Ultimate Packing Guide for Mutum Village Amazon

Layers

Quick dry, lightweight, long-sleeved tops and pants.

• Bring layers- it’s hot in the day, cool at night (you’ll want a sweater) and may rain from time to time, bring a waterproof rain jacket or poncho.
• Long pants and sleeves are great to protect from the sun and insects.

PRO TIP: ExOfficio Bugsaway clothing line has incredible insect protective clothing options. Here are some favorites (for ladies!)

• Lightweight jacket $80
• Lightweight pants $80

Footwear

• Flip-flops
• Shoes or Boots that are comfortable for hiking and hold up in wet and dry environments
• Some brands we love: Keen, Vibram Five Fingers- feel barefoot in the Amazon, but still have protection.

Sun Hat & Sunglasses

*IC hats are now available in the shop

Bathing Suit

Sarongs

*These are a favorite in the forest, because they serve many purposes.

Pack-It Compression Sacks

Eagle Creek or Sea-to-Summit Compression dry sack 

• Use these to compress your clothing to a fraction of its size.
• I can get my hammock, sleeping bag and clothes for 2 weeks into 1 backpack because of these.

Inflatable seat cushion

REI Seat Pad

• A lifesaver on long canoe rides.
• The trip into Mutum takes about 5-6 hours, and you’ll enjoy the incredible scenery much more if you’ve got a comfy tush!

Backpack

REI Backpack

• Look for something under 60 liters to comfortably fit your entire backpack inside your Sea to Summit 65L Dry Sack. (See next tip below.)

Large Dry Sacks or Contractor bags

Protect your luggage from dust, rain or water while in transit to the village by canoe. You can also use heavy duty garbage bags.

Tip: Get the 65 Liter Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag and put your entire backpack inside & seal it up.

Lightweight, water resistant backpack

Travel Inspira 35L Day Pack for day time use

Insect Protection

• Andiroba Oil: Repels bugs and heals the skin from bites, minor cuts and scrapes. This is what the indigenous use.
• Copaiba Oil: healing for the skin.
• Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellant
• Insect repelling clothing from Exofficio – this is really the best.

Mesh Shower Caddy

As Seen Here: Makes bathing so much easier… whether you’re heading for the shower or going for the full (and gorgeous) experience of bathing in the small stream Igarapé.

Ziplock bags

(1 gallon)- I likee to put underwear and socks in separate ziplock bags to help keep things organized and clean. I also label and reuse the bags.

Medical kit

• Wound cleaning & treatment, liquid bandaids, Advil/ Tylenol, charcoal for upset stomach, iodine
  • We carry basic medical supplies so you don’t have to. We also have the Nipei: Garden of Medicines nearby to help treat upset stomach, headaches, and other basic ailments.
  • Electrolyte powder/tablets
    • You can pick up NUUN Active or GU Hydration Electrolyte tablets at Whole Foods. These are great when I feel like a wilted flower. They perk me right up!
  • Essential oils – Peppermint is cooling and relieves the itch from bites, lavender is calming and soothing.
  • Insect Bite Treatment
    • After Bite
    • Tip: After bathing, apply some rubbing alcohol to bites, then peppermint oil. The peppermint soothes the itching and the alcohol keeps the skin clean.
      • You can probably buy rubbing alcohol at Rio Branco or Cruzeiro do Sul so you aren’t traveling around with it.
    • Note: Keep your nails short and don’t scratch! Scratching can open up your skin to infection and will only make you itchier.

Snacks Misc.

granola bars, protein bars, nuts, etc.

• MacroBars, Cliff bars, etc. I like to keep snacks in Oxo Good Grips Airtight Containers to keep any pests away!
• Fiber supplements
• Himalayan Salt
• Hot Sauce

Laundry

• Collapsible Laundry Bucket, Laundry Line, & Clothes Pins
• Rope is a great thing to have.

I always bring this stuff, so if you’re traveling with IC, you can certainly borrow mine 🙂

Solar Charger

Goal Zero There is a generator in Mutum Village that works for a few hours each evening, but there are a limited number of outlets.

Glass eyedropper bottles

If you’d like to purchase some medicinal Sananga.

Gifts are a great way to connect! As always, simply being present with loving-kindness is the most precious gift any of us could give, but for those that wish to also bring something, here is a list of priority items that help make life for the Yawanawá fuller.

You may also choose to gift some of your personal items upon departure (ie. Lucy Lights).