Pack for a wide range of temperatures, from warm sun in Lukla to deep cold at Gorak Shep. The goal is a layered system that you can adjust through the day, plus a few small items that make teahouse life comfortable. Keep your duffel within the weight limit your operator and airline give you.
Clothing
- Moisture-wicking base layers, two tops and one or two bottoms.
- A fleece or light insulated mid layer.
- A warm down or synthetic insulated jacket for evenings and high sections.
- A waterproof and windproof shell jacket and trousers.
- Trekking trousers and a pair of shorts for the lower valleys.
- Warm hat, sun hat, buff, liner gloves and insulated gloves.
- Several pairs of wool or synthetic socks.
Footwear
Well broken-in waterproof trekking boots with good ankle support and a firm sole are essential. Bring light camp shoes or sandals for the evening. Never start a trek in new boots.
Sleeping
Teahouses supply blankets, but rooms are unheated, so a sleeping bag rated for the cold of your season is worth carrying. A silk or fleece liner adds warmth and keeps the bag clean. Many lodges also rent bags, though hygiene and quality vary.
Equipment
- A 30 to 40 litre daypack with a rain cover, if you use a porter for the main bag.
- Trekking poles, which save your knees on long descents.
- A headtorch with spare batteries.
- Sunglasses with strong UV protection, and sunscreen and lip balm with a high factor.
- Two water bottles or a bladder, plus purification tablets or a filter.
Health and hygiene
A basic first aid kit, blister care, personal medication, hand sanitiser, toilet paper, wet wipes and a quick-dry towel. Discuss any medication for altitude with a doctor before you leave.
Leave behind
Cotton clothing, heavy jeans, large cameras you do not truly need, and anything you will not use. Every extra kilogram feels heavy at 5,000 m. Store extras at your Kathmandu hotel while you trek.
Layering explained
The key idea is to build warmth from thin layers that you can add and remove. A base layer wicks moisture, a middle layer such as fleece or a light down jacket traps heat, and an outer shell blocks wind and rain. Wearing several thin layers is more flexible and warmer than one thick garment. On a typical day you start cold, strip down as you warm up and add layers again at rest stops.
What is worth spending money on
If your budget is limited, put it into the items that touch your body for hours: boots that fit and are broken in, a sleeping bag suited to the season, a good down jacket and socks that do not rub. A cheaper daypack or a basic pair of sunglasses may be fine, but poorly fitting boots can ruin the trek. Test every item at home on a long walk before you pack it.
Small things that make a big difference
- A headlamp with spare batteries for night-time toilet trips and early starts.
- A lightweight water bottle or bladder, and a way to purify water.
- A power bank, because charging points can be limited or paid.
- Lip balm with sun protection, high-factor sunscreen and a buff or scarf.
- Plastic bags or dry sacks to keep clothes dry and separate.
- Earplugs, which help in crowded lodges.
Packing for the flight
Because of the weight limit on the Lukla flight, pack the duffel carefully. Roll clothes to save space, avoid duplicates and leave non-essential items at your Kathmandu hotel. Weigh the bag at home with a handheld scale and check the limit with your operator. Remember that what you carry in the daypack is what you must have during the day, including a warm layer, rain jacket, water, snacks and documents.
What our guests say
Excerpts from guest reviews of Himalayan Wonders, our parent company, on Tripadvisor.
“Garba Rai was the best I could have hoped for.”
