Trekking Guides & Gear Reviews
Expert packing lists, gear guides, and trail advice from the team at Himalayan Hardwear — Thamel's trusted trekking gear store.
When is the best time to trek in Nepal in 2026? A month-by-month guide to spring, autumn, winter and monsoon trekking seasons — plus exactly what gear to pack for each.
The complete Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek packing list for 2026 — sleeping bag ratings, down jacket fill power, backpack size, permits and costs. Everything you need for the 4,130m sanctuary.
Complete Gokyo Lakes trek packing list for 2026 — sleeping bag ratings for 4,790m, down jacket fill power for the Gokyo Ri sunrise, permits, and how cold it really gets at the lakes.
Upper Mustang trek permit cost in 2026 is now USD 50/person/day. Full guide to the restricted permit, solo trekking update, packing list, and why Mustang is Nepal's best monsoon trek.
The complete Everest Three Passes trek packing list — gear for Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m) and Renjo La (5,360m). Sleeping bag, expedition down jacket, crampons and more.
Complete Mardi Himal trek gear list for 2026 — sleeping bag, down jacket, poles and clothing for the 4,500m base camp. Nepal's best short trek under Machhapuchhre, fully covered.
Complete Poon Hill (Ghorepani) trek packing list for 2026 — what to pack for the 3,210m sunrise viewpoint, the famous 3,200 stone steps, permits and costs. Nepal's best short trek.
Down jacket fill power explained for Nepal trekking — 650 vs 800 vs 900 fill power, fill weight, and exactly which down jacket you need for EBC, Gokyo, Annapurna and more.
Down jacket vs fleece for Nepal trekking — warmth, weight, wet performance and cost compared. Discover why you need both, and how to layer them for EBC, Annapurna and beyond.
Hydrostatic head explained for Nepal trekking — what mm rating you really need, breathability (MVTR), 2 vs 3-layer construction, and how to choose a waterproof jacket that won't leak.
Complete rain gear guide for Nepal trekking — the three-layer rain system of jacket, over-trousers and pack cover. Specs, monsoon tips, and where to buy rain gear in Kathmandu.
The complete thermal wear and base layer guide for Nepal trekking — merino vs synthetic, fabric weights, how many to pack, and the correct layering order for cold Himalayan treks.
Learn how to layer clothing for cold-weather Himalayan trekking — the four-layer system, the 'be bold start cold' rule, and an exact EBC layering recipe for -5°C to 15°C swings.
A sleeping bag liner adds 3–14°C of warmth on Nepal treks. Compare silk, merino, cotton and insulated liners — and learn which liner you need for EBC, ABC, Manaslu and beyond.
The best trekking socks for Nepal explained — merino vs synthetic, the two-sock blister-prevention system, cushion levels, and how many pairs to pack for a 14-day trek.
Do you need gaiters for trekking in Nepal? A clear guide to ankle, mid-calf and full gaiters — which treks need them, snow and leech protection, and what to buy.
The best water bottle and purification setup for Nepal trekking — insulated vs Nalgene, tablets vs SteriPen vs filter, the Khumbu plastic ban, and how to drink safe water at altitude.
Renting vs buying trekking gear in Kathmandu in 2026 — daily rental prices, what to rent, what to always buy, spotting fake brands in Thamel, and how to kit out for EBC affordably.
A complete guide to altitude sickness in Nepal — AMS, HACE and HAPE symptoms, the acclimatisation golden rules, Diamox dosage, and when to descend. Essential reading before any high trek.
Everything about trekking insurance for Nepal in 2026 — required altitude cover, helicopter evacuation costs, recommended providers, and the hidden traps that leave trekkers uncovered.
All gear mentioned in our guides is available at our store in Jyatha, Thamel, Kathmandu.