What to carry while trekking in Nepal?
It is very essential to carry the correct clothing and equipment for a safe and comfortable trek in Nepal. Packing too much than necessary or too little can spoil your trip. Thus, it is very important to know what to carry and what not to carry for the trek. The items to carry depend upon the destination of the trek and the weather condition of the trek. While trekking in Poon hill requires lesser warm clothes than to trekking in Everest Base Camp.
In Nepal, most of the trekking starts from the lower altitude in moderate temperature with to higher altitude in cold temperature. In lower altitude, you will be comfortable in T-shirts and shorts and as the temperature falls you will have to put on down jacket, warm pants, hats and gloves. You should always try to keep the weight of the packed trek bag to a minimum of no more than 15kg/33 pounds.
(Note: trekking equipment does not include your plastic boots, ice axe, crampons or harness/carabineers. The climbing hardware will be carried separately from your personal trek bag, in group bags until needed.)
The following are the list of equipment that we suggest you carry while trekking in Nepal. Please remember this is just a checklist and you do not necessarily need to bring everything that is listed below. Use your own experience and judgment to make your decision.
General checklist
- Lightweight thermal tops/bottoms
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Fleece wind-stopper jacket (optional)
- Waterproof shell jacket (preferably breathable fabric)
- Lightweight thermal gloves
- Underwear (4)
- Shorts (2)
- Lightweight cotton long trousers/pants
- Sun hat or scarf
- Warm fleece hat or light balaclava
- T-shirts (2)
- Thin inner socks (4)
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Sleeping bag rated to 0 degrees
- Headlamp
- Small padlock to lock trek bag
- Basic first aid kit (see first aid medicine below)
- Plastic bags ………
- Day pack (35-40litres)
- Camping mattress/ Thermarest pad
- Water bottles
- Toiletries
- Small wash towel
- Footwear appropriate to the trip
- Waterproof shell trousers/pants (preferably breathable fabric)
Trekking checklist
In addition to the items listed in our general checklist, you will need to take the following items on your trekking trip to higher altitude eg, Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek etc.
- Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer
- Down vest/ jacket
- Fleece or wool trousers/pants
- Trekking/hiking boots with spare laces
- Thick, warm wool hiking socks (4)
- Footwear for around camp, eg running shoes and sandals
- Gaiters (optional)
- Telescopic trekking/ski poles (optional
Mountaineering/climbing checklist
In addition to the checklists for general and trekking equipment above, if you are planning on mountaineering/ climbing trip and following various items of mountaineering equipment may also be required for this trip:
- Plastic boots and crampons with front points
- Mountaineering harness
- Mountaineering ice-axe (60-75 cms long –depending on your height and personal preference)
- 120cms (4ft) climbing sling and two locking carabiners
- Telescopic ski-sticks (optional)
- Prussik loops
- Climbing helmet (optional)
- First aid medicine
- Bandage for sprains
- Plasters/Band-aids
- Iodine or water filter (optional)
- Moleskin/Second skin - for blisters
- Antiseptic ointment for cuts
- Anti-bacterial throat lozenges (with antiseptic)
- Aspirin/paracetamol - general painkiller
- Oral rehydration salts
- Broad-spectrum antibiotic (norfloxacin or ciprofloxacin)
- Anti-diarrhoea medication (antibiotic)
- Diarrhoea stopper (Imodium - optional)
- Antibiotic for Giardia or similar microbe or bacteria
- Diamox (altitude sickness - can be bought in Kathmandu)
- Sterile Syringe set (anti-AIDS precaution)
Extra/luxuries
- Binoculars
- Reading book
- Trail Map/Guide book
- Journal & Pen
- Walkman
- Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble
- Toiletries
- Medium-sized quick-drying towel
- Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
- Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
- Deodorant
- Nail clippers
- Face and body moisturizer
- Feminine hygiene products
- Small mirror
Contact Lapha holidays for further information about the trekking equipment and clothing required for your journey in Nepal.