1)     How to Pack for an Eco Travel Journey

a)     Travel Light – Per Person Maximum Luggage must not cross 15 KGs and lock all your luggage and keep the keys in the waist pouch.

b)     A Mid Size Day Pack with thin towel, spare change, swim wear, some biscuits to eat, a water bottle, a book to read, soap, sun screen, medications, Plastic carry bag for wet clothes, Binoculars, Torch Light with spare batteries, Beach Slippers, Umbrella, Mosquito Repellent Cream, Chargers etc. You hand carry day pack in the flight with you.

c)      A Waist Pouch OR Bum Bag contains your iPod, Mobile Phone, Home Keys, Money, Sun Shades, Spectacles, Some Medicines, Digital Camera with spare batteries and memory card, and a small notebook with pen– It goes into your Day Pack while traveling

d)     A Water Proof Strap On Pouch that can conceal your travel documents, tickets, vouchers, travelers checks, money, credit cards etc. You wear this close to your body concealed beneath your shirt.

 

2)     Things to Carry for an Eco Tour Journey

a)     Sun Glasses + 1 spare in the Day Pack between a couple

b)     Sun Hat with wide rim + 1 Base Ball Cap

c)      Nylon or Polyester Swim Wear (If Swimming Possibilities exists)

d)     Large Turkish Towel (If Eco Tour more than 5 Days) + 1 Thin Cotton Non Turkish Towel + Small Hand Towel  Napkin

e)     One Pair of Walking Shoes + 1 Pair of Light Hiking Shoes / Floaters + Casual Slippers

f)        Few Pair of Cotton Socks, Vest and Undergarments as per number of days

g)     Sleepwear

h)      Three Full Sleeve Shirts (Cotton or Woolen as per season) or Blouses

i)        A pair of Shorts – Nylon or Polyester

j)        Two Pair of Pants

k)      One Sweater or Polar Fleece Pull Over (If Winter)

l)        One Water proof Rain Jacket with cotton lining + 1 Poncho (If Monsoon Season)

m)   Toiletry Kit with SPF 35 Sun Screen Cream, Mosquito Repellent Lotion

n)      Basic First Aid Kit and Personal Medicines including anti allergens, anti fungal powder, antiseptic cream and mosquito repellent)

o)     Swiss Knife (Pack in Luggage as not allowed in hand carry on flights)

p)     Torch (Pack the spare batteries in luggage as not allowed in hand carry on

q)     Flights)

r)       Digital Camera with additional memory card and Spare batteries

s)      Binoculars on Birding Trips

t)        Compact Folding Umbrella

 

3)     How to Ensure That You Have a Memorable Experience on an Eco Trip

a)     Lots of enthusiasm and Good Cheer

b)     All great natural destinations and real ecotourism involves visiting destinations of great raw natural beauty and the experience is enhanced if the accommodation is also natural, rustic and raw.

c)      For the same reason, you must be prepared to be adventurous and look forward to walking and being in the outdoor, in activities and in accommodation

d)     You must understand that you are staying in an offbeat destination of great beauty that entails logistic difficulties besides ensuring that it does not damage the delicate eco system in any way whatsoever because of your being there. Be a responsible traveler.

e)     You definitely will not be and cannot be pampered the way you are used to being treated at other star hotels and rules and regulations of the eco tour will need to be strictly followed for your own protection as some of the activities if not done correctly entail a risk to your life.

f)        Hence you must focus on the larger and more complete holistic picture and not allow little things that are not up to your satisfaction, as they inevitable do on eco tours and in eco destinations. Have a great time at all cost.