An internal-frame backpack is probably best for heaving your things around on buses and rikshas, especially if you're also travelling in other parts of Asia as well. A travel pack , with shoulder straps that can be zipped out of sight, will help dispel lingering "hippy" prejudices when dealing with officialdom; best of all is one in which all compartments can be secured with a single padlock. A lightweight daypack also comes in handy for short excursions.

The clothes you bring will depend very much on the time of year, and where you expect to be going. For warm weather you'll want lightweight cotton garments - loose-fitting but modest, and covering enough to ward off sun and bugs. Shorts and a swimsuit are worth bringing (especially for rafting). A lightweight waterproof jacket or poncho is advisable at any time of year. For cooler seasons, try to dress in layers: a T-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, sweater or fleece jacket and shell will set you up for almost any weather. Trainers or any sort of durable, lightweight footwear will be adequate for most conditions in Nepal, even on a trek, though higher up you'll need something sturdier. You'll also need a backup pair of shoes in case those get wet. Flipflops, available locally, will do in warm weather; sport sandals are better, and perfect for rafting.

For the sun , bring sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses and a brimmed hat; an umbrella (available locally) acts as an effective parasol at low elevations, and is indispensable during the monsoon. If you're heading to the Tarai, especially between April and October, bring mosquito repellent and/or mosquito netting (you can buy coils locally). Toiletries are pretty easy to come by in Kathmandu, but bring anything out of the ordinary. Alcohol-based antibacterial gel is good for keeping hands clean.

Carry valuables in a money belt or neck purse ; a small padlock (available locally) is an effective deterrent to would-be thieves. Earplugs are a must for shutting out the ubiquitous honking vehicles, barking dogs and general commotion at night. In cheap lodgings, a sleeping sheet is an insurance policy against bedbugs and the like (unnecessary if you bring a sleeping bag for trekking). A musical instrument , juggling balls (can be purchased in Nepal), portable game or photos of home will help break the ice and while away some dead hours. Binoculars are great to have in the Tarai wildlife parks.

And finally, some odd essentials (all of which can be purchased in Nepal): a flashlight (torch), small towel , sewing kit , a length of cord for drying clothes , a pocket alarm clock (for early-morning departures), sealable plastic bags for keeping things separate in your pack, passport-size photos for visa and trekking applications, and photocopies of the pages in your passport containing personal data and your Nepalese visa.