General Planning
I had the option to travel either to the Andes or the Himalayas. This year, I chose to go trekking in the Himalayas. The main reason for this decision was my desire to explore a new country and escape the smog of the city.
The best time for trekking in the Himalayas is during spring or autumn, as these periods fall outside the monsoon season. I selected an easy to moderately challenging route—meaning no ascents above 6,000 meters. As a result, I do not require specialized high-altitude mountaineering equipment. The detailed route is described in the next section (Himalaya – Stages).
I planned my tour using the Komoot app. Through this, I researched conditions and temperatures starting from Lukla. As a reference point, I used the village of Dingboche. According to my research, a guide is not mandatory in the Khumbu region.
Documents, Visa, and Permits
I applied for my Nepal visa via Visum.at. Processing took about two weeks, and I opted for a digital visa.
I plan to purchase the TIMS card upon arrival in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), located in Bhrikutimandap. Official opening hours are typically from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
In addition, I need a Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, since my route lies within the Khumbu region. The combined cost for both permits is approximately €40.
Note:
The Nepal Tourism Board is not always reliably open—locals mentioned that it may close around midday. A more practical option is to purchase both the TIMS card and the Sagarmatha permit directly in Lukla.
I hold an Alpine Club membership card, which includes accident insurance coverage. Therefore, I did not purchase additional insurance.
Packing List and Equipment
The most critical piece of equipment is my sleep system. I rely on ZenBivy, complemented by thermal base layers (top and bottom).
My clothing follows the layering principle. In addition to thermal underwear, I bring two T-shirts, one long-sleeve shirt, and a hooded sweatshirt. For colder conditions, I pack a down jacket rated to -10°C. As a backup, I also carry an extra pair of pants.
For headgear, I take two merino wool beanies and a buff. My footwear consists of winter hiking boots from Decathlon.
My first aid kit includes basic medication such as painkillers, anti-diarrhea tablets, and electrolyte powder.
My electronic gear consists of a camera with a lens, a DJI action cam with spare batteries, and memory cards.
Important documents (passport, visa, flight tickets) are stored both physically and digitally on my smartphone.
Equipment Overview
Trekking Gear
- Trekking poncho – 1 pcs
- Sleeping bag – 1 pcs
- Backpack – 1 pcs
- Offline maps – 1 pcs
- Komoot app – 1 pcs
Clothing
- Hiking boots – 1 pcs
- Trekking pants – 2 pcs
- Softshell pants – 1 pcs
- Hardshell pants – 1 pcs
- Underwear – 3 pcs
- Long-sleeve shirts – 2 pcs
- Down jacket – 1 pcs
- Hiking socks – 3 pcs
- Gloves – 1 pcs
- Beanie – 1 pcs
- Buff – 1 pcs
- Sunglasses – 1 pcs
Health & Hygiene
- Blister plasters – 1 pcs
- Painkillers – 1 pcs
- Anti-diarrhea tablets – 1 pcs
- Nail scissors – 1 pcs
- Toothbrush – 1 pcs
- Toothpaste – 1 pcs
- Soap – 1 pcs
- Towel – 1 pcs
- Hand cream – 1 pcs
- Sunscreen – 1 pcs
- Lip balm with UV protection – 1 pcs
- Earplugs – 1 pcs
Documents & Finances
- Passport – 1 pcs
- Visa – 1 pcs
- Health insurance card – 1 pcs
- Flight tickets – 1 pcs
- Membership card – 1 pcs
- Emergency contacts – 1 pcs
- Cash (USD) – 1 pcs
- Debit card – 1 pcs
- Credit card – 1 pcs
Electronics
- Power bank – 1 pcs
- Spare camera batteries – 1 pcs
- Spare action cam battery – 1 pcs
- Smartphone – 1 pcs
- Camera – 1 pcs
- Lens – 1 pcs
- Action cam – 1 pcs
- Smartphone charger – 1 pcs
- Camera charger – 1 pcs
- Action cam charger – 1 pcs
- USB-C cable – 1 pcs
- USB mini cable – 1 pcs
- Adapter – 1 pcs
Men’s Essentials
- Razor (manual/electric) – 1 pcs
With all items included, my total pack weight came to approximately 11 kg.
Travel and Transportation
I am flying with Air India via Delhi to Kathmandu. From there, I take a domestic flight to Lukla, where my trek begins.
The baggage limit for flights from Kathmandu to Lukla is 10 kg. If you exceed this, you can typically shift 1–2 kg into your carry-on luggage. Since my filming equipment weighs about 1 kg, I packed it in my carry-on. Wearing heavier clothing (e.g., a jacket) can also help reduce measured weight.
My luggage was weighed, although I heard from another trekker who carried 14 kg and was still allowed through.
Carry-on baggage should be kept minimal—ideally a small backpack of around 10 liters. Larger backpacks are often counted as additional checked baggage.
The domestic airport is located next to the main airport, slightly to the left. It took me about five minutes on foot to reach it. The entrance is somewhat hidden at the far end of the area. The domestic terminal is labeled “Domestic.”
It is important to note that flights are highly weather-dependent. I had to wait approximately six hours before boarding was announced. Passengers are then transported by bus to the propeller aircraft.
The flight itself takes about 30 minutes and can be quite turbulent. It often feels as if the aircraft is about to fall apart, but in reality, smaller planes simply transmit vibrations more directly. Altitude changes are also very noticeable, often causing a queasy sensation. This occurred roughly every couple of minutes, likely due to strong winds in the region.
For safety, bringing motion sickness medication is advisable. Despite the turbulence, the landing was executed very professionally.