THE ULTIMATE

BHUTAN ADVENTURE

PACKING LIST

 

Use our ultimate Bhutan Adventure Packing List as a guide for what to bring along while you’re hiking and exploring in Bhutan! We’ve filled it with our trail tested favorites and recommendations, plus lots of useful info on the best gear for adventuring in all of Bhutan’s conditions.

Most of our adventure in the Kingdom of Happiness takes place in the mid-region, or interior Himalayas, where you can expect a generally temperate and cool climate all year round. The spring and fall are characterized by clear skies and minimal rainfall, which will make them ideal for exploring the region's natural beauty!

There can be quite a bit of temperature variation, so having the flexibility of durable, multi use layers is important. The valleys, like Punakha, tend to be a bit warmer than the higher elevation cities of Thimphu and Paro. In the spring and fall, temperatures are usually in the mid/low 60s during the day, and can drop down to the low 30s at night.

In general, Bhutan’s cities are modern and casual, but out of respect for the local traditions, be sure to cover your legs and shoulders when visiting sacred sites and at festivals.

Our biggest piece of advice for this and every adventure, is to pack light and smart. Between the trekking and cultural sites, we’ll be on the go a lot, and the less you have to take with you the easier it will be! (Note: The flight you’ll take into Paro, on either Druk Airlines or Buthan Airlines, has a baggage allowance of 65 lbs (and 11 lbs for cabin bags) in Economy Class.)

Last but not least, be sure to test and break in all your gear beforehand and use common sense and your best judgement when choosing exactly what you pack. After all, no one knows you better than you! If you tend to run cold, pack an extra layer or two, if you have a finicky stomach, bring extras of your go-to snacks. We’re firm believers that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate gear! Stocking up on quality gear from brands who are doing it right will make all the difference for enjoying all your adventures in the great outdoors!

Some of the links on our site are affiliate links, and if you go through them to make a purchase WHOA will earn a small commission at no cost to you. That said, we only link to products that we truly love on the trails and brands we respect because of their quality and their values, not because of a kickback!



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THE ULTIMATE

BHUTAN ADVENTURE

PACKING LIST

 
 
 

THE BASICS

 
 

2 HATS 

Bring something light with a brim for sunny days, and a warm beanie that will cover your ears for colder nights, like when camping in the mountains.

 

POLARIZED SUNGLASSES

You have to protect your eyes! Make sure they are UV-blocking and polarized. Goodr makes ones that are great (and cute) for hiking. 

 

3-4 Casual Tops

Choose versatile items you can wear more than once and layer as temperatures cool in the evenings. You should cover your shoulders when visiting festivals, temples and Dzongs, so out of respect for the local customs be sure to bring some long-sleeve shirts and/or a scarf to cover your shoulders.

 

3-4 Casual BOTTOMS

Pack a few comfortable and casual pants or skirts. When visiting festivals, temples, and Dzongs (monasteries), be sure to bring a pair of long pants or a long skirt, as it’s customary to cover your legs.

 

JACKET

You’ll want a layer (or two!) for when the temps drop at night. To save space, consider using some of the same layers you’ll need for the trek, like your outer layer, down jackets, and/or fleece.

 

STREET SHOES

Bring a comfortable pair of shoes for exploring on your feet all day!

 

SWIMSUIT

You’ll need this for your hot stone bath, a traditional way to relax and rest your muscles after the trek!

 

UNDERWEAR

There will be a few (but not many) chances to do laundry, so bring what you think you’ll need. Check out REI’s Merino Hipster Underwear which we love on and off the trail!

 

WATER BOTTLE

We reccomend a 1 L wide mouth Nalgene water bottle.

 

SUNSCREEN + LIPSCREEN

This is a must have for being in the strong mountain sun all day! Bring a new, full tube with an SPF rating of 30+. We love Raw Elements Natural Sunscreen because it works great, is reef friendly, and plastic free!

 

TOILETRIES

Don’t forget the travel essentials like travel sized deodorant, lotion, hair ties, hair brush, tampons, contact solution, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, masks, and ear plugs etc. Remember our pledge to keep single use plastics out of the places we love, so plan to bring reusable bottles, bar soaps and biodegradable products (then, pack it all in this amazing upcycled toiletry bag!)

 

Small Packable Backpack + TOTE

Bring a small packable backpack or hip pack to use when visiting local sites while off trail. You’ll also want to bring a small reusable shopping bag to eliminate the need to use a single-use plastic bag for snacks or souvenir stops. They’re also handy to have in case you need another bag to take on the plane. Just another way to make Mother Earth proud!

 

ADAPTER

Bhutan has type D and F plug outlets, so make sure you bring an adapter.

 

PASSPORT

Make sure it’s valid for 6 months after your adventure dates. Bring a waterproof bag to keep it dry when you’re out hiking (and it’s always a good idea to travel with an extra copy of it).

 

CAMERA + EXTRA BATTERIES

There are so many amazing photo ops! We highly recommend bringing a camera that is compact and durable (these days most smartphones have great cameras)! Remember to always pack your electronics in waterproof bags or cases like this one. 

 

LUGGAGE LOCK

You’ll need one to lock the suitcase that will stay at the hotel while you’re trekking.

 

SNACKS

There’s plenty of hearty food provided at meals, but be sure to bring some extra snacks! The days can be long, you need to keep your energy up, and nothing beats comfort food when you're on the trails. 

Packing extra snacks is especially important for those with dietary restrictions. While we can accommodate all dietary restrictions, due to the remote nature of our adventures, there might not be as much variety as you’d find at home, so packing the snacks you know you love is definitely advised. If you have questions about what to expect on your adventure when it comes to food, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.

 
 
 
 
 

HIKING CLOTHES

 

2 PAIRS OF GLOVES or Mittens

Bring a pair of lightweight fleece or wool gloves, and a waterproof, insulated pair of gloves or mittens to ensure your hands stay dry and warm if it’s cold or rainy in the mountains.

 

1 PAIR THERMAL BASE LAYERs

A thin, snug fitting top and bottom set that you can wear underneath everything at higher altitudes. These will regulate your body temperature by wicking sweat away from your skin. We recommend a sport synthetic fabric like polyester or merino wool. We love these Smartwool tops and bottoms.

 

2-3 MOISTURE WICKING TOPS

Bring a few lightweight tops, so you can layer and re-wear them. Pack a mixture of short and long sleeve options. Make sure at least one of these is a sun shirt with UPF protection to help prevent sunburn. Pro tip: look for wool and/or synthetic garments that, unlike cotton, will keep you drier.

 

2-3 MEDIUM LAYERS  

These will provide insulation, and include, but are not limited to, fleeces, down jackets, and vests that you can easily stuff in your daypack and layer on and off as your temperature and the conditions change.  

 

Insulated Jacket

An insulated jacket will keep you warm in the evenings and at higher elevations when the temperature drops, and will be especially important during the trek. When layering, this jacket will go over your medium layers but under your outer layer jacket. If you tend to run cold you might want a thicker insulated jacket to stay warm and comfortable.

 

OUTER LAYER JACKET

A warm, breathable, water and wind proof jacket with a hood that you can wear comfortably over all your layers. This is a must-have at higher altitudes and to layer on in the case of rain. We love this one from Outdoor Research!

 

2-3 PAIRS OF HIKING bottoms

You’ll want a few pairs of pants, and leggings to last you the entire trek. (Check out our Move Mountains ones too)!

 

Fleece PANTs

A pair of fleece pants will come in handy at the end of a long day of trekking and keep you warm during the chilly mountain evenings. Check out these fleece tights from Smartwool.

 
 
 

WIND + WATERPROOF PANT

A non-insulated, outer layer pant is a must-have to layer on over your base layers when it’s rainy or windy. REI makes an affordable and high quality pair.

 

1 PAIR OF HIKING BOOTS 

The most important thing you’ll bring! Make sure they are Gore-Tex, have ankle support, and that you’ve broken them in well. Brands we love: LOWA, Salomon, Merrell, Asolo.

Note: Due to the potential for snowy or icy conditions in the Himalayas, it’s mandatory to have hiking boots - trail runners are not substantial enough!

 

1 PAIR OF CAMP SHOES 

Comfy, closed-toed, easy-to-slip-on shoes are great to have for camp, and going to the bathroom at night. Trust us, the last thing you want to do is put your boots back on after a long day of hiking! Bring something lightweight and durable - we love Crocs or these Xero sandals.

 
 
 

3-4 PAIRS WARM HIKING SOCKS

Bring durable wool socks in a few different weights - lighter for the hotter days, and heavy ones the nights and colder days. A couple pairs of liner socks are great to help prevent blisters too! We love Darn Tough’s Hiker Boot Sock in Full Cushion.

 

2-3 SPORTS BRAS + UNDERWEAR

Bring bras that provide support, feel comfortable against your skin, dry quickly and don't bind, smoosh or chafe. Check out REI’s Merino Hipster Underwear which are comfy and great for adventuring!

 

BUFF OR BANDANA

An all around great item to always have with you! You can use it as a neck gaiter, head band, sweat rag, etc. Plus, there are so many different fun designs to choose from!

 
 
 
 
 

HIKING GEAR

 
 

WATERPROOF DUFFLE

This will store your gear and clothing for the trek, and will be carried from camp to camp by horses. We love The North Face Base Camp Duffel (and, to be extra safe, always put everything in a large dry bag like this to ensure no water leaks in).

 

DAYPACK

You’ll need a lightweight hiking backpack to wear on the hikes and to carry your water, extra layers, snacks, etc. Something around 28 L should work perfectly, and we recommend getting one compatible with a water bladder and hose. While some packs come with a pack cover in case of rain, not all of them do, so make sure you get a rain cover. Brands we love: Deuter, Osprey, Gregory. Pro Tip: Bring a fanny pack to keep your phone, snacks, and sunscreen in for easy access.

 

WATER BLADDER

Staying hydrated is so important while hiking at high altitudes! We highly recommend getting a 3 L water bladder. It’s the easiest way to carry and drink water while trekking.

 

1 PAIR GAITERS

You’ll wear these over the top part of your shoe and lower pant leg to help protect your feet from any water, dirt and pebbles that might try to sneak in. These are especially great for the downhill portions of the trek. We recommend these ones from Black Diamond.

 

TREKKING POLES

These are MANDATORY, and a life (and knee) saver on tricky terrain. Make sure they are collapsible, for easy stashing, and simple to adjust for up and downhill. Check out our favs at Leki.

BONUS: You get 15% off Leki poles for being a part of the WHOA family! Just use this special link to see our fav poles and save!

 

WARM SLEEPING BAG

We recommend a zero degree Fahrenheit bag like the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass. Sleeping bags and mats are provided free of charge to everyone on our treks, but you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer!

 

SLEEPING BAG LINER

This will add an extra layer of warmth at night. We recommend this one from SeaToSummit!

 

HEADLAMP + EXTRA BATTERIES

This is important for after the sun sets at camp. Be sure to start the trek with fresh batteries, and bring a spare set just in case. We love Black Diamond for headlamps.

 

portable battery charger

Whatever electronics you choose to bring, make sure you have a way to recharge with a portable battery charger.

 

DRY BAGS

When preparing your gear, pack everything in dry bags (or silicone bags for smaller items). For waterproofing your phone/passport/money, we recommend using a dry pouch. We’ll be out in the elements, so we want to make sure our gear is always protected! We recommend bringing along different shapes and sizes of these to help organize and separate your gear and dirty clothing.

 

COMPOSTABLE BAGS

Having a stash of brown paper bags, sanitary bags, or any form of biodegradable bag is great for collecting and carrying out trash, including toilet paper.

 
 
 

MEDS

Consult with your physician on any prescription medication you might need for this adventure, especially Diamox, a common medication taken for preventing altitude sickness. Other common medications you might want to bring along include, pain relievers, anti-histamines, antidiarrheals, etc.

 

FIRST AID

We’ll have all this stuff on hand, but make sure you have a compact kit with Neosporin, bug spray, band-aids, moleskin, duct tape, anti-septic, etc. We like this one because it’s lightweight, waterproof, and has everything you might need.

 

Insect REPELLENT

Choose a serious one with DEET or a DEET alternative like Picaridin. We really like this Picaridin from Sawyer Products!

 

Toilet Kit

Sometimes nature calls when we’re not near a bathroom, so having a toilet kit is necessary! This includes a Kula cloth, a small amount of toilet paper, and compostable dog poop bags to pack out your toilet paper. You should keep this all in your daypack inside a small dry bag.

 

QUICK DRY TOWEL + WET WIPES

This camp towel from Cocoon is great for drying off after washing. And don't forget about the environment and make sure your wet wipes are biodegradable.