanks

I'm not sure about children, but I assume it's the same as adults. How long will you have in Tibet and where are you going? The altitude will certainly affect how you feel. You will need a few days of not doing much when you arrive. Just walking a few steps can tire some people. You will need to drink A LOT of water and I mean around 3 - 4 litres per day. This will help with the lack of oxygen.

People react in different ways. I have reacted with shortness of breath, low energy, slight headaches and feeling a bit sick. If you start to throw up, you may need to see a doctor who will be able to help you. Most hotels will have oxygen available as well if you feel sick.

The bad thing is that you never know if it's going to affect you! You could be a healthy 18 year old and get it or a 80 year old with heart problems and not get it, nothing is certain with altitude reactions.

So.... just keep an eye on your kids and how they're feeling and keep them hydrated as much as possible.

Tibet is lovely, have a great time!

Probably similar to adults but with a higher incidence rate. Apparently it's not advisable to take children below the age of 2 (or 5?) above 3000m altitude.
There's no hard-and-fast way to know if and how any individual will react to altitude. I've made quite a number of trips to destinations >3000m in the last few years without any major problems, but fell sick on my last visit, to Meilixueshan in Yunnan province, last month.

Rested & drank more water than recommended. Still had severe altitude sickness. Small portable oxygen canisters available in Tibet. Hotel can get some or suggest where to purchase. Oxygen was my key to recovery! Couldn't keep anything down, so vials of liquid Chinese meds were useless. I would have oxygen on hand just in case. Your dr. can give pills to take for altitude sickness. Side effects worried me. Ask him about altitude sickness & children. Impossible to tell who will be effected. Even those previously having altitude sickness don't always get it again. Enjoy trip. Tibetans are fun loving, friendly, kind & special people. I plan to return.

I saw some travellers who brought their children here in Lhasa, it seems to be okay, but children are so important that I don't think you should ask for advice here only, consult your doctor.