With Nepal’s towering Himalayas and age-old temples, it’s no surprise that so many people have this small South Asian country on their travel bucket list. Between its dozens of treks, Buddhist and Hindu religious sites, and delicious food, travellers young and old fall in love with Nepal each year.
After having trekked in Nepal for quite some time, I definitely wish I had packed a little differently before the trip. To help you out, we’ve created this comprehensive Nepal packing list which can act as a guide for you to decide on the purchases and planning you might have to do before you take the plunge.
1. Trekking Shoes and Slippers
You’ll probably spend most of your time exploring Nepal’s breathtaking outdoors and good hiking shoes that are already worn are absolutely necessary. The two most common options are mid/high trekking boots that provide great ankle support and sky running trainers that will help you maintain your balance while climbing at higher altitudes.
The first option will keep your ankle stable but you’ll make it more difficult on your body to keep balance. The second option is better for balance but you’ll still need special bandages to provide the needed support for your ankles. Finally, don’t forget to bring slippers. You’ll desperately need them once you’re done hiking for the day and your feet need rest. Also, you’ll want to wear them on the bus, especially if you’re visiting in the summer.
2. Water Bottle with Built-In Filter
Drinking water is an extremely scarce resource in Nepal, especially in the mountains. When you get above 3,000 meters, you can rarely even find bottled water. The only option here is to refill your own bottle from a teahouse/restaurant that has a purifier and that costs at least 200 Nepalese rupees ($2) per litre. If you have a water bottle with a built-in filter, you can refill your bottle anywhere, including mountain streams. Alternatively, you could also use a self-filtering straw that functions in a similar manner or water purification tablets.
3. Nepal Power Adapter
The most commonly used plugs in Nepal are the Type D (also used in India) but at some places, you can also find Type C plugs (European).
My advice is to bring a type D adapter and a universal adapter to make sure that you can charge all of your devices.
4. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
If you’re a digital nomad or at least hope to get some work done while on your vacation, a VPN is something you must add to your Nepal packing list. The internet in the Nepalese Himalayas is practically non-existent on a height above 3,000 meters and the connection is pretty poor even in the cities. Not only can the VPN solve this problem but it can also add an extra layer of security to your internet usage that comes really handy while you’re traveling.
5. Sunscreen and sun hat
Many first-time visitors and inexperienced trekkers think that the mountains are a cold place that doesn’t get a lot of sunlight.
However, the higher elevation actually increases the risk of UV overexposure and sunburns, even when it’s cold. Needless to say, your Nepal adventure will be much more pleasant if you’re not suffering from the sting of sunburns. Additionally, if you’re visiting in the summer, consider getting a sun hat too.
6. Weather-Coat or Rain-Jacket
Nepal has a rainy season in which heavy rain is something you’ll see almost every day. And nothing can ruin a trip like getting caught in the rain unprepared.
If this happens and you’re trekking, keep in mind that you’ll stay wet until you find a shelter and sometimes that can be miles away. That’s why a lightweight and compact rain jacket is an essential item of your Nepal packing list.
7. Insect repellent and leech socks
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. Some of them even followed us to one of our hotel rooms. If you’re hiking during the rainy season, you would want to get these leech socks to protect yourself.
8. A day backpack
You’ll probably take a couple of one-day trips or go hiking if you’re visiting Nepal. In these situations, it’s important to have a good and comfortable backpack.
For more details regarding this, you can check out my article about the best hiking backpacks.
9. Passport photocopy and passport-size images
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. That’s why bringing these things is a no-brainer.
10. Walking Poles
Using walking sticks decreases the strain on your knees and can help you with balancing as well. Versatile and durable lightweight poles that are simple to store are highly recommended for trekking in Nepal.
CAMPING ESSENTIALS
If you’re trekking away from the teahouse trek route, there are a few additional things you might need to carry.
- A tent and a sleeping bag
- A pocket knife
- A lighter and campfire supplies
- A flashlight
- A supply of non-perishable food
- First-aid kit
- Dry shampoo and dry conditioner
- Towels
- A compass or GPS device
On The Road 