Nepal Trekking Equipment Checklist: What to Actually Pack (2026)

Nepal Trekking Equipment Checklist: What to Actually Pack (2026)

Half the people who walk into our Kathmandu office for a trek briefing have overpacked, and the other half have brought all the wrong things. After two decades of running treks across the Annapurnas, Khumbu, Manaslu, Tsum, Mustang, Langtang and Dolpo, our team has a strong view on what genuinely belongs in your duffel and what is dead weight. This is the checklist we hand to our own guests, organised by altitude band and trek type, with the medical kit our guides actually carry.

The principle: stay warm and dry

Everything below is structured around one rule. In the Himalayas you are not fighting one fixed temperature, you are fighting wide daily swings between 25°C at lunch and -15°C at 4 am. The only system that works is layering. A wicking base layer next to skin, an insulating mid layer to trap warmth, and a windproof/waterproof outer shell to keep weather off. Cotton has no place above 2,500 m. Down and synthetic insulation, merino wool and good Gore-Tex are what you want.

Footwear that actually fits

Your feet decide your trek. Get this right.

• Mid-cut waterproof trekking boots, broken in over at least 100 km before you fly. Brand-new boots are the single most common cause of blisters that end treks.
• Camp shoes or lightweight sandals for evenings in teahouses.
• 3-4 pairs merino or thick synthetic trekking socks (no cotton).
• Liner socks to reduce friction on long days.

For treks above 4,000 m (EBC, Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu, Three Passes, Mustang, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga) you also want:

• Insulated mountaineering-grade boots if you are crossing high passes in shoulder season or peak-climbing.
• Down booties for sleeping in cold rooms.
• Gaiters for snow sections.

Clothing layers

Base layers

• 2 sets of merino or synthetic long-sleeve thermal tops
• 2 sets of merino or synthetic long thermal bottoms
• Quick-dry underwear (3-4 pairs)
• Sports bras for women

Mid layers

• 1 fleece jacket or light insulated pullover
• 1 heavier insulated mid-layer for high passes

Outer layers

• Goose down or high-fill synthetic jacket (650+ fill, rated to -10°C minimum, -20°C for winter or above 5,000 m)
• Waterproof and breathable hard shell jacket
• Waterproof rain pants or hard shell pants
• 2 pairs of trekking pants (zip-off legs are useful)
• 1 pair of shorts for low altitude days
• 3-4 short-sleeve trekking shirts

Head, hands and neck

• Warm wool or fleece beanie
• Sun hat or peaked cap
• Buff or neck gaiter (multi-purpose, brilliant on dusty trails)
• Lightweight liner gloves
• Insulated outer gloves or mittens for above 4,500 m
• Category-4 sunglasses (essential on snow)
• Balaclava if you are above 5,000 m or on a high-pass route

Sleep and carry

• Sleeping bag rated to -10°C for ABC, Langtang, Mustang; -15°C to -20°C for EBC, Manaslu, Three Passes, Kanchenjunga
• Silk or cotton sleeping bag liner adds warmth and keeps the bag clean
• 50-65 L duffel bag for porter (most lodges have lockers, no need for hard cases)
• 25-35 L daypack with rain cover for what you carry yourself
• Trekking poles (collapsible Z-poles preferred) — non-negotiable on descents
• Head torch with spare batteries

Hydration and nutrition

• 2 x 1L wide-mouth water bottles (Nalgene style, double as hot water bottles at night)
• Or a 2L hydration bladder — bladders freeze above 4,500 m so we recommend bottles for high routes
• Water purification: SteriPen UV, Aquatabs or a Lifestraw bottle (we recommend treating all water above 3,000 m regardless of source)
• Snacks: energy bars, trail mix, dried fruit. Trail snacks in Kathmandu are expensive and limited, bring your favourites.
• Electrolyte sachets (Hydralyte or similar) — invaluable for recovery days

Personal toiletries

• Quick-dry travel towel
• Biodegradable soap and shampoo
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
• Wet wipes (the only shower you will get for a week)
• Hand sanitiser (litre-sized)
• Toilet paper (most lodges do not provide it)
• High-SPF sunblock (50+) — the UV at altitude is brutal
• SPF lip balm
• Personal medications

Our trail-tested medical kit

This is what our guides carry, and what we recommend you also carry personally:

• Paracetamol or aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Antihistamine tablets (cetirizine or loratadine)
• Decongestant (pseudoephedrine if you can get it)
• Imodium or Lomotil for diarrhoea
• Oral rehydration sachets
• Diamox (acetazolamide) for altitude — prescribed by your doctor before flying
• Antibiotic cream
• Antiseptic spray
• Antibiotic powder for wound care
• Throat lozenges (Strepsils)
• Eye drops (for dust)
• Antacids
• Calamine lotion for insect bites
• Assorted bandages, gauze, blister plasters (Compeed is gold)
• Small scissors and tweezers
• Water purification tablets
• Personal antibiotics if your doctor prescribes (azithromycin and ciprofloxacin are common for traveller's diarrhoea)

Optional but worth it

• Camera (lightweight mirrorless beats a phone for sunrise shots)
• Spare camera batteries and memory cards (batteries drain fast in cold)
• Power bank (10,000+ mAh; lodges charge phones for a fee)
• Universal travel adapter (Nepal uses C and D plugs)
• Solar charger (genuinely useful in Mustang and Dolpo)
• Binoculars (yak hunting, far peaks, birdlife)
• Small dry bags to organise the duffel
• Lightweight book or Kindle for teahouse evenings
• Notebook and pen

What to leave at home

A few items we see new trekkers haul up that they never use:

• Heavy cotton hoodies (they get wet and stay wet)
• Hair dryers (no electricity for them above Namche)
• Multiple pairs of jeans (one pair max for Kathmandu)
• Hardback books
• Large bottles of liquids (you can buy what you need in Kathmandu)
• Drones (banned in most national parks without permit)
• A guitar (we have seen it)

What you can rent in Kathmandu

If you do not own gear and do not want to buy it for one trip, Thamel has dozens of trekking shops where you can rent for USD 1-3 per day:

• Down jackets and sleeping bags (best rental value)
• Trekking poles
• Duffel bags
• Gaiters and crampons
• Climbing harnesses for peak-climbing routes

Boots are the one item we always recommend bringing your own.

Where this changes by trek

• Short Annapurna treks (Ghorepani, Mardi, Khopra, Khumai): lighter sleeping bag, less down, no balaclava needed.
• Tsum Valley and Langtang Valley: moderate cold gear, lodges are warm enough that a -10°C bag is fine.
• Manaslu Circuit and Tsum + Manaslu: full high-altitude kit, Larkya Pass is brutal in October-November.
• Upper Mustang: wind protection is more important than thermals; sunglasses and lip balm essential.
• Dolpo and Kanchenjunga: full expedition kit, second sleeping bag liner, two pairs of insulated gloves.

Plan your trek with the right kit

We send every confirmed guest a personalised packing list tailored to their exact trek, season and group size. If you would like the briefing for your specific route, browse our trek packages or get in touch with our team in Kathmandu.