Ultimate Packing Checklist
Hiking in Kashmir
Click on the images and underlined items for my favourite products! This page is best viewed on desktop.
Clothing
Long-sleeved shirts, to ensure sun protection
Hiking pants and/or leggings, allow flexible movement
Socks, hiking socks for the trek, and warmer socks for camp
Gloves, as mornings and nights are cold
Underwear, briefs/panties, sports bra
Sleepwear of your choice
Swimwear, to take a dip in the cold Kashmiri rivers (but please do not swim in areas with a strong current!)
Warm waterproof/windproof jacket, for when its cold
Poncho (water and windproof), essential for rainy days
Buff and/or headwear, for sun protection
Laundry bags, useful for differentiating dirty from clean clothes - a lifesaver! You can use any bag for this purpose
Travel organisers, to organise your clothes, and other items
Sleep
Sleeping bag, if not provided by your hiking company
Sleeping bag liner, if necessary, for extra warmth and/or hygiene purposes
Pillow, small inflatable pillow
Sleeping mask, if necessary
Long-sleeved Sport tee
Quick Drying Lightweight Pants
Shoes
Hiking boots, with ankle support. Always purchase hiking boots half a size to one size larger than your normal size, or leave 1.5 cm room between your toes and the tip of the shoe
Flip-flops, for camp, preferably ones you can wear with socks
Sneakers or flats, during travel and for the city
Hiking and Camping Gear
Hiking backpack, where you will carry all hiking trail essentials, ideally doesn't exceed 7 kilograms. Make sure it has chest and waist support, and comes with a rain cover.
Duffel bag, where everything you don't need for the hiking trail itself will go, ideally doesn't exceed 15 kilograms (important to check details with your hiking company)
2 Hiking poles, adjustable to height
Tent, typically provided by your hiking company
Inflatable pillow
LArge Duffel bag
Why do your hiking boots need to be larger than your normal size? What makes a good pair?
If you get your normal shoe size, you will most likely be fine hiking uphill or on flat ground. However, hiking downhill, you may find that your toes hit the top of the shoe, causing pain. You may also end up with a black toenail.
Your hiking boots are one of the key elements of your hike. Ensure your boots are high quality, have knee support, comfortable cushioning, and are both waterproof and breathable. Cutting your toenails ahead of the hike is also advisable for maximum comfort.
I purchased my first pair of hiking boots for a university field trip in Australia in 2018. They stayed with me throughout my Bachelor's degree, then travelled with me to Oman, where they continued hiking, before retiring at the end of 2022, after an intense round of Egyptian vulture surveys deep in the mountains!
Take care of your boots by cleaning and waterproofing them regularly, and after every long hiking trip.
Toiletries
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dry shampoo, if necessary
Shower gel, for when you take a dip in the river
Hand soap
Toilet roll
Wet wipes. Please note these are not biodegradable, so please discard them appropriately
Quick-dry microfibre towel, small (face) and large (bath), they make such a difference!
Sun Protection
Sun hat
Sunblock, even for cloudy days
Buff
UV protection gloves, if necessary
Sun glasses
travel DEODORANT
Hair-comb
Spare hair ties
Face wash
Face moisturiser
Lotion
Hand sanitiser
Nail clipper
Insect repellent
Sanitary products
Small waste bags
clay soap bar
Click on the above image to see the different ways you can wear a buff
Spa evening out in nature? Definitely the key to natural beauty.
Theres no reason why you cant pamper yourself on a hiking trip while sipping on some hot chocolate or warm tea while watching the sunset from nature's own backyard.
A refreshing dip in a cold, running stream with a face mask is yet another option!
All three meals are typically organised by hiking companies in such expeditions. As such, items related to meal preparation have not been included here.
Mug
Dishwashing sponge
Dishwashing soap
Health and Food
Personal first aid kit
Diamox, if necessary, find out more here
Other personal medication, suggestions include pain relievers (minor aches, pains and headaches), antihistamines (allergic reactions and insect bites), antidiarrheals (in case you have a sensitive stomach or eat/drink something contaminated), and antiseptics (cleaning and disinfecting minor wounds). Vicks, Deep Heat, throat lozenges, blister patches, compression bandages and knee support bandages are also standard.
Electrolytes, they help maintain hydration and support proper muscle function during a hike, preventing dehydration and cramping)
Energy gels, if necessary, they provide a quick and easily digestible source of carbohydrates, offering a convenient energy boost to sustain endurance during long hikes
Snacks, protein bars, dates, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, biscuits, to keep both your physical and spiritual energy levels high
Personal supplements, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Omega-3, others
Re-usable water bottle(s), to carry a minimum of 2 litres at one time. Collapsible bottles will help you save space and carry less weight by the end of your day's hike
Lunch box and utensils, to pack and have your lunch
The following, if not provided by your hiking company:
hair, skin & nails multivitamins
Collagen peptides
Vitamin d
Electronics
Power-bank, 20,000 mAh capacity or more
Spare power-bank, if you own several devices and/or have high usage
Camera, optional
Tripod, optional
Smart watch, optional
Tent light, optional, though extremely convenient for finding things in your bags and tent after sunset
Spare batteries
Headphone, optional
Travel adaptor, for the city
Chargers, for the city
Charging cables
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