Volker’s Packing List

It is a philosophy what and how much you take with you when you travel. It further depends a lot from the places you are going to visit and the planned activities. I, for example, like to be able to enter spontaneously into adventures and therefore I carry quite a lot to be equipped for almost every possibility. I needed almost everything I took on almost every trip. On the other hand I could have handled most situations with much less.

My packing list results from my experiences in warm countries, it won’t be too much of a help for a Himalaya expedition. The packing list is a reminder which things you could take but not what you have to take. Not even I myself take everything on this packing list on every journey. If you stay closer to big cities or if you are willing to spend a couple of hours or even days to equip you you will need much less. And always remember: “Take double the money and half the clothes.” Plastic is such a wonderful invention 😉

Essentials

  • Travel health insurance
  • Cash reserve (depending on destination, dollars or euros)
  • Glasses / spare glasses (with case) / contact lenses
  • Neck pouch or money belt
  • Flight ticket (if possible boarding pass / internet check in)
  • Mobile phone
  • Vaccination certificate
  • Copies of important documents (ticket, ID, cards … leave a copy at home)
  • Credit card (s)
  • List of addresses and important telephone numbers (blocking credit cards, health insurance, embassy …)
  • Travel guide (up-to-date and detailed! E.g. Footprint Handbook or Lonely Planet.)
  • Passport (Check the validity! Usually six months after the planned end of the trip.)
  • Backpack big
  • Backpack small (day pack)
  • Sunglasses
  • Phrasebook
  • Diving ID
  • Diving book
  • Dictionary
  • Visa (you need the USA even if you have a stopover -> ESTA)
  • Telebanking access

First aid kit / body care:

  • ACC / Ambroxol (cough suppressant)
  • Antifungal agent
  • Broad spectrum antibiotic
  • Brush or comb
  • Deodorant
  • Elastic bandage
  • Fiber thermometer
  • Hearing protection and / or earplugs
  • Grippostad
  • Hansaplast or similar tape
  • Skin cream / oil (the latter also suitable for massages)
  • Imodium acute
  • Insect repellent (active ingredient at least 30% DEET, for skin and clothing / mosquito net)
  • Isotonic beverage powder
  • Cannulas (syringe needles, with which one can especially release pressure from bubbles)
  • Caffeine tablets
  • Charcoal tablets
  • Condoms
  • Lip care
  • Malaria protection
  • Melatonin (against jet lag)
  • Remedy for swellings / sprains
  • Anti-itching / insect bites
  • Gauze compress
  • Nail care items
  • Band Aid
  • Tweezers
  • Razor (possibly shaving foam)
  • Travel sickness medication (even those who think they will never get seasick can get it)
  • Painkillers
  • Soap in a box
  • Shampoo
  • Suncream
  • Wash bag
  • Water disinfection
  • Cotton swabs / q tips
  • Wound disinfection
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss

Clothes

  • Swimming trunks
  • 5 sets of underwear
  • Belt
  • Neckerchief or scarf
  • Hat or other headgear
  • Gloves
  • 2 pants (a short one depending on your taste)
  • Long-sleeved shirt
  • Long underwear (?)
  • Nightgown, pajamas (or nothing)
  • Sweater
  • Rain jacket, possibly rain pants
  • Sandals (Travel!)
  • 10 pairs of socks
  • 5 t-shirts
  • Walking boots

It is important that you take clothes with you that are easy to store, dry quickly and do not need to be ironed. Most travel cloths from the relevant manufacturers meet these requirements. Depending on the travel destination, you should have at least one set of cloths with you that is able to protect you from mosquito bites. If you need it, you can of course take some “normal” cloths with you, e.g. for going to a nicer restaurant.

Miscellaneous

  • Cup
  • Notepad
  • Glasses cleaning cloth
  • Book(s)
  • Binoculars
  • Lighter
  • Driving license
  • Towel
  • Hammock
  • Travel sheet (like a sleeping bag but from simple cloth)
  • Insect spirals
  • Camera (spare battery and charger.)
  • Kanga or beach towel
  • Chain (can be very helpful, provided you have a lock)
  • Duct tape (a good one!)
  • Toilet paper
  • Compass
  • Pillow case (for stowing dirty laundry)
  • Copy of internet banking TANs
  • Kitchen roll
  • Mini tripod for camera
  • Mosquito net
  • Head mosquito net, that you wear over your hat to protect your head
  • Garbage bags (thick and big ones, e.g. good when it rains)
  • Umbrella
  • Rain cover for backpack
  • Travel cutlery
  • Sleeping mask
  • Sleeping bag
  • Rope
  • Tension belt
  • Games (e.g. card game)
  • Pen
  • Power plug adapter
  • Diving mask, snorkel, fins, anti-fog
  • Flashlight (with spare batteries)
  • Pocket knife or Leatherman
  • Handkerchiefs
  • Tea lights
  • Transport bag for a large backpack
  • Universal water plug
  • Padlocks
  • Hiking guide
  • Wall hook
  • Clothespins
  • Washcloth (possibly disposable washcloth)
  • Laundry detergent
  • Alarm clock
  • Zip lock freezer bags

Things to do

  • Send address list and emergency list to your own e-mail address
  • Update the email list when you want to send reports
  • Cut your hair
  • Save and delete old pictures from camera
  • Synchronize camera clocks (e.g. if you are in a group with several cameras, that makes it easier to put the pictures in the correct order later)
  • Change mailbox announcement or answering machine
  • Notify neighbor about plants and mail