Trekking through the Himalayas in Nepal presents unique challenges compared to other hiking destinations. With diverse weather and rugged terrain, having the right gear is crucial for a memorable journey. Here's a glimpse into the gear I packed for my Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal, spanning from late March to early April.
Let me preface by mentioning that our trek involved hiring porters and guides, meaning I packed a daypack and a duffel bag. As we lodged in teahouses along the trail, there was no need for a tent or excessive food provisions. This arrangement afforded me the luxury of carrying additional camera gear and a few extra clothing items, a departure from my typical backpacking load. However, we'll delve into those specifics shortly. With one porter assigned for every two trekkers, my duffel bag was restricted to a 10kg limit, while my daypack was reserved for essential items needed during the day.
MY ULTIMATE NEPAL TREKKING PACKING LIST
CLOTHING
Fleece trekking trousers- Mountain Warehouse 450g
Fleece jacket- The North Face 240g
Insulating jacket- Mammut 330g
Windbreaker jacket- Columbia 420g
Baselayer- Montbell 143g x 2
Sports bra x 2
Legging x 2
Underwear x 5
Hiking socks- Smartwool 70g x 2
Neck gaiter- Decathlon 40g
Gloves- Muji 100g
Beanie- Mountain Warehouse
Trekking shoes- Hoka Anacapa
Sunglasses- Decathlon (Clipped on)
Rain pants- Montbell 173g
Sandals- Montbell 338g
Let's dive into the essentials, starting with clothing—a critical aspect given the fluctuating temperatures on the Annapurna Circuit. I opted for Hoka Anacapa Gore-Tex trail runners for footwear, offering agility and support while remaining lighter than traditional boots. Being waterproof proved invaluable, especially when navigating icy patches and snow at Tilicho Lake and during our Pass day. Microspikes, picked up in Kathmandu, provided additional traction on those particularly challenging days. Now, the great debate: boots versus trail runners. Ultimately, wear what feels most comfortable for you, and ensure they're adequately broken in.
I packed two pairs of Smartwool socks, allowing me to rotate and keep my feet dry, even layering them for added warmth when temperatures dropped. Managing laundry proved tricky in the cold, so I packed five pairs of underwear to accommodate the drying challenges. Two sports bras and two baselayers from Montbell rounded out my clothing essentials.
For upper body layering, versatility was key. I packed a fleece from The North Face and an insulating layer from Mammut. A windproof rain jacket from Columbia provided protection against the elements.
On the lower body front, I packed fleece trekking trousers and rain pants from Montbell to ensure I stayed dry and warm, no matter the conditions. Accessories were equally vital—I brought along a neck gaiter and fleece-lined buff from Decathlon to combat the cold, along with a beanie, gloves, and clip-on sunglasses to shield against the sun's glare.
One unexpected hero of the trip? My Montbell sandals are perfect for wearing around teahouses as I could wear them with my socks.
Despite my extensive winter experience in Europe with this exact set of clothing, I underestimated the cold exposure on the Annapurna Circuit. Thus I added an extra puffy jacket along the way for added warmth. Mornings often began layered up with fleece and insulating jackets, swapping to a wind jacket as the day progressed. The fleece trousers and puffy jackets proved essential during stops at teahouses, Ice Lake, Tilicho Lake, and Thorong La Pass.
HIKING GEAR
1.5L soft flask- Hydropak 130g
Water filter- Salomon 52g
Bum bag- Syzygy 50g
Winter sleeping bag- Mountain Warehouse 1700g
Rain cover for my backpack- Wandrd 100g
Multipurpose tool
Sleeping pad- Sea to Summit 480g
Hiking backpack- Haglof 35L 920g
Let's talk about some other essential gear for your trek. First up, a winter sleeping bag rated for 0°C and below is recommended. While teahouses typically provide blankets, the lack of heating means temperatures can plummet, especially at higher altitudes. I also brought along a sleeping pad for our night at Ice Lake, but if camping isn't on your itinerary, you can skip this item.
For my backpack, I opted for my trusty Haglof 35L pack. However, for a day pack, something around 20L should be enough—just ensure it's comfortable for long hours of wear. Don't forget a rain cover or pack liner, as unexpected snowfall can happen, as we experienced during our trek.
In my daypack, I carried essentials like my Hydropak water bottle and a water filter to stay hydrated on the trail. Additionally, I packed extra layers for changing weather conditions. I picked up new trekking poles in Manang to assist with uphill climbs, a worthwhile investment for the challenging terrain.
Finally, stocking up on snacks before you ascend is a smart move—prices tend to rise at higher altitudes, so having some treats on hand can save you both money and energy.
TOILETRIES
Toothbrush 5g
Toothpaste 20g
Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Face wash- Cosy Cottage 70g
Wet wipes- Sea to Summit
Towel- Sea to Summit 30g
Sunscreen- Salt and Stone 85g
Toilet paper
Travel meds- Diamox, Imodium, Cetirizine, Famotidine, Panadol, Voltaren, Duoderm
Nail clipper, Comb, Razor
During the trek, maintaining personal hygiene becomes a bit of an art form. We managed to shower every 2-3 days, but I learned the hard way that bar shampoos weren't my best bet—my hair turned into a bit of a disaster, prompting a switch to regular shampoo. My Sea-to-Summit towel was a lifesaver; lightweight and quick-drying, it proved its worth time and time again.
Toilet paper became a precious commodity up there, so it's wise to pack your own supply. Biodegradable wet wipes from Sea to Summit were a godsend for those days when showering wasn't an option. And don't forget the sunscreen! The sun's rays are extra potent at higher altitudes, leaving us all with some interesting tan lines, especially from those trusty trekking pole straps.
In terms of first aid, my kit included essentials like Imodium, Cetirizine, Famotidine, Panadol, Voltaren, and Duoderm. We all took Diamox during the trek, but it's important to tailor your kit to your specific needs and medical history.
ELECTRONICS
iPad Mini 300g
Headlamp- Decathlon 90g
Power Bank- Verbatim 10000 210g x2
Travel adaptor- Verbatim 145g
AirPods 38g
Cables + Plug 150g
When it comes to electronics, I packed an iPad Mini for entertainment during downtime and for transferring videos later in the trip. I had a rechargeable headlamp as we started pretty early in the dark for some of the days. To keep things powered up, I had two 10,000mAh Verbatim power banks, along with a Verbatim adaptor and all the necessary cables for charging.
I stowed everything in an IKEA Frakta bag, using it primarily to protect my Haglof backpack. And a quick tip for air travel: remember to stow your hiking poles in your checked luggage—they're not allowed in carry-ons. We were provided with duffel bags from our tour company when we got to Kathmandu.
PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR
Tripod- Peak Design Carbon Fibre Travel Tripod 1280g
Camera- Nikon Z6 667g
Action Camera- GoPro Hero 11 153g
Lens- Z 24-120 f/4 630g
Lens- Z 20 f/1.8 505g
Lens- Z dx 50-250 f/4.5-6.3 405g
GoPro Grip- 3-way 213g
Mic- Joby 70g
ND filters H&Y
Capture clip- Peak Design 84g
Camera cube- Wandrd 360g
What equipment did I use for filming? I primarily relied on a Nikon Z6 paired with a Z 24-120 f/4 lens for capturing daytime scenes, while switching to a Z 20 f/1.8 lens for astrophotography. For telephoto shots, I utilized a Z DX 50-250 lens as it was what I had. Additionally, I had a GoPro Hero 11 mounted on a 3-way grip, accompanied by a Joby mic to capture crisp audio. To enhance my footage, I used ND filters from H&Y and stabilized my shots using a Peak Design carbon fibre travel tripod.
To keep my camera accessible during hikes, I secured it to my backpack using the Peak Design capture clip, while storing extra lenses safely in the duffel bag within my Wandrd camera cube.
Reflecting on my gear choices, I realized the importance of versatility. In hindsight, you don’t really have the opportunity to switch lenses when you’re walking. The mountains are quite near and ginormous so I don't think there are lots of opportunities for a telephoto lens. While the 24-120 lens proved invaluable for its wide range and adaptability to various scenes, the 20mm lens offered stunning astrophotography capabilities. However, I discovered that light pollution posed a challenge to capturing clear night skies, making it less ideal for astrophotography compared to other locations I've experienced.
Last but not least, my passport and my visa for Nepal.
Most of the gear I mentioned is interchangeable, you don’t necessarily need to use the exact brand and model. They're simply what I had available. The only items I purchased specifically for this trip were fleece trousers, a sleeping bag, and an IKEA bag for added protection.
If you're not bringing camera equipment, it's entirely feasible to tackle this trek without porters. For a detailed breakdown of all the gear mentioned, check out the lighterpack link provided in the description box. And if you have any questions or need further advice on embarking on this trek, don't hesitate to leave them in the comments below. Happy trails!
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