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GUIDES · SCENARIOS · HEALTH · CRITICAL · REVIEWED APR 2026

Mild AMS (acute mountain sickness) first response.

You develop a mild headache, nausea, dizziness or loss of appetite above roughly 2,500m within 6–24 hours of arrival. Stop ascending. Rest at the current altitude for 24–48 hours. Hydrate aggressively. If symptoms worsen or fail to improve, descend 500m and seek medical help. Never ascend further while symptomatic — HAPE and HACE kill quietly.

If this happens, do this

If

You develop a mild headache, nausea, dizziness or loss of appetite above roughly 2,500m within 6–24 hours of arrival.

Then

Stop ascending. Rest at the current altitude for 24–48 hours. Hydrate aggressively. If symptoms worsen or fail to improve, descend 500m and seek medical help. Never ascend further while symptomatic — HAPE and HACE kill quietly.

Step-by-step protocol

  1. 01

    Step 1

    Stop ascending. Altitude is the cause; every additional metre makes it worse.

  2. 02

    Step 2

    Hydrate. 3–4L water per day. Avoid alcohol, heavy meals, sedatives.

  3. 03

    Step 3

    Rest 24–48 hours. Mild symptoms usually resolve with acclimatization.

  4. 04

    Step 4

    Acetazolamide (Diamox) 125mg twice daily can help — consult your doctor before the trip for a prescription.

  5. 05

    Step 5

    If symptoms worsen (ataxia, breathlessness at rest, confusion, cough with pink froth): DESCEND IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait for a stable sleeper class train. Hire any vehicle and lose 500–1000m of altitude.

  6. 06

    Step 6

    Pulse oximeter readings below 80 percent SpO2 at rest warrant descent even without severe symptoms.

Read before you go

Matching rules

  • Triggers at 2,500m+ elevation

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