Europe Trekking Packing List
Packing Advice
- This packing list is just a recommended guideline for your reference. Everything is optional for you to choose from.
- It’s best to leave all unnecessary valuables and jewelry at home.
- Print a copy of your reservation and place it inside your checked baggage for identification purposes while you are traveling.
- The “Alps” includes the Dolomites, Tour du Mont Blanc, and the Summer Haute Route. People hiking the Camino do not need items marked with “(Alps)”.
- The transferred luggage for the Alps is limited to 1 bag at 15kg/33lbs. If you are staying at a rifugio/mountain hut, luggage is only transferred to the next town, not to the hut. For the Haute Route, the duffel needs to be without wheels.
- The transferred luggage for the Camino is limited to 1 bag at 20kg/44lbs.
- Reducing Plastic on Your Trip >>
- More packing advice >>
- AWR Gear Store >>
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Printable PDF Hut to Hut Trek Packing List >> |
Clothing
Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, and quick-drying, preferably moisture-wicking and non-cotton.
- Long hiking pants (zip-off pants are very useful)
- Hiking shorts
- Short-sleeved hiking shirts
- Long-sleeved hiking shirts
- Evening pants and nice shirt for dinner/in-town
- Underwear, sports bra
- Sun hat with brim
- Bandana (for dust, washing, etc.)
- Belt
- Pajamas
- Swimsuit, coverup
Cold Weather Clothing
- Fleece jacket/pullover
- Rain jacket and/or rain poncho
- Waterproof/rain/shell pants
- Light down jacket/second fleece (Alps)
- Lightweight gloves (Alps)
- Lightweight wool/fleece hat (Alps)
- Long underwear (Alps)
Footwear
Your hiking boots will get dirty, wet, and muddy. Extra shoes are nice for relaxing in the evenings.
- Hiking shoes — Sturdy, comfortable with notched rubber sole, preferably waterproof (heavier for the Alps, lighter for the Camino)
- Tennis shoes, sandals, dressy shoes, and/or flip flops
- Comfortable, breathable socks
- Light hiking gaiters
Baggage
Dolomites: For hut-to-hut trips with overnights in rifugios, your pack should be of a bigger capacity (35 to 50 liters), as you will be carrying more equipment and clothing. You can expect to carry from 6 to 12 kilograms (13-26 pounds) in your backpack during the hikes, when you consider rain gear, water, camera, clothing, snacks, and any extras.
- Suitcase/duffel for transport (1 bag at 15kg/33lbs for Alps / 1 bag at 20kg/44lbs for Camino)
- Day pack with rain cover for you to carry (20L for the Camino / 34L for the Dolomites)
- Packing cube, stuff sacks, compression bag for organizing gear and dirty clothing — Reducing Plastic on Your Trip >>
- Clear toiletry bag for airplane
- Money belt/security pouch, document organizer
- Fold up bag/pack
- Make sure all your luggage has your contact information.
Dorms in Huts (Alps)
- Sleeping sheet
- Small towel
Electronics
Store electronics in dry bags. Remember to set the date and time on your cameras to local time.
- Headlamp/flashlight, extra batteries
- Cell phone, power cord, battery backup, headphones (Download Travel Apps)
- Camera, lenses, memory disks, batteries, charger/power cord
- GoPro/video camera, memory disks, batteries, charger/power cord
- Kindle/iPad, power cord
- Tripod (travel size)
- Lens cleaning cloth
- Watch/alarm clock
- Electricity converter/adapter, multi-plug
- Check with your cell phone provider for international use, or buy an unlocked cell phone with sim card locally.
Toiletries
- Soap, shampoo, conditioner, gel
- Hairbrush, comb, mirror
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Lotion
- Deodorant
- Shaving supplies
- Nail clippers, nail file
- Kleenex, toilet paper
- Moist towelettes (handi-wipes)
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer
- Q-tips
- Sewing kit
- Small towel/washcloth
- Insect repellent
- Feminine products, cosmetics, hair binders
First Aid
You really only need one first aid kit in your travel group, so coordinate with your travel companions.
- Prescription medicines, Antibiotics (talk to doctor)
- Vitamins
- Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen/Aspirin
- Diarrhea medicine (Imodium AD or similar)
- Antihistamines
- Melatonin, Acetazolamide, or other sleep aid
- Throat lozenges
- Bandaids/plasters
- Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment
- Gauze bandages and tape
Documents
- Passport (make sure it is valid 6 months after your trip!)
- Visas for all countries as necessary
- Airline tickets, e-tickets (make sure name on ticket matches name on passport)
- Copy of AWR travel itinerary
- Medical insurance card
- Document organizer
- Make copies of passport, visas, drivers license, airline tickets/schedule, travel itinerary, credit cards (front and back), frequent flyer numbers, travel insurance, and emergency contact information.
- Leave a copy with someone at home and store in Cloud. Put copies of your travel itinerary in each checked bag.
Other
- Cash (including some small bills, U.S. dollars must be newer and in good condition)
- Credit cards, ATM card (check for international bank fees)
- Trekking poles (collapsible)
- Sunglasses, straps
- Water bottles, Camelbak
- Steripen/water filter/purification tablets
- Pocketknife
- Notebook, pens
- Books, playing cards, games, crossword puzzles, frisbee, kite
- Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, comfort foods
- Duct tape (can be wrapped around water bottle)
- Carabiners (for attaching things to your day pack or hanging things to dry)
- Guide books, maps, language books
- Binoculars
- Small umbrella
- Gifts for guides and people you meet
- Banner/flag/sentimental item to hold up in an important place
- Eyeglasses/contacts, case, solution
Packing for the flight
- Passport, flight e-tickets, AWR travel itinerary
- Cell phone, headphones, charger
- Books, magazines, Kindle/iPad, cards, games
- U-shaped neck pillow
- Eye shades, ear plugs
- Toiletries (3 ounces/container, 1 quart clear bag)
- Snacks
- Water bottle (empty through security)
- Kleenex, wet wipes
- Melatonin or other sleep aid
- Prescription medicines / Daily vitamins
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Printable PDF Hut to Hut Trek Packing List >> |