After 48 straight hours of travel, Nick and I finally made it to Phuket, Thailand. We are about to spend over a month in South East Asia backpacking, exploring, and photographing some adventurous couples. How exactly does one pack for a month away from home? I’ll show you!

My goal is to always pack as light as I can, no matter where I go. With constant moving from place to place, jumping into tuk-tuks or buses, and boarding multiple flights- I certainly don’t want to have to haul around a heavy bag or a clunky suitcase. Plus if you’re really in need of something on your travels to South East Asia, chances are you’ll find it much cheaper here than you would at home.

What’s in my backpack?

– Packing Cubes. First of all, I pack all my clothing in packing cubes. It’s a great way to organize your belongings, that would otherwise get lost in the pit of your backpack. Buying these changed the way I pack for a trip!

– 40L Backpack. I bought this backpack from Amazon 2 trips ago because I needed one quick after my last backpack zipper had broke right before I was about to leave for my travels. So far it’s held up really well, but I would highly suggest investing in a quality backpack. I also have a High Sierra 55L Backpack that’s great, but I borrowed it to Nick for this trip!

Clothing/Accessories:
– 2 pairs of athletic pants
– 2 pairs of denim shorts
– 1 pair of harem pants. In order to visit the temples in Thailand, you will need to cover your shoulders and knees. I’ve found wearing loose fitting, harem pants to be the perfect solution for walking around in Thailand’s heat.
– 1 sports bra
– 5 shirts
– 2 sundresses
– Underwear
– Socks
– 2 swimsuits
– Fleece sweater. I always get chilly on plane rides, so I never fly without a fleece sweatshirt. Also, despite the extreme heat of Thailand, many cafes, restaurants, and shops will have the AC on blast. I’ve found that a sweaters with front zipper pockets are the most helpful while traveling. It’s an easy way to access your passport, money, phone, and other essentials while making your way through the airport/around the country.
– Sunglasses
– Hat

Shoes:
– 1 pair of sandals
– 1 pair of tennis shoes

Toiletries/Shower Bag:
– Toothpaste/Toothbrush
– 2 in 1 shampoo & conditioner bottle
– Body wash
– Biodegradable wet wipes
– Razor
– Deodorant
– Lotion
– Sunscreen
– Meds (basic medication for pain, the stomach bug, etc)
– Makeup
– Chapstick
– Bug Spray
– Microfiber Towel. A microfiber towel is quick-drying, light weight, and much more compact than a regular bath towel. By bringing with you your own towel, you’ll also avoid the fees that hostels will likely charge you for using their towels.

Miscellany:
– Eno Hammock. I love my Eno Hammock! It’s light-weight, compact, and is extremely easy to set up. I’ve brought it along with me on almost all my trips. One of my favorite uses of it was during two different visits to Puerto Rico, where I set it up on Culebra Beach, and slept overnight. It was amazing waking up in that hammock under a palm tree, to the gentle breeze of the ocean.

Electronics:
– Phone Charging Cords
– Power Adapter. Power outlets in Thailand most commonly feature two-prong round or flat sockets.
– Go Pro Hero 4. I bought my Go Pro several years ago, and I’ve been using the same one ever since! I bring this little guy along with me when I don’t feel like hauling around my heavy camera gear. It’s also great for the days that will include swimming, as its waterproof and can capture some fun shots underwater if you plan to go snorkeling or diving!
– MacBook Pro 15″ + Charger.

Camera Gear:
If I travel, I normally bring one body, one wide lens, and one telephoto lens for closeups. This time is a little different since I will be photographing a wedding and portrait session during my stay. This is what I have in my bag this time:
– Amazon Basics Camera & Gear Bag.
– Canon 5D Mark III
– Canon 5D Mark II
– Canon 35mm f1.4L
– Canon 50mm f1.2L
– Canon 24-70mm f2.8L
– Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS
– Canon Speedlite
– Joby Gorilla Pod
– Pelican Case full of memory cards
– Camera Batteries & Double AA’s

And that wraps up what I’ve brought along with me on my trip to Thailand! Typically for future travels, I’m always leaving things at home that I feel I didn’t necessarily need the last time, or purchasing better gear that may not be as heavy. I already know that the following trip I take where I have a photo shoot outside the country, I’d definitely like to simplify my camera gear bag, as it’s the heaviest bag I brought with me. In the future, I will update you with what I didn’t necessarily need! 🙂

Happy travels, friends!