What To Pack

So, what do you need for 11 days of hiking and sightseeing in the Swiss Alps?

First, we offer two bits of advice:

  1. Pack the essentials  See the “Stuff You Absolutely Need” list below
  2. Pack light  Don't overdo it. Most people overpack. We strongly recommend you check only one piece of luggage on the airplane. You'll be traveling a lot on trains, and it's extremely cumbersome to get around if you're trying to manage two pieces of luggage plus your airline carry-on bag. Keep in mind that laundry facilities are available at our destinations, and it's perfectly OK to hand-wash a T-shirt and wear it again. Also, don’t forget to leave room in your bag for souvenirs (chocolate, cuckoo clocks, whatever...). It's best to buy your souvenirs near the end of your stay and pack them in an empty duffle bag, which you can use as a second piece of checked luggage for your return trip.

Have a question about anything you see on the list? Think we left something out? Unsure what we mean? Please us or give us a call.

Stuff You Absolutely Need

Note: Items marked with a * should go in your checked luggage. Don’t try to bring a knife or a hiking stick with your carry-on. If you bring toiletries as carry-on, make sure you abide by the appropriate airline regulations (travel sizes only, packed in clear, quart-size storage containers).

Essential Clothes (from the bottom up)

  • Hiking boots with good ankle support  A must! Break them in ahead of time by taking some hikes well before your trip. Maybe even wear them on the plane. If your feet hurt because of blisters or ill-fitting boots, you won’t enjoy your vacation.
  • Regular walking shoes  For walking around town, sightseeing, etc.
  • Socks  Thick wool socks are popular among hikers, offering good protection against blisters.
  • Pants  Khakis are good. Nylon hiking pants are popular, or anything light that breathes. Switchback pants that convert to shorts are ideal. Jeans are not recommended.
  • Shorts  The weather will be warm enough to hike in shorts on most days.
  • Raingear  A long, sturdy poncho works for some people, but a sturdy raincoat with a hood is much more comfortable. It rains quite a bit in Switzerland, so rain pants are a good idea as well.
  • T-shirts  Synthetic hiking T-shirts are better than cotton. They wick the perspiration from your skin, while cotton absorbs and retains the moisture.
  • Sweater, sweatshirt or fleece  Again, the weather can change suddenly. A synthetic or wool warm layer should always be handy.
  • Jacket/light coat  Or a heavy coat, if you get cold easily.
  • Hat (sun hat or baseball cap, etc.)  Necessary for sun protection at high altitudes.
  • Wooly hat  Necessary in cold weather at high altitudes.
  • Sunglasses  Even if you don’t usually wear them. It gets very bright near the glaciers.
  • Regular glasses/contact lenses (if you wear them)
  • Backup pair of glasses/contact lenses  It would be shame if you can’t see the spectacular views from atop the mountains.
  • Gloves
  • Underwear  And maybe a pair of long underwear, if you’re really cold-natured.
  • Pajamas/sleepwear
  • Non-hiking clothes  Clothes you’d want to wear while sightseeing, eating at a restaurant, etc. None of our the restaurants on our itinerary require formal dress, so no need to bring your Sunday best.

Essential Non-Clothes

  • Passport  It is highly recommended that you not travel to Europe on a passport that is expiring within 6 months after the trip. If you have a passport, double- and triple-check its expiration date. If you need to get a new passport, or get one renewed, please don’t wait until the last minute. We’re not responsible if you’re not allowed on the plane because you don’t have a valid passport.
  • A waterproof, zipper-type storage bag to keep your passport dry  Wet passports are no fun!
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport  Makes life significantly easier if the real thing gets lost. Keep separate from your actual passport.
  • Personal insurance card/information  We also suggest you keep a spare copy of this information, as well.
  • List of emergency contacts  Phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses of family/friends back home in the U.S.
  • Medium-size daypack  Big enough to carry water, food, change of clothes, personal first aid kit, etc. A large, overnighter’s backpack is far too big.
  • Rain cover for daypack  Or you can wear an oversized poncho on top of your regular rain gear.
  • Water bottles/canteens/camelbacks/etc.  We recommend you have enough containers to carry at least 3 liters of water.
  • Sunscreen*  Sunburn is even less fun than a wet passport.
  • Small flashlight
  • Extra batteries for flashlight  Four words commonly heard on a hiking trip: "My batteries are dead."
  • Toiletries  Small, travel sizes are best. Soap, washcloth, towel, deodorant*, shampoo*, toothpaste*, toothbrush, comb, shaving cream*, razor, floss, mouthwash*, etc.
  • Any medications you regularly take, properly labeled. 
  • Watch (or some way of telling time) 
  • Plastic bags for dirty/wet clothes (to keep them from your clean ones) 

Optional Stuff

  • Camera 
  • Extra memory card/film for camera 
  • Swim trunks  You might want to take a dip in a swimming pool or, better yet, a cool Alpine lake.
  • Hiking stick/trekking poles*  Especially helpful if you’ve had knee problems.
  • Compass
  • Books/magazines to read during leisure time
  • Games  Cards, board games, etc., if you’re a game-type person. We prefer that you leave your electronic games at home. Surely, you aren’t going all the way to Switzerland to play solitaire on a cellphone.
  • Addresses of family members/friends  For postcards
  • Handkerchief/bandana 
  • Empty duffle bag for carrying souvenirs  It can be used as your second checked bag on the way home.
  • Small container of laundry soap  Convenient if you want to do a quick hand-wash of a T-shirt, etc.
  • Pocket knife*  Just don't try to carry it onto the plane. It must be packed in your checked luggage.
  • Small, personal hiker’s First Aid kit  Available at outdoors specialty shops. Essential items include antiseptic wipes, bandages, gauze, moleskin, antibiotic ointment, etc.
  • Plastic utensils  Very minimal—Just a small bowl, spoon and a plastic knife. For example, you might want to cut an apple to share with someone during a rest break on a hike.
  • Whistle (for emergencies) 
  • Chapstick 
  • Earplugs  Some people need them for the airplane; others need them because they can't sleep if they have a roommate who snores
  • Binoculars 

Joseph White

toll free 877-407-1548
571-245-7477