TRAVEL TIPS


BEFORE YOU GO!

You will get the most out of any experience when you take the time to prepare.
Below are some travel tips to consider when planning an adventure.

RESEARCH
   
1. Geography
Study maps, orienteering, distance, altitude, obstacles & pacing
2. History
Major Events & Places to See
Religion
Politics
3. Culture
 Customs: social, business & tipping etiquette
Current Events
Music
4. Language
Learn the basics:
Greetings – hello, good bye
Pleasantries – thank you, your welcome
Numbers – counting to 10
5. Food
Local delicacies
Availability
Allergies
6. Money

Local Currency & Exchange Rate

Accessibility
Notify your bank & credit card companies to make sure your cards will work outside the country
Availability of local banks & ATMs
Payment Options – some hotels, restaurants and stores in 3rd world countries can not process credit cards for payment
Budget
Cash – Bring lots of $1 & $5 for tipping
7. Transportation
Getting Around
Public transportation (ferries, boats, planes, trains & automobiles), hiking, cycling etc.
Guide Services
Road & Trail Conditions
8. Travel Advisories

US Department of State International Travel Advisories

Political
Environmental (i.e. volcanos, weather)
Outbreaks – Diseases
9. Medical

Travel Vaccinations: Some diseases require a series of shots over 6 months. Make sure you give yourself enough time.

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Tetanus – 1 Shot = 10 Years
Yellow Fever – 1 Shot = 10 Years
Polio Booster – 1 Shot = 10 Years
Typhoid – 1 Shot – 2 Years
Hepatitis A – 2 Shots over 6 months = Lifetime
Hepatitis B – 3 Shots over 6 months = Lifetime
* Malaria – Pills to be taken over a certain length of time
(I do not take these. Flu like symptoms are common side effects)

Prescriptions: bring enough & keep copies of prescriptions

Vitamins

First Aid Kit:
band-aids
small sewing kit
alcohol swabs
super glue,
ace bandage
electrolytes powder packets
water purification pills
emergency space blanket

Medicine:
Advil – anti-inflammatory
Imodium & Maalox – stomach
Benadryl – antihistamine
Neosporin – antibiotic ointment
Cipro – antibiotic
Diamox – anti-altitude
Melatonin – natural sleep aid (* I also bring Ambien)
Smooth Move Tea or Pills – digestive aid
10. Paperwork

Entrust a contact at home with your travel, accounts & emergency information. Keep a copy of your passport, itinerary & emergency contact information with you.

Passport
Make sure it is up-to-date
Keep 2 copies with you (not with original) & leave one at home

Visas
Country requirements; time limits, dates, multi-entry etc. Give yourself enough time to obtain documents.

Embassy Notification: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/

Permits
Give yourself enough time to obtain documents

International Travel Insurance

Itinerary
dates, lodging, guide service & flights

Emergency Contact Information

Will, Living Will & Temporary Power of Attorney

Master Accounts Document
Update a master document that lists your credit cards, bank accounts, investments etc.

Money
Include small denominations as most guides and people requiring tips will accept American currency.

Medical
Copy of prescriptions
PACKING

Customize your packing for the specific adventure & weather conditions.

Find multi-purposes for an item, embrace washing clothes in a sink (or in nature) & remember, less is more. You don’t want to be weighted down by heavy luggage or backpack no matter where you are going or what you are doing!

What you do NOT need!
1. Make-Up
2. Blow Dryer, Curling Iron or Flat Iron
3. Hair Spray
4. Jeans
5. Perfume or Cologne
Top 5 Multi-Purpose Items
1. Large Bandana or Sarong: blanket, dress, skirt, scarf, towel, head wrap, sling, bandage
2. Garbage Bag: trash, impromptu poncho, dry bag, water transpiration bag
3. Organic Shampoo: body wash, dish detergent & shampoo
4. Poncho: tarp, floor mat, impromptu tent, rain protector for pack & coat
5. Duct Tape: tent, pack or clothing repair, band-aid, sling, rope etc. Wrap it around your trekking poles
   
Clothing
Bring 1:
Large Bandana or Sarong
Baseball Hat
Warm Hat
Light Weight Gloves
Wool Socks
Acrylic Socks (wicking)
Convertible pants to shorts
Soft Shell Jacket
Poncho
Fleece Sweatshirt
T-Shirt (wicking)
Long Sleeve Shirt (wicking)
Cotton camp pant
Bring 2:
Underwear
Support Tank Top or Sports Bra
Shoes

Hiking Shoes

Camp Sandals or Flip Flops
Necessities
 Food
Protein & Granola Bars
Goobers (Mixed Peanut Butter & Jelly)
Large Tortilla Shells
MREs and/or Freeze Dried Food
Fruit Roll-Ups
Gatorade Powder Packets
Instant Coffee and Creamer (* for some, it’s a necessity)Toiletries
Deodorant
Organic Shampoo & Conditioner
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Mirror-Brush Compact (Target travel accessories)
Razor
Tweezers
Wet Wipes & Tissues
Chapstick
Lotion
Mosquito Repellant
Sunscreen General
Hand warmers
Ear Plugs & Eye Mask
Water Purification Pills
Duck Tape (wrap around trekking poles)
Cotton balls covered in Vaseline (fire aid – highly flammable)
Nylon Rope (Small)
Carabineers
Journal & Pen
Plastic Trowel
Plastic Bags

First Aid Kit

Gear

 

Equipment
Lightweight, 3,000+ cu. inch backpack (< 3 lbs)
Lightweight tent (< 4 lbs.)
Neoair Termarest Air Mattress (< 1 lb)
Lightweight 15F+ Sleeping Bag (<2 lbs)
Trekking Poles
Camel Back Hydration Bladder
1 Liter Water Bottle BPA Free
Titanium Cup (doubles as a pot, bowl & mug)
Sleep Liner (adds 10F degrees of warmth)
Esbit Pocket Stove (size of a pack of cards) & Fuel Cells
Dry Bag (Sea to Summit or Heavy Duty Garbage Bag)
Leatherman / Pocket Knife (small)
Suunto Compass
2 Lighters
Technology
Headlamp
Camera or Cell Phone
IPOD (music, audiobooks, lectures, podcasts)
Universal Charger (battery or solar powered)
Extra batteries
Watch (altimeter, barometer & compass)