- Round The World Trip in 2012
- Round The World Trip Initial Planning
- Round The World Trip Destination Wish #1: Trans-Siberian Railway
- Budgeting for a Round The World Trip
- First Item Purchased for Round The World Trip
- The Departure Year is Finally Here
- Round The World Trip Delayed for 1 Year
- Round The World Pre-Trip To Do List
- Crafting a Savings Plan for a Round The World Trip
- Leaving on a Round The World Trip in 2 Months
- Camera Equipment for My Round The World Trip
- Five Weeks Before Departure
- New Gear for Round The World Trip
- Cocktail of Travel Immunizations
- Change of Departure Date and Destination
- Itinerary for First Month of Round The World Trip
- Packing for a Round The World Trip
- The Departure Day is Finally Here
Since the first month of this journey included some hiking and camping, coming up with this packing list was challenging because I had to prepare for both city and backcountry travel.
Everything starts with the backpack, which is one borrowed from my sister. It’s an old version of the 40-liter REI Vagabond. I really wanted one on the smaller size because I like being more mobile and being forced to pack less. With a bigger backpack, we tend to always pack more than necessary. 40 liters is the sweet spot for me. The daypack is a Eagle Creek 2 in 1 Sling/Backpack. I love it because I can fit both my laptop and camera bag in there without being too obvious.
![REI Vagabond 40 and Eagle Creek 2 in 1 Sling/Backpack](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0664-1024x813.jpg)
Two locks. The smaller for the backpack’s main zipper, the bigger one for hostel lockers.
![Locker and backpack locks](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0666-1024x678.jpg)
Being such a big fan of ultralight backpacking, I can’t believe I’m bringing all this photography gear.
![Camera Gear](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_4418-1024x801.jpg)
![Camera and 3 lenses inside Timbuk2 Snoop Insert](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_4420-1024x768.jpg)
Another thing that I never thought I would pack for a long trip is a laptop, but having pictures to edit and a blog to maintain convinced me to change my mind. I bought the Sony VAIO Pro 13 specifically for this trip because of its super light weight.
![Laptop, 2 hard drives, cell phone, and mouse](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0661-1024x678.jpg)
For camping gear, low volume is just as important as low weight. I still can’t believe the Sea To Summit The Specialist Solo tent packs down smaller than the Mont-Bell Spiral Down Hugger #3 sleeping bag, which is already very very small.
![Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and hiking poles](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0668-1024x891.jpg)
Other camping items include water containers, Aquamira Water Purifier drops, duck tape, swiss army knife, whistle/compass, rope, spork, moleskin for blisters, and a headlamp.
![Other smaller camping items](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0675-1024x843.jpg)
For clothing, I’m bringing the bare minimum for the first month. I asked a friend who was going to Argentina before me to bring me a small backpack of clothes that I had prepared. I later realized that this initial set of clothes was really not enough to travel comfortably. The stuff in the picture below doesn’t include what I was actually wearing on departure day.
![Minimal clothing to start the trip](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0670-1024x791.jpg)
![Clothes inside stuff sack](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0683-1024x777.jpg)
The toiletries were also minimal to lighten the load for the 7-day hike to Machu Picchu. I bought more normal looking toiletries after that 🙂
![Toiletries for hiking](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0676-1024x738.jpg)
![Toiletries inside ziplock bag](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0679-1024x678.jpg)
Other miscellaneous items include the very essential earplugs (to deal with snorers in hostels), and the small notebook and pen.
![Bunch of earplugs](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0669-1024x678.jpg)
![Notebook and pen](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0677-1024x678.jpg)
Time to fit everything inside the backpack.
![Camping gear inside backpack](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0682-1024x678.jpg)
![Camera bag and laptop case inside backpack](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0685-1024x678.jpg)
![Toiletries and other smaller items in backpack](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0686-1024x678.jpg)
![The rest of the stuff in backpack](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0687-1024x678.jpg)
![Rain jacket in front pocket for easy access](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0689-1024x653.jpg)
![Tripod and hiking poles in one side pocket](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0693-1024x678.jpg)
![Water containers in the other side pocket](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0694-1024x678.jpg)
![Guidebook and notebook in top pocket](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0691-1024x678.jpg)
![Everything inside, not a lot of room to spare](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0695-1024x678.jpg)
Everything fits tightly inside. Most of the time during the trip though, I would carry the big backpack and smaller daypack separately.
The most sensitive stuff like passports and credit/debit cards are carried inside a money belt.
![Passports and credit/debit cards](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0696-1024x678.jpg)
Why two US passports? I have the receipt for the reciprocity fee I paid for Argentina in 2010 on the old one. It’s valid for 10 years, and I have to carry so I don’t get charged again.
![Important stuff inside money belt](http://kevinstravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC0699-1024x622.jpg)
What would I change from this packing list now that I’ve been on the road for almost 2 months? More clothes definitely. Having only one pair of long pants made it very hard to wash it regularly, specially in cold places. A sweater or two in addition to the down jacket I had would have helped too. Luckily I already have extra clothes in Buenos Aires, and I will keep some of those when I continue my journey. Aside from that, I don’t regret packing anything else. I’m very glad I took all the photography gear. It really hasn’t bothered me much and has allowed me to capture some of the amazing places I have visited.