Traveling to Nepal is an adventure of a lifetime, whether you’re trekking in the Himalayas, exploring ancient temples, or enjoying wildlife safaris. But packing the right gear is crucial for comfort, safety, and convenience.
This Nepal travel equipment checklist covers:
- Must-have gear for trekking & hiking
- Clothing essentials for different seasons
- Electronics & accessories
- Health & safety items
- Bonus tips for packing light etc
Trekking & Hiking Gear
If you’re trekking in Nepal (Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, etc.), these items are essential:
- Backpack (40-60L for multi-day treks, 20-30L for day hikes)
- Trekking poles (for stability on steep trails)
- Sleeping bag (rated for -10°C to -20°C for high-altitude treks)
- Waterproof hiking boots (broken-in before the trip)
- Headlamp + extra batteries (for early morning hikes & power cuts)
- Water purification tablets or filter (avoid plastic waste)
- Durable water bottle or hydration bladder (2-3L capacity)
Clothing Essentials for Nepal
Nepal’s weather varies by season and altitude. Pack layers for flexibility.
For Cold Weather (Oct-Feb, High Altitude)
- Thermal base layers (wool or synthetic)
- Insulated jacket (down or synthetic)
- Fleece or wool sweater
- Waterproof & windproof jacket
- Warm gloves, beanie, and neck gaiter
For Warm Weather (Mar-Sep, Lowlands & Cities)
- Lightweight, breathable shirts & pants
- Sun hat & sunglasses (UV protection)
- Quick-dry socks & underwear
- Rain jacket or poncho (monsoon season)
For All Seasons
- Comfortable trekking pants (convertible ones are best)
- Sturdy sandals (for rest days & city walks)
Electronics & Accessories
- Universal travel adapter (Nepal uses Type C, D & M plugs)
- Power bank (10,000mAh or more) (power cuts are common)
- Smartphone + waterproof case (for maps & photos)
- Camera + extra memory cards (optional for photography lovers)
- Earphones or portable speaker (for long bus rides)
Health & Safety Essentials
- First aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, painkillers, altitude sickness meds)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+) & lip balm (strong UV at high altitudes)
- Hand sanitizer & wet wipes (hygiene on the go)
- Rehydration salts (ORS) (for stomach issues)
- Basic medications (diarrhea, cold, motion sickness pills)
- Travel insurance documents (must cover high-altitude trekking)
Miscellaneous But Useful Items
- Lightweight towel (quick-dry)
- Ziplock bags (for waterproofing documents & snacks)
- Notebook & pen (for permits & journaling)
- Snacks (energy bars, nuts, chocolate)
- Trekking map or guidebook (offline version recommended)
Luggage
1 large duffel bag: strong and durable, best size would be around 30″ x 14″ with a full-length zipper and handles.
1 small padlock: For safety, your duffel bag must be locked.
1 rucksack or day pack: This should accommodate a sweater, rain gear, water bottle, camera, accessories, and any miscellaneous items you want to have during the day.
1 small duffel bag or suitcase: All items you carry may not required on every spot you go. You can leave it at the hotel in Kathmandu and collect it when you come back.
Waterproof Bag: A waterproof bag to cover the rucksack
Sleeping Bag: a bag that can resist temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius. You will want a down or synthetic mummy bag. For treks above 13,000′, the bag should be rated for temperatures down to 0°F or –18°C (approx. 32 oz. down-fill or 48 oz. fiberfill). Ratings are relative since the amount of insulation needed for a particular person to stay comfortable depends on their metabolism. A down bag will be warmer for its weight and pack smaller but doesn’t retain its insulating properties when wet. A waterproof/breathable shell is useful for keeping the bag dry. A synthetic bag keeps you warm even when wet, and is a less expensive alternative to down. However, it will weigh more for a given amount of warmth. Sleeping bags are also available to rent from Mandala Adventures. Foam sleeping pads are provided on the trekking portion of trips, but you may want to supplement this with an additional inflatable pad.
Head and Face Gear
- Sunhat
- A Bandana
- Sunglasses
- Warm hat
- Sunscreen with a very high SPF factor
- Lip balm with a high SPF factor
Hands
- Lightweight gloves
- Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer
Inner Clothing
- T-shirts
- Thermal underwear – Top and bottom. Synthetic is best
- Underwear
- Long shorts, Trousers One thin, one thick, and one warm
Outer Clothing
- Down Jacket: For staying warm in cold temperatures, nothing is as comfortable as a down jacket especially on a late or early-season trek and at high altitudes.
- Fleece Jacket (or a windproof jacket)
- Waterproof jacket with a hood (or a poncho)
- Waterproof pants
- Baggy pants
- 2 pairs of gloves/mittens (1 thin and 1 thick)
- 1 sweater to be worn under the fleece jacket
Footwear
Lightweight walking boots: One of the most important items because ill-fitting, uncomfortable heavy boots can make a trek miserable. Make sure your boots are well broken in before departure. We can’t stress this point enough. Start wearing your boots around the house, to the grocery store, for walking the dog, etc. If you’re buying a new pair, look for medium-weight boots made of leather or a fabric/leather combination that is specifically designed for hiking. Shoe-style boots, construction boots, and heavy-duty mountaineering boots are common mistakes to be avoided.
Deep-lug sole with at least a 3/4-length shank will protect you from rocks and add support. Make sure you try boots on in a store with the advice of their footwear staff and try them on with a heavier socks. Boots that are too small can jam your toes painfully during long, steep descents. Make sure you walk up and down an incline in the store. If you are on a November or December trek above 13,000 feet, you may encounter snow. In this case, waterproofed, all-leather hiking boots and boot gaiters are recommended. Remember that your comfort throughout the trek will be determined largely by the comfort, fit, and quality of your boots.
Spare laces
2 pairs of thick woolen socks.
2 pairs of thin socks to be worn under the woolen socks
One pair of sandals or comfortable shoes for camp
Personal Medical Kit
- Bandage for sprains
- Plasters/Band-aids
- Iodine or water filter
- Moleskin/Second skin – for blisters
- Antiseptic ointment for cuts
- Anti-bacterial throat lozenges (with antiseptic)
- Aspirin/paracetamol – general painkiller
- Oral re-hydration salts
- Broad-spectrum antibiotic
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Diarrhea stopper (Imodium – optional)
- Antibiotic for Giardia or similar microbe or bacteria
- Diamox (altitude sickness – can be bought in Kathmandu)
- Sterile Syringe set (anti-AIDS precaution)
Toiletries
- Medium-sized quick drying towel
- Toothbrush/paste
- Multipurpose soap
- Deodorant
- Nail clippers
- Face and body moisturizer
- Feminine hygiene products
- Small mirror
Optional but Recommended Items
Pocket games: Chess set, backgammon, Scrabble, deck of cards.
Snacks: Dried fruit, candy, granola bars, energy bars.
Snow gaiters: Encouraged for high-elevation treks or mountain treks in November and December.
Gallon-size Ziploc bags and 2-3 large garbage bags. Handy for organizing your clothing and other items.
Tissues/roll of TP: Some rest stops do not supply tissues/toilet paper. Please be sure to use the wastebasket next to the toilet to dispose of these. Asian toilets do not usually have the capacity for paper.
Hand wipes: The kind that come in a plastic container with a flip-top, like Wet Ones Take the roll of wipes out of the container and put them in a sealed Ziploc to save space.
Powdered drink mix
Swiss Army knife.
Small cigarette lighter.
Compass
Nylon cord for a clothesline. 20′of 1/8” cord
Pocket-sized sewing kit.
Electrical or duct tape. Small roll for quick repairs of sleeping bags, outerwear, glasses, etc.
Lightweight camping mattress pad. Mandala Adventures will provide a thick foam pad, but you may wish to supplement this with your pad for extra comfort. We are not recommending that you go out and buy this item, but if you already own one, you may wish to bring it along.
Stuff sacks in various sizes for sorting dirty clothes and shoes.
Notebook and pen.
Cleaning supplies
Remember, you will be carrying all your camera equipment so don’t overburden yourself.
Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses. With lens fluid keeping glasses clean is a constant challenge.
Mosquito repellent with DEET.
Two water bottles. With durable, attached screw-top
Extras
- Binoculars
- Books
Bonus: Packing Tips for Nepal
- Pack light: You can buy/rent gear in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- Use packing cubes: Stay organized in lodges & buses.
- Carry cash: ATMs are limited in remote areas.
- Leave unnecessary valuables: Theft is rare, but better safe.
Conclusion:
Packing the right equipment for Nepal ensures a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable trip. Whether you’re trekking to Everest Base Camp or exploring Kathmandu, this checklist covers everything you need.
Pro Tip: Rent or buy bulky items (sleeping bags, trekking poles) in Nepal to save luggage space!