The best packing lists for High-altitude tour
Packing list: High-altitude tour
For High-altitude tour: Clothing0/5
-
Sturdy boots with ankle support and a good tread for mountain trails. Break them in before the trip.
-
A warm middle layer that dries quickly and still warms when damp.
-
Quick-drying shirts that wick sweat away and keep you warm when you stop.
-
A warm base layer under ski or hiking trousers.
-
Padded, quick-drying socks prevent blisters on long walks. Avoid cotton.
For High-altitude tour: Electronics0/1
-
A GPS device finds your way and marks positions where the phone has no signal.
For High-altitude tour: Travel accessories0/1
-
Refillable bottles for water on the go. Bring enough for everyone on longer tours.
For High-altitude tour: Equipment0/19
-
A climbing harness is often used around the waist to secure the descender. A comfortable climbing harness is important for descents that may take many hours.[Wikipedia]
-
A descender or rappel device is a friction device or friction hitch that allows rope to be payed out in a controlled fashion, under load, with a minimal effort by the person controlling it. The speed at which the abseiler descends is controlled by applying greater or lesser force on the rope below the device or altering the angle at which the rope exits the device. Descenders can be task-designed or improvised from other equipment. Mechanical descenders include braking bars, the figure eight, the abseil rack, the "bobbin" (and its self-locking variant the "stop"), the gold tail, and the "sky genie" used by some window-washers and wildfire firefighters. Some improvised descenders include the Munter hitch, a carabiner wrap, the basic crossed-carabiner brake and the piton bar brake (sometimes called the carabiner and piton). There is an older, more uncomfortable, method of wrapping the rope around one's body for friction instead of using a descender, as in the Dulfersitz or Geneva methods used by climbers in the 1960s. [Wikipedia]
-
Keeps your hands free in the tent, on the trail and at the campsite. Take spare batteries.
-
Helmets may be worn to protect the head from bumps and falling rocks. A light source may be mounted on the helmet in order to keep the hands free in unlit areas. [Wikipedia]
-
Ropes: Climbers often simply use their climbing ropes for abseiling. For many other applications, low-stretch rope (typically ~2% stretch when under the load of a typical bodyweight) called static rope is used to reduce bouncing and to allow easier ascending of the rope. [Wikipedia]
-
Shows your altitude and helps with navigation and weather changes in the mountains.
-
A robust backpack for rope and climbing gear.
-
A compass helps you find your way when the phone has no signal or battery. Learn how to use it first.
-
A sling over the shoulder to carry your climbing gear sorted.
-
For glaciers and steep snow. Only take it if you know how to use it.
-
A paper map of the area works without battery or signal.
-
Snapgate carabiners for gear and slings. For belaying you need locking ones.
-
A prusik, Klemheist knot, or autoblock knot may be used as safety back-up, commonly referred to as an 'autoblock,' and is used as a back-up in the case of the abseiler losing control of the abseil. One of these friction hitches is wrapped around the rope below the rappel device, using a short loop of smaller diameter cord or webbing, often called a 'prusik loop'. The prusik loop is then attached to the belay loop or leg loop of the harness. [Wikipedia]
-
A small mirror for signalling rescuers in an emergency.
-
Many mountain huts require one for hygiene. Light and small to pack.
-
A small, light backpack for the summit day while the rest stays at camp.
-
A light tarp or bivy sack as shelter for nights outside without a tent.
-
Take strain off your knees on descents and give you balance on rough trails.
-
A whistle carries further than your voice if you need help.
For High-altitude tour: Food & drink0/1
-
Nuts, bars or dried fruit for quick energy on the way.
Documents0/7
-
Your health insurance card, which in the EU usually includes the EHIC on the back. Outside the EU you also need travel health insurance.
-
EU citizens can use their ID card within Schengen; everyone else, and anyone travelling beyond it, needs a passport. Check it is valid for six months after your return.
-
Required for driving and for renting a car. Check that it is valid and whether you also need an international permit.
-
Phone numbers of family, accommodation, embassy and your bank's card blocking line, also on paper in case your phone fails.
-
Your flight booking or e-ticket. Keep it on your phone and as a printout or screenshot.
-
Travel insurance for cancellation, health abroad or luggage. Keep the policy number and emergency phone number with you.
-
Enough to travel within the Schengen area for EU citizens. Check the expiry date before you leave.
Money0/2
-
Some cash for the first hours, small purchases and places that do not take cards.
-
Take two different cards in case one is blocked or lost, keep them separately and check the expiry dates.
Clothing0/5
-
Shirts or T-shirts for every day. Count roughly one per day, or fewer if you can wash on the way.
-
Comfortable clothes for sleeping, also handy in shared rooms and on night trains.
-
Wool socks are recommended for hiking
-
Long trousers for evenings, cooler weather and places with a dress code. One light and one sturdier pair cover most trips.
-
Underwear for every day plus a spare. Quick-drying fabrics can be washed on the way.
Toiletries0/1
-
Daily dental care. A travel case keeps the brush clean, and a small tube is enough for a week.
Beauty & care0/1
-
Prevents dry or cracked lips in sun, wind and cold. Choose one with sun protection.
Health & first aid0/2
-
Plasters, disinfectant, pain relief, diarrhoea remedy and your personal medicines. In the evening or abroad a pharmacy is not always close.
-
Your regular medicines for the whole trip plus a few days' reserve, in hand luggage, with a prescription or doctor's note if needed.
Electronics0/1
-
Your phone holds tickets, maps and contacts. Do not forget the charger and cable.
Travel accessories0/1
-
Your house keys, and car keys if you leave the car at the station or airport. Leave a spare with someone you trust.
Before departure0/1
-
Tickets Hotel reservations
Depending on the weather0/4
-
Waterproof jacket and trousers for rainy days. Light, packable versions fit in any bag.
-
A warm, insulated jacket for cold evenings, mountains and winter.
-
Protects your skin from sunburn. Choose a high SPF and water resistance for the beach, and reapply after swimming.
-
Protects against bites and the diseases mosquitoes can carry. Choose a repellent that works against tropical mosquitoes.
More ideas (184)
Documents
-
Add
Address list of friends/relatives the send postcards from travel destination
-
Add
Check in online and keep the boarding pass on your phone or printed. Some airlines charge for printing at the airport.
-
Add
For new contacts at meetings and trade fairs.
-
Add
Check room quality at the beginning of the entrance.
-
Add
Every child needs their own ID card or passport. If a child travels with only one parent, take a consent letter from the other.
-
Add
How to get from the airport or station to your accommodation. Download offline maps in case you have no data.
-
Add
Ticket or wristband, printed or on your phone. Without it you will not get in.
-
Add
The full address of your accommodation, for the taxi, the entry form and anyone who needs to reach you.
-
Add
Keys or the access code for your holiday home. Note how check-in works if you arrive late.
-
Add
International Driving Permit Please remember: many countries do not recognize a non-international driver's license.
-
Add
Names of your medicines and doses, ideally in English. Helps doctors abroad and at customs.
-
Add
Photocopies of important documents
-
Add
A day ticket or the local transport app saves time and money in the city.
-
Add
Rent a car with insurance in destination.
-
Add
Your train or bus ticket, on your phone or printed. Saver fares are often tied to a specific train.
-
Add
Proof of your vaccinations. Some countries ask for it at entry, for example for yellow fever.
-
Add
Required at police checks and some borders. Keep it with you, not in the glovebox.
-
Add
Vignettes / toll tickets for international highways.
-
Add
Contact the embassy of the countries, apply several months in advance for visas, if needed.
Money
-
Add
Some local currency for arrival, taxis and tips if your destination does not use the euro.
-
Add
A flat belt under your clothes for cash, cards and passport, safe from pickpockets.
-
Add
Rarely accepted today. Cards and cash are usually the better choice.
-
Add
A slim wallet for the cards and cash you need on the go. Leave the rest safely in the accommodation.
Clothing
-
Add
Only if your trousers need one. One belt usually goes with everything.
-
Add
A blazer for business meetings, smart dinners or evenings on a cruise.
-
Add
Light blouses for warm days and evenings out.
-
Add
Comfortable bras for every day, plus a sports or quick-drying one for swimming and activities.
-
Add
A cap shades your eyes from the sun. Your neck needs extra protection.
-
Add
Smart shoes for business meetings or formal evenings. Wear them in beforehand.
-
Add
A dress for warm days or evenings out. Crease-resistant fabrics travel best.
-
Add
Many cruises have gala evenings with a dress code. Check what your ship expects.
-
Add
Keep your hands warm in cold weather. Touchscreen-friendly gloves let you use your phone.
-
Add
A hat against sun or rain, depending on your destination.
-
Add
Keep your ears warm in wind and cold, and are lighter than a hat.
-
Add
A jacket suited to the weather at your destination: light for spring, warm and windproof for winter.
-
Add
Hard-wearing trousers for cooler days and evenings. They are heavy and slow to dry, so one pair is usually enough.
-
Add
Take only what you wear and leave valuable pieces at home.
-
Add
A warm layer for cool evenings, air-conditioned rooms and flights.
-
Add
Leggings are comfortable and take little space; tights go with skirts and dresses on cooler days.
-
Add
Long-sleeved dress shirts for meetings and formal occasions. Fold them with tissue paper to avoid creases.
-
Add
Long sleeves protect from sun and mosquitoes and keep you warm in the evening.
-
Add
Protect your neck and face from cold wind. A neck gaiter can also be worn as a hat.
-
Add
Light and quick to put on, keeps you and your bag dry at open-air events.
-
Add
A light bathrobe for spa hotels, pools and cool mornings. Many hotels provide one.
-
Add
For the beach, pool and warm evenings. They also protect your feet in shared showers.
-
Add
Comfortable shoes for every day, for town and short walks. Wear new ones in before the trip.
-
Add
Light and quick to pack for warm days. Check the dress code for churches and restaurants.
-
Add
Light and comfortable in the heat. A longer skirt is also suitable for churches and temples.
-
Add
Warm, light shoes for indoors. Useful in holiday flats with cold tiled floors.
-
Add
For business meetings or formal evenings on a cruise. A garment bag keeps it from creasing.
-
Add
Shade your face and neck in the sun. A brim all round protects better than a cap.
-
Add
Keeps you warm under ski or hiking clothes. Merino or synthetic fabrics dry faster than cotton.
-
Add
A tie or two for business meetings and formal dinners.
-
Add
Light tops for warm days that can be combined with everything.
-
Add
Comfortable shoes for sightseeing, sport and long walking days.
-
Add
A thin base layer that keeps you warm under shirts or absorbs sweat in the heat.
-
Add
A simple watch helps with timings when your phone is packed away.
-
Add
A warm hat for cold days: much of your body heat escapes through your head.
Toiletries
-
Add
Cools and soothes your skin after a day in the sun.
-
Add
Cleans your hands when there is no water, for example before eating on the go.
-
Add
Keeps your beard in shape. Pack the charger or spare batteries.
-
Add
A resealable clear bag of up to one litre for liquids in hand luggage, each container usually 100 ml at most.
-
Add
Small, handy for make-up, ear care and small wounds.
-
Add
Dental floss for daily care. It is small and light.
-
Add
Easy to buy almost anywhere. Take a small size or a solid stick if you only travel with hand luggage.
-
Add
Your electric toothbrush with charger or spare batteries. A travel case protects the head.
-
Add
Pads, tampons or a menstrual cup. Your usual products are not available everywhere.
-
Add
A small bottle of mouthwash for fresh breath. Check the liquid rules for hand luggage.
-
Add
Hotels often provide some, but bring your own if you need a particular kind. Fill a small travel bottle.
-
Add
Razor, blades and shaving foam or gel in travel sizes.
-
Add
Keeps your hair dry in the shower. Many hotels provide one.
-
Add
A bar of soap or a small shower gel. Solid soap does not count as a liquid in hand luggage.
-
Add
Small everyday supplies you might run out of on the way, such as plasters, tissues or detergent.
-
Add
For colds, spills and public toilets. A few packs are enough.
-
Add
Liquids in hand luggage only up to 100 ml each. Small bottles save space.
-
Add
A wash bag keeps toiletries together. One with a hook can hang in small bathrooms.
-
Add
A washcloth for showering. Many hotels abroad do not provide them.
-
Add
For sticky hands, quick clean-ups and nappy changes. Biodegradable ones are better for the environment.
Beauty & care
-
Add
Only if it is part of your routine. A small travel size saves space and weight.
-
Add
Keeps your skin soft after sun, sea and air conditioning. A small bottle is enough.
-
Add
A brush or comb for your hair, ideally foldable.
-
Add
For removing make-up and applying toner.
-
Add
For curls on the go. Let it cool down before you pack it.
-
Add
Your usual face cleanser in a travel size.
-
Add
For a tan without sun. Apply it a day or two before you leave and test it beforehand.
-
Add
Clips, slides and bands for your hairstyle.
-
Add
Your styling products in travel sizes. Check the liquid rules for hand luggage.
-
Add
For straight hair on the go. Check the voltage; a travel model works with several.
-
Add
Keeps long hair out of your face when swimming, hiking or in the heat. Pack a few spares.
-
Add
Many hotels have one, so check first. Check the voltage if you travel outside Europe.
-
Add
For dry hands in cold weather, on flights and after a lot of washing.
-
Add
A small bag keeps make-up together and protects your other things from stains.
-
Add
Your everyday make-up and brushes. A few multi-use products save space; liquids go into the clear bag for hand luggage.
-
Add
Make-up remover or wipes for the evening.
-
Add
A small mirror for shaving, make-up or contact lenses.
-
Add
Sun, wind and air conditioning dry out the skin. A small tube is enough.
-
Add
Clippers, file and scissors for nails on longer trips.
-
Add
For touch-ups on longer trips. Remover pads are easier to pack than a bottle.
-
Add
A small bottle of perfume. (Max 100ml if you fly)
-
Add
For splinters, ticks and eyebrows. Useful in any first aid kit.
Health & first aid
-
Add
Plasters in different sizes for small cuts and blisters.
-
Add
A first aid kit for the car is compulsory in Germany, Austria and other countries. Check the expiry date.
-
Add
Enough lenses and solution for the whole trip, plus your glasses as a backup.
-
Add
Your usual contraception for the whole trip. Time zones can affect when you take the pill.
-
Add
Unfamiliar food and water upset many stomachs, especially in warm countries. Add oral rehydration salts.
-
Add
Your hearing aid with spare batteries or charger, and a small case for the night.
-
Add
For headaches, fever or toothache. For children, pack doses suited to their age.
-
Add
If you need them for reading: take a spare pair, they are cheap and small.
-
Add
Spare glasses or your old pair in case the main ones break or get lost.
-
Add
Help prevent swollen legs and thrombosis on long flights and drives.
-
Add
Helps against nausea on winding roads, boats and in planes. Some make you drowsy.
-
Add
Only if you take them regularly. Pack them in a small daily box.
Electronics
-
Add
Charging cables for all your devices. A short multi-plug cable saves space.
-
Add
For filming your trip. Most phones can do this today, so only take it if you need better quality.
-
Add
Charges your phone while driving, so the navigation does not run out of battery.
-
Add
For better photos than with the phone. Pack the charger and a spare battery.
-
Add
Helps with menus, signs and simple conversations. A translation app with offline languages does the same.
-
Add
Spare batteries for torch, camera or other devices that do not charge via USB.
-
Add
Film for analogue cameras. Ask for a hand check at airport security to protect it from X-rays.
-
Add
For music, films and calls on the way. Noise-cancelling headphones help on long flights.
-
Add
Spare memory cards for camera or drone, so you do not have to delete photos on the go.
-
Add
For copies of tickets and documents, or to print at a hotel or copy shop.
-
Add
Music without draining your phone battery. Load your playlists before you leave.
-
Add
Only if you need it for work or longer trips. Back up your data and keep it in your hand luggage.
-
Add
A local SIM or eSIM is usually cheaper than roaming outside the EU.
-
Add
Keeps the navigation in view. Holding the phone while driving is forbidden.
-
Add
Charge several devices from one socket. Hotel rooms often have few.
-
Add
Keeps your phone charged on long days out. Power banks belong in hand luggage, not in checked bags.
-
Add
A small radio for news and music where there is no mobile network.
-
Add
For group photos and wide views. Some museums and sights do not allow them.
-
Add
Shows the time, messages and steps. Do not forget the charger.
-
Add
Lets you plug your chargers into foreign sockets. Check the plug type of your destination before you go.
-
Add
Wakes you for early flights, even when your phone battery is empty.
-
Add
A small tripod for sharp photos at night, group shots and time-lapses.
Travel accessories
-
Add
A daypack for excursions, beach and city. It can double as hand luggage.
-
Add
A light blanket for cold flights, night trains and cool evenings outside.
-
Add
Block out snoring, traffic noise and engine hum. Take a few pairs.
-
Add
Helps you sleep on night flights and in bright rooms.
-
Add
Small enough for any bag, handy for shopping and souvenirs.
-
Add
A handbag for evenings and city days. A zip closure protects against pickpockets.
-
Add
Keeps worn clothes apart from clean ones in your suitcase.
-
Add
A small lockable box or bag for passport, cash and cards when there is no safe in the room.
-
Add
Pens, notebook and business cards for meetings.
-
Add
Sort clothes by type or person and find everything quickly.
-
Add
Locks your luggage or a hostel locker; a cable lock ties your bag to something fixed. US security can open TSA locks without damage.
-
Add
Kitchen roll for cooking, wiping and spills at the campsite or holiday flat.
-
Add
Protect your eyes from glare at the beach, on water and on snow. Look for UV protection.
-
Add
Blade, opener and small tools in one. Pack it in checked luggage: knives are not allowed in hand luggage.
-
Add
For power cuts, dark paths and searching in your bag at night. A head torch keeps your hands free.
-
Add
A Quick-Drying Travel Towel is very important for travellers. Travel towels are smaller than general towels.
-
Add
For business trips or formal events. Many hotels lend irons, so ask first.
-
Add
For tea, coffee or baby food in rooms without a kettle. Check the voltage of your destination.
-
Add
A small pillow for the journey and for hard hotel pillows. Inflatable ones pack flat.
-
Add
For washing clothes in the sink on longer trips, so you can pack less.
-
Add
A collapsible small travel umbrella could be very useful.
Equipment
Books & games
-
Add
Dictionary book or app for your destination.
Food & drink
Before departure
-
Add
Book a parking space at the airport in advance: it is usually cheaper than paying on the day.
-
Add
Get a little local cash for taxis and tips on arrival. Withdrawing at a local ATM is often cheaper than exchanging at home.
-
Add
A quick clean before you leave means you come home to a pleasant flat.
-
Add
Weather Security Health Traffic
-
Add
Note the address/contact details of the nearest embassy or consulate of your country in the destination area.
-
Add
Use up or give away perishable food so nothing goes off while you are away.
-
Add
Take out the rubbish and organic waste before you leave so nothing smells or attracts pests.
-
Add
Get a guidebook about your destination and make a list of places you want to visit . Make sure you know about important local laws, customs and traditions.
-
Add
Give keys to friends or relatives
-
Add
Suspend or forward delivery You can ask a neighbor to collect it for you. Do not forget to setup the auto-responder.
-
Add
Pay bills before traveling to avoid unpleasant surprises.
-
Add
Arrange care for pets that stay at home: a pet sitter, neighbours or a boarding kennel. Book early in the holiday season.
-
Add
Ask someone to water your plants, or use self-watering pots for shorter trips.
-
Add
Charge your phone, power bank, camera and other devices the evening before you leave.
-
Add
Keep valuables in a safe place. Burglars come without warning!
-
Add
Lower the heating while you are away to save energy, but keep it high enough to prevent frost damage in winter.
-
Add
Wasserleitung / Wasser abstellen
-
Add
Unplug idle electronic devices: Power strips, chargers, toaster, microwaves, coffee maker, computer, hair dryer, Entertainment system, cable box, modem...
-
Add
Check which vaccinations are required or recommended for your destination. Some need several weeks or more than one dose.
-
Add
Check whether you need a visa or an electronic travel authorisation, and apply in good time.
-
Add
See your doctor or dentist in good time if you need prescriptions, a check-up or travel advice.
-
Add
Wash your clothes a few days before departure so everything you want to take is clean and dry.
Share this list
Lists from other travellers
Public packing lists, best rated first. Ratings and copies by other travellers decide the order.
There are no public lists here yet.