In the first place, to stay away from any confusion on what to pack for climbing in Nepal, we have prepared a perfectly designed packing list. Although it is not decisive, the list is intended as a guideline to all trekkers, including the climbers. But remember IT IS NOT DECISIVE in any way.
However, your final packing list for Nepal climbing will depend on your personal preference. Not just that, but a good sense of judgment, as well. Though most of the lodge-to-lodge trekking or teahouse trekking in Nepal have a similar packing list, it may differ sometimes depending on the number of trekking days.

As an illustration, from the tentative essential climbing gear list given below, Himalayan Glacier will provide lodges, meals (3 times a day), a sleeping bag, a duffel bag, and a down jacket (for all seasons). Nonetheless, we will provide the items indicated by an asterisk (*) in the checklist, which are included in the trip cost.
In fact, a single porter is limited to carrying 33lbs. (15kgs) of your personal belonging. Also, this happens to be your weight restriction for all domestic flights in Nepal. Since you will have gears and equipment, the weight limit would exceed a certain extent. Of course, we will bear the cost of your extra nominal weight. But, if your luggage is much heavier than the limit, be ready to pay the extra cost. In short, you can acquire a pretty informative idea about the complete packing list for Everest Base Camp Trek, which will help you understand what needs to be carried out during the initial trekking phase before your climbing expedition in Nepal.
Yet, never forget to be selective in what you carry!
- 1. Travel Documents
- 2. Travel Clothing
- 3. Personal Gears & Accessories
- 4. Climbing Equipment
- 5. First Aid & Medicine
- 6. Toiletries/Personal Hygiene
- 7. Miscellaneous Items
- 8. Extras (For Men)
- 9. Extras (For Women)
- Recommended Brands of Gears, Equipment & Accessories for Trekking
- Recommended Brands of Gears, Equipment & Accessories for Climbing/Expedition
1. Travel Documents
- Valid Passport
Bring along 2-3 photocopies of your passport and also a photo on your phone in case of loss or theft. - Airline Tickets & Trip blueprint
Undoubtedly, it is required if you are not carrying a smartphone (with confirmation and trip itinerary). - Nepal Visa
Indeed, Nepal Visa is provided on-arrival in Kathmandu airport (except for some countries that need to apply for visa at their country’s Embassy or consulate. - 4 Passport size photos
Obviously required for various reasons, including permits, local SIM card etc. - Travel Insurance
During your trip that covers all your medical costs, flight cancelation or trip cancelation costs, rescue and air ambulance on the trip (if any). Keep a paper copy as well as a digital copy. - Proof of Immunization against COVID-19
On account of health issues, please contact your physician or visit the CDC website for detailed information. - Yellow Fever Certificate
For travelers 9 months and above coming from or who were in transit for more than 12 hours from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission. - Cash & Credit Cards
You will require cash during the trip (at least $200-300) along with your credit/debit cards.
Note: Make sure that your passport has a validity of at least 6 months remaining while leaving your country. Because it is mandatory, else you may be unable to exit from your country of origin.
2. Travel Clothing
Headwear

- Brimmed Hat or Sun Cap
- Sunglasses
- Buff/Neck Warmer/Neck Gaiter
- Knit Hat (preferably a fleece or woolen hat)
- Balaclava
- Bandana or headscarf
Bodywear – Torso
- Lightweight thermal tops
- Fleece Pullover or Jacket
- Waterproof Jacket
- Down Jacket or Puffer Jacket*
- Long/Short, Polypropylene Sleeve Shirt (for trekking at lower altitudes)
- Sports Bra (Women)
- Soft Jacket
- Insulated Jacket

Handwear
- Lightweight Gloves (wool or fleece)
- Heavyweight Gloves or Down Mittens
Bodywear (beneath the torso)
- Hiking Pants
- Fleece Pants
- Light thermal trouser
- Underwear
- Hiking Shorts (optional) (for summer-time trekking)
Footwear
- Trekking Boots
- Hiking Socks
- Trekking Sandals
- Cotton Socks (optional)
- Gaiters (optional)
- Running Shoes or Trainers
3. Personal Gears & Accessories
- Expedition Backpack, 65L
- Trekking Backpack, 30L-40L
- Sleeping Bag*
- Trekking/Climbing Poles
- Head torch with extra batteries
- Duffel Bag (90L/20 Gallons) *
- Sleeping bag liner
- Raincoat
- Thermosets (to provide extra insulation for the sleeping bags)
- Binoculars
- Navigation Equipment
- Glacier Glasses
- Daypack cover
- Garbage bag
- Water Bottle
- Face Mask
- Book/Diary/Games
4. Climbing Equipment
In the meantime, with the right gears and equipment, the chances of mishaps are less frequent. The following mountain climbing gear list will help you decide what you need to carry on your trip:

- Climbing Boots
- High Altitude Double Boots (for 6000m+ peaks)
- Triple Mountaineering Boots (for 7000m & 8000m+ peaks)
- Climbing Helmet
- Crampons
- Expedition Mittens
- Expedition Suit/Special Bodywear
- Ice-Tools
- Ice-axe
- Ice-hammer
- Ice-screw
- Harness (for safeguarding a person to a rope or an anchor point)
- Tape Slings (for building a belay or improvise a chest harness, and also used for rescue purposes)
- Screwgate Karabiners (2 lock, 2 unlock) (used to quickly and reversibly connect the various components during climbing)
- Ascender (Jhumar) (used for directly ascending a rope or for enabling protection with a fixed rope during mountain climbing)
- Descender (eight figure) (important gear used for controlling the descent)
- Snow Bar/Snow Anchor* (these are built for added protection when traveling on a glacier, crossing steep slopes, or during crevasse rescues)
- Ropes*
- Belay Device* (used along with a Screwgate karabiner to control the rope during belaying or rappelling; used as a friction brake)
5. First Aid & Medicine
Himalayan Glacier Guides carry an all-around comprehensive first aid kit while trekking or climbing in Nepal. However, we recommend that you carry a personal first aid kid as well for any minor maladies. The following list engrosses the essential first aid items and medicines you may require while trekking or on an expedition in the mountainous regions of Nepal.
- Antibiotics
- Painkillers
- Cough Lozenges
- Plasters, Bandages & Zinc Oxide Tape
- Foot Powder
- Skin-blister repair kit
- Antidiarrheals
- Altitude sickness drugs
- Water purification tablets or water filters
- Earplugs
- Prescriptions
- Sunscreen Cream
- Lip Balm
- Insect Repellent
- Hand Sanitizer
- Wet Wipes/Baby Wipes
- High-calorie snacks (optional)
- Electrolytes, powder, or tablets (optional)
- Eye Drops
- Oral Rehydration Sachets
Note:
Specifically, please do not bring sleeping pills as they are respiratory depressants.
For that reason, please consult with your Guide before taking these altitude sickness drugs or if you experience any kind of uneasiness while you are trekking in Nepal.
6. Toiletries/Personal Hygiene
There are limited or no permanent showers or bathing facilities at the teahouses, especially at higher altitudes. However, upon payment of a small fee, you will be provided a bucket of hot water. But, during the climbs, you will have to manage in tent toilets.
After all, to keep your toiletry items organized and safe from damage or uncleanliness, we recommend that you have handy toiletry bags with you. You can carry the following list of toiletries or personal hygiene items that you will need daily during your hike and climb:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Small bar or soap bottle
- Dry Shampoo
- Quick-drying towel
- Multi-purpose soap
- Deodorants
- Nail Brush & Clippers
- Hairbrush
- Face Flannel
- Hand and face moisturizing cream
- Toilet paper
7. Miscellaneous Items
- Contact lenses
- Power glasses
- Flasks
- Umbrella
- Pad locks
- Multi-tools
- Stuff sacks, dry bags or Ziploc-type plastic bags (optional)
- Camera (optional)
- Swiss Knife (optional)
- Power bank
- Universal adapter
- Activated charcoal (optional)
8. Extras (For Men)
- Small mirror
- Razor and shaving cream
- After shave gel or lotion
- Pee bottle
9. Extras (For Women)
- Urinating device (Shewee)
- Pee cloth
- Feminine wipes
- Menstrual cups
- Tweezers
- Sanitary Napkins
- After shave gel or lotion
Recommended Brands of Gears, Equipment & Accessories for Trekking
ITEMS | RECOMMENDED BRANDS |
Long/Short Polypropylene Sleeve Shirt | Icebreaker, Under Armor, Columbia, Berghaus |
Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover | Berghaus, Helly Hansen, The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Arc’Teryx |
Soft jacket, fleece or soft shell | The North Face, Berghaus, Icebreaker, Arc’Teryx |
Down Jacket (Puffer jacket) | The North Face, Arc’Teryx, Rab Positron, Mountain Hardwear |
Waterproof Jacket with hood (waterproof/breathable) | The North Face, Arc’Teryx, Berghaus, Mountain Hardwear |
Sports Bra (Women) | Brooks FastForward, Icebreaker, Smartwool Racerback, Brooks Dare, Handful |
Warm Gloves or Mittens | Bellemere, Garnet Hill, Vermont, Hobbs London, L.L Bean, The North Face, WhitePaws |
Light Gloves | Under Armour, Terramar, Smartwool, Fox River, TRENDOUX, Dakine Storm Liner |
Waterproof Hiking Pants | Gore-Tex, Patagonia, The North Face, Arc’Teryx, Columbia, Jessie Kidden, Mountain Hardwear, Marmot |
Hiking Shorts | Columbia, Tru-Spec, Mountain Hardwear, The North Face, Arac’teryx, ExOfficio Nomad |
Fleece Pants | The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Arc’Teryx, Patagonia, Stan Ray, Cotopaxi Abrazo, Burton Mine77 Sherpa |
Light Thermal Trousers | GORE H5, Rab Positron, Craghoppers, Acai Women’s, Montane Women’s, Arc’Teryx, Vaude |
Undergarments | Icebreaker, Under Armour, Cw-X, Moving Comfort, Shock Absorber |
Hiking Boots | Berghaus, Mammut, La Sportivva, Salomon, Merrell, Zamberlan |
Hiking Socks | Bridgedale, Smartwool, REI Co-op, Darn Tough, Farm to Feet, Wrightsock, Balega, Icebreaker, Stance |
Trekking Sandals | Scarpa, Salomon, Hi-Tec, Dream Pairs, Teva Hurricane, Xero Shoes, Chaco Z, KEEN Newport |
Gaiters | Salomon, Outdoor Research, Unigear, WINOMO, Pike Trail, Moxie Gear, ALTRA Trail |
Running Shoes/Trainers | Salomon, Merrell, La Sportiva, VJ Ultra, Brooks Cataman, Hoka Speedgoat |
Trekking Socks | Bridgedale, Smartwool, Darn Tough, Icebreaker, Wigwam, Columbia, Injinji, Thorlos Lite |
Sleeping Bag | Mountain Hardwear, The North Face, REI Magma, Marmot, ZPacks, Teton Sports, Sleepingo, Ohuhu, MallowMe Revalcamp, Coleman Brazos |
Sleeping Bag Liners | Brave Era, Mountain Warehouse, Lifeventure, Sea to Summit, Cocoon Silk Mummy, Scottish Silkworm |
Trekking Poles | Black Diamond, Gossamer, Montem Ultra Strong, Leki Vario Carbon, REI Co-op, Pace Maker, Kaito |
DayPack | Osprey, Vorlich, Gregory, REI Flash, Deuter Speed, Patagonia, Hyperlite, Six Moon Designs |
Thermosets | Thermarest, Exped, TNH Outdoors, Coleman, Stansports, Lightspeed |
Backpack Covers | Joy Walker, Frelaxy, Osprey, LAMA, FANCYWING, Deuter, Mountain Top, Jepeak, FOME, OUTJOY, Unigear |
Water Bottle | Nalgene, Hydro Flask, Platypus Platy, Katadyn BeFree, Camelbak, Klean Kanteen, HydraPak Recon |
Recommended Brands of Gears, Equipment & Accessories for Climbing/Expedition
High Insulated Double Boot | La Sportiva Olympus Mons, Scarpa Phantom, La Sportiva Spantik |
Expedition Mittens | Black Diamond, Arc’teryx Venta, Mammut La Lista, Burton Clutch |
Glacier Glasses | Julbo Vermont Classic, Northern Lights, Vuarnet Glacier, Cameleon |
Harness | Mammut, Petzl, Edlewiess, Sterling, Black Diamond |
Karabiner | HMS Bentgate, FavoFit, Heroclip, Wild Country, Black Diamond Positron |
Belay Device | Black Diamond ATC, CAMP USA Matik, DMM Pivot, Mammut Smart |
Ice-Tools | Petzl Summit, Camp USA, Black Diamond, Trango Raptor, Omega Pacific |
Crampons | Black Diamond, Grivel G10, Petzl Leopard, Camp USA |
Ascender | Petzl Ascension, Kong Climbing Lift, Black Diamond, Wild Country Ropeman |
Climbing Helmet | Mammut, Camp and Edelrid, Petzl, Black Diamond, Retrospec Traverse |
Tape Sling | Petzl Anneau, Rock Empire Dyneema, Edelrid Lanyards, Add-Gear |
Descender | Asap’ Sorber, Mobile Fall Arrester, Lanyard, Petzl, Derope, Tractel,Minifor, Tirfor |
Snow Bar/Snow Anchor | DMM Deadman, Black Diamond, MSR, Platypus, PackTowl, Seal Line, Thermarest |
Expedition Suits | North Face, Black Yak, Kailas, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, RAB |
To rephrase it, this exclusive Nepal Mountain Climbing packing list will help you pack for your trips to the Himalayas. With the help of this guide, you’ll know exactly what to look for when renting or buying gear in Kathmandu. If you have any questions about the trip or any other confusion to clarify, contact us or drop in a message on our Facebook Page
Great article! Really helped me
Plan for my adventure trip
To the mountains in Nepal!