Trek Gear

It is important to travel as light as possible and take only essentials. Domestic carriers allow up to 15kg check in luggage and on trek your duffle bag which is carried by a porter or pack animal can weigh up to 20kg (including sleeping bag). While on trek your city clothes can be safely stored at the hotel (if you are returning) or handed over to agent to store until return from trek.

Basics

  • This should be comfortable to protect you from cold (and possibly wet) weather. Synthetic clothing like polypropylene, capilene, pile are light in weight, wick away perspiration, dry quickly if wet and provide the best insulation against cold. Wool /synthetic blends are also suitable. Use of cotton in cold, wet mountain conditions is not recommended.
  • When layering in cold weather conditions, the innermost layer should be long thermals, the middle layer can be synthetic wool, fleece, outer layer can be down / synthetic jacket and in extreme conditions, good quality Gore-Tex wind / rain parkas over this.
  • Even though villagers in well trekked routes are used to seeing individual foreign trekkers in skimpy wear we would request our clients to be dress modestly. Women and men can both wear long, baggy hiking shorts, long trousers. Women should avoid “sports bra” tops.
  • Quantities for clothing are not included so you have to use your own judgment based on duration of trek, expected weather conditions and overall weight restrictions.

Sleeping bag

  • Medium weight, down or fiberfill rated from –5ºC for Ladakh (July / August and Garhwal treks in May and June ) and rated –15ºC for September groups in Ladakh, Sikkim, Garhwal, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet groups.
  • Sleeping bag liners – Lightweight fleece liners are great as to use in lower altitude treks and warm weather. Serves as an added layer for light weight sleeping bags.

innerwear

  • Regular underwear. Synthetics are easier to wash and dry
  • Thermal long underwear’s. Lightweight and medium weight tops and bottoms.

Trousers

  • Baggy hiking shorts
  • Long baggy trekking trousers / sweat pants
  • Lightweight / medium fleece pants to wear at higher camps.

Sweater/Jacket

  • Heavy Down for autumn groups going to Garhwal, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet
  • Medium weight fleece jacket, sweat shirt.
  • Medium weight / heavy weight down / synthetic filled jacket.

Shirts

  • Short sleeved T shirts (synthetic is best)
  • Long sleeved synthetic T shirts (especially Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Garhwal autumn trips where you have to walk through forests and shaded areas)

Handwear

  • Polypro liner gloves
  • Wool /fleece mittens (for autumn in Ladakh, Sikkim and high altitude treks)

Foul Weather Gear

  • Gore-Tex rain / wind parka
  • Gore-Tex rain / wind pants with full length side zipper to fit over pants.

Headwear

  • Sun hat with wide brim (especially for Ladakh) and neck protection
  • Wool hat (autumn in Ladakh and Sikkim, Garhwal)
  • Bandanna. - multi purpose to cover nose, mouth (dust), around neck for protection against sun, handkerchief, hand towel.

Socks

  • We recommend 3 / 4 pairs of inner and outer socks
  • Athletic running socks
  • Synthetic inner socks
  • Mid weight hiking socks

Footwear

  • Sturdy, properly fitting footwear. If you are buying new boots, please break them in by wearing as much as possible before the trip.
  • Medium weight trekking boots (preferably water proof leather) with padded high ankle, good arch support. These should be good quality for prolonged walking on rocks, screes, boulders, snow.
  • Tennis shoes (serves as good spares) to be worn around camp – optional
  • 1 pair Tevas (for rafting and very useful for river crossings wear around camp on trek). Must for Ladakh groups. Can be used on monastery sightseeing day – easy to put on and off.
  • Sunglasses – dark especially for Ladakh where sunlight is very strong.
  • Chums / bands to hold glasses.

Body Care

  • Toileteries: biodegradable soap, toothbrush, paste. Women should bring any feminine products or buy them at the last city before trek.
  • Small towel / gym washcloth is light, folds small so more practical
  • Body lotion
  • Sunscreen – min 25 SPF
  • Lip Protection

Duffle for Trek Gear

  • Sturdy and water proof duffle bag – large enough to hold sleeping bag plus trekking clothes and gear.
  • The bag can get dusty and can get tears as sometimes trails are narrow and pack animals, porters can scrape against cliffs hence the duffle should be sturdy.

Day Pack

  • Should have a capacity of 1500 to 2000cubic inches to carry camera, water bottle, light jacket and packed lunch. Can double up as carry bag on flight.
  • Spare roll up duffel: You should consider bringing a small, roll up nylon duffle (lockable) to store city clothes while on trip.

Checklist

  • Aspirin
  • Antacids
  • Band-Aids
  • Throat lozenges
  • Moleskins
  • Small hand towel
  • Antiseptic cream
  • Antihistamines
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics (We normally use Ciprofloxacin, Azythromycin and these are readily available over the counter in India)
  • Painkillers
  • Cetrizine (anti allergy)
  • Paracetamol
  • Diamox (if going above 3,000metres)
  • Tiniba (easily available in India)
  • Personal medication, if any

Common Ailments

  • Diarrhea, constipation, cough, cold, stomach infections.
  • Medicines are easily available over the counter at all chemist shops in India.
  • Please check with you physician for the appropriate dosage.

Other Essentials

  • Hiking sticks – very helpful for the steep descents and ascents.
  • Swimsuit for pool at hotel (if there is one)
  • Set of casual city clothes which can be stored while on trek.
  • Water bottle – 1.5 litre capacities x 2 (especially for Ladakh). Make sure these are leak proof, heavy duty plastic (Nalgene).
  • Personal medical kit
  • Money belt or neck pouch to store cash / passport.
  • Spare reading glasses, prescription glasses. (Contact lens not recommended for dusty trekking conditions)
  • Headlamp /flashlight with spare batteries
  • Disposable towelettes / baby wipes / hand sanitizers
  • Lighter (to burn toilet paper / paper napkins)
  • Plastic bag / zip lock bags of various sizes.
  • Heavy weight garbage bags to use as waterproof liner inside duffle.
  • Small padlocks
  • Camera and film
  • Repair kit with needle, thread, safety pins
  • Reading, writing material
  • Swiss army pocket knife
  • Powdered mixes such as Gatorade to flavor water.
  • Trail snacks
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