That’s it, you have your plane ticket in hand, ready to leave for the land of Buddha. To fully enjoy what Nepal has to offer, you must avoid catching the infamous turista, a travel souvenir that is best left uncollected.

Despite the fact that Kathmandu, at least the Thamel district, has become very Westernized, Nepal remains a poor country with a sewage system. If you want to enjoy your trip or volunteer work, a few precautionary rules must be followed.

Always, you will drink bottled water.

Unless you are lost in the depths of the Himalayas with no local convenience store nearby. Always prefer water from a sealed bottle (be careful, if you buy water on the street, check that the bottle hasn’t been previously opened, as it is common for a bottle to be reused). In the event that you are on the verge of dehydration and have no other option but to consume water from a tap, a river, or elsewhere, boil the water for at least a good 10 minutes before consuming it. Tea, which is boiled for a long time, is a very good way to hydrate and to experience local customs without taking any risks. An effective way to avoid getting sick from water is to filter it; there are several more or less compact models of water filters available in the trekking section of large sports stores: in the form of a straw, a water bottle, a clip-on filter for a camel bag, or even purification tablets… You will have plenty of options, and given the very affordable prices, it would be a shame to go without one, risking being stuck on the toilet for half of your trip.

You’ll do without the raw vegetables.

As a good nutritionist, it breaks my heart to have to tell you this, but it is a reality. Unless you eat at a very fancy restaurant where the vegetables are washed with bottled water (not great for the environment, by the way) or if the establishment has an effective filtration system, ordering raw vegetables, even at a restaurant, is taking the risk of ending up with intestinal problems a few hours after the meal. For your daily vitamin intake, I recommend aiming for fruits like bananas, guavas, coconuts… Which you will find at the market or for sale on the street. Be careful, never buy pre-cut fruit and remember to peel it.

Taste the local specialties, in the street, you will avoid.

I know that the small local food stands on the sidewalk are attractive and invite you to step out of your comfort zone, but be aware that hygiene standards are non-existent when it comes to street food sales. How long has this piece of meat been patiently waiting to be eaten? Were the hands washed during preparation? You will see many Nepalis rushing to these stalls between two Dhal Bats, but remember they do not have the same immune system as us; theirs has an army of antibodies ready to destroy any unwanted microbes, while ours, rather dormant, will take time to decide what the best attack strategy is against this new intruder. It’s guaranteed contamination.

You will brush your teeth with the bottle.

You don’t necessarily think about it, but when you brush your teeth, you swallow a sufficient amount of water so that, if it is unsanitary, you ingest enough bacteria to get sick. It is the same when taking a shower, keep your mouth closed. Scout rule.

Your hands, regularly, you will wash.

It’s a rule that should apply even in the West, yet it took a pandemic for us to start using soap and water again before sitting at the table or getting off public transport. In Nepal, they apply this same simple hygiene gesture. We wash our hands with clear water, if possible, before each meal or even snacks, or we use hydroalcoholic gel if it’s not possible. We prefer the use of water and soap, as hydroalcoholic gel dries out the skin, contains endocrine disruptors harmful to humans and the environment (help preserve the beauty of Nepal as much as possible, which is already suffering from pollution caused by some Himalayan trekkers’ waste) and contributes to antibiotic resistance.

With these few tips, you won’t risk getting sick. That said, remember to pack a box of activated charcoal in your bag, which will save you from perilous moments like a stomach ache in the middle of a 12-hour bus ride. Also, remember to make an appointment with your doctor or a medical center specializing in travel to get a small first aid kit prescribed for your trip. Always keep the prescription with your medications in case of a check.

Smile, everything will be fine.

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