8 Essentials You Must Carry on a Monsoon Trek

Monsoon is one of the most beautiful times to trek. The forests are lush, the streams are gushing, and the smell of wet earth fills the air. But the rains also bring a different set of challenges — wet clothes, cold fingers, soggy shoes, leech bites.

If you’re not prepared, the monsoon can make your trek a miserable experience.

So in this article, I’ve listed down 8 things you must carry with you on a monsoon trek. Whether you’re trekking in the Himalayas or the Western Ghats, these essentials are non-negotiable for me. Some are obvious. Some might make you stop and go, “Hmm, I didn’t think of that.”

Let’s get right into it.

1. Rainwear

This is the most obvious, but the most important essential. On any monsoon trek, it will rain. Especially in the Himalayas, over a 4-5 day trek, you’re likely to face rain at least on one or two days, often post-lunch.

So your rainwear must be right on top of your backpack, where you can quickly fish it out and wear it without breaking stride.

Now, I often get asked — Should I carry a poncho or a rain jacket?

Here’s what I usually say:

• If you’re an occasional trekker doing an easy trek, a poncho works fine.
• If you’re a more regular trekker or going on a tougher trail, a rain jacket and rain pants are far more comfortable. Yes, they’re a bigger investment, but they hold up better on longer walks.

At Indiahikes, we’ve designed a hybrid long rain jacket that combines the ease of a poncho and the comfort of a jacket. It comes down to your knees, protects your pants, and gives you full hand mobility. If you’re renting gear, this is a great option to go for.

2. Rain Cover for Your Backpack

Most modern backpacks come with a rain cover, tucked into a zip at the bottom. But if yours doesn’t, please buy or rent one.

Rain can seep into your backpack and soak your warm layers, electronics, and essentials. And trust me, you do not want to open your bag at a campsite to find everything inside is wet.

We rent these out too, in case you don’t want to invest in one.

3. Waterproof Socks

This one is a game-changer.

We’ve been recommending waterproof socks for winter treks for a while now. But I’ve come to love them even on monsoon treks. Your shoes will get wet, no matter how good they are. And the worst thing on a trek is walking with wet, soggy feet.

Waterproof socks have a three-layer design:

• A soft outer layer
• A waterproof middle layer
• And a soft inner layer that stays dry

Even if the outside gets wet, your feet stay dry and warm. They’re a blessing, especially in the cool Himalayan weather. Of course, we don’t rent these out for hygiene reasons, so it’s something worth buying for yourself if you’re doing a monsoon trek.

4. Waterproof Gloves

This is one of those underrated things that I never trek without anymore, especially in the Himalayas. Even in summer, rain and wind at high altitude can be biting cold. And your fingers are the first to freeze.

Whether it’s Hampta Pass, Valley of Flowers or Pin Bhaba, if you’re climbing to altitudes above 12,000 or 14,000 feet, your hands need protection.

Waterproof gloves keep your fingers warm, dry, and functional. They’ve saved me many times in cold, rainy weather.

5. Additional Footwear — Clogs or Sandals

This might feel like extra weight, but it’s so worth carrying.

Clogs (like Crocs) or a simple pair of sandals are super useful at campsites. Once you remove your wet shoes, you’ll need something dry and easy to slip into. They’re also very handy during river crossings or hopping over streams, especially in the Western Ghats.

You never want to go barefoot into a stream — there could be sharp rocks, broken wood, or even glass. One small cut can mess up your entire trek.

So invest in a decent pair of clogs or sandals and keep them clipped to the outside of your backpack.

6. Dry Sack (Or Plastic Bags — the Jugaad Option)

A dry sack is a waterproof bag you put inside your backpack. You use it to store your most important items — like warm layers, thermals, electronics. It adds a second layer of protection in case rainwater seeps through your backpack.

Frankly, I never go on a monsoon trek without a dry sack anymore. It’s such a simple, effective solution to keep your stuff dry.

Dry sacks can be expensive though. Which is why we’ve started renting out high-quality dry sacks at very affordable rates.

And if you don’t want to rent or buy one? Use plastic bags. You probably have plenty at home. Just compartmentalize your things, wrap them up, and keep them inside your backpack. It’s a jugaad that works — we’ve done it for years.

7. Sun Cap (Yes, Even in the Monsoon!)

You’re probably wondering — Why on earth would I need a sun cap in the monsoon?

Here’s why. When it rains, you’ll be wearing a hood — either from your poncho or rain jacket. And hoods drip. Water runs off the edge and straight onto your face, ruining your visibility and making walking harder.

A sun cap under your hood channels the water away from your face. It keeps your line of sight clear, and walking becomes much easier, especially on slippery trails. It also protects you from a hailstorm.

So, yes — always carry a sun cap. Even in the rain.

8. Anti-Leech Socks (For Western Ghats Treks)

*Picture taken from the Amazon website.

If you’re trekking in the Western Ghats, especially in places like Agumbe, Kudremukh or Coorg, you’re going to encounter leeches. And they love rainy weather.

Anti-leech socks are made of a thick, waterproof material. You wear them over your pants and under your shoes. This seals off any entry points and keeps the leeches out completely.

If you’re nervous about leeches, this is your best bet.

These 8 things might seem like small details, but they make all the difference on a monsoon trek. When you’re dry, warm and comfortable, you can enjoy the beauty of the monsoon — the misty valleys, the gushing waterfalls, the green trails.

We carry these with us every time we trek in the rain. And we’ve seen how well they work, time and again.

If you have any questions or need help preparing for your monsoon trek, email us at info@indiahikes.com