Clothing & Equipment

              ….just two little words- Pack Light!

 
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Some airlines permit each traveller two bags, weighing under 70 pounds each, but some allow less. Plus, you won't want to carry this much luggage around, or? Take only half of what you think you need as often you can buy most things en route and cheaper too. Oh, and buy your backpack and day pack well in advance and use them at every opportunity so that they are well worn in before you travel.

 

Here is a list of what should go in your backpack. Depending on where you go just pick what you will actually need.

 

Essentials

  • Passport
  • Tickets
  • Money: Traveller’s checks are the safest way to carry your money, and are accepted in most places. They are a 'protected' form of cash which you can obtain from your local bank. Some poorer countries will not accept traveller’s checks, so check with the country's embassy or consulate before you go. But it’s always good to carry some cash with you.
  • Credit card
  • Emergency numbers
  • Immunisation record
  • Insurance details
  • Photocopy all of the important documents. Leave a copy with your parents or friends at home, take two copies with you and e-mail a copy to yourself.

 

Security

Keep your money, credit card and documents safe, by carrying them in a money belt around your waist, inside your shirt. But keep your ready cash elsewhere; regularly diving into your money belt is a dead giveaway.

Padlock and chain can be used to lock a hostel door as well as your backpack to your bed or roof rack in a railway carriage or bus.

 
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Clothing

Packing is of course depending on the destination of your trip, the seasons & the weather conditions in general.

  • Shirts & sweaters
  • Long sleeved light tops to avoid insects bites, plus they're also useful when visiting religious sites.
  • Material: Cotton would be best because they will absorb sweat but keep you cool as well.
  • Trousers and shorts or convertibles.
  • Hat
  • Underwear, and thermal underwear when you go to cold climates
  • Fleece
  • Lightweight breathable waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex) or warm mountain jacket
  • Waterproof poncho which can be used to protect you, your pack or act as a groundsheet.

 

Footwear

  • High boots if you are doing lots of trekking,
  • Mid-boot will give you some ankle protection,
  • Normal shoes or trainers,
  • Waterproof sandals which are also helpful in showers and the sea

 

Sleeping & Living
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  • Alarm clock
  • Mosquito net
  • Sleeping bag/liner and pillow
  • Torch:
  • Cup, plate & eating irons:
  • Water purification- new products hit the market each year so seek advice on what’s available
  • First Aid/Medical Kit
  • Tampons or pads (are often hard to find)
  • Toiletries- concentrated travel soaps decanted into small bottles are multipurpose for hair, body and clothes. But please check that it’s biodegradable.
  • Towel
  • Wet wipes are handy when clean water is in short supply.
  • Compass
  • Earplugs
  • Glasses and contact lenses (copy of your prescriptions so they can be replaced if lost, and take extra contacts and contact-lens solution
  • Sunglasses
  • Lighter/matches:
  • Pocketknife
  • Sewing kit
  • Binoculars
  • Camera
  • Mobile phone
  • Gifts are useful if you are going to stay with a family.
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