Travelling with a group or alone, the list of things to carry will help keep your journey to be smooth and safe along the way. To make things much easier and organized, pack each set of belongings in a separate section or zip locks. Be smart and travel with the basics. We have divided list of things into following categories.
Packing checklist
Travel Documents : Carry your documents which can reduce your unwanted problems.
- A print out of your tour itinerary.
- At least 2 government issued identity proofs of travelling persons.
- Original & printout of your passport for foreigners.
- Emergency contacts of the place you are visiting.
- Always save the details of your accommodation on your mobile devices and share the information with your family members.
- Keep a digital copy of your documents on your mobile devices in case of loss or emergency.
- Maps & direction.
- Money belt with money having currency in small denominations is essential.
- All permits, passes and other documents, if applicable.
Layering of Cloths for cold climates
- Innermost Layer: 2 Thermals upper and lower.
- Base layer: 2/3 Wrinkle-free dry fit/quick dry type with long sleeves for layering. Helps to ventilate sweat/moisture wicking. Cotton T-shirts are not advised.
- Mid layer clothing for warmth:2/3 warm Fleece Jacket/Synthetic Jacket/Down feather Jacket.
- Outer layer clothing for protection from wind and rain/snow fall: Windproof Jacket/Wind Cheater/ Raincoat/Poncho. A hooded one made of water resistant/repellent material is highly advised.
- 2/3 Windproof and waterproof trek pants.
- 2/3 Wrinkle-free light weight pants/trousers with a zipper to turn them into shorts and preferably with plenty of pockets
- 1/2 Pairs of jeans or thick pants.
- 2/3 Pairs of leggings for layering
- 2/3 Pairs of comfortable underwear. For female add sports bras.
- 4/5 Pairs of thick socks: sports shoes and some for boots.
- 1 Pair of snow boots(according to your destination)
- 1 Heavy coat.
- 1 Pair of gloves both woolen and waterproof.
- 2/3 Scarf/ headband /bandanna /Balaclava/Woolen skull cap.
- 1/2 Pairs of leggings.
- 1 Pair of flip-flops or sandals.
- Viscose or microfiber travel towel.
Personal Item/ Toiletries
- Antibacterial soap, face wash or shampoo in a small screw bottles, in a pinch you can wash up.
- Moisturizing lotion- to avoid dryness of your skin.
- Sunscreen.
- Shaving Kit.
- Sanitizer- for washing your hands.
- Comb or hairbrush.
- Toothpaste, toothbrush and dental floss (not only for your teeth – you can slice soft food with it, sew with it, use it to lock things and many other things).
- Deodorant in stick form, avoid spray- to keep yourself refreshed.
- Lip balm- to avoid dryness of your lips.
- Hair clip or rubber bands (if you have long hair).
- Hygienic pads/panty liners.
Technical Stuff
- Rucksack/Back Pack with cover (waterproof) between 40 to 50 Liters.
- Daypack optional to carry along with you with a water bottle, food, camera and wind/water proof etc.
- Trekking Shoes/Boot: A good quality trekking shoe/boot with a sticky rubber sole with a lug (indentations for better grip) having ankle support and waterproof.
- Walking Sticks/Trekking Poles.
- Never travel without a flashlight – a small LED, plus a headlamp which is particularly useful when walking outside to go to the bathroom at night.
- Pen and small writing pad.
- A small penknife or Swiss Army knife.
- Cell phone and charger (make sure you pack it in something waterproof).
- Camera with sufficient batteries and memory cards along with a camera bag.
- 2/3 small number locks.
- Compression bags/packing cubes/ empty bag to keep dirty clothes.
- Power bank (if possible).
- Wristwatch with an alarm function (unless you use your Smartphone for this).
- Reusable water bottles/Hydration bottle.
- Inflatable sleeping pillow or neck pillow.
- Eyeglasses, contact lenses and supplies.
- Sunglasses Dark Polarized Sun glasses with retainers.
- Sleeping Bag.
First Aid Kit
- Firstly, your prescription medicines, if any, in labeled containers.
- Antibacterial cream, bandages, Band-Aids, surgical adhesive tape, sterile gauze, cotton-wool buds, corn pads.
- Dusting powder for feet against fungal attack.
- Antihistamine.
- Decongestant.
- Diarrhea medication with ORS.
- Pain relievers: Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Volini gel.
- Laxative.
- Throat lozenges.
- Hand wipes.
- Diamox – This helps in acclimatization (a proper dosage is must if taken. Drink lots of water, as this is a diuretic drug)
- Pepper Spray.
Food:
- Snacks, chewing gums, biscuits, fruits, chocolates, dry fruits, mouth freshener –
- Energy Bars, Great for snacking on long trips.
Make sure to get back all the plastic wrappers/items back with you. Don’t throw around.
How to pack a smart way
Packing a backpack is an art than a science, which comes with experience. One comfortable backpack for you to carry. The key to packing your backpack properly is to keep things that you will most likely need within easy reach.
Start packing from the bottom and work our way up. Put things at the bottom which you won’t need during the day like camping gear and sleeping bag. Always remember the first thing to go is the last thing to come out of the backpack. A sleeping bag can be strapped onto the outside of the backpack.
Keep weight distribution in mind when loading your pack. Put lightweight gear in the bottom of your backpack. The heaviest things should be as close to your back as possible and in the middle of your backpack.
Step 1: Check the current weather forecast and pack appropriately. Plan your clothing selection so that you can dress in layers. Layering with, long sleeves T-shirts, light flees and light jackets. Pack your clothing depending on your location and the month of travel. During the days in the mountains can get quite warm, nights and mornings are often cold. Pack at least three pairs of socks and under clothing, regardless of the season.
Step 2: Roll your clothing instead of folding it. Rolled clothing takes up less space in your luggage and rolled clothing is less prone to wrinkling.
Step3: Pack two pairs of shoes, including the ones that you will be wearing while traveling to the mountains. Select shoes appropriate to your activity, such as hiking boots for hiking. Make use of all empty spaces in your backpack. Put socks into your spare shoes.
Step 4: Avoid over-packing. Unless you’re going on a high-country adventure that requires special gear, pack two main outfits for daily wear and one evening outfit for a two- or three-day trip to the mountains.
Step 5: Pack liquids, such as hair and skin care items, in a sealed plastic bag or small screw bottles. As you travel to the mountains, altitude changes can cause pressured containers to leak. A plastic bag protects the other items in if leakage occurs. Regardless of the season, do include sunscreen and sunglasses with your personal items. Make sure to get back all your non-biodegradable waste back with you.
Step 6: Bring extras of any prescription medications. Pack a copy of your prescriptions for medications and prescription glasses or contacts. Bad weather in the mountains can sometimes prolong a short weekend trip, so it’s advisable to be prepared.
Step 7: Top of the backpack should have extra layers of clothes and anything else you might need access to during your trip. This is where you should put your small necessities, such as sunglasses, a first-aid kit, a rain jacket,and snacks. Sometimes, backpacks come with small zipper pouches on the hip belt. These, along with other external pockets, are also great places to keep small gear and trail food. Pack specialty gear in appropriate bags.
Step 8: Attach extra gear to the outside of the pack. Strap equipment such as hiking poles or tent poles to the outside of your backpack. Almost all backpacks have compression straps. Pull them as tightly as possible to minimize your backpack’s volume and keep everything in place.
After you have packed smartly with all the essentials and having a light backpack, this will charge you automatically. So pull up tight to roll on for a mesmerizing trip.Cheers !
