Kyrgyzstan - Kit List

The list below provides a guide on what kit you should bring with you on expedition. It is your responsibility to ensure this kit is fit for purpose: serviceable, suitable for the environment and an appropriate fit. We encourage you to bring muted colours.

You should be prepared for temperatures dropping to -10 degrees C at night, with day-time temperatures unlikely to reach more than 5 degrees C. Climate change has meant temperatures are trending upwards, but they have also been increasingly unpredictable.

A kit check of essential equipment will take place in Bishkek to ensure everyone is suitably kitted out. There will be an opportunity to purchase further kit in Bishkek before the expedition if you are missing something, but please do not rely on this as expedition supplies are not well stocked and tend to be far more expensive.

Feel free to contact us for any questions regarding kit. We can recommend quality brands at different price points, as well as good rental options.

Required kit

  • A sleeping bag liner

  • A quality roll mat for use in cold environments (R rating of at least 5)

  • Comfortable, warm base layers to sleep in

  • Bras, pants and socks as required

  • Sunglasses - minimum of Cat3, and ideally ones that wrap around your eyes for full coverage

  • Warm hat, gloves and scarf/snood

  • Thermal layers (top and bottom)

  • A warm fleece

  • A warm puffer

  • An outer layer - something that is windproof and water resistant

  • Warm walking trousers

  • Windproof over trousers

  • Quality walking boots that have sufficient insulation for cold temperatures - it’s a good idea to wear these in

  • A day bag of around 30l-40l

  • At least x1 1l water bottle

  • A flask of around 1 litre

  • A head torch with spare batteries

  • Personal first aid kit - for example, painkillers, wound dressings, blister plasters, tweezers, assorted plasters, zinc oxide tape, antiseptic spray/wound wash, antiseptic cream, support bandages

  • Moisturiser and lip balm

  • Personal wash kit - for example, toothbrush, toothpaste, antibacterial hand gel, sunscreen (factor 50), small towel, wet wipes, flannel, sanitary products as needed, contact lenses as needed. Please ensure your products, such as soap, are fully biodegradable

Recommended kit

  • Warm, comfortable trousers for the evenings

  • Comfortable slip on boots for around camp - wellies and a pair of thick socks work well

  • A blow-up pillow

  • Spending money - credit cards are widely accepted at ATM terminals in Bishkek. USD is generally easiest to exchange if you prefer to bring cash.

  • Battery pack and relevant cables

  • Notebook and pen

  • Socket converter

  • Comfortable town/travel day clothing

  • Swim wear for a dunk in the alpine streams

  • A personal set of binoculars

  • A book