Mardi Himal Trek Packing List

What should I pack for the Mardi Himal Trek?

Pack for changing temperatures, rain, and cold at altitude — not for every imaginable emergency. This trek runs from 822 m to 4,500 m in five days, and the whole packing job is a layering system plus a handful of specifics for altitude, rain, and sun. Most people over-pack; the aim here is to help you pack less, not more.

That's the whole philosophy, and it's worth stating before the lists start: the sweet spot is 6–8 kg of total pack weight. Every kilogram above 10 kg makes every climb on this route noticeably harder, and there's no prize for suffering under a bag you didn't need to carry.

Master packing checklist

Everything below explains the reasoning, the exceptions, and what to actually leave at home.

Pack light — this is the whole philosophy

Every kilogram on your back is a kilogram your legs carry up every ascent and down every descent. There's no secret formula: trekkers who arrive with 6–8 kg move faster, tire later, and enjoy the trip more than those under 15+ kg.

What people over-pack, almost without exception: multiple pairs of jeans or cotton trousers (heavy, slow-drying, dangerously cold when wet), more than one or two spare shirts, full-size toiletry bottles, a laptop or tablet (there's no reliable power for it), duplicate jackets doing the same job, and enough snacks for a week when five days will do.

The test that actually works: before you zip the bag, ask "will I use this?" If the answer isn't a clear yes, it stays home. Then pack the bag, put it on, and walk up and down a flight of stairs ten times. Manageable and your knees are happy? You're ready. Feels like a punishment? Take something out, or arrange a porter.

Daypack vs porter bag: what size do you actually need?

This is the single most consequential packing decision on this trek, and it comes down to one question: are you hiring a porter?

If you hire a porter: your porter carries your main duffel — Places Nepal supplies it — between camps, and you walk with a light daypack of roughly 20–30 litres, carrying only what you need during the day. Everything else goes in the duffel and you don't see it again until you reach camp.

If you don't hire a porter: you're carrying everything yourself, so you need a proper trekking backpack of roughly 40–50 litres with padded shoulder straps and a hip belt, sturdy enough to hold your full kit for five days.

Porter service, as currently offered: US$130 for the 5-day trek, add-on at checkout, not included in the base package. Each porter carries a maximum of 20 kg total, shared between two trekkers — so if you're travelling as a pair, combine your bags within that limit rather than each expecting a separate 20 kg allowance. Places Nepal supplies the duffel bag. If you decide mid-trek that you want one after all, ask your guide — arrangements can sometimes be made in the lower villages, though availability isn't guaranteed once you're on the trail.

Who should seriously consider a porter:

• First-time trekkers, or anyone who hasn't specifically trained with a loaded pack
• Anyone with a history of knee, hip or lower-back issues — the descent days are long and loaded
• Anyone whose bag comes out over 10 kg after packing
• Anyone who'd simply rather spend their energy on the walking than the carrying

There's no cost to admitting a porter is the right call. Nobody gets an award for suffering unnecessarily on a mountain.

What should stay in your daypack?

Whether or not you hire a porter, your daypack needs the things you'll want without stopping to dig through your main bag:

• Water (2–3 L) and any purification you're using
• Rain jacket, packed on top, not at the bottom
• Fleece or light insulating layer
• Gloves and a warm hat
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Snacks for the day
• Phone, power bank, camera
• Personal medication you might need during the day
• Permit documents, if you're the one carrying them

The rule: nothing that goes in your daypack should require opening your main duffel or backpack to reach. If you're stopping every hour to dig for your shell, it's in the wrong bag.

The clothing system: layers, not a random pile

Think in four layers rather than a checklist of individual items, because the same four pieces do different jobs at different points on the route.

Base layer — moisture-wicking, against the skin. Its job is managing sweat, not warmth. Cotton is the wrong material here; it stays wet and gets cold.

Mid layer — a fleece or softshell. Traps warmth once you stop moving or the temperature drops, which happens fast above Low Camp.

Insulating layer — a down or synthetic jacket. This is the layer that matters most at High Camp and on the Day 4 summit push, where temperatures sit at or below freezing in every month of the year.

Outer layer — a waterproof, windproof shell. Its job is blocking rain and wind, not warmth on its own. This trail sees genuine rain, unlike Nepal's rain-shadow regions like Mustang, so this layer isn't optional insurance — it gets used.

You add and remove these through the day rather than wearing all four at once. A typical Day 3 might mean base layer alone climbing in the sun at 10:00, and base plus mid plus insulating layer standing still at High Camp by 15:00.

Clothing quantities

These are quantities that work for a 5-day trek with a bit of margin — not absolute requirements. Adjust for personal preference and how often you're comfortable re-wearing a layer.

Best shoes for the Mardi Himal Trek

A broken-in waterproof trekking boot with good ankle support and real tread. That single specification covers most of what this route asks of footwear in any season.

Fit and break-in matter more than brand. New boots on this trail are one of the most common, and most avoidable, causes of blisters and ankle pain. Wear whatever boots you're bringing on every training walk beforehand — they need at least 30–40 hours of use to soften and shape to your feet before you rely on them for five consecutive days.

Grip is the priority. Stone steps low down, tree roots through the forest, and loose rock on the Day 4 descent are all considerably more dangerous with worn-down tread.

Waterproofing matters most outside the driest months — the forest sections between Pitam Deurali and Low Camp hold moisture longer than anywhere else on the route.

Boots versus trail shoes: boots with ankle support are the safer default for this route because of the sustained descent on Day 4 and the loose ground higher up. Experienced trekkers with strong ankles sometimes use lighter trail shoes successfully, but if you're choosing between the two and unsure, boots are the more forgiving option.

Do you need two pairs of shoes?

Not two pairs of hiking footwear — one solid pair of trekking boots is the main event. A light pair of camp shoes or sandals for evenings is a genuine comfort upgrade, not a requirement: giving your feet a break at the end of the day and having something to wear to the toilet at 2 a.m. without lacing boots is worth the modest extra weight for a lot of trekkers. It's a preference call, not a packing rule.

Do you need a sleeping bag for Mardi Himal?

Yes — bring or arrange one rather than relying on teahouse blankets.

Pack a sleeping bag rated to at least −5 to −10 °C. This is a comfort or three-season rating range, not an extreme-cold rating, and it's the right call because High Camp (3,550 m) sits at or below freezing overnight in every month of the year — including October and April, the two months most people trek. Nights climb only slightly milder in the warmest months, and get considerably colder from November through February, when a bag rated to −10 °C or lower is the sensible minimum.

Blanket availability at teahouses varies and shouldn't be relied on as your only source of warmth, particularly at High Camp, where accommodation is basic. A liner adds a few degrees of warmth and keeps the bag itself cleaner across a multi-lodge trip — a useful, low-cost addition rather than a necessity.

Rating labels are inconsistent between manufacturers, so treat any quoted number as a rough guide rather than a guarantee, and if you're choosing between a "comfort" and a "lower limit" rating on the same bag, comfort is the more honest figure for how it will actually feel.

Renting a sleeping bag in Nepal is common and inexpensive — see the rental section below.

Rain gear for Mardi Himal

What you need: a proper waterproof shell jacket with a hood, waterproof trousers, a rain cover or dry bags for your pack, and enough spare socks that wet feet don't compound over five days.

Why it's necessary rather than optional insurance: this route sits on the first ridge that moist air off the Pokhara valley meets on its way to the Annapurnas, and it catches noticeably more rain than Nepal's rain-shadow regions. Even in the driest months, afternoon cloud and the occasional shower are normal.

How much you need it varies sharply by season. April through September carries meaningfully more rain risk than October through March, and June through August is the wettest stretch of the year on this route by a wide margin. A light shell that's mostly backup in November becomes essential kit in May.

Practical extras that matter more than people expect: a dry bag for your sleeping bag and spare clothes (a pack cover alone can fail in sustained rain or wind), and electronics — phone, power bank, camera — sealed separately, since humidity finds its way into anything unsealed over several days.

Warm clothing for High Camp and Base Camp

Pokhara can be a hot city while High Camp, four days later, sits below freezing overnight — and that gap is the whole reason a layering system matters more than any single "warm enough" jacket.

What actually handles it:

• An insulated down jacket for evenings at High Camp and the pre-dawn Day 4 start
• A fleece or softshell mid-layer underneath it
• Thermal base layers, top and bottom, for the coldest mornings
• A warm hat and insulated gloves for summit morning specifically
• A buff or neck gaiter — wind at High Camp and above matters more than the raw temperature suggests

This isn't expedition-grade equipment, and beginners don't need anything more specialised than the list above. A four-season mountaineering bag, double boots, or serious winter mountaineering layers are only relevant if you're trekking December through February, covered separately below.

Sun protection on Mardi Himal

UV exposure increases meaningfully with altitude — roughly 45% higher at 4,500 m than at sea level, and snow reflection above Low Camp multiplies that further.

What to carry:

• Sunglasses with genuine UV protection, not just tinted lenses
• SPF 50 sunscreen, reapplied through the day rather than once each morning
• A sun hat for the lower, more exposed sections
• SPF lip balm — an easy thing to forget and a common source of trail discomfort
• Covering the back of your neck and hands specifically on summit morning, where sun exposure is highest and people forget these spots

Apply sunscreen before you leave camp each morning, not once you notice you're burning.

Do you need trekking poles for Mardi Himal?

Not mandatory, but strongly worth bringing — this is one of the few "optional" items where the case is close to essential.

Where they help most:

• The Day 4 descent — 1,515 m from Base Camp back to Low Camp in a single afternoon, which is the most physically punishing single stretch of the trek. Poles reduce knee strain on descent by a meaningful margin.
• The rooted, uneven forest trail between Pitam Deurali and Low Camp, where they add balance as much as they save your knees.
• Any wet or icy section, in any season.

If you're bringing them, use them from Day 1, not just on the steep sections — trekking with poles is a skill that's worth having practised before you need it on tired legs at 4 p.m. on Day 4.

How much water should you carry on Mardi Himal?

Carry 2–3 litres of capacity and drink consistently through the day rather than only when thirsty — dry mountain air masks how much you're actually losing.

Availability along the route: teahouses sell boiled or treated water at every stop up to High Camp. There is no food or water available at all between High Camp and Mardi Himal Base Camp, so fill up completely before the 04:30 departure and carry at least 1.5 litres for the summit push specifically.

How much you actually need varies with body size, pace, and how hot or dry a particular day is — there's no single number that fits everyone, but 3–4 litres across a full trekking day, more at lower, hotter elevations, is a reasonable working range for most people.

Water purification

Never drink untreated tap or stream water on this trail — water sources above Forest Camp can carry giardia and other pathogens, and stomach illness at altitude is considerably more serious than at sea level.

Your options: purification tablets, a filter or filter bottle, or buying boiled/treated water from teahouses, which is the simplest approach for most trekkers and widely available. Whichever you choose, bring it — don't plan to rely solely on purchased bottled water, since single-use plastic is discouraged on this route and everything that comes up the mountain has to be carried back down.

What snacks should you pack for Mardi Himal?

Bring 5–7 days' worth of your preferred snacks from Pokhara: energy bars, trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, and any electrolyte products you use.

Why bring your own rather than buy on the trail: the same items are available at teahouses but cost two to three times Pokhara prices above Low Camp — a Snickers at High Camp costs roughly what a full meal costs in Pokhara. That's simply the economics of everything arriving on someone's back.

All main meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner — are included in the trek package and served at every teahouse, so snacks are a between-meal supplement, not a substitute for eating properly. Force a full meal at every sitting from Low Camp onward; altitude suppresses appetite while your body is burning more just to stay warm, and skipping dinner before summit day is one of the most common avoidable mistakes on this route.

First aid kit for Mardi Himal

Keep it practical rather than exhaustive — a heavy, overstuffed medical kit is itself a packing mistake.

What's useful:

• Blister treatment and basic bandages
• Basic pain and fever relief (paracetamol or ibuprofen)
• Antiseptic cream, gauze, and medical tape
• Rehydration salts
• Antihistamines
• Diarrhoea and stomach medication
• Cough drops or lozenges
• Your own prescription medications, with a few spare days built in
• Travel insurance details, including cover for high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation

On Diamox and altitude medication specifically: discuss this with your doctor before you travel rather than deciding on the trail. This article isn't the place to prescribe anything, and altitude sickness itself is managed by descent and pacing, not by any single medication or gadget.

Bring your own prescription medication in full — there is no equivalent available on the trail, and Pokhara is your last realistic chance to fill anything you're short of.

What should you carry for altitude?

Nothing exotic — the useful kit is water, warm layers, sun protection, and your own medication, none of which is altitude-specific gear so much as good general preparation.

What actually helps: staying hydrated, dressing so you can add or remove layers as temperature swings, protecting against UV, carrying any personal medication your doctor has discussed with you, and having your emergency contacts and travel insurance details accessible rather than buried at the bottom of your bag.

What doesn't help: no gadget, supplement, or specific brand of anything prevents altitude sickness. Ascent rate, hydration, and honest communication with your guide about symptoms are what actually matter. Full detail on recognising and responding to altitude symptoms is in our Mardi Himal Trek altitude guide.

Toiletries for Mardi Himal

Keep this lightweight — full-size bottles are one of the most common unnecessary weight items on this route.

• Toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste
• Biodegradable soap
• A small, quick-dry towel
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet wipes — useful since hot showers are limited above Low Camp
• Sunscreen and SPF lip balm (also listed under sun protection above)
• Toilet paper and a ziplock bag to pack out used tissue
• Small personal grooming items as needed

Decant liquids into 50–60 ml containers rather than carrying full-size bottles for a five-day trip.

Electronics to pack

• Phone and charging cable
• Power bank — charging costs extra at teahouses and isn't guaranteed at every stop, particularly above Low Camp
• Headlamp with spare batteries — non-negotiable for the 04:30 Day 4 departure
• Camera, if you want one beyond your phone, with spare batteries — cold drains them noticeably faster at High Camp
• Waterproof protection (a dry bag or sealed pouch) for anything you're not carrying in a dedicated case

Don't assume electricity everywhere. Some lodges, particularly at High Camp, rely partly on solar power, and charging is a paid extra rather than a given.

Documents to carry

Two categories worth keeping separate.

Government-required for the trek:

• Passport
• ACAP permit and TIMS card (or their digital equivalents), both arranged for you if booking with Places Nepal
• Nepal visa, obtained on arrival

Requested by Places Nepal for trip operations, not a government requirement:

• Travel insurance details, including high-altitude and helicopter evacuation cover
• Emergency contact information
• Booking confirmation

Keep permit documents accessible rather than buried in your main bag — checkpoints along the route check them, and your guide will typically hold the master copies if you're travelling with one, but it's worth having your own digital backup regardless.

How much cash should you carry?

There's no single fixed number that's right for everyone, but plan for NPR 15,000–18,000 per person as a comfortable working figure for a 5-day trek, and bring more rather than less if you tend to spend freely.

Why cash specifically: ATMs end at Pokhara, and there are no card, foreign currency, or mobile payment options anywhere on the trail — cash in Nepali rupees is the only currency that works once you leave the city.

What it covers: hot showers (NPR 300–500), Wi-Fi (NPR 200–400), phone charging (NPR 200–500 per device), snacks and drinks above what you've packed, and tips for your guide and porter if you're using them.

Practical tips: withdraw or exchange everything you'll need in Pokhara before you start, keep it in a small waterproof pouch, and carry smaller denominations — teahouses in the mountains can struggle to break large notes.

Hygiene on the trail

Hot showers are limited above Low Camp, so hand sanitizer, wet wipes and soap do a lot of the daily work that a shower would at home. None of this is unusual for a multi-day teahouse trek, and it's worth packing for practically rather than worrying about in advance.

Menstrual products on Mardi Himal: bring a full supply for the trek — access to your preferred products is limited to non-existent on the trail, so this isn't something to plan around finding along the way. Whether you use a cup, tampons, pads, or a combination is entirely personal preference; the practical addition worth packing regardless is a small, discreet bag for carrying out any waste, since disposal facilities are minimal above the lower camps.

Mardi Himal packing list for beginners

The mistakes that show up most often on a first Himalayan trek, and they're all avoidable:

• Packing too much. The instinct to prepare for everything results in a heavier bag than the trek actually requires. Trust the checklist above rather than adding "just in case" items.
• New, unbroken-in boots. The single most common cause of a miserable Day 2 through Day 5.
• Underestimating cold at High Camp. Pokhara's heat doesn't tell you anything about what 3,550 m feels like at night.
• Forgetting rain protection because the forecast looks good. This route catches weather even in the driest months.
• Bringing too many clothes and not enough of the right layers. Four functional layers beat eight redundant shirts.
• Burying daytime essentials in the main bag. If your shell, water, and snacks aren't in your daypack, you'll be opening your duffel every hour.

Whether the trek itself suits you as a beginner is a separate question, covered fully in Mardi Himal Trek for beginners.

Mardi Himal packing list by season

The base list above doesn't change dramatically by season — what changes is emphasis. Here's what shifts.

Spring — March to May: rain gear becomes more important as the season progresses, particularly by May. Early spring can still carry lingering snow on the upper ridge, making microspikes worth checking on for March and early April. The insulated jacket is used every single evening regardless of how warm Pokhara feels.

Monsoon — June to August: waterproofing stops being backup kit and becomes the priority. A proper shell, waterproof trousers, dry bags for everything inside your pack, and more spare socks than you think you need. This is also the one season where we'd point you toward reconsidering the trek altogether rather than just packing around it — see our weather guide for the full reasoning.

Autumn — September to November: the most standard version of the packing list. September's first half still carries meaningful rain risk; October and November are drier, and by late November microspikes move from optional to worth having for the upper ridge.

Winter — December to February: microspikes become standard rather than optional kit above Low Camp. Tighten your sleeping bag rating toward −10 °C or colder, and treat the down jacket, insulated gloves and warm hat as daily-use items rather than evening-only layers.

Full month-by-month detail, including exact temperature ranges by camp, is in our Mardi Himal Trek Weather guide, and dedicated day-by-day packing notes for the three most-booked months are in Mardi Himal Trek in October, Mardi Himal Trek in April, and Mardi Himal Trek in May.

Pack for the weather, not the calendar

A useful discipline regardless of which month you're trekking: October can still carry rain in a late-monsoon year. May can be warm at Pokhara and cold at High Camp on the same day. November's later weeks can turn icy on the upper ridge with little warning. Winter can bring snow that changes what the summit day requires.

What this means practically: the seasonal notes above are starting points, not guarantees. Check a short-range forecast in the days before you depart, and once you're on the trail, your guide's read of current conditions beats any seasonal average. Our weather guide covers this handoff — from seasonal expectation to actual forecast to on-the-ground judgement — in full.

What changes as you climb Mardi Himal

Pokhara → Phedi → Pitam Deurali → Low Camp → High Camp → Mardi Himal Base Camp → Low Camp → Siding → Pokhara

Mapping gear needs onto the actual route:

• Phedi to Pitam Deurali (1,130–1,925 m) — warm, sometimes humid. Light layers, sun protection. Warm kit stays packed.
• Pitam Deurali to Low Camp (1,925–2,985 m) — cooling steadily through dense forest. Fleece comes out by the time you reach Low Camp, where ridge wind picks up.
• Low Camp to High Camp (2,985–3,550 m) — cold, exposed, above the treeline. Full layering system in use; sun exposure increases sharply as tree cover disappears.
• High Camp to Base Camp (3,550–4,500 m) — the coldest, most exposed section of the trek, walked before dawn. Every layer you own, deployed at once.
• Descent to Siding (2,985–1,700 m) — warms quickly. Layers come off in reverse order as you drop.

This map shows the route, not live conditions — it's a reference for planning, not a weather forecast. Full route detail is in our Mardi Himal Trek map guide.

Printable packing checklist

Documents

• Passport
• Insurance details (high-altitude and helicopter evacuation cover)
• Permit and booking information
• Emergency contacts

Clothing

• Base layers (2–3)
• Trekking T-shirts (2)
• Trekking trousers (2 pairs)
• Thermal leggings
• Fleece or softshell
• Insulated down jacket
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Gloves — light and insulated
• Warm hat and sun hat
• Buff or neck gaiter
• Socks (3–4 pairs) and underwear (4–5)

Footwear

• Broken-in trekking boots
• Optional camp shoes or sandals

Gear

• Daypack or backpack, sized to whether you have a porter
• Water bottles or bladder plus purification
• Trekking poles
• Headlamp with spare batteries
• Sleeping bag rated to −5 to −10 °C (colder in winter)
• Dry bags or pack cover

Health

• Personal medication
• Blister treatment and basic first aid
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Rehydration salts and stomach medication

Electronics

• Phone and charger
• Power bank
• Camera, if wanted

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Biodegradable soap
• Quick-dry towel
• Toilet paper and sanitizer
• Menstrual products if needed

Miscellaneous

• Cash in Nepali rupees (NPR 15,000–18,000+)
• Snacks from Pokhara (5–7 days' worth)
• Small padlock for your duffel

What trekking gear can you rent in Nepal?

Common, and often the smarter choice for anything you'll use once.

Thamel in Kathmandu is the main hub, with Pokhara's Lakeside offering a smaller but comparable selection at similar prices. Sleeping bags and down jackets are the two items most worth renting — typical rates run roughly US$1–2.50 per day depending on quality, which for a 5-day trek is a fraction of buying either outright.

What's sensible to rent: sleeping bags, down jackets, and trekking poles if you don't already own a pair.

What's better bought outright, even cheaply, in Thamel or Lakeside: trekking poles if you don't want to rely on rental stock, gloves, buffs, sunglasses, and water purification — small, inexpensive items you'll want to know are yours and in good condition.

What's worth bringing from home rather than renting or buying locally: boots, above everything else. Rented or cheaply-bought boots on a first trek are a common source of blisters, and a hiking boot is one item where fit matters more than saving money. Prescription medication and anything personal-hygiene related also travel better from home.

A practical note on quality: counterfeit and lower-quality gear is common in budget shops, particularly for branded-looking items. This doesn't make renting a bad idea — sleeping bags and down jackets rented from an established shop are generally fine for a short trek — but it's worth asking your guide or hotel for a steer on where to go rather than picking the first shop you pass.

We don't currently list specific rental partners, so if you need to arrange gear locally, your guide or the hotel you're staying at in Kathmandu or Pokhara is the best starting point.

What gear should you buy before coming to Nepal?

Buy and break in before you arrive:

• Trekking boots. The single item worth getting right at home, with 30–40 hours of wear before you fly.
• Personal clothing layers you already know fit and perform the way you expect.
• Prescription medication, in full, with spares.
• Personal hygiene products you have a preference for, since selection on the trail and even in Pokhara can be limited for specific brands.
• Comfortable socks you've already worn on long walks.
• Personal electronics — your own phone, headlamp, and power bank rather than sourcing these locally.

Reasonable to sort out in Kathmandu or Pokhara instead: a sleeping bag and down jacket, if you'd rather not travel with bulky items, and small accessories like a buff, extra gloves, or trekking poles.

None of this requires a shopping list longer than what's above — the aim is arriving with what you know works, and filling genuine gaps locally rather than buying everything twice.

Do you need camping equipment?

No, not for the standard Places Nepal 5-day itinerary. This is a teahouse trek — you sleep, eat and rest in lodges every night from Pitam Deurali through to your last night at Low Camp, with meals included throughout. No tent, sleeping mat, stove, or cooking gear is needed.

The only scenario where camping gear becomes relevant is a different kind of itinerary entirely — camping treks exist elsewhere in Nepal's trekking landscape, but they're not part of this route or this package.

Do you need climbing equipment?

No. The Mardi Himal Trek is a non-technical teahouse trek, not a climbing expedition. No ropes, harnesses, ice axes, or climbing experience are required for the standard route in normal conditions.

The one seasonal exception: microspikes or crampons on the upper section from High Camp to Base Camp when snow or ice is present — most reliably from around November through February, occasionally earlier or later depending on the year. That's trail traction equipment, not technical climbing gear, and it's covered under seasonal packing above.

If you were attempting the actual summit of Mardi Himal (5,587 m) rather than the trekking route to Base Camp, that's a separate climbing objective requiring a climbing permit and genuine mountaineering equipment — a different undertaking entirely from the trek this article covers.

Once you know what to carry, the next question is how much you want handled for you

Booking with a local operator changes what you personally need to organise, not what the trek requires. When permits, accommodation, meals, transport, a guide, and an optional porter are already arranged, your packing list shrinks to personal gear — everything above this line — rather than logistics.

What's included in the current Places Nepal package: a government-licensed English-speaking guide, ACAP and TIMS permits with government fees, teahouse accommodation throughout, all meals on the trek, private transfer from Pokhara to Phedi and a shared jeep back from Siding, and all guide and porter expenses.

What stays yours to pack and arrange regardless: everything on the lists above, plus travel insurance (covering trekking to 4,500 m and helicopter evacuation — non-negotiable, not included in any package), the Nepal visa, and personal spending on the trail.

Current rates: US$470 for a solo private trek, US$360 per person for a group of 2–5 or for joining a fixed group departure, down to US$300 for larger groups. Porter service adds US$130 for the trek.

Check the current Mardi Himal Trek itinerary, inclusions and available departures to see exactly what's arranged for you before you start packing.

Packing depends on which Nepal trek you choose

Mardi Himal's packing list is comparatively light because it's short, low-altitude by Himalayan standards, and entirely teahouse-based. Longer or higher routes ask for more.

If you're drawn to a longer trek in the same region, Annapurna Base Camp shares most of Mardi Himal's packing list but over more days, meaning more clothing rotation and a bigger bag if you're not using a porter.

If altitude is the draw, Everest Base Camp reaches considerably higher (5,364 m) over 12–14 days, which means a heavier cold-weather kit and a longer packing list across the board.

If you want something gentler to start with, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek tops out around 3,210 m and needs a lighter, lower-altitude version of this same list.

If remoteness and a longer commitment appeal, Manaslu Circuit and the Annapurna Circuit both cross a high pass, which adds genuine cold-weather and altitude-specific gear beyond what Mardi Himal requires.

Browse the full range on our trips page if Mardi Himal's dates or altitude don't end up being the right fit — the packing principles carry over even when the specific list doesn't.

Mardi Himal Trek Packing List: FAQs

What should I pack for the Mardi Himal Trek? A layering clothing system, broken-in waterproof boots, a sleeping bag rated to −5 to −10 °C, rain gear, sun protection, trekking poles, a headlamp, water purification, and a daypack or backpack sized to whether you're using a porter. Aim for 6–8 kg total.

What clothes do I need for Mardi Himal? Base layers, 2 pairs of trekking trousers, a fleece, an insulated down jacket, a waterproof shell and trousers, warm and sun hats, gloves, and 3–4 pairs of trekking socks — used as a layering system rather than worn all at once.

What shoes are best for Mardi Himal? Broken-in, waterproof trekking boots with good ankle support and solid tread. New boots are one of the most common causes of blisters on this route.

Do I need hiking boots? Boots are the safer default because of the sustained Day 4 descent and loose ground higher up. Experienced trekkers with strong ankles sometimes use trail shoes successfully, but boots are the more forgiving choice if you're unsure.

Do I need a sleeping bag for Mardi Himal? Yes. High Camp sits at or below freezing overnight in every month of the year, and teahouse blankets shouldn't be your only source of warmth. A bag rated to −5 to −10 °C covers most seasons; go colder for winter.

What sleeping bag temperature rating do I need? −5 to −10 °C for spring, autumn, and most of the year. −10 °C or colder for December through February. Treat quoted ratings as approximate rather than exact, and comfort ratings as more realistic than lower-limit ratings.

Do I need trekking poles? Not mandatory, but strongly recommended, particularly for the 1,515 m Day 4 descent, where they meaningfully reduce knee strain.

How big should my backpack be? Roughly 40–50 litres if you're carrying everything yourself. Roughly 20–30 litres if you're hiring a porter and only carrying a daypack.

What size daypack do I need with a porter? Around 20–30 litres — enough for water, a rain layer, snacks, and daytime essentials.

What size backpack do I need without a porter? Around 40–50 litres, with padded straps and a hip belt, to carry your full kit for five days.

How much weight can a porter carry? 20 kg maximum per porter, shared between two trekkers — combine your bags within that limit rather than expecting 20 kg each.

Can I rent trekking gear in Nepal? Yes. Sleeping bags and down jackets are the most commonly and cheaply rented items, mainly in Kathmandu's Thamel district and, to a lesser extent, Pokhara's Lakeside, typically around US$1–2.50 per day.

What should I pack for Mardi Himal in winter? The standard list plus microspikes, a sleeping bag rated to −10 °C or colder, and treating your down jacket and insulated gloves as daily-use items rather than evening-only layers.

What should I pack for Mardi Himal in October? The standard list. October is generally dry and stable, though a shell is still worth carrying for occasional cloud, especially early in the month.

What should I pack for Mardi Himal in November? The standard list plus microspikes from around mid-month onward, as snow and ice risk on the upper ridge rises through November.

What should I pack for Mardi Himal in April? The standard list, with rain gear useful rather than backup, and microspikes worth checking on for early April if there's been a heavy winter.

What should I pack for Mardi Himal in May? The standard list with rain gear treated as essential rather than optional — May carries meaningfully more rain than April or October — plus extra spare socks.

Do I need rain gear? Yes, in every season except the depths of winter. This route sees genuine rain, and a proper waterproof jacket and trousers get used rather than just carried.

Does Mardi Himal get snow? Yes, above roughly 3,500 m, most reliably from December through February, and possible but less likely in early spring and late autumn.

Do I need crampons? Not standard crampons — microspikes are the appropriate level of traction for this route, needed most reliably in winter and worth having from November through early spring depending on conditions.

Do I need camping equipment? No. This is a teahouse trek with accommodation and all meals included at every stop — no tent, stove, or camping gear required.

Do I need climbing equipment? No. The trek to Base Camp is non-technical. Microspikes for seasonal ice are the only trail-traction item you might need; genuine climbing gear is only relevant if you're attempting the actual summit, which is a separate objective.

What should I keep in my daypack? Water, rain jacket, a light insulating layer, gloves, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks, phone, power bank, camera, and any medication you might need during the day.

What should I give my porter? Your main duffel — spare clothing, sleeping gear, toiletries, and anything you don't need until you reach camp. Keep medication, documents, and valuables with you rather than in porter luggage.

What should I pack as a beginner? The standard list above, with extra attention to breaking in your boots properly, not underestimating the cold at High Camp, and keeping rain gear accessible even if the forecast looks clear.

What should I not pack for Mardi Himal? Jeans or other cotton trousers, more than one or two spare books, full-size toiletries, a laptop or tablet, duplicate jackets, excessive spare clothing, and anything you're bringing "just in case" rather than because you'll actually use it.

How much cash should I carry? Roughly NPR 15,000–18,000 per person for a 5-day trek, in cash — there are no ATMs, cards, or mobile payments anywhere past Pokhara.

Do I need water purification? Yes, or a reliable plan to buy treated water at every teahouse. Never drink untreated tap or stream water on this route.

What toiletries should I bring? A small toothbrush and toothpaste, biodegradable soap, a quick-dry towel, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, sunscreen, toilet paper, and menstrual products if needed — all in travel sizes rather than full-size bottles.

Can Places Nepal provide a porter? Yes. Porter service is available as an add-on at US$130 for the 5-day trek, one porter shared between two trekkers carrying up to 20 kg, with the duffel bag supplied.