How to pack for a teahouse trek

The most common mistake we see at the trailhead is not missing gear. It is too much of it. On a teahouse trek you sleep indoors and eat hot meals, so the pack can be light. Ten kilos for the porter bag and five in your daypack is plenty.

The three-layer rule

Think in layers rather than garments. A base layer that wicks sweat, a warm mid layer (a fleece or a light down jacket), and a shell that stops wind and rain. Add or remove layers as the day warms up and you will rarely be cold or soaked.

• Two merino base tops and one pair of base leggings
• A fleece and a down jacket rated to about −10 °C
• Waterproof shell jacket and trousers
• Broken-in boots and two pairs of trekking socks per three days
• Headlamp, water filter bottle, sunscreen and a buff

Bring one luxury

Our lead guide Pasang carries a tiny tin of real coffee. Others bring a paperback, a pack of cards, or a pillowcase. Something small that feels like home makes the cold evenings better.