Packing Essentials for Trekking Expedition in Himalayas

Everyone wants to get away from the shackles of a frenetic and monotonous daily schedule, but every individual’s definition of a ‘break’ is not the same. For some, leisure time means resting in their homes and for others it means making time for some thrill packed action. The excitement and joy that an adventure fanatic experiences, especially during multi day trekking cannot be expressed in words.

Whenever it comes to high altitude treks, the pictures of various enchanting regions of the Himalayas such as Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Rishikesh, Sikkim etc. come to the mind. If you are smitten by the adventure bug and making plans to explore the many fascinating secrets concealed in the snow-capped Himalayan regions, then you must take up trekking as this outdoor activity apart from being filled with adventure induces you to explore hitherto unexplored territories. However, before you pack your bags, book your tickets and head off to a multi day trekking tour to the Himalayas, there are some essential items that you need to take with you for the expedition to make the journey easy, comfortable and unforgettable.

Clothing

The climate of the Himalayan region is very unpredictable and bone-chilling winds flow most of the times. Considering this, it is imperative that you must make it a point to pack woolen clothes. The various kinds of clothing that you must pack for trekking are mentioned below:

• Down jackets
• Woolen shirts or sweaters
• Bathing suit
• Cotton shirts and trousers or shorts
• Reef shoes for camping
• Woolen trousers
• Fleece sweater
• Shorts or calf-length skirt for women
• Underwear
• Three pairs of regular underwear and long woolen underwear
• Wide brimmed woolen hat
• Woolen gloves and socks
• Cotton socks
• Hooded raincoat and pants

Necessary Trekking Gears to Carry along

Besides clothing, trekking gears are also required to climb the high mountains in a hassle-free manner. In the absence of the proper gears, there are chances that you may experience some problems or suffer some kind of an injury. To keep yourself safe and complete the trekking expedition without any untoward incidents, you must also include these trekking gears in your packing list:

• Day pack or Fanny pack
• Compass / GPS
• Map
• Water
• Water filter
• Water-purification tablets
• Water bottle(s)
• Cooking pots
• Cup
• Bowl
• Eating utensils
• Camping stove
• Headlamp or Flashlight
• Food
• Matches
• Trash Bags
• Backup Fire Starter
• Knife
• Sunglasses
• Whistle
• Insect repellent

Some Other Important Items

There are many other important items or accessories that you must not forget to bring along such as sunglasses, trekking boots and a sun hat with a brim so that you can protect yourself from the sunlight. While the sun hat and goggles will no doubt act as a perfect shield from the severe Ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun, the trekking boots will help you to maintain an excellent grip in the bumpy and slippery terrain.

First Aid Kit and Other Essential Products

There are chances that during the trekking expedition you may suffer some injuries, feel tiredness, body pain or experience a mild fever. During trekking in the Himalayas region, it is certainly very hard to find a market or medical store nearby to get some first aid or medicine. To counter such exigencies, it becomes a very important task to keep a first aid kit in your backpack. The various things that must be a part of your first aid kit are as follows:

• Pain killers
• Crepe bandages
• Tweezers and scissors
• Adhesive tape
• Vitamin pills
• Vinyl gloves
• Antiseptic creams
• Insect repellent

These are not the only items that you must pack. The harsh climate of the Himalayan regions can cause some damage to your tender skin, so you need to carry some skincare products like sunscreen, body lotion, cold cream, moisturizer, sunscreen mosquito, lip balm and so on.

Some Quick Snacks

Trekking no doubt tests the stamina and endurance level of the trekkers. Sometimes, it completely drains an individual and body feels very tired. To keep the body fresh and rejuvenated, it is important to take along a bottle of water, glucose, biscuits and some kinds of the quick snacks such as dry fruits, sandwiches, candies and chocolates. Always make it a point that you take snacks and drink water on a regular basis.

Other Necessary Things to Pack

A few other necessary things that must be a vital part of your backpack are:

• Flash light with extra batteries
• Pocket Knife
• Nylon cord
• Plastic garbage bags
• Toilet paper
• Money
• Pencil and Paper
• Bandanna
• Small tube of toothpaste with toothbrush
• Watch
• Hiking books
• Weather radio
• Plastic bags
• Note books and pens
• Cell phone

Camera

The different regions of the Himalayas are replete with awe-inspiring natural vistas in the form of snow-draped peaks, verdant landscapes, pristine waterfalls, gushing rivers, azure sky, exotic flora and fauna. These beautiful marvels of nature provide unforgettable memories that can be clicked and stored in a picture album. The unique beauty of nature can be captured with the help of a digital camera and can be cherished forever.

Start your expedition with a smile on your face

When embarking on a long trekking expedition, you must always look at the larger, positive picture, instead of being bogged down by needless expectations and tensions. The expedition if goes well will leave you with many lasting memories that you will cherish all through your life. Also bringing a positive attitude to the trip will make things more pleasant and the travails surmountable. After all adventure trips are not regular events that can be carried out on a whim; so whenever you get a chance, it is prudent to make the most of it.

Trekking in a region surrounded by the serene beauty of nature leaves one spiritually fulfilled and you start understanding the true purpose of your life. The undulating hills, the cascading rivers, the alpine forests, the ever-so-cheerful birds, and many other facets of such an expedition will tug at your heartstrings while the energy and synergy around you will ultimately rub off on you. You will be left with such a sense of inner satisfaction that no money in the world can buy. Therefore, with so many positives associated with a multi-day trekking expedition, the least you can do is start your trip with a big smile on your face.

Bottom Line

A trekking expedition in the various regions of the Himalayas is certainly not a child’s play for any individual. It requires devoting considerable amount of research work, taking the help of professional guides & travel operators and most importantly packing essential items to make trekking a memorable affair.