This guide is about Nepal trekking packing list, written from what we see on the trail every season.
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Packing for Nepal is mostly a question of what to carry from home and what can wait until you land. Kathmandu has plenty of trekking shops, so you do not need to arrive with every item. You do need to arrive with the things that cannot be swapped at the last minute.
This is the Nepal-wide version. For one specific route, see our Everest Base Camp packing list.
Start with what your trek already includes
Before you buy anything, check your trip page. Inclusions differ from trek to trek. Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek lists a down jacket and sleeping bag on loan, plus a 70-litre duffel bag for each traveller. Our Everest Base Camp Trek includes a duffel bag, trekking map, sun hat and neck gaiter, but no jacket or sleeping bag on loan.
So the first step is simple: read the inclusions and exclusions for your own trip, then pack around the gaps.
Bring these from home
These are personal, and they work best when you already know them. Do not leave them to chance.
- Trekking boots, already broken in. A new pair on a long trail is a fast way to get blisters.
- Trekking socks and liner socks you have walked in before.
- Base layers, a fleece or mid layer, and a waterproof shell jacket.
- Comfortable trekking trousers and a spare pair of shorts or lighter trousers.
- Underwear, a sports bra if you need one, and a sleeping layer for teahouse nights.
- Prescription medicines, glasses or contact lenses, and a small personal first aid kit.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm. The sun is strong at height.
- A headtorch with spare batteries.
- A reusable water bottle and any purification tablets you trust.
- A power bank. Charging at lodges is often a paid extra, and it is not included in our trip prices.
- Travel insurance documents. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Buy or hire in Kathmandu
Thamel has many trekking shops, and it is a reasonable place to fill gaps once you have seen your route and your dates. We do not quote prices here, because they change and depend on the shop and the quality.
Things travellers commonly pick up in Kathmandu, if they do not already own them:
- A warm hat and gloves.
- Trekking poles.
- A down jacket or sleeping bag, if your trip does not provide one.
- A daypack, a rain cover or a dry bag.
- Extra warm layers if the forecast looks colder than you planned for.
A tip on timing: do this shopping on your first full day in the city, not the evening before you leave. That leaves time to swap anything that does not fit. On our treks we hold a pre-trip briefing, and the Everest Base Camp trip page mentions a gear check at our Thamel office the day before departure, so ask your guide if you are unsure about anything.
What not to leave until Kathmandu
Boots, socks, your medicines and anything that touches your skin for hours should come from home. Fit matters more than the label. If you buy gear in the city, try it on properly and wear it around before you rely on it on the trail.
Adjust for your season and route
Cold is the main variable. A trek in October needs a different kit from one in December. Our guide to the best time of year to trek in Nepal explains how conditions change through the year. If your route goes high, read about altitude sickness on Nepal treks too, because it affects what you pack for warmth and for the day.
Pack light, and keep a day bag
On our Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp treks, porters carry the main bags, so a duffel and a small daypack is the usual setup. Your daypack should hold water, a warm layer, a rain jacket, sunscreen, snacks and your camera. Everything else can ride in the duffel.
It also helps to know what teahouse life looks like. Our teahouse trekking guide explains what to expect from the lodges, which helps you decide what is worth carrying.
A simple final check
- Read your trip inclusions and exclusions.
- Test your boots and your daypack on a few long walks.
- Pack your medicines and documents in your hand luggage.
- Leave space in your bag for a Thamel shopping trip.
- Keep a spare day in Kathmandu before any international flight home.
If you are not sure what your trip covers or what suits your dates, ask us directly and we will tell you plainly what to bring and what to leave at home.
Nepal trekking packing list: next steps
Use this Nepal trekking packing list to shortlist your dates, then message us. We will check the Nepal trekking packing list details against the season, the permit rules and your group before you commit to anything.
Questions about Nepal trekking packing list that this page did not answer? Ask us and we will add the answer here.
A good Nepal trekking packing list should leave you able to plan, and ours is built for that. Read the Nepal trekking packing list once through, check the key details, then compare it with the trip page.
Our team is a member of TAAN, Nepal’s trekking agents association. If this Nepal trekking packing list raised a question, ask us. A short recap of the Nepal trekking packing list: check the season, check the permits, and plan the days before the price.