Bhutan Travel Packing List: All you need for your Bhutan adventure!

Having visited Bhutan three times already, each journey has been a beautiful adventure and each preparation filled with the question: What should I pack to visit Bhutan? With each trip, I've made notes of what I should bring next time to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience. Now, I'm excited to share with you the most important things to pack for your journey to the Kingdom of Bhutan.

In Bhutan, where there are no sprawling shopping malls to rely on, being prepared with the right essentials is crucial. Whether you're exploring Dzongs, going on medium hikes, or simply immersing yourself in the culture, this travel packing list should cover the basics for a comfortable trip.

PS: Don't forget to sign up to travel with me to Bhutan in April! Only few spots left for the adventure of your lifetime!

And: Don’t forget to follow on Instagram for updates! @just_mycameraandeye

Essentials

Clothing

• Layers for the varying temperatures. As you can see, I wore almost everyday my North Face Fleece and the windbreaker. Temperatures can vary between 30 degrees and 8 degrees during one hike. The temperatures and seasons are quite similar to the Alps, summers are warm and winters are mild and cold. In general, I would always cover the skin to protect it from the sun and the backpack.

• For a hike (or the trip to Laya) I always brought:

  • Fleece

  • Bodywarmer

  • Windbreaker

  • Hiking socks (made of Merino)

  • Scarf (even in summer, nights are cold)

  • Light Hat like this for spring/autumn, and a cap for summer

  • Gloves (if you go higher than 4000m)

  • Ski underwear (because its breathable and keeps the joints warm, been using Odlo for every trip and it's one of the most important items)

  • Rain jacket (light)

  • Polarizing sunglasses
    

In case you wondered, NO I am not sponsored by The North Face - YES, I am North Face addicted

• I always wore sport clothes for the hike and good hiking pants - WITH POCKETS! Because there was always something I had to store in them from sunglasses to snacks to camera lid. Important is, to choose pants that resist the spiky branches and sitting on cold stone while resting
  

• Let's talk shoes:

  • I am in love with my Arcteryx hiking boots because they are very comfortable and easy to clean, light in weight and also look quite cool haha. Most important is, that you walked in your hiking shoes before and that they have a good grip, are waterproof and have ankle protection. The shoes will get very dirty and they need to be light to not put extra weight on your feet.

  • For walking through a town or around the hotel I brought normal sneakers

  • Sandals for using the bathroom when sleeping in a homestay
    

Documents

• Passport & Bhutan Visa (keep the Visa with you when you travel inside the country)

• You need an international travel insurance to enter the country

• Print everything! Your visa, flight info, hotel reservation (I've seen people getting denied boarding because the Visa was not printed)

Personal Items

• Bring a notebook and make notes of the things you learn, note down recipes, healing plants or prayers - because no, you will not memorize it haha

• Sunscreen. It is SO important, I burnt my lips after the first hike (on a cloudy day). So bring one for body and a special one for the face.

• Insect repellent (there are many insects in Bhutan, which is a good sign, but you don't want to get bitten by an unknown insect)

• Bring first aid items. People usually do not have First Aid Kits in their homes and during hikes, help can be very far away. Also, the hospitals are not as equipped as you might be used to. I once got a stomach flu and could only get treated with lcoal herbs, which unfortunately did not stop me from loosing weight.
  

  • Therefore bring band aids, cold and flu medicine (but check first if it is allowed in the country), asthma spray (if needed), stomach medicine, magnesium, vitamin supplements, mask for the flight (I had quite some coughing people around me), hand sanitizer, thermometer

  • For girls: tampons (did not figure out yet if and where they can be bought in Bhutan), bring paper on hikes - there are probably no public toilets ( and if - be prepared for a simple hole in the ground), make-up remover, UV-Protect Spray for hair

• Personal tip: Sweets! I forgot them on my 3rd trip and I really did regret it
  

  • Protein bars: Hikes can be intense and unpredictable, you will need to recharge in between. And in general, the altitude will make your body work harder so always good to carry a nut bar. I almost collapsed twice because I (unexpectedly) lacked sugar.

  • Sweets from home: People will offer you their food and hospitality, it is nice to carry something from your home with you to offer in return.

Gear and Gadgets

• Camera (of yourse - duh)

  • Landscape and portrait lens

  • Extra Battery

  • Tripod ( I did use mine only once in all honesty haha)

• A hard drive to double save your photos (best if you can attach it to your phone as well, because the internet is mostly not fast enough to upload everything in the cloud so your phone fills up quickly. I use these)

• Portable charger/ Power bank for ... everything (I needed mine all the time)

• Universal adapter (If you are European you do not need one)

• A small backpack for short hikes and day-trips

• Order an E-SIM already via Airalo or similar. You will always we witrh your guide but still - you do not want to get lost in the Himalayas without connection. And surprisingly, you will have internet almost everywhere in the country.

• An oxygen saturation oximeter for the geeks. It helped me to understand when to make breaks and.. it's just cool

• Smart watch to measure altitude and to navigate

• Binoculars (if you want to spot some wildlife - maybe a snow leopard or red panda?)

• I always appreciated hiking sticks when I had them

Cultural Considerations

• Bring respectful clothing for visiting Dzongs (long pants, modest tops)

• Another reason for the scarf, you can use it to e.g. cover your shoulders

• You'll need to remove your shoes before entering a temple, take that into consideration when packing shoes (easy to slip in)

• Make sure to gain basic knowledge on Bhutanese customs and culture before traveling to Bhutan. read about their religion, how it is part of the daily life, what is considered polite/impolite

Divers items

• Reusable water bottle

• Cash! ATMs are not a thing. Maybe there is one at the airport but I always asked the hotel to change money for me.

• Lip care (I always have annoyingly dry lips in the mountains)

• Travel wash detergent (if you want to wash your sport clothes, socks or hat)

• Wet wipes & sanitizing wipes

• Small flashlight (in case there is a blackout or a hike takes longer than expected - and that happens easily)

• Small umbrella
  

• If you plan on visiting homestays: A pillow cover or this (love it), merino sleep wear, wool hat (saved me during a cold night in Laya but yeah, don't loose your hat while hiking otherwise you have to wear a towel around your head while sleeping in the cold homestay haha), your own towel, sleeping bag or this , Flip-Flops and hairbrush, strong Deo, plastic bag to store food away form the animals etc.

• A good, inspiring book

• Neck pillow for long car rides (PS: And bring nuts for the monkeys)

• 
  

Conclusion

As I reflect on my three journeys to the Kingdom of Bhutan, each one has left me in awe of its beauty and cultural richness of this special place on earth. With each trip, I've fine-tuned my packing list, learning from both my successes and mishaps along the way. Now, I'm excited to share my insights with you to ensure your own Bhutanese adventure is nothing short of magical.

Bhutan is a land where time seems to stand still, and modern amenities are a rarity. That's why packing the right essentials is essential for a smooth and enjoyable trip.

From the practicalities of clothing and documents to the little comforts that make all the difference, this packing list covers it all. And while I've outlined the essentials, don't forget to add your personal touches to make your trip yours.

So, as you set off to discover the wonders of Bhutan, may you find yourself immersed in the magic of this Himalayan kingdom, creating memories to last a lifetime. Safe travels and don't forget to leave a comment or <3!