The Galapagos Islands are one of the most unique, biodiverse areas on the planet. With creatures that you won’t find anywhere else on Earth, volcanic landscapes and waters teeming with life, it’s no wonder that many people have Galapagos Islands on their bucket list. Because it’s so incomparable, it can be hard to figure out what to pack for the Galapagos Islands.
Sitting in your pocket or your purse is one of the most powerful pieces of technology to date. That’s right your smartphone. These beasts can take and edit photos as we’ve never seen before, and that’s why smartphones are increasingly replacing heavy cameras when people travel. But to use them to take amazing photos, you’ll need to know the ins and outs of the smartphone as well as photography basics to take your smartphone travel photography to the next level.
With packing, I find there is no happy medium. It’s either “Shit I can’t believe I forgot that” or “Why did I bring that”, there’s no middle ground. When I was packing for my Alps road trip, I knew I needed to be strict.
Planning outfits was the easiest way to figure out how much clothing I really needed to bring. Call it what you will (cough – A-type – cough). I know okay. I LOVE planning. Deal with it. I brought the least amount of clothing without feeling dirty, plus I knew most items would be under a coat anyway, so wear something three times in a row was acceptable.
Packing for a day hike is relatively simple. You got your essentials: Water, food, insulation, sun protection, etc. Here’s my take on the simple daypack for local hikes:
My pack is a hand-me-down from my dad. It’s an Arc’teryx that he purchased when he was training for an adventure race. I’m in the market for a new one but haven’t decided yet what to purchase. Until then, this little guy works perfectly.
Map and rain sleeve. The rain sleeve is perfect. Not only does it keep the map dry, but it also clips on the front of my bag, meaning the map is always within reach and I’ll never lose it.
Compass. This thing comes with me everywhere. If you don’t know how to use a compass, I highly suggest learning. It’s a great tool to have in case you get turned around. I also thinking that knowing your directions, even loosely is important! If you’re more comfortable with a GPS, bring that along too, just make sure it is all charged up.
Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, lip balm all for obvious reasons.
Buff. I usually carry both my buffs. They are great for keeping your neck warm or protected from the sun. I also use them as headbands or keeping my forehead from being burnt to a crisp in that sun!
I have a fleece sweater that I wear or bring with me if I know it is going to be cold.
Knife. Great for cutting into yummy oranges or other great general uses.
Headlamp. There have been many times I’ve needed illumination, even in the middle of the day! It’s great for geocaching.
I always pack my trusty side-kick, my Canon 60D. I’ve had this camera since 2011. Along with the 18-200mm lens, it’s not exactly light weight, but it’s trusty and I like it.
I also pack a Sony ActionCam and my iPhone6.
