Backpacking is unique way to experience the world. Learn about nature and meet interesting people from different cultures. Your first trip as a backpacker will be full of new and exciting experiences. However, it is sometimes difficult getting used to the backpacking lifestyle which tends to exclude everyday home comforts. This article on ‘Why travel as a solo backpacker’ explains why it is a unique experience. I would like to give you my clever backpacker tips to ensure that your first outdoor adventure is one hell of a journey.
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| Image Credit: Poulsen Photo / FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
1. Plan your trip – With
so many curious and colorful cultures just an aeroplane ride away, your
possibilities are simply endless. This being said, India offers one of the most
diverse, rich and rewarding cultures known to mankind. Some of the splendid places to explore include
Darjeeling, Hampi and Palolem; India truly is a
backpacker’s paradise. However, wherever you decide to go, I recommend that you
plan your route beforehand to make things easier for yourself and to ensure
that you truly experience your journey. Many backpackers simply like to ‘wing
it’, but planning is one of the best ways to control your finances and to tailor-make
your trip
so many curious and colorful cultures just an aeroplane ride away, your
possibilities are simply endless. This being said, India offers one of the most
diverse, rich and rewarding cultures known to mankind. Some of the splendid places to explore include
Darjeeling, Hampi and Palolem; India truly is a
backpacker’s paradise. However, wherever you decide to go, I recommend that you
plan your route beforehand to make things easier for yourself and to ensure
that you truly experience your journey. Many backpackers simply like to ‘wing
it’, but planning is one of the best ways to control your finances and to tailor-make
your trip
Would you prefer a planned trip or would you
like to ‘wing it’?
like to ‘wing it’?
2. Budget your finances carefully – Before departing, you will most likely have a good idea about how long you
intend to be away. You may have been saving for months or even years but if you
do not budget your money wisely, you will eventually have to find paid work or
return home with an empty wallet. This means that you should tread very
carefully in the first few months and consider camping and staying in hostels
and Bed and Breakfasts rather than in hotels. Doing
volunteer jobs while travelling is also a unique way to live with the locals
and at the same time earn some money. You can also rent an apartment through
a free classifieds website with local offers. If it helps, divide
your finances for each location that you visit and remember to factor in a
healthy food and drink allowance as physical activities such as trekking and
climbing consume a lot of energy in hot climates
intend to be away. You may have been saving for months or even years but if you
do not budget your money wisely, you will eventually have to find paid work or
return home with an empty wallet. This means that you should tread very
carefully in the first few months and consider camping and staying in hostels
and Bed and Breakfasts rather than in hotels. Doing
volunteer jobs while travelling is also a unique way to live with the locals
and at the same time earn some money. You can also rent an apartment through
a free classifieds website with local offers. If it helps, divide
your finances for each location that you visit and remember to factor in a
healthy food and drink allowance as physical activities such as trekking and
climbing consume a lot of energy in hot climates
What
would you do if you ran out of finances on a trip?
would you do if you ran out of finances on a trip?
3. Reduce the weight of your rucksack – Carrying an incredibly heavy rucksack often makes backpackers’
lives difficult. Therefore, it is important that you learn to pack light and
only carry what you really need. When packing, you should carefully evaluate
each item’s usability and consider light and small multi-functional options
where possible. Great backpacking must-haves often include duct tape, candles
and a Swiss Army knife. When purchasing cooking utensils, you should always
look for titanium products as these are manufactured specially for their light
weight. Consider carrying miniature bottles of shampoo, moisturiser, soap and
small toothpaste tubes
lives difficult. Therefore, it is important that you learn to pack light and
only carry what you really need. When packing, you should carefully evaluate
each item’s usability and consider light and small multi-functional options
where possible. Great backpacking must-haves often include duct tape, candles
and a Swiss Army knife. When purchasing cooking utensils, you should always
look for titanium products as these are manufactured specially for their light
weight. Consider carrying miniature bottles of shampoo, moisturiser, soap and
small toothpaste tubes
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| Image Credit: Kris Krug |
4. Don’t let your guard down – We have all heard the horror stories about backpackers who are
robbed or attacked during their trip and it’s precisely for this reason that
you should always practice being vigilant when meeting new people. I recommend
that you trust your instincts and take care of your belongings at all times. It
is always a good idea to distribute and keep your money in different pockets,
socks, shoes, and in bag whether it is in the form of cash, traveller’s cheques
or credit cards. Keep your travel documents separately. If you are travelling
with a group of friends, you should stick together and,
before departing, discuss what you would do in the event of an unlikely
emergency. A simple tip to avoid any mishaps is to ‘let go of the fear of it’
robbed or attacked during their trip and it’s precisely for this reason that
you should always practice being vigilant when meeting new people. I recommend
that you trust your instincts and take care of your belongings at all times. It
is always a good idea to distribute and keep your money in different pockets,
socks, shoes, and in bag whether it is in the form of cash, traveller’s cheques
or credit cards. Keep your travel documents separately. If you are travelling
with a group of friends, you should stick together and,
before departing, discuss what you would do in the event of an unlikely
emergency. A simple tip to avoid any mishaps is to ‘let go of the fear of it’
Share with us any safety tips from personal experiences
5. Embrace the culture – Backpacking is one of the best ways to discover and embrace a
new culture. It is your chance to sample interesting cuisine, learn a new
language, meet diverse people and broaden your horizons. Consider your backpacking
trip as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to see the world through somebody
else’s eyes and grow as an individual. With this in mind, it is very important
that you maintain decorum and respect the local culture and beliefs of a city
or a country that you are visiting.
Embrace all that is new and exciting, and you will no doubt remember
your backpacking adventure for the rest of your lives
new culture. It is your chance to sample interesting cuisine, learn a new
language, meet diverse people and broaden your horizons. Consider your backpacking
trip as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to see the world through somebody
else’s eyes and grow as an individual. With this in mind, it is very important
that you maintain decorum and respect the local culture and beliefs of a city
or a country that you are visiting.
Embrace all that is new and exciting, and you will no doubt remember
your backpacking adventure for the rest of your lives
What new culture did you last encounter?
6. Don’t give up – Backpacking is not for everyone, and it can take
some getting used to even for those who will learn to love this adventurous
lifestyle. There are however those who decide to return home after just a few
days or weeks, not really allowing themselves enough time to make an educated
decision. I recommend that you give backpacking a fair go as this may be the
only chance you ever get to travel in a “no-strings attached” manner before
settling down with a job and a family. Many backpackers simply love this way of
travelling and continue to travel even with their family members
some getting used to even for those who will learn to love this adventurous
lifestyle. There are however those who decide to return home after just a few
days or weeks, not really allowing themselves enough time to make an educated
decision. I recommend that you give backpacking a fair go as this may be the
only chance you ever get to travel in a “no-strings attached” manner before
settling down with a job and a family. Many backpackers simply love this way of
travelling and continue to travel even with their family members
Just remember to have fun. After all, it is meant to be an
adventure.
adventure.
—
Author Bio –
Aisha Singh is an Indian journalist who lives in the USA and writes on behalf of local and international websites and magazines since 2010. She was born and grew up in New Delhi and discovered her passion for reading and inventing stories very soon as she was a little child. After moving to Minneapolis, she already knew that she would continue her studies and started her Journalism Studies at the University of Minnesota. She loves writing, reading and travelling all over the world..
