Nepal Trekking

equipment & what to bring

Your trekking agency will provide equipment like sleeping bags, foam mattresses and tents. All you need to bring is your personal gear. We've seen porters make in through mountain passes in flip-flop sandals while carrying loads for two travelers. Nevertheless, we want you to enjoy your journey so use the lists (and your porters' muscles) below as guides.

Minimal Requirements

* Lightweight walking boots. "Walk them in" prior to arrival in Nepal to avoid blisters.
* A pair of lightweight/heavyweight trousers are useful higher up in the mountains in the morning and at night.
* 1-2 pair of loose fitting long shorts/skirts.
* 2-4 cotton T-shirts.
* 1 lightweight long sleeved-shirt is particularly suitable for avoiding sun burn.
* A sunhat and ensure it has wide brim to cover the face and neck.
* 2 pairs of thin and 2 pairs of thick woolen socks.
* Underwear: normal quantity
* Swimming suit
* Water Bottle
* Sunglasses and strap
* Toiletries with large and small towels. Toilet paper can be bought in Kathmandu and some village in the mountains.
* Small headlamp and/or flashlight/torch with spare batteries
* Personal medical supplies - don't forget band-aids and twizzers
* Army-knife and sewing kit
* Sun-screen, sunblock, sun-tan lotion, zinc-oxide... get the picture? This is essential in the Winter when skys are clearest.

Winter Requirements

* Warm jacket. Fiberfill or down should be adequate. This is especially necessary during winter from December to February.
* Sleeping bag to -15 C or sleep sheet (if renting or agency supplied)
* Woolen shirts and thick sweaters. During winter months, December through February, These items are essential. Thick sweaters can be purchased in Kathmandu.
* Windproof/Waterproof trousers. Necessity on all treks going above 3,000 meters.
* Thermal underwear. These are excellent to sleep in at night. In the winter months thermal underwear are quite invaluable.
* A woolen hat to wear in the morning and at night. During winter it is an essential item.
* A pair of gloves. Leather with lining and woolen are best.
* Snow Glasses and strap
* Snow gaiters can be essential


Some nice add-ons

* Camera & Film
* A pair of slip-on shoes or sandals. To wear in the camp, in bathroom and toilet tent or when the boots are wet.
* A rain-proof jacket with hood or a poncho. Get the one that is guaranteed waterproof.
* A sweat-suit. Useful for wearing in camp and in the tent.
* Duffel bag or kit bag to carry gear while trekking.
* Daypack. This is a small backpack to carry personal requirement for the day e.g., to toilet items, camera, film, towel, soap, a book etc.
Spare boot laces.
* 2-4 large plastic bags to separate clean clothes from dirty ones. 6-10 smaller plastic bags to dispose garbage.
* Wallet and/or money belt with compartment for coins.
* Spare flashlight bulbs, candles and lighter to burn toilet paper.
* An umbrella is quite useful as a walking stick, a sunshade and for rain.
* Reading materials, game items, music, note book, rubber band, pen and pencil envelopes, a diary, a calendar, a pocket knife, binoculars (optional), A small pillow or headrest (optional) Thermarest (optional) - an inflatable sleeping mat, trekking map, adequate quantities of passport photographs.
* Duct-tape, superglue and small mirror can be handy
* Travel locks and chain to secure luggage and lodge door
* Hot-water bottle - unless your mate's comin' along

Unnecessary Items - reminder...

* Cell-phone, Pager, Lap-top computer, PDA, etc
* Radio, TV, magazines, newspapers, etc

Please Note: North Face and Pategonia type companies own the market in the USA, but many of the above mentioned items can be purchased/rented in Kathmandu and Pokhara. These high-tech companies and there products can make for a dreamy trekking experience when you learn what all thoughs pockets and fancy fabrics are really designed for.

Beware: Virtually all the brand name items in Nepal are Korean knock-offs. Shoes and sox are the essential items to bring from outside the country, if your in the Bigfoot category.

flights to remote areas

Flights by plane and helicopter into and out of the remote areas and airports are prone to cancellations and delays due to inclement weather. It is advisable to allow some layover days while planning a flight out of airports other than Kathmandu and Pokhara. When these flights are considered in the itinerary, it is also recommended to carry extra money to buy food and accommodations in case of delays. Agencies will not be responsible for these additional expenses or costs incurred from lost connections, so plan accordingly.