Basic requirements for a trek

Minimal Requirements

• Lightweight walking boots. "Walk them in" prior to arrival in Nepal to avoid blisters.
• A pair of lightweight and heavyweight trousers is useful higher up in the mountains in the morning and at night.
• 1-2 pair of loose fitting long shorts/skirts.
• 2-4 cotton T-shirts.
• 1 lightweight long sleeved-shirt is particularly suitable for avoiding sun burn.
• A sunhat and ensure it has wide brim to cover the face and neck.
• 2 pairs of thin and 2 pairs of thick woollen socks.
• Underwear: normal quantity
• Swimming suit
• Water Bottle
• Sunglasses and strap
• Toiletries with large and small towels. Toilet paper can be bought in Kathmandu and some village in the mountains.
• Small headlamp and/or flashlight/torch with spare batteries
• Personal medical supplies - don't forget band-aids.
• Army-knife and sewing kit
• Sun-screen, sun block, sun-tan lotion, zinc-oxide... get the picture? This is essential in the winter when skies are clearest.

Winter Requirements

• Warm jacket. Fiberfil or down should be adequate. This is especially necessary during winter from December to February.
• Sleeping bag to -15 C or sleep sheet (if renting or agency supplied)
• Woollen shirts and thick sweaters. During winter months, December through February, These items are essential. Thick sweaters can be purchased in Kathmandu.
• Windproof/Waterproof trousers. Necessity on all treks going above 3,000 meters.
• Thermal underwear. These are excellent to sleep in at night. In the winter months thermal underwear are quite invaluable.
• A woollen hat to wear in the morning and at night. During winter it is an essential item.
• A pair of gloves. Leather with lining and woollen are best.
• Snow Glasses and strap
• Snow gaiters can be essential

Some nice add-ons

• Camera & Film
• A pair of slip-on shoes or sandals. To wear in the camp, in bathroom and toilet tent or when the boots are wet.
• A rain-proof jacket with hood or a poncho. Get the one that is guaranteed waterproof.
• A sweat-suit. Useful for wearing in camp and in the tent.
• Duffel bag or kit bag to carry gear while trekking.
• Daypack. This is a small backpack to carry personal requirement for the day e.g., to toilet items, camera, film, towel, soap, a book etc.
  Spare boot laces.
• 2-4 large plastic bags to separate clean clothes from dirty ones. 6-10 smaller plastic bags to dispose garbage.
• Wallet and/or money belt with compartment for coins.
• Spare flashlight bulbs, candles and lighter to burn toilet paper.
• An umbrella is quite useful as a walking stick, a sunshade and for rain.
• Reading materials, game items, music, note book, rubber band, pen and pencil envelopes, a diary, a calendar, a pocket knife, binoculars (optional), a small pillow or headrest (optional) Thermal rest (optional) - an inflatable sleeping mat, trekking map, and adequate quantities of passport photographs.
• Duct-tape, superglue and small mirror can be handy
• Travel locks and chain to secure luggage and lodge door
• Hot-water bottle - unless your mate's coming' along
• Pass port or Identity card for nationality proving