ESSENTIAL
- Hiking boots
- Comfortable shoes (tennis shoes, etc.) for wearing at the lodges in the evenings
- Bag pack (large enough to carry water, camera, extra clothing, and your lunch)
- Waterproof rain gear (a rain poncho)
- Windbreaker with hood (your rain gear may be sufficient)
- Quick-drying long pants Quick-drying shirt
- Synthetic long underwear top and bottom
- T-shirts and shorts (synthetic materials recommended; women may find trekking in a below-the-knee skirt and leggings to be quite comfortable)
- Lightweight moisture-wicking socks (not cotton as blisters will quickly form)
- Heavy socks for warmth
- Fleece jacket or heavy wool sweater
- A heavy down jacket
- Dinner attire
- Warm sleepwear
- Refillable water bottle (1-2 liter capacity)
- Sun hat with broad brim
- Warm hat and gloves
- Sunblock and lip balm with SPF Sunglasses
- Blister Remedy (“Blister Block” is a good one)
- “Toilet Kit” (for when facilities are not available while hiking. Include Ziploc baggies, tissues, and moist towelettes)
- 4 passport-sized photographs for your entry visa and trekking permit.
- If you obtain your entry visa prior to arrival, only two are necessary.
- TSA-approved locks for luggage Personal toiletries, including a small washcloth
- Anti-diarrheal medication and extra of any prescriptions you take in their original containers
OPTIONAL
- Binoculars (small and lightweight)
- Camera and extra memory cards with spare batteries Ziploc bags to keep valuables dry
- Small notebook and pen
- Field guides
- Telescopic walking stick with rubber tip
- Alarm clock
- Ear plugs
- Headlamp or Small flashlight (most electricity in the mountain lodges goes off at bad weather time at night and electricity)
- Swiss Army knife (in packed luggage; not carry on)
- Handkerchiefs or bandanas Nepalese phrase book
- Bathing suit
- Snacks, trail mix, or candy Aspirin, ibuprofen, or other pain reliever
PACKING SUGGESTIONS
Pack lightly! The less you bring, the more relaxing your experience will be and the less you will have to worry about. Due to space and weight constraints, please limit your luggage to one medium piece and one smaller carry-on per person (soft-sided luggage is preferred to reduce weight). While flying, we suggest that you carry valuables, prescription medications, and your hiking boots in your carry-on luggage.
If you are traveling with a companion, you may wish to temporarily combine your belongings in separate luggage during flights. If one set of luggage is lost or delayed by the airlines, having half of your gear is better than none!
A NOTE ABOUT HIKING BOOTS:
You will need a good comfortable pair of hiking boots for your trip with Bodhi Adventures. If you don’t already have a pair, the time to purchase them is now, so that you have ample time to break them in. There are many brands from which to choose, and most important, of course, is proper fit. Try various boots on with the socks you will wear while hiking. Keep them on for 10-15 minutes as you walk around the store, paying close attention to how they make your feet feel. By the time you leave for your trip, you should be able to hike 5-9 miles in your boots without discomfort. It is essential that your boots are comfortable and broken-in, as uncomfortable boots can ruin a trip. Bodhi Adventures reserves the right to deny participation to any guest not wearing proper footwear.
LOW OR HIGH CUT?
We are often asked about whether low-cut or high-cut (above the ankle) hiking boots are best. Our basic advice is this: you need sturdy shoes with a good tread and foot support that are made for hiking (not jogging, tennis, etc.). The choice of low or high cut is a personal one, but bear in mind you may be in very uneven terrain, and ankle support may be more important than you’d realized. It would be a shame to have a sprained ankle spoil your adventure! Bodhi Adventures reserves the right to deny participation to any guest not wearing proper footwear.
TOILETRIES AND MEDICAL ITEMS:
All travelers should bring a supply of personal toiletries. Trekkers sometimes suffer from blisters, colds, coughs, and minor stomach upsets. We recommend that every traveler bring a basic medical kit containing nail scissors, moleskin or other blister treatment, Band-Aids, sunscreen, diarrhea tablets, aspirin, and a remedy for colds and coughs. Ciprofloxin, available by prescription, is the best known treatment for bacterial diarrhea. Your trek leader is first-aid trained and will also carry a standard medical pack.
WHILE TREKKING:
A duffle bag (3 ft x 2 ft) is provided for you when leaving for the trekking of your trip. We suggest bringing a small luggage lock for a bag you may choose to leave behind in Kathmandu. It will usually be warm and sunny during the day but can be quite cool in the morning and late afternoon. The down jacket, hat, and mittens are intended for use during the evening, while at the lodges. Daytime temperatures should be warm enough for shorts, skirts, and T-shirts.