Packing List for Kanchenjunga Trek

Confused about what equipment and essentials to pack for trekking to Kanchenjunga?

We have prepared a packing list of the most essential items for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, so that you can pack light and smart.

The Kanchenjunga Trek is an off-the-beaten-path trek located in the Taplejung District of Koshi Province in eastern Nepal within the boundary of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Those who prefer extreme adventure to test their threshold, this trek is worth trying for them.

However, simply being willing to go on an adventure in a remote location doesn't make any sense at all if you aren't aware of what to pack for your journey. You see, it's a challenging trek. Therefore, make sure you're familiar with the Kanchenjunga Trek packing list.

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek / Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is not recommended for first-timers. Experienced trekkers may already know about packing essentials for this journey. If you are an average trekker with a couple of short trekking experiences from the past, you can do this trek.

However, this is generally a 22-day-long trip with just a basic tea house and a thoroughly remote trail. So, as an average hiker, you need to know how to survive in nature for such a long duration.

You will learn about a proper packing list for the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek here in this blog. It'll be helpful for you in the near future if you ever set your eyes on this trek or any long trek.

Kanchenjunga Trek Packing List

Besides blogging, I am also a licensed trekking guide working at Hiking Bees. So, drawing from my experience, I have prepared the essential packing list for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek below.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp/Circuit trek is a multi-day trek and can involve around 15-25 days depending upon the side trips and itinerary, which means you need to pack a lot of clothing, which can result in a heavier backpack. Packing right is a key to successful and enjoyable trek, so I want to make sure you have all the essentials and just the right amount that you require.

Please check the list patiently. Each one of them is very important to have with you for this trip.

Clothing

Pack enough layers of clothes for all conditions. The temperature is mild in the lower section and freezing in the upper section, especially in the morning and at night, in the Kanchenjunga Region.

During the day, the sun gets way brighter in the Himalayas. So, while hiking, you surely get hot slowly, and sunlight also directly hits your face. Thus, how much you enjoy your trek depends on how you layer your clothes to protect yourself from top to bottom and from both heat and cold.

Below are the clothing items that you need to pack for this adventure:

• Cap for hiking
• Buff mask for hiking
• UV protection sunglasses for hiking
• A woollen hat, especially for overnight use at a tea house
• Two -three pairs of trekking t-shirts
• Two pairs of light trekking pants and one pair of thick trekking pants
• Inner thermal set for night stay
• Enough undergarments
• Windcheater for hiking
• Down jacket rated for temperatures below -15 for overnight stays.
• Two pairs of gloves, thin gloves for hiking and down gloves for overnight stays.
• Three pairs of thin socks for hiking
• Two pairs of woollen socks for overnight stays
• A quality trekking shoes
• Normal sports shoes or slippers for overnight stays

Documents And Permits

Please keep your permits safely and in the front pocket of your backpack, so that you don't feel hurried to take them out because you will need to show them all at every checkpoint. Furthermore, carry enough cash (NPR) for a 22-day trip, as there is no proper internet connection service available in the upper section of this trek.

As a result, you won't be able to make an online payment. For NPR, you can exchange your currency at the airport or in Thamel. Also, carry your insurance with you.

Here's the list of the needed documents for the Kanchenjunga Trek:

• Permits: Kachenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP) and Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
• Passport-size photos
• Travelling insurance
• Nepalese Rupees (NPR)
• Valid Passport
• Domestic Flight Ticket

Sleeping Accessories

There are basic tea houses available along the way, and they all provide you with food and things needed for sleeping, such as a blanket, pillow, mattress, and bed sheet. However, some individuals may not feel comfortable interacting with them directly.

Hence, I think you should consider adding some stuff to the packing list for the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek. They are:

• Sleeping Bag
• Sleeping Bag Liner
• Travel Pillow
• Sleeping Pad

First-Aid

Headache, diarrhoea, sudden ankle or knee injuries, leeches or insect bites, etc., are common during trekking. Therefore, you should have medications for such injuries and fever.

You don't need to worry that much about it, as your guide already has a first-aid kit with them. Nevertheless, it'll be much better if you carry some medicine with you for backup.

Check the list of medications that you'll need to include in your Kanchenjunga Trek packing list:

• Moov Spray
• Acetazolamide (Brand Name Diamox)
• Medical Bandage or Knee Brace
• Wound Tape
• Insect Repellent
• Electrolyte Powder
• Water Purification Tablets
• Anti-Diarrhoea Tablets
• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen
• Skin-Blister Cream

Necessary Equipment and Accessories

A successful trek always depends on the quality of the equipment you have for your journey. You shouldn't compromise while purchasing essential gear. It's obvious that the quality items would be expensive in the market.

But it's always better to invest more in quality than settle for cheap products when it comes to trekking. Once you buy quality gear for your journey, it will last for a long time. You can use it later for other treks as well.

Just note down some necessary equipment for the packing list for the Kanchenjunga Trek:

• Trekking Backpack with a capacity of at least 55L.
• A hard plastic water bottle to store both hot and cold water. Highly recommended brand, Nalgene.
• Crampons (for winter trek).
• Oximeter.
• Raincoat ( during rainy seasons)
• Plastic Bags.
• Quality Trekking Poles.
• Sun Glasses (polarized)

Toiletries

Maintaining hygiene is essential, not just in trekking but also in daily life and at all times. We all know that very well. Anyway, here are some useful hygienic items for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek that you must not forget to pack:

• Shampoo and soap.
• Toothbrush and paste.
• Body lotion.
• Lip balm.
• Sunscreen of at least 50+ SPF.
• Wet tissue papers.
• Toilet Paper
• Facewash.
• Hand sanitiser.
• Period supplies for women.

Other Various Items

Some other miscellaneous items that you certainly need to pack for this stunning journey. They are listed below:

• Power bank.
• Headlamps with extra batteries.
• Enough snacks, such as protein bars, chocolates, cookies, dry fruits, etc.
• Swiss Knife.
• Camera with extra batteries (Optional).
• Binocular (Optional).
• Copy and Pen (Optional).

These are the most essential items that you should pack before heading for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. This last may differ upon the references of people as well. If you are hiring a porter, then you may pack even more of the necessary stuff. 

Since this trek is already a challenging one, we highly suggest getting a porter, as it helps to enhance your trek experience, allowing you more time to enjoy nature.