Packing for High Altitude: What Actually Earns Its Weight
9 August 2026 · TravelJar
High-altitude packing goes wrong in two directions — people bring one enormous jacket and nothing else, or they bring everything they own.
Layers solve it, and the sun is a bigger factor than most people expect.
Layers, not bulk
Temperature swings between midday sun and night are severe at altitude. Three adjustable layers beat one heavy coat, because you will be removing and adding them repeatedly through the day.
A windproof outer layer matters more than an extremely warm one. Wind on a high pass is what makes cold genuinely unpleasant.
- Base layer, insulating mid layer, windproof outer
- Sunglasses with proper UV protection — glare at altitude is intense
- High-factor sunscreen and lip balm, applied more often than at home
- Broken-in shoes; a high-altitude trip is not the place for new boots
- A reusable water bottle — you will drink more than usual
What people over-pack
Multiple heavy jackets, formal clothing and large toiletry bags are the usual culprits. Laundry is available in Leh and larger towns, which makes a week's worth of clothing unnecessary for a longer trip.