Nepal trekking 101: How to dress for a high-altitude trek in the Himalayas

Nepal is a country of contrasts, where you can experience different climates and terrains in a single day. This is especially true if you're in the north of the country among the peaks and valleys of the Himalayas.

Never underestimate the changeability of the weather in the Himalayas

So whether you're trekking to Everest Base Camp in the east or tackling the Annapurna Circuit in the west, you need to be ready clobber-wise for anything.

The aim of this post is to introduce you to the clothing you will need to bring. If, however, you're at the stage where you'd like a more in-depth discussion about any of the particular items, please read Your complete Everest Base Camp packing list or Your complete Annapurna Circuit packing list.

The key to dressing for a trek in Nepal is to layer your clothing. This way you can easily and swiftly adapt to any changes in weather and temperature.

There can be warm days on a Himalayan trek too!

We find it helpful to think of your high-altitude trekking clothing as falling into three layers:

This is the layer that touches your skin and keeps you dry and comfortable. It includes your inner socks and underwear.

Your base layer clothing should be made of materials that wick away sweat and moisture to help keep you dry. Some good options are merino wool, polyester and a synthetic blend.

Please avoid cotton shirts like the plague, as they stay wet and will chill you the moment you stop moving.

A typical base layer consists of the following items:

Pro tip #1: Be sure to have at least two of everything that forms your base layer, as you should never start the day in something that's damp.

Pro tip #2: Shorts and trousers with pockets are super useful! Zip-up pockets are even better!

This is your next layer and its aim is to provide further warmth and insulation.

Your mid-layer items should be made of materials that trap heat, such as fleece and down. You can have more than one mid layer, such as a fleece jacket and a down jacket that goes over that.

Pro tip #3: Don't skip the fleece jacket and head straight to the down jacket. Down doesn't do well if it gets wet, so don't ever have it against your skin.

A typical mid layer for a Nepal trek consists of the following:

Pro tip #4: Trekking pants with zips that let you convert them into shorts are invaluable, as they let you transition between temperature fluctuations far more easily.

Please note that it's always better to be slightly cold than too warm when trekking in higher altitudes, so don't hesitate to take off layers if you feel too hot. That said, it's important not to catch a chill. Don't judge your body's needs based on what others around you are wearing. Please keep adding or stripping off layers as you hike, however much of a nuisance this might feel in the moment.

This is the layer that protects you from the sun, wind, rain, ice and snow.

Our client Hala was nicely prepared when he met with rain on the Annapurna Circuit

Your outer layer items should be made of materials that are waterproof (or near to it) and windproof. For your trekking boots, this means leather or a synthetic fabric like Gore-Tex. For clothing, this might mean nylon or a synthetic blend.

Note that your outer layer should fit well over your mid layer, which means it should be neither baggy nor tight and restrictive.

A typical outer layer consists of the following items:

* What goes on your feet on a trek needs just as much attention as what goes on the rest of you. Remember that frostbite starts with your extremities, so quality trekking boots are absolutely essential on a Nepal trek. You can learn more in The best hiking boots for trekking in Nepal.

Pro tip #5: Ensure every layer you add to your outfit sits snugly but not too tightly over the layer beneath it. This means trying out the whole ensemble at home before heading to Nepal.

It's vitally important that you don't overlook the clothing you will wear at the end of the day as well as to bed. This is when you need to be especially warm, as you won't be working out anymore and also the temperature will plummet!

You need dry and warm clothes to put on when the day's trekking is done

A typical outfit for resting at camp or a teahouse consists of the following:

One of our finely attired 2023 Nepal trek groups 😎

Here are our final pieces of advice regarding how to dress for a trek in Nepal ...

It's vital to open up and air your boots as much as possible between trekking

We hope this post has given you some useful information on how to dress for a trek in Nepal. If you'd just like a simple packing list that you can use for shopping or as a checklist, then please download our free packing list below.

Happy trekking!