Trip Planning
A five-day Slovenia trip and a seven-day Kyrgyzstan mountain crossing need very different bags. Here's how to think about packing no matter which of our tours you've booked.
The Rule That Applies to Every Tour
Layers beat any single "warm" item. Mountain climates swing hard between day and night, sometimes 20°C in a few hours. A packable down layer, a windproof shell, and a base layer that dries fast will get you through almost anything on our routes.
Choose the Right Bag
A soft duffel or a backpack-style travel bag works better than a hard suitcase on our tours. It fits more easily in a van, a yurt, or a small guesthouse room, and you won't be wheeling it over cobblestones or gravel. Aim for one main bag plus a small daypack for water, a layer and your camera.
Documents, Money and Phone
- Passport valid for at least six months, plus a photo of it saved on your phone.
- Travel insurance that covers hiking and, for Central Asia, remote areas.
- Cash in local currency. Each country uses its own: tenge in Kazakhstan, som in Kyrgyzstan, forint in Hungary, lei in Romania, and euros in Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia. Cards work in cities, but cash matters in villages, markets and yurt camps.
- A plug adapter. All seven countries use the European two-pin plug (types C and F).
- A local SIM or eSIM for data. It's cheap and easy in every country we visit.
For Our Europe Tours (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia)
- Comfortable walking shoes, not hiking boots, for cobblestones and city walking
- One smart-casual outfit for an evening out in Vienna or Ljubljana
- A light rain jacket, especially in spring and autumn
- Swimwear and flip-flops for the thermal baths in Hungary or a lake swim in Slovenia
- A warm layer for the Karst caves and the Tatras, which stay cool even in summer
For Our Central Asia Tours (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan)
- Sturdy, broken-in walking shoes; some ground is uneven or unpaved
- A warm layer for yurt-camp nights, even in July
- A packable rain shell for afternoon showers in the Tian Shan foothills
- A headlamp, for evenings in places without much electric light
- Wet wipes and hand sanitizer for long drives and simple facilities
- A power bank, because charging isn't always available in the mountains
For Kyrgyzstan's High Passes
- A proper insulated jacket; nights near Song-Kul (around 3,000 m) get genuinely cold
- A warm hat and light gloves
- Sun protection: altitude sun is stronger than it feels, even on a cloudy day
- Long trousers for horseback riding
- A basic first-aid kit, discussed in your pre-departure briefing
Our Song-Kul guide has more on what a night in a yurt is really like.
"Layers beat any single 'warm' item. Climates on our routes swing hard between day and night."
Packing by Season
Spring (April to May): the most changeable season on every route. Pack for both warm afternoons and cold, wet mornings, with a waterproof jacket you can wear every day if needed. Mountain trails may still be muddy or snowy higher up.
Summer (June to August): lighter clothes for the cities and lowlands, where it can be hot, but never skip the warm layer for evenings in the mountains. Sun protection matters more than people expect, especially at altitude and on the water.
Autumn (September to October): our favorite season and the easiest to pack for. Bring layers for cool mornings and evenings, and a hat and gloves if you're heading into the Tatras or the Tian Shan late in the season.
Winter (November to March): a proper winter coat, waterproof boots with good grip, thermal underwear and warm accessories. City sightseeing in Vienna or Budapest in December is magical, but standing at a Christmas market for an hour is colder than it sounds.
What Not to Bring
- Expensive jewelry you'd be upset to lose
- A full-size hairdryer; most guesthouses have one, and yurt camps can't power it
- More than one pair of heavy boots
- Clothes for every possible occasion. Most guesthouses can do laundry, and repeating outfits is normal on the road.
Medicine
Bring any prescription medicine you need in its original packaging, with enough for the whole trip plus a few days. Add something for an upset stomach and for headaches, which helps at altitude. If you're worried about altitude, talk to your doctor before you go.
Every applicant gets a tour-specific packing list once their dates are confirmed. This is the general version to start thinking about before then.
Common Questions
Should I bring a suitcase or a backpack?
A soft duffel or travel backpack is easier than a hard suitcase. It fits in vans and yurts, and you won't need to wheel it over gravel or cobblestones.
What plug adapter do I need?
All seven countries on our tours use the European two-pin plug, types C and F, at 230 volts.
Do I need hiking boots?
For the Europe tours, comfortable walking shoes are enough. For Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, bring sturdy, broken-in shoes with good grip; full hiking boots are optional.
Will I need cash?
Yes, especially in Central Asia. Cards work in cities, but villages, markets and yurt camps often take cash only, in the local currency.
Ready to Book?
Applications are read personally, by Dinara.