Nepal is a country of shocking natural beauty and immense spiritual kindness. It is home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountain peaks, including Mount Everest, and a host of jungle valleys, rolling hills, and fertile river basins, Nepal offers numerous opportunities for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The country is also notable as the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, as well as being home to a number of impressive Hindu temples – making it the perfect destination.
However, the weather in Nepal makes it quite difficult to decide what to wear on your Nepal trip. The climate is extremely diverse, depending on the season and Nepal is a country where you can experience everything from snowstorms to immense heat.
If you bring too many things, that might slow you down when trekking. But you also might forget some essentials that will turn your trip into a nightmare.
Proper packing is the first step to making a trip memorable and that’s what this article is the perfect guide of what all you need for your Nepal packing list.
Pack light, and follow these key steps:
The outer layer is very important and has to be wind and waterproof – a light membrane or softshell jacket with a hood is your best option.
When hiking or trekking below 3,500m, wear light, quick-dry trekking trousers and a T-shirt. Be prepared to put on more layers like windproof jacket and trousers when the sun goes behind the clouds or as it gets windy.
Temperatures will drop below freezing in the mountains, even at the altitude of 3,500m, so make sure always have a second or even third layer with you.
Getting an insect repellent and socks that will protect you from leeches is just common sense and Nepal isn’t any different, especially if you’re visiting during the rainy season.
Around this time of the year, there are also a lot of leeches. If you’re hiking during the rainy season, you would want to get these leech socks to protect yourself.
These boots will provide great ankle support – get a pair with a steel cap and a solid, non-flexible sole.
Make sure these are the right size for your foot and are comfortable to walk in. Remember, you’ll be walking in these for 4-8 hours a day during your trek.
Some people say hiking in heavy shoes that keep your ankle stable isn’t very good, as the body loses the knowledge of keeping balance. They recommend using lighter and softer shoes, or trainers for sky running.
If you choose to wear these, you’ll need ankle support in the form of special bandages.
When you come to a lodge to stay overnight, you’ll definitely want to take your shoes off and to give your tired feet some rest.
So, you should also bring a pair of light trainers or sandals and let your boots dry overnight.
Whatever shoes you decide to use for trekking, make sure that the sole is not slippery!
Trekkers who choose to take the teahouse trek route and sleep in lodges can easily survive without a sleeping bag.
However, your own can be beneficial, because:
If you hire a porter, a 30-40L backpack will be enough for you to pack your jacket, snacks, documents, thermos, and a bottle of water.
If you plan to carry everything and don’t want to use a porter, you’ll need a bigger backpack.
Find a backpack that will ergonomically distribute the load. It should have a solid frame and waterproof material to keep your back and belongings dry.
You’ll need these not only for your visa on arrival but for all the trekking permits you need to acquire on the way.
Additionally, making a photocopy or getting a passport size photograph is difficult in the remote areas.
New types of food, new bacteria, a different climate, and the physical exhaustion are just some of the things that can upset your digestion while travelling around Nepal.
And if we add the exotic street food, you could very easily end up with a traveller’s diarrhoea. – that’s why it’s always a good idea to take a few of these capsules with you to absorb the toxins in your digestive tract if necessary.
Hundreds of trekking shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara will be happy to equip you with all the necessary gear, so. If you forgot to pack something, don’t stress.
However, the products you buy in Nepal are made locally and won’t last forever – it‘s likely that you’ll leave most of them there after your trek.
There are a number of outdoor clothing shops on Tridevi Marg in Kathmandu where you can purchase the real-deal, top quality branded gear, including fleece and jackets, down jackets, and shirts.
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