What to bring equipment for Nepal Trekking?
It’s always best to have your own equipment since you will be familiar with it and know for certain that it works. If there is some equipment that you do not have, however, you can always buy or rent it from one of Nepal’s many trekking shops. Much of the equipment available is of excellent quality but you must check carefully items before buying or renting. The rental charges are generally not excessive, but large deposits are often required usually equal to a generous valuation of the equipment itself. Never leave your crucial documents passport as a deposit.
Rental rates are very dependent on quality, but per day prices are rough as follows. Mattress 20- 30 USD, Sleeping bag US$ 70 to 150, Down jacket US$ 40 to 120, pack, US$ 30 to 70, Trekking Boot US$ 70 to 200. Kathmandu is still the center for trekking equipment and there are many outlets around the Thamel, Pokhara, Lukla, Namche bazaar and Chame also have trekking equipment place. The equipment available in Nepal used to be mainly expedition leftovers but now there is also a gear deal of new equipment. Some trekking gear including sleeping bags, down jackets, duffle bags, rucksacks, camera cases, ponchos, and wind jackets are manufactured in Kathmandu and sold in Thamel trekking shops at very reasonable prices. Much of this locally produced gear is decorated with well know brand names such as North face, Karrimor, Lower Pro, and Gore-Tex but don’t be deceived into thinking you’re getting top-quality merchandise at a bargain price. Even so, most items are well made and will stand up to the rigors of at least one major trek. Approximate retail prices for new Nepali-made gear complete with fake brand names are as follows.
Clothing Items: The clothing you require depends on where and when you trek. If you’re going to Everest Base Camp in the middle of winter you must be prepared for every cold weather and take down gear, mittens, and the like. But if you’re doing a short, low-altitude trek early or late in the season the weather is often likely to be fine for T-shirts and perhaps a sweater or better year a pile jacket to pull on in the evenings. If you don’t have your own sleeping bag or down jacket, these can be rented in Kathmandu, these may not be particularly clean.
Apart from ensuring you have adequate clothing to keep warm, it’s important that your feet are comfortable and will stay dry if it rains or snows. Uncomfortable shoes or blistered feet are the worst possible trekking discomfort. make sure your shoes fit well and are comfortable for long periods. Running shoes are adequate for low altitudes below 3000m warm weather treks where you won’t encounter snow, though they lack ankle support. Otherwise, the minimum standard of footwear is lightweight trekking boots, these can be bought new and imported in Kathmandu at Rs 5000 to 12000.
Other Gears: In winter or at high altitudes a high-quality sleeping bag will be necessary. However, if you are going on an organized trek check exactly what equipment is supplied. It’s a waste of time to bring your own sleeping bag if the company supplies one. If you need to hire one it could be a grubby check for fleas or worse. Rain is rare during most of the trekking season though weather patterns in the Bay of Bengal can cause massive rainstorms during the autumn and there are sure o be few rainy days in spring. you should be prepared for it by carrying waterproof gear or at least an umbrella. The rainy season just before and after the monsoon also brings leeches and it’s nice to have some salt or matches to deal with them.
Take a torch (flashlight0 for those inevitable calls of nature on moonless nights. Cigarettes and matches are popular small gifts to have with you on treks if you are traveling with proters but beware of encouraging children begging for one rupee or a school pen. For Trekking and peak climbing in Nepal following gear are most crucial to complete the trip.
Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, voucher, and passport-sized photos.
Duffel Bag & Company T-shirt: We supply complimentary duffel/Company T-shirts, but one extra big duffel bag is necessary for non-trek goods left at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Sleeping Bag: Nepal High Trek will supply a complimentary down jacket that needs to be returned after the trek.
Down Jacket: Nepal High Trek will supply a complimentary down jacket that needs to be returned after the trek.
Day Pack: (with waist straps), refillable water bottle (Approximately 15- 20 Ltrs)
Head: Warm Head, Sun Cap, headlamps, sunglasses, alarm clock, torch/flashlight/ earplug, and eye mask.
Feet: Thin, lightweight inner socks, Thick, warm wool hiking socks, Hiking boots with spare laces, Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)Gaiters for hiking in winter
Hands: Lightweight gloves, Heavyweight gloves or mittens, With a waterproof shell outer (Seasonal
Lower Body: Under Garments, Hiking shorts. Lightweight cotton long pants, Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms, fleece or wool pants (seasonal), Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
Upper Body: T-shirts, Light and expedition weight thermal tops, fleece jacket or pullover, Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (Optional), Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
Accessories: Sleeping bag inner liner, Batteries, Kindle, First aid kit, Trekking Poles, Water bottles, Toiletries, Small wash towel, Toilet papers, Hand sanitizer, lip balm, face and body moisturizer, Ear Plug, Sewing kit, knife, lighter, a small padlock.
Toiletries: Nail cutter, Small mirror, Toothbrush/paste, multipurpose soap
Extras: Wet wipes (baby wipes), Tissue /toilet roll, Anti-bacterial hands wash, book, Trail Map/Guide book, Pencils and small notebooks, Regular Medicine, sanitary pads and play cards.
