➡ Good hiking shoes – invest in a good-quality pair of waterproof trekking shoes with ankle support.

➡ Thermals and down jacket – temperatures can drop to below minus five on the trek, so pack thermal layers including leggings, a fleece and down jacket.

➡ Sleeping bag – tea houses will supply blankets and pillows, but these can be thin and grubby, so carry your own minus 10 to 20 sleeping bag and liner with you.

➡ Rain gear – it can rain, hail or snow at any time in the Himalayas, so pack a waterproof coat, trousers and backpack cover.

➡ Gloves, hat and buff – are essential for protection from the elements. A buff is particularly useful to fend off dust and cover un-washed hair!

➡ Sunglasses and sun screen – alpine sun can be fierce and cause snow blindness, so take factor 50 sun screen, Carmex SPF lip balm and a sturdy pair of sunglasses.

➡ Toiletries and medicine – take painkillers, band aids, lozenges, stomach settlers and rehydration salts to deal with common trekking ailments.

➡ Flashlight – is essential if you accidently end up trekking past sundown and is handy for trips to the bathroom, as many tea houses have limited electricity at night.

➡ Map – although routes are well sign-posted, always carry a paper map just in case, you can buy one for a few dollars in Kathmandu.

➡ Water bottle – all bottled water on the trail has to be carried up by porters so it’s expensive and difficult to dispose of the plastic waste. Instead, take a robust water bottle so you can top up with boiled or UV filtered water.

➡ Gadgets – take a camera and enough memory cards to capture the incredible mountain views.

➡ Stay hydrated with around three liters of fluid a day.

➡  Above 2,700 meters you shouldn’t ascend more than 450 meters per day, so plan acclimatization days into your schedule. During these stops, hike a few hundred meters higher, then descend again to sleep and this will help your body adjust to the altitude.

➡ Always descend if your AMS symptoms get worse.

➡ Consider taking Diamox, medicine that helps your body acclimatize to high altitude.

➡ Every trekker needs to buy a Trekker’s Information Management Systems Card which costs $20.

➡ You’ll also need a Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit which costs $34, you can buy both of these from the Nepal Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu.

➡ To get a trekking permit you’ll need travel insurance that covers you for hiking up to 6,000 meters.

➡ If you plan to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla to start your trek, as most people do, you’ll need to pay a flat fee of $155 for the 30-minute flight on a tiny, 16-seater plane.

➡ It costs between $20 and $25 a day to hire a porter.

➡ A private room in a tea house typically costs between $1 and $5 per night with a shared bathroom, but you’ll be expected to eat breakfast and dinner at your chosen lodge.

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