The circuit starts in warm, humid valleys and crosses a 5,416 m pass, so pack for both. Keep your pack light; you carry it for a long way.
Clothing (layers)
- Base layers: two sets, merino or synthetic, no cotton
- Fleece or light insulated jacket
- Warm down jacket for the pass and cold evenings
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Trekking trousers, two pairs, and shorts for the lower valley
- Warm hat, sun hat, buff, liner gloves and insulated gloves
- Trekking socks, four pairs
Footwear
- Broken-in trekking boots with good ankle support
- Light shoes or sandals for teahouse evenings
- Microspikes in winter and early spring, when the pass can be icy
Sleeping
- Sleeping bag rated to about −15 °C for nights near the pass (see the weather tables)
Health and other kit
- Trekking poles for the long descent to Muktinath
- Personal medicines, blister kit, sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
- Water bottles, plus purification tablets or a filter
- Headtorch for the pre-dawn start on the pass, power bank, sunglasses with UV protection
- Cash in Nepali rupees for the trail
