Essential Items for Trip : What to pack
For as long as I can remember, the biggest task for me before going on a trip is to ensure that all the required items were packed and I did not forget anything. However, no matter how many times I went through my bag, I always used to end up forgetting one thing or another that I would remember during the trip. I am sure same is the case with a lot of other people. We start packing our bags a few days in advance (a few hours in my case actually) but in the end, there is always something that gets left behind. Sometimes it is merely an item of convenience like a sunscreen lotion and sometimes it can be something totally disastrous, like forgetting driving license.
What to pack is a question answer to which depends on a lot of factors like where are you headed, how will the weather over there be, how long is your trip but there are items that you will always need no matter what the answer to these questions is. In my opinion, it is always helpful to have a rundown of what items you may want to pack. To handle this situation better, I kind of put together a check list for myself that I use as a reference while packing my bags. I just take a print out of this and keep crossing the items out as I pack. I go through this list, first cross out the items that I do not need and then cross out the needed items as I pack them.
Important Travel Documents:
- Passport / Visa (If you are going on an international trip)
- A valid personal identity card (keep both the original and print outs as well)
- Cash/Debit/Credit Cards
- Driving License
- Your vehicle’s documents (Like RC, PUC, Insurance certificates in case you are driving)
- Passport size photographs
- Air ticket printout (if you are flying and have booked a ticket online)
- Credit/Debit card photocopy along with authentication letter if you booked ticket on someone else’s card
- Copy of any transportation or accommodation plans made for arrival
Electronics
- Mobile
- Mobile Charger
- Power bank
- Multi plug
- Camera
- Camera charger
- Camera battery
- Tripod
- Camera Filters
- Camera Remote or shutter release cable
- Extra memory cards
- Spare batteries
Toiletries
- Tooth paste and brush
- Soap
- Shampoo (you may not either find one at all at remote places or may not find the brand you use)
- Face wash (If you do not like applying soap on your face)
- Hair Oil
- Comb or brush
- Sunscreen lotion
- Moisturizer
- Lip guard or Vaseline
- Deodorants
- Shaving kit (Blades, shaving cream, brush, after shave)
- Cold cream (if you are headed to the hills or a colder region)
- Contact lenses and solution (If you use them)
- Nail clippers
- Feminine hygiene products
Sundries
- Pen
- Pocket diary
- Sunglasses with cover
- Torch
- Small scissor
- Small pocket knife
- Watch
- Water bottle
- Cigarette lighter (even if you do not smoke it can come in handy sometimes or carry a match box)
Clothes:
- Clothes depending on the weather of the place you are headed to
- Towels
- Hats/caps/monkey caps
- Belt
- Cotton handkerchief or tissue
First Aid Kit:
- Band aids
- Cotton Bandage
- Diarrhea tablets
- Medicine for cold
- Medicine for stomach ache
- Insect and/or mosquito repellent
- Medicines/prescription Drugs
- Motion sickness tablets
- Paracetamol, Crocin for fever
- Replacement/re-hydration salts sachets
- Vitamin pills
- Water purifying tablets
- Eno Sachets
- Crepe Bandage
- Dettol
- Pain relief spray
- Antiseptic creams
Bags:
- Carry Bag
What items should you avoid packing?
- Expensive items, like jewelry that you do not absolutely need to bring along
- Sentimental items, even if they’re not of expensive value.
- Unnecessary electronics, so if you don’t need it, don’t bring it.
This is of course not a complete list as I am sure there are several things I may have missed here. A few other essential items will have to be added for lady travelers. Please feel free to comment if you would like to add more to this list that can be helpful for anyone packing for a trip.
