Admin UserPacking well makes the difference between a comfortable trek and a miserable one. This Nepal trekking packing list works for most tea-house treks, from Poon Hill to Everest Base Camp, and explains what to bring, what to rent in Kathmandu and what to leave at home. Use it as a checklist and adjust for your route, season and personal needs.
Core principles
- Layer, don't bulk up. Several thin layers adapt to changing temperatures better than one heavy jacket.
- Keep it light. Porters often carry 10–15 kg per trekker, and your daypack should stay under about 8 kg.
- Rent what you will not use again. Kathmandu and Pokhara have rental shops for jackets and sleeping bags.
- Test everything before you go. Never wear new boots or untested gear on the trek.
Video: What to Pack for Everest Basecamp - Full Packing List (Gypsy in Sneakers on YouTube)
Clothing
- 2–3 moisture-wicking base layers (merino or synthetic)
- 1–2 fleece or mid-layers
- A down or synthetic insulated jacket (rent if needed)
- Waterproof shell jacket and trousers
- 2 pairs of trekking trousers and one pair of shorts
- 4–5 pairs of trekking socks (wool or synthetic) plus liner socks
- Underwear (quick-dry)
- Warm hat, sun hat, gloves (and liner gloves), buff or neck gaiter
- A thermal base layer for sleeping on cold nights
Footwear
- Broken-in waterproof trekking boots with good ankle support
- Lightweight sandals or camp shoes for evenings and showers
- Gaiters (optional, useful in snow or monsoon)
- Blister care and spare laces
Sleeping and gear
- Four-season sleeping bag (rent if needed); rated about −10 °C for most treks and −15 to −20 °C for Everest in cold months
- Sleeping bag liner for warmth and hygiene
- Trekking poles (highly recommended for knees)
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- 30–40 L daypack with rain cover
- Duffel bag for the porter (often supplied by your agency)
- Water bottles or hydration system, plus purification tablets or a filter
- Dry bags or stuff sacks to organise gear
Health and hygiene
- Personal first-aid kit: blister plasters, painkillers, rehydration salts, antiseptic, bandages, tape
- Prescription medication, plus a copy of prescriptions
- Discuss altitude medication with your doctor (altitude guide)
- Sunscreen SPF 50, lip balm with SPF and sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
- Hand sanitiser, toilet paper, wet wipes, small towel
- Basic toiletries in small containers
- Insect repellent for lower altitudes and the monsoon
Electronics and documents
- Power bank (10,000–20,000 mAh), charging cables and universal adapter
- Phone with offline maps and a local SIM (SIM guide)
- Camera and spare batteries (cold drains batteries quickly)
- Passport, visa, permits, insurance details and photocopies
- Cash in Nepali rupees and some US dollars
- A small waterproof pouch for documents
What to rent or buy in Kathmandu
Thamel has many gear shops where you can rent or buy jackets, sleeping bags, poles and boots. Quality varies, so check zips, stitching and insulation before paying. Typical rental prices are USD 1–3 per day per item for sleeping bags and down jackets. Buying cheap knock-offs can save money, but treat them as disposable and don't rely on them in extreme cold. Famous-brand copies are common; check for genuine warmth rather than logos.
Packing by season
| Season | Add or adjust |
|---|---|
| Autumn (Oct–Nov) | Warm layers for cold nights, sun protection |
| Spring (Mar–May) | Light rain shell, sun hat, extra sunscreen |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Warmer sleeping bag, insulated boots, hand warmers |
| Monsoon (Jun–Aug) | Waterproofs, leech socks, pack cover |
What not to bring
- Excess cotton clothing, which stays wet and cold
- Heavy books or large electronics
- Valuables you cannot afford to lose
- Too many "just in case" items
- Single-use plastic bottles; use a refillable bottle and purification
A sensible weight budget
| Item group | Target weight |
|---|---|
| Porter duffel (clothes, sleeping bag, toiletries) | 10–15 kg |
| Daypack (water, snacks, layers, camera, documents) | 6–8 kg |
| Total carried | 16–23 kg |
Most agencies limit the porter's load to about 15 kg per trekker, because porters are often carrying for two people. Keep to it, and your trek will be more comfortable and more ethical. For responsible practice, see our guide to responsible travel.
Packing by trek type
| Item | Poon Hill | Annapurna Base Camp | Everest Base Camp | Restricted-area treks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeping bag rating | −5 °C | −10 °C | −15 to −20 °C | −15 °C or lower |
| Down jacket | Light or rented | Yes | Heavy, rented if needed | Heavy |
| Trekking poles | Recommended | Recommended | Highly recommended | Highly recommended |
| Microspikes | Winter only | Winter and early spring | Sometimes | Often, near passes |
| Water purification | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spare batteries and power bank | One | Two | Two or three | Two or three |
Adjust these for season and personal preference; people who feel the cold should add warmth, and those who run hot can scale back slightly.
Camera and electronics
If you carry a camera, protect it from dust and damp with a dry bag, bring spare batteries (kept warm) and a lens cloth. A lightweight tripod helps at sunrise and for night shots. Phones take excellent mountain photos with a little care: keep the lens clean, steady your hands and shoot in the soft light of early morning and late afternoon. Leave expensive equipment at home if you are not confident about security and weather.
Fitting boots properly
Boots are the most important single item. Try them on in the afternoon, when your feet are slightly swollen, wearing the socks you will trek in. You should be able to wiggle your toes, with a thumb's width of space in front, and your heel should not lift when walking uphill. Walk in them for at least 40–50 km before departure, including downhill sections, and treat any hot spots right away with tape or blister plasters. If you are renting boots, test them for a day around Kathmandu before heading to the mountains.
Medical kit contents
A compact personal kit should include:
- Blister plasters, tape and a small pair of scissors
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen and any prescription medication
- Oral rehydration salts and anti-diarrhoea medication
- Antiseptic wipes and bandages
- Throat lozenges for dry cough
- Sunscreen, lip balm and insect repellent
- Any personal altitude medication prescribed by your doctor
Ask your doctor about altitude medication and how to use it; do not self-prescribe. Your guide will usually carry a larger group kit and an oximeter.
Power and charging strategy
Cold drains batteries, and charging costs money on the trail. Bring a power bank and keep devices warm inside your jacket at night. Switch phones to airplane mode when not in use, download maps offline and turn off non-essential features. A small solar charger is useful on long treks but is not a reliable primary source in cloudy weather. Many lodges charge USD 2–5 per hour per device, so reduce usage where you can.
Laundry and hygiene on the trail
You can wash small items in a basin, but clothes dry slowly at altitude and in cold. Bring quick-dry layers, wash only when there is sun, and use merino or synthetic fabrics that resist odours. Wet wipes, a small towel and a bottle of hand sanitiser go a long way. Hot showers are available in many lodges for a fee, but in extreme cold, washing is often best skipped.
Packing for kids and older trekkers
Children need the same layers as adults in smaller sizes, plus extra snacks, a favourite small comfort item and sun protection. Make sure their boots are well broken in, and pack a few lightweight games for evenings. Older trekkers should prioritise warmth, good boots, trekking poles and a well-stocked personal medical kit, with doctor-approved medication and copies of prescriptions. For both groups, a lighter daypack and more frequent rests make every day easier, and an extra buffer day gives you room for weather and fatigue.
Packing mistakes
- Overpacking cotton. It is slow to dry and cold when wet.
- Brand-new boots. Blisters can end a trek.
- Forgetting a headlamp. Pre-dawn starts and power cuts are common.
- No waterproof layer. Weather changes fast in the mountains.
- Too much weight. Heavy bags exhaust you and strain porters.
A simple packing routine
Packing is easier when you do it twice: once to gather everything, and once to cut it down. Lay out everything on your bed two days before you leave. Remove one third of the items you think you need. Weigh your bags: aim for a porter duffel of 10–15 kg and a daypack of 6–8 kg. Pack in dry bags by category (clothes, electronics, toiletries, documents) so you can find things in a cold, dark room. Keep valuables, medication and a warm layer in your daypack.
Official health and altitude advice
For health guidance before you travel, see the CDC's Nepal travel page, and for altitude advice on the trail, the Himalayan Rescue Association runs aid posts and free talks. Check your gear list against current conditions with your agency.
Next steps
Learn about altitude risks, read our first-timer tips and review the Everest trek difficulty guide to calibrate your gear and fitness.
FAQ
How heavy should my pack be?
A daypack of 6–8 kg and a porter duffel of 10–15 kg.
Can I rent a sleeping bag in Nepal?
Yes, in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Do I need trekking poles?
They are highly recommended for knees on descents and for balance.
Do I need a water filter?
Purification tablets or a filter reduce plastic waste and health risk.
What should I wear on a trek?
Layers: a base layer, fleece, insulated jacket and waterproof shell, adjusted through the day.
