In this article, we are going to discuss what to wear trekking in Nepal.
Trekking is an adventure. It helps to understand the culture of the land. It provides a chance to explore nature.
Nepal is famous for its trekking adventures. The Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular treks in the world. Watching the highest mountain in the world is a dream of many people.
Including Everest, Nepal offers various other mountainous trails. Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Langtang Valley, Manaslu Trek are the popular trails in Nepal. Trekking through the villages and homestay to explore the culture is popular in Nepal.
Trekking is a thrilling experience. A trekker must plan everything. He/she must have detailed information about the trekking route.
One of the most common dilemmas before trekking is ‘what to pack for the trek?’ You should pack for your trek rationally. Most of the trekkers carry useless stuff and forget the necessary ones.
Being well prepared is one of the determining factors of a successful trek. Thus, gearing up with the necessary equipment is very important. The most important gear during trekking is comfortable and appropriate clothing.
Selecting proper trekking gear and clothing determines the quality of the trek. Lack of proper gear may cause discomfort. Whereas, pack accordingly helps you have a pleasant trip.
The proper clothing depends upon the season, duration, and location of the trek. It may be different in Everest Base Camp trek in comparison to The Royal Trek.
Although, Packing heavily increases the weight to carry during the trek. Packing lightly may lead to insufficient products. Hence, packing should be done wisely and rationally.
You need not carry trekking gear from home. You can easily find high-quality trekking gears in major cities of Nepal. You can even find them on some trekking routes.
Nepal has four climatic seasons. They offer distinct attractions. You should pack according to the season.
While packing for Nepal, you need to prepare for variation in climatic conditions. You need to pack both warm and cool clothes. This is because the temperature varies according to the altitude.
In Spring, Autumn, and Summer, you need to pack both warm and cool clothes. Warm clothes are for the night and cool clothes for the day. Likewise, in winter, make sure that you carry plenty of warm clothes.
You need to pack a lot of warm clothes in winter. In summer, you need to pack windproof jackets, waterproof jackets, raincoat, umbrella, and sunscreen. It rains almost every day in the monsoon season.
Spring and Autumn season is perfect for trekking. The weather is pleasant. The days are warm and the nights cold.
What to wear trekking in Nepal is also influenced by the culture of the place. While visiting traditional places, you should not wear clothes that expose your skin. Tight clothing should also be avoided.
Wearing tight and open clothes are considered disrespectful. You can copy the clothes of the local people. You can even try a cultural dress.
If you are doing a trek around Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and other low-altitude places in summer carry light cotton shirts and pants. If you are willing to trek in winter, carry woolen clothes, sweaters, and jackets.
You will need warm clothes from October to February. Long-sleeved shirts are recommended from March to May. Carry light clothing when traveling from June to September.
First-time trekkers are confused about what to pack for the trek. Questions like ‘what to pack’, ‘how to pack’, and ‘is there anything to be considered’ arise.
Proper clothing is one of the determinants of a successful trek. It ensures confidence. It will help you to continue your journey.
Ideas for What to Wear Trekking in Nepal
Clothing
You don’t need to pack a lot of clothes. Packing unnecessarily increases the weight to carry. Pack comfortable clothes that you can carry easily.
If you plan to do a high altitude trek, you need to carry a lot of clothes. You can hire a porter who will carry 15 kg of your luggage.
In summer, the first few days of trekking may not be cold. Shirts and shorts will make you comfortable during the day. The mornings and nights are colder.
The temperature gets colder as you trek to higher altitudes. The temperature varies drastically in Nepal. It gets hot from the cold in seconds and vice versa.
During your trek, the weather will decide the type of clothing to wear. Be ready for any type of weather. Layering is recommended for varying temperatures.
Comfort clothing is the priority while trekking. Uncomfortable clothing will disrupt a pleasant trek. Trekking through hills, rocky terrain, forests in low temperatures with uncomfortable clothing will give you the worst experience.
You should carry windproof jackets. It will save from the strong winds in high altitudes. It will also keep you warm.
You should carry windcheaters instead of jackets in summer. You need to carry your clothes based on the days of the trek. Washing your clothes is also an option in longer treks.
Waterproof jackets and trousers should also be carried. The weather changes drastically in high altitudes. You might need them.
You should carry light clothes. Carry clothes that are easy to dry. You can get wet by rain, rivers, or even sweat during your trek.
Carrying wet clothes during the trek is difficult. Thus, carrying light clothes is a smart choice.
Do not carry cotton clothes as it gets very sweaty. Carry light woolen shirts and sweatshirts. You should carry pairs of trekking trousers with full sleeve shirts.
Trekking is all about climbing and descending. Be prepared to keep yourself warm at low temperatures. Woolen shirts will keep you warm at higher altitudes.
For a woman, a tank top with a built-in sports bra is advisable. Trekking in the skirt is comfortable. You will need warm and comfortable trousers underneath.
You should carry yoga pants or thermal wear for the night. You can wear trousers for camping trekking. The clothing should be comfortable.
You may need a swimming costume sometimes. Or, you can carry waterproof or convertible trousers.
Carry a woolen scarf for your neck. It will also help in covering your head. A scarf will save you from cold.
You can buy high-quality scarves in Nepal at reasonable prices.
Footwear
Comfortable shoes are another determinant of a successful trek. Uncomfortable shoes can cause blisters. Break-in shoes before taking them for trekking.
You should carry a big, thick, and comfortable boot for trekking. Trekking boot protects your ankle from injuries and blisters. If you use low gaiters in your shoes, it will help you against sand and snow.
You should bring spare laces for your shoes. Also, bring flip flops or normal slippers for use in lodges.
Socks are also important. You need to have good quality socks along the trek. Be very careful in selecting your socks for the trek.
In absolute low temperature, you have to protect your feet. Your feet can freeze or get swollen. Thus, you should carry both thick and thin socks.
Tennis socks can be used for trekking purposes. Their length and thickness make them perfect for trekking.
Gear
Carrying a backpack is recommended instead of a suitcase. Backpacks are easier to carry. Many trekkers have recommended Scrubba Wash Bag and Osprey Ariel 65 pack.
Rain is a daily occurrence in a trek through forests. You will need a waterproof cover for your backpack. You can buy it in Kathmandu for around 3$.
If you are going camping trekking, you need to carry sleeping bags. You should also carry handkerchiefs. They might come in use when you have a cold.
You need to carry polarized sunglasses. This will protect your eyes from sunburn. Sunburn can be extremely painful and cause temporary blindness.
You should also carry water bottles. Trekkers prefer camelback compared to water bottles. Camelbaks are easier to carry and drink during trekking.
Carrying a pocket knife comes in handy during trekking. You should also carry a headlamp or torch to use in dark. Don’t forget to carry batteries for these.
Littering around during trekking is not good. You should carry plastic bags to collect waste. You can throw it in the next village.
You will click a lot of photographs during your trek. Don’t forget to pack your camera charger. You need to pay extra money for charging your electronics on the trekking route.
Buy an adapter before your trek. The electric plugs are different. You should also get an interesting book to read at night.
Gloves
You need to carry thick gloves for your hands. It will save you from frostbite. It will also keep you warm.
You can buy gloves of fleece which are lighter and warm. You won’t need gloves during the daytime in summer. You might need them at night.
In higher altitudes, you will need gloves at any time. You should carry gloves regardless of the climatic season.
Head Cover
The weather changes drastically in Nepal. You should be prepared for everything. You should carry caps and hats to cover your head while trekking.
You have to walk the whole day while trekking. You have to walk during mid- noon when the sun is its harshest. Headwear will save you from suntans and headaches.
Headwear not only protects from the sun but also the rain. Carrying a woolen cap is a must during trekking. It would protect you from the extreme cold.
Negligence can cause extreme headaches. You can also suffer from dizziness and catch a cold. Therefore, headwear is important.
Health
Trekking is the best way to explore the nature and culture of a place. You need to walk throughout the day in the sun and wind while trekking. You will be directly exposed to the harmful rays of the sun.
You need to carry sunscreen to protect your skin. It will save you from suntan and save your skin.
In higher altitudes, your skin gets dry. There are chances of cracks. Therefore, carry essential moisturizers and lip balms to protect your skin.
You can bring these from your home country. Buying lotions and cream in Nepal is advisable. The cream available in the Nepalese market is made according to the demand of the people.
You need to carry a water purifier. The tea houses on the route will provide boiled water if asked. It is better to carry water purifiers.
You should also pack electrolyte packets to put in water. This will give you the energy to continue your trek. It will also help in stomach distress.
You need to carry your daily multivitamins. There may be some disbalance in the dietary nutrients. Also, the body is under a lot of stress.
It is important to take care of your body. You might suffer from stomach distress and flu. Hence, You should carry your probiotics.
Toiletries
You need to carry athletic tape for covering blisters and hot spots. Pack Vaseline to prevent dryness and crack.
Toilet paper is hard to find in Nepal. Carry your own toilet paper. You can easily buy it in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
It is not possible to carry clean clothes for each day in longer treks. Therefore, you will wash your clothes. Washing and drying your clothes is possible as you only walk 7 – 8 hours a day.
You should pack a small container of washing powder. You can easily buy this in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
You need to carry the following products:
- Dry Towel.
- Laundry Soap.
- Body Soap.
- Shampoo.
Where to Buy
You can easily buy all the required trekking gear and equipment in Nepal. You can buy high-quality products in Thamel. Thamel is a tourist area in Kathmandu.
You can find the following brand outlets in Kathmandu:
1. North Face: The prices are similar to the North Face stores worldwide. The selection is limited for men. The selection is better for women.
2. Mountain Hardware: The selection is good. The prices are similar to the stores in the West.
3. Vaude: This store has a high-quality selection. The prices are comparable to the west.
4. Camp: Camp is a local brand. It has varied selections. The quality of the products is good. The prices are very reasonable.
5. King Camp and Outdoor Products: The products in these stores are Chinese. They have a reasonable price.
6. Sonam: This is a Nepali Brand. You can find its store in Durbarmarg known as Kingsway among the tourists.
You can also buy quality gear in Pokhara. The quality of Kathmandu is comparatively superior. You can also rent trekking gear in both the cities.
There is a lot of trekking gear and equipment shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The prices vary from shop to shop. Bargaining is a common practice in these shops.
The stores sell a mixture of genuine, fake, or Nepali brands. The shopkeeper will inform you about the quality of the product. However, you need to be careful while buying these products.
Trekking Season
October and November are the peak season for tourists in Nepal. The high mountains are cold whereas the lower lands are warm during this season. You can pack light clothes while trekking in this season.
Spring season is considered the best season for trekking. The season extends from the month of February to April. The temperature is moderate and neither hot nor cold in this season.
The months from September to December is cold in Nepal. You should carry warm clothes while traveling this season. Layering is very important in this season.
December is very dry and cold in Nepal. Make sure you carry moisturizers and warm clothes while trekking in this season. The trek is easy but the weather is extremely cold.
Conclusion – What to wear trekking in Nepal
Trekking in Nepal is the most beautiful experience. It can be your worst nightmare if you are not prepared.
Nepal is very welcoming to tourists. You can easily adjust to the local people. You should be careful while visiting religious sites.
While trekking, you can only carry limited weight. Carrying heavy weight will only slow you down. Remember to keep the weight down to a minimum.
Your backpack should not weigh more than 15 kgs. You can hire a porter who will carry up to 15 kgs. Packing lightly is essential for a successful trek.
You should pack comfortable clothes. You can wear anything you can as long as it’s comfortable. Wear clothes according to the weather and your comfort.
If you are planning to trek in higher altitudes, make sure that you carry a lot of warm clothes. Wear gloves, head cover, thick socks and shoes to prevent cold and snow.
Essential clothing includes waterproof and windproof jackets, light pants, shirts, socks, and swimsuit.
You need to avoid tight and fitting clothes. This type of dress can be offensive to the local people. You can use them as a base layer if you find these clothes comfortable.
