Equipment List for traveling in Nepal – Your trek outfitter will normally provide two-person waterproof tents, foam mattresses, and all cooking and eating utensils. You will need your warm clothing, walking shoes, sleeping bag, and personal equipment. During the day you will carry your camera, jacket, and water bottle in a rucksack. The rest of your equipment, including your sleeping bag, will be carried by porters. All hiking will be on trails. You will not need any climbing equipment such as ropes, ice axes, or crampons at any time during the trek. The equipment checklist that follows details the equipment you will need for your trek. Most of these items are available for rent or sale in Kathmandu, but all trekking equipment in Nepal is either used equipment that was sold by other trekkers or mountaineering expeditions or locally made reproductions of internationally known brands.
Equipment List for travelling in Nepal Check List
- Jeans or slacks
- Towel and toilet kit
- Underwear
- Gloves or mittens
- Sleeping bag, warm to 20 degrees F, either down or fiberfill (or you can rent one in Kathmandu)
- Parka, down, or fiberfill; a ski jacket is ok
- Sweater, wool shirt, or acrylic pile jacket.
- Duffel bag, canvas or nylon, without a frame (for porters to carry)
- Day-pack or rucksack, waterproof, for you to carry
- Water bottle 1 liter or 1 quart; be sure that it does not leak.
- Flashlight
- Walking shoes: either boots or strong tennis or running shoes, well broken in. As there may be rain, mud, or snow; boots are sometimes necessary therefore you should bring them despite the extra hassle. Many times the entire trek can be done in tennis shoes, but if there is snow, you run the risk of frostbite, or at least cold feet if you do not have boots. If your feet are small (size 10 or less), you can rent boots in Kathmandu.
- Hats, one with a brim for the sun; one wool for cold weather.
- Sunglasses or goggles – very important for travel above 12,000 feet.
- Shorts – it may be warm during the day, especially near Pokhara. You will probably not wear shorts on Everest treks. Women should wear skirts instead of shorts.
- Socks – two pairs of thick wool or wool/nylon.
- Shirts – three are recommended: two T-shirts and one long sleeve shirt.
- Pocket knife (Be sure this is packed in your checked baggage to avoid hassles with airport security).
- Rainwear – a poncho; or you can buy an umbrella in Kathmandu for about $3-$5.
- Slippers or sandals for campsite wear. Rubber “shower shoes” are available in Kathmandu for about $1
This list is suitable for most 8 to 10-day treks. Although you can wash clothes during the trek, you may need extra socks and shirts, etc. for longer treks. If your trek goes above 3500 meters (about 12,000 feet) for more than one day you should pay particular attention to warm clothing. If you are trekking to higher elevations or during the cold season you should carry both a pile jacket and a down.
Luggage
1 large duffel bag: strong and durable, best size would be around 30″ x 14″ with a full-length zipper and handles.
1 small padlock: For safety, your duffel bag must be locked.
1 rucksack or day pack: This should accommodate a sweater, rain gear, water bottle, camera, accessories, and any miscellaneous items you want to have during the day.
1 small duffel bag or suitcase: All items you carry may not required on every spot you go. You can leave it at the hotel in Kathmandu and collect it when you come back.
Waterproof Bag: A waterproof bag to cover the rucksack
Sleeping Bag: a bag that can resist temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius. You will want a down or synthetic mummy bag. For treks above 13,000′, the bag should be rated for temperatures down to 0°F or –18°C (approx. 32 oz. down-fill or 48 oz. fiberfill). Ratings are relative since the amount of insulation needed for a particular person to stay comfortable depends on their metabolism. A down bag will be warmer for its weight and pack smaller but doesn’t retain its insulating properties when wet. A waterproof/breathable shell is useful for keeping the bag dry. A synthetic bag keeps you warm even when wet, and is a less expensive alternative to down. However, it will weigh more for a given amount of warmth. Sleeping bags are also available to rent from Mandala Adventures. Foam sleeping pads are provided on the trekking portion of trips, but you may want to supplement this with an additional inflatable pad.
Head and Face Gear
Sunhat
A Bandana
Sunglasses
Warm hat
Sunscreen with a very high SPF factor
Lip balm with a high SPF factor
Hands
Lightweight gloves
Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer
Inner Clothing
T-shirts
Thermal underwear – Top and bottom. Synthetic is best
Underwear
Long shorts, Trousers One thin, one thick, and one warm
Outer Clothing
Down Jacket: For staying warm in cold temperatures, nothing is as comfortable as a down jacket especially on a late or early-season trek and at high altitudes.
Fleece Jacket (or a windproof jacket)
Waterproof jacket with a hood (or a poncho)
Waterproof pants
Baggy pants
2 pairs of gloves/mittens (1 thin and 1 thick)
1 sweater to be worn under the fleece jacket
Footwear
Lightweight walking boots: One of the most important items because ill-fitting, uncomfortable heavy boots can make a trek miserable. Make sure your boots are well broken in before departure. We can’t stress this point enough. Start wearing your boots around the house, to the grocery store, for walking the dog, etc. If you’re buying a new pair, look for medium-weight boots made of leather or a fabric/leather combination that is specifically designed for hiking. Shoe-style boots, construction boots, and heavy-duty mountaineering boots are common mistakes to be avoided.
Deep-lug sole with at least a 3/4-length shank will protect you from rocks and add support. Make sure you try boots on in a store with the advice of their footwear staff and try them on with a heavier socks. Boots that are too small can jam your toes painfully during long, steep descents. Make sure you walk up and down an incline in the store. If you are on a November or December trek above 13,000 feet, you may encounter snow. In this case, waterproofed, all-leather hiking boots and boot gaiters are recommended. Remember that your comfort throughout the trek will be determined largely by the comfort, fit, and quality of your boots.
Spare laces
2 pairs of thick woolen socks.
2 pairs of thin socks to be worn under the woolen socks
One pair of sandals or comfortable shoes for camp
Personal Medical Kit
Bandage for sprains
Plasters/Band-aids
Iodine or water filter
Moleskin/Second skin – for blisters
Antiseptic ointment for cuts
Anti-bacterial throat lozenges (with antiseptic)
Aspirin/paracetamol – general painkiller
Oral re-hydration salts
Broad-spectrum antibiotic
Anti-diarrhea medication
Diarrhea 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)
Toiletries
Medium-sized quick drying towel
Toothbrush/paste
Multipurpose soap
Deodorant
Nail clippers
Face and body moisturizer
Feminine hygiene products
Small mirror
Optional but Recommended Items
Pocket games: Chess set, backgammon, Scrabble, deck of cards.
Snacks: Dried fruit, candy, granola bars, energy bars.
Snow gaiters: Encouraged for high-elevation treks or mountain treks in November and December.
Gallon-size Ziploc bags and 2-3 large garbage bags. Handy for organizing your clothing and other items.
Tissues/roll of TP: Some rest stops do not supply tissues/toilet paper. Please be sure to use the wastebasket next to the toilet to dispose of these. Asian toilets do not usually have the capacity for paper.
Hand wipes: The kind that come in a plastic container with a flip-top, like Wet Ones Take the roll of wipes out of the container and put them in a sealed Ziploc to save space.
Powdered drink mix
Swiss Army knife.
Small cigarette lighter.
Compass
Nylon cord for a clothesline. 20′of 1/8” cord
Pocket-sized sewing kit.
Electrical or duct tape. Small roll for quick repairs of sleeping bags, outerwear, glasses, etc.
Lightweight camping mattress pad. Mandala Adventures will provide a thick foam pad, but you may wish to supplement this with your pad for extra comfort. We are not recommending that you go out and buy this item, but if you already own one, you may wish to bring it along.
Stuff sacks in various sizes for sorting dirty clothes and shoes.
Notebook and pen.
Cleaning supplies
Remember, you will be carrying all your camera equipment so don’t overburden yourself.
Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses. With lens fluid keeping glasses clean is a constant challenge.
Mosquito repellent with DEET.
Two water bottles. With durable, attached screw-top
Extras
Binoculars
Books