At Himalayan Unique Travels, every trek is fully supported with quality camping equipment and an experienced crew, so you can focus on the trail rather than the logistics. This page sets out exactly what our team provides on trek, and what you’ll need to pack yourself, so there are no surprises once you’re on the mountain.
1. Group & Camping Equipment We Provide
All group camping equipment is transported by pack horse or yak and set up fresh at each campsite by our trek crew ahead of your arrival.| Item | Details |
| Sleeping Tent | Two-person A-frame tent with waterproof outer fly and breathable inner lining, shared by two trekkers. Four-season mountaineering tents are used on high-altitude routes such as Jomolhari and Laya Gasa. |
| Dining Tent | Group-sized tent fitted with a table and chairs, used for all meals and group briefings. |
| Kitchen Tent | Separate, sheltered cooking area used by our trek cook and kitchen crew, kept apart from the dining tent to keep smoke and food preparation out of the dining space. |
| Toilet Tent | Private tent fitted with a portable, collapsible toilet seat, pitched at every campsite. |
| Sleeping Pad | Foam or rubber mat placed beneath an inflatable sleeping pad for ground insulation. |
| Camp Rug | Wool or synthetic rug laid inside the sleeping tent for extra underfoot warmth. |
| Hot Water Bottle | Filled each evening for use inside your sleeping bag on cold nights. |
| Camp Furniture | Foldable table and chairs set up in the dining tent for meals and downtime. |
| Sleeping Bag Liner | Fleece liner provided to add warmth and keep your sleeping bag clean. |
| Pillow | Compressible camp pillow. |
| Duffle Bag | Waterproof duffle bag supplied for packing your trek gear, carried by pack animal between campsites. |
| Basic First-Aid Kit | Carried by your guide, stocked with essentials for cuts, blisters, altitude symptoms, and common travel ailments. This supplements, but does not replace, your own personal first-aid kit and medication. |
| Pack Animals | Horses or yaks arranged to carry camping equipment, duffle bags, and food supplies between camps. |
| Trek Staff | An experienced guide, cook, and camp crew are assigned to every group for the full duration of the trek. |
2. Crew, Staffing & Baggage Allowance
- Guide-to-trekker ratio: one licensed guide per group, with an assistant guide added for groups above 8 trekkers.
- Kitchen crew: one cook plus one or two kitchen helpers, depending on group size.
- Pack animals: typically one horse or yak per two trekkers, adjusted for group size, itinerary, and food supplies required.
- Baggage allowance: each trekker is allotted up to 15 kg of personal gear carried by pack animal in the provided duffle bag. Excess baggage can usually be arranged for an additional charge — speak to our team when booking.
3. Meals & Kitchen Setup
- All meals are freshly prepared on trek by our dedicated cook using a portable gas stove and cooking equipment carried in the kitchen tent.
- Drinking water is boiled or treated on trek; trekkers should still carry a reusable bottle and their own backup purification method.
- Breakfast, packed lunch or hot trailside lunch, and a hot dinner are included daily, with tea and coffee served at camp.
- Dietary requirements (vegetarian, allergies, etc.) can be accommodated with advance notice at the time of booking.
4. Personal Equipment You Should Bring
Clothing
- Moisture-wicking base layers
- Insulating mid-layer (fleece or down)
- Waterproof, windproof outer shell (jacket and pants)
- Broken-in, waterproof trekking boots with ankle support
- Warm hat, gloves, and sun hat
- Trekking socks (moisture-wicking, spare pairs)
Personal Gear
- Four-season sleeping bag, rated for sub-zero temperatures
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Trekking poles
- Daypack (20-30L) for daily essentials
- Reusable water bottle and personal water purification method (tablets, filter, or steripen)
- Sunglasses (UV-protective) and high-SPF sunscreen
- Personal first-aid kit, including any prescription medication and blister care
- Dry bags or plastic bags to waterproof clothing and electronics inside your duffle
5. What’s Included vs. What Can Be Rented or Must Be Brought
| Category | Arrangement |
| Camping & group gear | Included in your trek package (tents, kitchen setup, camp furniture, pack animals, staff). |
| Sleeping bags & trekking poles | Available to rent in Thimphu or Paro on request — let us know in advance so we can arrange this before your trek starts. |
| Personal clothing & boots | Must be brought by the trekker; these are not available for rental in Bhutan. |
| Specialized high-altitude gear (Gamow bag, satellite phone) | Included automatically on itineraries above 4,000 metres; confirm with our team for custom routes. |
6. Seasonal Equipment Notes
| Season | Equipment Notes |
| Spring (Mar-May) | Layered clothing for mild days and cold nights; rain shell recommended for occasional showers. |
| Summer/Monsoon (Jun-Aug) | Most treks are paused; if operating, prioritize waterproofing and quick-dry layers. |
| Autumn (Sep-Nov) | Peak trekking season; pack for cold, clear nights and mild daytime temperatures. |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Only select lower-altitude treks operate; heavyweight insulation and a well-rated sleeping bag are essential. |
7. Pre-Departure Equipment Checklist
- ☐ Trekking boots broken in and waterproofed
- ☐ Sleeping bag tested and rated for expected trek temperatures
- ☐ Headlamp and spare batteries packed
- ☐ Personal first-aid kit and prescription medication packed
- ☐ Water purification method confirmed and packed
- ☐ Trekking poles packed or rental arranged with our team
- ☐ Duffle bag packed within the 15 kg baggage allowance
- ☐ Daypack ready with daily essentials (water, snacks, rain layer, sunscreen)
- ☐ Dietary requirements communicated to our team in advance
- ☐ For treks above 4,000 m: Gamow bag and communication arrangements confirmed with our office