I’m on the board of an NGO that works in the Peruvian Amazon… but have also done NGO work in India. Some personal things I find super helpful (and the list in

I’m on the board of an NGO that works in the Peruvian Amazon… but have also done NGO work in India. Some personal things I find super helpful (and the list in the article is accurate.. though I’ve never needed a big knife just small ones ). * hydration salts I personally really like Patagonia black hole duffles. I got one after my last duffle just shredded to nothing. They fold up very small. platypus water bottle / bladder. I couldn’t find it for sale searching right now, but it has a flip cap with a locking mechanism and a carabiner. When empty they take up little space. * I always pack two headlamps, and extra batteries. If you need a headlamp, someone else seems to always need one too. * the right footwear, beyond just wearing something like Tevas, or Merrill’s (though I wouldn’t fully endorse either). Research if you need to have rubber boots that go to your knees as well, or similar. * don’t assume a place to sleep. A travel hammock with mosquito netting can be a life saver. I’m sure there’s other things too… but just off the top of my head. And of course, don’t skip any vaccinations.