Trekking gear for Nepal: what to bring and what to rent
A packing list for teahouse treks in Nepal: what to bring from home, what you can rent in Kathmandu or Pokhara, and what you should always buy new.
By Firfirey editorial. Editorial draft, facts being checked against official sources.
The one rule
Bring your own broken-in boots, never rent them. Boots that have not moulded to your feet cause blisters, and blisters can end a trek. Walk at least a few long days in your boots before you travel.
Almost everything else can be bought or rented in Thamel or Pokhara's Lakeside, where gear shops are everywhere. Quality varies a lot, so check items carefully.
Rent or buy
A guide to what makes sense to rent and what to buy:
| Item | Rent or buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hiking boots | Bring your own | Must be broken in; never rent |
| Down jacket (warm, rated for well below freezing) | Rent | Essential above about 3,500 m; bulky to bring |
| Sleeping bag (about -10 C) | Rent | Teahouse blankets are not enough up high |
| Trekking poles | Rent | Save your knees on long descents |
| Porter duffel bag | Rent | What your porter carries |
| Microspikes | Rent | Icy trails and high passes in winter and spring |
| Gaiters | Rent | Snow and scree |
| Down mittens | Rent | Cold pre-dawn starts |
| Daypack (about 35 litres) | Rent or bring | For your daily water, layers and documents |
| Headlamp | Bring or buy | Pre-dawn starts and power cuts |
| Thermal base layers | Buy new | Never rent base layers |
| Category-4 sunglasses | Buy | Snow blindness is a real risk above the tree line |
| Water purification tablets or filter | Buy | Avoid buying plastic bottles |
| First-aid kit | Buy | Blister care and personal medicines |
Clothing
Dress in layers you can add and remove through the day:
- Two or three quick-dry walking shirts.
- Thermal top and leggings for evenings and nights.
- A fleece or light insulated jacket.
- A waterproof and windproof shell jacket, and waterproof trousers.
- Trekking trousers, plus shorts or a skirt for lower, warmer days.
- Warm hat, sun hat, buff or scarf, light gloves and warm gloves.
- Good walking socks, and camp shoes or sandals for the evenings.
Documents and money
Keep these in a waterproof pouch in your daypack:
- Passport, permits and copies of both.
- Travel insurance details, including the emergency number and proof of cover for helicopter evacuation.
- Enough cash for the whole trek.
Health and hygiene
Bring a small first-aid kit with blister plasters, pain relief and any personal medicines, and talk to a doctor about altitude before you go. Add sun cream, lip balm with sun protection, hand sanitiser, biodegradable soap and toilet paper, which is not always provided in teahouses.
Electronics
A phone, charging cable, universal adapter and a power bank cover most needs. Cold drains batteries quickly, so keep them in your sleeping bag at night. Charging at high teahouses usually costs extra.
Checking rented gear
Rental quality varies. Before you pay, check:
- Zips on sleeping bags and jackets run smoothly along their full length.
- Down is spread evenly, with no cold, empty sections when you hold it up to the light.
- Poles lock firmly at the length you need and do not slip under your weight.
- Microspikes fit your boots and the chains and rubber are intact.
- Agree the daily rate, the deposit and the return date in writing, and keep the receipt.
Packing light
If a porter is carrying your bag, keep it reasonable: ask your agency for its maximum load and pack below it. Leave city clothes and anything you will not need in a bag at your Kathmandu or Pokhara hotel, which will usually store it.
Questions
Can I rent trekking gear in Nepal?
Yes. Thamel in Kathmandu and Lakeside in Pokhara have many rental shops for down jackets, sleeping bags, poles and more. Check zips, seams and warmth before you leave.
Should I rent hiking boots?
No. Bring your own broken-in boots. Rented or new boots are a common cause of blisters.
Do I need a sleeping bag for teahouse treks?
Yes for treks above about 3,000 m. Teahouses provide blankets, but nights at altitude are cold. On Poon Hill a light bag or liner is usually enough.
Sources
Related treks
The classic teahouse trek from Lukla through Sherpa villages to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and the Kala Patthar viewpoint, with acclimatisation days in Namche and Dingboche.
- Days
- 12 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,644 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
A teahouse journey around the Annapurna massif, from the green Marsyangdi valley through Manang and over the Thorong La (5,416 m) to Muktinath and the dry Kali Gandaki valley.
- Days
- 11 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,416 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
A teahouse trek from the road heads north of Pokhara through Gurung villages and the bamboo forest of the Modi Khola gorge into the Annapurna Sanctuary, to Annapurna Base Camp at about 4,130 m.
- Days
- 8 days
- Maximum altitude
- 4,130 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
