trekking essentials
S. No. |
Item |
1. |
Rucksack or duffel bag (no hard suitcases/bags are allowed) |
2. |
Day backpack (to carry items like your camera, water, personal items, etc.) |
3. |
Trekking Shoes |
4. |
Sandals/Slippers (ESSENTIAL) |
5. |
T-shirts/Shirts/Sweat Shirts |
6. |
Trousers/Cargo Pants (avoid denims) |
7. |
Track pants/pyjama/shorts/leggings (mainly to sleep in) |
8. |
Pullover/Jacket/Fleece/Woollen |
9. |
Windcheater/light raincoat/poncho |
10. |
Socks (seperate trekking and woollen ones) |
11. |
Innerwear |
12. |
Thermals/base layer |
13. |
Cap, muffler, gloves |
14. |
Dark glasses/sunglasses (ESSENTIAL) |
15. |
Light towel |
16. |
Hiking pole |
17. |
Camera + extra batteries/memory |
18. |
Torch/Headlamp + batteries (ESSENTIAL) |
19. |
Toiletries, Toothbrush/paste, Moisturiser/Sunblock/Toilet paper/Wet wipes |
20. |
Personal Medicines |
21. |
Diary, paper, pen, pencil (in case you would like to write/draw) |
22. |
Big transparent plastic bag for waterproofing (garbage bag would also work) |
23. |
Water bottle (at least 1 litre) |
24. |
Valid Id Proof (Valid passport and visa mandatory for foreign nationals) |
The following is a set of guidelines to help you prepare for the trek:
- It is important to travel as light as possible and take only essentials. There are limitations on the luggage you bring for this trip, as your duffle bag/rucksack is carried by a porter or pack animal. Your duffle bag/rucksack should weigh up to 10 kg. It should be sturdy and waterproof - large enough to hold a sleeping bag that we will provide plus trekking clothes and gear. The bag can get dusty and can get tears as sometimes trails are narrow and pack animals or porters can scrape against cliffs hence this bag should be sturdy and of good quality.
- Your day backpack should have a capacity of 1500 to 2000 cubic inches to carry your camera, water bottle, packed lunch, a light jacket, etc. and can double up as a carry-on bag on a flight.
- Sturdy, properly fitting footwear. Please break them in by wearing as much as possible before the trip. Medium weight, waterproof trekking shoes with padded high ankle support. These should be good quality for prolonged walking on rocks, screes, boulders, snow, etc.
- Sandals or slippers to be worn around camp.
- Clothing: This should be comfortable to protect you from cold weather. Synthetic clothing like polypropylene, capilene, pile are light in weight, wick away perspiration, dry quickly if wet and provide the best insulation against cold. You may also bring cotton clothing. When layering in cold weather conditions, the innermost layer should be long thermals, the middle layer can be synthetic wool, fleece, other layer can be down vest/jacket. Even though villagers in well-trekked routes are used to seeing individual trekkers in skimpy wear we would request our clients to be dress modestly.
- Women and men can both wear long trousers, preferably synthetic blends, or cargo pants, or anything they are comfortable walking in. Please avoid the use of denims as they are bulky, not very comfortable, and take a long time to dry if they get wet.
- Track pants/pyjama/shorts/leggings - mainly to sleep in.
- Pullover/Jacket/Fleece/Woollen wear to protect you from the wind and cold weather.
- Windcheater/light raincoat/poncho
- Socks – Well fitted, good quality socks that wick away moisture are required while trekking. You may get a pair of woolen socks as well to use when in the camp or while sleeping (but definitely not to be used while trekking).
- Innerwear: Regular underwear. Synthetics are easier to wash and dry.
- Thermals/baselayer: Thermal long top and bottom lightweight baselayer for protection from the cold.
- Cap/beanie, muffler (optional), gloves. In addition, a thin bandana or buff is also recommended.
- Good quality UV protection sunglasses are essential for the trek.
- A light weight towel, preferably micro fibre cloth.
- Hiking pole: Coming down a cliff can take a toll on the knees and is generally more challenging than going up. It’s advisable to have 2 hiking poles for each trekker. If 2 are not available, 1 would also do.
- Camera + extra batters + power banks for charging phones or other usb operated devices.
- Lighting is extremely important when on a trek. Each participant must bring either a head lamp (for hands-free comfort) or a torch on the trip.
- Toiletries, Toothbrush/paste, Moisturizer/Sunblock/Toilet paper/Wet wipes, soap, face wash, shampoo, lip balm, safety pins, needle and thread, rubber bands, women should bring any feminine products, etc.
- Personal medicines as required.
- Diary, paper, pen, pencil (in case you would like to write/draw)
- A big transparent plastic bag may be used for waterproofing by first inserting it into the duffel bag or rucksack and then putting all your stuff inside the plastic bag.
- A leak proof water bottle or a hydration pack is required for the trek. Please avoid packaged drinking water bottles (such as Bisleri or Kinley).
- Any one original valid id proof such as PAN card, driving licence, passport (mandatory for foreign nationals along with a valid visa), election card, etc.