Kanchanjunga Trek packing list: gear for three weeks and two climates
Written by our trekking team
Photo: Remote Nepal Treks, 30 Apr 2023.
The short version
Pack for two trips in one bag: warm, hazy lowland days on the approach and cold camp nights above 4,000m. Our list has 32 items. The ones that matter most are a sleeping bag rated to at least -20°C, a heavyweight down jacket and insulated camp trousers for Lhonak and the camps beyond Ghunsa, broken-in boots with ankle support for the Sele La complex, gaiters, and glacier-rated sunglasses. Porters and crew carry your duffel, so you walk with a 30 to 35L daypack.
Two climates in one bag
Kanchanjunga starts low and warm. Taplejung is 1,820m, the first walking day drops to Mitlung at 921m, and in spring the Tamor valley can feel like early summer. Two weeks later you're sleeping at Lhonak (4,780m) and crossing the Sele La complex above 4,200m. On our trip in 2023, the Sele La was snow from one side to the other on 3 May.
So the list has two halves: what you wear on the warm approach days, and what keeps you comfortable above Ghunsa, where lodging becomes basic and some nights are camps.
| Stretch | What you'll want |
|---|---|
| Days 2–8, Taplejung to Ghunsa | Sun hat, light layers, plenty of water |
| Days 9–14, Ghunsa to Pangpema | Down jacket, warm hat, camp trousers |
| Day 15, Sele La complex | Boots, gaiters, shell, sunglasses for snow glare |
| Days 16–17, Ramche and Oktang | Full warm kit for camp nights |
| Days 18–20, walking out | Back to light layers |
Upper body
- Moisture-wicking base layer tops (2–3).
- A fleece or light insulated mid-layer.
- A heavyweight down jacket for camp nights above 4,000m.
- A waterproof, windproof shell jacket.
Lower body
- Moisture-wicking base layer bottoms.
- Trekking trousers, two pairs.
- Insulated camp trousers.
- Waterproof, windproof shell pants.
Footwear and accessories
Your boots matter more than anything else on this list. Bring broken-in, waterproof trekking boots. We recommend ankle support for the Sele La complex, which is a long day of up to 8 to 9 hours on rough and sometimes snowy ground.
Add camp shoes or sandals for the evenings, five or six pairs of wool or synthetic socks, liner socks, and gaiters for snow on the passes.
Photo: Remote Nepal Treks, 3 May 2023.
Head and sun protection
- A sun hat for the low days and a heavyweight insulated hat for the high ones.
- A buff or neck gaiter.
- Glacier-rated UV-protective sunglasses. Snow glare on the Sele La is strong.
- High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm.
Personal and medical
- Your own first aid kit and personal medications. Your guide team carries a full kit too.
- Diamox, if your doctor agrees. Talk to them before the trip.
- Hand sanitizer and basic toiletries.
- Trekking poles, for the long descents on Days 14, 18 and 19.
- A headlamp with spare batteries.
- A reusable water bottle with purification tablets or a filter.
Documents
Bring your passport with at least 6 months' validity, passport-sized photos for the permits, your travel insurance documents, and printed or digital copies of your flight and trip confirmations. Insurance with high-altitude evacuation cover isn't included. On a route this remote, it matters.
Everything else
- A duffel bag for the porters and crew to carry.
- A 30 to 35L daypack.
- A sleeping bag rated to at least -20°C. That's colder than a teahouse trek needs, because of the camp nights above 4,000m.
- A power bank and a universal adapter.
- Snacks or energy bars from home.
If you packed for Manaslu before
Most of our Manaslu packing list carries straight over. The differences are a bag rated to -20°C instead of -15°C, insulated camp trousers and a heavier down jacket. Those cover the basic lodges and camps from Khambachen to Ramche, which our post on Kanchanjunga lodges and camps explains night by night.
The same list is on the Kanchanjunga trek page, and the Kanchanjunga Trek guide covers the rest of the planning.
Frequently asked
What sleeping bag do I need for the Kanchanjunga Trek?
One rated to at least -20°C. That's colder than a standard teahouse trek needs, because some nights above 4,000m are in basic lodges or camps.
Do I need gaiters for Kanchanjunga?
Yes, they're on our list. The Sele La complex can be snow-covered, as it was when we crossed on 3 May 2023.
What boots should I bring for the Kanchanjunga Trek?
Broken-in waterproof trekking boots. We recommend ankle support for the Sele La complex.
Does the Kanchanjunga Trek need different clothes from Manaslu?
Mostly the same. Add a heavier down jacket, insulated camp trousers and a -20°C sleeping bag instead of a -15°C one.
Is travel insurance included on Kanchanjunga?
No. You need your own travel insurance with high-altitude evacuation cover.