Packlist

For a four week trek, taking in the Annapurna circuit and also the sanctuary, I carried just under 12 kg of pack. This included over 2kg of Camera equipment (an old Nikon - heavy, but very reliable and not depending on scarce battery resources). I stayed in lodges all the way so I carried no camping or cooking equipment. If you are intending to carry your own pack most of the time then 10kg is about the most you should carry if at all possible. Here is a list of what I had in the pack:

Outdoor Clothes

  • Hiking boots (1) Make sure these are very comfortable. You'll be wearing them severl hours a day through sweaty tropical lowlands and cold dry mountain passes. If they are leather, bring some wax to treat them occasionally. If they are suede, give them a waterproofing before you go. The paths often double as streams!
  • Socks (3) I brought three pair of wick-and-dry. One on my feet, one in the pack and the other airing on the back of my rucksack. Allowing your feet to dry at lunchtime and changing socks for the afternoon is a good way to prevent blisters.
  • Hiking pants (1). Light, windproof, quick drying and zip pockets. A belt proved useful since I lost 7kg of weigh in four weeks. Short are comfortable in the lowlands, but beware of cooling off very quickly when you stop. Short are not recomennded for women since hte Napalis do not wear them.
  • Shirt/ tee-shirts (3). Treat them in the same way as the socks since they will collect a lot of sweat as you walk (particularly on your back) and will dry quickly in the sun as you walk.