Packing: the essential list

Here’s our tried and tested Gap Year kit list:

Essentials:

  • Mobile phone and charger
  • Travel plug adaptors
  • Sellotape and duct tape for repairs and sealing bottles pre-flights
  • Eye mask and ear plugs
  • Water bottle
  • Towel – invest in a light, quick drying one
  • Small pad and pen
  • Small scissors
  • Sunglasses
  • Sleeping bag liner 
  • Sleeping bag if you are planning on camping anywhere cold.

Documents:

  • Upload all to your email as backup, plus take photocopies-
  • Passport and visa documentation
  • Flight tickets
  • Booking confirmations 
  • Insurance policy
  • Driver’s licence
  • Debit and credit cards and cash in local currency for your first country
  • Pre-paid sim and pre-paid currency cards

Health:

  • Prescription medicine – make sure you pre-order enough and print out a doctors note in case you need more
  • Insect repellent including DEET
  • Malaria tablets – check if you will need them on Fit for Travel
  • Mosquito net
  • Condoms
  • Plasters
  • Paracetamol/ibuprofen
  • Rehydration salts
  • Sterile needle pack
  • Broad spectrum anti-biotics
  • Antiseptic cream

Kit:

  • Backpack and waterproof cover
  • Daypack 
  • Dry bag
  • Bin liners 
  • Plastic envelopes for documents

Security:

  • Money belt – make sure it’s discreet as they can be easy targets
  • Door wedge for accommodation 
  • Padlocks and lightweight cable lock 
  • Personal alarm

Clothes:

Pack light- you can buy many items much cheaper on the road as you need them. We always include:

  • Light weight long sleeved top and trousers – for temple visits and to deter mosquitoes
  • Fleece for aircon and flights
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Swimwear
  • A sarong- it will have multiple uses, trust us!
  • Solid trainers
  • Flip flops

Toiletries:

  • Sanitiser
  • Face masks
  • Small bottles for decanting are always useful
  • Tampons – they can be difficult to buy in some countries
  • Condoms
  • Wash bag with strap to hang up – bathroom surfaces can be messy!
  • Toilet roll
  • Hairbrush or comb

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