Consider your packing carefully. You will need to bring clothing suitable for sun exposure and mild temperatures, as well as water/windproof clothing for the cooler, wetter weather. Generally, casual clothes are recommended for your holiday. Visit the 'climate' articles for your specific country. Loose fitting, lightweight cotton materials are the most comfortable for humid weather. The dress code throughout the tour is casual however, it is important that all passengers dress conservatively. Smart casual clothes are highly recommended for evening banquets and shows.
- Your travel documents and passport- including a photocopy of your passport in case it is lost or stolen while you are abroad. Keep one photocopy at home and take another photocopy on your trip with you.
- Main luggage & luggage padlocks.
- ‘Day bag’ - a smaller bag to carry with you during the day, both while driving and sightseeing. E.g. drinking water, hat, sunscreen, toilet paper, insect repellent, camera and spare batteries, jacket.
- Money belt to carry passport, cash, credit cards, airline tickets, etc.
- Lightweight trousers or shorts/skirts (for women) – please remember to respect local customs (knee length is recommended).
- Shirts or long-sleeved tops of light cotton material.
- Light jumpers - great for layering.
- Thermals, thick socks, gloves and scarf - particularly if you are travelling during the winter months November – February.
- Walking shoes and socks, or sandals – it is important to have sturdy and comfortable shoes for sightseeing every day.
- Swimming costume.
- Sun protection – hat, sunscreen and lip balm.
- Personal medical kit including insect repellent.
- Antibacterial wipes and/or hand sanitiser to clean hands before eating.
- Tracksuit/similar outfit of soft material is recommended for the overnight train journeys.
- A water/windproof jacket.
- Umbrella/raincoat/poncho - particularly if you are travelling during the rainy season June – October.
- A ‘modesty shawl’ or sarong to wear in Muslim or conservative areas (for women).
- Torch, conversion plug and spare batteries – batteries available to buy in Southeast Asia tend to be unreliable.
- Scarf or bandana – useful to protect your face against dusty winds at
high altitude. - Spare glasses – it is difficult to get any prescription lenses repaired or replaced in Southeast Asia.
- Small bath towel is useful for overnight train journeys.
- Toilet paper – not all sightseeing public toilets will provide this.
- Snacks – tea bags/coffee, milk powder or sachets, instant soups or noodles, or anything else you can’t live without!
- Camera and memory card.
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, lotion) – for personal use during homestays.
- In addition, if your tour visits the mountainous region of northern Laos, or northern Vietnam:
- Light jumpers or thermals.
- A warm water/windproof jacket.
- Thick and warm socks, gloves, scarf and a hat.
- If your itinerary includes a home stay, a sleeping sheet & small bath towel may be useful (although linen is provided, it may not always be clean).