We provide authentic experiences to enhance your visit with an in-depth perspective of local life, people and culture.
Health.
Health
Fitness
For tours covering high altitude areas, it is wise to get in a good
amount of exercise before travelling. The rarefied air can
initially make you feel weak, and the fitter you are the quicker
you acclimatise.
Tours that involve trekking require you to be fit and healthy. It
is a good idea to spend a few weekends building up your stamina;
this will help you enjoy the treks to the full.
Insurance
It is vital that you take out health insurance that will enable you
to be treated in private clinics, which can prove to be very
costly. Many of the public hospitals are in pretty poor condition,
whereas the private clinics offer a high standard of health
care.
Basics
- Standards of safety and sanitation in some areas are well below
par and one should be aware and take the necessary precautions,
paying special attention to basic hygiene.
- It is a good idea to bring your own medical kit although it is
not necessary to buy a huge amount of medicine 'just in case'.
There are plenty of well-stocked pharmacies.
- Have a dental check-up before travelling, toothache is bad enough
but is crippling at altitude.
- Take a prescription for extra glasses.
- If you suffer from any chronic illness, check with your doctor
and if possible obtain a letter explaining your disability,
preferably translated into Spanish (Portuguese if travelling in
Brazil).
- To avoid problems at customs, keep medicines in their original,
labelled containers.
Vaccinations
It is advisable to start your vaccination programme as soon as
possible since some require more than one dose and a longer period
of time is needed to complete the programme.
You will need to take your vaccination card completed, signed and
stamped with you on holiday.
Advice and vaccinations change rapidly as do affected areas within
Latin America. Your GP may need time to acquire some of the
following and the Yellow Fever vaccination is administered at
designated centres only. A recent survey has shown that one in five
people travelling to 'at risk' destinations is going without any
vaccinations
Health & vaccination information can be found on:
British Airways Travel Clinics:
020 7439 9584
www.britishairways.com/travelclinics
Masta:
0870 606 2782
International Travel Health line:
www.travelhealthline.com/cicc_supp.html
Fit For Travel:
National Centre for Infectious Diseases:
Foreign Office:
Department of Health:
Hospital for Tropical Diseases -
Vaccination at Mortimer Market Centre, Capper Street, London
WC1
(nearest Tube stations, Warren Street or Goodge Street)
- 020-7388 9600 for appointments.
Tropical Health Advice Line, Pre-recorded message - 09050 567733 (University Hospital 0207-387 9300)
