How do you pack for freezing temperatures and 106°F heat—in the same carry-on bag? A traveler heading to Bolivia for 17 days has shared their packing strategy for tackling some of the world's most dramatic climate swings, and it's a masterclass in minimalist travel preparation.
The challenge: Bolivia's diverse geography creates extreme temperature variation. "Daytime temperatures are expected to be between 2°C and 34°C (35°F to 93°F), but temperature feel can range between just below freezing up to 41°C (106°F)," the traveler explained. The itinerary includes Andean mountains, tropical forest, salt desert, and sand dunes.
The solution? Layering systems and merino wool—packed into an Osprey 26+6 backpack weighing just 4.2 kg (9.3 lbs) packed, plus 0.8 kg (1.8 lbs) in a cross-body bag.
The core clothing strategy centers on versatile, multi-use pieces:
Base layers: Tencel t-shirts and modal blouses for warm weather, with an ultra-fine merino wool cardigan from Uniqlo that doubles as a base layer when temperatures drop.
Insulation: A fleece, rain jacket, and down jacket create a three-layer system. The traveler agonized over the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Light jacket (353 grams) but decided it's essential for below-freezing windchill at peaks around La Paz and early mornings in Uyuni.
Bottoms: Just two pairs—hiking pants and hiking shorts—plus merino wool base layer bottoms for cold weather.
Merino wool accessories: Three pairs of Smartwool socks and a neck gaiter provide warmth without bulk.
The traveler noted they'll rent hiking poles and buy an alpaca beanie during the trip—a smart strategy that saves pack space while supporting local economy.
Footwear is minimal: waterproof hiking trainers (Decathlon MH500) worn on the flight, plus flip-flops packed.
