Hydration sack

This is a great way to ensure you are “topped up” with water regularly to maintain key hydration which in turn helps acclimatising – easy and functional. We swear by them!

UV Filtering

A good investment and now more readily available (and at better prices) is the portable UV Filter. It can save you money on a big trip (with the amount of bottled water you can hammer through) and expecially to help the environment - cutting down on excess plastic waste, that has to be carried out from remote villages in the Himalayas. A friend of ours used one for over 18 months in over 50 countries and attributes this to not getting sick (never once) in this time – even the brownest water in Africa could be made good to drink! Impressive to say the least and saved him about 500 quid he reckoned!

Water Filters

Water filters that use 'reverse osmosis' by drawing water through an extremely fine membrane to produce drinkable water. Generally quite slow but the result is extremely fine filtered water. A good alternative to Iodine tablets.

Iodine Solutions

These are cheap, readily available and are an easy way to keep your water purified, it can make the water taste a little chlorinated but it is an essential to always drink purified water. Not drinking purified water is a sure way to get very ill very quickly. A far better alternative than buying plastic bottles!

Duct/Gaffer Tap

You know what they say if you can’t Duck it …. it! Very handy in a variety of situations when something breaks on you! A great temporary or sometimes even permanent fix when those Gore-Tex trousers catch on your crampons! A great place to store your tape is to wrap it around your trekking or ski poles, below the handles so its easy access on the mountain at all times!

Flip-Flops/Jandals

Whatever you call them - yes those casual things that just slip onto your feet that are super light (to carry and store) and are so cheap they are almost disposable. Great for giving your feet a breather, showering in (to protect from any foot bacteria) or just feeling the sand between your toes.

Lycra Underwear

Hard wearing easily washed and they dry quickly! Goes a long with the ‘NO COTTON’ rule for hiking attire and can even make you feel a little sexy!

Swimwear

Whatever you take a dip in, it’s always worth to have your swim gear ready for those exquisite opportunities to relax in that natural Himalayan hot spring. Or if you’re daring enough to take the plunge into a glacier and show up your mates!

MP3 Players

Great to have for travelling, psyching you up for that day of trekking or climbing or just chillaxing out. Great for those parties too where you can just plug it in and become DJ!

Photocopies/Scan your Important Documents

Important to take copies of your important documents for Passport/Visa, insurance documents and keep them in an A4 envelope – just in case the unfortunate does happen! Alternatively load them to your portable device.

The Small Lock

Get a personal small lock with a key chain. Very handy to lock your own room just for peace of mind to protect from opportunists. Helpful to attach your pack to the metal bars when using trains or buses – yep even the locals lock there stuff up so don’t be shy to do so yourself. Also by attaching your wallet and keys onto a key chain it’s hard to accidentally lose them or get pick pocketed when you’re cruising the Main Bazaar in Delhi or busy streets of Thamel in Kathmandu! These are very cheap and often found being sold at markets or near train stations ie about 50 rupees or less!

Nepali or Indian Mobile SIM Card

For longer trips an Indian or Nepalese SIM card for your mobile phone can be a great way to save on those calls home. I called my girlfriend in Scotland from Kashmir for 5 rupees per minute which was a lot cheaper than any landline!

Wireless Hotspots – bring your laptop / portable digital device

Wireless Hotspots are becoming more and more popular which is great for logging in on your own machine. Laptops are great if you’re on a longer trip for sharing photos, storing video content and watching movies. The amount of internet cafes/places have exploded so if you are on a shorter trip or don’t want the hassle there is plenty of net access anyway. Now in Main Bazaar, Delhi you can pick up email and surf for 10 rupees per hour which is great value!

The Barber

For the guys you probably want to grow that beard that you’ve always wanted to and be that Mountain Man (not compulsory). At the end of the trek or if you like removing the fuzz regularly, a great way to relax and treat yourself is to have a cut throat shave from the barber. At about 15-20 rupees in Delhi, Kathmandu or Srinigar this is surely cheaper than buying new blades. And it’s quite the experience with a facial and head massage to boot but remember to ask for “no neck”, otherwise you may experience the neck cracking tweak which may leave you wishing you had never stepped through the door.

The Massage

What a great way to unwind and relax after a hard trek, climb or ski - with a magnificent massage! Use referrals from other travellers and bargain for a good price eg approximately 300 rupees per hour and kick back and enjoy. The classic ancient Indian method found here and in Nepal is Ayurvedic but in main centers all styles are offered from Thai to Swedish – superb!

Antiseptic Dry Soap

Handy stuff for those no soap moments in the ablutions or at restaurants – very handy for everyday use, as keeping personal hygiene can be a large factor in ensuring you have a successful trip!

Table Games – Cards, Chess, Backgammon etc

Travel sets are always good value as they’re a great way to relax with a group, break the ice and have a laugh…although I do find chess quite a battle for the brain!