What to Pack and What to Expect
Prepare for your Journey
Preparing for your walk
If you’re joining a walk as part of your Walk into Luxury journey, a little preparation can help you get the most out of the experience. As with any active holiday, the fitter and healthier you are at the start, the more enjoyable the walk will be. If you’re not a regular walker, we suggest beginning your training a few months in advance with 45-minute walks a few times a week. Aim to include a variety of surfaces, weather conditions, inclines, and uneven terrain - such as tree roots or rocky paths - ideally in a local national park or reserve. Gradually work up to a moderately challenging 15 km (9 mile) bush or coastal walk, allowing around 5–6 hours at a relaxed pace with breaks. If you’re preparing for a more demanding hike, consider adding steeper ascents and descents to your routine.
Packing for your trip type
When planning what to pack for your trip, it’s important to consider more than just the weather. Our recommended packing lists provide guidance on the essential gear for your style of travel, tailored to the conditions at your destination and the time of year you’ll be visiting.
Lodge-Based Walks and Private Journeys
Our suggested packing list for lodge-based walks and private journeys are provided as a general guide. For more specific information related to your trip, please consider the weather for your destination (detailed below).
Suggested Packing List
- Clothing - Comfortable clothing and footwear suited to the weather conditions and your itinerary. Chances are there will be at least one walk or active element to your trip, so be sure to pack appropriate clothing and footwear so you can enjoy your itinerary in comfort. We recommend packing plenty of layers including loose-fitting long sleeves and pants which particularly helpful when hiking as they protect you from the elements as well as from stray branches and insects (sandflies and mosquitoes in particular).
- Hiking Shoes - Sneakers are okay for gentle half day walks or relatively flat paths, but if you are joining day hikes or walking across muddy or rocky/uneven terrain, a pair of worn-in hiking shoes is recommended.
- Wet weather gear - If you are travelling to a destination that is known for wet conditions, packing a waterproof jacket is essential. You may also like to pack waterproof pants - this tends to be a personal choice with some preferring quick dry lightweight pants instead. If possible, choose waterproof hiking boots for maximum comfort and be sure to pack a spare pair of socks.
- Sun protection - Sunglasses and a hat, along with sunscreen. Even in colder destinations, or ski-fields, it's possible to get burnt from the sun overhead or reflective glare.
- Swimwear- Many of our partner lodges and itineraries feature great opportunities to take a dip in pools, hot tubs and even natural Onsen water in Japan. Be sure to pack your swimwear even if you're travelling outside the summer season. Towels are generally available through from accommodation; however a small lightweight travel towel can be a more compact option for swim spots during a hike.
- Day pack - If you will be participating in any day walks during your journey, bring a small day-pack to ensure you are able to comfortably carry any personal items such as water, packed lunch and a towel (if you will be walking to a swim spot).
- Water bottle - A reusable water bottle is a good idea for all travellers, but essential if you are participating in active itineraries. If you are hiking more than a couple of hours on any day, we recommend having 2L of water with you. Whilst most guides will be able to assist if you forget, it is best to come prepared.
- Walking poles - If you will be hiking over uneven terrain, and in particular if you will be hiking on downhill trails, we recommend bringing walking poles to protect your knees and for additional stability.
- Medications and personal small first aid kit - It's important to be prepared when travelling in remote locations and participating in outdoor adventures. We recommend taking your medication in your carry-on luggage and having access to a personal first aid kit for common travel-related issues. Carry treatment for things like mosquito and insect bites, blisters, headaches, sore knees/ankles and muscles, allergies, travel sickness, and cold & flu symptoms.
- Spare packing cells or bag - It is helpful to have a spare packing cell or waterproof bag for storing wet swimwear or muddy hiking shoes in your suitcase.
- Travel adaptors and portable chargers - If being connected is important to you, consider packing a portable charger for your laptop/tablet and phone, as well as a travel adaptor. It is common for lodges to have international adaptors available, but it can be helpful to have your own for use while in transit and as a backup. Power outlets differ from country to country so please check the type of adapter you will need or consider purchasing a multi-country option.
- Currency and bank cards – When travelling overseas, transactions will be conducted in the local currency. Please check the currency of your destination and ensure your bank cards are compatible for use there. It's also advisable to carry a small amount of local cash for incidentals.
- Travel documents – Several overseas destinations require a visa to enter. Please check the local visa requirements and ensure that any necessary visas are applied for well in advance of your journey. It is recommended to have a copy of these documents on you throughout your journey.
Multi-Day Small Group Hike
Recommended packing lists are available for the following multi-day small group hikes. Click to view the packing information for your specific hike.
Australia
Maria Island Walk - Unportered
Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort
New Zealand
Kepler, Milford & Routeburn Track Walk
Patagonia
Note: If you are planning a lodge-based journey incorporating day walks on any of these tracks, refer to the lodge-based walk packing list. The above packing lists are for specific small group multi-day hut-to-hut hikes.
Expedition Cruise
Packing for a cruise is very similar to packing for a private journey. Refer to our Lodge-Based Journey checklist above for the basic packing information recommended for those travelling by expedition ship.
In addition, we offer the following cruise-specific packing suggestions -
- Binoculars - To make sure you don't miss a thing.
- Warm clothing - If travelling in a polar region. Most cruises will provide some polar gear - please refer to your itinerary for any specific packing information for your cruise.
- Smart casual clothing - For dinners and events on board, if applicable.
- Motion sickness tablets - These are good to have on hand, just in case, and particularly for the Drake passage (Antarctica cruises).
Packing for the weather
Discover the likely weather at your travel destination for your month of travel, and tailor your packing list to suit. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Journey Designer for specific advice.
Weather in Australia
As a general guide, Australia is divided into the tropical north which spans the top third of the country, and the more temperate remainder of the country which gets warmer the further north you travel. The tropical north has a wet and dry season, with the wet running on average from November to March and characterised by hot humid days and afternoon rainfall and occasional storms. This is also a season where travel can be impacted by seasonal closures in some areas due to flooding. The dry season in the tropical north, often from April to October, promises warm dry days at a time when the rest of the country experiences its cooler winter months.
Click to view the weather information for your destination.
Western Australia
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Tasmania
Lake St Clair and Cradle Mountain
Queensland
Great Barrier Reef & Daintree Rainforest
South Australia
Flinders Ranges, South Australia
Victoria
Weather in New Zealand
New Zealand consists of two main islands, the North Island and South Island, and several smaller islands. The country has an oceanic climate with relatively mild temperatures and moderate to high rainfall. The temperate climate throughout most of the country is punctuated by subtropical weather in the far north in summer and the colder temperatures in winter (as low as minus 10°C) in the alpine regions of the far south. December, January and February are the warmest months with average maximum temperatures between 20ºC - 30ºC. The coldest are June, July and August when temperatures average between 10ºC - 15ºC in the temperate regions and hover around zero or below in the alpine regions.
Click to view the weather information for your destination.
South Island
Marlborough region - includes Nelson, Picton, Abel Tasman Coast and Queen Charlotte Track
North Island
Weather in Polar Regions
The polar regions - Antarctica in the south and the Arctic in the north - are known for their extreme conditions, with icy landscapes, strong winds, and dramatic seasonal contrasts. In Antarctica, a vast ice pack limits access for much of the year, with the short sailing season running from November to February. The Arctic is more accessible but similarly seasonal, with most voyages taking place between May and September. Read below for an overview of the weather you can expect in each region.
Weather in South America
Chile and Argentina span a wide range of latitudes, resulting in diverse climates from north to south. In the north, regions like San Pedro de Atacama in Chile are dry and arid, while central areas enjoy a temperate climate with warm summers and cool, wet winters. Further south, Patagonia is known for its cooler temperatures, strong winds, and rapidly changing weather conditions throughout the year.
Click to view the weather information for your destination.
Southern Patagonia's National Parks
Torres del Paine National Park
Chile
Chile's Lakes District - includes Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt, Castro & Chiloe Island
Argentina
Weather in Japan
Japan experiences the same seasons as countries of the Northern Hemisphere; Summer runs from June to August, and Winter from December to February. Honshu, Japan's largest island, experiences a range of climates, from snowy winters in the northern and mountainous regions, to warm - and sometimes rainy - summers near the coast where typhoons are possible. Each region is unique so it pays to check the weather conditions for the specific region you are visiting so you can pack accordingly.
Weather in Norway
Norway experiences the same seasons as other Northern Hemisphere countries, with summer spanning June to August and winter from December to February. Weather conditions vary significantly by region - coastal areas tend to have mild, wet winters, while inland and northern regions see colder, snowier winters with limited daylight, particularly above the Arctic Circle. In summer, long daylight hours and generally cool, pleasant temperatures are common across the country.
As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions.
