KEEP YOUR BAG LIGHT
You are restricted to 44 pounds on flights within Ecuador. In any case,
you’ll be better off if you can tote your bags yourself for short
distances. Choose clothing with multiple uses. Find toiletries in
sample size. Remove all disposable material from your gear before you
leave home. And leave some room for souvenirs!...every little bit
helps!
What to pack really depends on where you are going and your style of
travel: budget backpacking, luxury island-cruising, a two-week guided
historical tour, or a combination of all three. Every type of travel
has its own list of bare essentials, so we list some of the obvious and
not-so-obvious items for the various regions and activities you may
encounter in Ecuador.
LUGGAGE
Day pack or small backpack. Keeps your hands free and is the most
comfortable bag to walk with. Use it for your water bottle, camera
gear, sunscreen, etc. Look for a bag with several small zippered
pockets. Store camera gear and important papers in plastic bags to
protect them from dirt and moisture.
Large duffel bag or soft-sided luggage. All of your clothing and gear
must fit in one duffel or piece of checked luggage. Look for heavy
nylon fabric, wrap-around handles and a heavy-duty lockable zipper. You
can now buy a duffel bag with built-in wheels, from Patagonia, L.L.
Bean, and elsewhere.
Small duffle bag. Fold this into your large bag. Due to limited storage
space at the Galapagos Islands, we stow your large duffel in our hotels
in Quito, and you carry enough gear for the nights you will be out of
town.
Inner bags. You can use plastic shopping bags, nylon stuff sacks or
smaller zipper duffels to separate clothing and gear inside your
duffel. Isolate liquid toiletries in heavy-duty Zip-Loc bags. Bring a
few spare bags, including one for dirty laundry.
PACKING YOUR CARRY-ON BAG
Use your day pack /small backpack as you carry-on bag for your flights.
In it pack camera gear, all medications and other irreplaceable or
breakable items like prescription glasses or contact lenses.
GENERAL PACKING LIST
Passport; travelers checks; medical prescriptions or health supplies;
Swiss army knife; cloths for warm and cool weather as one can encounter
both in an afternoon in the Andes or if traveling between regions;
raincoat; backpack; money belt or neck pouch; watch with alarm clock;
flashlight or headlamp; plastic bags for separating dirty and clean
clothes and shoes; needle and thread; biodegradable soap (if in
backcountry areas); notebooks and pens/pencils; hat; and sunglasses.
Ecuador's electrical current is 110 volts 60 cycles, the same as North
America, so adapters for North American equipment are not needed.
However, plug converters are necessary in older buildings.
REGIONAL PACKING LIST
Andes
In most parts of the Andes, you can experience all four seasons in one
day. Be prepared for cold nights and cold rain, especially if you plan
on camping. Warm, fast drying clothes are recommended (synthetics and
wool are good, but avoid cotton, especially directly against the skin).
Good hiking boots that either dry quickly or are water-resistant are a
must for most activities. For trekking through páramo, rubber boots
work exceptionally well, even with a full pack. The general packing
list plus these items will serve you well in the Andes.
Galapagos
Sun hat; sun glasses; sandals (for the boat); sneakers (for dry
landings and rocky shores); teva-style sandals (for wet landings); swim
suit; umbrella (for sun protection during island hikes); high factor,
waterproof sunscreen; snorkel and mask (you can rent them in Quito or
in Puerto Ayora); beach towel and bath towel; wind resistant jacket;
light sweater or sweatshirt (nights can get rather cool and you don't
want to miss stargazing on deck); twice as much film as you think you
will need; extra camera batteries; underwater camera; and motion
sickness pills.
Coast
All of the Galapagos equipment minus all that may be rented if you plan
on doing a lot of hiking or travel by bus. Travelling light is always
recommended. You'll also need insect repellent (at least 30% DEET) and
possibly a mosquito net (most hotels provide them). Malaria pills may
also be necessary, read about the disease and how to prevent it in our
health page.
Amazon Rainforest
Rubber boots (a must since hiking boots don't work well in calf-deep
mud - most lodges and arranged tours will provide boots up to size 10
or they can be purchased in most towns for about USD 5); mosquito net
(most hotels and tour companies offer nets); insect repellent (with
DEET); malaria pills; antihistamine tablets and an epi-pen for people
with serious allergies to stings; water purification tablets (iodine is
recommended); oral rehydration packets; binoculars (invaluable in the
rainforest); plastic bags for keeping your clothes dry; swimming suit;
lightweight quick drying clothes; at least one long-sleeved shirt; one
pair of loose-fitting pants (no jeans); a light sweater (it gets
surprisingly chilly in the rainforest, especially on boat trips);
poncho that fits over you and your pack (the cheap plastic knee-length
type coats are better than goretex, which will soak right through in a
real rainforest deluge); bandana; a pair of clean socks for each day;
Teva-like sandals or sneakers for around camp; and zip lock bags for
food, books, maps and anything else you hope to keep dry.
All clothes (undergarments included) should be loose fitting to help
keep you cool and to reduce your chances of being bitten by insects.
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