What to pack forEritrea
in May
91° / 68°F
6 days of rain this month. Sunset around 6:40pm.Typical May, from ten years of weather
6 days
of rain this month
6:40pm
sunset
Type C/L
plugs
0 of 66 packed
Before you go
None of these fit in a bag. Sort them first and the packing gets easy.
Apply for your Tourist visa
Eritrea requires a Tourist visa before arrival. It is an online application and cannot be sorted at the border.
Passport valid past your dates
Eritrea wants 6 months left on a passport past May. Check the expiry date now.
Travel insurance
Most home health plans stop at the border. A quote takes two minutes.
Copies of your documents
Photograph your passport, cards, and insurance. Email them to yourself. Ten seconds now saves a very bad afternoon.
Download offline maps
Download the offline map before you lose signal.
Some cash in local currency
Cards fail more often than you'd think. Carry ERN for markets and taxis.
Vaccinations / travel clinic
CDC lists Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow fever for Eritrea. Talk to a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks out.
The essentials
Tick the box when it is in the bag
What to wear
Linen or lightweight shirts
Anything heavier than linen is a mistake at 91°F.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Outdoor Research Astroman Long-Sleeve Sun Shirt - Men's$60.47 was $110 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Solta Long-Sleeve Sun Shirt - Women's$59.50 was $85 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Cambio Button Up Shirt - Men's$30 was $75 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Forclaz Men's MT500 Merino Wool Long-Sleeve Shirt$50 was $84.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaModest cover layer
For temples, mosques, and churches that check at the door.
Moisture-wicking t-shirts
Don't have one? Check these out.
SIMOND Women's Travel 500 Merino Wool T-Shirt$49.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Fino Tech Tee - Women's$27.50 was $55 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Fino Tech Tee - Men's$27.50 was $55 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Simond Men's MT900 Seamless Merino Wool T-Shirt$45 was $74.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaSun hoodie (UPF long sleeve)
UV hits 12.5 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Topo Designs Sun Hoodie - Women's$74.25 was $99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sombra Sun Hoodie - Women's$52.50 was $75 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Sombra Sun Hoodie - Men's$35 was $70 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
The North Face Adventure Sun Hoodie - Women's$48.75 was $65 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comShoes
Sandals (sport)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Reef Water Vista Higher Sandal - Women's$80 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Reef Water Willow Marina Sandal - Women's$31.47 was $44.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comHealth
DEET or picaridin repellent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent$1.92 was $2.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Adventure Medical Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent Pump$1.92 was $2.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comREI members usually get 10% back on full-price gear. Membership is $30, once. How it works
Polarized sunglasses
Don't have one? Check these out.
Smith Era ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$113 was $189 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Ray-Ban Wayfarer Oval Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$171 was $244 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Zeal Isabelle Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$67.03 was $149 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Zeal Bennet Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$59.60 was $149 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comSunscreen SPF 50
Don't have one? Check these out.
Travel first aid kit
Anti-diarrheal + probiotics
Don't have one? Check these out.
Electrolyte packets
Don't have one? Check these out.
Maurten Drink Mix 320 Caf 100 Unflavored, Caffeinated, 14 Single Serve Packets$56 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Maurten Drink Mix 320 Unflavored, 14 Single Serve Packets$51 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets - Box of 12 Packets$42 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
FastChews with Caffeine - 10 Count Packets$42 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comInsulated water bottle
Cold water at 3pm is worth the weight.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Quechua MH900 Double-Wall Insulated 500 ml Water Bottle$15 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaOral rehydration salts
Don't have one? Check these out.
SaltStick Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets Coconut Pineapple$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
SaltStick Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets Mixed Berry$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Unsweetened Hydration Sport Drink Mix$33 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comPermethrin-treated clothing spray
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Wide-brim sun hat
Don't have one? Check these out.
Tech and power
Plug adapter, Type C or L
Eritrea uses Type C or L sockets. An adapter with USB-C ports charges several things from one outlet.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickGlobal Travel AdapterSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador Global Travel Adapter Forget-Me-Not$38.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Global Travel Adapter USB 30W$40 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle Creek
Global Travel Adapter Micro$25 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekPower bank 10k–20k mAh
Don't have one? Check these out.
Buy it used: REI Re/Supply sells gear like this for less. See used gear
Multi-port USB-C charger (GaN)
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Lizard Skins Charger Evo Lock-On Grips Electric$24.58 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Charger Evo Lock-On Grips$27.19 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comNoise-cancelling headphones
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sony WH-1000XM4C Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones Black (M4 2nd Gen)$300 at SonyShop at SonyVPN
Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Documents and money
AirTag / tracker for bags
Don't have one? Check these out.
RFID travel wallet / money belt
Don't have one? Check these out.
Silk Undercover Money Belt$17.02 was $30.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Soho Wallet - Women's$12.50 was $25 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Everyday Slim Wallet$39.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Undercover RFID Money Belt$35 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekBags and organization
Carry-on backpack (35–45L)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador 45L Global Travel PackSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador GloberiderSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Pacsafe Go Carry-On 44L Backpack Jet$180 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Archeon 30L Backpack$132 was $265 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comCarry-on suitcase (hard shell)
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
Laundry bag / travel detergent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Packing cubes
Don't have one? Check these out.
Outdoor and activity gear
Filter water bottle
Tap water isn't safe here. A filter bottle beats buying plastic twice a day.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Trekking poles
Don't have one? Check these out.
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Trekking Poles Ultra Blue, 100 cm$117 was $180 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comOnly need it once? Rent it.
Nice to have
You could skip every one of these
What to wear
Shorts
Don't have one? Check these out.
Quechua Women's NH500 Hiking Shorts$15 was $34.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Forclaz Men's Travel 900 Hiking Shorts$40 was $59.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaToiletries
Toiletry bag (hanging)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Health
Lip balm with SPF
Don't have one? Check these out.
Motion sickness tablets / bands
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sunburn-safe insect bite relief
Don't have one? Check these out.
Tech and power
Language app
A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Short cables (USB-C)
Don't have one? Check these out.
USB-C to C Cable, Paracord wrapped, 3 ft PD enabled$27.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
USB-C CableSee price at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
SuperFlex USB-C Cable, Dual Right Angle - 4in$25 at MomentShop at MomentDocuments and money
Luggage locks (TSA)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Comfort and sleep
Travel pillow
Don't have one? Check these out.
The basics
You own most of these. We are just making sure they make it in.
What to wear
Everyday pants
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickWild Rye Emmett Overalls$123 at Wild RyeShop at Wild Rye
Backcountry Wasatch Ripstop Everyday Pant - Men's$49.50 was $99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
GOREWEAR Everyday Track Pant - Women's$72 was $120 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Forclaz Men's Travel 100 Cargo Pants$45 was $59.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaToiletries
Nail clippers
Don't have one? Check these out.
Toiletries kit
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pelican DK5 ModPak Toiletry Bag$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging Night Shift$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Pack-It Hanging Toiletry Bag$40 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekTravel-size toothpaste + brush
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador Toothbrush Caps 2-PackSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador Refillable Toothpaste TubesSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Peppermint Toothpaste Tablets in Tin$12.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comExtras
Chargers (phone)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Solar String Color + Phone Charger$68.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
LuminAID Trio Lantern + Phone Charger$79.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Charger Evo Single Compound Grips$10.12 was $10.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comCopy of passport
Earbuds
Don't have one? Check these out.
Medications + prescriptions
Pen (customs forms)
Reusable shopping bag
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sewing kit / safety pins
Sleepwear
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pendleton Pajama Set - Women's$74.63 was $99.50 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Scotch Plaid Flannel Pajamas - Men's$89.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Classic Lounge Shirt - Women's$22.73 was $64.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sundays Lounge Shirt - Men's$27.98 was $69.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comSmall lock
Don't have one? Check these out.
Socks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Underwear
Don't have one? Check these out.
Everyday Merino Thong Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Everyday Merino Bikini Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Simond Trek 500 Merino Wool Backpacking Underwear Women's$29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaTake this list with you
Open it again when you are standing over the suitcase.












































