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BAGGAGE
We suggest that you use your own personal daypack as your carry-on bag during your flights to Nepal. In addition to your passport, money, credit cards, and airline tickets, your daypack should contain all essential personal items: toiletries (that are allowed by new TSA restrictions, see www.tsa.gov/travelers), medications, one set of trek clothing, camera, film (or memory cards). You should wear (or carry in your carry-on bag) your hiking boots on the plane.
How to pack for this trip and what is supplied:
- Suitcase or duffel with wheels: You should bring everything you need for the entire trip in a suitcase or duffel with wheels. Your suitcase with extra, clean clothes will be stored at the Yak and Yeti Hotel in Kathmandu while on trek, and will be available to you only when you return to Kathmandu after the trek, the raft trip, and your stay in Chitwan. Please make your own arrangements to leave your suitcase with the bell captain at the Yak and Yeti Hotel.
- Personal daypack: Use your daypack as your airline carry-on bag and to carry while on the entire trip. In your daypack you should carry your camera, rain gear, sunscreen, some water (the porters carry the main supply), and personal items. If you do NOT bring your own daypack, you can use one that our outfitter supplies. However, if you have a personal daypack that you find very comfortable to wear and carry (and has a comfortable waist strap, so it doesn’t put pressure on your shoulders), then you should bring your own.
- Trek duffel bag #1 (supplied): On your first night in Kathmandu, you will be provided with the loan of a trek duffel bag. In this bag you will pack all your clothing, personal items, and supplies for the duration of the 5 night lodge trek, and also your clothes for the raft and Chitwan portion of the trip. This is the easiest duffel for the porters to carry. It measures approximately 12" x 12" x 28". If you can’t fit all of this in the trek duffel bag, then please use your personal daypack to carry some of these items for travel to Pokhara, where our trek begins.
- Trek duffle bag #2 (supplied): On arrival in Pokhara, you will be supplied/loaned another duffel bag #2 (the same size as your trek duffel bag #1) and you can transfer your clothes for the raft and Chitwan portion of the trip into this bag. It will be left in Pokhara and waiting for you on your return from your 5 day trek. You will then take this with you for the raft and Chitwan portions of the trip.
PRE-DEPARTURE TASKS
- Obtain or renew passport. Passports must be good for a minimum of 3 months from the date your trip is over.
- Obtain necessary visa in the U.S., or get your visa on arrival in Kathmandu.
- Evaluate and obtain trip cancellation, baggage, and medical insurance.
- Consult with physician for physical examination, immunization, malaria suppressant, and prescription medicine recommendations.
- Break in primary footwear.
PERSONAL ITEMS
- Passport — make sure it is valid for at least 3 months after returning from our trip, and has 2 blank visa pages.
- 6 extra passport photos: 2 for visas on arrival, 2 to use for obtaining your trek permit in Nepal, and 2 extras (in case of lost or stolen passport/visa).
- Watch and/or small travel alarm clock.
- Small flashlight with extra batteries and bulb.
- Sunglasses (90% - 100% ultraviolet and some infrared protection) and case.
- Contact lenses, cleaner, saline solution, extra eyeglasses with safety band.
- Money belt.
- Cash, credit cards, ATM card. VISA and Mastercard are accepted in Nepal, but be aware that credit cards are only accepted in larger hotels and shops.
- Address book, writing paper, journal, pen/pencil.
- Personal daypack (also serves as an airline carry-on bag).
- Water bottle. We recommend the 22 oz. Nalgene Everyday OTG Tritan Bottle. Made of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, the bottle is completely BPA-free. Tritan™ copolyester provides excellent impact resistance and is suitable for both warm and cold beverages. Water bottles are provided on trek, but you may want to have your own for water on your airplane flights.
- Locks for your suitcase and duffel bag (when they are left in Kathmandu at the Yak and Yeti Hotel).
- Ziploc-type bags (at least a dozen, of various sizes) for packing shampoo or other liquids, or for wet, dirty washcloths/clothes.
- Personal toiletries in small leak-proof bottles.
- Biodegradable bar soap (can double as laundry soap).
- Washcloth (sometimes not supplied).
- Tampons or sanitary napkin supply.
- Thread, needles, safety pins for minor repairs.
- Insect repellent (with Deet).
- Antiseptic wipes or hand sanitizer.
- Your favorite snacks for a "pick-me-up" during the day.
CLOTHING
- Hiking boots, well broken-in. Please do not buy heavy, leather boots as there are numerous, medium- weight, high-quality hiking boots on the market. Asolo, Garmont, Merrill, Vasque, and other makes are widely available and designed especially for women. Since they are waterproof, Gore-tex boots, although a bit more expensive, are our first choice. Other boots should be waterproofed with one of the excellent waterproofing products available such as Nikwax. Make sure your boots fit properly and are well broken-in.
- Pair of tennis shoes or slip-on shoes for relaxing in the evening. Crocs or other lightweight sandals (Merrell, Teva, Keen) are also ideal as they are lightweight to carry.
- 4-5 pairs polypropylene liner socks.
- 4-5 pairs thick, natural fiber walking socks.
- 5-6 pairs quick drying underwear. You will want to wash out bras and panties. See the TravelSmith catalog.
- 2-3 pairs comfortable, lightweight pants.
- 2 pairs long (hiking type) shorts. The locals do not appreciate short shorts. You may also consider wearing a lightweight skirt while trekking, as this is what the local women wear.
- One pair nicer pants or skirt for our hotel stay in Kathmandu. Nice, lightweight, wrap-around skirts can be purchased in Nepal.
- 3-4 cotton bandannas. It’s an AdventureWomen tradition! They can be used as sweat bands, neckbands, handkerchiefs (instead of Kleenexes), emergency bathing suit strap(!), and MORE. Use your imagination!
- Field shirts: 2 long-sleeved and 2 lightweight short-sleeved, and a few T-shirts.
- Sweatshirt, sweater, or lightweight polar fleece jacket.
- Rain gear is supplied for the trek, but you may want to bring your own rain gear—poncho or jacket. Your jacket may double as an outer shell or windbreaker jacket for cooler weather at higher elevations.
- Sleepwear.
- Your favorite sun hat.
- Swimsuit.
- Extra shoe or boot laces.
For Our Raft Trip
- Teva, Merrill, Keen (or Crocs), or other sports sandals that can get wet and dry fast, and a pair of quick drying river shorts. Life jackets, helmets, and waterproof drums for your equipment are supplied.
PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT
- Regarding foot care: To prevent blisters, many hikers use moleskin. However, we recommend bringing a small roll of ordinary duct tape as an alternative. Applied when you feel a "hot spot" before the blister forms, duct tape reduces friction better than moleskin. If you develop a blister, Spenco "2nd Skin" is a very comforting necessity. Also bring foot powder for moisture absorption; cloth, not plastic Bandaids; about 10 individually wrapped alcohol pads; and a small tube of Neosporin or other antibiotic cream.
- Aspirin/ibuprofen, etc.
- Cold-symptom relief tablets, antihistamine, cough drops.
- Sun screen and lip balm with sunscreen.
- Tweezers.
- Ace bandage.
- Antibiotics.
- Prescription medicines in their original bottles.
- Acidophilus enzyme (available in capsules in health-food stores). This often helps your digestive system get in shape for "new" flora and fauna. Eating yogurt does the same, however it is not always available.
- Immodium, Lomotil, or other anti-diarrhea medicine.
- Pepto-Bismol tablets and/or liquid in leak-proof bottle.
- Emergen-C. Good for higher altitudes, and some people swear they get fewer colds on airplanes if they take this during flights.
CAMERA EQUIPMENT
For many women, photography is a large part of this trip. We suggest you bring the following:
- Digital camera, more memory cards and batteries than you think you need, battery charger, and adapter. Bring an adapter kit since multiple types of plugs are found in the country. Most digital cameras have a built in converter so you only need to bring an adapter. You can also purchase adapter plugs in Kathmandu.
The following items can be purchased in Nepal:
- Maps.
- Language or guide books.
- Local snack foods.
- Wool hats and sweaters.
- Local-style clothing in all sizes.
- Trek clothes such as gortex jackets, fleece, and down jackets.
- Western-style, all-cotton clothing, as well as cashmere and silk garments.
- Extra batteries.
- Film (quality unreliable).
- Post cards, stamps, and books in English.
OPTIONAL
- Small, lightweight binoculars (yes!).
- Swiss Army knife or equivalent with scissors (for cutting duct tape or moleskin if you have blisters on trek). Make sure you pack this in your checked luggage, and don't have it in your carry-on.
- Walking stick. Although walking sticks are provided on the trek, if you have a favorite telescoping walking stick that packs into your suitcase easily, by all means bring it.
- Pictures of your house and family (Nepalese love to see this!)
- Reading material.
- Video camera (beware of video taxes).
- Guide books. For general information about Nepal, the Nepal Insight Guide (July 23, 2008 edition). For trekking information, the Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya (eighth edition) guide.
LAST-MINUTE REMINDERS
- Make photocopies of your airline tickets and the first 2 pages of your passport and put them in different locations (suitcase, carry-on bag, etc.)
- Leave a copy of your itinerary at home.
- Bring 6 extra passport size photos: 2 for visa on arrival, 2 for trek permits, and 2 additional photos to use in emergencies.
- Your valuables should be insured for the duration of the trip, but better yet, leave them at home. Don't wear expensive gold and diamond jewelry.
- Make sure passport, tickets, and visas are valid and in the correct name.
- Check with airline to reconfirm reservations and departure time. Most airlines want to hear directly from the client for confirmations.
Some Extra Items to Add to your "What to Bring" List We are updating and adding the following items for all international trips. With more than 31 years of experience flying around the world, we think these items help make your long airline flights much more comfortable and even more bearable:
Neck pillow - Inflatable neck pillow for blissful support and deep sleep. For packing, it folds into itself. Self-sealing valve means nothing to close. Soft microfleece cover removes for washing.
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