Travel checklist: The absolute essentials

International travel can be fun and exciting but if you are not prepared well it may also bring some unforeseen circumstances. The Week has compiled some travel tips to help you organize your next international trip properly and avoid all unnecessary hassles. This is our attempt to make your journey safe, happy and an unforgettable one as well.

Getting started

Firstly, your passport and visas must be ready. Remember, you will require visas for most international visits. So it is a good idea to get your visas well in advance.

Do not forget to take your airplane tickets, international credit card, telephone number of your destination and address in countries to be visited.

Also make sure you have travel insurances before you leave your home country. Travel insurances are not that expensive and they are good to have in case of emergencies.

Wilderness essentials

Things you must keep in mind while camping in the wild

Baby wet wipes: One of the biggest problem while camping in a jungle or going for a long trek is finding a toilet. The truth is most of the time you will never find one. The best option is to take a large packet of baby wet wipes that will come in handy to simply wipe the grime away. It can also be blessing for ladies who are in their periods.

Water purifiers: Taking bottles of water while camping or trekking is definitely not a good idea. Loading your bags with bottles of water is going to make your trek extremely cumbersome. Hence, water purifying tablets are the most simple and effective investments.

Plastic bag: Before keeping things in your backpack, line the inside of your bag with a big plastic. This will keep your things safe even during extremely heavy rainfalls. You may already have a waterproof bag cover, but the plastic will ensure that all your things inside are safe too.

Insect repellant: This is a must as jungles may have many insects and bugs. Protect yourself from those atrocious rashes and blotchy skin because prevention is always better than cure.

Head torch: Head torches are easy to wear and keep your hands free. Whether you have to go to the toilet at night or find something inside the camp, these torches can be extremely useful.

Quick dry clothes: Two set of quick dry clothes are enough for a trek. After a long day of trekking you can change into your nightclothes and dip your quick dry clothes in water and leave it outside your tent for drying. They will dry within an hour and be ready for use the next day.

Trekking shoes: It goes without day that a good pair of trekking shoes is a must for your wildlife adventure. If you are low on budget, you must invest on shoes and skimp on other things.

Beach vacation checklist

Towel: Remember to take a light traveling towel with you when you are going to the beach. You can use it to dry yourself immediately after a swim, or cover yourself up if you wish to. You may also spread it on the beach to lie down.

Flip flops: A pair of flip flops is a must when you are going on a beach holiday. It is extremely convenient and getting them wet is not a problem.

Sunscreen: Sun in some of the beaches can be really harsh. Hence, carry lots of sunscreen with you to keep your skin safe. It is recommended to use a sunscreen with higher SPF than your regular one when at the beach.

Hat: Hats will prevent sunburn and keep you from spending a day inside. Look for a wide brim hat that completely shields your face.

Bug spray: If you are going to the beaches especially in South Asia; take a bug spray with you. This will prevent a lot of fatal diseases including dengue and malaria.

Books or e-reader: What is a beach vacation without a good book? Buy books at your destination or take one along with you and have a great time relaxing and reading at the beach.

Desert trip preparation

Sunscreen: If you are going to the desert, you already know that a sunscreen is a must. It might also be a good idea to mix it with your lip balm and apply the sunscreen on your lips as well. Don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen after every three hours. Don’t let those sunburns affect your adventurous tours.

Comfortable shoes: While its best to walk bare feet on the sand, your trip will be filled with gravel and bumpy roads. Hence, wearing a light and comfortable pair of shoes is a good idea. It can also be a light trekking boot.

Bandana, scarf and a hat: If it gets too hot during the day, you can wet your bandana and wrap it around your neck. This will keep you cool and prevent prickly heat as well. The wind that blows on the desert might be suffocating, in that case you can use your scarf as a dusk mask. Also, if you want to prevent scalp sunburn, take along a hat.

Ear plugs: Deserts can get noisy at night due to storm. Also, there are definitely going to be numerous screeching insects. Take some earplugs along and they will definitely come in handy.

Water bottles: Dehydration is a serious issue in deserts. Take a water bottle along with you and keep refilling them in various spots. Make sure you keep sipping water throughout your trip.

Sweatshirt or jackets: Even in the warmest of deserts, it is going to be windy and cold at night. After the sun goes down, be prepared to swathe yourself in layers.