SpiritofTibet.Tourdesigner:SubodhRanaTelephone:+97714365900Email:subodh@mallatravels.com.np

NEPAL&CHINA|12DAYS/11NIGHTSRoute:Round-tripfromKathmandutoLhasaTypeoftour:CultureandnatureDeparturedays:TuesdayValidity:15May2018to11December2018

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TOUROVERVIEW

Experiencebeingontopof theworld for12spellbindingdays inNepalandTibet.Discovermysterious,enchantingandremotelandsthatwerevirtuallycutofffromtherestoftheworlduntilveryrecently;landsinhabitedbygentle,friendlyandpiousBuddhistswhohavebeenmouldedbytheoftenharshandunforgivingclimacticandgeographicalconditions.This tour is both an adventure and a spiritual journey during which you will see some of the most breathtakinglandscapes,imposingpalacesandmagnificentmonasteriesintheplanet.Tibetwasonlyopenedtotourismthreedecadesagosobepreparedtoexpectabitofadventureregardinghotelaccommodationandotherservices.

TOURHIGHLIGHTS

Kathmandu: Visit the top cultural and historical sites inthe Nepalese capital, including Durbar Square, thePashupatinathTemple, thestupaofBoudhanathandtheUNESCOWorldHeritageSiteatPatan

Lhasa: Explore the Tibetan capital over three magicaldays, visiting the Jokhang Temple, the Sera Monastery,Barkhor Market, the Potala palace and the DrepungMonastery

Gyantse: Pause en route to take in the views of LakeYamdrokandMoutNoijinKangsangbeforecontinuingtoGyantse’s Kumbum Monastery, Palkhor Chode Templeanddzongfortress

Shigatse:VisitthehistoricShaluMonasteryenrouteandthe Tashilumpho Monastery in the city as well asexploringTibet’ssecondcitywithaguidedtour

Tsedang: Discover the area known as the ‘cradle ofTibetancivilisation’withvisitstoYungbulakangPalaceandTradruk Monastery as well as enjoying stunninglandscapesofspectacularranges,beautifullakesandrivervalleys

DON’TMISS!

TasteofTibet:Madefromfermentedbarley,milletorrice,changisamildlyalcoholicbrewthatlookslikemilkbuttasteslikeale,andisdrunkcoldinsummerorpipinghotinwinter

DrepungMonastery:Seenunsandmonkschantandperformreligiousdiscoursesinthisbeautifullydecoratedandlandscapeduniversitymonastery,thelargestinTibet

KhumbumGompa:Tibet’smostreveredstupaisbuiltinthestyleofa108-sidedmandalaandhousesanimpressivearrayofBuddhistfrescoeswithinits112chapels

DAYBYDAY

DAY1|KATHMANDU

Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport,meet and greet byMalla Travel& Trek representative and transfer to yourhotelinKathmandu.Restofthedayatleisure.§ OvernightinhotelinKathmandu.

DAY2|KATHMANDU–PATAN–KATHMANDU(10km–30mins)

BreakfastatthehotelisfollowedbyaguidedtourofKathmanduandPatanDurbarSquare,thehistoricheartofthecity.AdmirefamousattractionssuchasKumariBahal,abuildingrichlydecoratedwithbeautifulwoodcarvings,whichishome

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totheRoyalKumari,achildwhoisa‘livinggoddess’andamanifestationofthedeity,Durga.NearbyisHanumanDhoka,theformerroyalpalace,whoseNassalChowkcourtyardwasthecoronationsiteoftheShahkingsandcontainssomeofthe finestwoodcarvings you’ll seeanywhere. The14th century JagannathMandir is theoldest temple in thearea, itsstepscarvedwithinscriptionsinavariouslanguages.Closeby,TalejuMandirisoneofthelargestandfinesttemplesintheKathmanduvalleyandisdedicatedtothepatrondeityoftheformerroyalfamily,thewrathfulTalejuBhawanu.Seealsothemostancientandenigmaticofthevalley’sholyshrinesisthegolden-spiredstupaofSwayambhunath,whichsitsatop a wooded hill in the west of the city and boasts dramatic views over it and the valley. Lunch is at your ownarrangement.

The afternoon is dedicated to exploring Durbar Square inPatan, a historic city just a few kilometres south of centralKathmandu. This traditionally Buddhist bastion – theymake up about one-sixth of Nepal’s population – is a veritableOrientaltreasuretrovewhereBuddhismandHinduismmeet,creatingafascinatingarchitecturallandscapeintheNewarstyle.Durbar Square is considered tobeoneof the finest urban streetscapes in theworld, the centrepiecebeing thepalaceoftheMallamonarchs,whoruledNepalforsixcenturies.Wanderthisstunningcomplex,whichboastsaseriesofbeautiful courtyards with ornamented windows and colonnaded arcades, temples and shrines, all noted for theirexquisite carvings. Contemplate the square’sKrishna temple andRudra VarnaMahavihar Buddhistmonastery beforereturningtothehotelinKathmandu.§ Overnightonabed-and-breakfastbasisinhotelinKathmandu.

DAY3|KATHMANDU–BHAKTAPUR–CHANGUNARAYAN–KATHMANDU(15km–1hr)

BeginthedaywithbreakfastatthehotelbeforeaguidedtourofBhaktapurDurbarSquare,anancientheritagecity.Asyouwalkin,youcannotbutbeovercomebyafeelingofinnerharmony.Suchistheartandarchitectureandthespeciallayouthere.ThePalaceof55Windows,builtduringtheperiodofKingBhupatindraMallain1754situatedtotheleftasyouenterthroughthecitygate,inspiresadmiration.TheNationalArtGalleryisalsohousedinside.Thepalaceentrance,the Golden Gate known as Sunko Dhoka in Nepali is amasterpiece of repose art. In front of the palace building is amedleyoftemplesofvariousdesigns.AmongstthethreeDurbarSquaresinthevalley,Bhaktapur’sDurbarSquareisthebestpreserved.Later,proceedforasightseeingtourofChanguNarayan,situatedattheendofalongridgewhichrunswellintothevalley,itissaidtohavebeenbuiltbyKingHariDuttain323ADandsaidtobetheoldesttempleinthevalley.ItwaslistedintheUNESCOWorldHeritageMonumentListin1979.Dedicatedtothe‘godofpreservation’Vishnu,thereisnonethatisricherinspectacularLicchavisculpturethanthehilltoptempleofChanguNarayan.Thelavishlydecoratedtwo-tieredtemplewasrebuiltafterafirein1702,buttheearliestinscriptionintheValleydated464ADtestifiestotheconsiderabletalentsoftheLicchaviKingManadevaI,Nepal’sfirstgreathistoricalfigure.Thetemplestandsinaspaciouscourtyard,litteredwithpricelessstonesculpturesfromthefourthtoninthcenturyADoftheLicchaviperiod.ThisgoldenageofclassicalNewariartproducedmasterpiecesthatwereentirelyreligiousinnature.§ Overnightonabed-and-breakfastbasisinhotelinKathmandu.

DAY4|KATHMANDU–BOUDHANATH–PASHUPATINATH–KATHMANDU(10km–30min)

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a guided tour ofBouddhanath, a great stupa is one of Nepal’smost distinctivemonumentsandoneofthemostimportantBuddhistsitesinNepaland,withadiameterofover100meters,amongstthelargestintheworld.ThereareanumberoflegendsaccountingfortheStupa’sconstruction,butitisgenerallybelievedtodatefromthefifthcentury.AllstupascontainholyrelicsandBouddhaissaidtocontaintheremainsofthepastBuddhaKasyapa.BouddhaisaparticularfocusforKathmandu’sTibetancommunityandthroughoutthedaythereisaconstantstreamof people circling the stupa spinning prayerwheels and recitingmantras. Surrounding the stupa are sixmajormonasteries and a host of smaller ones as well as cafes, restaurants and shops selling Tibetan carpets and Newarisilversmiths.LatertransferforasightseeingtourofPashupatinath,whichisNepal’smostsacredHindushrineandoneofthesubcontinent’sgreatShivasites.Thesupremeholinessof thesitestems fromtheShiva lingaenshrined in itsmaintempleanditslocation.ItexpressestheveryessenceofHinduismaspilgrims,priests,devotes,temples,ashrams,images,inscriptions and cremation Ghats interminglewith the rituals of daily life, all sprawled along the banks of the sacredBagmati River. The temple’s origins are obscure, an inscription dates from477, but a shrinemayhave stoodhere for1,000yearsbeforethat.§ Overnightonabed-and-breakfastbasisinhotelinKathmandu.

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DAY5|KATHMANDU–LHASA(90minsflighttime,65km–1hr)

Afterbreakfastatthehotel,transfertoTribhuwanInternationalAirporttocatchaflighttoLhasa,duringwhichyoucanenjoyawe-inspiringviewsofMtEverestand theHimalayas.ArrivalatLhasaGonggarAirport,meetandgreetbyMallaTravel&Trekrepresentativeand,afterimmigrationformalities,transfertoyourhotelinLhasa.Therestofthedayisatleisure.Youareadvised,however, torestandtake iteasy.Drinkplentyof fluidsand letyourbodygetusedtoLhasa’shighaltitudeof3,600metresabovesealevel.Youcangoaroundthehotelareaforlightwalkandsightseeing.Dinneratyourownarrangement.§ Overnightonabed-and-breakfastbasisinhotelinLhasa.

DAY6|LHASA

Settledownforbreakfastatthehotelbeforeamorningbriefingontheday’sprogramme,whichtakesinthreeofLhasa’smost famous landmarks. Begin with a guided tour of the Jokhang Temple, whose origins can be traced back to theseventhcentury.ItisconsideredtobethemostsacredtempleinTibet,apowerplacewithoutequal.HearallthestoriesandlegendsassociatedwithJokhang,whichmeans‘HouseoftheBuddha’,suchaswhythemaingatefaceswesttowardsNepal. The temple is renowned for its irreplaceable collection of sculptures, prayerwheels and other religious items.Architecturally,thecomplexblendsTibetan,Nepalese,IndianandChinesestyles,whicharespreadoutoveravastarea.Continue toSeraMonastery,whichhas nestled at the foot ofMount Purbochok since 1419. Today, some500monksresideherebutattheheightofitsprestigeasascholarlyretreat,asmanyas6,000wouldmeditate,debateandcelebratetheteachingsofBuddha.Themost importantstructures insidethemonasteryaretheGreatAssemblyHall–whichhasfive sensational chapels – the three zhacangs (Buddhist colleges) and the 29 khangtsens (dormitories). At the GreatAssemblyHall,youcanobservethemonksdebatingtheirknowledgeofthescriptures.HeadbacktotowntotheBarkhormarket,whereyoucanappreciate thecolourandvibrancyofLhasa life.Browse thestallspackedwithmyriadTibetanhandicrafts,Buddhistartefacts,carpets,paintings,spicesetcandmaybefindasouvenirortwototakehome.Lunchanddinneratyourownarrangement.§ Overnightonabed-and-breakfastbasisinhotelinLhasa.

DAY7|LHASA

TheshadowofthePotalapalaceloomslargeoverLhasaandafterthreedaysinthecapital,thetimehasfinallycometovisitthis13-storey,1,000-roomfortressthatcrownsMarpoRi(RedMountain)andrisesmorethan300metresabovethecity.A limitednumberof visitorsperday is allowed in thepalace so theorderof the sightseeingmay changebut theschedule is fortheguidedtourtotakeplaceafterbreakfastatthehotel.ToexplorethePotala’shundredsofhallsand10,000 shrines is an overpowering experience; a spiritual, cultural and educational journey into the very soul of thiskingdomofheaven.Asyouareguidedthroughthehistoricchambersofthepalace,youwillseeTibetanartatitsbest–justa fractionofthe200,000statueshere.ThePotalahastwomainsections:theWhitePalace,whichwastheofficialresidenceofTibet’sspiritualleaders,andtheRedPalace,whichisdedicatedtothestudyofBuddhismandprayer.IntheWhitePalace,youcanseethetombsofeightlamasandthemonks’assemblyhall.Lunchisatyourownarrangement.Theday’sothervisitistotheDrepungMonastery,some10kmwestofcentralLhasa.TheDalaiLamaslivedhereuntilthefifthDalaiLamabuiltthePotala,andassuch itboastsawealthoftreasures.This isabeautifully landscapedmonasteryandyoucanobservenunsandmonksdebating,chantingandperformingreligiousdiscourses.§ Overnightonabed-and-breakfastbasisinhotelinLhasa.

DAY8|LHASA–GYANTSE(265km–4hrs)

Rise early for the start of what promises to be an unforgettable journey. Depart Lhasa after breakfast at the hotel,headingsouth-westalongtheFriendshipHighwaytowardsthe4,970metreKhambaLapass.PausebrieflyafterwardstosavourtheviewsofthesacredLakeYamdrokandthe7,191metreMountNoijinKangsang,whosesnowcappedsummitrisesmajestically behind the lake. Continue through the 5,045metreKaro La pass toGyantse, a historic Nyantg Chuvalleytownnestlingatthefootofawalledfortress(dzong)datingfromthe14thcentury.Getafeelforthispicturesquetownwitha visit to theKumbumMonastery and Pelkor Chode Temple complex. TheKumbum’s largegolden-domedstupa–themostreveredinTibet–housesmanysmallchapelsdecoratedwithanimpressivearrayofTibetanBuddhistmurals.Kumbummeans‘100,000holyimages’andthisnine-storeystupaisbuiltinthestyleofa108-sidedmandalaandhouses112chapelswithin.Walkalongthepathwayflankedbygoldenprayerwheelsthatleadstothetemple,andfeelthespiritualitythatpermeatesthisholysite,whichishometoabout30monksfromthreesects.Continuetothedzongand enjoy the panoramic views over the city and valley before heading to the hotel after another amazing day ofsightseeing.Lunchanddinneratyourownarrangement.§ Overnightonabed-and-breakfastbasisinhotelinGyantse.

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DAY9|GYANTSE–SHIGATSE(90km–1hr)

BidfarewelltoGyantseafterbreakfastandtakeoncemoretotheFriendshipHighway.EnroutetoShigatsetakeadetourto visit the Shalu Monastery. This thousand-year-old retreat was once one of the most prestigious monasteries forscholarly learning. It boasts some priceless frescoes of the Lord Buddha and ofMandalas in the chapels. Continue toShigatse,thesecondlargestcityinTibetandsituated3,900metresabovesealevel.ShigatseisdominatedbytheDzongpalace,whichguardsoverthecityfromthecrownofalargehill.ItistheresidenceofthePanchenLama,secondinranktotheDalaiLama.ContinuetothewesternoutskirtstovisitthefamousTashilumphoMonastery,whichhides39chapelsbehinditshighwalls.ParticularlyimpressiveisthehugegildedMaitreyaChapel.Afterwards,visitcolourfullocalmarketsforshoppingandsightseeing.Lunchanddinneratyourownarrangement.§ Overnightonabed-and-breakfastbasisinhotelinShigatse.

DAY10|SHIGATSE–TSEDANG(350km–6hrs)

Afterbreakfastat thehotel,depart forTsedang, drivingnorthalong theRiverYarlongvalley.Passby the7,191metreNoijinKangsangholymountainaswellasoneofhighestandmostpopularrailwaylinesintheplanetandthroughremotevillages.StopenrouteatDranangtovisittheSamyeGompa,oneofthemostmagnificentmonasteriesinTibet.Datingfromtheeighthcentury,itwasdesignedtobeanearthlyrepresentationoftheuniverse.ContinuetoTsedangforcheck-inatthehotel.Lunchanddinneratownarrangement.§ Overnightonabed-and-breakfastbasisinhotelinTsedang.

DAY11|TSEDANG

BreakfastatthehotelisfollowedbyadayexploringthemainattractionsinTsedanganditshinterland.VisitYungbulakangPalace,whosecolourfulnamemeans‘thepalaceonthelegofadoe’.ThecastleisfamedforthelegendsassociatedwithitanditscollectionofstatuesofancientTibetankingsasmuchasitsimposinglocationatopahilloverlookingthecity.TheviewsofTsedangfromthepalaceareawe-inspiring.ContinuetotheTradrukMonasteryintheoutskirtstoadmireitspricelesscollectionofTibetanart,includingathangkadecoratedwith30,000pearlsaswellasgemstonesuchdiamonds,sapphiresandrubies,anda‘talking’statue.Legendhasitthatthemonasterywasfoundedafteranancientcalledonagiantfalcontoslayafive-headeddragon,henceitsname,whichmeans‘falconconqueringadragon’.Lunchatownarrangement.Farewelldinneratalocalrestaurant.§ Overnightonabed-and-breakfastbasisinhotelinTsedang.Dinnerincluded.

DAY12|TSEDANG–LHASAAIRPORT(65km–1hr)

EnjoybreakfastatthehotelbeforedepartingLhasafortransfertotheairportforyouronwardtravelarrangements.§ Breakfastincluded.

ENDOFSERVICES

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INCLUDED

TOURGUIDE:§ OperatedwithEnglish-speakingguide/escortinKathmanduandLhasa

ACCOMMODATION:§ Fournightsonabed-and-breakfastbasisKathmanduandsevennightsonabed-and-breakfastbasisinTibet

MEALS:§ Breakfastfromday2today12andfarewelldinneronday11

TRANSPORT:§ Allnecessaryarrivalanddeparturetransfersbyeithermini-van,mini-busorcoach,dependingonnumberofguests

ENTRANCEFEESANDACTIVITIES:§ Admissiontoallmajormonumentsandsightseeingattractionsmentionedabove,TibetTravelPermit,briefingbyTibet

expert, informationpackandgiftpackwithprayerflagorstringofflagandpaperprayerlungta(foruseintemplesandhighpasses,whereuseisbelievedtobringgoodfortuneandlonglife)

NOTINCLUDED

§ NepalandTibetvisafees(seetermsandconditionsbelow)§ Expendituresofapersonalnature,drinksandmealsoritemsnotstatedexplicitlyintheprogramme§ Anyalcoholicandnon-alcoholicdrinks,mineralwater,camera/videocamerafee(ifany)§ AnytourmanagerfromNepalforTibettour§ Anyvisitnotmentionedintheprogramme§ Optionaltoursandactivities§ TravelInsurance,anylossorextracostarisingduetounforeseencircumstancessuchasflightdelays,accidents,etc

RATES

Packageratesperpersonsharingtwin/doubleroominUSdollars(USD)

Validity Sharingtwin/double Singlesupplement

15May2018to11December2018 1165 375

THIRDPERSON/CHILDPOLICY

Thistourisstronglynotrecommendedforchildrenunder5yearsofage:§ 50%oftourpriceplusvisafeesforchildaged6-12yearssharingabedwithparents§ 75%oftourpriceplusvisafeesforchildaged6-12yearswithanextrabed§ Childrenolderthan12yearsofage,asperadultrate

DEPARTUREDATES

Thereareguaranteeddeparturesforprogrammesonthedateshighlightedbelow

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ACCOMMODATIONOPTIONS

Day Destination Hotel/resort Category

1-4 Kathmandu ApsaraBoutiqueHotelorsimilar 3*

5-7 Lhasa HotelYakorsimilar 3*

8 Gyantse HotelYetiorsimilar 3*

9 Shigatse HotelManasarovarorsimilar 3*

10-11 Tsedang HotelYarlungorsimilar 3*

TERMSANDCONDITIONS

§ Hotelearlycheck-in,latecheck-out,connectingoradjoiningroomsaresubjecttoavailabilityandarenotguaranteed§ Norefundforunusedservices.Splittingofpackageisnotallowed§ Minimum 35 days before tour departure date all the relevant documents and full payments must be received.

Bookingsreceivedlessthan35daysbeforetourdeparturearesubjecttoseatavailability(Release:35days)§ Pleasenotethatlocalconditionsprevalentatthetimeoftravelmayresultinmodificationstotourcontentswithout

priornotice§ TheaboveratesarevalidforS-I-Cbasiswithaminimumof02payingpax§ InsuranceofanynatureisnotincludedinthetourpricesquotedbyMallaTravel.Travellersbooktoursattheirown

personalrisk.ItisrecommendedthatpersonalinsurancebetakenwhentravellinginNepalandtheHimalayanregion§ Alltourarrangements,whichmaybeguaranteed,aresubjecttoMallaTravel’sinabilitytoprovidethesameasaresult

ofactsofGod,actsofgovernmentsorsuchauthorities,wars,hostilities,civildisturbances,strikes,riots,epidemics,quarantines,delays in constructionor completionofhotelsor facilities,or as a resultof anyother causesbeyondMallaTravel’scontrol.MallaTravelshallincurnoliabilitytoprovideanyservicesconfirmedifsuchinabilityisduetoanyofthecauseslistedaboveandnorefundshallbemadeonthepartorfullpaymentsreceivedbyMallaTravel&TrekServices

VISARULESANDFEES

§ IntheeventofenteringTibetviaKathmandu,visitorsmustspendatleasttwonightsinKathmanduforfinalprocessingof Tibet visa as per the visaworking days at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu:Monday, Tuesday,Wednesday,ThursdayandFriday.ForustoapplyforaChinesevisaforyou,weneed:

§ Colourpassportsizephoto§ ChineseEmbassyvisaform(dulyfilledbyeachvisitor)§ Colour,clearscannedcopyofpassportmustbeprovidedtousatleast30dayspriortothearrival

§ ATibet visawill alsobe valid forChina. If travellingonward toChina, please let us knowprogramme inChinaandlengthofstayinordertoapplyforavisaasperdurationanditineraryofvisit

§ Supplement charge of Tibet visa feewill be as follows,whichwe need to collect in USD bank notes directly fromclientsuponarrivalasChineseEmbassyrequirespaymentsforvisaincash:

§ UnitedStatesnationals:USD175.00perperson§ Romaniannationals:USD90.00perperson§ Othernationals:USD85.00perperson

§ Abovecostsarenet,non-commissionableandinclusiveofallgovernmenttaxesandservicecharges.TheaboveratesarevalidfromMaytoNovember2018

CANCELLATIONPOLICY

§ 34to30dayspriortotraveldate,20%ofpackagepricewillbecharged§ 29to22dayspriortotraveldate,30%ofpackagepricewillbecharged§ 21to15dayspriortotraveldate,60%ofpackagepricewillbecharged§ 14to7dayspriortotraveldate,85%ofpackagepricewillbecharged§ 6to3dayspriortotraveldate,90%ofpackagepricewillbecharged§ Lessthan2dayspriortotraveldateorno-show,95%ofpackagepricewillbecharged

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OPTIONALEXTRAS

§ Yakride:USS5.00perperson;andTibetanmastiffdogencounter,includingtakingphotos:USD4.00perperson§ MountainFlightinKathmandutoseeMt.Everest:USD197.00perperson(Min02paxrequired)§ AdditionalnightaccommodationinKathmandu:

o Single:USD50.00perroompernightonbed-and-breakfastbasiso Double:USD50.00perroompernightonbed-and-breakfastbasis

§ AdditionaltransferandguideinKathmandu:o Airporttransfers:USD12.00percarpertransfero Guide:USD15.00perguidepertransfer

PAYMENTTERMS

§ Prepaymentof50%attimeofbookingwithremainingpaymentdue35dayspriortoarrival§ Weneedtoreceivefullamountbilledatthebankbelowwhentransferringyourpayment.Unless instructedbythe

party making the payment, the bank will deduct the bank charge when we receive the payment. We have notincluded such a provision and shall invoice you the exact amount deducted in case of the bank making such adeductionAccountholder: MallaTravel&TrekServicesPvtLtdBank: HimalayanBankLimitedAccountnumber: 01901934880049(forUSD)and01901934880138(forEUR)Swiftcode: HIMANPKACustomerisliableforanybankcharges

OPTIONALEXTRAS

Awide rangeofoptionalexcursionsandpreandpost-programmeextensionsareavailableon request.Pleaseask tourdesignerSubodhRanaforratesandconditions

RECOMMENDATIONS

AcclimatisationisveryimportantduetotheveryhighaltitudeatwhichmostofTibetis.Youmaybelikelytoexperiencesome of theminor symptoms and discomforts of altitude sickness (AMS) such as headaches,mild nausea and loss ofappetite,untilyourbodyadjuststotheelevation.Thiscantakefromafewhourstoacoupleofdays,dependingontheindividual.Donotexertyourselfanddrinkplentyofnon-alcoholicliquids.Itisveryimportanttodrinkatleast4-5litresofliquidsdailytoavoidanyaltitudesickness;thisisprobablythebestremedy.WesuggestthatyouconsultwithyourGPoraspecialistonwhethermedicationmaybeadvisableforyou.