Essential Things to Carry On a Himalayan Trek – A Complete Guide

There’s no doubt that trekking in the Himalayas is soul-enriching, but it is unlike any regular walk in nature – it’s a region of unpredictable weather. At times sunny days could turn into unexpected downpours, and nights may get frigidly cold. Thus, creating a thorough and precise packing list becomes extremely crucial for a successful hike.

Trekking trails are not a walk in the park; they take you through forest covers, rugged terrains, snowy slopes, or high-altitude ridges. Thus an appropriate gear takes away all your discomfort and allows you to relish your adventure. In other words, a perfect gear is the one that makes your journey safe, comfortable, and convenient.

Let’s discuss these essentials to help you figure out what items to buy or rent without breaking the bank:

1. Backpack

A good quality backpack is the first and foremost investment you have to make before hitting the trail. For a trek, you need a backpack having maximum possible comfort that doesn’t cause muscle soreness. With a fully adjustable suspension system, you can easily move shoulder straps and adjust the length according to your back’s length. The hip belt should be rightly positioned and secured on your hips. Normally for high-altitude, moderate treks, a backpack with carrying capacity of 50 to 60 liters is a good choice.

For efficient packing, you can utilize the space of your backpack in three ways – things used at night, things used during the day, and things that need quick access. So an ideal bag is the one that has enough outer pockets for quick access.

Finally, the one key feature that makes your backpack perfectly fit for a trek is an integrated rain cover. You never know when it rains or snows on high altitudes, so a separate pocket at the bottom carries a built-in rain cover. In the event of sudden rainfall, you can easily reach it.

2. Trekking Shoes




Right trekking shoes are a crucial component of your trekking list. They should perfectly address your three main concerns – safety, comfort, and protection from injury. So to find the right pair, you need at least three features: high ankle support, good grip, and water resistant. High ankles offer more stability on uneven ground than low cuts. Make sure your shoes are as sturdy and lightweight as possible. Well-built footwear considerably decreases the risk of ankle sprains, toe injuries, and swollen soles.

Before actually buying trekking shoes, you should also consider these important points:

• It should be constructed by durable, waterproof, and breathable material that keeps your feet dry and ensures long life.
• Take at least one size bigger than you usually wear. This will ensure that you can wear multiple layers of socks without hurting your feet.
• Make sure you practice walking with them at home before going on the trek. It will allow your feet to comfortably fit in them, which will further prevent any possibility of blisters.


3. Slippers

Camping slippers are crucial foot gear on any trek as they provide your feet with extra comfort and hygiene. At the end of your day’s trekking, you need to air out and dry your feet, and be relaxed from hiking boots. They are very convenient at campsites, allowing you to easily slip on and off for quick tasks, such as going to the bathroom at night.

4. Trekking Socks

Trekking socks also play a vital role in keeping your feet not just in good shape but warm and dry as well. They help regulate your body temperature and provide proper cushioning and to prevent pressure points and blisters.

• Pack your socks in sets – 3 woolen and 2 usual.
• Choose socks that are moisture-wicking and cushioned.
• Use woolen socks made of merino wool for night, and normal socks for trekking.


5. Microspikes

If you don’t want high altitude winter conditions to slow you down, microspikes will provide you extra stability and grip on icy trails. The winter treks such as Kuari Pass, Kedarkantha, Brahmatal, Dayara Bugyal, Chopta Chandrashilla, etc. receive heavy snowfall during peak winters. So the snowy trails need extra traction to prevent you from slipping or losing balance. Microspikes, therefore, will be extremely helpful in these Himalayan treks.

6. Clothing




Clothing for high-altitude treks requires proper and effective layering to overcome cold and bad weather. Layering is not just stuffing your backpack with clothes – it’s more about a strategic way of getting warmth and comfort.

Layering is done by wearing outfits in three layers: base, middle, and outer. The moisture wicking base layer helps regulate your body temperature by keeping sweat away from your skin. For the middle layer, you need to add insulation that traps and retains body heat. For the outer layer, you need incredible warm outfits that protect you against wind, snow, and rain.

Here are your must-pack clothing items:

• Thermals: Thermals serve as an essential base layer for your body. In high-altitude Himalayan areas, cold bothers you the most; so thermals efficiently protect you by trapping your body heat. Make sure to pack the pairs whose fabric is such that wicks away your sweat easily. Keep at least 2 pairs each of upper and lower.
• Fleece or Insulated Jacket: Fleece is a highly effective constituent for mid-layer insulation that is soft, lightweight, breathable, and more importantly, warm. It is versatile clothing for layering that effectively protects you in a cold environment. Fleece absorbs very little water and dries quickly. It is also good in comfort and mobility without being bulky.
• Track Pants: The next clothing accessory to pack is trekking pants for more comfort, greater protection, and better performance. All you need to focus on is to make sure the fabric is light-weight, quick-dry, stretchy, abrasion-resistant. It would be better if it includes zippers, adjustable waist, and secure pockets for keeping important items.
• Down Jacket: Down jacket is absolutely necessary clothing as outer layer because it provides crucial insulation by trapping body heat. The synthetic insulation created by feathers helps retain warmth even when wet. Make sure it compresses easily to easily fit into your backpack.
• Windproof Jacket: On high altitudes, wind chill factor comes into play that can lower body heat considerably. A windproof jacket effectively combats wind chill and helps regulate body temperature. During winters, a windproof jacket is a must for summit climbs because wind blows very harshly over summits.
• Quick-Dry T-Shirts: As the name explains for itself, quick-dry t-shirts are impressive layering clothing. They are helpful in terms of providing safety across varying weather conditions. Without adding too much mass, they are ideal light-weight clothing for quick reuse. Make sure to pack 3 full-sleeve t-shirts.
• Waterproof Jacket: As we already stated, weather can turn around any time on mountains, and you have to be prepared for sudden rains. So your packing essentials should also include a waterproof jacket, which will help you adjust to sudden weather shifts.


7. Personal Hygiene and Toiletries

It’s always extremely vital for you to maintain hygiene during treks for health and well-being. So here should be your picks:

Items	Qty
Sunscreen (SPF 50)	1 no.
Moisturizer (SPF 30+)	1 no.
Chap-stick / Lip balm	1 no.
Toothbrush and toothpaste	1 no.
Toilet paper & Wipes	1 no.
Antibacterial powder	1 no.
Quick dry towel	1 no.
Zip-lock bag	1 no.

Note: Rashes are very common while trekking due to rubbing or chafing, so you should change your undergarments after finishing each day’s trek.

8. First Aid Kit




High-altitude Himalayan trails are remote with inherent risks of slips, falls, cuts, sprains and blisters. Far from any clinics and hospitals, you should also be prepared for any medical emergencies occurring while trekking. So a first-aid-kit becomes very crucial stuff for immediate treatment. Another important thing it does is it prevents minor problems from going out of hand and becoming major issues.

Things that should be present in your medical kit include:

Items	Qty
Bandages and Band-aids	2 and 5 respectively
Antiseptic wipes	1 pack
Antiseptic ointments	1 tube
Tapes	1 no.
Blister pads	1 pack
Pain relievers (doctor-approved)	1 leaf
Antibiotic medicines (doctor-approved)	1 leaf
Scissors	1 no.
Safety pins	5 no.
Hand sanitizer	1 no.
Oral rehydration salts	2 packs
Insect repellant	1 no.
Tweezers	1 no.

Note: It is always for your well-being that your trek leader should know if you are under any medication prescribed by your doctor. That way the support staff will be better able to assess your health and provide relief accordingly.

9. Sunglasses

In high-altitude Himalayan regions, the sun plays out very differently. Up on the mountains, the ultraviolet radiations get highly intense, which are compounded by thin air and reflection due to snow. Hence, you need sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays.

• Use sunglasses with polarized lenses.
• Don’t use steel-frame glasses on high-altitude winter treks as it can stick to your skin.
• Don’t use eye lenses during treks especially in winters as their liquid becomes hard at low temperatures. So use only spectacles.
10. Trekking Poles

High-altitude treks have usually uneven routes and rugged terrains that can have adverse impact on your knees and joints. So trekking poles are extremely helpful to reduce strain on knees and improve balance.

They help you maintain pace, prevent lower body fatigue, and provide you proper leverage and thrust required to hike on high altitudes. Trekking poles become all the more important when paths are slippery and icy due to snowfall.

11. Woolen Cap

A woolen cap seems like a small article, but it is equally crucial for high-altitude treks by preventing body heat loss. It gives a strong protection against severe cold, wind and sun exposure.

In high altitude cold conditions, a significant amount of heat is lost through your uncovered head. The natural property of wool is its excellent insulation that serves as a barrier to heat transfer. Thus a woolen cap is a crucial item that is highly effective for managing changing weather conditions.

12. Sun Cap

A sun cap is a highly useful item of your packing list of high altitude treks as it shields your face, neck, eyes, and ears from UV radiations. Additionally, it reduces visual discomfort, while keeping your head cooler by blocking direct sunlight.

13. Neck Gaiter




A neck gaiter is a very efficient packing item that is useful for its versatility. It covers your mouth, nose and neck to protect you against cold and wind on high altitude treks. On even lower temperatures, this multi-functional piece shields your face and neck from frostbite. On the other hand, it also serves as an excellent protection against UV rays and sunburns.

14. Balaclava

A balaclava is very useful for increased warmth and tight protection against extreme cold, wind and snow on high altitude winter treks. It effectively shields your head, ears, neck, and face, while allowing you easier breathing in harsh cold conditions. It’s also versatile and can be used as a neck warmer and head cover tucked under a hood.

15. Gloves

Protecting your hands and feet is absolutely necessary on altitudes because in extreme weather conditions, it becomes really difficult to perform routine tasks. Cold affects fingers first and gradually makes them numb, and finally, frostbite kicks in. A good quality pair of gloves provides you warmth, protects you from wind and rain, and prevents injury.

• Keep 2 pairs of gloves for layering – the outer pair as waterproof and fleece gloves as inner pair.
• The outer pair should be comfortable enough to have a good grasp on your trekking pole.
• Secure grip with adjustable straps.


16. Headlamp

Headlamp/head-torch is a very useful winter trek essential because it offers hands-free operations like setting up camp, cleaning, or carrying out first-aid without fumble. Additionally, for early trekking hours or late returns to campsites, headlamps prove to be very handy. Another good use of headlamps is as a deterrent to scare away wild animals.Additionally, for early trekking hours or late returns to campsites, headlamps prove to be very handy. Another good use of headlamps is as a deterrent to scare away wild animals.

• For trekking, a brightness of 60 – 150 lumens is enough.
• Lightweight with comfortable head-strap.
• Multiple illumination modes
• Good battery life.


17. Water Bottle

In high altitude trekking, staying hydrated is a survival strategy. As the air thins out, your body receives less oxygen, and to cope with that, your respiratory rate increases. Basically, thin air is dehydrating your body along with robbing you with essential fluids. Besides, altitude sickness is always a possibility.

Hydration is the only way that allows proper oxygen transport, maintains temperature levels and ensures muscle activity. Therefore, you need a water bottle always with you to stay hydrated.

• Take at least 2 liters of water bottles with you.
• Use a minimum 2 bottles – one thermos for hot water, and one normal bottle during day hike.
• Don’t use hydration packs on low temperature winter treks as they can freeze.


18. Gaiters




Gaiters can be of immense help on high-altitude, rugged and snowy terrain. They provide extra protection to your feet by not letting snow, water, mud, gravel, and debris enter inside your shoes. Wearing gaiters, your hiking boots will not get wet quickly while walking through the snow. The treks like Kedarkantha, Gulabi Kantha, Kuari Pass, and Brahmatal have frozen trails during winters, thus a pair of good quality gaiters will come handy here.

• Make sure they are knee-height long with durable straps.
• Zipper closure with Velcro flap for extra security.
• Constructed by waterproof and abrasion-resistant material.
19. Snacks and Energy Bars

While on high-altitude treks, you need sustained energy to prevent body-fatigue and optimum blood sugar. So calorie-rich snacks and energy bars will fulfill your energy demand on the go. Make sure to keep dry fruits, nuts, seeds, protein bars, nut butters, etc. for your hike.

Final Words

As we know, the outdoor trekking activities in high altitude regions provide enriching experience. But the enjoyment and the success of your hike depends a lot on how fully prepared you are. The above mentioned checklist of essential items is very handy for the Himalayan treks and make sure you don’t forget them.

FAQs

1. What are the must-have items for a beginner’s trekking journey?

If you are a first time trekker, you need to pay extra attention to the essentials you have to carry with you. Your packing list should include trekking shoes, layered clothing (thermals, quick-dry t-shirts, fleece, waterproof jacket, down jacket), proper head gear, first aid, toiletries, water bottle, sunglasses, and more importantly, a good quality backpack.

2. How many jackets do I need for a winter trek?

For a typical winter trek such as Kuari Pass, Kedarkantha, Brahmatal, etc., you need at least three different types of jackets – a fleece jacket, a waterproof jacket, and a down/padded jacket. You can pick the variety for a down jacket as per weather conditions, but fleece and waterproof are largely unchanged.

3. What backpack should I carry to my next Himalayan trek?

If you are planning your next trek to the Himalayas, you need a backpack that is highly comfortable with a carrying capacity of 50 to 60 liters. It should have padded shoulder and waist straps, a supportive structure, and a mechanism to properly distribute its weight. Make sure it has multiple compartments, zippers, and pockets to keep quick-access items.

4. Do I need trekking poles on a high-altitude trek?

Yes! Trekking poles are very handy equipment, especially for high-altitude treks, which serve two purposes – safety and comfort. They provide stability, reduce knee strain and ankle injury, and conserve energy.

5. Why should I need trekking shoes over sports shoes?

When it comes to high-altitude Himalayan treks, you need extra safety and comfort to successfully complete your journey. Thus more than any other shoes, trekking shoes are designed to offer firm grip, sturdy construction, ankle support, and water resistance for any type of terrain. Sports shoes simply can’t provide you that, so there is no comparison whatsoever.

If you want to get more info about trekking essentials for different seasons, you can check season-specific pages on our website.

• For monsoon season packing list
• For summer season packing list
• For winter season packing list