What to pack when backpacking around South East Asia

One of the advantages of travelling around Asia is you can pack very light.

your able to cut out a lot of the bulky items and focus more on light breathable items.

Here are some details about what’s in my bag when backpacking around South East Asia

Clothes

Keep it few keep it simple

I have packed with the mind frame that I can wear my clothes out a little and wash when possible, which is rather easy to do.

My list:

2x Quick dry tee’s (easy to wash dry in two hours)
1x Light weight fleece (for colder evenings and mosquito protection)
4x Sport fit underwear
1x Sports sock (for long walking days)
4x Ankle socks (small easy to pack)
1x Spring season waterproof jacket (more breathable in tropic heat)
1x Casual shirt (for smarter occasions)
1x Light weight trek trousers with zip pocket (great for passport security and more religious visits)
2x Shorts Camo pockets
1x Swim shorts ( double up as running shorts)
1x Pair of Havianas flip flops (last forever)

One extra tip: T-shirts are both cheap and fun in South East Asia, you can pick some extra ones up once you arrive.

Backpack

My bag: The North Face Surge II.

Holds around 33 litres and packs more compartments than any other bag on the Market (I love compartments) it’s very light, not too bulky and offers anything you could need from a day bag. Only had it a day, but it’s been working wonders already.

My portable bathroom

Packed in a waterproof string bag just in case of leaks and the packed into a see through zip back to airport security.

All items are also under 100ml to allow my bag to go on as hand luggage.

Other general items

1x Moleskin large lined notebook (for travel writing
1x Pilot g-2 pen (the best pen on the Market in my books)
1x Set of reading glasses
1x Polarized sunglasses (for extra protection)
1x Asus Eee Notebook PC with international charger, running Linux (nightmare! Thinking about recycling it)
1x iPhone plus international adapter/charger
1x Amazon kindle (loaded with lonely planet guidebooks)
1x Wallet with cash cards, ID, driving license, hostel card, ISIC student card and passport photo and $100 (us$ for boarders)
1x Micro towel
1x Dual time watches (UK time and then location time)
1x Web belt with built in bottle opener
1x Micro light sleeping bag (great for tropic heat, trains, hostel and guest stay.)
1x Number lock (for hostel locker)
1x Laptop lock (for coffee shop toilet visits and unsecured hostels)
1x Box of 500 contact cards (for networking)

Not a lot of items, but just the bare essentials of what you need to travel around Asia, my goal is if you need something buy it on the way when you need it rather than risking lugging something around you hardly ever use.

It’s important to take photos of all your items and list them like above for insurance reasons, so if the worst was to happen and your bag did get stolen, you have a go to place to pass on the information to the insurance.

Other tips before you go

Take photocopies of all your documents and credit cards and put them in a safe place, given them to some one you can trust, put them on a USB stick and on a remote location such as an email account so in emergencies you have fast access.

Get some multiple currency’s

I pack 100 us dollars for emergencies such as border payments or if my bank cuts off my credit card, gives me enough funds to survive for a while. I normally keep $50 in my wallet and $50 in my bag for variety.

A mixture of cards

What to pack and getting prepared/ Asia edition

Every country is different and Mynmar/Burma doesn’t even have cash machine’s yet! So be prepared! I pack a mixture of visa and Mastercard, along with debit/pre paid/ credit just to play it safe.

Keep everyone back home informed.

Don’t be a stranger, people do care and it’s important to keep everyone up-to-date back home.

I use Tripit so my family can access my flight and hotel details were ever I go for re-assurance.

I also have Skype to communicate back home as well as using the voicemail feature so in emergencies I can be contacted remotely.

It’s important to be organized and prepared during the packing and preparation so when you arrive at your destination, you can sit back and safely know everything is in place.

Just thank me for only packing a day bag, in the hot heat, lugging around a small light day bag is a real joy allowing you to move faster and with more comfort.

Really, it’s all you need in Asia

Happy travels around southeast Asia!

Anything else you would pack? Like the list? Post below in the comment section and let me know what you think, thank you: