Manang has a clinic run seasonally by the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), a Nepali non-profit that has helped trekkers with altitude illness for decades. It offers free talks on altitude, medical advice and basic care. This page explains how to make the best use of it.
What the post does
- Offers daily talks on altitude sickness during the trekking season.
- Provides medical consultations for trekkers, for a fee that supports the service.
- Treats altitude illness and other common ailments.
- Advises on whether to ascend, rest or descend.
Altitude talks
During the main spring and autumn seasons, volunteer doctors give a talk in the afternoon, usually around 3 p.m., about altitude illness: symptoms, prevention and treatment. It is worth attending even if you feel fine. It also lets you hear the experiences of other trekkers and ask questions. Times can change, so confirm with your guide or at the post.
When to visit the post
- If you have a headache, nausea or poor sleep that does not improve.
- If you feel breathless at rest or notice swelling.
- If you have a medical condition and need advice before going higher.
- If you are unsure whether to continue after a bad night.
What the doctors will not do
They cannot guarantee that you will complete the trek. Their job is to give advice based on your condition. If they recommend descent, follow it. Never argue with a doctor because of a schedule or a flight.
Supporting the service
The post depends on donations and fees. Paying for a consultation or giving a donation helps keep it open. Carry cash for this.
Your own preparation
- Tell your guide about any health condition.
- Carry your own first-aid kit and prescriptions.
- Know the symptoms of altitude illness before you go. See our acclimatisation plan.
- Make sure your travel insurance covers helicopter evacuation.
If you need evacuation
If a helicopter evacuation is needed, your guide and the post can coordinate with rescue providers. Weather and landing sites affect timing. Insurance paperwork matters, so keep your policy number and emergency contact details accessible.
Questions worth asking the doctors
- Is my headache likely to be altitude, dehydration or something else?
- Should I rest another day before going higher?
- How should I manage my existing condition or medication at altitude?
- What warning signs should I watch for on the pass?
- What should I do if I feel unwell between villages?
Understanding the three types of altitude illness
Acute mountain sickness is the mildest and most common, with headache, nausea and fatigue. High-altitude cerebral oedema, with confusion and loss of balance, and high-altitude pulmonary oedema, with breathlessness and cough, are rarer and dangerous. The treatment for all is descent. Learning the difference before you need it is the most useful part of the talk.
Sharing information with your guide
Tell your guide what the doctors said. If you are advised to rest or descend, your guide can adjust the plan and arrange lodging and transport. Good guides appreciate being told early.
Common questions
Is there a doctor in Manang?
During the trekking seasons, volunteer doctors staff the Himalayan Rescue Association post and offer consultations and talks. Opening times vary.
Are the altitude talks free?
Talks are usually free, though donations are welcome. Consultations may carry a fee.
Should I skip the talk if I have trekked at altitude before?
No. It is short, useful and a good refresher, and conditions can differ from one trek to another.
What our guests say
Excerpts from trekker reviews on our reviews page.
“His professionalism, knowledge of the mountains, and calm attitude gave us so much confidence during the trek.”
