Backpacking Across the World
From LoveToKnow Camping
Ever want to just escape the daily grind and go backpacking across the world? If you have the time, and the means, it can be an exhilarating experience. Of course, you can't backpack across the world without the assistance of boat or air travel. So be sure to add that extra cost into your equation.
Before leaving for a trip around the world, it's important to read the State Department's travel advisories. Unfortunately, there are some places that are not safe for Americans to visit, either due to political unrest or a strong risk of kidnapping or other terrorist actions. Also, some places do not allow Americans to enter their borders. It’s best to find out before you try to enter the country and get detained.
Once you've gotten that out of the way, start dreaming of the countries you would like to visit on your trip. Some favorite destinations for backpackers include:
- Australia's Gold Coast
- Northern Thailand's villages
- Amsterdam, Holland
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Bombay, India
- Athens, Greece
- The mountains of Nepal
- Mayan ruins in Guatemala
- Casablanca, Morocco
- Cape Town, South Africa
There is also lots of great backpacking to be had inside the United States. For more ideas on destinations, check out StudentUniverse.com.
Preparing for Backpacking Across the World
Some people decide to begin backpacking across the world completely spur of the moment. These are the people that end up stuck at the airport without their passports. To have a more enjoyable and hassle-free trip, start preparing at least two months in advance.
The first thing you’ll need is a good, sturdy pack that is comfortable to carry. Before you leave for your trip you'll want to go on several practice hikes after stuffing it full of everything you plan to bring with you. That way you can ensure that it's comfortable to carry. If it's too heavy, you'll have to leave some nonessential items home or you will end up with a sore neck and back.
You may also want to bring a smaller day pack, since in most cases you will be able to stash your frame pack in a locker at the train station when you're not on the road.
What to Pack
Here are some of the essential things you'll need:
- Valid passport and required visas for countries you plan to visit
- Tops: two t-shirts, one dressier shirt, fleece or jacket, thermal top for colder climates
- Bottoms: two pairs of cotton pants (not jeans, since they are heavy and take a long time to dry), one pair of flannel pants to sleep in
- Three to five pairs of socks and underwear
- Trail shoes for hiking and flip flops or sandals for day touring
- Rain gear
- Compact tent
- Prescription medications and grooming supplies packed in resealable plastic bags
- One or more aluminum water bottles
- First aid kit
- Mess kit (plate, fork, spoon and knife)
- Bedroll or sleep sheet (not a sleeping bag)
- Sunscreen of at least SPF 30
- Glasses or contact lenses
- Insect repellent
- Digital camera
- Credit cards and phone cards
Other items you may want to include, depending on where you're going, are a head covering to wear when entering religious buildings, a swimsuit and towel, shorts or a sarong skirt and tank tops or other sleeveless tops. Just remember that other countries may have different standards of modesty than what is acceptable in the United States. This is especially true in Asia and the Middle East.
Guidebooks
No one backpacking across the world should neglect to bring guidebooks and maps with them. A compass, or a watch that functions as one, is also a good idea. The travel guide books published by Lonely Planet seem to cover most of the world. Just make sure to get the latest version as the world changes in the blink of an eye.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 381 times. This page was last modified 02:57, 1 June 2009.
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