List of things to carry on a Himalayan Trek:
Below is a list of personal articles which are required for a trek on the Himalayas. This guide helps you to give an idea about the things that you need to bring in as a trek member. Depending upon the number of days of trek, the articles quantity may vary and this list is made considering the trek duration being 5 to 7 days (week long treks). Always try to avoid unnecessary toiletries which are heavy and of little use on mountain. Pack light.
For selection of personal gear/equipment and backpacking please read the articles carefully, before buying an item:
https://dev.himalayatrekker.com/trek-essentials/selection-of-equipment
https://dev.himalayatrekker.com/packing-rucksack
| Item | Quantity | Remarks |
| Sleeping Bag | 1 | HT will provide. Bring your personal one rated for high altitude in case you have. Personal one is always better for hygiene. |
| Sleeping Mattress (Foam/Rubber) | 1 | HT will provide. |
| Trekking Shoe | 1 | A good quality rubber sole with ankle support (Medium or high ankle) shoe. Break in well in advance that you don’t face any sores/blisters when you are on mountains. Waterproof quality is highly advisable. |
| Rucksack/Back Pack | 1 | Must, Between 40 to 50 Litre |
| Rucksack cover (Waterproof) | 1 | Good to have for protection from rain/dust/stain etc. |
| Daypack/Knap sack | 1 | Optional (Can carry along with you with water bottle, food, camera and wind/water proof etc) if you want to offload your Rucksack in permitable routes. |
| Thermal wear (Base Layer) | 1 pair | Upper and lower (Woolycot). Must for winter treks. |
| Under garments/Inner wear | As per need | |
| Cotton socks | 2/3 pair | Use full length socks (Don’t use tennis socks) |
| Woolen socks | 1 pair | Nice to have |
| Woolen gloves | 1 pair | Must |
| Waterproof gloves | 1 pair | Optional. Useful especially on high altitude treks where snow/ice is encountered. |
| T-shirt | 3/4 | As per need. Take at least one dry fit/quick dry type of synthetic material. |
| Trek pants | 2 | Can be Track pants (Avoid cotton), 3 quarter/Cargo or Convertible kind. One dry fit lower of synthetic material is recommended. |
| Camp sandal | 1 pair | Can be a strap on sports sandal/Hawaiian sleeper. |
| Balaclava/Woolen skull cap/Monkey Cap | 1 | Must for protection from cold. |
| Sun cap/Wide-brimmed Hat/Bandana | 1 | Protection from sun. |
| Walking Sticks/Trekking Poles/Ski Poles | 1 pair | Nice to have, reduces the pressure on knees and gives balance specially while descending. |
| Warm/Heavy Jacket | 1 | Must. Double layer/Fleece/Synthetic fill/Down feather jacket. This is your Mid layer clothing. |
| Windproof Jacket/Wind Cheater | 1 | Must. A hooded one of water resistant/repellent material. This is the outermost layer of clothing. |
| Raingear/Poncho/Waterproof clothing | 1 | This is must, especially in monsoon. Separate upper (with hood) and lower is better option. |
| Water bottle/Hydration pack | 1 | Good quality plastic. |
| Sunglasses | 1 | This is must for all the high altitude treks. Polarised/Anti glare is always a better option in snow with UV400 (UV A & B) protection. Trekkers with spectacle can order customised powered sunglasses. |
| Sunscreen lotion | 1 | Optional. At least 30/40 SPF. |
| Chap Stick/Cold & Moisturising cream | Optional. As per need. Use small tubes/bottles. | |
| Tooth brush and tooth paste | 1 | Carry smallest available tube of tooth paste. |
| Towel | 1 | Medium size (light weight). |
| Soap/Soap strip | 1 | Carry small pocket size soap, or Soap strip. |
| Hand sanitiser | 1 | Optional. Small bottle |
| Tissue roll ( Toilet) | 1 | This is a must item as water may not be available in the vicinity. |
| Anti Fungal Powder | 1 | Optional. This helps to keep the socks and the trek shoe drier and odour free to an extent. Carry smallest container. |
| Knee cap | 1 pair | Optional. Makes a difference especially if you have knee injures/problems (Neoprene added variant is better). |
| Torch/Head Lamp with extra batteries | 1 | Must. Head torch keeps your hands free. |
| Camera with extra cells | 1 | Optional. Normally there is no charging point on the Himalayan trek routes, carry sparebatteries/powerbank. |
| Dry food items | Kit | Must. Carry some dry fruits, chocolate/energy/protein bars and Glucon D/Tang/Getorade |
| Personal First-Aid kit | Kit | Optional – Anti septic cream, Betadine/Dettol/Savlon, Band aid, cotton, crepe bandage, safety pin etc. |
| Medicine kit
(This is a simple guide line and a doctor’s consultation is recommended.) |
Kit
(Mandatory) |
a) General medicines comprising of headache, fever, vomiting, stomach upset and pain killer (Volini gel/spray)
b) Anti Diarrhoearal c) Antibiotics – ( choose broad spectrum antibiotics for treating a variety of infections – carry a course of each) d) Mild analgesics – (Aspirin/Paracetamol etc but DONOT take Codeine based painkillers). e) Strong analgesics ( Co-Proxamol/Ponstan/Temgesic, use with care). f) Anti inflammatory (Nurofen or diclofenac sodium) g) Diamox – This helps in acclimatisation (a proper dosage is must if taken. Drink lot of water as this is a diuretic drug. |
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