These are what I am using/packing; each person will adapt it according to his/her own needs. Take note that I am weighing absolutely everything in order to be in control of how much weight I am carrying. See below the table for an explanation of everything marked with a blue asterix *
GENERAL PACKING LIST THAT I WORK FROM. I ADJUST IT ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF HIKE/TREK I AM GOING TO DO.
| ITEM | NUMBER | WEIGHT |
| GENERAL: | Tot: | |
| Camino guide and maps | 1 | |
| Pilgrim Passport | 1 | |
| Passport / ID | 1 each | |
| Travel tickets | – | |
| Cash / ATM cards | x | |
| Money belt * | 1 | |
| Backpack * | 1 | |
| Carry bag * | 1 | |
| Sleeping bag with earplugs | 1 & 2pr | |
| Glasses / sunglasses | 3 | |
| Mobile | 1 | |
| Power bank * | 1 | |
| Charger plug | 1 | |
| Chargers: phone, power bank, earphones, watch, torch | 5 | |
| Earphones | 1 | |
| Pillowcase * | ||
| CLOTHES: | Tot: | |
| Walking boots * | 1 | |
| Walking sandals * | 1 | |
| Flip flops * | 1 | |
| Rain jacket | 1 | |
| Walking trousers/shorts | 2 short / 1 long | |
| t-shirts | 3 short-sleeved | |
| Sweater (thin) | 1 | |
| Fleece jacket | 1 | |
| Thin fleece gilet | 1 | |
| Sunhat, buff | 1 elk | |
| Gloves | 1 | |
| Arm sleeves * | 1 | |
| Underwear | 3 | |
| Socks and liners * | 4pr each | |
| TOILETRIES: | Tot: | |
| Toilet bag | 1 | |
| Shampoo / conditioner | 1 each | |
| Multipurpose soap | 1 | |
| Toothbrush & -paste | 1 each | |
| Deodorant | 1 | |
| razor | 1 | |
| Facial cream | 1 | |
| Sunblock | 1 | |
| Small hairbrush | 1 | |
| FIRST AID: | Total: | |
| scissors | 1 | |
| Nail clippers | 1 | |
| Gauze | – | |
| Antiseptic spray | – | – |
| Thin tape plaster | – | – |
| Waterproof plaster | – | |
| Blister plaster (long thin) | – | – |
| Syringe | 1 | – |
| Painkillers | A lot!!! | – |
| Anthisan | 1 | – |
| Antibiotic cream | 1 | |
| Tweezer | 1 | |
| Syringe and needle | 1 | |
| Imodium | – | |
| Antihistamine | – | |
| Something for burns | 1 | – |
| Personal medication | – | |
| BAG FOR FEET: * | Tot: | |
| Gehwohl / Vaseline | 1 | |
| Hiker’s wool | 1 | |
| OTHER: | Tot: | |
| Water bottle | 1 | |
| Kikoi * | 1 | |
| Microfibre towel | 1 | |
| Walking sticks with spare bits | 2 | |
| Berocca / vitamins | 3 | |
| Cup * | 1 | |
| Scallop shell / stone | – | |
| Torch & head torch * | 1 | |
| Hand sanitiser | 1 | |
| washcloth | 1 | |
| Tissues | 1 | |
| Cooling cloth * | 1 | |
| Drying bag | 1 | |
| BAG WITH DIY | Tot: | |
| Needle and thread | 1 | – |
| S-Hooks * | 2 | – |
| Soap for clothes & safety pins * | – | – |
| Duct tape * | – | – |
| Tennis ball * | 1 | – |
Amount – Amount (because it is either in your money belt or you are carrying it) = x + 1kg for water = final weight carrying
Money belt: I always carry a money belt / fanny pack to have easy access to important personal items without having to take my backpack down. In my money belt I would pack my guide, map, pilgrim’s passport, my own passport and other ID documents, cash, bank cards, mobile phone, tissues and lip balm. This is also a much safer way to carry important items in case your backpack goes ‘missing’.
Carry bag: This is an extra I carry and generally I put it in the top pocket of my backpack. It is very handy if you must buy food or drinks, have wet clothing, Dirty washing for the next day to wash, etc. I use the carrier bag from Sketchers because it is a little rucksack.
Power bank: It is good to always have a power bank with a full battery in case there are no empty sockets to charge your phone, watch, earphones, torch. Buy one with the most capacity. I have seen that those that charge with solar heating is not always practical, because it slides off your backpack and there is never a guarantee for enough sunlight.
Pillowcase: This is personal. I saw during my first Camino that many people had an extra pillowcase they took along. They reckon that a silk pillowcase will prevent bedbugs on your pillow, and it is also hygienic. However, many Albergues on the Camino and also the teahouses in the Himalayas will provide you with a protective pillowcase. Your choice…
Walking sandals: Your feet need a break at times and many people will walk after their long official walk in walking sandals. Also… believe me… if you have blisters, it is lovely to walk in these rather than trying to squeeze a blistered toe into a boot! If you get sandals, try to get those where your feet have plenty of moving space in them.
Flip flops: Flip flops to shower in. I have flip flops from OOFOS. It is a sports recovery flip flop and really makes a difference to tired feet. The whole ‘shoe’ is designed for comfort. According to me this is a must.
Arm sleeves: Right, so you get various types of arm sleeves that people use for either sport or to prevent them from sunburn. I bought a cheap pair off Amazon which works perfectly. How I use them? It is part of my layers. I wear a short sleeved t-shirt sometimes with a thin sweater from Pategonia over it with a fleece gilet. I then wear my arm sleeves over the thin sweater or on bare arms. This way you can have your arms warm when needed and it is easy to take off when you are too hot. I tie them to my money belt. Once again just easier without having to take your backpack off to get things out or the put warms stuff back again. Your choice…
Socks and liners: The main thing to do to prevent blisters, is to keep your feet dry. I usually wear moisture wicking / merino wool socks and always Injinji toe sock liners. The Injinji socks keep your feet dry and it is also great to keep a plaster or hikers wool in place. It also can prevent blisters between the toes where your toenails rub against the toes.
Bag for feet: Right in the top pocket of my backpack I carry a bag for my feet and in this bag there is Gehwohl foot cream. It is a lanolin-based foot cream that helps to keep it dry. Vaseline will do the same trick. I was introduced to Hiker’s Wool during my first Camino. It is amazing stuff. It really prevents blisters if you act fast. As soon as you feel a sore spot or a hot spot, stop and apply a generous amount of Hikers wool to that area and keep it ‘contained’ in your sock. Magic stuff and also can be bought off Amazon.
Kikoi: A kikoi is an African type of sarong made from linen. I find it useful when my towel is still wet to dry myself, or to wrap it around myself getting out of a shower, to throw on the ground to sit on, or to sleep under when cold.
Cup: The only reason why I have a cup with me is to use it when there is a nice stream or water point. I generally carry two water bottles depending on the length of the hike.
Torch: I really like those body torches that runners use when they train in the dark. It fits around your body and is adjustable. This is very useful when you take off in the dark, because you don’t shine your torch into somebody else’s face and also have you hands free.
Cooling cloth: This is a new thing that I have discovered. It is a special cloth that you wet and put around your neck. It keeps you cool for a long time and is very refreshing.
S-hooks: To hang your toilet bag, towel and clean clothes in the shower cubicle. Also great to hang your backpack if you don’t want it to stand on the floor.
Safety pins: They are much better than clothes’ pegs in my opinion. You can use them to dry clothes on the washing line, you can hang your clothes from the curtain to dry overnight, you can pin wet clothes to your backpack and let it dry while you walk and you can use them to fix a broken zipper.
Duct tape: Well…you can use this to fix anything, from shoes, to bags, etc and it also can be very handy as part of your first aid kit.
Tennis ball: There is nothing nicer than rolling a tennis ball under tired feet to get rid of all your aches and pains and to get the circulation going again. It helps alleviate tension and soreness by massaging the muscles, fascia, and connective tissues in the feet.
Backpacks: There are many good brands of backpacks out there. Try on many to get the right fit for you. Make sure to put in the weighted bags that all outdoor shops should have that sells backpacks. Walk around in them and get the overall feel. Make sure to wear the bag on your hips and not let it hang from your shoulders. Make sure all the pockets can be properly used. It is also good if you can adjust the back of the bag to fit the length of your back. I have a 45liter for long walks and a 35liter daypack fofr short walks. Both are Osprey.
Walking boots: Make sure you walk your boots in properly. Some people reckon that walking boots are only walked in if you have walked a 100km in them. I always buy half a size bigger than my actual shoe size in order to allow enough space for my toes. I always make sure that I can move and spread my toes out easily. Remember to fit new shoes with the socks that you intend to wear when doing your trek/hike. The brand of shoe is a personal choice. I swear by my HOKAS, because they are so light weight and easy to walk in.
TREKING EQUIPMENT LIST THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME FOR TREKKING IN NEPAL. I STILL WORKED FROM THE ABOVE LIST THOUGH.
Given list are just to give you general guidelines for packing preparation for your trip to Nepal
| Items | Number | Remarks |
| Hiking boots | 1 Pair | Good Condition |
| Trainers for lodge | 1 Pair | |
| Walking Trouser | 1-2 Piece | |
| Long sleeve shirt | 1 Piece | Good for trekking |
| T-shirt / casual shirt | 2-3 Piece | |
| Down Jacket | 1 Piece | Can hire in Kathmandu |
| Water/Wind Proof Jacket | 1 Piece | |
| Water proof or Rain coat | 1 Piece | |
| Fleece Jacket or Warm Jumper | 1 Piece | |
| Sun Hat or Cap | 1 Piece | |
| Towel | 1 Piece | |
| Sun Glass | 1 Piece | |
| Warm Gloves | 1 Pair | Can buy locally in trekking |
| Head Torch | 1 Piece | 1 pair extra batteries recommend |
| Day Pack, apox 30L | 1 piece | |
| Sleeping Bag | 1 piece | Can hire in Kathmandu |
| Water Bottle | 2 Piece | About 2ltr capacity |
| Thermal set or base layers | 1 Pair | |
| Scarf or buff | 1 Piece | |
| Dry bags | 2-3 piece | Packing purpose |
| Toiletries | ||
| First Aid Kit | Regular medicine must bring | |
| Sun lotion | 1 Piece | Minimum SPF+30 recommended |
Note: Water Sport types of gear for the rafting are recommended.
OPTIONAL:
- Gaiters
- Sleeping liners
- Pillow case
- Trekking Pools
- Camera (No Drones as it requires special permits)
- Pen Knife
- Repair Kit
- Reusable Bag to avoid Plastic
Note: While you are in trekking, we recommend not wearing the sleeveless top or revealing clothes as mountain people are still living with traditional dresses.
Due to the fact that water needs to get boiled to make it fit for drinking, get water bottles that can stand the heat of boiled water being poured into them.
Links to brands that I am using. Please note that these are my personal preferences. There are many other brands that might work better for you.
https://www.hoka.com (hiking boots)
https://www.osprey.com (backpacks)
https://www.oofos.co.uk (recovery flip flops)
https://www.sketchers.co.uk (comfortable shoes for after walk when flip flops too cold)
https://www.injinji.com (socks)
https://eu.patagonia.com (thin sweaters)
https://rab.equipment (down jackets)
https://www.amazon.co.uk (Gehwohl and Hikers’ Wool)