Jungle Necessities & Packing

When going into the jungle it is best to pack as light as possible because you will have to carry all of your stuff around with you.  Invest in a good hiking backpack like a North Face hiking backpack or a cheaper Jansport hiking pack.  You will probably also need a duffel especially if traveling for medical missions because you will need to take meds along, so a cheap one is good because it will get dirty, also make sure it has wheels and good handles/straps for carrying.  In order to pack your clothes and other items most efficiently I would recommend that you check out Ebags packing cubes for both your backpack and your duffel or luggage.  Also make sure to use brightly colored tape or special bag tags so you can always keep track of your bags and they are easy to find on the luggage carousel.

Depending on what side of the Andes you will be on throughout your trip will change what kind of clothes you will pack.  To the West of the Andes is the coast where Lima is.  The climate is usually not as warm and muggy as the jungle so you will need to pack a little heavier clothing.  In the jungle, North-East of the Andes it is usually more tropical weather, so you would need to take shorts and moisture-wicking clothing.  

Specific things to pack should include:

In Your Backpack

-Flashlight/ Headlamp

-Travel Pillow & Blanket

-Bug Spray (under 3oz.) [put in plastic bag to avoid spillage]

-Hand Sanitizer

-2 Sets of Clothes

-Camera

-Fanny Pack (Embarrassing, but easy to keep things organized and accessible in the jungle)

-Important Paperwork (Tickets, passport, driver’s license, copy of insurance card, shot record)

-All Medications (Doxycycline, Typhoid, Tylenol...)

-Anything Expensive (I don’t recommend you bring anything expensive: ipod...)

-Empty Water Bottle (Nalgene)

-Food

o   Trail Mix

o   Granola Bars

o   Fruit Snacks

o   Crackers

o   Gum

o   Hard Candy

Things to Pack (either in backpack or checked bag)

-Hand Sanitizer

-Toilet Paper (seriously important)

-Head lamp 

-3 pairs of scrubs

-Ear plugs

-Chap-stick (with sunscreen)

-Travelers Pillow & Blanket 

-Lightweight Jacket (for wind and to prevent mosquitoes)

-Sweatpants and sweatshirt (you will want this)

-Hat

-Pen

-Water bottle 

-Fanny Pack 

-Baby wipes

-3 bug sprays with 99% deet

-Ziploc baggies

-Heavy Socks

-Swimming Shoes (not flip flops)

-Flip Flops                                                  

-Camera 

-Extra Batteries

-Extra Memory Card

-Debit card 

-Tennis shoes

-Passport and Documentation 

-Confirmation for Flight 

-Quart Ziploc Bags

-Trash Bags (3)

-Brush

-Shampoo

-Towel (2-3)

-Wash Cloth

-Poncho 

-Kleenex

-Toothbrush (2)

-Toothpaste

-Sunscreen

-Plastic spoon(s)

-Basketball shorts

-Face Wipes (believe it or not, they are awesome!)

-Bible 

-Journal 

-Hair bands, stretchy headbands

-T-shirts (6)

-Swimsuit (1-2)

-Jeans (2)

-Deodorant

-Medications 

-Cash 

-Snacks  (Bring enough to share)

    o   Peanut Butter

    o   Apple Sauce

    o   Breakfast Bars

    o   Trail Mix

-Tylenol PM (to sleep)

-Benadryl (for itching due to the mosquitoes)

-Shoes to wear in the jungle and city

The reason to take several pairs of things is because things don't dry in the jungle, they always stay damp and often start to mold - especially toothbrushes and swimsuits.  It's better to swim in a swimsuit or shorts and a T-shirt, because small fishes often nibble on your nipples and other protruding parts.  Piranhas, electric eels, electric rays, candiru catfishes, stingrays, river sharks, anacondas, caimans, and other South American freshwater horrors are not a real danger (contrary to what every local will tell you).  You'll hear stories about candirus invading people's urinary tracts at every campfire, but there have been only three documented cases in all of South America, all with people swimming without swimsuits.

The first week is difficult to adapt to in a jungle environment because of the heat and humidity, so try to spend the hottest hours in the shade, try to wear as little clothing as possible (men- stick with boxers under clothes, and women- either wear loose underwear or none at all because it will be constantly wet and the rubbing during a hike is horrible), exercise helps your body adjust, dehydration is always dangerous so keep hydrated, and don't wear hiking boots.  Sandals get really dirty, but they are so much cooler, also don't forget that feet need sunscreen and bug spray too!  The sandals to get are Chacos, they are light, dry fast, and are comfortable.

The overall best tip for the tropics is: Wear your sunscreen during the day and make sure to wear bug spray- 100% DEET is the best, but it can block your pores and make you very hot, so be smart, but don't go overboard. Wearing bug spray from head to toe prevents chigo fleas, botflies, sandflies, and mosquitoes.