Based on: my trips from 2017 to May 2026 · Last checked: October 2026
Most packing lists are copied from each other. This one is built from my own trips, so every item has a reason: a torch for Beyal Camp, ORS for the Tato trek, cash because there are no ATMs in Shogran. I have kept it short, because you do not need much for the north, only the right few things.
Summer: Hunza and Fairy Meadows
- Polo shirts
- 2 or 3 sweatshirts
- A jacket. For Fairy Meadows I take a padded jacket
- A pair of shoes. If you will hike from Tato to Fairy Meadows, take a second pair as well
October to May: Shogran and Naran
- A jacket. Always. Even if it rains during the day, the weather changes at night and the jacket keeps you warm.
- Sweatshirts for the evenings
- Shoes
- Cash. There are no ATMs or banks in Shogran. Most places accept bank transfers now, but cash is safer.
Snow season
- Gloves. Only if you are visiting in a snowy month or on a snowy day.
- A muffler or a wool scarf. This is a must.
- A wool cap, in case it snows or rains outside.
- A jacket and shoes
Medicines and health
- A medicine for headache, such as paracetamol. The change in air pressure at Khunjerab Pass can give you a headache.
- A medicine for constipation. I carry it for the days away from home.
- ORS or an electrolyte drink. Keep it with you on the Tato trek, which takes about 4 hours and is tiring.
These are basic things, but you must have them with you. Avoid smoking at high altitude, because the oxygen level is low and you may feel shortness of breath. If you have asthma, do not go to Khunjerab Pass. I am not a doctor, so talk to yours if you have any medical condition.
Why each item is on the list
| Item | Why I carry it | Where I learned it |
|---|---|---|
| Jacket | The nights are cold, and the weather changes at night even if it rained during the day | Shogran and Naran |
| A second pair of shoes | If your shoes tear or the sole breaks, you can change them easily | The hike from Tato to Fairy Meadows |
| Torch and water bottle | In case it gets dark before you are back, and for drinking water on the way | Beyal Camp |
| ORS | The trek is tiring and you lose energy | Tato to Fairy Meadows |
| Paracetamol | A headache from the change in air pressure | Khunjerab Pass |
| Cash | There are no ATMs or banks, and the Wi-Fi and 4G can be slow | Shogran |
| Wool cap, scarf and gloves | For snow and rain | Snow season |
For the Fairy Meadows trek: let a mule carry your bag
Rent a mule to carry your luggage bag from Tato to Fairy Meadows. They charge by the kilogram, so ask them for the total amount before you start. A horse or a mule for a person costs PKR 3,500 to 4,000 today, depending on how you bargain.
The full plan for that trek is in my Fairy Meadows guide.
What I have never needed
I cannot think of anything I carried and never used, or anything important that I forgot. That is because the list is short. In the north the basics matter more than the extras.
Quick answers
- What is the one thing I must pack? A jacket.
- Do I need gloves? Only in a snowy month or on a snowy day.
- Should I carry cash? Yes. There are no ATMs or banks in Shogran.
- How do I carry my bag to Fairy Meadows? Rent a mule at Tato. They charge by the kilogram.
Related: Best time to visit, month by month · How to reach Fairy Meadows · Shogran travel guide
This list is based on my own trips. Conditions change, so please check before you travel and read my disclaimer. If you have a tip I missed, tell me on the contact page.