Most tour operators ask you to bring a maximum of 15kg (33lbs) in your big overnight pack, and you carry a small day pack with you each day.

The incredible porters usually tie two big packs together and carry these with a strap across their forehead to your next stop, usually at an alarming pace in flip flops or sports shoes without breaking into a sweat!

Most Kathmandu hotels have a place where you can store any extra luggage you may have with you from your travels while you are up the mountain.

WHAT GOES IN MY DAY PACK?

Your day pack is for your daily trekking needs and carried by you throughout the day.
What I chose to carry daily:

• Two extra layers or more depending on the weather (another fleece and a thin wind breaker outer shell)

• Thin waterproof pants in case of rain and a jacket if your windbreaker is not waterproof (I bought my pants in Thamel for $10)

• Zip-lock with energy snacks (see my best advice for trekking to E.B.C article)

• Daily packet of tang (cordial/crush)

• 1-Litre water canister (I bought some cheap carabiners and hung this from my backpack for easy access)

• 2 x 2-Litre plastic bottles of water to refill your water canteen, available from the tiny shops along the way

• My camera and extra battery

• Small hand sanitizer bottle

• A bluff (neck gaiter) as it has so many uses!

• Bandaids and ibuprofen (or some kind of painkillers)

• Cash for lunch or snacks

• Lip balm (you get chapped lips huffing and puffing all day)

• Packet of Kleenex tissues

• A small roll of toilet paper … cause you know…

• Teabags (they are very expensive up the mountain)

WHAT ELSE MUST I PACK?

Each company will give you a basic list what to bring, two pairs of pants etc… I want to highlight the extra items you need to remember.

• A good pair of polarized sunglasses – once there’s snow on the ground the glare can be damaging

• A few pairs of long socks. Unfortunately you will have to re-wear them unless you are willing to carry two weeks’ work of socks. Bring a few different kinds, thicker styles, thinner styles and test them in your boots before you arrive. There is nothing worse than getting blisters and not being able to switch to a thinner sock if need be.

• Wet weather gear. These don’t need to be thick snowboarding style outer wear – it just needs to be a waterproof shell over your other layers. There are many options available in Kathmandu. It’s better to have more thin layers that you can take off than one big heavy layer that keeps you boiling hot or leaves you freezing cold.

• Wet wipes (for your showering needs!) and deodorant

• A small microfibre towel for drying your face (no need for a proper sized towel with the lack of showers).

• Extra rolls of toilet paper

• Journal (optional of course)

• First Aid Kit; painkillers, Bandaids/plasters, anti-bacterial wipes for blisters, anti-diarrhoea tablets, anti-nausea tablets, electrolyte sachets, vitamin boosting sachets or effervescent tablets, Diamox or some kind or Altitude Sickness medication, tweezers and water purification tablets (optional, I didn’t use these)

• Swiss Pocket Knives always come in handy in the mountains, or guides and hotels will have a knife and scissors if you need them

• Small sunscreen bottle, especially needed when it is snowy

• Slippers or booties to wear inside the tea houses so you can get those smelly hiking boots off and not traipse mud and dust through the place, even flip flops for the bathroom runs!

• Head torch, there’s little electricity available at night

• A warm sleeping bag (I hired mine in Kathmandu)

• A decent pair of gloves or mittens

• Dry shampoo (a must for this lady!)

• Earplugs for those with friends who snore!

• Watch with an alarm or a little portable alarm clock that’s battery operated.

• Several books you are happy to swap or leave up the mountain.