Telling Your Guide You Have Altitude Sickness
The conversation that saves lives at altitude — describing a headache, nausea, and the firm decision to descend immediately. Real Nepali, no euphemism.
The situation
Lobuche, 4,940m. You went to bed with a faint headache; you woke up with a pounding one and a stomach that won't settle. Your guide knocks at 6am for the push to Gorak Shep. This is the conversation that turns the day around — downhill, immediately.
The dialogue
Guide
Good morning. Are you ready? Breakfast is downstairs.
। ? ।
Shubha prabhāt. Tayār hunubhayo? Tala khājā chha.
Tourist
I am not well. My head is very painful.
। ।
Ma sanchai chhaina. Mero ṭauko dherai dukhyo.
Tourist
I feel nauseous and dizzy.
।
Malāī wākāwākī ra riṅgṭā lāgyo.
Guide
I think you have altitude sickness. Have you taken Diamox?
। ?
Tapãĩlāī lek lāgeko jasto chha. Diamox khānubhayo?
Tourist
Yes, last night. I need to descend immediately.
, । ।
Ho, hijo rāti. Malāī ahile tala jānuparchha.
Guide
Okay. We will go down to Pheriche right now. Drink water and walk slowly.
। । ।
Ṭhīk chha. Hāmī ahile Pheriche-samma tala jāne. Pānī khānuhos ra bistāri hi̱ḍnuhos.
Comprehension check
Three quick questions to test what you heard. No pressure, no streaks.
Cultural notes
A persistent headache plus nausea above 3,500m is classic AMS — descent is the only definitive treatment. Diamox helps prevention, not rescue.
Even 300–500m of descent at night reverses most early AMS. Pheriche (4,280m) is the standard descent stop from Lobuche.
Trust your symptoms over your guide's reassurance. A reluctant guide is a guide to overrule — your insurance covers helicopter evacuation, not their tip.
Carry a written translation of your symptoms in Devanagari and Roman script — useful if your guide is the one who falls ill.
Phrases from this dialogue
Each phrase as a stand-alone reference — open for the full pronunciation and cultural context.
Photo: Unsplash
मेरो टाउको धेरै दुख्यो
My head is very painful
Mero ṭauko dherai dukhyo
Photo: Unsplash
मलाई वाकावाकी लाग्यो
I feel nauseous
Malāī wākāwākī lāgyo
Photo: Unsplash
मलाई अहिले तल जानुपर्छ
I need to descend immediately
Malāī ahile tala jānuparchha
Photo: Unsplash
मलाई लेक लाग्यो
I have altitude sickness
Malai lek laagyo
Photo: Unsplash
मेरो गाइडलाई भन्नुस् म सञ्चै छैन
Please tell my guide I'm not well
Mero guide-lāī bhannus, ma sanchai chhaina