Packing for a round the world trip or What on earth do I bring?

Firstly, packing for a round the world trip is seemingly impossible! You want to travel light, but the idea of taking just a few items for months on end seems crazy. 2 pairs of shorts for 12 months? No way!! We looked at loads of information on the internet and in travel guidebooks, asked friends, and then packed a bag as a trial. And then we packed again, and took out half of it.

Our biggest dilemma was that, while most people’s round the world trip tends to go in seasons (for example Australia and South East Asia will all be warm, with maybe some cold country European stops at the end), ours goes hot (Argentia), cold (Antarctica), hot (Argentina/Chile/Peru), cold (highlands of Bolivia), hot (rest of South America), cold (nights in Namibia in winter), hot (rest of Africa and South East Asia) and insanely cold (China and Siberia in winter). So, while most people can purchase cold weather gear as they need it midway through the trip, or ship it home after their first leg, we can’t. We’re taking the bare minimum of cold weather gear though, but it does come at the expense of some space.

So, what’s ended up in our rucksacks?

Jon and I have chosen the same backpack – – it’s the Kathmandu Interloper gridTECH. It is big – 70l – but I’d rather have the space and not use it, then not have the space. It also comes with a Sumit Gluon daypack which attaches to the rucksack. You can read more about them on our Travel Gear page.

Clothes/Shoes

Erika

1 pair of combat trousers
1 pair of jeans
1 skirt
2 pairs of long shorts
2 tank-tops
3 t-shirts
1 wraparound light sweater
1 long-sleeved shirt
2 long-sleeved thermal top
1 fleece
1 casual sundress
1 dressy top
2 maxi dresses (can be both day or night outfits)
3 pairs of socks
10 pairs of underwear
3 bras
1 sports top with bra*
1 pairs of yoga trousers*
2 bikinis
1 sarong
1 long sleeve beach coverup
1 pair of pajamas (camisole and shorts)
1 pair of canvas sneakers
1 pair of hiking shoes
1 pair of flip flops (for hostel showers and on the beach)
Waterproof jacket
Ski jacket

Jon
2 pairs of combat trousers
1 pair of linen trousers
2 pairs of combat shorts
4 t-shirts
1 polo shirt
3 dress shirts (one short sleeved)
1 tank-top for exercise
2 long-sleeved thermal tops
1 pair thermal trousers
1 pair waterproof trousers
1 fleece
1 pair pajama trousers
1 pair of swimming trunks
9 pairs of underwear
7 pairs of socks

Miscellaneous

Shared between the two of us:

Extra Large Microfiber travel towel (one each)
Silk-blend sleep sheet (one each)
100 lumins hand torch/flashlight
Mini Maglight torch/flashlight
Headlamp flashlight
Travel Neck Pillow (one each – for those incredibly long South America bus trips)
Waterproof pouch
Metal waterbottle
Canvas bag
Chopstick helper* (Jon)
Excercise Bands

Bits and Pieces: A Sharpie, pen, Bank cardreader, plastic bags etc.

Toiletries

shared:
Full size* shampoo
Full size conditioner
Full size toothpaste
Sunscreen
Deet insect repellent
Lip Balm
Wet Wipes
Earplugs
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Travel Detergent x2
Travel Washing Line
Sink Plug

Erika:
Contact solution and 1 case
Contacts (15 month supply)
Facewash
Eyemakeup Remover
Moisturizer
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Razor and blades
Hair Dye
Tampons*
Cotton Pads
Eye Glasses
Eye Drops
Nail file
Travel Hairdryer*

Makeup - (fits into a 4″ x 4″ bag)
Small bottle of foundation
Compact eyeshadow palette
3 eyeshadow compact
Mascara
Blush
Nail Polish
Small Lip Gloss x 2
Minature Perfume
Minature Makeup Brushes
Pencil Sharpener

Jon:
Facewash
Moisturizer
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Teeth
Razor and blades
Travel Shaving Gel
Travel Aftershave

Travel medical kit:
Ibuprofen, Neosporin (Antibiotic gel), Bandaids, Gauze, Sore throat tablets, Hydrocortisone cream, Cold/Flu tablets, Diarrhoea & Stomach medicine, Seasickness tablets, thermometer
Doxycycline (Malaria medicine), Asthma inhalers

Notes – *Chopstick helper – As Jon might not eat through Asia without it. *Full size toiletries – We discussed taking travel size items, but if you are going for months, it’s not practical. You’d have to buy full size items to refill them regardless. *Tampons – Just a few, as you can buy them everywhere. *Travel Hairdryer – Yes, this is a luxury, but Erika’s hair dried naturally isnt something we want to inflict on the world.

And in the Daypacks?

This was even tougher, weighing up the electronics we wanted to bring with what we were worried about losing. Some decisions were taken out of our hands, as we were given things as gifts, but the big decision was the camera. We finally decided to take the DLSR, along with the waterproof point n shoot, as we thought Antartcica and Africa were worth it! I would probably agree that we are taking too much, but Jon is a gadget fan, so it’s coming with!

Asus Netbook
Canon 450i with telefoto lens
Olympus uTough (waterproof, shockproof!!)
Sanyo Xacti Video Camera
Amazon Kindle
Ipod Nano
Phones
Mini speakers
Worldwide adaptors
Eco Charger
Extra batteries and memory cards

Update from the road…

Jon – So far Jon has bought a hat, lost it, and found a new one! He has also bought and lost sunglasses, and bought another pair. He has also bought a pair of Bolivian baggy trousers.

Erika – So far has bought a hand towel to dry newly dyed hair without ruining her big towel, two t-shirts to replace ones that are quickly falling apart, a woolly Bolivian hat (to replace her current hated beanie) and a small Bolivian purse to carry around on days when the daypack is too much.