Page 49 - Nepal & the Mystical Himalayas

or in temples. Shorts above the knee (on men or women) and skirts above the knee are
considered inappropriate, and will draw unwanted attention. Shorts of any length are
usually not allowed in public places in Bhutan.

• Leather not allowed in some temples. Since the cow is a sacred animal in the Hindu
religion, many Nepalese do not wear leather. It is OK for you to wear leather on the
street, and small leather items (belts and wallets) will usually be allowed in Hindu
temples. However, temple attendants my ask that you leave large leather items—such as
handbags—at the entrance, so consider bringing a cloth or canvas bag instead.

What to Bring

We have included suggestions from Trip Leaders and former travelers to help you pack. These
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requirements. You may also want to consult the “Climate” chapter of this handbook.

Recommended Clothing

T Shirts: A mixture of short- and long-sleeved shirts. No matter what time of year,
you’ll want a few of both. In winter, you’ll still want a couple short sleeves for Chitwan
National Park. In summer, you’ll still want a few long sleeves for cool nights in the
mountains.

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active.

T Shoes and socks: Comfortable, sturdy, highly supportive walking shoes—lightweight
hiking boots are recommended. Also recommended is a pair of water-tolerant footwear
in case of snow, rain, or for rafting. If you are taking one or both of the extensions, we
suggest you bring extra socks to be used as “temple socks,” because wearing shoes of
any type are not allowed inside the temples.

T Light cotton or wool sweater. During colder times of year, this is useful for layering.
During hotter times of year this can still be useful because the air-conditioning on the
bus can be cold.

T Wide-brim hat or visor for sun protection (or wait until after the trek and use the hat/
scarf provided)

T Some sort of rain gear—a raincoat, a waterproof jacket, an umbrella, etc. A rain poncho
will be provided during the trekking and rafting parts of our adventure, but not in
Kathmandu, Chitwan National Park, or on the extensions.

T Underwear and sleepwear

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