Nepal Trekking Gear Checklist: What to Pack for the Himalaya

Nepal Trekking Gear Checklist: What to Pack for the Himalaya

The single biggest mistake we see new trekkers make is overpacking. Porters in Nepal carry a 20 kg limit. Most trekkers arrive with 30+ kg of clothing they will never wear. This checklist is what you actually need, based on 20+ years of running Himalayan treks.

The core principle: layers

Nepal's mountains span 4,000-5,500m of altitude on most treks. You will start in a t-shirt in sub-tropical valleys and finish in a down jacket at high camp. The system that works is layered clothing - thin base layers, mid-weight insulation, and a hard outer shell - rather than one bulky garment.

Clothing

Upper body

• 3 trekking shirts (synthetic or merino wool, fast-drying). Cotton kills - it absorbs sweat and gets cold.
• 2 thermal base layer tops (long-sleeve)
• 1 mid-weight fleece (Polartec 200 or equivalent)
• 1 down jacket (650+ fill power, rated to -10C for treks below 5,000m, -15C for above 5,000m, -25C for climbing peaks)
• 1 waterproof and windproof shell jacket (3-layer Gore-Tex or equivalent)

Lower body

• 2 trekking trousers (synthetic, zip-off legs optional)
• 1 pair soft-shell trousers (for high altitude)
• 1 pair thermal base layer trousers
• 1 pair waterproof shell trousers (essential if rain expected)
• 3 pairs underwear (synthetic/merino, fast-drying)

Extremities

• 1 beanie / warm hat (covers ears)
• 1 sun hat / cap (wide brim or peaked)
• 1 neck buff (Buff brand or equivalent - sun, dust, cold)
• 1 pair insulated gloves (Primaloft or down-filled)
• 1 pair liner gloves (thin merino or synthetic)
• 5-6 pairs trekking socks (merino wool, hiking specific - Smartwool, Darn Tough or similar)

Climbing peaks add:

• Balaclava
• Insulated expedition mittens (with liner gloves underneath)
• Goggles (for snow conditions)

Footwear

• 1 pair waterproof trekking boots - the single most important piece of gear. Must be broken-in (4-6 weeks of regular use minimum before the trip). Ankle support is non-negotiable.
• 1 pair camp shoes / sandals (for the lodge in evenings)
• Gaiters (essential for snow, recommended for stone-strewn high routes)
• Mountaineering boots (B2 or B3 plastic / rigid - only for climbing peaks. Rentable in Kathmandu USD 8-10 per day.)

Sleeping

• Sleeping bag rated 10C warmer than the lowest expected temperature:
• Low-altitude treks (below 4,000m): -5C bag
• Mid-altitude treks (4,000-5,000m): -10C to -15C bag
• High-altitude treks (5,000m+): -15C to -20C bag
• Climbing peaks (6,000m+): -20C to -25C bag (4-season)
• Sleeping bag liner (silk or fleece - adds 5-10C warmth and keeps the bag clean)

Most teahouses provide thick blankets, so you can sometimes use a slightly lighter bag than the chart suggests.

Backpacks

• Daypack 30-40L - carried by you with daily essentials (water, snacks, camera, warm layer, sunscreen)
• Duffel bag 60-80L - carried by the porter with everything else. Should be lockable and waterproof or have a rain cover.

The 20 kg porter limit is enforced. Bring a luggage scale and weigh before leaving Kathmandu.

Accessories

• Headlamp + spare batteries (cold drains them - bring two sets minimum). Black Diamond Spot, Petzl Tikka are reliable.
• Polarised sunglasses UV400 (cat 4 with side-shields for snow / high altitude). Glacier glasses essential above 5,000m.
• Trekking poles (Z-fold or telescopic - reduce knee load by 25% on descents)
• Water capacity 2L (insulated bottles or hydration bladder + bottle backup)
• Water purification (Steripen, Sawyer filter, Aquatabs - tablets are simplest)
• Power bank (10,000+ mAh for treks below 5,000m, 15,000+ for higher / longer)
• Universal travel adapter (Nepal uses Indian-style plugs)
• Cash (NPR for tea/coffee/Wi-Fi on the trail, USD for unexpected costs)

Documents

• Passport (valid 6+ months, with Nepal visa)
• Travel insurance certificate (must cover trekking to your altitude and helicopter rescue)
• 4-8 passport-size photos (for trekking permits)
• Copy of insurance policy details (in case of emergency)
• Emergency contact list

Medical kit

• Diamox 250mg (consult doctor before trip - acetazolamide for AMS prevention)
• Painkillers (paracetamol and ibuprofen)
• Antihistamines (Cetirizine for allergies, drowsy types for sleep at altitude)
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics (consult doctor - Ciprofloxacin standard for traveller's diarrhoea)
• Antibiotic cream (Neosporin or equivalent)
• Blister care (Compeed, moleskin, second skin)
• Sunscreen SPF 50+ (broad spectrum, water-resistant)
• SPF lip balm
• Rehydration salts (ORS sachets)
• Personal medications (full course - pharmacies above Lukla / Pokhara are minimal)
• Tampons or menstrual cup (very limited supply on trails)

Optional but recommended

• Camera (your phone is fine - bring extra batteries / power bank)
• Reading material (Kindle saves weight - lodges have power for charging)
• Earplugs (lodge walls are thin)
• Sleep mask
• Hand sanitiser (essential)
• Wet wipes / baby wipes (especially for camping treks where showers are rare)
• Quick-dry travel towel
• Plastic bags / dry bags (for organising gear inside the duffel)
• Notebook + pen

What you do not need

These are common over-pack items:

• More than 3 trekking shirts - you will wash and re-wear
• Multiple cotton t-shirts - cotton is dangerous in cold/wet
• Heavy book - Kindle or nothing
• Camp chair - lodges have benches
• Cookware - lodges feed you
• Tent / sleeping pad - lodges have beds (camping treks: we provide)
• Stove - lodges have hot water
• Too many spare batteries - power banks are more useful
• Excess shoes - trekking boots + camp shoes is all

Renting in Kathmandu

Thamel district in central Kathmandu is the gear-rental capital of Asia. Almost everything is available for USD 1-10 per day:

• Down jackets: USD 1-2 per day
• Sleeping bags: USD 1-3 per day
• Trekking poles: USD 1 per day
• Mountaineering boots: USD 8-10 per day
• Crampons / ice axe: USD 5-8 per day
• Hard-shell jackets: USD 2-3 per day

Quality varies. Reliable shops: North Face, Sherpa, Mountain Hardwear branded shops in central Thamel. Avoid the cheapest renters - the gear is often counterfeit and may fail when you need it most.

Sample packing weight

A typical trekker's loaded duffel for the EBC trek should weigh 12-15 kg. Your daypack should add 5-6 kg. That gives you 5-8 kg of margin within the porter's 20 kg limit for shared group items, gifts, souvenirs, etc.

In summary

Pack light, pack synthetic, pack waterproof. Cotton kills. Boots make or break the trek. A good sleeping bag is the single best investment for high-altitude comfort. Most other items are rentable in Kathmandu.

If in doubt, ask your trekking operator. We provide a tailored gear list with every trek booking and will lend you items you do not want to buy or rent.