Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek checklist

Pack in layers for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: a base layer, an insulating mid layer, a windproof and waterproof shell, broken-in boots, sun protection and a headtorch. Because the route sleeps as high as 4,790 m, add a sleeping bag rated well below freezing - teahouse rooms above 4,000 m are unheated. The interactive checklist on this page covers clothing, gear, medicine, electronics and documents item by item.

Carry your passport, passport photos, travel and rescue insurance details, and these permits: Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit, Restricted Area Permit, TIMS Card. Photograph every document and keep the copies offline on your phone in case the originals get wet or lost.

Most trekkers on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek aim for 8-12 kg carried personally, or a light daypack of 5-7 kg if a porter takes the main bag. Weight costs you more with every metre of altitude gained, so cut items rather than adding spare gear for unlikely scenarios.

A basic kit for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: painkillers, rehydration salts, anti-diarrhoeal, blister care, a broad-spectrum antibiotic if your doctor prescribes one, and any personal medication in its original packaging. Because the route reaches 5,143 m, discuss altitude-illness prophylaxis with a travel-medicine clinician before you go - it is a prescription decision, not a packing-list one.

Before you lose signal, download the offline map pack covering Kanchenjunga, the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek GPX or KML track, an offline forecast, and your permit and insurance documents. Save emergency contacts to your phone and tell someone at home your planned itinerary and check-in dates.