Packing Right

Packing the right items is so important when you travel. You don't want to be carrying too much with you as that one extra top or pair of jeans can weigh heavily on your back if you've got a fair distance to walk. In most circumstances buy any extra clothes during your travels. Tops and Tshirts make great souvenirs! Of course, if you travelling during winter you may need to add a few heavier items to your bags for that extra warmth. However, there is an alternative to taking along that heavy coat/raincoat. Once you reach your destination why not find a second hand clothes store or charity shop, you can easily find an appropriate garment to suit your needs and purposes. You will not pay much more than a few dollars and think of all the space you'll have in your bag for the more important things.

No room for any more.

*Top Tip: You don't need to take hair dryers or straighteners, these can generally be hired from your hostel or hotel. And plenty of other travellers will be silly enough to carry them in their bags/packs, which you could easily borrow.

The packing list below will all fit comfortably into a 65 litre backpack and also leave you room for any extras you pick up on the road.

Essentials

Make copies: Of all important travel documents (passport, driver’s license, etc) and keep them separately.
Backpack (65 litres minimum) with a day pack attached comes in very handy.
Bum bag.
Money Belt, You can carry all your important documents in your money belt.
Medical information (in case of emergency that hopefully will never happen)

Odds & Ends

One small padlock
One medium or large padlock (combination locks)
Compass
Small light Flashlight
Swiss Army Knife
First Aid kit (pain and cold medicine, anti-nausea medicine, anti-diarrhea medicine, Band-Aides, Vitamins)
Sewing kit (needle, thread, scissors, perhaps a few extra buttons)
Toiletries (tooth brush, soap, shampoo, deodorant, Just basics-buy rest in when you get there)
Ear Plugs, People snore. People talk. People party.
Small Alarm Clock or Mobile phone with alarm
Power converters/adapters
Small reading light, so you can read while others sleep
Whistle
Calculator, Or learn how to do currency conversions in your head
Extra batteries
Pen, paper, journal
Playing Cards (poker size) or Uno cards
Plastic bags/Ziplock bags, they are great protects against water.
Sunglasses
Heavy duty plastic coffee mug. Take some sachets of coffee in backpack. For quick coffee in hostels.
Teaspoon (You will understand why when you need it!)
Sleeping sheet, You get one for free in many hostels or you rent it for a small fee. or make your own.

Clothing

Light Windbreaker/raincoat
Hat or Cap
4 pairs of pants (2 jeans/cargos and 1 pair nice trousers for going out)- Obviously wear 1 pair jeans on plane
One pair of cargos with zip off legs that becomes pair of shorts
One pair of shorts
5-7 pairs of socks
5-7 pairs of underwear
2 pairs of shoes (sneakers/walking shoes/boots) Take whatever is more comfortable for you, but whatever you decide, don’t pack more than two pairs.
A pair of thongs or Sandals (A must for showers in hostels)
3-4 T-shirts You can buy more as souvenirs
One light or medium jacket
2 plain shirts/Blouses- 1 long & 1 short sleeve
2 nice shirts/Blouses, for going out, 1 long & 1 short sleeve
2-3 Singlets
One Windcheater
Bandana
Sari (For the ladies) Doubles as a towel, skirt or head wear
One light towel

*Top Tip: Don't bother taking heavy guidebooks with you, just copy what you need or tear out the important pages, again this will save space and weight!

Pack right, pack well.