Every operator publishes a packing list. Most of them are copy-pasted, generic, and don’t reflect what guests actually need on a real tour. This is the list I send to every guest in the pre-trip WhatsApp, updated after running 70+ tours a year.
The non-negotiables
- One properly warm jacket. Not a hoodie. A jacket. Even in July. Mornings at altitude are 5–10°C colder than you expect.
- Walking shoes with grip. Sneakers are fine for cities. They are not fine for Saif-ul-Malook, Mahodand, or Jahaz Banda. Closed-toe, ankle support if possible.
- A power bank. 10,000+ mAh. Hotel electricity in the north flickers. Solar charging on tours is unreliable.
- Sunscreen and lip balm. UV at altitude is brutal. Every single tour, someone gets a surprise sunburn on a cloudy day.
- Basic medicine kit. Disprin, ORS sachets, antihistamine, antacids, plasters, your prescription stuff. We carry a full kit, but your personal kit is faster to reach.
The three things guests forget every time
- A reusable water bottle. Hotels and camps have water; we encourage refilling from sealed bulk dispensers, not buying single-use bottles for five days.
- A small flashlight or headlamp. Especially for camping tours. Phone torches die.
- Wet wipes. Not glamorous. Genuinely useful when running water is sporadic.
Cold-weather camping additions
If you’re booked on Sharan, Kumrat camping, or any high-altitude tour:
- Thermal base layer (top and bottom). Cheap from any local sports store.
- Wool or fleece socks — two pairs, not one. Wet feet at altitude is a problem you don’t want.
- A wool beanie. Heat loss from the head is real.
- Gloves — even simple ones.
What you absolutely don’t need
- Heavy formal clothes. Nobody dresses up. Save the space.
- Multiple pairs of jeans. One pair, plus joggers, plus one set of warmer trousers. That’s it.
- Towels. All our hotels provide them. Don’t pack a bath towel for a week-long tour.
- Anything “just in case”. If you haven’t worn it in the last month, you won’t wear it on tour.
The one thing you definitely shouldn’t bring
A drone, unless you’ve registered it and have proper documentation. Some of our destinations are sensitive border regions. Authorities check. Confiscation is a real risk if you fly without registration. We help guests register through DGCA before tours if they ask.
The packing rule that’s never failed me: lay everything out, then remove one-third of it. You won’t miss anything you removed, and you’ll thank yourself every time you carry the bag.
Bag size
For a 5–7 day tour, one duffel or backpack of about 60–65 L is enough for almost everyone. Two big suitcases per person create real problems in 4x4 jeeps. We’ll always tell you if your booking requires extra restraint on bag size.
One last thing
If you forget something, ask. Camp Hunza, Kalam, Naran all have small shops that sell most basics. We’ve also got a small stash of loaner items in the van — hats, gloves, basic ponchos. Not glamorous, but they’ve saved at least twenty tours over the years.
Want to come with us?
We run small-group tours every week from April to October. Transport, hotels, meals, and a real local guide — all included.
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