Things to carry while trekking the Himalayas

Within the Nepalese Himalayas, it becomes of a case of ‘pick your peak,’ with multiple routes to choose from and plenty of peaks to summit or base camps calling to be explored. Each route within the Nepalese Himalayas – from the Everest Base Camp Trek to the Upper Mustang Trek – offer their own challenges, which will all vary depending on what itinerary you select. 

With regards to technical climbing requirements, there are plenty of routes that beginners can trek along, including the Poon Hill trek or the Langtang Valley trek. While these routes will be a challenge both physically and mentally, anyone with a moderate level of fitness should be able to trek along a number of routes in the Nepalese Himalayas. The more challenging treks such as the Manaslu trek, the Three Peaks trek, or the Makalu Base Camp trek, require experience with extreme altitude hikes and, depending on the season, you may need to use crampons or an ice axe in some areas.

If you have your sights set on going beyond the Everest Base Camp trek and are hoping to reach the summit of Everest, you'll need to be an experienced mountaineer with years of experience and must possess a number of key skills. A few of the essential skills you must possess include the ability to read the weather conditions and the ability to predict hazards, having a sharp understanding of how your body works in extreme temperatures, knowledge of how to fit and adjust a harness, and the ability to use crampons or an ice axe on certain terrains. Summiting Everest is incredibly dangerous, and Mount Everest aspirants should take all of the necessary precautions and complete the required training before attempting to summit the tallest mountain in the world. This particular journey to Mount Everest is fraught with risk and should not be attempted without the right gear or knowledge. 

No matter what route you trek across, you will need to make sure you are prepared with the right gear, including clothing, boots, and walking poles, and to make sure you are as physically and mentally as prepared as possible. If you’ve already booked your tour or flights to embark on this life-changing journey, then the next step is to start thinking about what to pack. 

Within the Himalayas, there are many intricate networks of short and long-distance routes with varying lengths, difficulties, types of terrain, elevations, and trail conditions. But one thing they all have in common is the type of gear and clothing you will need to bring.

Before you start packing, make sure you triple check with your tour operator, as they may supply some of the items on this list.