Day hike
- Hiking boots or trainers with a good grip.
- A fleece or jumper.
- A waterproof jacket with a hood.
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher.
- Sunglasses with UV protection.
- Lip balm.
- A sun hat.
- Water, 1.5–2 litres per person.
- Snacks: nuts, dried fruit, kurut, sandwiches.
- Trekking poles.
- A charged phone with an offline map, and a power bank.
- First-aid kit: plasters, painkillers, antihistamines.
- Cash in Kyrgyz som.
- A rubbish bag.
Staying overnight
- A tent built for wind and rain.
- A warm sleeping bag: mountain nights can drop to around freezing even in summer.
- A sleeping mat.
- A down jacket or warm coat for the evening.
- A stove and gas. Don't break off juniper for a fire.
- A water filter or purification tablets.
- A head torch with spare batteries.
- Spare socks and a warm hat.
In winter
- Non-slip shoes or microspikes.
- Warm gloves and a hat.
- A flask of hot tea.
- Swimwear, if you plan to visit the Warm Springs pool.
What to leave at home
- Fragile dishes and glass.
- Extra clothes "just in case" — you'll feel every kilo on the climb.
- A speaker with loud music. In the mountains, people listen to the river.