Hi All,
This is a bit of a strange one really. Myself and my girlfriend are travelling around asia for 6 months during which we are hoping to get the train from CHENGDU to LHASA and then after spending a few days there going on to NEPAL before haeding back to CENTRAL CHINA. Firstly i was wondering if this is a good idea and secondly i am a little worried about altitude sickness.This is my only travelling worry and i may be being daft but any comments would be very much appreciated.
Thank you all so much,
Anthony
kate_ant
1
mieke_nl
No, you're never daft if you worry about altitude sickness while you have plans to make the journey you mention.
Google medicin... - Meaning: you are not alone with this question.
I've never made the trip myself (with the new railroad), but from what I understand the carriages have oxygen supply for passengers who feel the need. And staff on board the train is aware of the risk that some passengers may get trouble, while others won't. Not all people who come from much, much lower countries are likewise prone to symptoms of AMS ("acute mountain sickness"), or worse.
I suggest you read a couple of those Google-links, to learn more about the early symptoms and what to do against them. And about the situation and facilities on the train. And when you've finished reading up on the Chengdu-Lhasa Express, do some more studying on the subject of altitude sickness. Below are 2 links, for example. Most information is meant for high-altitude to extreme-altitude trekkers and climbers. You and your girlfriend will not be going to such extreme altitudes, but imho it won't hurt to really understand the disease and its symptoms. So you both know what to do, and how to help.
I can't give you any advice re. the required visa and so on,
but have a safe & lovely trip out there!
Intl. Society for Mountain Medicine - Altitude Tutorial
High Altitude Medicine.com - cases, quote "These cases, unless noted otherwise, are collected from the HRA clinic in Pheriche, Nepal, altitude 4250m."
2
pazu
Yes, I think this is a good idea.
No, I don't think you should worry about the AMS, most travellers I met here in Lhasa seem to be okay, just make sure you take enough rest and precaution for the first few days even if you don't feel anything strange.
3
uptherams
Another option maybe to get off the train in Xining for a few days and get used to the altitude there approx 2300m before moving on to Lhasa? There are several things you could do in Xining for a few days, Ta'er si, Qinghai lake etc...
4
losang
There is a person who goes by the name of "vistet" who often posts on this forum about altitude sickness. His information is good and accurate.
5
westwood
The only thing with getting off the train is getting another ticket to continue on to Lhasa. <BR>I was okay on the train but for the first few days in Lhasa I had both loss of appetite and energy. Took me all my time to walk from Kirey Hotel to Banok Shol. Fortunately I came right midway to EBC.
6
vistet
# 3´s suggestion is excellent : stay in Xining for a night or two , and you´ll be a lot better off. Going by train to Xining is probably a nice ride , and moe eco-friendly , but a dead loss for the first twenty or so hours ( i.e. until 2000+ ) - there is no acclimatisation taking place below these altitudes.
Everyone on the train gets extra oxygen , the air is spiked up to 24 % , and without that you would be bad off , the train goes in a mad dash to altitudes between the EBC´s and 4500 . I would call it pretty extreme . The railroad workers were moved up to these altitudes in a minimum four day process.
On top of that you have the nasal thingies with pure oxygen - a cautious approch would be to always use them when sleeping , and at max altitudes.
Elevation curve and more here.
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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