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How to Buy Trekking Gear in
Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal, is
the site of Tribhuvan International Airport, the gateway to the country for
most travelers. Hundreds of shops cater to trekkers, selling new and used
equipment and buying back gear that hikers don't want to carry home. The amount
and type of gear you need depends on whether you'll be day tripping, camping
overnight or heading out on a guided expedition. Trekkers need to carry the
same things they'd carry on a hike anyplace else, such as personal hygiene
items and medications, in addition to a few specialized pieces of equipment.
Knowing what to buy is as important as knowing where to buy it.
Items you will need
Gore-Tex jacket
Wind stopper jacket
Windstopper trouser
Thermal underwear
Rain sets (jacket+trouser)
Hiking boots
Trekking shoes
Cotton clothing
Gloves
Lined pant
Warm hat (woolen/fleece cap)
Head torch
Medical kit bag
Trekking poles
Sun glasses
Water bottle
Backpack
Tent
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What to Buy
Step 1
Choose the right
clothing. What you buy depends on what time of year you're trekking. For
trekking in winter to Himalaya you need to wear light weight super down jacket in around city also you need down
jacket which keep you warm and protect from cold.You can wear Windstopper as
well in Kathmandu on the day.But in snowing down jacket is not enough its not a
100% waterproof so at that time better to take over 3-layer Gore Tex to protect
from water and snow. Same as to keep warm your leg you have to take fleece
trouser or thermal trouser inside and Windstopper trouser to protect from wind
but in snow you need to wear waterproof trouser.
Step 2
Buy two pairs of shoes
for trekking around Kathmandu. All-leather hiking boots with good ankle support
are essential for rocky terrain. Flexible trekking shoes with a sturdy sole are
good for easy terrain. Buy both cotton and thermal socks for changes in
temperature.Just to walk around city you can use normal whichever you fell
comfort.But for trekking you need water proof with gore tex.
Step 3
Purchase a sun hat or
cotton scarf for sunny days and a warm, winter(woolen/fleece ) hat that covers
your ears for cold days and evenings.you can take neck warmer to keep warm your
neck for cod day. Pick up a headlamp worn on an elastic band around the
forehead in case you're out after dark.
Step 4
Stop by a bookstore
for guidebooks if you're trekking alone, although it's possible to trek around
Kathmandu without a guidebook if you have a compass and a good sense of
direction because the hiking paths are so well-used.
Step 5
Assemble a medical kit
with anti-diarrhea medicine, water-treatment tablets and water filter,
analgesics, sunscreen, lip balm, bug spray, upset-stomach pills and a blister
kit. Add any other products, such as a cough or cold medicine, that you're
accustomed to taking on a hike.
Step 6
Select a collapsible
hiking/trekking pole.its helps you even you are tired with balance and glacier
sunglasses with side shields.
Step 7
If you will have stove
in hiking you can have hot food in cold season. Most day trekkers carry
noodles, dried fruit, nuts and energy bars. Overnight trekkers carry the same
foods during the daytime and have their main meal when they've arrived at their
overnight lodging or campsite. Buy a one-liter water bottle and refill it with
purified water as you hike.
Step 8
Select a sleeping bag
rated to keep campers warm in temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit for
an overnight trek. A sleeping mat for under the bag is optional. A medium to
large backpack (60 to 80 liters) should suffice on all but the longest treks.
Pick up a lightweight (well under six lbs.), four-season tent for chilly
evenings. Dome-shaped tents, although easier to stand in, present a higher
profile in windy areas. Keep your gear dry in a stuff sack or heavy-duty
garbage bags.
Where to Buy
Step 1
Shop for new and used
clothing, tents and sleeping bags in Thamel, Kathmandu's main tourist district.
Outfitters and expedition companies line the streets. V-tex international (trekkingequipments.com)
carries new outerwear, sleeping bags and backpacks.v-tex has been offering gear
and gear repair since its established in 2011 V-tex international carries a
full line of trekking gear, including clothing, tents, shoes and tools.
Step 2
Pick up guidebooks at
Pilgrims Book House (pilgrimsbooks.com), a huge new and used bookstore in
Thamel with 250,000 titles spread over 30 rooms. The store carries an extensive
collection of guides for trekkers as well as guides to neighboring countries.
An adjacent restaurant serves Ayurvedic vegetarian foods.
Step 3
Pick up trekking food
at any of a number of shops in Kathmandu. Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket the largest
in Kathmandu, provides a one-stop spot for trekking food, but the store is in
an out-of-the-way area. Best Shopping Centre is a small store in a more convenient location
in Thamel.
TIPS
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Sign up for a trekking expedition if you're uncomfortable about
making your own way through the countryside.
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Some border crossings have a money-exchanging facilities, but if
you plan to trek into remote areas of Nepal, don't expect to find a place to
exchange your money for local currency.
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Many stores in Kathmandu also accept American dollars, pounds
sterling and the euro.
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Stores in larger cities accept credit cards, and some ATMs allow
cash advances against credit cards.
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Travelers who leave from Tribhuvan can trade their rupees for
dollars.
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Remember that boots must be broken in before you wear them, so
consider buying them at home and breaking them in there.
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Consider buying a pair of sandals for wearing around the
campsite or other overnight accommodations.
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Many trekkers who only plan to spend a few nights outdoors use a
lightweight tarp instead of a tent for protection at night.
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Travelers on long treks typically have porters who carry extra
water, food and supplies.
WARNINGS
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If you're planning an overnight trek, you must get a climbing
permit in most areas and hire a climbing Sherpa.
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Overnight treks may stop at teahouses and other indoor lodging
along the way. Take this into consideration when buying gear.
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Don't plan on using sleep aids on a trek near Kathmandu. They
depress respiration in high altitudes.
