Packing for a trek is always difficult the first time. As someone who has done multiple treks in Nepal at different altitudes, I feel like a pro when it comes to packing everything I need. Typically, I carry my own bag, so it’s important to me not to overpack because I know I’ll have to carry everything with me for days. The Poon Hill Trek is short, but it’s difficult with constant steep uphills and downhills. The less you can pack, the better.
Poon Hill Trek – Backpack & Storage
Pro Tip: Take everything out one week in advance. Each day before the trek, go over what you packed and see if you really need it. If you pack at the last minute, you’ll likely add impulse items that are heavy and unnecessary.
40L Backpack
I have the 40L Alchemist Bag from Eddie Bauer. It’s water resistant, has a tough outer shell that doesn’t rip easily, and is big enough to hold everything I need for a 4-12 day trek. I don’t recommend taking a bigger bag because typically when you have more room, you fill it up with unnecessary stuff.
Mudder Waterproof Bags
Even though my bag is water resistant, it will get wet in a downpour, so I always have waterproof bags to store electronics and important documents like my insurance papers and wallet. These have come in handy during monsoon season more than once!
Packing Cubes
I’m a huge fan of packing cubes and can’t live without them. When trekking, you need to unpack and pack every day in a room without a dresser or table. Therefore, having everything in neat little cubes makes it easier. You just take out the cube you need rather than unpacking every single item in your bag.
Water Bottle
Plastic water bottles have been banned from the Annapurna Region and for good reason. Please bring a reusable water bottle and a water purification method.
Backpack Rain Cover
This is a must if your backpack isn’t waterproof. Many backpacks are water resistant but won’t stay dry in a downpour.
Plastic Bag for Laundry
I bring a simple grocery store plastic bag for laundry to keep it separate from my other clothes. I only put dirty underwear in it as the larger items like pants and shirts will be worn more than once. A plastic bag adds no weight and doesn’t take up any room.
Ziplock Bags
Never underestimate the ziplock bag. These come in handy more often than you would think.
Poon Hill Trek – Clothing & Accessories
Down Coat
I didn’t need a down coat as I went in the summer. If you go in November, December, January, or February, you will need a warmer layer at night and in the morning. I’m obsessed with my Microtherm coat. It’s super warm, lightweight and packs down small.
Fleece Jacket
Have a fleece jacket with you and keep it towards the top of your bag. Even in warm weather, when you trek, you get sweaty. And when you sweat, your clothes get wet which causes a chill. Have your fleece handy for tea breaks. You can also sleep in this at night if it’s cold. Plus, you can wear it around the teahouses in the evening.
Raincoat / Poncho
Another item to have at the top of your bag is a raincoat. In the mountains, you never know when it’ll rain and when it starts, you don’t want to have to pull everything out of your bag to find it.
Quick Dry T-Shirts (2)
Two t-shirts are important because if one gets sweaty or wet, it might not dry by the next morning. So, you can rotate wearing these.
Lightweight Trekking Pants (2)
I love the pants I have from Eddie Bauer because they are light and have UV protection, so you don’t get too hot wearing them. I like to have two pairs to rotate between, however you could get away with one pair if it’s quick dry.
Buff / Scarf
Buffs are a great alternative to scarves because they take up very little room and keep you warm. You can also use it as a mask for protection from dust. I like the ones at Eddie Bauer because they are thin enough to breathe through and still keep you warm. I wouldn’t recommend a fleece one as they are too hard to breathe through and make you too hot.
Short Hiking Socks (2)
Socks tend to get wet during treks. Whether it rains, you walk through a river, or you sweat a lot, my socks rarely dry in time for the next morning. So having two keeps my feet dry.
Long Hiking Socks
I save these to sleep in so that I don’t have to wear dirty socks to bed at night. I also use these during sunrise hikes if it’s cold enough.
Pro Hiking Boots
I am obsessed with my La Sportiva boots. As someone who hikes a lot, I invested in these as they will last years. They have great ankle support and good traction. Any hiking boots you get should be treated with Nikwax once a year to ensure they are waterproofed.
Hiking Sneakers
If you are just starting out with your hiking/trekking journey and you’re not ready to spend $200-$300 on boots, then I’d recommend getting a hiking boot/sneaker hybrid. The first two treks I did, I had a hybrid shoe and it was great. It’s also a fantastic option if you are backpacking and want a more flexible shoe that can be for hiking or normal walks through cities. I was recently gifted the NORTIV 8 hiking sneakers and love them. They’re a great affordable option for backpackers and novice hikers.
Flip Flops
I have a pair of lightweight flip flops. These aren’t necessary; however they make life a lot easier. When you get to a teahouse, it feels so good to kick off your hiking boots. Also, it’s much easier to pee at night because you don’t have to lace up your boots. You can also wear them in the shower.
Summer Hat
A summer hat is a must. I recommend something made with quick dry material as it will get sweaty. You can also find hats with UV protection which is great.
Winter Hat
I didn’t need a winter hat because I went in the summer, but if you go in November, December, January, or February you will definitely want one.
Sunglasses
Polarized sunglasses are a must for daily wear. Parts of this trek have no cover from trees. On a sunny day, you are completely exposed to the elements.
Pajamas
I like a long sleeve oversized cotton shirt and a pair of leggings, but whatever you are comfortable in will work. Long sleeves and long pants are nice because it gets cold at night and the rooms aren’t well insulated.
Underwear
I hate doing laundry when I trek, so I pack a pair for each day. Doing laundry isn’t so difficult, but if they don’t dry by the time you leave in the morning, you have to hang them on the outside of your bag which isn’t ideal.
Sports Bras
I have one bra to wear during the day, and one to change into once we arrive so that I’m not wearing a sweaty one as it gets cold at night.
Poon Hill Trek – Toiletries
Pro Tip: Think about the weight of every item when you choose it. On my first trek I packed a full sized toothpaste, a heavy hairbrush, and so many excessive items. Find the lightest and smallest version of everything.
Wet Wipes
This route has some decent showers, but I always carry wet wipes just in case I can’t take a shower. I recommend decomposable ones to lessen your footprint.
Quick Dry Towel
A small microfiber towel is a must if you plan to shower on the way. These dry incredibly fast and pack into a small space.
Bug Repellent
I like the Badger Balm natural bug repellent solid stick because it won’t spill in your bag and it works really well!
Sunscreen
A lot of this trek takes place on a path with no coverage from trees. It was so hot our first day of the trek and the sun was strong. Make sure to have an SPF 50 that is sweat resistant.
Tooth Care
Bring a small travel sized tube of toothpaste, a travel sized toothbrush and floss.
Hand Sanitizer
There isn’t always soap available by bathrooms, so be sure to have hand sanitizer.
Deodorant
Pack a small travel sized deodorant.
Vaseline
We always carry a tiny vaseline with us. Trekking has an interesting way of chapping one’s lips and nostrils. On one trek, the combination of the strong sun and freezing cold winds left my nose looking like I had a severe burn for weeks. We apply vaseline multiple times a day to avoid this.
Roll of Toilet Paper
You will not be provided with toilet paper so bring your own. One roll per person is enough for this trek. You can buy toilet paper in the mountains but it’s more expensive.
Feminine Hygiene
It’s hard to find pads in the mountain and impossible to find tampons in Nepal, so bring what you need with you.
Hair Care
Bring hair ties and a lightweight travel hairbrush (or comb). Don’t make the mistake of packing a heavy brush.
Shower Supplies
Bring a small travel sized bottle of shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. If you bring soap, make sure to have a plastic zip lock bag to store it in after using it.
Nail Clipper
Pretty self explanatory, but make sure to get the kind with the little thing that cleans under your nails. Without a place to wash your hands properly, you’ll get a lot of dirt under there.
Fabric Softener Sheets
I brought fabric softener sheets from home. I put them in with my clean clothes and laundry to make sure everything stayed smelling fresh over during the trek. They definitely made a difference.
Poon Hill Trek – Medication & First Aid
Diarrhea Medicine
Traveler’s diarrhea is a major problem in Nepal. We always carry several tablets with us and even if you don’t need it, someone in your group likely will.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is great for treating food poisoning. I always bring about 10 tablets with me. Talk to a doctor before you take this as it is strong enough to cancel out some prescription medications.
Electrolytes
Dehydration is common at altitude, so be sure to have some electrolytes. I like Nuun the best because they taste good. You can buy electrolytes in Nepal, but the taste is kind of gross.
Ankle / Knee Support
I have a bad knee and ankle so I used a brace for the downhill sections. This makes my life exponentially easier and helps manage the pain.
Basic First Aid
Have an array of items including band aids, Neosporin, antibacterial creams, etc. Suraj slipped on a wet rock during this trek and got a pretty big gash in his knee. Luckily, I had gauze, antibacterial powder, a large band-aid, and some medical tape to fix him up.
Water Purification Tablets
Water in Nepal is not potable. This means you cannot drink it. Plastic water bottles have been banned from the Annapurna Conservation Area due to the high amount of waste from single use plastic. Therefore, you need a water purification system. Water tabs take up the least amount of room and are the most affordable.
Vitamins
I bring a good multivitamin with me on all treks to avoid getting a cold. I also like to carry olive leaf and zinc for immune support. It’s hard to get fresh fruit, vegetables or meat on many treks in Nepal so consider what vitamins you might need to compensate for that.
Antibiotics
I always bring an antibiotic for food poisoning just in case. Talk to your doctor about when to use it.
Prescription Drugs
There are very few pharmacies in the mountains, so be sure to have all prescription drugs with you when you head out.
Cold Medicine
The common cold can hit you anywhere. Have a few days’ worth of cold medicine with you. On every single trek I’ve been on, I’ve given at least one person cold medicine.
Tylenol/Advil
I don’t use pain killers very often, but I always have these in case of an emergency.
Throat Lozenges
Throat lozenges are a life saver, especially if it’s cold when you go trekking. Teahouse walls are super thin, so waking up and coughing means you wake up the whole teahouse. They’re also great during the day if the air gets cold. These are more important in colder high altitude areas, but are also handy if you get sick and have a sore throat.
Poon Hill Trek – Electronics
Camera & Charger
I bring a professional camera with me for work, however, it’s heavy to carry. If you aren’t really into photography, I’d recommend just using your phone camera.
Phone & Charger
This probably goes without saying. You likely won’t have service, but can you really go anywhere without your phone these days?
Travel Adapter
You’ll likely need an adapter to charge things. This is a nice lightweight option.
SIM Card
You’ll need a local SIM card to make your phone work in Nepal. You can read my post on SIM cards to see which one you will want. SIM Cards in Nepal
Maps.me Downloaded
Maps.me is a free phone app that has all the trekking trails on it. This is great as a backup if you get lost. Make sure to download it before starting the trek as you need a good wifi signal to download the map.
Headlamp
Headlamps are important especially at nighttime. Many of the hotels in the area have electricity and indoor bathrooms, but electricity isn’t always guaranteed.
Kindle / Book
I take a Kindle Paperwhite with me on every trek. I like that it’s lightweight, holds a charge that lasts me days (if not weeks), and it has a backlit screen which is perfect for reading if there’s a power outage or poor lighting. There is a lot of downtime at the teahouses, so you’ll want some form of entertainment.
Power Bank
On some routes you’ll need to pay to charge a device. It can cost between $1.00 to $3.00 USD per charge and there may be limited outlets available and a queue. It’s best if you have a power bank because you can charge that one time and then use it to charge all your other devices for a few days.
Movie / Music Downloads
Some trekkers arrive to the teahouses around 1-3pm each day. Having a few movies on your phone is good. If you like to listen to music as you go, make sure you have some good beats downloaded.
Poon Hill Trek – Snacks
Chocolate
You can buy everything you need on this route, but chocolate is sometimes expensive. I recommend bringing some with you in case you need a little sugar to get moving.
Protein Bars
There are plenty of places to stop for snacks, but for some reason, it’s impossible to find protein bars or trail mix on the way. These are great for eating at tea breaks in between meals.
Other Items Needed for Poon Hill
Trekking Poles
I needed trekking poles for this route. The downhills are pretty steep and they go by a river which makes them moist and covered in moss. It was slippery and trekking poles kept me from tripping multiple times.
Money
Make sure to bring money in small denominations (1,000, 500, 100, and 50) to make it easier for teahouse owners. If you carry only 1,000 rupee notes, it will be difficult to get change when you pay your bill.
Check out my Poon Hill Budget to see how much the whole trek costs.
Entry Permit
An ACAP permit is required for this trek. You can get it in Kathmandu or Pokhara at the Nepal Tourism Board Office.
Copy of Passport/Visa
Always have a copy of your passport and visa with you in case of an emergency.
Trekking Insurance
Have a copy of your trekking insurance with you. Since this is a low altitude trek and many of the areas can be reached by road, you don’t have to have insurance, but I would consider it as you never know what can go wrong.
Sleeping Bag
I almost never recommend a sleeping bag, however, if you are a germaphobe, you may want to bring your own. Teahouses provide you with sheets and blankets, but they aren’t washed every day and are only washed by hand in cold water. We use the ones the teahouse provides but some people prefer their own.
Map of the Area
I always keep a map of the area. It’s fun to take it out each night and go over tomorrow’s route, see the altitude gains, and plan lunch breaks. You can buy one in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Playing Cards
Someone else will always have playing cards, but I recommend bringing a pack just in case. Learn a few games before you leave so you have some options to play when trekking. We had a hilarious time playing “Bullshit” with an entire teahouse. We also had an epic game of UNO going on one trek.
Duct Tape
This seems like a weird thing to recommend, but you never know when you’ll need it. Bring a small roll just in case. I once used it to keep a shoe from falling apart while walking back 5 hours after it busted open (a lesson in buying good quality shoes).
Shopping in Nepal
Planning to shop when you arrive? On my first trip to Nepal, I was backpacking for 9 months in Southeast and South Asia. I didn’t have room in my pack to carry a bunch of heavy winter clothes with me, so I ended up buying everything in Thamel (the tourist hub in Kathmandu). I arrived a few days early, so I had plenty of time to search for things. I learned quickly that I’d need to check multiple stores and negotiate a lot.
Recently, I was approached by Mount Ready to try out their new system. They make the experience a lot easier. You simply go to their website, pick your trek and they have a pre-arranged pack with everything in it. It’s the same stuff you buy in Thamel (including knock offs) but you don’t have to spend days running around and negotiating. The prices are fair and you can add or remove stuff from the pack. You show up at the store, and everything is picked out for you. All you have to do is try it on and pick the colors you like. It’s super simple.
Before recommending them, I wanted to test it out myself, so I had them put together a pack for the Annapurna Circuit. I removed a few things, changed some sizes and styles and checked the quality of the clothes. If you’re doing a trek once and don’t want to invest a lot of money, then this is the way to go. I started out with a lot of items from Thamel and slowly upgraded my pack with the Eddie Bauer products listed above.
Are you headed out on the Poon Hill Trek? Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.
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Michelle Della Giovanna
Writer at Full Time Explorer
I’m just your average New Yorker who quit her job in the fashion industry to explore the world. Come find out what it’s like to trade in five-inch heels for squat toilets.
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