Leaving?! Not yet… (Dedicated to my friend Adi Azar)

One of the important things to do before going on a long trip is planning what to take with you.
The decision is not so simple.
Do we need clothes for full 7 days or less?
Do we need all the necessary accessories from home, or do we buy it along the way when we need it?
Do we need to take things we will use 5 month from now?
Well, as you see the questions are endless, and this is only some of them.
The decision, what to take to a trip, depends on the behavior of the trip and your bank account.

First thing first, check what the weather in the places you are going.
If it's only summer, than you are lucky, since your bag will be light. If its winter, then, you need to screen what you take with you.
If you have it all then it's an art to balance it all.
On our travel we are going to have a range of temperature (1° – 30°) and all kind of weather: tropical, subtropical, raining and sunshine (see Clothing & footwear).

Second, decide what type of accommodation you are going to have during the trip, Hotel, Hostel/Youth hotel, camping or family?
Deciding is a factor of budget and adventurism.
This trip we are going to depends a lot on camping, since the accommodation in New Zealand is quite expansive. When you decide this it inflects your packing gear (in case you don't want to curse the moment you thought about this "brilliant" idea). So we spent some good amount of money to make this experience more comfortable (see camping gear).

Third, think of the activities you are going to do during your trip (base on what the place offer). Are you going to do some trekking, climbing, snorkeling, diving or any other adventures activity that require some special equipment?
We are going to travel in two major places that offers lots of trekking, New Zealand Chile and Argentina, so we are taking with us comfortable clothing for this activity.

If you are going to some islands, like we do, think about swimsuit.
For those who want to explore the islands to there fullest think about diving (but don’t forget to have a certificate to do so), or do some snorkeling. (See Water stuff)

If you thought about all those major thinks you are almost there.
Of course, don't forget your flight's tickets (without them you want get far), all your documents and certificates you'll need along the way (unless you want to mess with the authorities).

Now we are almost there….

List of travel equipment:

Clothing & footwear:
1. Cold weather
1.1. Raincoat
1.2. warm hat
1.3. gloves
2. Unisex clothing
2.1. underwear (x10)
2.2. shirts (short sleeve) (x7)
2.3. thermal clothing (for trekking)
2.4. Trousers (I recommend traveling pants that separates)
2.5. Belt (I recommend money belt – a regular belt (source company) that has a hidden pocket for emergency mpney).
2.6. Shorts
2.7. Socks (x5)
2.8. Hat
2.9. swimsuit
3. For Women
3.1. Bra
4. Shoes
4.1. Trekking shoes (If you are about to do more than 4 treks, think of investing in a good shoes with gortex and vibram sole)
4.2. sandals (in case you are going to be in warm places)
4.3. Shoes for the bath (you don't want to get fungus…)

Extra equipment:
1. Camping gear:
1.1. Inflatable Mattress
1.2. Sleeping bag
1.3. Sheets
1.4. Mosquito net
1.5. water-bottle (bag)
2. Hygiene equipment:
2.1. Towel (I recommend to bug special traveling towels, thin and quickly dry).
2.2. Laundry bag
2.3. Baby wipes
2.4. Toiletry Bag
2.5. Shampoo
2.6. Soap
2.7. Soap box
2.8. Toothpaste
2.9. Toothbrush
2.10. Deodorants
2.11. comb
2.12. small mirror
2.13. small scissors (for nails)
2.14. Sun block lotion
2.15. laundry bag
2.16. laundry soap
2.17. For Women:
2.17.1. hygiene Products
2.17.2. Body cream
2.17.3. basic makeup
2.18. For Men:
2.18.1. Razor
2.18.2. Extra blades for Razor
2.18.3. Shaving cream
3. Medicine:
3.1. Prescription medicine
3.2. Sore tape (Adhesive tape)
3.3. Band-Aids (Plaster)
3.4. Iodine
3.5. Insect repellent
3.6. Water purifying filter or Water purifying tablets
3.7. Motion sickness tablets
3.8. Contraceptive tablets
3.9. Fever tablets
3.10. Pain relievers
3.11. Fungus cream
3.12. Cream for rubbing
3.13. Antibiotics
3.14. Cream for eye infection
3.15. Cold medicine
3.16. Relief Cream for sting (Fnistel)
3.17. Allergy pills (Anti-histamines)
3.18. Malaria tablets (If you are going to places with malaria risk)
3.19. Laxative
3.20. Diarrhea medicine
3.21. For women:
3.21.1. Hygiene treatment for internal fungus
3.21.2. Antibiotics for infection in the urine system
4. Money and documents
4.1. Travelers' cheques
4.2. Receipt for travelers' cheques
4.3. Credit cards (Visa, Eurocard/Mastercard, American Express etc)
4.4. Money belt
4.5. Documents
4.5.1. Passport
4.5.2. Visas (for countries how needs it)
4.5.3. Insurance certificate (Health Insurance card)
4.5.4. Driver's license (International driver's license)
4.5.5. Address list (with phone numbers and email addresses)
4.5.6. Diving certificate
4.5.7. Diving Insurance
4.5.8. Photocopies of important documents (On the web)
4.5.9. International Student Identification Card (ISIC)
4.5.10. Photographs for visas/passports etc
4.5.11. Addresses and phone numbers to embassies
4.5.12. Calendar
4.5.13. Phone card
4.5.14. Trip time table

4.6. For carrying money and documents
4.6.1. Pouch for valuable documents
4.6.2. Money belt
4.6.3. Wallet
4.6.4. Clothes with hidden pockets
4.7. Airline tickets
4.8. Maps (Optional, in case you are going to drive)
4.9. Books
4.9.1. Guidebook
4.9.2. Reading books

5. Things for packing
5.1. Backpack (Rucksack)
5.2. Backpack rain cover
5.3. Small extra backpack (Knap sack, Day pack)
5.4. locks
6. Eating equipment
6.1. Swiss army knife
7. Miscellaneous equipment
7.1. Pen
7.2. Poker cards (Playing cards)
7.3. Sunglasses
7.4. Safety pins
7.5. Sewing Kit
8. General electrical items
8.1. Alarm clock (Travel alarm)
8.2. Cell Phone (Mobile Phone, Cellular Phone)
8.3. Charger to Cell Phone
8.4. Watch
8.5. Head flashlight
8.6. Batteries
8.7. Batteries charger
8.8. Disk on Key
9. Camera equipment
9.1. Digital camera
9.2. Memory cards
9.3. Associated cables
9.4. Camera bag
10. Music items
10.1. Music player (Cassette, CD, MiniDisc, MP3)
10.2. Headphones
10.3. Music media (Music cassettes, CDs)
10.4. Headphone 'doubler' plug
11. Water stuff
11.1. Swimsuit
11.2. Basic equipment (even for non-divers)
11.2.1. Fins
11.2.2. Mask
11.2.3. Snorkel


To do before you go on the trip:

1. Check the weather in the countries you plan to go (max/min temperature, average of raining days) and plan according to it.
2. Buy your travel ticket.
3. Before leaving, confirm airline tickets.
4. Get travel insurance
5. Issue a student card (in case you are still a student)
6. If you are about to travel with a car, issue an international license card.
7. Make a copy of all your documents and upload them to a reachable web site.
8. Balance your bank account (preferable making your credit card charges to be in foreign currency)
9. Memorize PIN codes to credit cards
10. Change money
11. If you have a pension plane, make sure you preserve your "lost of working capability". Advise with your policy agent.
12. Change the message on your answering machine
13. If you don't have email account, this is the time to do it
14. Visit the dentist
15. Get vaccination