When planning a trek, apart from checking the weather conditions there is another thing to do which is the foremost. Yes, before anything else, it is important to prepare a self-sufficient trekking gear which will be helpful when there is nothing else around. Some of the essential things to carry while trekking are trekking shoes, water bottles and medicines. But apart from that there are many other things which make a great backpack. Fret not, we have your back!
15 Essential Things To Carry While Trekking
To avoid the situation of feeling stuck at the altitude, here are some lists of things to carry while trekking which one cannot miss when going for a trek.
- Water Bottle – As Hydration Is Important
- Backpack – The Best Trekking Essential
- Trekking Shoes – For Comfort And Strong Grip
- Flashlight – For Trekking And Night And Camping
- Hand Sanitizer – To Keep Germs At Bay
- Trek Pants – For The Ultimate Comfort
- Snacks – Goodbye, Hunger Pangs
- Personal Medical Kit – A Great Help
- Headgears – For When It’s Too Cold Or Too Hot
- Sunscreen Or Sunblocks – Nobody Wants Sunburns
- Trek Map – Keeping You On The Right Track
- Powerbank – Keep Your Gadgets Charged
- Walking Pole – For A Painless Walk
- Swiss Knife – Handiest Thing To Carry
- Raincoat – Saving You From Harshness Of Weather
1. Water Bottle – As Hydration Is Important
There is no doubt in this that a water bottle is one of the essential things to carry while trekking. During the hike, the body needs to be kept hydrated throughout the time as at the altitudes it is difficult to find places for water. The only source to find water at this height are the natural streams. While passing through these natural streams one can refill their bottle to keep them hydrated. It will be good to avoid carrying plastic bottles and rather invest in a sturdy water bottle which does not leak.
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2. Backpack – The Best Trekking Essential
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The most essential tip to remember while going for a trek is to travel light and also organised. To make sure that you have enough space for important things to carry while trekking, make sure to invest in a good backpack. A good and sturdy backpack helps in keeping everything in an organized way and travel efficiently.
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3. Trekking Shoes – For Comfort And Strong Grip
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A good pair of trekking shoes is one of the essential things to carry while trekking which ensures comfort in the rough terrains. The right trekking shoes will be comfortable, sturdy, lightweight and also waterproof which gives protection to the ankle and also provides a firm grip.
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4. Flashlight – For Trekking And Night And Camping
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It might sound like an option, but this has to be one of the essential items in the list of things to carry while trekking. In the dark it is very important to have a flashlight handy in the backpack which will help in walking on the trails with quite an ease. A flashlight is also a blessing to find the path to the campsite.
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5. Hand Sanitizer – To Keep Germs At Bay
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When it comes to trekking or hiking, it is quite obvious that you will come in contact with germs throughout the journey. There are spots where the hands automatically reach out for support or climb out during the treks. These unusual spots make the hands more prone to germs. To decrease the risk of getting sick, it is essential to carry a hand sanitizer during the trek.
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6. Trek Pants – For The Ultimate Comfort
Just like buying trekking shoes, it is important to carry a good pair of trek pants which is comfortable and breathable. The cargo style trousers which can dry quickly are the best picks for trekking. On the other hand, people who are going for a snow trek can opt for treks which have in-built gaiters to protect yourself from snow.
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7. Snacks – Goodbye, Hunger Pangs
One of the essential things to add in the backpack are the light snacks which can easily be consumed while trekking. Some of these quick snacks include dry fruits, nuts, chocolates like snickers and energy bars. Alongside that if one carries a stove, then make sure to also pack ready to cook items like instant noodles, Poha, Oats and soup. Snacks are definitely considered to be the best trekking essentials, India.
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8. Personal Medical Kit – A Great Help
This is one of the essential things to carry while trekking which will be a saviour for minor health issues. The basic medical kit must contain things like burns, bruises, antiseptic lotions, bandages and bandaids. In case of emergency, these items are the life saviours which will definitely help you and other fellow hikers and trekkers. Make a list of medicines to carry while trekking and ensure you’re carrying them all.
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9. Headgears – When It’s Too Cold Or Too Hot
While trekking it is important to carry headgears like a woolen cap, muffler or bandana to protect the head and face. During the trek it is essential to cover the skin from the direct exposure of sun as it gives terrible sunburns. To carry a cap or hat will help in getting harsh sun burns.
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10. Sunscreen Or Sunblocks – Nobody Wants Sunburns
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At the higher altitudes of the mountains, the skin is prone to sunburn due to the UV rays and direct sunlight. To protect the skin, it is important to apply sunscreen or sunblock which has an SPF 70. Alongside that one can also carry lip balms which have SPF rating to protect the lips from sunburn.
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11. Trek Map – Keeping You On The Right Track
The trek map is one of the must have things while trekking which is a good alternative for the GPS device. It is important to bring along a hard copy of the map as there are some regions where it is difficult to connect with a GPS or in the major cases the battery may run out. In these situations, it is important to have a trek map.
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12. Powerbank – Keep Your Gadgets Charged
In case of emergencies, it is always advisable to carry a power bank. During the trek, there are rare chances to get a charging slot or space for charging, thus it is important to carry a power bank in case the phone battery drains out.
13. Walking Pole – For A Painless Walk
Long hours of walking may sound adventurous and interesting. However, if the trails are really bumpy and long, a support is required. Therefore, carrying your own walking pole is imperative. There are different kinds of walking poles available – each of them is ergonomically designed. Choose the one that easily fits in your backpack so that you can keep it in when not in use.
14. Swiss Knife – Handiest Thing To Carry
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This too is quite a useful tool to carry along when going for a trekking trip. Since there are various blades available in this tool, this can be one of the best things to carry during trekking. This multi-purpose tool can come in handy during emergencies
15. Raincoat – Saving You From Harshness Of Weather
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Rainfall in mountains can be quite unpredictable and therefore carrying an umbrella or raincoat will be of help. A raincoat, however, is a better choice as holding an umbrella throughout the trek can be a bit inconvenient. However, it is equally important to make sure that the quality of your raincoat is extremely great in order to stand the rough weather.
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So these are some of the essentials which one must definitely have when planning to experience a trek. From the basic necessities to the things which are required for survival, this list has everything included to complete your ultimate hiking kit. Thus when planning a holiday in India and adding trekking in your travel list, make sure to enjoy a great time without any chaos with this handy list of things to carry while trekking.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Carry While Trekking
Which are the best beginner & family treks in India?
Some of the best treks in India for beginners and families are Chopta Chandrashila, Auli Gorson Bugyai, Valley of flowers trek and Kuari pass trek.
Which are the most difficult treks in India?
The most difficult treks in India to experience are Bali Pass, Kedartal, Pangarchulla, Buran Ghati, Rupin Pass and Roopkund.
Which are some of the best winter treks in India?
Some of the best winter treks to experience in India are Auli Gorson Bugyal, Pangarchulla, Chopta Chandrashila and Dodital.
Which are the best high altitude lake treks in India?
Some of the popular treks in India which are known for their high altitude are Roopkund lake, Green lake, Tso Moriri and Kedar Tal.
Which are the most difficult treks in India?
Some of the most difficult treks to experience in India are Bali Pass, Kedartal, Buran Ghati, Roopkund and Rupin Pass.
What to carry for winter trek?
Some of the things that you must carry when trekking in the winter season are: 1. Waterproof boots 2. Muffler 3. Woollen cap 4. Gloves (one extra pair) 5. Ear muffs
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A mass-media graduate, Priyanka is a passionate writer and an avid traveler. Whether it’s about capturing the sunsets or hogging up some delicious food from different places, she never leaves a second to decide. Her mantra of keep going is “work, save, travel, repeat” which she lives by heart.
