Gear & Packing
We'll be trekking five of the 12 days we are together in Bhutan, beginning on Day 6. This is a fully supported trek led by experienced Bhutanese guides, each highly qualified in all necessary skills to safely guide us through the mountains. Additional support staff will include porters to help carry our group gear, and camp cooks who prepare all meals. We’ll sleep in expedition-quality tents provided for us, and hike anywhere from 4 to 8 miles a day (11 miles on Day 10, which is our longest day).
Each guest is expected to carry their own internal frame daypack (40 to 45 liters in volume) with personal gear, extra clothes, snacks, camera, etc. A separate duffle bag should include all items that you are not carrying in your daypack (i.e., sleeping bag, toiletries). Your packed duffle bag will be carried by pack animals (ponies or yak) and must not weigh more than 33 pounds (15kg). Please weigh your duffle bag before leaving home, to ensure it is within the weight limit.
The weather in the Himalayas can be extremely variable, which is part of the fun! It’s not uncommon to have blue skies, rain and wind all in the same day. We strongly recommend that participants have a good level of fitness and are well prepared with some experience with backpacking and/or hiking on moderate trails.
Our packing and gear list is based on typical seasonal and environmental conditions we are likely to encounter. Note that Modern Adventure provides most group gear, including: expedition-quality tents, group-size tarp shelters, all cooking equipment, utensils, toilet supplies, and water-purification equipment.
See below for items that you should bring, along with unbiased "Guide's Choice" recommendations from our local guides. We are always happy to discuss equipment needs with you, so please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Trekking Gear
On the Trek
Internal frame daypack: 40 to 45 liters in volume/size
Waterproof pack cover
1-liter water bottle. Note: Hydration bladders are acceptable in addition to one wide-mouth, hard-sided water bottle
1 pair of water-resistant gloves
Trekking poles (collapsible)
For Around Camp
Sleeping bag: rated to at least 30F degrees
1 waterproof compression stuff sack large enough to fit your sleeping back. Guides Choice: Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack
Sleeping Pad: closed-cell foam pad or inflatable air mattress
Headlamp
Optional: Camp chair. Guide’s Choice: Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Original Chair
Optional: Insulated mug. Tip: Consider saving space and weight by using your wide mouth water bottle for both hot and cold drinks
Clothing: Trekking Layers
Footwear
Hiking boots: Quality medium/heavy-duty hiking boots that you break in before you arrive, as traveling with blisters is a painful way to enjoy Bhutan. Guide’s Choice: Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX for men or for women
4 pairs synthetic/wool mid-weight hiking socks
Outerwear
Waterproof/breathable rain jacket. Guide’s Choice: Outdoor Research Foray jacket for men or Aspire jacket for women
Lightweight wind breaker. Guide’s Choice: Patagonia Houdini Jacket for men or for women
Headwear
1 warm beanie hat synthetic/wool
1 billed hat
Hiking Layers
1 mid-weight long sleeve synthetic top. Daily use base layer shirt that you’ll wear all day. Guide’s Choice: Patagonia Capilene lightweight crew for men or for women
1 mid-weight synthetic bottom. To put under your hiking pant on a cold/wet day. Guide’s Choice: Patagonia Capilene lightweight bottoms for men or for women
1 pair trekking pants. Daily use pant that you’ll wear all day
1 pair lightweight synthetic shorts (convertible hiking pants/shorts OK)
1 -2 lightweight synthetic T-shirts
Clothing: Camp Layers
Camp Layers
Down jacket: rated to at least 30F
Synthetic underwear: 3 to 4 pairs should suffice
1 synthetic or fleece heavyweight top
1 synthetic or fleece heavyweight bottoms
Optional: 1 synthetic or down lightweight puffy jacket. Guide’s Choice: Outdoor Research Deviator Hoodie for men or for women
Optional: 1 pair of fleece or wool gloves. Keep these gloves dry and only use them around camp
Footwear
Lightweight crocs or sport sandals, for around camp and crossing streams and rivers
Sleep socks. Heavy, warm pair of socks to put on at night
Water Purification
Our camp cooks will boil water as needed for all of our meals and drinks.
On the trail, you are required to purify your own water. Bring water-purification tablets or your own water-purification pump and filter. There are plenty of water sources along the way and at stops.
Personal Items
Sunglasses with case
Toiletries & personal medications, including biodegradable soaps
Personal first aid kit: this should include moleskin, Band-Aids, aspirin or Motrin, diarrhea treatment, etc.
Sun screen (SPF 30 or higher)
Lip protection (SPF 15 or higher)
Pack towel
Book/reading materials
Camera
Journal and pen
Binoculars
Insect repellent
Bandana
Extra batteries for camera, headlamp
Small personal dry bag : To protect your camera and electronics
Personal snacks (energy bars, powdered drink mixes, etc.)