The ultimate Overland Packing List

There are packing lists, and then there are Overland Packing Lists. When you've decided to go on an incredible adventure trip abroad, you have to pack all your adventure travel equipment and you're going to need to be thorough about what you bring. In adventure travel, you're almost always on the move, and every item in your bag matters.

What you bring depends entirely on the type of travel you'll be doing, where you'll be going, and for how long. Are you just riding? Are you hiking? Are you camping? Are you cooking? However, no matter where you'll be adventuring, or what kind of adventure you'll be embarking on, the following list will cover all the basics of adventure travel gear that you should bring along on your trip.

Climate and Location

Location, location, location. Before you even think about picking out what shoes to bring, you need to first research the places you’ll be traveling to! Your packing should reflect the type of weather you’ll be facing, for example, if you’re traveling to a country south of the Equator, don’t forget that the seasons are flipped, so summer in the United States is winter in Chile. Traveling to Indonesia? Don’t forget that the rainy season is from about October to April.

If you’re packing for multiple climates or seasons for a long period of time, just remember: layering is your best option!

Paperwork

Paperwork is easily the most undervalued part of this process. Correct paperwork will almost guarantee easy passage, and incorrect paperwork is a recipe for disaster.

• Passport: Your most important document when traveling abroad: your key to entering another country. Sometimes, passport processing times can take a chunk of time, especially during busy seasons leading up to the summer. It’s also wise to make sure that your passport is valid for at least 12 months after your trip, as some countries will require this in order for you to pass through their borders, depending on visa restrictions.
• Visa: Many countries require visiting travelers to obtain a visa to enter the country. Others may only require a visa if you plan on staying for longer than 3 months. Visa requirements are entirely dependent on the country you’ll be traveling to, so be sure to do plenty of research beforehand. And remember! It’s always a good idea to apply for your visa sooner, rather than later, as some consulates and embassies might take a long time to get your approved documents back to you in time for your trip.
• A copy of your passport: If you somehow lose your passport while abroad, having a copy of your passport’s information page can save you a lot of time, money, and energy. Keeping a printed picture of your passport information page in your wallet is always a good idea. If you ever do lose your passport while traveling, don’t forget to immediately report it to the local Consulate. This will eliminate the possibility of someone stealing your identity and you’ll also be able to apply for an emergency, temporary passport that you can use on your travels and to make it back home.
• A second form of ID: Whether it be your driver’s license/permit or an international student ID, having a second form of identification is always a good idea when traveling! When out on day trips while traveling, you may not want to constantly carry your passport everywhere, and having a second form of ID can come in handy.
• Credit or debit card: When traveling abroad, especially outside the US or EU, cash is king! However, you should always bring a credit or debit card for international purchases, and don’t forget to always alert your bank before any international travel, otherwise, they may freeze your accounts.
• Proof of return or ongoing travel: For many countries, you may be required to show proof of return; that is, make sure you can prove to the immigration officers that you have a plane ticket home, or at the very least, a plane ticket to another country. We will return on this matter explaining the Carnet De Passage.
• Travel/Health insurance: Make sure you have your card, proof of your travel, and/or health insurance all printed out when traveling, in case of an emergency! This is especially important when going on any sort of adventure travel program, that includes extreme, physical activities.
• Vaccination booklet: Traveling somewhere in which vaccinations are required for entry into that country? Then be sure to carry proof of having gotten vaccinated with you.
• Emergency contact list: It’s smart to carry a list of emergency contacts, their phone numbers and emails, and their relationship to you (spouse/parent/sibling). Although hopefully, you won’t need ever to call them, it’s still a good idea to have their contact information on hand, especially if you’re doing crazy things like riding through the Silk Road or India.
• Copies of EVERYTHING: Always make a paper copy of every single document, ID, and travel plan, and then be sure to carry those copies separately from the originals. That way, if the bag where the originals are lost or stolen, your documents will be in a different place for you to access!

Carnet De Passage en Douane

The Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) is an international customs declaration identifying the vehicle crossing country borders on its route. This action of crossing borders consequently may imply several temporary importations throughout the journey.

The Carnet de Passages en Douane, or CPD (often called “a trip ticket” in the Middle East) is a customs facilitation document used to cover the temporary importation of road motor vehicles, whether it is driven or shipped to another country. A CPD is a globally insured customs guarantee document confirming that customs duties and taxes will be paid in case the vehicle does not return to the country of registration. It means a CPD holder will not be required to pay a customs guarantee deposit in the country where the vehicle is brought on a temporary importation basis. If you don’t have a CPD, you will have to pay a customs guarantee deposit in the foreign country and it takes weeks or months until such a deposit is returned.