Leeches on the Trail — What to Know and How to Stay Comfortable
May 9, 2024
A Natural Part of Summer Trekking — Nothing to Fear
If you are planning to trek in Nepal during the monsoon season, you may well encounter leeches along the trail. We want to be honest about this — but we also want to reassure you. Leeches are a perfectly natural part of the summer trekking experience, they are not dangerous, they do not transmit diseases, and with a little preparation they are very easy to manage.
Many of our guests who come in summer tell us the leeches were far less of a problem than they expected. The key is simply knowing what to do — and that is exactly what this guide is for.
Where and When You Will Find Them
Leeches are most active during and after rainfall, typically in forested areas below 2,500 metres. They tend to wait on damp leaves, grass, and low vegetation for a warm body to pass by. On our routes around Pokhara, the lower sections of trails like Dhampus, Australian Camp, and the Annapurna Base Camp trek are where you are most likely to encounter them during the monsoon months of June to August.
Leeches tend to be most active in the early morning when the dew is high and again in the late afternoon when it is cooler and more humid. Your guide will always advise you on the best timing for each day, and starting a little later on particularly wet mornings can help.
Above 2,500 metres the trail is generally leech-free, so the higher you climb the less of a concern they become.
How to Protect Yourself
Wear the Right Clothing
Long trousers tucked firmly into your socks is the single most effective thing you can do. Leech socks — long, thick socks specially designed to act as a physical barrier — are also very effective and can be bought in Pokhara before your trek. Gaiters add an extra layer of protection around the ankle area.
Use Insect Repellent
Applying insect repellent with DEET to your boots and lower trousers helps deter leeches. Many local trekkers also use Timur — Szechuan pepper — which works very well and can be found in any local market. Salt is another traditional remedy, though we recommend using it only to encourage a leech to detach rather than as a preventative measure.
Stay on the Trail
Avoid brushing against vegetation or sitting directly on the ground in forested areas. Staying on the marked path significantly reduces your chances of picking up a leech.
Check Regularly
During rest stops, give your socks, trousers, and shoes a quick check. Leeches are small and their bite is painless — you often do not feel them attach — so a regular check is the best way to stay on top of things. Your guide will always help you with this.
If a Leech Attaches
Please do not panic. A leech bite is painless and the amount of blood it takes is minimal.
Here is what to do:
- Do not pull it off forcefully. And please do not use salt or a flame to remove an attached leech — this can cause the leech to regurgitate into the wound and actually increase the risk of infection.
- Instead, gently slide a flat blunt object such as a credit card or your fingernail under the narrow end of the leech and ease it off calmly.
- Once removed, clean the area with soap and water and apply a little antiseptic. The bite may bleed for a short while afterwards due to the natural anticoagulant in the leech's saliva — this is completely normal and will stop on its own.
What to Pack for Leech Protection
A few simple items make a big difference:
- Leech socks or long thick hiking socks
- Gaiters for extra ankle protection
- Insect repellent with DEET
- A small antiseptic cream or spray
- A credit card or similar flat object for safe removal
- Quick-dry trousers that tuck easily into socks
All of these items are available in Pokhara before your trek if you do not have them already.
Leeches are one of those things that sound much worse than they actually are. Once you have dealt with your first one, most guests find they barely think about them for the rest of the trek. The monsoon season has so much beauty to offer — lush forests, peaceful trails, powerful waterfalls — and a few small leeches are a very small price to pay for all of it.
If you have any questions about summer trekking with us, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to help.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Enjoy Nepal.
