Packing list, what to bring & what not to bring, FAQs
More than one million people visit Nepal every year and It's no surprise because we have the towering Himalayas, age-old historical sites, fascinating cultures and traditions, delicious food, and countless outdoor activities that make people fall in love with Nepal.
We have been in this area for a few years now and we thought it would be awesome to share some of that knowledge to help you to prepare your upcoming trip to Nepal.
If you are planning to book a tour with us then we have a separate list of information specifically designed for each tour we operate.
What to bring?
These are some of the items in general and we think is important for you to bring with you. There can be lot more than this depending on the places you will visit and activities you will join.
BOIMETRIC PHOTOS & PASSPORT COPIES
Bring at least 3 biometric photos and a few passport photocopies. They will come really handy at the immigration for your visa, for permits and other documents if you are trekking or small peak climbing, and at the national park check posts.
LIFE STRAW
Most areas of Nepal is without safe drinking water, this self-filtering straw can save you when bottled or filtered water isn’t available. This thing can be really practical especially if you are trekking in remote areas and if you are hiking in high altitude, you better stay hydrated.
COMFORTABLE HIKING SHOES
A comfortable and quality hiking shoe is really important, as most of the activities in Nepal involve exploring outdoor areas. If you are trekking in the Himalayas then we recommend buying high-cut shoes that wraps above the ankles for excellent support
DRY TOWEL
These quick-drying towels come really handy when your accommodation doesn't provide a towel or if they do they are unlikely to live up to your standards for cleanliness and softness. They dry really fast so you can use them the next day.
PERSONAL MINI FIRST AID KIT
If you are on a package tour then usually the tour guide carries a first aid kit, but if you are traveling by yourself then you must carry at least a basic first aid kit with you. Lots of small injuries that occur while traveling can be fixed with what comes in a kit.
POWER ADAPTER
Nepal mostly uses plugs from India (Type D) and from Europe (Type C), so it’s a good idea to bring a Type D adapter and a universal adapter along with you to make sure you’re able to charge all of your devices without any trouble.
POCKET BATTERY PACK
Most of the mountain villages still rely on the solar system for the light and to power up other electronic devices. They might not always wanna share that little power that has been collected. Bringing a battery pack will allow you to charge your phone or camera batteries.
BACKPACK WITH RAIN COVER
(For backpacker) Most backpacks nowadays come with a rain cover, but if your backpack doesn't have one than we recommend you to get one. It will protect your stuff from getting wet or dusty and you can enjoy dry clothes at the of the day.
DAY BACKPACK
A day backpack is very practical when you go shopping, sightseeing, a day hike, other fun activities or just going for a walk. It's comfortable and safer than a shoulder bag or tote. You can carry your important documents and items that you want to travel with.
MOSQUITO REPELLENT
This is a really important item to bring if you are traveling in Summertime. Especially if you are visiting the southern areas because there will be lots of mosquitoes. You might also wanna consider visiting a doctor for different vaccinations before you come to Nepal.
You are in a new place, new climate, eating lots of new food, and especially trying street food. You may soon find yourself with traveler’s diarrhea. These capsules deliver activated charcoal which absorbs any toxins in your digestive tract so that you can get back to normal as quickly as possible.
SUNS SCREEN
Higher elevation means a higher risk of UV overexposure and sunburns. Be sure to stay on top of sunscreen application just as you would at the beach. You’ll enjoy your Nepal adventure much more if you’re not suffering from the sting of sunburn and fatigue from exposure.
DUST MASK
Kathmandu is the first stop for all who travel to Nepal and as we all know, the air is not the best for breathing, plus all the dust pollution. Don't forget to bring a dust mask with you, and trust us, you won't regret it.
UV SUN GLASSES
In general, sunglasses are good protection for your eyes. You are going to need that when you are trekking or walking around Kathmandu city.
WATER BOTTLE
Much like the filtered LifeStraw, this water bottle with a built-in filter can be a life-saver when you’re trying to beat dehydration. It’s a good size to carry with you so that you’ll always have a supply of filtered, drinkable water on hand.
LIGHT WEIGHT RAIN JACKET
Bring a light weight rain jacket with you. It will keep you dry from unexpected rain. If you are traveling in Summertime then you will joyful to have one.
SEWING KIT
This kit will come really handy when your favorite trekking pant or favorite shirt gets caught up in the bush while trekking and leaves a mark. With this, you can quickly fix it during your next bathroom break.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
After all these years of travel, we have seen many people got injured while involved in outdoor activities, or quite sick while trekking, important items were stolen or lost, and have had to cut their trip short for a number of reasons. So, is travel insurance necessary? We’re going to say yes, if you can afford it you should purchase it before you leave. If you can not, don’t let that stop you from traveling.
HEADLAMP
You will need a headlamp if you are planning to go trekking. Many trekking areas in Nepal are still remote and have no access to electricity. It will become very handy to guide your path at night times.
What to avoid bringing?
NO DRONE
We recommend not to bring a drone with you. It is against the law in Nepal to fly a drone without governmental permission. Even if you want to get permission to fly one, it takes a couple of days of time and lots of paperwork to finally get it approved. Your drone might get seized if you are caught using it without permission.
NO EXPENSIVE JEWELRY
Do not bring expensive jewelry with you. The price of your jewelry getting lost, damaged or stolen far outweighs the pleasure of wearing it while traveling.
NO SKIN TIGHT, SHORT AND SEE THROUGH CLOTHING
In Nepal, people generally cover up much more than folks in the western world. Leave your tank tops, shorts, and miniskirts at home, and take the opportunity to pack some of the more modest clothes you may not wear very often otherwise.
NO CLOTHES WITH OFFENSIVE SENTENCES OR WORDS
Do not bring any kinds of clothes that have offensive sentences or words regarding religion, politics, historical events, and wars.
NO EXPENSIVE AND UNNECESSARY ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Unless you really need to travel with your laptop, iPad, Xbox, and headphones leave them at home. The price of devices getting lost, damaged or stolen far outweighs the benefit you'll get from travelling with them.
NO HEAVY BOOKS
Do not bring heavy books with you. It's just gonna be extra weight for you to travel around. There are other lighter options such as Kindle.
THINGS YOU CAN BUY OR RENT IN NEPAL
Planning on trekking? There are certain items that are much easier to buy or rent in Thamel once you’ve arrived rather than schlep them all the way from your place of origin.- Sleeping bag - buy or rent
- Wool sweater
- Down Parka
- Wool hat
- Scarves
- Trekking Poles - buy or rent
- Books - buy or rent
- Tents - buy or rent
- Gaiters
- Most other hiking gear is cheaply and readily available for purchase!
WEATHER IN NEPAL
SPRING
March, April, mid May
Springtime in Nepal brings occasional showers and rains. The days are mild, and new vegetation sprouts all around. Temperatures in the lowlands tend to be warmer, while areas at higher altitudes enjoy moderate temperatures.
SUMMER
mid May, June, July, August
Summers in Nepal are quite warm. Frequent showers and rains. You will find that the hot, dry days are more comfortable than the wetter, more humid ones that fall under the monsoon period. Southern parts of Nepal will be hotter than hilly or mountain regions.
FALL
September, October, November
Fall is usually the busiest time of year in Nepal and is when tourists flock to the county to make the most out of the glorious weather and outdoor excursions. This is the season to embark on a trekking journey that promises mountain views and crisp air. Clear sky, warm days and bit chili at night.
WINTER
December, January, February
Occasional snow at high altitude. Frosty mornings, clear days, and cold nights.
Avoid trekking at high elevations during the winter unless you have a great guide and the proper gear. Winters usually last until February, with very little rainfall, but you will find that the western parts do have more rainy days than the eastern parts of the country.
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