La Paz is the other international destination and ideal for exploring the highlands and the Andes.

Too many travellers pack far too much kit and end up carrying things that don’t matter or can be shared with your travel partner. Clothes can be washed and generally will dry within a couple of hours.

Tarpaulins and hammocks with mosquito nets are the best option for the Amazon as this gets you off the floor where it will be damp and full of insects. These tend to weigh about the same as a small tent but have the advantage of not needing an air bed and you don’t have to pack poles.

In the mountains a tent is better as it is warmer and there will be few no trees above 14,000 ft anyway. Plastic tent pegs whilst not as strong can be taken through airport security and might be better than metal pegs if only travelling with a cabin bag.

If you book with vAMMos we have a comfortable double truck tent and a roof top tent.

• Light weight rain coat
• Bivy survival bag
• First aid kit
• Wash kit
• Utility knife
• Life saver drinking bottle with filter
• Flip flops
• 2 x t-Shirts
• 1 x long sleeve shirt
• 2 x shorts
• 1 x long trousers
• 1 x pair of socks
• 3 x underwear
• Woollen hat
• Sun cap
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• Binoculars
• GPS
• Food and water bottle
• Camping stove and fire starter kit
• Tarpaulin hammock with mosquito net
• 30 m of para cord
• Solar charger
• Phone
• 4 x plastic bags
• Compass

Total weight 15 – 20 kgs

A simple meal of soup and a main course of meat with rice, plus a drink will set you back about £2 / $3 in most out of town restaurants.

In the cities food prices are closer to the UK levels.

• 4/0 nylon suture
• Bandages, plasters and gauze
• Anti-malaria tablets
• Headache tablets
• Anti-inflammatory tablets
• Antiseptic cream
• Rehydration tablets and imodium
• Anti-histamine cream or tablets
• Antacid tablets (lots)
• Cough sweets
• Sun block – Factor 30+
• Scissors and tweezers
• Dry eye lubricating drops
• Mosquito repellent with deet 50% (You can get 100% deet but it will damage any plastic or painted items that it comes in contact with such as your GPS, watches, torches, sunglasses etc)

Everyone is different and you may experience different responses at different times. Generally the advice is to take it slow until you feel stronger take lots of water and you can try paracetamol if your head hurts. If you are really struggling, dropping down to a lower height is the best advice. Even 100 ft will make a difference.

I like to leave a campsite without anyone knowing I was ever there.

Therefore it is important that we don’t do any damage to the beauty of the surroundings with our fire.

• Think carefully where you start your fire
• Clear the ground and make sure the fire can’t spread or get out for hand

I tend to dig a pit for my fires and put rocks around as this helps with cooking and drying clothes. Generally a cigarette lighter will get you started and they are lightweight and easy to carry. 

In wet conditions a very small strip of bicycle inner-tube will burn even when wet. Cotton wool in Vaseline will also burn in wet conditions and can be helpful to get your fire started. When I leave the camp I clear away and remove all signs of the fire or bury the ashes.

Leave no sign!