Packing tips for Nepal

The most important tip I can give is not to pack too much. There’s a lot you can buy here that’s both very nice and very cheap.

Especially skirts, dresses and other light garments can be found everywhere, and I think all the students this semester ended up buying something. Still, it might be a good idea to bring some of the clothes you know you wear a lot at home, and that work for everything.

Even when you move to a new country, you don’t have to completely change your style, and you’ll generally feel most comfortable in clothes you love.

I’d recommend bringing a pair of jeans; they’re really practical to have and go with everything. In February and March it was also quite a bit colder than I expected, so it’s good to have one or two warm sweaters you can wear on a daily basis.

Woolen clothing of any kind doesn’t really exist in Nepal, so I’d recommend bringing at least one set of woolen underwear and some wool socks. Swimwear is also something they don’t have much of, so bring one or two bikinis/swim trunks!

If you want to join yoga or do other kinds of exercise, I would recommend bringing some workout clothes from home. You can find workout clothes in Pokhara as well, but in my experience the fit and quality can be a bit different from what you’re used to back home.

If you feel like going trekking (which is highly recommended), there are a few things it’s a good idea to bring. Wool clothing is essential if you’re planning a trip in the mountains here. It gets cold, and above 3000 meters there’s a chance of snow.

Otherwise, you can get hold of pretty much anything in Pokhara; there are countless trekking shops in Lakeside.

A lot can also be rented if you don’t want to bring it back home. If you’re thinking about getting some new outdoor clothing anyway, I’d recommend leaving your old stuff at home so you don’t have to carry two sets.

A headlamp is smart to bring along, whether for trekking, rafting, or trips in general.

It can be smart to bring a pair of good sneakers for traveling and outings. I had some lightweight walking/running shoes that worked well for both trekking and everyday use.

You generally don’t need hiking boots for the most common treks, such as Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill, but if you do need them, it’s possible to rent them.

Otherwise, most people pretty much just wear sandals or flip-flops. I brought both flip-flops and Birkenstocks, and was very happy with that. Buying shoes here can be a bit difficult, because not all shoes come in sizes as large as many people need.

If you enjoy running, it might be a good idea to bring a good pair of running shoes, because the quality of the ones you find in Nepal can be a bit inconsistent.

Again, the advice is not to bring too much, but there are some things that can be difficult to get hold of here in Nepal.

I would bring plenty of all the skincare products you rely on, because not all brands are available here. Sunscreen is also important to bring a lot of; it does exist here, but it can be hard to find and the quality varies.

Shampoo, conditioner, and soap are available in many places, but if you’re particular about the type, I would bring them from Norway. Dry shampoo is also smart to bring, but some people managed to get it in Pokhara as well.

What’s smart to bring varies from person to person, so it’s difficult to give an exact packing list.

Some people brought food from Norway; that can be a smart idea if you start missing things a lot. Crispbread, taco seasoning and milk chocolate are classics. In addition, I recommend Kvikk Lunsj if you’re going hiking.

If you like knitting and crocheting, there are yarn shops here, but they don’t have many knitting needles, so it’s smart to bring your own. There is lots of different cotton yarn, but little wool and other qualities.

A power bank is super smart to have, preferably one that lasts quite a long time. There are quite a few power outages, and not everywhere has good charging options. When you’re traveling, it can also cost money to charge your devices.