How to Pack For a Trek To Nepal

How should I pack for a trek? What is too much? And what is too little? How am I going to carry it all? Which gear and trekking supplies should I buy in advance and which can I buy on the ground? What if I miss out on something important?

If you are preparing to head off on a trek to Nepal, proper packing and being fully equipped is extremely important. It’s worth taking the time to bring the right gear so you make the most of it. Below is a rundown on how to and what to pack for your trek to Nepal.

Clothing

• Foot Wear – Take a pair of lightweight hiking boots which is suitable for walking over rough terrain, offering good ankle support and comfortable over long distances. Good quality fabric or leather boots are recommended. Take waterproof trekking boot – either a Gore-Tex-lined fabric boot or a leather boot with you if you are considering trekking in snow covered trails. For wearing about camp and walking the easier sections of trail, wear sneakers or sandals that allow you to wear socks underneath. Plastic boots are the best equipment for cold conditions.
• Gaiters – To keep your feet warm and dry and wet and snowy conditions.
• Socks – Bring 2 pair of socks , inner one should be cotton or wool based or a mixture. If you prefer to wear a single pair of thicker socks (and some sock manufacturers produce excellent socks which are designed to be used without a liner or inner sock) then these should also be mainly made of natural materials and of loop stitch construction for maximum warmth and comfort.
• Clothes – You can trek in shorts or lightweight trekking pants (a long skirt is an option for women), and a long sleeve cotton shirt,T-shirt or the new Capilene T-shirts if it is warm. For colder temperatures, add layers of thermal clothing. Shell pants and bibs with full-length zips are a good idea if you choose a trip which involves the use of plastic boots and crampons. Carry waterproof outerwear, jacket and pants or bibs with you.

Basic Stuffs

• Small Day-sack 20-30ltrs – Small lockable suitcase / bag for leaving clothes in the hotel while on trek.
• Water bottle – 1 liter minimum. Buy bottled water or ask for boiled and filtered water at the lodges
• Penknife – Swiss army type with tweezers and bottle opener is useful. Do not pack in hand baggage.
• Sunglasses and retainers – Bring a spare sunglasses as they are easy to lose or break. Contact lenses can cause problems due to dust.
• Plastic bags – To wrap you bits and bog in the kit bag so that you will have to unpack less in the evening.
• Torch/Batteries/Bulb – Petzl head torches are more useful. Spare batteries and bulb(pen cells(or AA Size) and SP/HP2(D size) is highly recommended.
• Sleeping Bag – A long zip is the most recommended one. A cotton/fleece liner helps keep your sleeping bag clean. Good sleeping bags are expensive but can be rented easily and cheaply in Kathmandu (Only for treks starting and finishing there), so if you don’t have one you could consider this option.
• Toiletries – The most important ones are toothbrush/paste,biodegradable soap, small towel, smal nailbrush, toile trolls, wet wipes.
• Sun Hat, Sun Cream/Block & Lip Salve – Choose a high factor suncream (Factor 20 or stronger) to protect your skin against the sun at high altitude. A combination sunblock/lip salve is ideal for facial protection.
• Personal First Aid Kit – Plasters, aspirin, diarrhea tablets and also a comprehensive blister kit. (Please do not give medicines to local people without consulting the trek leader.)
• Telescopic ski poles – Reduces fatigue in legs and aids balance on rough terrain.
• Iodine water Sterilization Tablets – Ensures the water you are drinking is hygienic

Accessories

• Money belt – Or neck purse, alternatively zip-pockets. NB. Even bum-bags are becoming a temptation for thieves in some cities
• Calculator
• Passport
• Traveler’s cheques and cash, Credit card, US Dollars
• Travel Insurance Certificate
• Wash bag – Biodegradable shampoo and soap, flannel, toothbrush and paste, comb, small towel.
• Travel plug – Once out of main cities, few basins or baths have plugs.
• Repair kit – Needle, strong thread, scissors, safety pins, rubber bands. etc.
• Waterproof boot polish
• Alarm clock
• Reading material
• Writing material – Paper, pens, envelopes
• Diary
• Cards – Or chess, dice, travel scrabble, travel monopoly etc.
• Address book – For writing those all-important postcards.
• Umbrella -Useful for sun and rain
• Therm-A-Rest/Karrimat – Gives comfort and insulation ensuring a good night’s sleep. Thicker 3/4 length type is the best
• Blow-up pillow – Useful for long flights, road journeys and in your tent.
• Clothes pegs – Safety pins and nylon cord for clothes line.
• Toilet paper – Flat or compact pack.
• Lighter – For candles on trek and burning toilet paper.
• Travel wash – For clothes (please use the 100% biodegradable type)
• Glucose tablets, sweets, personal ‘goodies’
• Binoculars
• Spare batteries
• Earplugs
• Photographs/postcards – Of your hometown or yourself to share with the locals.

Above has been extracted from the original blog post on www.responsibleadventures.com.