Ultimate Packing List for a Round-the-World Trip
We’re in the final 24 hour countdown to Argentina and our bags are officially packed.
The last time we traveled for more than a couple weeks, we each hauled a giant pack and a smaller backpack. This time around, we decided packing light was the way to go. I’m proud to say, after much pruning of our packing list, we stuffed all of our travel gear into two carry-on size recycled packs — so it’s better for the environment and for our backs.
We’ll be spending the next 4 months traveling through Central and South America, getting to know the region, and practicing our Spanish. Since Argentina is a huge, geographically diverse country, we’re bringing clothes for every climate. The only things I’d add to this packing list for a longer round-the-world trip would be a scarf and a pair of long underwear.
Kimberly’s Packing List
Shirts & Jackets
2 long sleeve t-shirts
3 short sleeve quick dry t-shirts
1 quick-dry sporty tank top
2 tank tops
1 sleeping / exercise t-shirt
1 lightweight hoodie
1 zip-up fleece
1 Nike running / rain jacket
Pants, Shorts, & Skirts
1 pair The North Face Women’s Paramount Porter Convertible Pants (I love love love these — one of my favorite pieces of travel gear.)
1 pair jeans
1 skirt
1 pair sleeping shorts
1 pair sweatpants
Undergarments
6 pairs underwear
2 sports bras
2 regular bras
5 pairs socks
1 swimsuit
Shoes
Montrail Continental Divide trail shoes
Everything Else
1 winter hat
1 pair gloves
1 hat
1 pair sunglasses
1 belt
1 medium Aquis microfiber quick-dry towel
1 Eagle Creek small shoulder bag
1 watch
1 pair sunglasses
Mountainsmith Lily recycled pack (official review to come)
Elizabeth’s Packing List
Shirts & Jackets
1 athletic tank top
1 other tank top
2 long sleeve shirts
3 short sleeve shirts
1 sleeping t-shirt
1 fleece
1 Nike running jacket
1 lightweight zip-up hoodie
Pants, Shorts, Skirts
1 pair khakis
1 pair jeans
1 pair sweatpants
1 pair sleeping shorts/athletic shorts
1 pair khaki shorts
1 skirt
Undergarments
1 swimsuit
6 underwear
3 short socks
2 long socks
2 sports bras
2 regular bras
Shoes
Merrell Moab Ventilator hiking shoes
1 pair nicer black flip flops
1 pair shower flip flops
Everything Else
1 medium microfiber quick-dry towel
1 winter hat
1 pair gloves
1 baseball cap
1 pair sunglasses
1 watch
1 sunglasses
Mountainsmith Ivy recycled pack (official review to come)
Our Shared Packing List
Toiletries
2 mini shampoo bottles
Facewash
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Razor
Dental Floss
Deodorant
Face lotion
Small bottle of sunscreen
Chap stick
Nail clippers
Hair binders
Comb
Jewelry
Medicine
Peptobismol
Advil
Antibacterial hand gel
Neosporin
Motrin
Malaria pills
Halls cough drops/vitamins
Anti-itch cream
Imodium AD
Electronics
Laptop
A/V cord
Flash drive
ipods
ipod chargers
Nikon D40 camera with 18-55mm lens
Camera chargers
Connector cord
3 extra memory sticks
Camera adapter
Joby GP3-01EN Gorillapod SLR-Zoom Flexible Tripod (this is really great for travel, and much more portable than most tripods)
Laptop case
Camera case
Books
Lonely Planet Argentina guidebook
Eyewitness Argentina guidebook
Small Langenscheidt Spanish dictionary
Spanish grammar book
Books for plane
Journals, pens, tape
Small planner
Everything Else
Camelbak BPA-free water bottle
Klean Kanteen 27 oz. water bottle
Bottle opener
Locks for bag
Emergency contact numbers
Passports
ATM cards
Cash
Passport and marriage certificate copies
2 Baggu reusable shopping bags
Deck of playing cards
Daypack
I am so impressed! You ladies are the packing experts.
@Allie It wasn’t easy, but we were determined (or stubborn, depending on who you ask). But I’m really excited I won’t be hauling 50 lbs around the country.
Nice to see some ECO travelers. I think I read that our traveling is one of the biggest polluters normally. But for a real around-the-world you’ll need to pack a pair of real boots a a couple of winter jackets and visit some cold countries.
Your list looks awesome, I am definitely going to use it as a reference when packing for my month long trip through some of Central America this winter…There is only one thing I would suggest..I have found that, especially for people with more sensitive stomachs, taking a probiotic supplement on your trip and taking it daily with vitamins or alone can really help keep a strong and healthy stomach and digestive tract. Often people mistake a bug or food poisoning for a simple disagreement of bacteria. If you keep the culture in your stomach strong, it can easily overwhelm (or welcome) foreign bacteria that is not necessarily bad, just not from your neighborhood. I grew up in a foreign country and struggled with this for a long time after moving to the U.S. My good friend that recently passed away turned me onto probiotics, and it saved me. Every person that he and I have suggested it to since has had great results, traveling in all parts of the world. Probiotic supplements are easily found in health food stores (they can be a little pricey, but worth it if you consider the time you might be spending on the toilet otherwise, and much better for your body than anti-diarrheal or other such medicine.) Hope someone finds this useful! Please let me know if it works for you…
@Zoe- Thanks for the interesting tip on probiotics! I may have to give it a try when we’re in Central America. The food in Argentina hasn’t been a problem.
I love the ultra-light PowerMonkey charger which has a solar option too.
Its hard to get hold of PowerMonkeys in the USA but well worthwhile (Ebay is worth a look). It holds its power very well and gives me two power-ups for my power hungry G3 iPhone when I am at sea. Its been a real life saver and allowed me to top up when other sources of power have let me down. Add to that they are quite cute looking. Plus you have a range of adaptor tips (PSP, Nokia, etc) and worry-free mains power attachments for USA, Europe, UK and Asia - just travel with what what you need - and it only weighs 60g and the power reservoir lasts for 6mths. I travel with two which means you can be generous when someone is caught short.
Thanks for the excellent list–this will save me a lot of time and research!
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