Super Essential Things To Carry For A Trip To The Himalayan Wonderland Of Lahaul

Lahaul valley in Lahaul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh is the latest addition to top destinations to visit in Himachal Pradesh. Therefore a super handy list of things to pack for Lahaul will really be helpful for those who are visiting for the first time.

Due to challenging terrain and weather it becomes quite essential to pack appropriately for Lahaul valley. And based out of several visits to the valley in different seasons, I have curated this super useful list of things to pack for Lahaul.

Things to Pack for Lahaul – All You Need To Know

Before the advent of Atal Tunnel, people hardly ventured into Lahaul specially to explore it. But things have changed quickly thanks to Atal Tunnel. People now are wanting to explore the pristine beauty of Lahaul.

Like its counterpart Spiti, Lahaul valley has hostile weather and challenging terrain. So packing appropriate things on your trip to Lahaul is of utmost importance.

Temperatures are sub-zero for half a year, so you can imagine how cold Lahaul will be. By the way. here is a detailed blog on things to pack for Lahaul’s counterpart Spiti.

Clothes to Pack for Lahaul Trip

Here is a comprehensive list of clothes that you must pack for trip to Lahaul.

By the way, here is a detailed list of super handy things to pack for a trip to Kasol. I am sure this will be quite helpful for first time travelers to Kasol.

Trousers/Trek pant/ Woolen pants

You can choose any one of combination of these as per your choice and comfort. I personally would suggest that avoid Denims or Jeans if possible. There are not very easy to move in around and are not very breathable as well.

I personally exclusively wear trousers cum trek pants during my trips to Lahaul. Also due to cold weather almost throughout the year in Lahaul, wearing shorts might not be a good idea.

Tshirts/Shirts/Tops

As per the choice and comfort, men can pack Tshirts, Shirts or combination of both. Women have options to pack in terms of Tshirts, Shirts, Tops as per their choice.

For women dresses might not be a good idea as the weather is extremely cold throughout the year barring June, July and August. Women can also wear Indian wear.

Warm Clothes To Pack For Lahaul

Barring for the summer months of June, July, August, Lahaul experiences cold to severely cold conditions throughout the year.

So it is quite important to pack enough warm layers so that you don’t suffer from cold and enjoy Lahaul to the fullest.

1. Thermal Inners

Thermal inners play a big role in keeping you warm as they act as the first line of defense against cold. You might not need from June to September.

But if you are planning a trip to Lahaul for the rest of months carrying thermals is kind of essential. Also, I would personally recommend you to carry thermals even if you are going in Summers.

I personally make sure to carry thermals on my trips to the mountains no matter what the season. Even though I don’t use them often but you never know when they might come in handy.

2. Fleece layer/hoodie/sweater/sweatshirt

Carrying at least one of these as per liking and comfort is quite essential to be honest no matter what the season. Of course you’ll need more layers during Autumn, Spring and Winter.

I personally always make it to point to carry a sweater along with the multiple layers depending on the season.

A Decent Winter Jacket

Carrying a decent winter jacket that can withstand negative temperatures is of utmost to carry while on your trip to Lahaul valley. The temperatures are sub-zero for good 6 months during the year in Lahaul.

And even during the summers the nights and mornings are always chilly. So make sure to carry a good winter jacket. I personally have used quechua winter jacket on Lahaul trips and it has kept me warm even in the winters of Lahaul.

Woolen Gloves/Caps/Socks

Again cannot emphasize on the important of taking woolen socks, gloves, caps. Hands, Feets, Ears are the most sensitive to cold. Therefore, carrying them to Lahaul is essential.

Even though you will get away with them during the summers, but weather is fickle in the high-altitude valleys like Lahaul, so make sure to carry them

Footwear to Carry for Lahaul

Here is a comprehensive list of footwear to pack for Lahaul valley.

By the way, if you are visiting hill stations in summers, here is a comprehensive list of clothes to pack for Summers trip to the hill stations.

Flip-Flops/Sandals

Flip Flops or sandals are good enough if you want to move around the place of your stay. Wearing them is not really advisable while exploring places in Lahaul.

I personally carrying sandals so that I don’t have to wear shoes every time I want to move in and around the Homestay.

Normal Shoes/Casual Shoes

Normal shoes are suffice when you want to just go on exploration villages, monasteries, shorts hikes. They work just. So as per choice and comfort you can pack them for your trip to Lahaul.

I personally use Quechua basic hiking shoes, which are not exactly hiking shoes but work well for short hikes and day trips.

Hiking/Trekking Shoes

If you are looking to trek for multiple days in Lahaul, then a pair of good hiking or trekking shoes will be advisable. You can find decent options at Decathlon.

Essential Items to Carry

Here is a list of super important items that you must carry on your trip to Lahaul valley.1

By the way, if you are visiting hill stations in summers, here is a comprehensive list of clothes to pack for Summers trip to the hill stations.

Cash

Please carry cash on your trip to Lahaul. Although internet works fine in Lahaul in the form of Jio and Airtel and you can pay using UPI. But there might be chances that homestay owners might not have UPI yet.

There are ATM’s as well in Lahaul, but they might not be very reliable at times as they do run out of cash occasionally.

Day Pack

Day pack is a very handy thing to carry on your trip to Lahaul. You can use it to keep water and food items and other miscellaneous items when you out there exploring villages, monasteries, lakes of Lahaul.

Power Bank

Although electricity supply has significantly improved in the Lahul, but long power cuts are not uncommon in Lahaul. Especially during winters when there are heavy snow-spells power supply can be disrupted for days.

So please ensure you can carry a decent power bank so as to keep devices charged in case of a power cut situation or in case you are hiking.

Water bottle

Instead of buying bottled water, you must carry a water bottle of you choice. There are ample of sources of clean drinking water in Lahaul. So you can refill your water bottle as and when you need it.

DSLR 

If you are photographer DSLR is one of the essential things to carry on the trip to Lahaul valley. You will be able to capture some insanely scenic vistas of Lahaul. Such is the beauty of Lahaul.

Government ID Card

Carrying a Government ID card is quite essential, as you most of the homestay and hotels ask as a proof of identity and to keep it in their records. So do make sure you carry Aadhar card, driving license, passport etc.

Toiletries To Pack for Lahaul Trip

Ensure that you carry basic toiletries like Soap, Shampoo, Sanitizer, Moisturizer etc. Lahaul being a remote valley will make it hard for your to find toiletries in case you are visiting a remote village.

Soap/Shampoo/Bodywash/Sanitizer

Please make sure that you carry all the above toiletries when on your trip to Lahaul. The homestays usually do not provide with them.

Tooth Brush and Tooth Paste

Please carry Tooth Brush and tooth paste or any dental hygiene products of your choice. Again if you are staying in remote villages Tooth Brush and Tooth paste might be difficult to find.

Moisturizer/Conditioner/Sunscreen

Carrying moisturizer, sunscreen and other wellness products before hand is advisable when on a trip to Lahaul. You might find not the products of your choice let alone the basic ones.

So make sure you pack them before hand while on a trip to Lahaul. Especially moisturizer and suscreen to prevent dryness and tanning of skin.

Menstrual Hygiene products

Women planning for a trip to Lahaul, please ensure that you carry your menstrual hygiene products. Apart from the main towns of the Lahaul finding menstrual hygiene products might really be difficult.

Some villages don’t even have a basic shop let alone a pharmacy shop.

Medicines and First Aid To Carry For Your Trip To Lahaul 

Lahaul being a remote valley means that you might not get medicines as easily as a metro town. So please ensure that you carry basic over the counter medicines for common ailments.

Also ensure you can carry basic first aid and your own medicines that you might be taking for an ailment specific to you.

First Aid Kit

Ensure that you carry basic First aid kit comprising of items like Antiseptic cream, Antiseptic liquid, medical bandages etc. They will definitely be useful in case of minor wounds.

Finding first aid items in the remote villages of Lahaul can be very difficult. Also make sure you carry pain reliever sprays.

Medicines for common Ailments

Carrying basic over the counter medicines for common ailments like fever, cough, headache etc is advisable owing to remoteness of the region.

You can carry Ibuprofen, paracetamol for fever, headache, body ache. Dolo 650, Combiflam are a couple of such over the counter medicines in India.

Anti-histamine medicines like Cetrizine, Atarax can be taken in case of any allergies.

Medicines for AMS

The best way to avoid AMS is proper acclimatization, that is gradually increasing your sleeping altitude rather than a sudden increase.

Diamox is basically taken to help you acclimatize faster while Dexamethasone is given only when you have been hit by AMS. Also, please consult with a doctor before taking any AMS related medicines.

By the way, here is all you need to know on how to tackle AMS in High altitude valleys of Himachal.

Your personal medicines for Ailments specific to you

Please make sure that you carry medicines for ailments specific to avoid any medical emergency. You might fail to find certain medicines in Spiti owing to the remoteness of the region.

To conclude, I hope that you now have a the list of things to carry for Lahaul handy will enable to pack for your trip appropriately.

In case you any concerns on things to pack for Lahaul, you can reach me out in the comments below and I’ll be happy to help.