South America Travel - Equipment Checking list

Ecuador Travel Information

IN GENERAL:

backpack/suitcase/day backpack
rain/wind clothes
long pants, shorts
warm clothes (warm sweatshirt, fleecejacket for the Highlands trekking and mountain climbing are necessary)
T-shirts, shirts
underwear, socks
comfortable trekking boots, rubber boots (Surtrek provides until Nr. 44), good socks for the trekking, tennis shoes.
sunglasses, sunscreen (protectionsfactor 30 or more), hat to protect from the sun
personal medicine
Swimsuit
passport
mosquito repellent
film and foto equipment (Highland 200 ASA, Jungle 400 ASA, Galapagos 100 ASA)
binoculars
a good head lamp or torch, knife
enough plastic bags where you should pack all your clothes to protect them from the humidity and rain in the Jungle and during the Trekking Tour. We recommend waterproof bags.

JUNGLE:

Shirts and T-Shirts (cotton preferible)
Shorts and Long Pants (No Jeans!!!)
Plastic Bags
Rubber boots (Surtrek provide til Nr. 44 )
Rain Poncho
Mosquito repellent
Flashlight/Headlamp
Binoculars
Foto Gear, Films (400 ASA)
Swimsuit
Bottle for water
Personal first aid kit

GALAPAGOS:

Comfortable, casual clothing is recommended aboard the Ship.
T-Shirts or Shirts, Blouse
Shorts and long pants
Tennis shoes / Sandals
Wind breaker type jacket or light sweater (nights could be colder)
We recommend to bring your own snorkel equipment
Swimsuit, hat, sun cream, sun glasses
Camera and plenty of film
Personal first aid kit

Travel Luggage: For the Galapagos Islands and the Jungle is one piece of luggage not exceeding 20 kg per person (extra is your hand luggage) allowed. If you fly on the Galapagos Islands with EMETEBE, a company that operates in between the islands, you can only take 10 kg per person. Your extra luggage you can leave on the mainland in your hotel.

TREK/EXPEDITION:

Comfortable day back, Big Rucksack/Bag for your completely equipment which will be carried by horses.
Sleeping bag,
Iso mattress/ f.E. Therm-a-rest
Bottle of Water
Head Lamp/torch.
Trekking Shoes
Rain clothes- goretex jacket and pants.
Warm clothes

FOR MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Climbing boots
Crampons
Gaiters
Wind/Rain Clothes
Warm/Thermal clothes
Harness, Carabineers
Head Lamp/Batteries
Ice axe
Rope
2 Pair of gloves
Glacier glasses
Sun cream, sunglasses
Sleeping bag
Rucksack
Thermo
Helmet, Cap (not necessary for Cotopaxi)

* We can provide these items

VACCINATIONS:

Malaria:
Malaria risk exists the whole year
Area: whole country < 900 m
Malaria free: Andean area, Galapagos Islands

It is recommended to protect yourself contra mosquito bites and you should have a phrophylaxe with you.

The following vaccinations are recommended:

Yellow Fever (For the jungle you must have this vaccination)
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Hepatitis A

In special cases these vaccinations are recommended:

Hepatitis B,
Abdominaltyphus,
Rabies

To Stay Healthy, Do:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by BOTH filtering through an "absolute 1-micron or less" filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. "Absolute 1-micron filters" are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.
If you will be visiting an area where there is risk for malaria, take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your doctor for a prescription.)
Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot.
Always use condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

To Avoid Getting Sick:

Don't eat food purchased from street vendors.
Don't drink beverages with ice.
Don't eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
Don't have contact with animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague).

What You Need To Bring with You:

Long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear while outside whenever possible, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria, dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis).
Insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide)
Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicine to take if you have diarrhea.
Iodine tablets and water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. See Do's above for more detailed information about water filters.
Sun block, sunglasses, hat.
Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s).