Practical · 7 min read

What to Pack for a Northern Pakistan Tour: The Complete Checklist

By the Naya Safar team · Published 24 August 2026

The golden rule of the north: layers. You can start a day in a warm valley and end it beside a glacier, so pack for both. Here's a complete, no-fluff checklist for a typical spring-to-autumn tour of Hunza, Skardu, Fairy Meadows and beyond.

Clothing

• Warm mid-layer (fleece or light down) — essential even in summer
• Windproof/waterproof jacket (a light shell)
• 2–3 t-shirts and a couple of long-sleeve tops
• Comfortable trousers; one pair you don't mind getting dusty
• Thermal base layer for high passes and camping nights
• Hat/cap for sun, and a beanie for cold evenings
• Modest, respectful clothing for towns and villages

Footwear

• Sturdy walking shoes or light hiking boots with grip
• Sandals or slip-ons for the hotel and long drives
• A few pairs of good socks (bring extra for treks)

Health & toiletries

• High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm — high-altitude sun is intense
• Sunglasses (UV protection)
• Personal medication, plus basics: painkillers, plasters, rehydration salts
• Motion-sickness tablets for the winding mountain roads
• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes

Documents & money

• CNIC (Pakistani travellers) or passport & visa (foreign travellers)
• A few printed copies of your ID for checkpoints/permits
• Cash — ATMs are scarce and unreliable once you're in the valleys

Tech

• Power bank — charging is limited at camps and remote guesthouses
• Universal adapter and charging cables
• Camera; the light in the north is worth it
• Offline maps downloaded — signal drops in the high valleys

Handy extras

• Refillable water bottle
• Small daypack for day hikes and jeep excursions
• Snacks/energy bars for long driving days
• A headlamp or small torch

What you can leave at home

You don't need heavy mountaineering gear for our standard tours — camping equipment is provided where needed. Pack light: one medium bag plus a daypack is plenty, and it makes the jeep sectors and short treks much easier.

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