My first solid introduction to packing light was when I went to India for a summer. We had been told we would need to be nimble. I got sent a backpackers packing list that told me to cut the tags off my clothes to help lighten the load–whoa! Extreme, but genius (try it!).
I packed what I thought was ‘as light as possible’ for 10 weeks of survival, but as soon as I got to Delhi, I immediately made a pile of things that I would leave until the end of my trip. I quickly realized you don’t need that much.
Less is more when it means you don’t have to unload and re-load everything every single day.
Having what you need, when you need, is awesome.
Having double what you need, is NOT double awesome.
Choose wisely.
The List
Everything in this pack list will cover what you may need for an extended trip of adventures. We’ll call it the around the world in 80 days variation.
This is what I had with me for my first 10 week sabbatical that included bouncing through the Pacific Islands, scaling the tallest peak in Oceania, and trekking through the frozen Bhutanese Himalaya. This is also what I take on business extended business trips (omitting a few things) because there is always adventure to be found!
In other words if you start your packing list with this, you will likely cover your basics for adventure travel and more–omit what you don’t need, add what you find crucial (Please comment below if you pack something you think no one should leave home without!).
Under the Seat
This is what I pack and keep near me on the plane. When on business it’s usually in my purse/laptop bag. If on a shorter trip, or one to a summer destination, its likely to be in a canvas bag that I can easily stuff into my larger bag when not in use. If I am trekking somewhere at some point on my trip, or on a longer trip (extra packing space), I pack it in a smaller backpack like this purple one.
- Passports, Visas, Green Card
- Debit Card, International Credit Card, Cash
- Journal & Pens
- Medication
- Eyemask & Earplugs
- Socks
- Light Jacket
- Chapstick
- Watch
- Phone
- Headphones
- Charging Cables
- Power Converters
- Possible: Laptop
- Reading Material
- Guide Books
I do like lonely Planet Guide Books. You can start the planning process with borrowing them from the library and quickly browsing the top 10 sights. They have maps, cheaper tour guides, and home-stays that you will never find online (particularly for more remote places). They also give you key phrases in the regional language and cuisine you should try- valuable stuff!
Carry On Bag
When going on business trips or city trips (basically when I know I won’t have to carry my stuff over grass, gravel, and mountains) I love having a roll around. I once had a beloved red roll around I picked up at Ross that I wore to death. I never got over the color-love it! So I found something like this red roll around that I love because it passes international carry on, but is deceivingly a bit wider to as to hold everything!
No adventure gear means empty bag. Either way, it all must fit in the carry on!
For backpacking or when I know I will be carrying vs rolling my stuff, I have a light 50-liter Gregory backpack that I’ve had for a dozen years. Its tattered and stained but does the trick marvelously. When climbing Rainier I learned the top cover/pocket actually comes all the way off which both makes the pack lighter and quicker access. I’ve never put it back on again.
Clothing
- Treck pants (2)
- T shirts (5 some cotton/some quick dry)
- Shorts (2)
- Skirt
- Dress
- Thai pants (modest but breezy)
- Down jacket
- Thermal underwear (2 sets)
- Socks (4)
- Underwear (5)
- Sports Bras (2)
- Daily Bras (2)
- Swimsuit
Shoes
- Trail Running shoes
- Sandals
- Canvas shoes
Toiletries
- Shampoo/Conditioner /Lotion (in small bottles)
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen
- Toothpaste
- Tooth brush
- Floss
- Face Wipes
- Brush, hair bands, bobby pins
- Razor
- Nail clipper
- Tampons/ Band aids
- Lip Stain
- Earings
Food
I tend to travel with about a quarter of my bag packed with food. 😉 I think it is a habit for two reasons. In remote places it can be difficult to find, so I tend to think “you just never know”, even when traveling to say Las Vegas. Also because I do try to avoid a lot of foods, and its comforting to know I can have a bar when all that is served is laced with butter or cream (lactose intolerant).
- Protein Bars
- Emergen c
- Via Coffee
- Chocolate
- Sometimes Oats and Protein Powder
Accessories when Trekking
- Buffs
- Umbrella
- Sunglasses (dark, cool, pink)
- Headlamp
- Batteries
- Arm warmers
- Rain Jacket
- Gloves
- Black garbage bag
- Rain pants
- Duck back
- Blow up pillow
- Water purifier
- Sleeping pad
- Sleeping bag
- Thermal sleeping bag liner
- Towel
- Hat
- Water bottles
What can you not live without when traveling? Comment below!
