Packing List for 10 Days in Ecuador

Packing time! You guys know I love packing and sharing my packing lists with you. You also know I sometimes go on back-to-back trips that include lots of varied destinations, and I still manage to fit it all in a carry-on.

This time I was heading out for two and a half weeks: 7 days touring Northern California in an RV with my mom and 82-year-old-grandmother, and then straight from there heading to Ecuador for 10 days on an adventure travel trip.

Related: The ULTIMATE Guide to Packing in a Carry On

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Ecuador Adventure Activities

On this trip I would be doing the following:

  • Hiking (at very high and low altitudes)
  • Wine tasting
  • Camping
  • White-water rafting
  • Jungle trekking
  • Horse-back riding
  • Bird-watching
  • Hot springing
  • Attending a press conference (where I would meet the Minister of Tourism for Ecuador)

Ecuador Packing List

I mention this to show the variety of activities I had to be prepared for, which meant a variety of clothing and gear. Here is what I brought, starting (as always) with the gadgets (non-clothing items):

Packing List for Ecuador

Before we go on, here are the things I did NOT use out of the above items: travel hair dryer (I actually took it out of my bag and didn’t bring), binoculars, travel towel, collapsible water bottle.

Travel clothes for Ecuador

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Here are the clothes I brought:

  • Rain jacket
  • Zip-up light-weight fleece
  • Merino wool long-sleeved shirt
  • Lightweight active top (Carve Designs)
  • My go-to travel scarf (you all know it from photos)
  • Black maxi dress (rolled up)
  • Socks, underwear, bras (in the green stuff pouch)
  • 4 Tank tops – one running top, two simple cotton, one cami for layering
  • 4 Long-sleeved shirts – simple cotton
  • 4 T-shirts – unbranded (plain cotton)
  • 2 Running skirts (from Backcountry.com)
  • 1 pair of skinny jeans
  • 1 long pair of black leggings
  • 1 capri length black leggings
  • 1 bikini (Carve Designs)

What didn’t I use? Hardly any of the long-sleeved t-shirts. What I should have brought instead are activewear, light-weight tops similar to the yellow one, which I wore constantly over tank tops. It was great for protection against bugs and sun in the humid temps.

Not pictured are my socks – I brought just three pairs: two running socks and one mid-calf, appropriate for rubber jungle boots (brilliant).

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My Mistake with the Luggage Choice

For luggage, I chose a strange combination this time and I’ll be the first to admit it. I did not bring my backpack, I actually brought a suitcase on this trip.

Since I was also bringing my laptop, I brought a carry-on bag with a laptop sleeve and plenty of space as well. The suitcase worked out just fine (I prefer to have a suitcase if my bag is going to be transported for me, as it was in Ecuador), but I should have brought my REI Traverse instead of the carry-on bag.

It would have been more comfortable to carry with all the weight I put in it. However, I still had a backpack to use (don’t forget the stuff-able day pack) which I did use constantly. I appreciated having this, because I could easily stow it and pull it out when I needed it, without having to unpack or repack any items (as I would if it were my carry-on).

What did I wear on the plane? Slip on shoes (easy on-off), super comfortable skinny jeans (no pockets, no belt – easy for security), a tank top and a lightweight top for versatility. Hair down and ready for adventure.

Packing for Ecuador

Questions? Hit me up in the comments. Happy travels!!

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