What To Pack For the Annapurna Base Camp Hike – A Complete Packing List

What to Wear when Hiking the Annapurna Base Camp Trail?

Depending on when you want to hike the Annapurna Base Camp, the temperature can vary a lot from month to month and from day to night. For the best possible time to visit, I highly recommend you go in either April – May (Spring) or October – November (Autumn) for the highest chance of clear days.

If you decide to visit during spring or autumn, you can expect the temperature to be around 13 to 20°C (55.4 – 71.6°F) on average during the day when the sun is out. However, once the sun is gone, it can go below 0°C (32°F) outside.

In the midst of winter, the temperature can go below the freezing point, and sometimes even down to almost -5°C (23°F) during the day when the sun is out, so I suggest you stick to spring and autumn for the best experience.

As you can see, the temperature can get quite warm during the day, and since you will be sweating a lot while hiking, you can easily hike in shorts and t-shirts when you are around 2,500 – 3,000m (8,202 ft. – 9,842 ft). But once the sun is down, you are going to need some proper winter gear if you want to sleep well at night.

Here is a list of things to wear when hiking Annapurna Base Camp for both men and women. Keep in mind that this is only an example list of things you can pack, and I am only listing the essentials. So be sure to bring what you think is necessary for you as well and use this as a guideline to see what things you might have missed from your packing list.

Thermal Shirts: This is the first base layer that will help wick your sweat out to be insulated by the second layer of your clothes when hiking on the Annapurna Base Camp trail. They are also great to wear in a heated mountain hut at night.

Since you will be wearing these shirts every day, make sure to pack around 2-3 thermal shirts of various colors, just in case. The shirts don’t have to be the prettiest, as you will be wearing at least 2 more layers on top once you start hiking. So, if you are looking for photogenic clothes to wear during your hike, focus on picking the best-looking jacket for your outer layer instead.

Go with wool, preferably merino wool, instead of cotton for hiking, as it will dry faster and won’t smell as bad when you sweat in it. As the saying goes, cotton is rotten, and that is exactly what you will smell like after hiking in it for many days on end.

Thermal Long Pants: If it gets really cold at night, it can also help to have thermal long pants underneath another layer, like hiking pants, to keep your legs warm. For women, leggings are perfect for this, as you can wear them while hiking as well.

Hiking Pants (for women): The pants you hike in have to be breathable, lightweight, and easy for you to move around in, so proper hiking pants are recommended. You can just pack one of these pants to keep your pack light or add another just in case.

Waterproof Rain Pants: If it happens to rain when you are hiking in the Himalayas, the best way to protect your hiking pants from getting soaked is to pack a pair of waterproof rain pants to put over them when it rains. That way, your hiking pants will stay dry and you can continue to use them throughout your hike.

Fleece Jacket (for women): This is the second layer that you can wear on top of the thermal shirt. The fleece jacket will act as insulation to help maintain your body heat and keep you warm while you are hiking, as well as when you are in a mountain hut. I highly recommend you pack one for your trip to the Annapurna Base Camp.

Waterproof Outer Shell Jacket (for women): For the third layer on top of your fleece, you will need a waterproof outer shell jacket to protect you from elements like rain and strong wind while keeping your body warm.

I highly recommend you get this orange Columbia Watertight Jacket (Columbia Arcadia Jacket for women), which is lightweight, waterproof, and more than capable of protecting you against strong winds.

Combine this with a breathable shirt as your first layer and a fleece jacket as your second layer, and you will have quite a lightweight hiking setup that will keep you warm and allow you to adapt to the change in temperature along the Annapurna Base Camp trail.

Down Jacket: A down jacket is extremely important when you are no longer hiking and are sitting around in mountain huts at night. You can use a down jacket as a third layer instead of the outer shell jacket to keep yourself warm.

I highly recommend Columbia Men’s Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women). It is very warm, comes in 4 colors, and looks great on anyone.

Down jackets can be extremely massive and hard to pack, but fortunately, they are pretty lightweight. You can save your bag’s space if you compress it with a compression bag into a smaller size so you can pack it easily.

Hiking Shoes: Depending on how experienced you are in hiking high-altitude mountains for multiple days on end, you can choose to wear something as simple as a regular trainer or high-ankle hiking boots for the Annapurna Base Camp trail, as long as they have a good grip.

If you are a beginner, I highly recommend that you go with a proper hiking boot or shoes like Timberland White Ledge Mid Waterproof Ankle Boot (for women) for good ankle support. You can also consider this Columbia Redmond V2 Waterproof Hiking Boot (for women) if you prefer something lighter and easier to move around in.

Sandals: Trust me, the last thing you would want to do after a long day of hiking in boots is to have to put them on while you are resting at tea houses. So, be sure to pack sandals with you as well.

Wool Socks: When it is cold outside, your body heat will often escape from your extremities first, and the best material to prevent that from happening is wool. To keep your feet warm while hiking, I highly recommend you pack some wool socks to wear outside when you are hiking above 4,000 m (13,123 ft).

Wool Gloves: Again, to keep your hands warm, get wool gloves to prevent the heat from escaping from your extremities while hiking when it’s cold outside or at night in mountain huts.

Wool Beanie: Your ears are also one of the places on your body that will easily get cold, so be sure to pack a wool beanie to warm your ears and protect them against strong winds while hiking.

Neck Gaiter: A wool scarf is also recommended to help maintain your body heat in cold weather. With long pants, a wool beanie, socks, and gloves, the only area left where your body heat can escape is through your neck, so get a wool scarf and wear it when it’s cold outside.

With this setup, you should only have your face exposed to the elements, and all the other parts of your body should be kept nice and warm under layers and wool when you are hiking on the Annapurna Base Camp trail.

Buff: Hiking in cold weather for a long period of time can wreak havoc on your lungs and prevent the dreaded Khumbu Cough effect. You will need to wear a buff to protect your lungs from dry air and dust from the trail.

Underwear: Thermal underwear for men (for women) and sports bras for women should keep you warm while allowing you to move freely when you hike in cold weather. Take 3 or 4 pairs and wash them when you need a fresh pair. These shouldn’t take long to dry.

What Backpack to Bring For Annapurna Base Camp Hike?

A Large Backpack: Since you will be hiking for 7 days, you are going to need a large backpack to carry everything with you. The backpack should have enough space to store all your clothes, as well as a sleeping bag and other hiking essentials you might need while you are hiking.

I highly recommend Osprey backpacks. They are durable, very light, and have a lifetime guarantee. Get the Osprey Atmos AG Backpack for men and the Osprey Aura AG Backpack for women if you are looking for a high-quality backpack that will last you a lifetime. I have the Osprey Atmos myself, and I love it!

I found a 65L-sized backpack to be more than enough to carry everything I need for 15 days as an independent hiker. If you choose to hire a porter, you can opt for a smaller, large backpack, and you will need another day pack to store anything essential for hiking and leave everything else with a porter in your large backpack.

Looking for a review of the Osprey Atmos backpack? Check out:A Traveler’s Review: The Osprey Atmos AG 65L Backpack

A Daypack: If you are hiring a porter, you will have to have a daypack to carry all your essentials, such as a water bottle, jackets, and snack bars, etc. Any backpack with around a 25L capacity should be enough for most use cases.

I personally use Herschel Supply’s Little America bag as my daypack, and I love it. It is pretty affordable, very comfortable to wear, and stylish as hell. If you are looking for a stylish daypack to go with your trip, get the Herschel Supply Little America backpack.

Looking to buy a new daypack? How about a Herschel backpack?7 Best Herschel Backpacks for Travelers to Buy

Should I Get a Travel Insurance for the Annapurna Base Camp Hike?

Yes! There is a certain risk involved when hiking such a long trail like the Annapurna Base Camp, not to mention altitude sickness, which can be lethal if not careful. So, I would recommend you to get travel insurance for your hike.

Altitude sickness can happen to anyone, of all ages and fitness levels. It hasn’t happened to me (yet), but I’ve seen many hikers get airlifted by a helicopter off the mountain due to severe altitude sickness symptoms. And when that happens, you are going to need insurance to pay for the airlift.

For which travel insurance to get, consider browsing through options on WorldNomads.com, which a is what I often use to look for travel insurance when it comes to this kind of adventurous trip.

Disclaimer: World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

What Other Travel Essentials to Bring for Annapurna Base Camp Hike?

A Sleeping Bag: The Annapurna Base Camp trail relies on mountain huts to accommodate hikers, so you do not have to pack any camping gear, such as a tent or a sleeping mat for this trip. However, you still need to pack your own sleeping bag that can handle the cold temperatures in the Himalayas.

I highly recommend that you go with this Coleman Down Sleeping Bag, which should have enough padding to keep you warm at night. Usually, mountain huts will provide a blanket, but they are rarely ever enough. So, having a sleeping bag as a backup blanket will make your sleep much more comfortable.

Snack Bars: Snack bars are delicious, nutritious, cheap, and great for when you want to quickly replenish your energy while hiking. I highly recommend CLIF BARS, and be sure to pack a few with you for the hike.

Packing Cubes: Packing cubes are a lifesaver for hikers as they allow you to take something in and out without messing up all the other stuff in your backpack while keeping things organized.

Microfiber Towel: It is easy to dry, lightweight, and small enough to pack in your backpack for when you might need to wash up or stay dry when it rains outside.

A Hydration Pack/Water Bottle: I much prefer a hydration pack when hiking because I can easily reach the tube and stay hydrated even while hiking. With a water bottle, I often have to stop hiking, take the bottle out, and drink, which I find to be quite disruptive to my hiking momentum.

If you are not a hydration pack guy, you can go with a water bottle too. I highly recommend the Lifestraw Filter Bottle, which will also help filter the water for you to make sure it is safe to drink.

Headlamps: The higher you go, the more limited you are when it comes to electricity access. So, packing a headlamp with you will allow you to navigate mountain huts at night, which can be very dimly lit or have a light-off time.

Sun Blocks: The sun can be very strong in the mountains, and the last thing you need while hiking to Annapurna Base Camp is sunburn spots on your shoulders that make your life a living hell when carrying a backpack. Pack some and apply twice a day, once in the morning and again in the afternoon.

First-Aid Kit: Bandages (for blisters), painkillers, disinfectant wipes (the next best thing to showers), and tiger balm are always in the first-aid kit that I have with me when I go on a hiking trip. If you have personal medication, be sure to pack those too, since you will be hiking for several days.

Trekking Poles (optional): I’m not a big fan of hiking with trekking poles, but if you want a little support for your legs and knees when you are hiking, I recommend you grab one for the hike.

Looking for a hiking packing checklist? Check out:How To Pack For Hiking And Camping

What Camera Gear to Bring For Annapurna Base Camp Hike?

Sony a7C: This camera is what I carry for most of my trips around the world. The Sony a7C is very compact and lightweight, yet it comes with the capability to take excellent photos and videos that rival those of bigger cameras.

With this camera and the combination of lenses I use below, you will have one hell of a highly functional and lightweight camera gear setup that you can carry for your hike.

Looking for a new travel camera to buy? Check out:10 Best Travel Cameras to Buy

Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 Lens: This is one of the lightest and most compact all-purpose lenses you can get for Sony cameras, and with such a versatile range from 28-70mm, it should be more than enough to cover most use cases.

Sony 16-35mm F2.8 Lens: You are also going to need a wide-angle lens to capture the true scale of the Annapurna massif and its neighboring 8000ers, and one of the best lenses you can bring with you is the Sony 16-35mm F2.8 lens. It’s not the lightest lens by any means, but its versatility will allow you to capture landscape shots you might not have been able to with other lenses.

Tamron 70-300mm Lens: This is the lightest and most compact telephoto lens you can get with a reach of more than 300mm, which will allow you to shoot wildlife you might encounter in the Himalayas, as well as pick out details in the landscape that you might not be able to do with other lenses.

A Camera Cleaning Kit: A cleaning kit is essential to keep your camera sensor and lenses clean and ready for use. The Himalayas are an unforgiving place, and sometimes dust and debris may find their way onto your camera sensor. The only way to safely clean it is with a proper cleaning kit.

Want to know what I carry in my camera bag?What’s In My Camera Bag?

What Electronics to Bring On Annapurna Base Camp Hike?

Power Bank: You have to pay to charge your electronics in mountain huts along the Annapurna Base Camp trail, and they will charge you per device. So, if you carry multiple devices, it will be much more economically sound to charge a power bank once and use that to juice up all your other devices.

Plus, the lithium batteries used in your cameras and phones can be drained much faster in cold weather, so having a power bank should help keep these devices juiced up for when you need them. I highly recommend the Anker PowerCore 20,000 mAh power bank for your trip here, which should be enough to keep all your electronics charged throughout the day.

Travel Adapter: Depending on where you are from, you are going to need a travel adapter to use electrical sockets in Nepal. I highly recommend the Unidapt 61W Universal Travel Adapter, which should cover most types of power outlets out there.

Toiletries Packing List:

Do not forget to pack all the toiletries you might need for the hike. Sometimes, you can buy them at tea houses, but it will be very expensive, and I recommend you buy these beforehand.

Shampoo (travel-size)
Soap (travel-size)
Sunblock
Chapstick to prevent dry mouth
Moisturizer to prevent dry skins
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Deodorant

Hand Sanitizer (very important during this COVID time)
Wet Wipes (the next best things to shower)

Travel Medical Kit (pain killers, band airs, etc.)

Money: Get enough cash in Kathmandu for all the days you are trekking, as there is no way you will be able to withdraw money along the trail, except in Pokhara. So be sure to prepare enough, or more than you need, before the hike just in case.

Maps.me App: Download the Maps.me app on your phone and download the Nepal map for offline navigation. They do have the trail map available, and it’s quite accurate. The app is available on both Android and iOS.

Don’t bring Diamox: Diamox is an altitude sickness pill that only hides the symptoms, not recovers you from it. So taking Diamox might trick you into thinking that you are well when in fact you are not, and that could be lethal.

Only take Diamox when you know you are in bad shape and have to walk back down to lower altitude to recover. The effect of the pill should make it a little easier for you to walk. Do not take it and continue onward.

You can easily grab a pack of Diamox in Pokhara, Nepal, if you need one. No need to buy it from abroad, as it may be more expensive, and you might need a prescription for it.

Further Reading for South Asia

Looking for more information for your trip to South Asia? Here are a collection of articles about South Asia that might help you with your trip planning:

Ever wondered what it’s actually like to trek Everest Base Camp solo? Here’s an inspirational story of my trip trekking the Himalayas in great detail. Get immersed in the Himalayas! On My Way To Everest Base Camp – A Personal Story From The Himalayas.
Looking to do some trekking in Nepal? Check out my Complete Guide To Trekking Everest Base Camp Independently with a 15-day itinerary.
Looking for a complete packing guide for the Everest Base Camp trek? Check out: What To Pack For Everest Base Camp Hike – A Complete Packing List.
There are also some short treks in Nepal for you to do, such as the Annapurna Base Camp. Here’s a complete guide on how to hike the Annapurna Base Camp in 7 days solo.
Pakistan is rich in culture, history, and stunning landscape. It is, after all, the place where the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the Karakoram mountain range meet. Here’s the ultimate guide and one-month itinerary for backpacking in Pakistan.
One of the best road trips you can do in the world is to traverse the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan, which connects the country with China. Here’s the ultimate guide to traveling the Karakoram Highway.
I have also written a bit about my trip to India. Here are the 2-part photo essays of my journey: Incredible India Part 1 and Incredible India Part 2.
If you are feeling a little too intimidated by India, you can start off your journey in South Asia by visiting Sri Lanka first. Here is a complete 2-week itinerary for Sri Lanka.
You can also watch my travel videos about South Asia here: Sri Lanka travel video, Nepal travel video, and Pakistan travel video.
Want to know where to go after Nepal? How about exploring the Golden Triangle in India, exploring Sri Lanka by train, or going off-the-beaten-path and backpacking through Pakistan?
For all articles about Nepal, visit the Nepal Travel Guide page.
You can see all my South Asia-related articles on my South Asia Travel Guide page.
For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.