Bhutan Packing List: What to Carry for Every Season and Trek

Complete Bhutan packing list — clothing layers, trekking gear, altitude medication, important documents, and what NOT to bring to Bhutan.

Documents & Identity

Valid Indian Passport (or Voter ID for Indians) — 6+ months validity. Bhutan Entry Permit (issued at border/airport — keep safely). SDF payment certificate (digital — download before travel). Glen View Travels tour confirmation voucher. Travel insurance policy document. Emergency contact card.

Clothing for Valley Touring (Paro, Thimphu, Punakha)

3–4 full-sleeve shirts or light sweaters. 2 pairs of comfortable trekking/walking trousers. Warm fleece jacket or down gilet. Light rain jacket (year-round). Comfortable walking shoes or light trekking shoes. 1 smart outfit for monastery visits (full-sleeved, below-knee trousers/skirt mandatory). Sunglasses (UV protection mandatory above 3,000 m).

Clothing for High-Altitude & Treks

Thermal base layer (top and bottom). Insulating mid-layer (heavy fleece or down jacket). Waterproof hardshell outer layer. Trekking boots (already well broken-in). Warm hat and gloves. UV-protection sunglasses. Gaiters (if trekking in snow or wet conditions). Quick-dry inner socks + wool outer socks.

Health & Altitude Medications

Diamox (Acetazolamide) for altitude sickness — consult your doctor before departure. Ibuprofen or Paracetamol for headaches. Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) sachets. Personal prescription medications (30-day supply). Hand sanitiser (small bottle). Lip balm with SPF (altitude UV is intense). High-SPF sunscreen (SPF 50+).

Electronics & Photography

Camera body + lenses (wide-angle and telephoto recommended). Extra batteries (cold weather drains batteries fast). Universal power adapter (Bhutan uses Indian-style 3-pin and 2-pin sockets). Portable power bank (10,000–20,000 mAh). Memory cards (high capacity). Binoculars (useful for crane watching, wildlife, and monastery architecture).

What NOT to Bring

Plastic bags (banned in Bhutan). Tobacco products (limited and taxed heavily). Drones (illegal without special Tourism Council permit). More than 200 cigarettes or 2 litres of spirits (customs limit). Any religious images or printed materials considered offensive to Buddhism. Revealing clothing — Bhutan is a conservative Buddhist society.