Peten Travels Turkey | Recommended Clothing and Packing

Functional Tips
As you will experience a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions, our list suggests several layers of clothing. If you like to hand-wash your clothes, bring socks and underwear, and even shirts and pants, made of silk, synthetics, or a cotton-synthetic blend that will dry overnight. You may want to consider buying clothing designed especially for travel. And one more tip—when traveling with a companion we recommend "cross-packing", i.e. pack two outfits of your clothing in your companion's luggage and vice-versa, in case one bag is delayed.

Footwear: You will be on your feet a lot during the trip, and walking over some rough and slippery surfaces. We recommend you wear sturdy, well broken-in footwear like supportive sports shoes that offer good traction. Also bring Band-Aids and sports tape or any second skin like bandages for blisters. These can be pricey in Turkey.

Style Hints: Dressing on our trips is functional and casual. Your dress should be somewhat conservative, to be respectful of the local culture. Sleeveless tops for women are only acceptable in the larger cities; they are definitely not appropriate in small villages or less sophisticated cities, communities, or in the mosques. We recommend you keep a light jacket or sweater with you when going sleeveless, to cover up when necessary. Short shorts and skirts are disrespectful, and will draw unwanted attention. In addition, there will be a few occasions at more fancy, charming hotels where you may want to dress a bit more formally for dinner—though this is definitely optional. You may want to bring one dinner dress or sports jacket and one pair of nicer shoes or sandals. Otherwise, more casual dress will be the norm.

Recommended Clothing

Short-sleeved cotton shirts: 4 or 5. Polo-style shirts are more versatile than T-shirts.
Long-sleeved cotton or cotton-blend shirts: 2.
Trousers: 2 or 3 pairs, comfortable and loose fitting. (We suggest light trousers, not shorts, in respect of local cultural customs.)
Walking shorts, long-cut for modesty: 2 (not allowed in public places in Bhutan)
Swim suit (and cover up for women)
Wide-brim sun hat or visor for sun protection
Lightweight rain jacket/windbreaker with hood
Light cotton or wool sweater (air conditioning can be cold)
Shoes (comfortable and sturdy walking or running shoes)
Underwear and socks

Packing Tip: To have a varied travel wardrobe—yet keep your luggage light—we recommend you select a color scheme and pack color-coordinated pants, shirts, skirts, sweaters, etc. that can be mixed to create different outfits. Remember the rule for experienced travelers is that every item must go with at least 3 other items of clothing.

Luggage

Daypack or small backpack: To carry your daily necessities, including a water bottle, camera gear, sunscreen, etc. As noted above, use this as your carry-on bag on your flights, and keep it with you during driving excursions and walking trips. A backpack-style bag or waist pack keeps both hands free and distributes the pack's weight onto your back or hips. Store camera gear and important papers in plastic bags to protect them from dirt and moisture.
One duffel bag or one piece of soft-sided luggage: you are only allowed one piece of checked luggage and it must not exceed 44 lbs. Look for one with heavy nylon fabric, wrap-around handles, built-in wheels, and a heavy-duty lockable zipper. Space is limited on our mini-buses, so please do not bring a rigid suitcase.
Inner bags: Use plastic shopping bags, nylon stuff sacks, small zipper duffels, or special mesh bags to separate clothing, gear and dirty laundry inside your suitcase. Isolate liquid toiletries in heavy-duty Zip-Loc bags. Remember to have locks and luggage tags for all bags. Lock luggage on all flights once outside the U.S.

Essential Items

Daily essentials: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hairbrush or comb, shaving items, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, shower cap, body soap, etc.
Spare eyeglasses/contact lens
Sunglasses and sun hat
Sunscreen, at least SPF 15 or stronger
Insect repellent with DEET (30%-35% strength)
Travel money bag or money belt
Light folding umbrella
Cold-water hand-wash laundry soap such as Woolite and plastic hang-up clothespins
Photocopies of passport, air ticket, credit cards, insurance cards
Extra passport-sized photos
Moisturizer and sun-blocking chap stick
Pocket-size tissues
Moist towelettes (not individual packets) and/or anti-bacterial "water-free" hand cleanser

Medicines

Your own over the counter and prescription medicines (Bring a photocopy of your prescriptions and refill directions in case you lose them. Also for all prescription medication please make sure it is your name on the prescription!)
Cold remedies: Sudafed, Dristan, etc.
Pain medication
Laxatives, such as Senokot or Ex-Lax
Pepto-Bismol or Mylanta
Benadryl, Claritin or other antihistamine
Anti-diarrhea tablets like Imodium
Band-Aids, several sizes
Moleskin foot pads
Neosporin or bacitracin
Pepto Bismol for diarrhea

Optional Gear

Camera gear
Travel alarm or travel watch with alarm
Hanging toiletry bag (with hook to hang on doorknob and pockets to organize items)
Basic sewing kit
Hand-wash laundry soap and plastic hang-up clothespins
Washcloth
Travel journal/note pad and pens
Reading materials
Favorite snacks
Electrical transformer & plug adapters
Home address book
Photos or post cards from home, small gift for home-hosted visit
Turkish Phrase book
Folding walking stick, sold in most camping stores
Pocket-size calculator for exchange rates
Inflatable cushion for bumpy roads or naps on the bus
Packets of decaffeinated coffee/sweetener

Hair dryers and laundry service will be available at the hotels.

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