A packing list for trekking in Pakistan comes down to boots you have already walked in, a layered clothing system, a warm sleeping bag, sun protection and a small first-aid kit. How much more you need depends on the trek. A two-day hike to a lake needs a daypack and a rain jacket, while a walk to Concordia on the Baltoro glacier needs proper mountain kit and a sleeping bag rated well below freezing.
This is a gear checklist. For where to walk, see our guide to the best treks in Pakistan; for the general trip list, see our complete Pakistan packing list.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Sleeping bag | Short treks: 3-season bag. Baltoro and other high camps: down, rated about -10 C comfort or colder |
| Porter load | Porters' associations at Askole and Hushe cap loads at 25 kg |
| Footwear | Broken-in waterproof boots with ankle support |
| Glacier treks | Gaiters, poles and micro-spikes or crampons |
| Bags | Soft duffel for porters, and your own daypack |
Choose kit by type of trek
| Trek type | Examples | Kit level |
|---|---|---|
| Short day or overnight hikes | Lake and meadow hikes near roads | Daypack, rain jacket, boots or good shoes, water |
| Multi-day lodge or camping treks | Rakaposhi and Nanga Parbat base camp routes, Fairy Meadows area | The full clothing system below, a 3-season sleeping bag if camping |
| High glacier treks | K2 base camp and Concordia, Gondogoro La | Full mountain kit: warm down bag, gaiters, poles, spikes, sun protection |
Ask your operator for the exact list for your route, because they know the campsites and weather. Our K2 base camp trek packing list covers the biggest trek in detail.
Bags
- A main duffel of about 60 to 80 litres, soft and lockable, for the porters to carry. Keep it under the porters' load limit. In the Karakoram, the porters' associations at Askole and Hushe set the maximum at 25 kg, and that includes a share of group equipment, so your own duffel should be well below it.
- A daypack of 25 to 35 litres for what you need during the day: water, layers, camera, snacks, sun cream and first aid.
- Dry bags or liners to keep the sleeping bag and spare clothing dry. River crossings and rain happen.
Clothing system
Layers work better than a single heavy coat.
- Base layers: two or three merino or synthetic tops, and one pair of long thermal bottoms. Avoid cotton, which stays wet.
- Trekking trousers: two pairs of quick-drying trousers. Shorts are not appropriate on village stretches, and women especially will want to keep to loose long trousers.
- Mid layer: a fleece or light insulated jacket.
- Down jacket: warm enough for camp at high altitude in the evening.
- Waterproof shell: jacket and trousers, breathable and light enough for the daypack.
- Hat, buff and gloves: a sun hat with a brim, a warm hat, and light and warm gloves.
- Socks: three or four pairs of trekking socks and one warm pair for sleeping.
- Camp clothes: a spare set of clean, dry clothes for evenings.
Footwear
Boots matter more than any other item. Choose waterproof, broken-in boots with ankle support and a grippy sole, and walk in them for weeks before you go. New boots and a long walk end in blisters.
Also pack camp shoes or sandals, and gaiters for glacier and scree sections, which keep stones and meltwater out of your boots. Carry blister plasters, and treat hot spots as soon as you feel them.
Sleeping gear
- Sleeping bag: for camping treks in summer, a three-season bag is enough at moderate altitude. On high glacier camps such as Concordia, the ground is ice and nights are far below freezing even in summer, so operators recommend a down bag rated to about -10 C comfort or colder.
- Sleeping mat: many operators supply foam mats; an inflatable mat adds warmth on ice and rock.
- A silk or fleece liner adds warmth and keeps the bag clean.
- Tents are normally supplied by your trekking company, not brought by you.
Poles and glacier gear
- Trekking poles save your knees on long descents and help on moraine. They can usually be rented in Skardu.
- Micro-spikes or light crampons help on icy sections of glaciers. On the Baltoro the trail is mostly on rubble and stones, but spikes help where you cross ice.
- A helmet and a harness are not needed for standard treks, but are for high passes such as Gondogoro La. Your operator will supply the technical equipment for those.
Sun, water and food
- Sunglasses with side protection (category 3 or 4 on snow and glacier) and a spare pair.
- High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm. The sun at altitude burns fast, even in cool air.
- Water bottles of two litres in total, and purification tablets or a filter. Your team will boil water in camps, but you need your own on the trail.
- Snacks: nuts, dried fruit, energy bars and electrolytes to add to the meals your cook prepares.
Electronics
- Power bank of 10,000 mAh or more, since charging is limited on the trail. A small solar charger helps on long treks.
- Headlamp with spare batteries.
- Phone with offline maps. Signal drops in the mountains, and there may be none on the trail. A satellite messenger is worth considering on remote routes.
- Camera and memory cards. See our photography rules.
First aid and health
- Personal medicines in original packaging, plus extra.
- Blister plasters, tape, antiseptic, bandages, painkillers, and rehydration salts.
- Stomach treatment and a plan for diarrhoea.
- Altitude: talk to a doctor about altitude medication before you go, and learn the signs of altitude sickness. Our page on altitude sickness explains them.
- Insurance covering trekking to your maximum altitude and helicopter evacuation. Read our note on helicopter rescue for trekkers.
Documents and permits
Bring your passport or CNIC, insurance documents, permits and copies, and cash in small notes for tips, porters and roadside stops. Rules on permits for foreign trekkers vary by area, and treks in restricted areas need paperwork organised through a registered operator, usually weeks ahead. See our guide to trekking permits for foreigners and trekking costs in Pakistan.
What not to bring
- Heavy jeans and cotton clothes
- Too many changes of clothing: two spare tops are enough
- Brand-new, unworn boots
- Non-essential valuables
- Single-use plastic. Pack out everything you pack in.
Is it safe to trek in Pakistan?
Most well-known Karakoram treks are in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is not on the UK government's advise-against list, but the routes to them can be. The UK advises against all travel on the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, and against travel to areas such as Swat, Chitral city and the Kalash valleys, and Balochistan. Check current advice for your route, and remember that a foreign-passport holder travelling against their government's advice can void travel insurance. Trek with a registered operator and a guide, and tell someone your route.
If you need help planning a trek, our trip planning page is the place to start.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear trekking in Pakistan?
Layers: quick-drying base layers, a fleece, a down jacket and a waterproof shell, with long trousers. Modest clothing is also expected in villages.
What sleeping bag do I need for trekking in Pakistan?
For high glacier camps like Concordia, a down bag rated to about -10 C comfort or colder. For lower treks, a three-season bag is usually enough.
How much weight can a porter carry in Pakistan?
The porters' associations at Askole and Hushe set the limit at 25 kg, which includes a share of group gear, so keep your own duffel well under that.
Do I need crampons on the Baltoro glacier?
Not usually, since the trail is mostly on rubble. Micro-spikes help on icy sections, and technical gear is needed for high passes such as Gondogoro La.
Can I rent trekking gear in Pakistan?
Some items such as poles can be rented in Skardu. Bring your own boots, sleeping bag and clothing so that they fit and suit you.
What should be in a trekking first-aid kit?
Blister plasters, tape, antiseptic, bandages, painkillers, rehydration salts, stomach treatment and your own medicines, plus altitude medication if your doctor advises it.
