What to Pack
We recommend you pack as light as possible.
You will be carrying your own luggage, hauling it on and off buses, on to trains, up the stairs (you get the idea), so we recommend you pack as light as possible. Really, no one cares if you already wore that shirt. One suitcase or a duffel bag you can easily manage is best, with a carry-on for your valuables, medications, and an extra change of clothes just in case. Baggage restrictions vary by airline, and it is your responsibility to clearly understand your airline’s baggage allowance before departure. Any additional charges or luggage fees outside the original booking are your responsibility.
Trips to different areas of the globe often require different accessories – you’re not going to need extreme mosquito protection if you’re going to Antarctica but a parka is a must. We will provide trip-specific shopping and packing lists to your trip leader as your trip gets closer. You can purchase some of the items we recommend right here »
For most trips, we recommend:
Clothes
- Comfortable walking/trekking shoes. You’ll be putting in a lot of miles.
- Long- and short-sleeved shirts
- Socks and underwear
- Pants, shorts, and/or jeans
- Pajamas
- Swimsuit
- Nice outfit/shoes in case of a special occasion
- Rain jacket and umbrella
- Lightweight jacket or fleece that’s easy to wear and carry
Toiletries
- Toothbrush/travel-sized toothpaste (put in your carry-on in case your luggage gets delayed)
- Shampoo/conditioner/other hair care essentials
- Soap/body wash
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant with DEET
- Hand sanitizer
- Medications in their original containers (and a copy of your paperwork or prescription)
- Glasses/contact lenses
Carry-on Bag
Your carry-on bag will be essential in case your luggage gets delayed. You might want to include:
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Comb or hairbrush
- Change of clothing
- Phone charger/adapter
- Headphones/earbuds
- Medications
- Contacts/glasses
- Book/deck of cards
- Snacks
- Any valuables
Remember, different airlines have different regulations for carry-on bags, so make sure your bag is the right size once you have your flight itinerary from your trip leader.
Other Essentials
- Passport
- Visas (if applicable)
- Phone charger
- Electrical adapter/converter
- Personal credit card and ATM card (let your banks know you’ll be traveling internationally)
- At least $50 in cash converted to the local currency where you’ll be traveling
- Travel belt for your passport, money, and credit cards to wear under your clothing
