Main luggage travels on horses, up to 20 kg per person, in a soft duffel rather than a hard case. You walk with a daypack. Bring less than you think, except in the three categories below.
The three things people get wrong: a sleeping bag that is not warm enough, boots that are not broken in, and no sun protection for the lips and the back of the neck. Everything else can be improvised. These cannot.
Footwear
- Trekking boots with ankle support, properly broken in
- Camp shoes or sandals — also useful for river crossings
- Three or four pairs of warm walking socks
- Blister kit you know how to use
- Trekking poles, strongly recommended, especially for the long descent on the last day
Clothing, in layers
- Two sets of base layers, merino or synthetic — not cotton
- Fleece or light down mid layer
- Insulated jacket for camp
- Waterproof and windproof shell, jacket and trousers
- Walking trousers, and something to change into in camp
- Warm hat, sun hat, gloves, buff or scarf
Sleeping and warmth
- Sleeping bag with a comfort rating around −10 °C. In September this is the difference between sleeping and not sleeping.
- Silk or fleece liner, optional but worth it
- Head torch and spare batteries
- Something warm to sleep in that you have not walked in
Daypack
- 20 to 30 litre pack with a rain cover
- 1.5 to 2 litres of water capacity
- Water purification — tablets, filter or SteriPen
- Sunscreen (high factor), SPF lip balm, sunglasses that actually block UV at altitude
- Dry bag for camera, phone and documents
Health and personal
- Your own small first-aid kit: painkillers, blister care, anything you take regularly
- Rehydration salts
- Toilet paper and a lighter, plus sealable bags to carry out what does not burn
- Wet wipes and a small quick-dry towel
- Earplugs — rivers are loud and so are tents in wind
Documents and money
- Passport and visa, plus a photocopy kept separately
- Travel insurance certificate with the emergency number, and a copy for us
- Cash in rupees from Leh — ATMs in Padum are not dependable
What not to bring
A hard suitcase. A drone, unless you have discussed it with us first — they are a problem near monasteries and in villages. More clothes than the list. A hairdryer, which we have genuinely seen.