Preparation is the key and starts your trip off on the right foot.
So my advice here is to start several weeks out and create a list with several columns, 1) Everything you must have, 2) Nice to have and 3) Everything for your Daysack. Also at the same time check you have all the right documents to travel for each country. The one area that's worth spending time on is your travel insurance especially if your travelling with children. I spent more time than I have done before just reading what's covered and more importantly what's not.
Once you have done this start to lay everything out on a bed in a spare room if you have one. I check anything I used last year to make sure it's still fully serviceable and fit for purpose.
MUST HAVE LIST
1. A suitably backpack for your trip (spend time researching to make sure its right for you) I use a Ospey Fairpoint 70 which is a fantastic backpack with some great features, especially the side zip opening which is very useful.
2. Sleeping bag 3 season
3. Quick drying large towel
4. 6 x socks
5. 6 x Boxershorts
6. 2 x Breathable lightweight tops
7. 3 x Fastdrying shirts
8. 4 x T shirts
9. 1 x Smarter polo shirt
10. 2 x Zip off treking trousers
11. 1 x shorts
12. Swim shorts
13. Flipflops
14. Lightweight waterproof jacket
15. Self inflating pillow
16. First aid kit
17. Small tent lantern
18. Head torch
19. Multi tool
20. Insect repellant (containing deet)
21. Suncream
22. Malaria tablets
23. Walking Shoes
24. 3 x Compartment packs
25. Travel adapter
26. USB hub and cables
27. Camera x 2 (one waterproof)
28. Spare batteries
29. Washing powder
30. Wash bag
31.Tablet
32. Folder containing soft copies of all flights, hotels, tour information, passports and travel insurance)
33. Smart phone
34. Sunglasses
35. Water bottle
36. Paracord + pegs
37. Small binoculars
38. Sewing kit
39. Day sack
40. Hand wipes
41. Toilet Roll
On this trip roll matts are provided
