Light weight and less items are what mountain trails need. The packing list should be tailored as per your requirements and preference, so be mindful while packing, remembering the elevation you are going to conquer in your journey.

Bag Pack

Generally, 50 to 60lts of back pack is good choice to have for the entire trekking. Either for yourself of helpers (porter) a very comfortable back pack means a lot while walking up and down on the Himalayan trails. On any luxury or support treks, your local trekking operator will provide you a duffel bag if you need to protect it from dust and mud. Here is back pack and day bag…20 to 25lts bag is highly recommended to carry as your day pack. 

 

 

Head, Inner, Outer & Foot Wear for Trekking

Be sure of your timing to be in the Himalayan trail. Generally, the temperature during spring and autumn (April, May and Sept, Oct) is warm and moderate so, the weather is perfect. So, light warm clothes with wind-proof jacket are fine while trekking in lower altitudes. You can also see some trekkers wearing shorts (any genders) only at lower elevations. While you are on the higher elevations do protect yourself from the cold. Monsoon (June, July and August) is lovely time as well, if you prepare to walk on rainy days and wet trail. Winter (Jan/Feb) in the Himalaya is heart freezing cold, where temperature drops down closer to -30°C at night. So, well-prepared list will not leave you space to regret when you will be the highest Mountain in the globe.

 

  •  Head Wears

Cap/Hat: Having a wide brim trekking hat or cap is very essential gear while trekking in Nepal. They provide protection from sun and wind.

Beanie: Generally during early morning & from late afternoon, it usually starts to get cold in trekking region. So, packing a warm fleece beanie is a must gear to keep you warm while trekking.

Buff: You can wear buff, neckband or balaclava throughout the whole Everest Base Camp trek. This will prevent you from getting a mountain cough.

Sunglasses: It protects from mountain winds and dusts. Do bring sunglasses with high UV protection & polarized lens.

 

 

  •  Inner Wears

Inner-wears are the most important things to pack while trekking in any part of trekking region. It keeps you warm and sweat-free in entire trek. Here are the inner-wears you need to pack:

•    Warm Gloves: 1 pair

•    Wicking long-sleeve T-shirts: 2 pairs

•    Quick-dry T-shirts: 2 pairs

•    Bra: 3 Pairs (sports bra recommended)

•    Thermal underwear: 2 pairs

•    Underwear: 4 pairs

It is recommended that you go for Columbia sportswear or some other brand of similar quality.

 

 

  • Outer-Wear

Outer-wear is like a protection shield for you in the freezing cold. It keeps you safe from light bruises, cold, and getting wet during trek. So, here are some outer-wears that we recommend for trekking:

•    Fleece Jackets: 2 pairs

•    Insulated Jacket or Down Jacket :1 pair

(Note: You can get jackets on rent, normally $10-$15)

 

•    Insulated trekking pants: 2 pairs (not easy to predict the weather status on the higher part of the Himalayan, so be ready to encounter the rain or snow fall anytime. It is always the best to have pair of waterproof jackets & pants in your bag).

•    Shorts (optional)

•    Gaiters (optional)

It is highly recommended that you go for The North Face jackets or similar quality jackets.

 

 

  • Foot-Wear

Waterproof trekking boots are highly recommended, depending your comfort, you can have either low cut boot or higher cut boot but, higher cut boot is the best. A higher-cut-boot prevents water to enter in your feet as well as it prevents ankle sprain too.

•    Hiking boots: 1 pair

•    Spare shoe: 1 pair

•    Camp shoe or sandal :1 pair

•    Woolen hiking socks: 4 pairs

•    Cotton socks: 2 pairs

 

 

 

 

Precaution: Wear your brand-new boots for some time before heading towards the mountains. It will prevent blistering caused from the new footwears. If you get a blister, quickly take care by applying duct tape or moleskin. 

Tips for gear shopping: If you haven’t carried any of necessary items for the trek, you can always shop here in Nepal. There are both branded and non-branded shops offering varieties if hiking gears and equipment including all the clothes and bags in the streets of Kathmandu.

 

 

 

  • Sleeping Bags

On lower altitudes of the trek, blankets provided by lodges are warm enough but when you ascend higher, the night can get extremely cold.  Try to have lightweight four-season sleeping bag rated to -15°C.

 

 

  • First Aid Kit & Toiletries

You can get suggestion from your doctors or friends who been in the Himalayan region regarding the first aid toiletries that are required when trekking. It is recommended to have following items on the first aid kit. Our guides also carry the basic first aid kits and have acquire the primary first aid training. If you haven’t brough these things with you, you can buy it here in the Kathmandu itself.

  • Diamox (for altitude sickness)
  • Aspirin to reduce fevern headache, etc.
  • Pulse Oximeters
  • Antibiotics for diarrhea
  • Lung Inhaler
  • Water Purifier
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Deodrant
  • Wet Wipes
  • Soap
  • Body Lotion
  • Nostril openers
  • Bandages

  •  Water Bottles / Water Bladder

While you are on mountain keep it is really essential that you keep your body hydrated and generally your body need 3L each day, so try to have water-bladder.

•    1ltr x 1 water bottles (you can bring an extra bottle)

•    1 water bladder

 

 

 

 

Important trekking gears for any High Himalayan Trek

•    Trekking Pole: In order to reduce the impact on your keens while hiking, use a trekking pole. They provide great support & stability on a slippery, snowy trail & steep downhill.

•    Portable charger (optional): You can charge your electronic devices on each & every teahouse but you’ll be charged a certain amount (normally $1-$2 per device). So, if you don’t want to pay every time to charge your device, you can include a portable charger in your backpack.

•    Headlight: Normally you’ll not be hiking at night except for the early morning trek to View Points, so having a headlight can help you clear the visibility in the dawn.

•    Books & Cards: You can always carry a set of cards or your favorite books to keep you entertained on the acclimatization days and in the free evenings. You can also bring along some board games and create a bonding environment with fellow trekkers.

 

Few packing tips:

1.      Backpack & duffel bag should be water resistance, lockable & durable.

2.    Prepare your body before heading to Himalaya, practice on up and down hill trails or stairs of multi-story buildings with bag on your back!

3.    Avoid unnecessary trekking gears.

4.    While carrying the back always tighten the straps, especially in waist, because those lessen up the weight.

5.    While packing back for any trek, follow the ABCDEFG rule. ABCDEFG rule is a very convenient method of packing, which is presented in following way:

·        Accessibility: When packing your bag, you should keep essential items at the top or in accessible position so that you can use it any time easily.

·        Balance: Balance is the major key of comfort while carrying bag pack. Sleeping bag at the bottom, heavy item in the middle portion and light item at the top of the bag is the thumb rule. This helps to balance the weight on the central part of your body and using suspension of your hip belt is will reduce excess pressure on the mid part of the body.

·        Compression: Utilize every space of your backpack properly. Fold your clothes nicely so that you will have more space for other things and have an organized backpack.

·        Dry: Wet items are always heavier to carry, so always have your trekking gears and clothes dry making your bag pack light and prevent from other potential harm.

·        Everything inside: All the trekking gears and clothes have its own purpose and importance so you must protect it. Don’t make you bags look immature and unprofessional by hanging items/ gears here and there on bags.

·        Fuel and food: Some days there may be long distance between one point to another (tea house), but do not worry, you do not need to carry any fuel or any uncooked food on Nepal’s popular trekking trails if you are not camping trekking, carry some dry foods and fruits to keep you going on such days.

·        Good job: G stands for good job. You are safe and sound for any treks if you follow the ABCDEFG rule.