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- GEAR 1 large rucksack (65L + 15L)
- 1 day sack (25L)
- 1 waterproof sack (109L) (great for storing gear in to keep it dry!)
- mozzie net (single wedge shape)
- sleeping bag (I didn't use it but friends did as it gets fairly cool at about 3 in the morning)
- silk sleeping bag liner (I slept in this every night)
- 1.8 L Platypus with a hose, 1 L Platypus with nozzle (Very important as you need to drink at least 3 litres a day especially when walking)
- Petzl Tikka Head torch (mini head torch that runs on 3AAA batteries, lasts for ages 9 batteries for 5 weeks. This
allows you to read and get around camp as well as hike in the forest at night. The latest model has
settings to conserve battery power. Expensive but SO worth it! Also allows you to keep your hands free when walking.)
- DD Maglite torch (I didn’t have one but those who did on the ten week projects got plenty of use from
them spotting Caiman and animals at night)
- Binoculars (The one piece of kit to spend your cash on. The recommended pair is a 7x42 pair and
waterproof if possible. The 7 is seven times magnification and the 42 is the size of the front element
and dictates how much light is let in (42 is quite big but I wouldn't go less, I would go for more). Obviously it very
easy to spend a couple of hundred pounds here but its worth it. For those on a tight budget
borrow a pair or better still try Jessops the high street photo dealer who sell a pair of
7x50's that are waterproof for about £80 - bargain!)
Click here for a list
- Sleeping mat (only really used in the field as they have mattresses now(!) I took a Thermarest Ultralite)
- Sunglasses (only needed very rarely!)
- Wide brimmed hat (depends on the individual - if you think you will use it take it!)
- Money belt (or better still a leg pouch, for time spent in Quito)
- Loads of mossy repellent (if you don’t get bitten it would be a miracle but it helps to prevent any
chance of contracting Malaria)
- Anti-malarials (do your research - this is a malarial zone and the mosquitoes are Chloroquin
resistant. I took doxycycline which was great as it is an antibiotic and prevented me getting to many bouts of
travellers sickness. Remember to read the small print, eg Doxycycline can also cause a sensitiveness to
the sun but I was fortunate and this did not happen to me)
- Toiletries (plenty of bars of soap as its easy to loose them in the river, toothbrush etc.)
- A travellers medical kit (all the usual plus loads of rehydration sachets which ming but you will
probably need them on several occasions)
- Stuff sacks to store clothes in.
- 5-10m of para cord as washing lines, to hang mosquito net from etc.
- Travel towel (I took a Nikwax one which was quite good!)
- Camera gear
- Vaccination certificates
- Passport!
- Spare passport photos
- Penknife (put it in your hold luggage)
- Compass
- Watch
- Any treats from home you might want if you have space (eg teabags, sweets (as gifts fro kids), herbs
and spices for cooking (you won't regret this as the food can get quite bland), books,
travel games, make up, small art kit, playing cards, etc.)
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