Week 6 — Gear: Final Packing Demo

You're 7 days out. Time to pack. The full version of this module — for confirmed cohort members — is a 22-minute video of Munir laying every item on a table in Kabul and explaining why it matters or why you can leave it. Here's the public version: the list, the rationale, and the things people get wrong.

The hard rules

One bag — soft-sided 50–70L duffel or backpack. No hard cases. No rolling suitcases (the roads will eat them).
Carry-on personal item — small daypack, 20–25L, the one you'll use every day in country.
Total weight ≤ 18kg. Under is better. Domestic flights have hard limits.
Layered clothing only. No bulky single jackets. Layers handle the 10°C swing between Kabul (warm) and Band-e-Amir (cold) on the same day.

Clothing (men's list — adjust for women per Munir's separate brief)

Item	Qty	Notes
Hiking trousers (zip-off NOT required)	2	Loose. Not skinny. Khaki/olive/charcoal — no bright colors.
Long-sleeve shirts (button-down)	3	Linen or technical. One darker for evenings.
T-shirts (plain)	3	No graphics. No flags. No Western brand logos screaming.
Mid-layer fleece or quarter-zip	1	For Bamyan evenings.
Insulated jacket (packable down or synthetic)	1	Bamyan + Band-e-Amir mornings.
Hardshell windbreaker	1	Dust + wind, not so much rain.
Socks (merino)	5 pairs	Merino. Trust me.
Underwear	6 pairs	Merino if you can afford it.
Buff / shemagh	1	Multipurpose. Dust mask, scarf, sun-shield.
Cap (low-profile, no Western logos)	1
Hiking boots (broken in)	1 pair	This is the most important item on the list. NEW boots = blisters = trip ruined.
Camp shoes / sandals	1 pair	For guesthouses. Muslim homes are no-shoes-inside.

What NOT to wear

No shorts. Anywhere. Even in 35°C Jalalabad heat. Pants only.
No tank tops, no sleeveless. Shoulders covered.
No flag tees, no military-pattern clothing. Camo gets mistaken for ANA / ANP gear. Don't.
No "tactical" gear that looks LARP-y. A 5.11 plate carrier is going to get you the wrong kind of attention. Soft outdoor gear is fine; military aesthetic is not.

Documents & money

Passport: 6+ months validity, 2+ blank pages. Make 2 photocopies + a phone scan.
Visa: confirmed visa-on-arrival currently for most nationalities. We brief you separately on this 3 weeks out.
Cash: bring $1,500–2,000 USD in mixed denominations. Crisp. Post-2013 series only. Banks will refuse old/torn bills.
Card: 1 backup card, hidden separately. ATMs work in Kabul mostly.
Travel insurance proof: printed + on phone. Required for the trip.
Yellow fever cert: only if coming via certain African transit. Check.

Tech

Phone: bring it. Get a Roshan SIM at Kabul airport ($10, instant). 4G works in cities.
Charger + universal adapter: Type C and F sockets, 220V.
Power bank: 10,000–20,000 mAh. Power is unreliable outside Kabul.
Camera: a real camera (not phone) is welcome. Drones: leave it home. They WILL be confiscated at customs. We've seen it happen multiple times.
Laptop: leave it. You won't use it. If you must bring one, expect customs questions.
Headphones: bring. Long drives.
Headlamp: bring. Cheap, light, indispensable when power cuts.

Health & hygiene

Personal meds: full trip supply + 1 week extra. No substitutes available.
First aid micro-kit: blister plasters, ibuprofen, paracetamol, Imodium, Pepto, ORS, Cipro (Rx, ask your doctor for a prescription). Munir carries the bigger kit.
Insect repellent: 30% DEET. Mosquitoes are minor but exist in Jalalabad lowlands.
Sunscreen: SPF 50+. The dust will scratch your face — you'll thank yourself.
Lip balm with SPF: trust me.
Wet wipes: 2 packs. The shower will not always work.
Toilet paper roll: 1. Some bathrooms don't supply it.
Hand sanitizer: 100ml or so.
Earplugs: call to prayer at 4:45am. Non-negotiable.

Things to bring that aren't on most lists

Small notebook + pen. You will see things you want to remember. Phone notes don't capture it the same way.
2–3 small gifts for hosts. Pocket knives ($10–15 ones), pens, kids' picture books. Useful + appreciated. Avoid alcohol-related anything, women-related anything, or anything with religious imagery (even our religious imagery).
A printed photo of your family if you have one. Pashtun and Hazara hosts will love seeing it. Often more meaningful than any gift.

Things to leave home

Drone (confiscated)
Anything that looks like a weapon — multi-tools larger than a Leatherman Squirt are sometimes flagged
Religious texts not your own (if you read the Quran out of curiosity, get the digital version)
High-end visible jewelry, watches over $500 (you don't need that energy)
Marijuana / vapes / nicotine pouches (illegal, will get confiscated, may complicate your day)
Alcohol (illegal — the airport-duty-free goes in the bin at customs)
Books critical of Islam or the Taliban (some have been flagged at customs; not worth the friction)

Munir's three things

In every cohort, Munir asks people to bring three personal things:

A photo of someone who matters to you. He'll ask about it on day 5.
One question you couldn't get answered online. Save it for day 7 around a fire.
Something specific you want to take home. Not a souvenir — a thing. A specific feeling, a specific sound, a specific image. Tell Munir on day 1 what it is. He'll help you find it.

This isn't required. It's the part of the trip that makes it not just a tour.

You're done with prep. Six modules behind you. The rest unlocks when you land. We'll see you at Kabul International on departure day.