| Those who've tried it will tell you it's probably the | | | | you stick to this or not is of course entirely |
| best thing they've ever done. If your purpose for | | | | optional. The purpose of the plan is to give you |
| traveling is adventure and excitement - then | | | | some idea as to what you're doing. It's pretty |
| backpacking is the best way to achieve this. | | | | hard to change a plan you never had. |
| Backpacking however is not meant for everyone | | | | 3) Carry information, by the truckload. This is the |
| - it requires the ability to leap out of one's | | | | single most important item on the list. Knowledge |
| comfort zone. In fact you need to abandon the | | | | of the place you're visiting is of utmost |
| idea of comfort altogether, leave expectations | | | | importance, not just to make your trip safer and |
| behind and bring curiosity along. If you're willing to | | | | easier but to turn it into a learning experience. |
| do the above, then backpacking is the cheapest | | | | The more you know of a place theoretically, the |
| way to travel the world. There are certain things | | | | more the actual experience will mean to you. |
| though, that you must know as a backpacker. | | | | Also, in case of an emergency, information about |
| Here's your travel checklist: | | | | the place you're in will be your saving grace. |
| 1) You carry your own backpack, always. When | | | | Knowing a place beforehand will also ensure you |
| applied broadly, this means that as a backpacker | | | | don't miss out on anything. |
| you're on your own, even if you travel in a group. | | | | 4) Prepare the backpack well: The backpack is |
| You need to be able to take care of yourself, no | | | | what will stay with you throughout, so you want |
| matter what. As such resourcefulness is | | | | to ensure it has what you need to survive. The |
| important. Evaluate all decisions in this light. Plan | | | | emphasis is on 'survive' so you need to carry |
| your trip keeping in mind what you can handle and | | | | accordingly. A backpack is ergonomically built - |
| what you can't. You're not out there to prove | | | | which means when used correctly it causes no or |
| anything. The idea is to have fun, but not pay a | | | | minimal discomfort. For this it has to be used |
| heavy price. | | | | intelligently. Learn how to pack a backpack well |
| 2) Backpacking is no joke. It requires thorough | | | | (courtesy the internet) and then how to carry it |
| and advance planning. Since you will be on your | | | | properly. The last thing you want is a backache |
| own and out of your home for a decent period | | | | on your travels. |
| of time, planning will ensure that you do not run | | | | 5) Prepare yourself better: On a tour like this, |
| into problems that end up ruining the trip or those | | | | you're up against a lot. As long you carry your |
| that were completely avoidable. Planning is also | | | | presence of mind and don't lose your sense of |
| important to ensure that you manage your time | | | | adventure - you'll do great. However exercising |
| and your money efficiently while you're traveling. | | | | caution never hurt anybody. So maybe a course |
| Plan your date of departure, route, tickets, the | | | | in self defense or learning the language are really |
| places you will see, where you would like to stop, | | | | good ideas. |
| where you would like to stay in advance. Whether | | | | |