What to Pack

Layers are the secret to Bhutan: warm days, cool evenings and chilly passes, sometimes in a single afternoon.

Everyone

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip — temple steps are steep and can be slippery
Layers: T-shirts, a long-sleeved top, a fleece or light down jacket
Long trousers or long skirts and long-sleeved shirts for dzongs and temples
A light waterproof jacket
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen — the mountain sun is strong
A small daypack for water, camera and layers
A reusable water bottle
Personal medicines, with prescriptions, and a small first-aid kit
A universal power adapter and a power bank

By season

Season	Add to your bag
Spring (Mar–May)	A warm layer for evenings; allergy tablets if pollen affects you
Summer (Jun–Aug)	A good rain jacket, quick-dry clothing, an umbrella, insect repellent
Autumn (Sep–Nov)	A warm jacket for mornings and passes
Winter (Dec–Feb)	Thermals, a down jacket, hat, gloves and warm socks — hotels are heated but evenings are cold

For treks

Broken-in waterproof trekking boots
A four-season sleeping bag (we can help you hire one)
Trekking poles for the long descents
Thermal base layers, a warm hat and gloves
A headtorch with spare batteries
Water purification tablets or a filter bottle as a back-up
Blister plasters and your personal medicines

Tents, sleeping mats, cooking and dining equipment are provided by the camp crew, and pack animals carry the loads. On the trail you carry only a daypack.

Leave at home

Drones need special permission and are best left behind. Bhutan has banned plastic bags, so pack in fabric or reusable bags. And there is no need for formal wear — a clean, smart outfit is enough for any dinner.

Photography

A small zoom covers most needs, from temple details to mountain views; a wider lens is good for dzong courtyards. Bring spare batteries and memory cards, as long drive days leave little time to charge. Remember that photography is not allowed inside most shrine rooms, and always ask before photographing people.

Small things that make a difference

A scarf or shawl for cool evenings and temple visits
Earplugs, for village dogs and early monastery horns
Hand sanitiser and a small pack of tissues
Motion-sickness tablets for mountain roads
A notebook — many guests keep a journal of the stories their guide tells

Clothes for temples and festivals

Pack at least one outfit that covers shoulders and knees comfortably for dzong and temple days: a long-sleeved shirt or blouse and long trousers or a long skirt are ideal. Collared shirts are appreciated at formal sites. Shoes that slip on and off easily save time at shrine-room doors, and warm socks help on cold wooden floors in winter.

If you plan to buy a gho or kira, leave a little space in your bag — they are heavier than they look, especially the handwoven ones.

Travel info

All nine guides

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