This page contains general information to be considered when planning an Eco OR Adventure trip with SITA. Please write to us for more specific information about the trips to Indian Subcontinent.

The following equipment & clothing list is designed to get you oriented about what you need to bring during your holidays. Always ask for more specific list, once you choose your trip.

Clothing

• Jackets. Polar fleece jacket (wool sweater may also be used), and windproof waterproof breathable jacket (Goretex or similar) for general purposes. Down jacket is optional, but may be very useful at nights when camping in the Himalayas.
• Pants. Regular pants for general purposes. Polar fleece pants when camping over the Himalayas. Windproof waterproof breathable pants for trips involving high altitude. Shorts as well as warm trousers for Birding and wildlife trips
• Socks. Regular cotton socks for general purposes. Thick wool socks recommended for trekking or climbing over the Himalayas.
• Shirt. Long sleeve shirts recommended; in the highlands prevent from sunburn, and in the jungle side, from been bitten by mosquitoes. T-shirts will certainly be used
• Foot wears. Lightweight boots or shoes for regular traveling. Mid weight high ankle boots for hiking and mountain approaching. Stout walking shoes/boots or sturdy trainers with ankle protection will be necessary for walking in the National Parks
• Hat. Polar fleece headband, wool hat, or balaclava for the night (High altitude trips only), and sun hat with brim for the day.
• Gloves. Thin gloves for regular trekking. Polar fleece inner gloves and wind proof waterproof mittens for climbing trips.
• Other clothing: bathing suit and bandanas are optional but may be useful.

Camping equipment

• Sleeping bag. Down sleeping bag for trips to the highlands, synthetic sleeping bag for trips to the lowlands (Only on the tours where camping is involved or intimated specifically). Sleeping bag liner and compression stuff sack are optional but may be useful.
• Sleeping mat. One thin mat for resting during trekking, between two camps (since the mattress we provide moves with other camping equipment.)
• Backpack. 30-40 liter daypack to carry your essentials. 70-90 liter backpack or medium size duffel soft-sided bag for the porters or animals to carry your staff (locker & cover recommended).
• Tent. SITA provides you with high quality 4-Men (for Double/Single) tents during our trips.
• Kitchen and Tableware. SITA provides you all kitchen and tableware during our trips.
• Stoves and fuel. SITA provides stoves and fuel during our trips.
• Water bottle. 1 liter bottle (Nalgene type) for regular traveling. Thermoses for climbing trips. Mineral Water is provided on some trips only.
• Flashlight. Headlamp with spare batteries recommended (regular AA batteries are the most common in Indian Subcontinent).
• Sunglasses. 100% UVA, UVB protection.
• Sunscreen. 25 to 50 SPF factor water and sweat proof recommended. For trips involving high altitude more SPF is necessary.
• Insect repellent. Spray with high percentage of DEET recommended for trips to the jungle side.
• Camera. With spare batteries, and spare films. Tele Focal/Zoom Lenses for Birding and wildlife trips and wide angle for mountaineering/trekking trips.
• Binoculars Recommended for almost all Eco & Adventure trips.
• Other supplies: Swiss knife or Leather man tool, Alarm clock, Notebook & pen, Hindi/Nepali-English dictionary, duct tape, and synthetic towel are optional but recommended items.

Climbing equipment

• Plastic boots. Leather boots are good just for the 5000 m/ 17000 f peaks. For the high ones, over 6000 m/ 20000 f, plastic boots are a must (Make sure that they fit your crampons and do not hurt your feet).
• Crampons. 12-point automatic crampons with protective bag recommended.
• Gaiters. Useful for trekking trips as well.
• Ice axe. Long glacier Ice Axe recommended for most of our climbing trips. Two short tools are recommended for technical climbs.
• Harnesses. Sportive sit harnesses.
• Carabineers and hardware. SITA provides you all hardware needed when climbing, although at least one screw gate carabineer is recommended.
• Climbing helmet. Optional for our climbing trips.
• Rope. SITA provides you ropes needed on our climbing trips mentioned on site. For customized climbing trips you are required to bring your own ropes.

Miscellaneous stuff

• Contact lenses. If you wear them, don't forget to bring the following: copy of your prescription (in case you need to replace them), saline solution, lenses case, and eyedroppers. Note that dryness in the highlands may cause you some irritability in your eyes.
• Other stuff - Don't forget a traveling sewing kit, zip lock bags, and toilet paper.
• Personal Hygiene - Hand wipes or hand sanitizing lotion, which you can have with you throughout the day. Be sure to purchase the ones, which are designated as ANTI BACTERIAL. Use these two or three times a day, especially after handling local produce, handicrafts or after visiting a temple, monument.
• Money Pouch - As a precaution, we recommend a lightweight money/passport pouch that can be worn under your clothing, either around your neck or waist. The pouch should hold only the following; your passport, air tickets, a credit card and most of your traveller cheques.

Visa & Permits

• Visa - A valid visa is required for India, China & Sri Lanka prior your arrival, while visa for Nepal & Bhutan can be obtained upon arrival itself, ask for exact procedures.
• Inner Line Permit - Once you book the tour, we will automatically forward you the details required for obtaining Inner Line permits for restricted areas in India and permits for Tibet.