Here, you could find our complete packing list for trekking and climbing in Himalayas with Advanced Adventures. These list are a reference for best packing, but you could pack yourself based on your travel habits and experience. In addition, it is important to know that efficient packing is essential for minimize your load on international and domestic flights!
Packing for Trekking in Himalayas( In Nepal, Tibet & Bhutan):
Head & Hand Gear
Sun Hat: Any lightweight hat with a good brim or visor.
Wool or Fleece Hat: should cover ears- but any brand.
Balaclava: Should fit underneath your wool or fleece hat or be thick enough to be worn alone. (It is best when you are above 5000m, as the winds can be really icy)
Neckband (Multi use- can be worn as a scarf, facemask and headband to keep your hair out of your face) - Optional
Liner gloves: They should be lightweight and synthetic. (Patagonia)
Wind stopper fleece gloves: (Any brand of Wind stopper fleece)
Footwear:
Running shoes: These are great for travel and easy walking.
Hiking Boots: Boots should be warm and fit well over light and heavy sock combinations. Fit is much more important than brand. (Asolo, Merrill, Scarpa, La Sportiva)
Gaiters: Short, simple gaiters are best, such as Outdoor Research's Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters.. Gore-Tex gaiters- Recommended for winter trekking & climbing
Sport Sandals: For camp in lodges during evenings.
Lightweight socks: Few pairs of synthetic/wool blend (Bridgedale, Patagonia, Wigwam, and Fox River)
Heavy Socks: Few pairs synthetic/wool blend (Smartwool, Bridgedale, Wigwam, Fox River)
Clothing:
Lightweight long underwear top/ Bottom: (Patagonia-Capilene, REI, and Mountain Equipment Co-op)
Mid-weight long underwear top/ Bottom: Zip T-neck design is good. Light colors are better for tops because they are cooler when hiking in direct sunlight and just as warm as dark colors when worn underneath other layers. (Patagonia, North Face, Mountain Hard ware)
Briefs: Few pairs synthetic or cotton. Running shorts also work well for underwear.
Short-Sleeved Shirts: Few pairs synthetic or more as required; most nylon running shirts or athletic shirts work well. Shirt material should have vapor wicking capabilities. (North Face, Patagonia-Capilene)
Pair of Long-sleeve shirts
Lightweight windproof fleece (For daytime trekking)
Jacket Synthetic or Fleece: Synthetic jackets or pullovers are a great alternative to fleece because they are lighter and more compressible. Primaloft type fill or Polartec 100 or 200 fleeces is recommended. (Wild Things Primaloft, Patagonia Puff Jacket)
Synthetic Insulated Pants: Primaloft or Polarguard 3D. Full side zips are recommended. Mountain Hardwear Chugach 3D pants are an example. An acceptable alternative are fleece pants Polartec 100 or 200, but they are bulky, heavier and less versatile.
Down Insulated Jacket: A medium weight down fill jacket with a hood. The hood is optional but is highly recommended. (Marmot, North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia)
Waterproof Breathable Jacket & Pants: The jacket must have a hood and the pants must have full-length side zips. (Arc'Teryx, Marmot, Mountain Equipment Co-op)
Accessories:
Sunglasses:One pair high quality 100%UV and 100%IR, for lower elevations, also as a backup. It is important to have a spare pair of sunglasses.
Headlamp w/ Spare Bulb: AA or AAA battery powered (Petzl or Black Diamond)
Spare Batteries: Bring plenty for reading in guest houses or tents at night.
Extras:
Backpack: 20L-40L or more as per your choice, internal frame. Top opening mountaineer’s rucksack style is best.
Pack Cover: Recommended. To protect your gear on rainy day or snowy days etc
Sleeping Bag: Minimum 10F to maximum -10F (-12C to -24C) Down 700 fill minimum (Marmot, Mountain Hardwear) - We Provide if you do not have this!
Water Bottles: 1-2 liter, leak-proof wide-mouth (Nalgene or lexan type bottle)
Pee Bottle: One 1-liter, leak-proof wide-mouth (Nalgene or lexan bottle)- This is optional.
Pee Funnel for Women: Optional
Trekking Poles: Recommended. Useful for going up and down trails, Adjustable poles are better for packing. (Leki, Black Diamond)
Swiss Army Knife: Remember not to leave in carry-on bags for any international or domestic flight.
Medical & Personal:
Sunscreen: SPF 30 or higher, non-oily (Dermatone or Terrapin)
Lips creem: SPF 30 or higher (any brand)
Toiletry Kit: Toothbrush, toothpaste, skin lotion, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, soap, comb/brush, shave kit, (bring travel size bottles to keep your kit small).
First-aid Kit: Ibuprofen/Aspirin, assorted Band-Aids, moleskin, Neosporin-type suave, small gauze pad, roll of adhesive tape, tweezers, safety pins. Include any prescription travel meds that might be prescribed by your doctor (antibiotics, Diamox, sleep aids).
Large Trash Compactor Bags: For waterproofing some items inside your duffel.
Baby Wipes
Earplugs: Very useful for sleeping in tents and lodges.
Water Purification Tablets: Such as Potable Aqua brand iodine tablets. You will be given plenty of purified water during your trek, but one bottle of backup purification tablets is always a good idea for your travels. They are especially useful in hotels on your way to Nepal. You should not drink untreated tap water anywhere in Asia and bottled water in some rare cases might not be available.
Travel Items:
Trek/ Expedition Duffel Bag: Large size with strong zippers. (Wild Things The North Face etc.)- Advanced Adventures provide you this.
Small Travel Bag: Can also use a second duffel bag. For storing travel clothes and personal items at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Nylon Stuff Sacks: Two or three, for organizing your gear and clothes. Lighter colors are preferable for easy labeling.
Clothes for Kathmandu and International Travel: Enough changes of comfortable simple travel clothes. Evenings in Kathmandu can be slightly cool in autumn and spring
Work-out Clothes and/or Bathing Suit: Simple and versatile, for hotels.
Passport Belt/Pouch
Small Padlocks: For locking duffel bag(s)
Book(s)
Journal
Camera: Digital and/or film camera. Bring plenty of extra batteries, and memory cards for your digital camera. If you recharge your batteries power will be available in most of the lodges during the trek. Adaptors to fit the outlets in Nepal can be purchased easily in Kathmandu. Digital video camcorders are very useful. They allow you to record sounds and still images as well as video.
Film: Be sure to keep in your carry-on luggage, in clear zip-loc bags so that it can be inspected.
For Climbing:
Ice Axe, Crampons, Harness, 2 x Tape slings, 2 x Screw gate Karabiners, Descender/ Abseil Device, Prussic Loops & Plastic Mountaineering Boots
Mittens w/ pile liners- Esp. for Peak climbing & Expeditions