I’ve got packing down tight now. When preparing to travel for 2 weeks around Cuba, it took 15 minutes. This time, I’ll be in the deserts of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in summer (think 45-50°C) and high up in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, potentially hiking in snow.
Here’s the plan.
What to wear
- 7 pairs underwear
- 2 quick dry sports bras
- 2 quick dry pants (one zippable to shorts)
- long underwear
- pajama shorts + shirt
- long linen shirt
- quick dry long-sleeved shirt
- micro fleece zip-up
- fleece sweater
- 2 pairs hiking socks
- 2 pairs liner socks
- head scarf
- headband (cut from bottom of yoga pants)
- rain jacket shell
- brown fleece jacket
- sun hat
- toque
- mitts
- hiking boots
- sandals
Just in case
- water purification liquids
- rehydration salts
- cold medication
- antihistamines
- gravol
- ibuprofen
- acetaminophen
- charcoal pills
- antibiotics
- bandaids
- alcohol wipes
- tensor bandage
- gauze and medical tape
- cotton swabs
- ozonol
- insect repellent
- swiss army knife
In the bathroom
- comb
- toothbrush with cap
- toothpaste
- soap + case
- travel size 2-in-1 shampoo
- 1 roll toilet paper, tube taken out
- travel size mens deodorant
- menstrual cup
- small thin towel
- small sunscreen
- 2 hair elastics
Keeping plugged in
- digital SLR
- 2 X 8GB memory cards for SLR
- 2 X SLR batteries + charger
- small camera
- 2 X 2GB memory card for small camera
- small camera battery + charger
- laptop (this is a new choice…not totally decided on this yet)
- laptop power cord
- camera to computer cord
- memory card reader
- 5 blank CDs
- outlet adapters
- headphones
And a few more things
- small tab of washing powder
- universal sink plug
- tiger balm (for sore muscles, congestion, and airtight bus rides with people smoking)
- guidebook
- small language guide
- 2 books for reading
- small journal
- pen and pencil
- watch/alarm
- 12 passport photos
- sunglasses
- passport
- credit and debit cards
- 1L wide-mouth Nalgene wrapped with duct tape
- photos of home
- ear plugs
- headlamp
Sounds like quite a lot, but I don’t think it is. I don’t wear shorts, skirts or short-sleeved shirts when I travel, both because I often am travelling to countries where modesty is expected, and because I hate sunburns.
I’ll take some pictures once I’ve packed.
