Packing List for Nepal Trekking

So, you’ve booked your flight to Kathmandu. The mountains are calling, and the excitement is kicking in. But then you look at your empty duffel bag and panic sets in. What do I actually need? Will I freeze? Am I packing too much?

We all have been there. Trekking in Nepal is a unique beast. One moment you are sweating in a t-shirt through a lush green rhododendron forest, and a few days later, you are wearing every piece of clothing you own while battling negative temperatures at 5,000 meters.

This isn’t just a list of stuff; it’s a strategy. The goal is simple: stay warm, stay dry, and keep your pack light enough that you (or your porter) don’t hate life by day three.

Here is everything you need to know, stripped of the fluff and packed with facts.

First Things First: Know Your Trek

Before you zip up that backpack, understand what Nepal trekking entails. Most popular routes, like Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit, are teahouse treks. That means you stay in simple lodges with basic meals provided, so no need for tents or cooking gear. Porters often carry your main bag, with weight limits around 10-13 kg to keep things fair for them. You'll hike with a daypack for essentials like water and snacks.

Seasons matter hugely. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are prime time, with clear skies and mild days at lower altitudes (around 17°C), but nights can dip to -5°C or lower above 4,000 meters. Winter (December-February) brings snow and temps as low as -20°C at night, while monsoon (June-August) means rain, leeches, and slippery trails. Altitudes range from 800 meters in low valleys to over 5,400 meters at passes like Thorong La. Weather flips fast, so layering is your best friend. Pack for extremes: hot and humid lows, freezing highs, and always the chance of rain or wind.

Pro tip. If you're flying into Lukla for Everest routes, luggage is strict: 10 kg checked plus 5 kg carry-on. Extra costs add up, so pack light. Rent bulky items like down jackets or sleeping bags in Kathmandu or Pokhara for $1-2 a day. It's cheaper and saves space in your suitcase.

Essential Documents and Planning Items

Start with the basics that get you on the trail. Forget these, and your trek stops before it begins.

• Passport and Visas: Your passport needs at least six months' validity. Get a Nepal visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport (15-90 days, $30-$125). Bring two passport photos for trekking permits.
• Trekking Permits: Required for restricted areas. For Annapurna, grab the TIMS card ($20) and ACAP permit ($30). Everest needs the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit ($20) plus Sagarmatha National Park entry ($30). Get them in Kathmandu through your agency.
• Travel Insurance: Non-negotiable. Cover high-altitude trekking (up to 6,000 meters), medical evacuation by helicopter, and trip cancellation. Print details and save emergency contacts on your phone.
• Cash and Cards: ATMs are rare on trails. Carry Nepali rupees (NPR) for meals, snacks, and tips, budget $25-$35 per day. Split cash across pockets and bags for safety. A credit card works in cities, but cash rules the mountains.
• Flight Tickets and Itinerary: Print or save digitally. Delays are common due to weather.
• Vaccination Proof: Update routine shots; consider hepatitis A/B, typhoid, and rabies. Check CDC guidelines.

Keep everything in a waterproof pouch. Make digital copies on your phone or cloud storage. Trust me, losing your passport mid-trek is a nightmare you don't want.

1. Head & Hands: Protecting the Extremities

People often underestimate the sun in the Himalayas. At high altitude, UV rays are brutal. Conversely, the cold air can damage your lungs if you aren't careful. You need to protect yourself from both the scorching sun and the biting wind.

S.N.	Item	Material / Style	Why You Need It
1	Sun Hat	Wide-brim or Baseball cap	The sun is intense at altitude. This protects your face and neck from burning during the lower, hotter days.
2	Warm Beanie	Wool or Fleece	As soon as the sun drops, the temperature plummets. You will wear this every single evening in the teahouse.
3	Buff / Neck Gaiter	Synthetic or Merino	Non-negotiable. The air is cold and dry. Breathing it directly causes the "Khumbu Cough." Pull this over your mouth and nose to humidify the air.
4	Sunglasses	Category 3 or 4 UV	Snow blindness is real and painful. Get a wrap-around style to stop glare coming in from the sides.
5	Inner Gloves	Silk or Thin Synthetic	Great for dexterity. Use these to tie laces or take photos without exposing bare skin to freezing air.
6	Outer Gloves	Waterproof / Insulated	Heavy-duty protection for high passes and summit push mornings. Mittens are warmer than fingered gloves.

2. Upper Body: The Layering System

Avoid cotton at all costs. Cotton absorbs sweat, stays wet, and makes you cold. It is a recipe for hypothermia. Stick to Merino wool (expensive but resists odors) or Synthetic (cheaper, dries fast, but smells quicker).

S.N.	Layer Type	Item	Qty	The Lowdown
1	Base	Thermal Tops	2	Long-sleeve. One is for hiking on cold days, the other is strictly for sleeping. Merino wool is the best choice here.
2	Base	Trekking Shirts	2 to 3	Short-sleeve or light long-sleeve moisture-wicking shirts. You will live in these during the first few days of the trek.
3	Mid	Fleece Jacket	1	Your workhorse layer. A simple zip-up Polartec fleece traps heat effectively while letting sweat escape.
4	Insulation	Down Jacket	1	Your best friend at camp. Needs to be high quality (700+ fill power). You wear this when you stop moving. Rentable in Kathmandu.
5	Outer	Hard Shell	1	A waterproof and windproof jacket (Gore-Tex). Ensure it has "pit zips" (underarm zippers) to let heat out so you don't sweat inside it.

3. Lower Body: Legs

Your legs do the heavy lifting, so they need to be comfortable. The mistake most people make here is wearing their thermal leggings too early. If you wear thermals while hiking at 3,000 meters, you will overheat immediately.

S.N.	Item	Qty	Description & Usage
1	Hiking Trousers	2	Look for "convertible" pants that zip off into shorts. It sounds dorky, but it is incredibly practical for variable temperatures.
2	Thermal Leggings	1	Also known as Long Johns. Put these on only when you reach the lodge in the evening.
3	Hard Shell Pants	1	Waterproof and windproof rain pants. Essential for high passes or monsoon rain. Side zippers are a huge plus for easy on/off over boots.
4	Underwear	5 to 6	Synthetic or Merino. Bring enough so you don't have to do laundry every day, but don't overpack. Avoid cotton.
5	Shorts	1	Optional if your hiking trousers don't convert. Good for the first 2 days of the trek.

4. Footwear: The Foundation

If your feet hurt, your trek is over. Do not buy boots the week before you fly. They need to be broken in properly to avoid blisters.

S.N.	Item	Specifics	Why It Matters
1	Hiking Boots	Ankle Support & Waterproof	The terrain is rocky and uneven. You need ankle protection and a Gore-Tex lining for snow or mud.
2	Camp Shoes	Trainers / Crocs / Down Booties	After 6 hours in heavy boots, your feet need to breathe. These are for wearing inside the teahouse dining hall.
3	Trekking Socks	Merino Wool (Heavy weight)	Brands like Darn Tough or Smartwool. They cushion your feet and manage moisture. Bring 4 to 5 pairs.
4	Liner Socks	Silk or Thin Synthetic	Optional. Worn under the thick socks to reduce friction. A game changer if you are prone to blisters.
5	Gaiters	Waterproof	Optional but recommended for winter or monsoon treks to stop snow and mud from getting into your boots.

5. Gear & Equipment

This is the hardware. If you are hiring a porter, you will put most of this in a large duffel bag (usually provided by trekking agencies), and carry only a daypack yourself.

 

S.N.	Item	Specs	Usage
1	Daypack	35L - 40L	This is what you carry. It holds your water, rain jacket, camera, sunblock, and snacks. Needs a good hip belt.
2	Duffel Bag	60L+	For the porter to carry. If you don't have one, just buy a cheap lock for the one your agency provides.
3	Sleeping Bag	-15°C to -20°C	Teahouse bedrooms are not heated. The plywood walls stop the wind, not the cold. Rentable in Kathmandu.
4	Bag Liner	Silk or Cotton	Adds a few degrees of warmth and keeps your rented sleeping bag clean.
5	Trekking Poles	Adjustable	Highly recommended. They save your knees on the steep downhills (Nepalese "flat" is never flat).
6	Headlamp	Brightness adjustable	For early morning summit starts and late-night bathroom runs. Electricity in lodges is unreliable

6. Hygiene & First Aid: The Essentials

You are going remote. You need to be self-sufficient. There are no pharmacies at 4,000 meters.

S.N.	Category	Item	Purpose
1	Meds	Diamox (Acetazolamide)	For altitude sickness prevention. Consult your doctor before the trip.
		Ibuprofen / Paracetamol	For common headaches and muscle aches.
		Imodium	In case of "Kathmandu Belly" (stomach upset).
2	Foot Care	Blister Plasters	Compeed or Moleskin. Apply the second you feel a "hot spot" on your foot.
3	Water	Purification Tabs/Filter	Bottled water is expensive and polluting up high. Bring Chlorine tablets or a Steripen to treat tap water.
4	Hygiene	Wet Wipes	Showers become expensive and freezing. "Wet wipe showers" will become your new normal.
5		Toilet Paper	2 rolls. Remove the cardboard core to save space. Teahouses rarely provide this for free.
6	Skin	Sunscreen & Lip Balm	SPF 50+. The sun is stronger than you think. Lip balm prevents cracking.

7. Electronics: Keeping the Lights On

Electricity is a luxury in the mountains. Charging devices at teahouses costs money (usually $3 to $5 per hour), and the price goes up as you get higher. Be smart with your power.

S.N.	Item	Specs	Tip
1	Power Bank	20,000mAh +	Cold kills batteries fast. This saves you money on charging fees at lodges.
2	Camera	DSLR or Mirrorless	The views are once in a lifetime. Bring a spare memory card.
3	Batteries	Spares	Keep your phone and camera batteries inside your sleeping bag at night to keep them warm and preserve charge.
4	Adapter	Universal / Type C, D, M	Nepal uses a mix of plugs. A universal travel adapter is the safest bet.
5	Kindle	E-reader	Lighter than a book. Great for downtime in the afternoons.
6	Cables	Various	Bring a spare charging cable. If one breaks, you can't buy a replacement on the trail.

Renting vs. Buying in Kathmandu

You do not need to spend a fortune at home. Kathmandu (specifically the Thamel district) is a gear haven.

• What to BUY at home: Boots (for fit), base layers, socks.
• What to RENT in Kathmandu: Down jacket, Sleeping bag.

Seasonal Adjustments

Nepal has two main trekking seasons: Spring (March-May) and Autumn (Sept-Nov).

S.N.	Season	Add This	Remove This
1	Winter (Dec-Feb)	Heavier Down Jacket, Crampons (Micro spikes), thicker mittens, extra thermal layer.	Shorts, light trekking shirts.
2	Monsoon (Jun-Aug)	High-quality Poncho, Pack cover, extra socks (expect wet feet), leech protection (salt).	Heavy down jacket (it's humid and warm).

Packing for Nepal is a balance between fear (of the cold) and practicality. You will likely wear the same outfit for three days in a row, and that is completely normal. Everyone else on the trail smells just as bad as you do.

Focus on good boots, a warm jacket, and treating your water. If you have those three, you can handle whatever the Himalayas throw at you.

See you on the trails!