Packing for your adventure holiday

For all you adventure travellers out there, here is a list of luggage to pack on your adventure holiday.  

You can add to it, or leave things at home - just keep the luggage allowances set by various airlines and operators in mind.  Traveling light makes your adventure holiday all the more enjoyable. There is a great list of how to pack light for your adventure holiday published by Travel & Leisure Magazine, which you can find here. 

Some items on this list may not be necessary for your particular trip. What you will bring on your adventure holiday will vary according to the trip style, the countries you are visiting and when you travel. 

 

Travel Documents

·         Passport
·         Visas required for your trip
·         Travel insurance including insurer details, 24 hr emergency  contact telephone number and policy
number (even if you are travelling with credit card insurance)
·         Flight tickets, e-ticket receipts
·         Latest flight itinerary (times and flight details may differ from those on your ticket)
·         Tour & hotel vouchers
·         Photocopies  of important documents - to be kept separately (we recommend you keep a copy at home as well and email a copy to yourself )
·         Latest trip notes / itinerary & other country information
·         Spare passport photos
·         Youth/student/Senior card
·         International driving license if you plan to hire a car
·         Dive license

Travel Accessories

·         Scissors/army knife with cork screw as required
·         Local language phrase book
·         Personal audio player
·         Portable games/playing cards
·         Reading material / E-reader
·         Water bottle
·         Pen/paper
·         Travel pillow
·         Journal/diary
·         Flashlight
·         Water purification method
·         Personal photos to show local people
·         Electrical adapter & converter plugs (see here for details)
·         Washing line
·         Travel guides & apps

Personal items

·         Toiletries
·         Travel hair dryer
·         Shaving equipment
·         Bath towel
·         Mobile phone - check you have international roaming access
·         Rubber flip-flops for showers
·         Small mirror
·         Small sewing kit & safety pins

Luggage

On some trips you need to carry your own luggage, although you will not be required to walk long distances with it. Soft bags with shoulder straps are preferred.  You will also need a day pack to carry items for day trips.  If you do a long trek, bring a third bag to leave clean clothes at the end hotel.
·         Soft suit case, backpack or soft bag with wheels and straps
·         Daypack
·         Padlocks (and keys)

Sightseeing

·        Binoculars
·        Camera equipment
·        Film or memory cards
·        Spare batteries / charger
·        Dust & water proof camera bag

Money Matters

·         Money (cash/credit cards)
·         Travelers’ cheques - note the serial numbers of your cheques and the emergency contact numbers.  Keep these separately from the cheques.
·         Your trip kitty (if applicable)
·         Money belt or pouch (the main one should fit under your clothes; have a second one for every day use)
·         Pocket calculator

Clothing

We recommend you choose clothing that is easy to wash and fast drying. Women should bring a skirt that covers their knees and a scarf for visiting places of worship. Military- style clothing is not recommended in many areas. If out in nature it is recommend you wear beige, light green or light brown clothing (not white) - see our safari pack list.  Also bring some smart clothes for nights out.
·         Pullover/sweater/fleece
·         Long-sleeved top (for evenings)
·         Long trousers (zip-off pants are versatile)
·         Jeans/pants/skirts/sarongs
·         Shorts
·         T-Shirts
·         Dress shirts
·         Socks
·         underwear
·         Washing line
·         Bio-degradable washing detergent

Camping

·        Travel pillow
·        Thermarest/sleeping mat
·        Ground sheet (or polythene sheet) if you think you’ll be sleeping under the stars.
·        Warm sleeping bag (3 or 4 seasons)
·        Flash light 

Swimming

·         Swimming outfit
·         Swimming towel
·         Snorkel, fins & mask

Sleeping

·         Eye mask
·         Alarm clock
·         Ear plugs
·         Sleepwear

 

Personal Health

·         First aid kit
·         Personal medication/prescriptions
·         Prescription glasses
·         Contact lenses and solution
·         High protection sunscreen (25+)
·         Lip balm/lip salve
·         Hat/wide brim hat
·         Sunglasses
·         Insect repellent
·         Antihistamine/insect bite cream
·         Antibacterial gel/wipes
·         Toilet Paper
·         Travel sickness tablets
·         Travel vaccination certificates
·         After-sun moisturizer
·         Anti-malaria pills
·         Pain killers
·         Rehydration powder (salts & glucose)
·         Anti-diarrhea pills (consult your doctor)
·         Contraceptives
·         Personal medication
·         Feminine Hygiene products

Wet Weather

·         Raincoat
·         Small Umbrella
·         Waterproof bags to pack your gear in for rain protection while walking
·         Waterproof & windproof jacket
·         Waterproof pants
·         Gators

Walking or Hiking

·         Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
·         Trekking socks
·         Sandals / Tevas
·         Hiking poles
·         Maps / GPS

Cold Weather (see also our Polar pack list)

·         Thermal underwear
·         Hand warmers (small packages that create a chemical reaction that generates heat)
·         Toque / beanie / balaclava
·         Gloves

Related posts
What to bring on your African safari
What to pack for your polar cruise