Weight allowance for trekking: At the start of the trek, you will be carrying your day pack of around 2500 to 3200 cubic inches 40 to 50 litres loaded with just the items you will need during the day of hiking. Your packed trek bag/duffle bag will be carried by human porters or pack animals and should weigh no more than 25 KG.
Travel Documents for a Trek
Before heading out on your trek, ensuring all your travel documents are in order is just as important as packing the right gear. Missing or incorrect paperwork can delay or even cancel your adventure.
- Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date. Carry photocopies stored separately from the original.
- Visa: Obtain the appropriate tourist or trekking visa for your destination country well in advance.
- Trekking Permits: Many restricted or protected trekking zones require special area permits (e.g., TIMS card, Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, Restricted Area Permit). These must be arranged before the trek begins.
- Travel Insurance Policy: Carry a printed and digital copy of your policy. Ensure it covers high-altitude trekking and emergency helicopter evacuation.
- Emergency Contact Card: A small card listing your emergency contacts, blood group, and any known allergies.
- Airline Tickets & Hotel Confirmations: Printed copies are advisable in areas with limited internet connectivity.
- Passport-size Photographs: Bring at least 4–6 extra copies; they are often required for permits on the spot.
Tip: Store digital copies of all documents on a secure cloud drive accessible from your phone.
Footwear: This is the most important gear consideration. We recommend that you take a pair of broken-in lightweight trekking boots that have proven comfortable on your long day hikes. Cross-trainers are fine for walking the easier sections of the trail. At night in camp, we suggest warm socks and sandals.
Mountaineering Footwear (climbing trips only): Plastic or new-technology leather mountaineering boots are required for our climbing trips or treks that cross high, snow-covered passes. Temperatures and snow conditions just do not allow the use of hiking boots for these trips, which may take us up to and over 20,000 feet / 6000 meters. Mountaineering boots are also designed to work securely with step-in crampons.
Gaiters: Gaiters are an important piece of equipment, which will help to keep your feet warm and dry in wet and snowy conditions. A simple “alpine” style of gaiter which hooks onto the bootlaces and is held under the instep by a strap or lace is fine for trekking trips.
Socks: Ideally you should wear two pairs of socks. Your inner sock liners should be a thin first layer and over them, you should wear a single pair of thicker socks. Bring 3 pairs of each type of sock. Typically, you’ll be wearing one pair, another will be drying and you’ll have a fresh clean pair to put on at the end of the day at camp.
Clothing: Your clothing needs to be adaptable for a wide variety of conditions. The layering principle continues to be the best approach when it comes to clothing (i.e. using a combination of several thin layers of thermally efficient clothing). When it is warm enough you can trek in either shorts or lightweight trekking pants and a long or short-sleeved synthetic T-shirt. For colder conditions, you can add layers of thermal clothing. Patagonia Capilene thermal clothing for men and women is very good and comes in three weights – lightweight, midweight and expedition weight. On top of these thermals, you can add layers of fleece. A breathable rain jacket and pants should be used if it starts to rain or snow. In very cold temperatures, we suggest a down jacket and recommend a down jacket for autumn trips.
Extremities: It is important to keep your extremities warm and dry! Please do not neglect your head and hands when selecting the equipment for your trip.
Sleeping bag: For any of our treks, you will need a 4-season sleeping bag rated to at least zero degrees F. A mattress is needed to insulate you from the cold ground, and we recommend a full-length, self-inflating Thermal rest pad.
Sun protection: Sun protection is to be taken seriously! A wide-brimmed sunhat is needed to keep the sun off your head. To protect your eyes from the sun’s rays at high altitudes, please pack a pair (or two) of sunglasses with dark lenses. You should, of course, bring plenty of sun cream for your skin and lips.
Daypacks for trekking: A daypack with 2500 to 3200 cubic inches of capacity should be large enough to carry the following items on the trek. a) shell jacket and pants. b) fleece jacket c) hat, gloves and extra pair of socks. d) Two one-litre water bottles. e) camera plus accessories, binoculars, etc. f) first aid kit.
HEAD
- Sun hat, scarf and/or bandanna
- Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
- Sunglasses with UV protection
TORSO
- T-shirts x 2 quick-drying synthetic
- Light & expedition weight thermals
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Waterproof shell jacket
- Down vest and/or jacket
HANDS
- Lightweight gloves x 2
- Heavyweight gloves or mittens
LOWER BODY
- Underwear x 4
- Hiking shorts (2)
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- Light & expedition weight thermals
- Fleece or wool pants
- Waterproof shell pants
FEET
- Thin, lightweight inner sock liners (2)
- Thick, warm wool hiking socks (3)
- Worn in hiking boots and spare laces
- Camp shoes
- Gaiters
ACCESSORIES
- Sleeping bag rated to 0 degrees F
- Headlamp w/ spare bulbs and batteries
- Duffle bag and a small lock
- Basic First Aid Kit
- Large plastic bags – to keep items dry
- Daypack (approx. 2500 to 3000 c.i.)
- Thermarest sleeping pad
- One litre water bottle x 2
- Toiletries
- Small wash towel
- Trekking poles (optional)
Medicines
Trekking at high altitudes puts unique demands on your body. Carrying the right medicines can make the difference between a safe, enjoyable trip and a medical emergency. Always consult your doctor before the trek and get prescriptions where necessary.
Essential Medicines to Pack:
- Diamox (Acetazolamide): Commonly prescribed to prevent and reduce symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Begin taking it 1–2 days before ascending to high altitude.
- Ibuprofen / Paracetamol: For headaches, muscle pain, and fever commonly associated with altitude or physical exertion.
- Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS): To combat dehydration caused by exertion, diarrhea, or vomiting.
- Antihistamines: For allergic reactions to dust, pollen, or insect bites.
- Antidiarrheal Tablets (e.g., Imodium): Stomach upsets are common when trekking in remote areas with varying food and water quality.
- Antibiotics (prescribed): A broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribed by your doctor for respiratory or gastrointestinal infections.
- Antiseptic Cream and Bandages: For treating minor cuts, blisters, and abrasions.
- Blister Treatment (e.g., Compeed): Essential for long trekking days in new boots.
- Eye Drops: To soothe dry or dusty eyes at altitude.
- Throat Lozenges: Dry mountain air can cause throat irritation.
- Water Purification Tablets: For purifying water from streams or unreliable sources along the trail.
- Altitude Sickness Emergency Kit (Gamow Bag): For guided or expeditionary treks; this portable hyperbaric chamber is used in life-threatening AMS situations.
Important: If you experience severe symptoms of Altitude Sickness, persistent headache, loss of coordination, confusion, or difficulty breathing, descend immediately and seek medical attention. Do not ascend further until fully recovered.