The full guide
5 parts · 34 min read
- How do I train for the cold?How to Train for the Cold When You Live Somewhere HotWhat actually builds cold tolerance for a trek - and what's hype (and dangerous).
- What do I wear, and in what order?How to Layer for a Himalayan Trek: What to Wear, In OrderThe clothing system, layer by layer — what each does, when to wear it, and the one habit (don't sweat) that keeps it working.
- What do I actually need to bring?What to Pack for a Nepal Trek: A Measured Gear ListNot a generic list — what to bring and why, driven by what we actually measured: the descent that hurts people, the nights above 4,000 m, and the wet forest below.
- How does altitude actually work?AMS, HACE, HAPE and the golden rules — for any high trek in NepalAltitude is the genuine danger up high. The golden rules, the warning signs, and the one rule that saves lives — descend.
- What permits do I need?Annapurna Permits 2026: ACAP, TIMS & the Guide Rule (Honest & Current)The ACAP cost, the TIMS confusion, and the contested guide rule — official line vs on-the-ground reality, sourced and dated.
Trek preparation that isn’t tied to one route — the training, gear, altitude know-how and permits you need for any Himalayan trek. Every claim here is measured, sourced and dated, or clearly flagged as educational rather than medical advice.
Frequently asked
How do I train for a high-altitude trek?
Train the descent as hard as the climb, walk with a loaded pack (8–11 kg), and build cold tolerance gradually. Cardio for the altitude is only half the job — see the training guides below.
How do I avoid altitude sickness?
Ascend slowly, sleep low relative to your day's high point, hydrate, and know the warning signs. The one rule that overrides the rest: if symptoms worsen, descend. See the altitude guide.
What do I need to pack and wear?
A four-layer clothing system (base, insulating mid, down, waterproof shell), broken-in footwear and trekking poles, and a sleep system for nights that get genuinely cold above 4,000 m. Our packing list and layering guide below build both from measured conditions — the descent that hurts people and the cold, high nights — rather than a generic checklist.
What permits do I need for the Annapurna region?
The ACAP permit for the conservation area, plus a contested guide requirement. Full detail, cost and current status in the permits guide below.
Keep planning
- Cold-weather training — What actually builds cold tolerance for a trek - and what's hype (and dangerous).
- Cold-weather layering — The clothing system, layer by layer — what each does, when to wear it, and the one habit (don't sweat) that keeps it working.
- Trek packing & gear — Not a generic list — what to bring and why, driven by what we actually measured: the descent that hurts people, the nights above 4,000 m, and the wet forest below.
- Trek preparation — Altitude is the genuine danger up high. The golden rules, the warning signs, and the one rule that saves lives — descend.
- Annapurna Circuit — The ACAP cost, the TIMS confusion, and the contested guide rule — official line vs on-the-ground reality, sourced and dated.
- Annapurna Base Camp — A short, steep climb into the glacial sanctuary ringed by Annapurna's peaks.
- Mardi Himal — The short, accessible Annapurna-region trek — a sourced route, honestly flagged.
- Everest Base Camp — Ten days up the Khumbu valley to the foot of Everest — high, cold and remote.