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Altitude Sickness

What is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) And How to Avoid It?

The high altitude is one of the difficulties to travel to Tibet. But it is not so serious as you imagined if you know it and get good preparation for it.

tibet weather

What is High Altitude?

- High Altitude: 1500 - 3500 m (5000 - 11500 ft)
- Very High Altitude: 3500 - 5500 m (11500 - 18000 ft)
- Extreme Altitude: above 5500 mhas.

When acclimatization lags significantly behind ascent, various symptoms occur. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) represents the body's intolerance of the hypoxic (low oxygen) environment at one's current elevation.

What kinds of physiologic reactions will occur?

- Hyperventilation (breathing fast)
- Shortness of breath during exertion
- Increased urination
- Changed breathing pattern at night
- Awakening frequently at night
- Weird dreams

The altitudes of different places in Tibet

Place Altitude Place Altitude
Lhasa 3658 m
12001 ft

Nyingchi 3000 m
9843 ft

Nagqu 4507 m
14787 ft

Tsedang 3500 m
11483 ft

Qamdo 3205 m
10515 ft

Xigatse 3836 m
12585 ft

Damshung 4200 m
13780 ft

Gyangtse 4040 m
13255 ft

Pome 2750 m
9022 ft

Tingri 4300 m
14108 ft

Amdo 4800 m
15748 ft

Zayui 2325 m
7628 ft

Tips to avoid AMS

- No nerves and keep the good spririt.
- Avoid catching a cold.
- Make sure you have a good sleep before flying to Lhasa.
- You'd better not to take any activities for the first day in Tibet.
- After getting off your airplane at the airport, walk slowly, take some deep breath. Do not do anything severely.
- Ascend to higher altitude gradually. DO NOT ASCEND ANY HIGHER if you feel bad.
- Prepare some AMS pills according to your doctor's suggestion