Practical Guide · First Trek
Your first trek ever: a Delhi person's honest packing list
The honest rule
Pack light, pack in layers, and do not buy everything. Most first-timers from the city carry twice what they need and still forget the one rain layer that matters. Use the checklist below, it ticks as you pack.
The checklist
Tap each item as it goes into your bag. Essentials are tagged, optional extras are marked so you can skip them on a simple weekend trek.
Pack and carry
Footwear
ClothingLayers, not one thick jacket
Health and first aid
ToiletriesTravel-size everything
Documents and money
Electronics
Water, food and extras
What Delhi first-timers get wrong
A few patterns we see on every first trek, so you can skip the lesson:
- Wearing jeans and sneakers. Jeans get heavy and cold when wet, and sneakers slip. This is how ankles get rolled. Trek pants and grippy shoes, always.
- Packing cotton. Cotton t-shirts soak up sweat and stay cold against your skin. Go synthetic or merino.
- One big jacket instead of layers. A single thick jacket cannot adapt. Three thin layers can handle a hot climb and a freezing night.
- No rain layer. People skip it on a clear morning and regret it by afternoon. A light shell weighs nothing.
- Over-packing toiletries. You do not need the full bathroom shelf for two days. Travel-size, and only the basics.
Buy or rent? Keep it cheap
You do not need to spend a fortune to start. Buy the things that touch your body and affect your safety: trekking shoes and good socks. Rent or borrow the big-ticket items you might use once, a 50 litre backpack, a down jacket, trekking poles. On our treks, tents, sleeping bags and food are carried for you, so your personal pack stays light and your wallet stays intact.
Before you go
Packing right is half the battle. The other half is arriving with legs that can enjoy the climb. If this is your first trek, read our 3-week trek-fit plan, then pick a gentle first route from the 2-day treks for first-timers. Triund is the classic place to start.
Your first trek, fully sorted
We handle tents, meals, transport and a captain, so you only carry a light personal pack. Come find out how easy a first trek can be.
See beginner treksFrequently asked questions
What should I pack for my first trek in Himachal?
The essentials are a 40 to 50 litre backpack, proper trekking shoes, three pairs of wool or synthetic socks, two or three quick-dry t-shirts, a fleece, a warm jacket, a waterproof shell, two trek pants, a headlamp, a power bank, a 2 litre water supply, sunscreen, a basic first-aid kit, your ID and cash. Pack in layers and avoid cotton.
How heavy should my trekking backpack be?
Aim for under 8 to 10 kg for a weekend trek. If you are packing more, you are over-packing. On guided treks, tents, food and sleeping bags are usually carried for you, so your personal bag stays light.
Should I buy or rent trekking gear for my first trek?
Buy the things that touch your body, shoes and socks. Rent or borrow the expensive items you may only use once, like a 50 litre backpack, a down jacket or trekking poles. There is no need to spend a fortune on your first trek.
Do I need trekking shoes or are sneakers fine?
You need proper trekking shoes with a grippy sole. Sneakers slip on loose ground and offer no ankle support, which is how most first-timers roll an ankle. It is the one item worth getting right.