There are an infinity of "what to bring" lists for this kind of journey over the internet. So, i'll just use my own, the one i've always used, even for
trips lasting only a few weeks. After all, clothes can be washed, and the rest remains pretty muchthe same stuff, unless it breaks.
"Your bag is your life","Your bag is your home", and so on... these sentences are found all over the place, some are true, others just exaggerations. Of
course, when staying away a couple of years it will eventually become like a part of your body, like a shell for a snail.
As for the weight, everyone agrees: The lighter, the better. But it depends on you, if you have no problems carrying weight, load on! But if you're just
a normal guy as me, pack as light as possible =)
Enough talk now, here is my list (Including what you're wearing at the departure!):
Clothing
- 5 underwear pairs - 5 pairs of sock and 5 boxers/briefs
- 3 T-shirts - normal t's, not dark colored as they attract mosquitoes, and not too white as they get dirty too easily
- 1 long sleeve shirt/polo (or both!) - Useful for layering and protection against mosquitoes, can also be used for evenings out
- 1 fleece/sweater - you will feel the cold in the mornings or evenings. And plus, its always useful to have around
- 1 jacket - preferably thsoe windproof ones. For the cold you can always layer everything up beneath the jacket
- 1 scarf/bandanna - lots of uses for it =)
- 1 jeans - not your costy ones! plain, dark blue ones that are resistant will do just fine!
- 1 convertible trousers - those ones with a zip, that can be trasformed from shorts to trousers and vice versa
- 1 shorts - normal ones with lots of pockets preferred
- 1 swimming trunks - for the beach, lakes and rivers, obviously. Can also be used as shorts when needed
- 1 pair of shoes - to use when on the move in cities, to go at night, climb mountains, and the occasional football game =)
- 1 pair of sandals/flip-flops - for whenever you haven't your shoes on, including showers in hostels
Instead of trunks, girls can take their swimming suits, as long as you keep in mind that in some parts of the world, women bathe fully clothed, either because of tradition or religion.
Instead of the shorts or convertibles, you can take skirts, just not too short, always because of the modesty issues around some countries
Essentials
- sleeping bag - light-weight and compact. For stealth camping or for beds with dirty linen
- towel - preferably those viscose ones, they absorm more and dont stink if left not totally dry
- tarp / poncho - impermeable one, of course. You can wear it over you and your backpack in case of rain. Also makes a small tent
- corkscrew/can opener - Instead of a swiss knife, take a simple corkscrew that also opens cans and bottles. it weights less
- knife - not them kitchen ones... take those foldable ones along. you will use it for more than just eating
- spoon and fork - basic tools used to eat =3
- inox bottomed cup - to boil water, and why not, boil things in it and make coffee. can also be used as a normal cup
- foldable scissors and tweezers - you never know... they dont occupy and dont waste space anyway
- duct tape - the brown hardcore one, you can fix everything with that
- rope - nylon one, you can use it to hang your clothes, or hang your tarp =)
- flashlight - useful at night (duhhh ;D)
- padlocks - for closing your backpack
- rubber bands and sewing kit - first one to hold things together, and the second to fix clothes or backpack
- notebook and pens - to journal your trip, write email addresses, and pass your time by doodling on it =)
- toilet bag - pack the basics: shampoo, soap, deodorant, razors, etc. with an unbreakable mirror
- wet wipes - for those times where showers arent possible
- toilet paper - when the urge comes in out-of-the-world places =D
- first aid kit - once again, very basic stuff, look for the ready made ones.
- contraceptives - for lucky encounters =P
- plastic bags - to group things together, or hold dirty clothes, or for anything...
- water bottle - a plain empty bottle of those you used, just to be refilled
Keep in mind, this is the stuff i take, and i use a 60L internal frame backpack. Your needs will be probably be different. This is just to give you an idea.
Another thing, it should all weight below 12 kg. Or if you are confortable carrying lots of weight, make sure it doesnt surpass a third of your whole body's weight.