Nepal is perhaps one of the best trekking destinations in the world. It is easy to get here, there is a choice of routes to suit every taste and level. And most importantly, here you have the opportunity to see the Himalayas.

What do you need to know if you are planning a trip to Nepal for the first time?

First, you should decide on the season.
The best seasons for trekking in Nepal are spring and autumn. More precisely: from mid-March to mid-May, and from mid-September to November. During these months the weather is quite stable, even in the mountains. Summer is the monsoon season in Nepal. In winter it is cold and many passes may be closed (although some prefer to go in winter due so not to meet crowds - but the level of preparation in terms of clothing and route in winter is completely different).

Secondly, you need to choose a route and decide on the format of the trip.
There are quite a lot of treks in Nepal, and they differ greatly in length, duration, altitude from which the route begins, and the maximum height reached during the trek. With and without technical difficulties, based on lodge or tent accommodation. The most popular routes of medium difficulty (from which acquaintance with Nepal most often begins) are to the Everest base camp, to the Annapurna base camp or around Annapurna, around Manaslu.
If you have experience of trekking, including in Nepal, you can choose more remote/difficult options that require additional skills and equipment - for example, for routes in the Dolpa region you will need bivouac equipment, and for the trek around Daulagiri you will also need crampons and a harness, rope, ice ax etc.
Organizing the trip itself is also a lot of preliminary work. You can buy a ready-made package from a local tour operator, or contact a Nepalese travel agency (who will meet you in Kathmandu), or even organize the trip entirely on your own.

When going to Nepal for the first time, it is, of course, better to use the services of the tour operating company. After all, without experience of traveling in this country, it will be difficult to resolve issues with accommodation in lodges, passes to National Parks, guides, porters (which is very important!), possible cases of unexpected evacuation, etc. Usually operators offer ready-made solutions, including a basic or extended service package. Before purchasing, be sure to find out whether the price includes hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and lodges on the trek, porterage services, meals on the trek, National Park fees and internal flights/transfers (e.g. to Lukla). These factors greatly influence the trip budget: if you buy a full package without “accidentally unmentioned” services, then on the trek itself you will only need money to buy water, snacks/drinks and calls/wi-fi. If the price seems too low to you, then it probably does not include the most expensive items, and you will need to carry enough cash with you to separately pay for domestic flights, overnight lodges, meals, porters, passes, etc.

Your budget will also be affected by: the cost of tickets to Kathmandu, insurance covering your evacuation and medical care (mandatory), costs of excursions (for example, in Kathmandu), souvenirs, accommodation and meals before the start of the trek and after it, visa fee.

So, you have decided on the dates and route, chosen a provider, discussed the nuances of the service with, booked tickets, taken out the appropriate insurance policy, calculated the budget and started collecting money :) 

What to take with you on trekking in Nepal? Use our checklist so you don’t forget anything important and don’t carry unnecessary things and overpay for luggage and porters. The basic list below will help you get ready for a trek along the popular route through the lodges during the normal spring/autumn season - for example, under Everest or around Annapurna

1. CLOTHES AND SHOES 

• Trekking trousers. Convenient and comfortable, not restricting movement

• T-shirts or shirts with long and short sleeves. Preferably made of breathable synthetic fabric, quick-drying

• Thermal underwear, top and bottom. Thickness depending on season and altitude

• Warm (insulated) pants

• Jacket middle layer. It should always be in your backpack, as the weather can change quickly in the mountains. Fleece jackets do an excellent job of keeping you warm. They are lightweight and wick moisture well.

• Lightweight packable down jacket (down sweater)

• Wind/waterproof jacket. Should always be in your backpack for the case of rain or wind. It is advisable to have a jacket with a hood, and a single-layer one - to reduce weight and volume

• Wind/waterproof trousers will help keep you warm not only during rain, but also in strong winds. Trousers should be light, preferably with long zippers on the sides for easy dressing without removing shoes

• Hat. For the case of cold weather and for overnight stays

• Bandana or buff will protect your neck from the sun and your face from strong winds

• Cap or panama

• Gloves

• Gaiters for boots

• Socks: take different thicknesses to suit cold weather boots (high trekking boots) and sneakers

• Shorts

• Trekking boots with grooved soles boots in our store

• Sneakers

• Flip flops or sandals

• Bathing suit

2. RUCKSACK AND PACKAGING

• Backpack, 30-40 litres (carried personally on the trek). Any comfortable backpack that should hold spare warm clothes, water, a first aid kit and a camera

• Bag for personal belongings, up to 20 kg (carried by porter). The bag should be durable so that you can transport all your belongings both on flights and on the track

• Hermetic bag - these bags of different sizes are convenient to use for organizing and separately packing stuff

• Backpack cover will help keep things dry in rainy weather. Some backpacks come with similar liners or are waterproof themselves

3. PERSONAL ITEMS AND GEAR

• Thermos (up to 1 liter – optional). The most convenient volume for one is 0.5 l - 0.7 l

• Rain umbrella and/or rain cover

• Headlamp (flashlight) with extra batteries. Choose battery-powered flashlights so you don’t have to look for charging options while hiking

• Trekking sticks

• Folding knife

• A small camp repair kit (needles, threads, adhesive tape for repairing clothes, spare laces, lighter)

• Camera with extra batteries or charger

• Power bank with different cords

4. COMMUNICATION AND NAVIGATION

• Phone with charger and local SIM card. You can buy a SIM card upon arrival in Kathmandu. GSM communication is available on many popular routes, plus large lodges provide wi-fi for a fee

• Paper map of the area. You can buy it in Kathmandu before the start. Convenient if you travel on your own

• A smartphone with pre-downloaded maps and an offline GPS application will also be useful for independent travelers

5. HEALTH, PROTECTION AND HYGIENE

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen spray or creme

• Personal first aid kit. Also an elastic bandage to support joints

• Toiletries (incl. soap and shampoo)

• Wet wipes

• Towel

• Repellent

• Hand sanitizer

• Toilet paper

• Insurance policy

6. OVERNIGHT STAY

• Sleeping bag (up to -15C degrees)

• A sheet or light fleece blanket for lodges

7. FOOD AND WATER

• Food: on popular routes it is most convenient to eat in the lodges. For day hikes you can take energy bars, chocolate, nuts, and snacks with you. You can buy them in advance in Kathmandu for the entire trek, or purchase them at lodges along the way (this is more expensive)

• Water: buy bottled water in the lodges in the morning, 1-2 liters for the day's trek. You cannot drink unbottled water in Nepal

• Tea in a thermos: fill the thermos with hot drink in the morning. This is especially true for hikes at altitudes above 3,000 meters

8. DOCUMENTS AND MONEY

• Passport and its copy

• Money. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, it is advisable to exchange the required amount for the entire trip and trek into rupees

• Personal photo 3*4 – 2 pcs

• Insurance policy

• Copy of the agreement with the tour operator (if the trip is organized through it)

• Tickets

• Sealed packaging for money and documents