A working list, not a shop window. Choose your altitude band below and the list changes — each one is complete on its own, so you are not cross-referencing three tables. We have marked what you can rent or buy cheaply in Kathmandu and Pokhara, because flying halfway around the world with a sleeping bag you could hire for a dollar a day makes no sense.
Pick by the highest point you will sleep at, not by the trek name. Tap a band to jump to its list.
Typical routes: Poon Hill, Ghandruk, Australian Camp, Panchase, most day hikes and village treks.
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick-dry long-sleeve tops × 2–3Merino or synthetic. Cotton stays wet and cold — avoid it entirely. | Essential | Buy in Thamel, ~$10–20 | |
| Lightweight trekking trousers × 2Quick-dry. Not jeans. | Essential | Buy, ~$10–20 | |
| Shorts or zip-off legsFor warm daytime walking at lower altitude. | Recommended | Buy, ~$8–15 | |
| Waterproof rain jacketMust have a hood. Rain arrives without warning. | Essential | Rent or buy, ~$20–40 | |
| Rain trousersMonsoon and shoulder seasons especially. | Recommended | Buy, ~$15 | |
| Lightweight fleece or down jacketYour main warmth layer for mornings and evenings. | Essential | Rent, ~$1–2/day | |
| Wide-brim sun hatUV at altitude burns faster than you expect. | Essential | Buy, ~$5 | |
| Trekking boots with ankle supportBroken in before you fly. New boots on day one is the classic mistake. | Essential | Bring your own — fit matters too much | |
| Merino or synthetic socks × 4–5Blisters end more treks than altitude does. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Lightweight glovesEven low treks have cold starts. | Essential | Buy, ~$8–15 | |
| Personal innerwearQuick-dry beats cotton here too. | Essential | Bring your own |
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daypack 25–35 LWhat you carry: water, layers, camera, documents. | Essential | Buy, ~$15–30 | |
| Rain cover for your packNepali rain is not gentle. | Essential | Buy, ~$5 | |
| Water capacity 1.5–2 LBottles or a bladder. Dehydration mimics altitude sickness. | Essential | Buy, ~$5–20 | |
| Water purification tablets or filter bottleCheaper and cleaner than buying bottled water on the trail. | Essential | Buy, ~$5–25 | |
| Sunscreen SPF 50+ and SPF lip balmYou will burn through cloud at altitude. | Essential | Buy, ~$8 | |
| UV-protective sunglassesCategory 3 minimum. | Essential | Buy, ~$10–25 | |
| Mosquito repellentLower altitude and monsoon months. | Recommended | Buy, ~$4 |
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headtorch plus spare batteriesEarly starts and unlit teahouse corridors. | Essential | Buy, ~$10 | |
| Basic first aid kitPlus any personal medication, in more quantity than you think. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Blister kitCompeed and tape. Treat hot spots before they blister. | Essential | Buy in Kathmandu | |
| Trekking polesSave your knees on descent. Genuinely worth it. | Recommended | Rent, ~$1/day | |
| Power bank 10,000 mAh+Charging costs money and the price rises with altitude. | Essential | Buy, ~$15–25 | |
| Universal adapterNepal uses types C, D and M. | Essential | Buy, ~$3 | |
| Snacks or energy barsTrail prices climb with the trail. | Recommended | Buy in Pokhara or Kathmandu | |
| Small dry bagFor documents, phone and anything that must stay dry. | Recommended | Buy, ~$5 | |
| Knee supportIf you have any history of knee trouble. | Optional | Buy, ~$8 |
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport valid 6+ monthsPlus two photocopies kept separately from the original. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Passport photographs × 4For permits. | Essential | Printed in Thamel in minutes | |
| Travel insurance certificateMust cover your maximum altitude and helicopter evacuation. We check it. | Essential | Arrange before you fly | |
| Cash in small notesNo ATMs on most trails. Budget for charging, showers, snacks and tips. | Essential | Withdraw in Kathmandu or Pokhara |
Typical routes: Mardi Himal, Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang, Khopra, Mohare Danda.
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal base layers, top and bottomAdded hereThe single biggest comfort upgrade above 3,000 m. | Essential | Buy, ~$15–25 | |
| Insulated fleece jacketAdded hereA second warmth layer, worn under the shell. | Essential | Buy, ~$20–35 | |
| Waterproof and windproof shell jacketAdded hereWind above the treeline is the real problem, not rain. | Essential | Rent, ~$1–2/day | |
| Warm woollen hat covering the earsAdded hereMost heat is lost here. | Essential | Buy, ~$5 | |
| Thermal neck gaiter or buffAdded hereAlso keeps trail dust out on dry sections. | Essential | Buy, ~$4 | |
| Insulated gloves plus liner glovesAdded hereLiners let you use a camera without bare hands. | Essential | Buy, ~$15–25 | |
| Extra woollen socks × 1–2Added hereDry socks at the end of a cold day matter more than you would think. | Essential | Buy, ~$5 | |
| Quick-dry long-sleeve tops × 2–3Merino or synthetic. Cotton stays wet and cold — avoid it entirely. | Essential | Buy in Thamel, ~$10–20 | |
| Lightweight trekking trousers × 2Quick-dry. Not jeans. | Essential | Buy, ~$10–20 | |
| Shorts or zip-off legsFor warm daytime walking at lower altitude. | Recommended | Buy, ~$8–15 | |
| Waterproof rain jacketMust have a hood. Rain arrives without warning. | Essential | Rent or buy, ~$20–40 | |
| Rain trousersMonsoon and shoulder seasons especially. | Recommended | Buy, ~$15 | |
| Lightweight fleece or down jacketYour main warmth layer for mornings and evenings. | Essential | Rent, ~$1–2/day | |
| Wide-brim sun hatUV at altitude burns faster than you expect. | Essential | Buy, ~$5 | |
| Trekking boots with ankle supportBroken in before you fly. New boots on day one is the classic mistake. | Essential | Bring your own — fit matters too much | |
| Merino or synthetic socks × 4–5Blisters end more treks than altitude does. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Lightweight glovesEven low treks have cold starts. | Essential | Buy, ~$8–15 | |
| Personal innerwearQuick-dry beats cotton here too. | Essential | Bring your own |
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeping bag rated 0°C to −5°CAdded hereTeahouse blankets are not enough at this altitude. | Essential | Rent, ~$1–2/day — best thing to rent | |
| Sleeping bag linerAdded hereAdds warmth and keeps a rented bag clean. | Recommended | Buy, ~$8 | |
| Trekking map or GPS deviceAdded hereYour guide has this covered, but useful if you like knowing where you are. | Optional | Buy, ~$10 | |
| MicrospikesAdded hereWinter and early spring only. Ask us whether your dates need them. | Optional | Rent, ~$2/day | |
| GaitersAdded hereSnow, scree and mud on higher sections. | Optional | Rent, ~$1/day | |
| Daypack 25–35 LWhat you carry: water, layers, camera, documents. | Essential | Buy, ~$15–30 | |
| Rain cover for your packNepali rain is not gentle. | Essential | Buy, ~$5 | |
| Water capacity 1.5–2 LBottles or a bladder. Dehydration mimics altitude sickness. | Essential | Buy, ~$5–20 | |
| Water purification tablets or filter bottleCheaper and cleaner than buying bottled water on the trail. | Essential | Buy, ~$5–25 | |
| Sunscreen SPF 50+ and SPF lip balmYou will burn through cloud at altitude. | Essential | Buy, ~$8 | |
| UV-protective sunglassesCategory 3 minimum. | Essential | Buy, ~$10–25 | |
| Mosquito repellentLower altitude and monsoon months. | Recommended | Buy, ~$4 |
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EarplugsAdded hereTeahouse walls are thin and someone always snores. | Recommended | Bring your own | |
| Hand sanitiser and wet wipesAdded hereShowers get scarce and expensive as you climb. | Essential | Buy, ~$3 | |
| Pee bottleAdded hereSounds undignified. At −5°C at 2am you will thank us. | Optional | Buy, ~$3 | |
| Headtorch plus spare batteriesEarly starts and unlit teahouse corridors. | Essential | Buy, ~$10 | |
| Basic first aid kitPlus any personal medication, in more quantity than you think. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Blister kitCompeed and tape. Treat hot spots before they blister. | Essential | Buy in Kathmandu | |
| Trekking polesSave your knees on descent. Genuinely worth it. | Recommended | Rent, ~$1/day | |
| Power bank 10,000 mAh+Charging costs money and the price rises with altitude. | Essential | Buy, ~$15–25 | |
| Universal adapterNepal uses types C, D and M. | Essential | Buy, ~$3 | |
| Snacks or energy barsTrail prices climb with the trail. | Recommended | Buy in Pokhara or Kathmandu | |
| Small dry bagFor documents, phone and anything that must stay dry. | Recommended | Buy, ~$5 | |
| Knee supportIf you have any history of knee trouble. | Optional | Buy, ~$8 |
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport valid 6+ monthsPlus two photocopies kept separately from the original. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Passport photographs × 4For permits. | Essential | Printed in Thamel in minutes | |
| Travel insurance certificateMust cover your maximum altitude and helicopter evacuation. We check it. | Essential | Arrange before you fly | |
| Cash in small notesNo ATMs on most trails. Budget for charging, showers, snacks and tips. | Essential | Withdraw in Kathmandu or Pokhara |
Typical routes: Everest Base Camp, Manaslu Circuit, Annapurna Circuit, Three Passes, Upper Mustang.
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expedition-grade insulated down jacketAdded hereNot the light one from the lower bands. A proper one. | Essential | Rent, ~$2–3/day | |
| Thermal base layers × 2 setsAdded hereOne to walk in, one to sleep in. Never sleep in damp layers. | Essential | Buy, ~$30–50 | |
| Insulated trousers or thermal leggingsAdded hereFor camp and for pass days. | Essential | Buy, ~$25–40 | |
| Thick insulated gloves plus linersAdded hereFrostbite risk is real on pass mornings. | Essential | Buy, ~$25–35 | |
| Warm beanie or balaclavaAdded hereA balaclava is better on windy passes. | Essential | Buy, ~$6–12 | |
| Insulated waterproof leather bootsAdded hereWarmer and stiffer than a standard trekking boot. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Extra-thick woollen socksAdded hereDo not layer two thin pairs — it restricts circulation. | Essential | Buy, ~$6 | |
| Down bootees or camp shoesAdded hereFor teahouse evenings when floors are freezing. | Recommended | Buy, ~$10 | |
| Quick-dry long-sleeve tops × 2–3Merino or synthetic. Cotton stays wet and cold — avoid it entirely. | Essential | Buy in Thamel, ~$10–20 | |
| Lightweight trekking trousers × 2Quick-dry. Not jeans. | Essential | Buy, ~$10–20 | |
| Shorts or zip-off legsFor warm daytime walking at lower altitude. | Recommended | Buy, ~$8–15 | |
| Waterproof rain jacketMust have a hood. Rain arrives without warning. | Essential | Rent or buy, ~$20–40 | |
| Rain trousersMonsoon and shoulder seasons especially. | Recommended | Buy, ~$15 | |
| Lightweight fleece or down jacketYour main warmth layer for mornings and evenings. | Essential | Rent, ~$1–2/day | |
| Wide-brim sun hatUV at altitude burns faster than you expect. | Essential | Buy, ~$5 | |
| Trekking boots with ankle supportBroken in before you fly. New boots on day one is the classic mistake. | Essential | Bring your own — fit matters too much | |
| Merino or synthetic socks × 4–5Blisters end more treks than altitude does. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Lightweight glovesEven low treks have cold starts. | Essential | Buy, ~$8–15 | |
| Personal innerwearQuick-dry beats cotton here too. | Essential | Bring your own |
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeping bag rated −10°C to −15°CAdded hereNon-negotiable above 4,500 m. A warmer bag than the band below. | Essential | Rent, ~$2/day | |
| Sleeping bag linerAdded hereAdds up to 5°C of warmth. | Essential | Buy, ~$8 | |
| Glacier sunglasses with side shieldsAdded hereSnow blindness is a real risk on snow-covered passes. | Essential | Buy, ~$25–50 | |
| Microspikes or cramponsAdded herePass conditions decide. We will tell you before you leave Pokhara. | Essential | Rent, ~$2/day | |
| GaitersAdded hereDeep snow on pass approaches. | Essential | Rent, ~$1/day | |
| Insulated flaskAdded hereCold water is unappealing, and you must keep drinking. | Recommended | Buy, ~$10–20 | |
| Daypack 25–35 LWhat you carry: water, layers, camera, documents. | Essential | Buy, ~$15–30 | |
| Rain cover for your packNepali rain is not gentle. | Essential | Buy, ~$5 | |
| Water capacity 1.5–2 LBottles or a bladder. Dehydration mimics altitude sickness. | Essential | Buy, ~$5–20 | |
| Water purification tablets or filter bottleCheaper and cleaner than buying bottled water on the trail. | Essential | Buy, ~$5–25 | |
| Sunscreen SPF 50+ and SPF lip balmYou will burn through cloud at altitude. | Essential | Buy, ~$8 | |
| UV-protective sunglassesCategory 3 minimum. | Essential | Buy, ~$10–25 | |
| Mosquito repellentLower altitude and monsoon months. | Recommended | Buy, ~$4 |
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive first aid kitAdded hereBeyond the basics. Your guide carries a group kit as well. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Calorie-dense snacksAdded hereAppetite drops at altitude. Eat anyway. | Essential | Buy in Kathmandu or Pokhara | |
| Pulse oximeterAdded hereOptional for you — your guide monitors this daily. | Optional | Buy, ~$15 | |
| Satellite phoneAdded hereOnly for off-the-beaten-path routes. We will tell you if yours needs one. | Optional | Rent through us | |
| Pee bottleAdded hereAt this altitude, essential rather than optional. | Recommended | Buy, ~$3 | |
| EarplugsAdded hereTeahouse walls are thin. | Recommended | Bring your own | |
| Headtorch plus spare batteriesEarly starts and unlit teahouse corridors. | Essential | Buy, ~$10 | |
| Basic first aid kitPlus any personal medication, in more quantity than you think. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Blister kitCompeed and tape. Treat hot spots before they blister. | Essential | Buy in Kathmandu | |
| Trekking polesSave your knees on descent. Genuinely worth it. | Recommended | Rent, ~$1/day | |
| Power bank 10,000 mAh+Charging costs money and the price rises with altitude. | Essential | Buy, ~$15–25 | |
| Universal adapterNepal uses types C, D and M. | Essential | Buy, ~$3 | |
| Snacks or energy barsTrail prices climb with the trail. | Recommended | Buy in Pokhara or Kathmandu | |
| Small dry bagFor documents, phone and anything that must stay dry. | Recommended | Buy, ~$5 | |
| Knee supportIf you have any history of knee trouble. | Optional | Buy, ~$8 |
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport valid 6+ monthsPlus two photocopies kept separately from the original. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Passport photographs × 4For permits. | Essential | Printed in Thamel in minutes | |
| Travel insurance certificateMust cover your maximum altitude and helicopter evacuation. We check it. | Essential | Arrange before you fly | |
| Cash in small notesNo ATMs on most trails. Budget for charging, showers, snacks and tips. | Essential | Withdraw in Kathmandu or Pokhara |
Typical routes: Everest, Annapurna Base Camp, Kapuche, Muktinath and Mardi landing tours.
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm layers you can add and removePokhara can be 25°C while your landing site is below freezing. | Essential | Wear it | |
| Insulated jacketLanding sites at 3,800–4,100 m are genuinely cold, even in sunshine. | Essential | Rent, ~$1–2/day | |
| Warm hat and glovesRotor downwash makes it feel colder again. | Essential | Buy, ~$10 | |
| Closed walking shoesYou will be standing on snow, rock or wet ground. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| SunglassesGlare off snow at altitude is intense. | Essential | Buy, ~$10–25 |
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera with spare batteryCold drains batteries fast. Keep the spare in an inside pocket. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Sunscreen SPF 50+Twenty minutes on a glacier will burn you. | Essential | Buy, ~$8 | |
| Passport or photo IDRequired for the flight manifest. | Essential | Bring your own | |
| Cash for the landing-site teahouseSome landings include breakfast; extras are paid there. | Recommended | Small notes | |
| Motion sickness tabletsIf you are prone to it. Take them before boarding, not after. | Optional | Buy in Pokhara |
| Packed | Item | Priority | Rent or buy in Nepal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy luggageThere is a strict weight limit per passenger — we confirm yours when booking. | Essential | Leave at your hotel | |
| DroneNot permitted in most national park airspace without a separate permit. | Essential | Leave at your hotel |
Two separate limits apply, and they are not the same number.
Excess is charged per kilo at the airport and space is not guaranteed on small aircraft. Anything you do not need on the trail stays free of charge at your hotel or at our Pokhara office.
Adjusting for the season. Autumn (October–November) works as listed. Spring (March–May) is similar with more afternoon cloud. Monsoon (June–September) makes waterproofs essential rather than optional and adds leech socks for forest sections. Winter (December–February) needs a warmer sleeping bag, insulated trousers and microspikes — ask us which passes are realistic for your dates.
Send Mohan a photo of your kit laid out. He will tell you what to leave behind — which is usually more than you think.