Travel Checklist for Long Backpacking Trips

Every traveller needs a checklist to see if they are carrying all the important stuff that they need on their trip. Even the most seasoned traveller can either miss stuff or carry a bit more. Both situations can cause problems sometimes. I am currently on a 5-6 month backpacking trip across South East Asia and the post below is a travel checklist or packing list that I prepared and followed. The idea was to ensure that I do not carry too much weight, ensures safety for my stuff from the elements and miscreants and is easy for me to lug my stuff around the city, at bus stations, railway stations and at airports. So far it looks like I am doing good, though I will have a better idea when I finish my trip and at that time, I will update this post with my feedback and comments.

Note: The below list is for a MALE in his early 30s.

Important
1) Passport with at least 6 months validity, though more is advised
2) Yellow fever card if you are coming from an infected country
3) Travel Insurance document for the length of your journey to take care of contingencies and medical emergencies
4) Credit Card – 2 (one for regular use and one for backup)
5) Debit Card – 2 (one for regular use and one for backup)
6) Forex, as required. Though, you can withdraw from the country using your debit/ATM card
7) Flight Tickets
8) 16 Passport size photographs (for visas and other documentation)
9) Accommodation vouchers, if you have booked in advance
10) Soft copies of all important travel documents in hard disk and/or on the cloud (web)

Baggage and Important Accessories
1) Backpack with rain cover – don’t put stuff into this that you don’t want to check in or leave at your hostel/guest house
2) Daypack with rain cover – put all valuable stuff in it
3) Money pouch or waist belt to be worn inside clothes
4) Copy of all important documents in backpack. Copies include (bills of all camera gear so that you don’t get questioned at customs, passport, visa, travel insurance)
5) Bed sheet – 1 – in case your hostel doesn’t provide you one

Electronics
1) Camera, Lens, Batteries, Charger, Filters, Battery Grip, Memory Cards, Card Reader and Camera Strap
2) Cellphone and Cellphone charger
3) Earphones
4) 2 TB Portable HDD in pocket size
5) Laptop and Laptop charger
6) Hair trimmer and charger
7) Travel Adaptor (that can handle multiple country plug points)

Footwear
1) Normal canvas or walking shoes – 1 pair
2) Sandals – 1 pair – ideally one that is rugged enough for walking long distances, for water sports and can be used as bathroom slippers

Clothes
1) Warm Jacket – 1 (for 0-10 degree celsius)
2) Day-to-Day use jacket – 1 (for air conditioned travel and slightly nippy nights)
3) Half sleeve shirt – 3
4) Track Pants – 3
5) Night Shorts – 4
6) Day Shorts – 1
7) T Shirts – 5
8) Vests – 9 pairs
9) Bandana – 8
10) Thin Bathing Towel – 1
11) Socks – 7 pairs

Tools/Gear
1) Guide Books
2) Swiss Army Knife
3) Headlamp and Batteries (1 set in headlamp and one in spare)
4) Sunglasses – 1 pair

Toilette Kit (Small to medium sizes)
1) Soap bar and Soap box or Liquid Soap
2) Shaving Kit
3) Deodorant
4) Toothbrush
5) Toothpaste
6) Cold Cream
7) Chapstick/Lip Balm
8) Mosquito repellant (30 DEET minimum)
9) Washing Powder – 4 or 5 sachets

Miscellaneous
1) Poly Bags (Trash Bags or Plastic Bags) – to carry dirty laundry and/or for protecting clothes and gear from the elements
2) Zip Loc Bags (for storing  papers, money, important documents, wallet, etc.)

First Aid Kit
For a detailed first aid travel kit, look up here.