First Aid Kit for Nepal What to Pack

Why Nepal Demands a Serious First Aid Kit

Medical facilities on Nepal trekking routes are minimal above Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) on the Everest routes or Chame (2,670 m) on the Annapurna Circuit. Beyond these towns, teahouses may have basic supplies and guides may have first aid training, but advanced medical care requires helicopter evacuation. Evacuation costs USD 1,500-5,000 and may be delayed by weather for 12-48 hours. Your kit must manage common injuries and illnesses through that window.

The first aid kit for Nepal should address five categories: wound care, musculoskeletal injury, gastrointestinal illness, altitude illness, and common infections. Carry the kit in your day pack, not in the porter's load — if you need it, you need it immediately.

Wound Care

Leukotape P or elastic adhesive bandage — essential for blister management and ankle strapping. Sterile gauze pads in multiple sizes. Triangular bandage for arm slings or improvised compression. Medical tape (cloth-based, not plastic — adheres better to skin in cold conditions). Blister plasters (Compeed brand is the standard). Antiseptic solution (povidone-iodine) and cream (Fucidin or equivalent). Sterile irrigation syringe for cleaning deep cuts. Sterile needle and thread for field-closure of significant lacerations. Nitrile gloves — multiple pairs.

Tweezers for splinter and tick removal. Safety pins. Butterfly strips for wound closure as alternative to suturing.

Musculoskeletal

Ibuprofen 400 mg and paracetamol 500 mg — separate drugs allow combination dosing that is more effective than either alone. Elastic compression bandage (7.5 cm width) for ankle sprains. Knee brace or elastic sleeve if you have prior knee issues. Instant cold packs for acute injury (single-use, activates without water).

Sam Splint — lightweight foam-core aluminium splint that can immobilise fingers, wrists, or ankles and weighs 60 grams.

Gastrointestinal

Oral Rehydration Salts — ten sachets minimum. Loperamide (Imodium) for acute diarrhoea management when you must continue walking. Azithromycin 500 mg (prescription) — the treatment of choice for traveller's diarrhoea in Nepal; single 1,000 mg dose or three-day 500 mg course. Antiemetic (promethazine or ondansetron if available by prescription) for severe nausea or vomiting.

Omeprazole or ranitidine for altitude-related acid reflux, common above 4,000 metres.

Altitude

Pulse oximeter — a pre-requisite for any serious altitude itinerary. Acetazolamide (Diamox) 250 mg tablets. Dexamethasone 4 mg tablets — prescription, emergency use only for HACE. Nifedipine 30 mg extended-release — prescription, emergency use only for HAPE. These last two require medical guidance before departure.

Infection

Antibiotic eye drops for conjunctivitis. Clotrimazole antifungal cream for athlete's foot and skin infections. Antihistamine (cetirizine or loratadine) for allergic reactions. Personal prescription antibiotics as recommended by your travel medicine doctor.

Sajilo-Accessible Medical Care

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, CIWEC Clinic, Himalayan Rescue Association clinics, and various hospitals are accessible via Sajilo for any pre-trek consultations, prescription medications, or kit top-ups.

FAQ

Q: How heavy should a complete Nepal first aid kit be?
A: A comprehensive kit covering all five categories weighs 600-900 grams. This is the appropriate weight investment for a remote multi-week trek.

Q: Can I buy prescription medications without a prescription in Nepal?
A: Most antibiotics and altitude medications are available over the counter at Kathmandu pharmacies at low cost. Quality from reputable pharmacies (those in established areas rather than Thamel tourist shops) is generally reliable.

Q: Should my trekking guide carry first aid supplies too?
A: Yes. Qualified trekking guides should carry a basic kit including altitude medications. Confirm this before departure — it is a reasonable question and a professional indicator.