Bare necessities

1. Trekking shoes: You trekking shoes need to have a good grip so that you can manage slippery trails.  You can get Forclaz 100 from Decathlon. Sports shoes will not be comfortable enough. You can watch this video to learn to choose the right trekking shoes.

2. Backpack (40-60 litres): A backpack with sturdy straps and a supporting frame. Rain cover for backpack is essential.

3. Day pack (20 litres): On some treks you will be leaving your bigger backpack behind at the campsite when you make the last climb to the summit. So you’ll need a smaller backpack to carry water, snacks and your medical kit. Bring a foldable backpack. If you’re coming in a group, two of you can share a daypack.

Clothes

1. Three warm layers: At the campsites, especially at the higher campsite, the temperature after sundown will drop to around 2-5 degrees in Summer and about -5 degrees in winter. There might even be snow at the campsite. You will need at least three warm layers (two light layers such as fleece and woollen and one padded jacket) for this trek.

2. Two trek pants: Two pairs of pants should suffice for this trek. You can carry tights to wear inside your pants for the summit climb, as you’ll set out at 4 am.

3. Three collared t-shirts: Carry light, full sleeved t-shirts that prevent sun burns on the neck and arms.

4. Thermals: Carry thermals for use at night. Keep them fresh and don’t wear them while trekking.

Accessories

1. Sunglasses: Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. They are mandatory.

2. Suncap: High altitude sun is very harsh and will zap out your energy. So you will need a suncap during the day.

3.  Synthetic hand gloves: One pair of fleece or woolen hand gloves. One pair of water proof/resistant, wind proof gloves.

4. Balaclava: You may use woollen scarves instead as well.

5. Socks (2 pairs): Apart from two sports socks, you can take a pair of woollen socks for the night.

6. Headlamp/LED torch: Mandatory

7. Trekking pole: Watch this video to understand why you need a trekking pole.

Others

1. Daypack (20 litres): If you are offloading your backpack, you will need a smaller backpack to carry water, medical kit and some light snacks.

2. Toiletries (Sunscreen, moisturiser, light towel, lip balm, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste). Considering you are trekking in groups, you can share these toiletries. A group of five can carry one set of toiletries.

3. Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug and a lunch box. We insist on trekkers getting their own cutlery for hygiene reasons.

4. Two water bottles: 1 litre each

5. Plastic covers: While packing, use plastic bags to compartmentalise things and carry few extra plastic bags for wet clothes.

Personal Medical Kit (You can ration this out. A group of 3 can carry one medical kit)

1. Diamox – 10 tablets (to prevent AMS)

2. Crocin – 6 tablets (fever)

3. Avomine – 4 tablets (motion sickness)

4. Avil 25mg – 4 tablets (allergies)

5. Combiflam – 4 tablets (Pain killer)

6. Disprin – 6 tablets (headache)

7. Norflox TZ & Lomofen– 6 tablets each (diarrhea)

8. Digene – 10 tablets (acidity)

9. Omez/ Rantadine – 10 tablets (antacids)

10. Crepe bandage – 3 to 5 meters

11. Gauze – 1 small roll

12. Band aid – 10 strips

13. Cotton – 1 small roll

14. ORS – 10 packets

15. Betadine or any antiseptic cream

16. Moov spray (aches, & sprains)

Mandatory Documents

Please carry an original and photocopy of government photo identity card- (driving license, voters ID, etc.)

Now that’s a lot of things to fit in a backpack. But watch this video to know how you can do it easily and efficiently.