I set myself a little challenge before leaving – to travel through multiple climates with only 36L carry on sized backpack.

Turns out it was fairly simple – you just take less stuff! Below is what I took (plus what I chucked and picked up along the way).

Bags:
36L Osprey Sirrus Backpack
20L Sea to Summit (collapsable day pack)
Practical over the shoulder handbag (mainly for flights)
Pretty handbag (bought in India after deciding the practical handbag was too ugly!)

Clothes:
2x loose trousers (thrown out and replaced with jeans in NZ)
1x hiking trousers
1x skirt
1x shorts
1x long johns
2x merino wool t-shirts (1 replaced with a crappy cotton one 6 months in)
2x long sleeved merino wool tops
3x vest tops
1x fleece
1x hoodie
1x down jacket
2x bra
7x underwear
1x scarf
1x sarong
1x buff
1x bikini

Shoes:
1x lightweight hiking boots
1x teva tirra sandals (ugly but SO comfortable)
1x plimsoles (picked up in Malaysia)

Toiletries:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap
Moisturiser
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Razors
Dry shampoo
Solid perfume
Deodorant
Suncream
Inspect repellent

Misc:
Travel wallet with spare currency and paperwork
First aid kit
Medications
Rehydration salts (you will need these in India!)
Kindle
Prescription sunglasses
2x normal glasses
30x daily contact lenses
Headtorch
iPhone
Chargers etc

Believe it or not this did all fit in my backpack and was accepted as carry on by Turkish Airlines.

As the trip progressed I got sloppy (one too many free T-shirts in New Zealand) and ended up checking the bag in. But it’s a relief not to have to carry too much and there’s nothing I miss.