Gujarat Global News Network, Ahmedabad

Government of India has issued an advisory for the pilgrims going for Kailash Mansarovar as the number of tourists going through private operators is increasing. It says that considering the great height of pilgrim place and the associated problem of high altitude sickness, pilgrims should take care of certain facts.

Travel Advisory for Trip to Kailash Mansarovar says that most of the tourists interested in visiting Kailash Manasarovar through private tour operators were not aware of the actual conditions in the area and the need to prepare for the difficulties they had to face. The Kailash Manasarovar is situated in a remote area in Tibet Autonomous Region of People's Republic of China, where availability of medical facilities, accommodation, food items, means of communication and transport are minimal.

The travel advisory says that Kailash Manasarovar is situated at an average altitude of 13000 feet above the sea level. Tourists may get affected by High Altitude Sickness and other medical problems, which can be fatal in the absence of adequate medical facilities. There have also been instances of pilgrims being stranded due to bad weather.

The sites are situated at very high altitude. Tourists have to traverse passes which are up to 19000 feet above sea level. The very high altitude coupled with the rarified atmosphere and inhospitable climate and terrain, makes the trip to Kailash - Manasarovar one of the most difficult in the Himalayas. People who are aged, who have previous medical histories of blood pressure, diabetes, chest pain, heart condition or breathing difficulties or who are not physically fit for any reason are strongly advised not to go on this trip.

Acclimatisation is vital physiological need of the human body and must be ensured while visiting high altitude areas like Kailash Manasarovar. Acclimatization is a three step procedure - Tourists should spend 3 nights at 9000 feet, 2 nights each at 12000 and 15000 feet. Tourists may ensure that the tours schedule drawn up by their private tour operators have sufficient time for acclimatization.

Tourists must make themselves fully aware of the symptoms of High Altitude diseases that may affect them during the trip to Kailash Manasarovar and the ways to overcome them. Acute Mountain Sickness is characterized by headache plus one or more of these symptoms, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, light headedness and difficulty in sleeping.

In case a traveler has headache and one of the above symptoms then continued ascent is a major risk factor for developing more serious conditions and may be life-threatening. Therefore, tourists should not ascend further up. If symptoms are not settling or worsening, descent to an altitude below the one where symptoms started is always effective. A descent of 500 to 1000 meters is usually sufficient.

The area has poor infrastructural facilities. Accommodation may be primitive. Tourists may also be compelled to stay at remote places due to inclement weather conditions or disruptions in road and air traffic. Tourists wishing to go on this trip must check with their private tour operators whether adequate alternative arrangements for accommodation, food, water and medicine to deal with such emergencies are in place.

Tourists should go for these tests at reputed hospitals before undertaking the pilgrimage, Haemoglobin (Hb), Total Leucocyte Count (TLC), Differential Leucocyte Count (DLC), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Blood Group with Rh-type, Blood Sugar, Blood Urea, Serum Creatinine, Serum, Billirubin (S. Bill), Serum Glutamate Oxalo Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), Lipid Profile, Urine Routine Examination, Chest X-Ray, Tread Mill Test (TMT), Electro Cardio Gram (ECG), Pulmonary Function Test (PFT), Stress-Echo Test.

Tourists should consult their physician or doctor on what they should carry with them on this trip. Tourists are strongly advised to ensure that medicines carried by them are duly approved by a qualified physician or doctor. Use of any medicines without proper medical advice can be harmful or even fatal in high altitude conditions.

Tourists should avoid alcohol, sedatives and narcotic analgesics during the trip to Kailash Manasarovar as these drugs depress breathing. In case of medical emergency tourists may need to be airlifted to India or to a place in Nepal where hospital facility is available. Tourists should check with their private tour operator whether such an arrangement is in place.

The advisory says that tourists should get themselves insured properly for medical and life insurance since there is considerable element of risk to life.

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