What you should bring depends largely upon where, when and how you are trekking. The main stress while trekking is on keeping warm and dry while still being lightweight. At altitudes above 3,000 meter, you will need warm clothing at all times, while at lower altitudes, you will need to keep warm only in the evenings.
And for lower altitudes, fleece jackets are adequate, while at higher altitudes down jackets are advisable.
Waterproof, windproof jackets and pants, well broken in footwear, head cover is also recommended. Good hiking shoes, a pair of sandals, sleeping bags, down jacket, sunglasses, warm woolen hiking socks, lightweight warm gloves, drinking water bottle, water purification tablets (which is highly recommended) a Swiss army knife, torchlight, sun block cream, toiletries, one quick drying towel, first aid kit and a very good route map are other things that come very handy. You also need a camera to take home memories of the trip. Please find the details trekking gear checklist below.
Trekking Gear Checklist
Head
- Bandana or headscarf, also useful for dusty conditions.
- Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
- Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs.
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Prescription sunglasses (if required)
Upper Body
- Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
- Light and expedition weight thermal tops.
- Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover.
- Waterproof shell jacket (preferably breathable fabric)
- Down jacket
- Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
Hands
- 1 pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves.
- 1 pair of lightweight wool of fleece gloves.
- 1 pair of mittens, consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)
Lower Body
- Non-cotton underwear briefs.
- 1 pair of hiking shorts.
- 1 pair of hiking trousers.
- 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
- 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
- 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric
Feet
- 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks.
- 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks.
- 1 pair of hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy, soles, water-resistant, ankle support, “broken-in”)
- 1 pair of trainer or running shoes/sandals
- Cotton socks (optional)
- Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version
Sleeping
- 1 sleeping bag (-20 degrees)
- Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)
Rucksack and Travel Bags
- 1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
- 1 large duffel bag
- A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables should have good shoulder padding
- Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
- 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)
Medical
- Small, personal first-aid kit. (Simple and light)
- Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
- 1 skin-blister repair kit
- Anti-diarrhea pills
- Anti-headache pills
- Cough and/or cold medicine
- Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
- Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.
- Water purification tablets or water filter.
- 1 set of earplugs
- Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies.
Practical Items
- 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing-repair kit
- 1 cigarette lighters, 1 small box of matches
- 1 compass or GPS (optional)
- 1 alarm clock/watch
- 1 digital camera with extra cards and batteries
- Large Ziplocs
- 2 water bottles (1 ltrs. each)
- 1 small folding knife
- Binoculars (optional)
- 4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks.
Toiletries
- 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
- Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
- Multi-purpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
- Deodorants
- Nail clippers
- Face and body moisturizer
- Female hygiene products
- Small mirror
Personal Hygiene
- Wet wipes (baby wipes)
- Tissue/toilet roll
- Anti-bacterial hand wash
Extras/Luxuries
- Reading books
- Trail map/guide book
- Journal and pen
- iPod
- Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble, playing cards (to help you pass the time at teahouses or camps)
- 1 modest swimsuit
- Voltage converter
- Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)
- Lightweight pillowcase (in case if your teahouses do not provide you)