Clothing & Footwear
Choosing the right clothing and layering is very important due to different range of temperature and climatic conditions. The best way to ensure comfort in changing weather conditions is layering clothing. Based on your activity and the weather, you can make quick adjustments, by putting on more clothing if it is cold or taking off layers as it warms up. Layers work as defense against the sun when it’s hot, the rain when it pours and the cold when the temperature drops.
Obviously what you pack depends on when you want to travel to Bhutan and your chosen activity level. Pick and choose from the following lists as you wish.
On all Cultural Tour or Low Altitude Treks: Warm with Possible Cooling/Rain
- 2 each short sleeve and long sleeve shirts
- Few T-shirts
- 2 pairs lightweight Hiking and walking pants.
- 1 pair of long hiking shorts
- 2 pairs nicer pants or skirts for hotel stays
- 2 Polar Fleece Jacket and warm Sweater or Sweatshirt
- A synthetic or down parka which is large enough to accommodate all the layers underneath (Mid Nov-March)
- Sleepwear and long warm underwear (Mid Nov-March)
- 5 pairs quick drying underwear
Footwear
- 5 pairs natural fiber and wool socks
- Lightweight hiking boots/shoes (don’t buy heavy leather boots)
- Pair of comfortable shoes and/or sport sandals for relaxing in the evening.
Rain Gear
Waterproof Rain Gear for protection against rain and a wide range of weather conditions and activities.
Others (general items)
- Umbrella (optional)
- Sunglasses – to safeguard from harmful sun exposure
- Binocular (optional)
- Wax earplugs
- A Swiss Army knife
- Alarm clock
- A good flashlight (torch) with spare batteries
- Washing & Shaving kits
- Camera, accessories and lots of film
- Books & maps
- Insect repellent
- Hand & face cream
- Pocket mirror
- Nail clippers
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen Lotion
- Hiking Pole
- Hat for sun protection
For Trekking
On a Mid to High Altitude Trek: Chilly to Snowy and Cold
- Shirts, Shorts, Jackets and Pants
- 2 each short sleeve and long sleeve shirts
- Few T-shirts
- Thermal Base layer shirts
- 2 pairs lightweight Hiking and Trekking pants.
- 1 pair of long hiking shorts
- 2 pairs nicer pants or skirts for hotel stays
- A synthetic or down parka which is large enough to accommodate all the layers underneath
- A waterproof / breathable shell mountain parka and shell pants with side-zip entry (for extreme weather)
- Normal to heavy wool sweater and fleece pants to stay warm
- Sleepwear and long warm underwear
- An insulated hat, either wool or synthetic and insulated gloves or mittens
- 5 pairs quick drying underwear
Footwear
- Comfortable Mountain trekking boots & Camp shoes or flip-flops with Synthetic and/or wool socks
Others (general items)
- Expedition Umbrella
- Hiking Pole
- Rucksack
- Good 4-season Sleeping bag (rated 5 to 0 F)
- Sleeping pad/Thermarest & pillow (inflated or foam)
- Water bottle
- Binoculars (optional)
- Sunglasses – to safeguard from harmful sun exposure
- Wax earplugs
- A Swiss Army knife
- Alarm clock
- A good flashlight (torch) or headlamp with spare batteries
- Washing & Shaving kits
- Small, quick drying towel and washcloth
- Camera, accessories, and lots of film
- Books & maps
- Insect repellent
- Hand & face cream
- Pocket mirror
- Nail clippers
- Sunscreen Lotion
- Basic First Aid kit
Important
Choose pants and shirts that can be used for both outdoor activities as well as in a formal place like a Dzong or a monastery.
What to Pack
Pack lightly with a list and leave all Valuable items at home
We suggest you to pack lightly. It’s a good idea to carry a list of the contents of your suitcases or bags in case of lost or stolen during your trip. Your luggage photos will also help when claiming to an airline. Try to leave valuables at home like jewelry, cellular phones, unnecessary credit cards, etc.
Choosing and Using Baggage
We recommend a duffle bag for the trip. Within this bag, you may bring an empty lockable soft sided bag, so that you can leave behind the items you will not need if you go on trek or the items that you bought on the trip. We also suggest a small bag that will fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment.
Label each bag with your name and other identifying information clearly and secure each bag with a Strong lock.
Airlines banned any knives and other sharp objects in carry-on luggage. Small knives such as Swiss Army knives may include with checked luggage not in carry-on bags.
Avoiding Sunburn
In Bhutan, most places are 7000ft above sea level and have strong sunlight during most part of the day. So take special care of yourself from the sun. At high altitudes, the air is thin so the burning ultraviolet rays are very strong. Sun reflection from snow, sand and water could be very strong even on overcast days. We suggest you to apply a sunscreen of SPF 15, wear a wide cap and sunglasses before you go out.
Sunscreen
Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 year-round, regardless of skin type. For the best protection, apply to dry skin 15 to 20 minutes before going outdoors. And remember, you can still burn on an overcast day; 80% of the sun’s rays filter through the clouds.