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