Mantra MountainLocal operator · Pokhara, Nepal

Nepal Trekking Packing List: What to Bring (and Rent in Pokhara)

Free planning guide · reviewed September 2026

Teahouse trekking means you don't carry a tent, stove or food. You do still need to stay warm at 4,000 m, dry in a downpour, and healthy for two weeks. Pack for layers rather than bulk. A porter carries a shared bag of about 20–25 kg for two trekkers, so aim for 10–12 kg each plus a daypack.

Pokhara Lakeside has dozens of gear shops. You can rent a down jacket and sleeping bag for a few dollars a day instead of flying them in.

Clothing layers

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Base layers: 2 wicking T-shirts, 1 long-sleeve thermal top, 1 pair of thermal leggings. Merino or synthetic, not cotton.
Mid layer: 1 fleece or light synthetic jacket.
Insulation: a down jacket, around 600-fill or more, for treks above 3,500 m or any winter trek.
Shell: a waterproof, breathable jacket and waterproof trousers.
Trekking trousers: 2 pairs, including 1 zip-off or light pair for the lower valleys.
Warm hat, sun hat or cap, a buff or neck gaiter, and thin liner gloves plus insulated gloves for high passes.
4–5 pairs of trekking socks and underwear, and something warm and clean to wear in the lodge.

Lodge evenings are cold

Dining rooms are heated by a single stove, and only in the evening. Bedrooms are unheated. A down jacket and warm trousers make a big difference to how comfortable you are at night.

Footwear and sleeping bag

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Broken-in, waterproof mid- or high-cut trekking boots with a good grip. Stone staircases are hard on ankles.
Camp shoes or sandals for the lodge and for river crossings.
Micro-spikes for Thorong La, Larke La, Tilicho or Mardi High Camp from December to March, or after fresh snow.

Trek / season	Sleeping bag comfort rating
Below 3,000 m, Mar–Nov (Poon Hill, Ghandruk, Panchase)	Around 0 °C, or rely on lodge blankets
3,000–4,200 m (ABC, Mardi, Khopra)	−5 to −10 °C
Above 4,200 m (EBC, Circuit, Manaslu, Tilicho)	−10 to −15 °C
Any high trek, Dec–Feb	−15 to −20 °C

Gear, first aid and documents

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Daypack of 25–35 litres with a rain cover, and a porter duffel if you're sharing a porter.
Trekking poles. They make a big difference on long descents such as Chhomrong or Ulleri.
Head torch with spare batteries, sunglasses (category 3–4 above 4,000 m), SPF 50 sunscreen and lip balm.
Water bottles or a bladder holding 2 litres, plus purification tablets, drops or a filter.
Quick-dry towel, toilet paper, hand sanitiser and biodegradable soap.
Dry bags or bin liners to keep clothes dry inside your pack.

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First aid: blister plasters, tape, paracetamol, ibuprofen, oral rehydration salts, anti-diarrhoeal tablets, an antiseptic, and a doctor-advised course of antibiotics and Diamox.
Documents: passport, copies of your visa and insurance, permits, 4 passport photos, insurance emergency number on paper.
Cash: enough rupees for the whole trek, because ATMs on the trail are few and unreliable.

Electronics

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Phone with offline maps and a local NTC or Ncell SIM.
A 10,000–20,000 mAh power bank. Charging costs USD 1–5 per device higher up.
Universal adapter (Nepal uses type C, D and M sockets) and a short multi-USB cable.
Keep your batteries in your sleeping bag at night, because cold drains them fast.

Rent or buy in Pokhara Lakeside

Item	Rent in Pokhara (approx.)	Notes
Down jacket	USD 1–2/day	Check the zip and cuffs; bring back clean
Sleeping bag (−10 to −20 °C)	USD 1–2/day	Bring a liner for hygiene
Trekking poles	USD 0.5–1/day	Also cheap to buy
Duffel bag	Often free from your agency	For porter loads
Micro-spikes	USD 1/day	Needed for winter passes

Lakeside shops also sell locally made fleeces, gloves, hats and copy-brand shells cheaply. They're fine for a lower trek, but bring proper boots and a proper waterproof from home. Shops usually ask for a deposit or your passport number when you rent.

Season adjustments and porter weight limits

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Monsoon (Jun–Sep): leech socks or salt, an umbrella, a pack liner, and quick-dry clothes instead of fleece.
Winter (Dec–Feb): a heavier down jacket, a −15 °C or warmer bag, micro-spikes, and hand warmers.
Spring: more sun protection, and allergy tablets if pollen bothers you.

How much a porter carries

One porter usually carries for two trekkers, a maximum of about 20–25 kg in total. Porter welfare guidelines recommend no more than this. Pack about 10 kg each in the porter bag and carry your own water, layers and valuables in a daypack.

Frequently asked questions

What should I pack for a teahouse trek in Nepal?

Pack layers (base, fleece, down jacket and waterproof shell), broken-in boots, a sleeping bag rated for the altitude, a head torch, water purification and a basic first-aid kit. You don't need a tent, stove or food.

Can I rent trekking gear in Pokhara?

Yes. Lakeside has many shops renting down jackets and sleeping bags for about USD 1–2 a day, plus poles and micro-spikes. Bring your own boots and a proper waterproof jacket.

Do I need a sleeping bag for Poon Hill?

Teahouses provide blankets, so many trekkers skip a sleeping bag below 3,000 m from March to November. A light bag or liner is still more hygienic and warmer. In winter, bring or rent one.

How heavy should my backpack be for trekking in Nepal?

With a porter, carry a daypack of 5–7 kg. Without one, aim for 10–12 kg in total. Porters carry a maximum of about 20–25 kg, which is usually two trekkers' bags combined.

Do I need crampons for the Annapurna Circuit?

Not usually in autumn. From December to March, or after fresh snow, micro-spikes make the Thorong La crossing much safer. You can rent them in Pokhara or Manang.

Treks to read next

Annapurna · from Pokhara

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

6–12 days · Moderate · max 4,130 m

Everest

Everest Base Camp Trek

11–16 days · Challenging · max 5,545 m

Annapurna · from Pokhara

Annapurna Circuit Trek

10–18 days · Challenging · max 5,416 m

Annapurna · from Pokhara

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

3–5 days · Moderate · max 3,210 m

Got a question we didn't answer?

Our team in Pokhara answers trip-planning questions for free by email. If you'd like us to arrange your trek — licensed guide, permits and transport — we can quote that too.