Nepal Bhutan Tour

Equipment Checklist

This list is only a guideline. While you are required to bring everything on this list, there are numerous options, brands, and versions of each piece of equipment. Use your experience and the listed features to find the best gear for you. Some of the above equipment can be easily found in stores in Kathmandu for cheaper prices.

General

• 4 seasons Sleeping bag (Optional/we can provide one if you need it but is to be returned after the trek)
• Duffel or Rucksack bag & suitcase (Optional/we can provide one if you need it but is to be returned after the trek)
• Daypack
• Down Jacket (Optional/we can provide if you need one but is to be returned after the trek)

Upper Body - Head / Ears / Eyes

• Shade hat or baseball cap - some people drape a bandana down the back of their head and then put a baseball cap on to hold it in place. This can be a flexible alternative while keeping the sun off your ears and neck.
• Warm wool or synthetic hat that covers your ears.
• Balaclava - lightweight, thinner variety.
• Glacier glasses-
• Headlamp
• Some people like earmuffs; These are optional; a good hat, balaclava, and hooded jacket should really be sufficient, but this is a personal choice for some people (optional).
•  A neck warmer is another piece of gear for extra warmth if you feel you will need it (optional).

Hand

• 1 pair of liner gloves, thin wool or synthetic, useful alone on mild days or as a layer inside other gloves/mitts for additional warmth.
• 1 pair of warm gloves
• Instant hand warmers are always nice in a pinch, but really shouldn't be necessary on the trek.
• Bringing appropriate hand protection as recommended above, should be sufficient (optional).

Core Body

• T-shirts (2).
• Light and expedition-weight thermal tops.
• Fleece jacket or pullover.
• Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional).
• Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket.
• 2 women's sports bras, Synthetic, no cotton!
• Long shirts (2)

Lower Body – Legs

• 2 pairs of nylon hiking shorts - Quick drying type, not cotton!
• Underwear, stay away from cotton (4).
• 2 pairs of lightweight long underwear - capilene or other synthetic.
• 1 pair soft shell pants - synthetic, full zip from top and bottom preferable.
• 2 pairs of trekking pants, preferably that zip on/off at the knees so they double as shorts.
• 1 pair of hard-shell pants. Waterproof/breathable, Gore-Tex or equivalent is best. Should zip from the top and bottom - this makes it easier to put on over boots without getting undressed should the weather change once you are underway for the day.
• 1 pair of cotton pants (loose jeans/khakis).
• All clothing should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks or large puncture-resistant plastic bags.

Feet

• 2-4 pairs of liner socks, synthetic or capilene.
• 2-3 pairs of heavy-weight socks to be worn over liner socks.
• 1 pair of lightweight socks, is a good option for the lower / warmer parts of the trail.
• 1 pair of light to medium-weight waterproof hiking/trekking boots. Ensure a good fit with layered socks and you have worn then before to get used to it (Otherwise, you will get lots of blisters).
• 1 pair of light trekking shoes or sneakers. Good for around the camp/lodges and in Kathmandu.
• 1 pair of sandals (Optional).
• Medicines and First Aid Kits

(Please note our guide will also carry the first aid kit bag during the trek. However, we still recommend you bring your personal first aid kit as well)

• Extra Strength Excedrin for altitude-related headaches.
• Ibuprofen for general aches and pains.
• Immodium or Pepto bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
• Diamox (commonly prescribed as Acetazolamide) 125 or 250mg tablets for altitude sickness.

       Please discuss this with us before starting to take this medicine.

• 1 small personal-sized first-aid kit with blister treatments such as mole skin, band-aids, some waterproof tape, anti-infection ointments, etc. Your guides will have more extensive medical gear, but you should have the basics for general use.

Miscellaneous

• Passport and extra passport photos (4 copies).
• Airline ticket (Please make a copy and leave on at our office in KTM just in case you need to change the date of your).
• Durable wallet/pouch for travel documents, money & passport.
• Lip balm. At least SPF 20, 2 sticks. A string taped to the stick is helpful, to hang around your neck and some are now being sold with a cord already attached. Handy as it prevents you from having to stop and look for it.
• Sunscreen. SPF 40 is recommended and should be relatively new since it loses its effectiveness over time.
• Pocket knife or small Swiss Army type.
• Water purification Iodine tablets or Polar-pure crystals.
• Toiletry kit. Be sure to include toilet paper stored in a plastic bag, hand wipes, and liquid hand sanitizer, towel, soap, etc.
• 2 bandanas.

Optional

• 1 pair of adjustable trekking poles. Although these are listed as optional, these can be of great assistance to people who may think of themselves as generally clumsy or with bad knees, ankles, etc. especially when going downhill
• Favorite snack foods
• Paperback books, cards, mp3 player (there are a couple of stops where you could recharge.
•  Avoid players with moving hardware as it may not function. Remember, keep these items lightweight

Binoculars

• 1 lightweight point-and-shoot camera or 1 large SLR. Digital cameras are working, but you must keep the batteries warm when not in use
•  Hydration bladder with drinking tube and tube insulator
•  A pee bottle for men and a pee funnel for women, some swear by them to avoid that chilly late night trip.
• 1 small stainless steel thermos