Pack light, pack right. You'll carry a day pack on the trail while porters carry your main bag. This list covers everything you need — and nothing you don't. Tick items off as you pack.
Weight Guidelines
Main duffel/bag (carried by porter)
Max 10–12 kg
Day pack (carried by you)
5–7 kg
Recommended duffel size
50–70L
Pro tip
Use a soft duffel bag rather than a hard suitcase — it's easier for porters to carry and fits better in teahouses. Pack everything in dry bags or plastic bags to protect against rain.
Clothing
👕 Base & Mid Layers
- Moisture-wicking t-shirts (3–4)Synthetic or merino wool
- Long-sleeve hiking shirt (1–2)Sun protection, breathable
- Fleece jacket or mid-layerLightweight, packable
- Down or synthetic insulated jacketEssential for cold mornings at altitude
👖 Bottoms
- Hiking pants (2)Quick-dry, zip-off optional
- Hiking shorts (1)For warmer lower sections
- Lightweight leggings or thermalsFor sleeping and cold mornings
🧥 Outer Layers
- Waterproof rain jacketGore-Tex or similar, with hood
- Rain pants (optional)Lightweight pack-away style
🧦 Underwear & Socks
- Underwear (5–6)Quick-dry, breathable
- Sports bras (if needed, 3)
- Hiking socks (4–5 pairs)Merino or synthetic, avoid cotton
- Warm sleeping socks (1 pair)Thick and cosy for cold nights
Footwear
🥾 Hiking Boots & Shoes
- Hiking boots (broken in!)Waterproof, ankle support. Don't buy new boots just before the trip.
- Lightweight camp shoes or sandalsFor teahouses and rest stops
- Gaiters (optional)Useful in muddy or snowy conditions
Boot advice
Your boots are the most important piece of gear. Make sure they're properly broken in — you should have worn them on at least 3–4 long walks before departure. Blisters can ruin a trek.
Accessories
🧢 Head & Hands
- Sun hat or cap
- Warm beanie or fleece hatFor cold mornings and Poon Hill sunrise
- Buff or neck gaiterVersatile for sun, dust, cold
- Lightweight hiking gloves
- Warm gloves or mittensFor higher altitudes
🕶️ Eye Protection
- Sunglasses (UV400)Essential — high altitude sun is intense
- Sunglasses retainer strap
Gear & Equipment
🎒 Bags
- Day pack (25–35L)Comfortable with hip belt
- Main duffel bag (50–70L)Soft-sided, no wheels needed
- Rain cover for day pack
- Dry bags or large zip-lock bagsTo waterproof contents
🛏️ Sleep System
- Sleeping bag (comfort -10°C)Teahouses provide blankets but are cold at altitude
- Sleeping bag liner (optional)Adds warmth and hygiene
🥾 Trekking Gear
- Trekking poles (pair)Highly recommended — saves your knees
- Headlamp + spare batteriesEssential for early starts and power outages
- Water bottles (2 x 1L)Wide-mouth Nalgene style, or hydration bladder
🔋 Electronics
- Phone + charger
- Portable power bank (10,000+ mAh)Charging at teahouses costs extra and may be unreliable
- Camera (optional)Phones work great, but bring a camera if you prefer
- Universal travel adapterNepal uses Indian-style plugs (Type C/D/M)
Toiletries & Health
🧴 Toiletries
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Biodegradable soap/shampooMulti-use, small bottle
- Sunscreen SPF 50+High altitude = stronger UV
- Lip balm with SPF
- Hand sanitiser
- Wet wipes / face wipesShowers are limited on trek
- Toilet paper / tissues1–2 rolls, often not provided
- Menstrual products (if needed)Bring enough for the whole trek
💊 First Aid & Medications
- Personal medicationsPlus copies of prescriptions
- Blister kitCompeed or similar
- Painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
- Anti-diarrhoea medication
- Rehydration salts
- Altitude sickness pills (Diamox)Discuss with your doctor before trip
- Throat lozengesDry air at altitude
- Insect repellentFor lower altitudes
Documents & Money
📄 Essential Documents
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- Passport photos (4)For permits and visa
- Travel insurance documentsPrint and digital copies
- Flight itinerary
- Trip info pack (printed)
- Emergency contact card
💰 Money
- USD cash ($200–300)For visa on arrival, backup
- Debit/credit cards (2)ATMs available in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Money belt or hidden pouch
On-trail spending
Budget roughly $15–25/day on trek for drinks, snacks, hot showers, charging, and treats. Teahouses are cash only — withdraw Nepali rupees in Pokhara before starting the trek.
Nice to Have
- Journal & pen
- Book or Kindle
- Playing cards
- Ear plugsTeahouses can be noisy
- Eye mask
- Small gifts for localsPhotos from home, stickers for kids
- Snacks from homeFavourite energy bars, trail mix
What NOT to Bring
- Cotton clothingGets wet and stays wet
- Heavy jeans
- Bulky towelsUse a quick-dry travel towel
- Excessive electronics
- Valuables you can't afford to lose
- Hard-shell suitcase