There’s no substitute for getting out there and experiencing it for yourself.
It makes no difference where you’re going… The advice is helpful no matter where on this great globe you may find yourself.
It takes time to become a seasoned traveller, but if you know the ropes of backpacking and other essentials, you’ll have a leg up as you see the world and learn from its inhabitants. Thus, let’s get psyched on the finest backpacking advice found anywhere in the world of backpacking blogs, in no particular order. Your travels and landings will be less bumpy if you follow these pointers.
1) Take care of your body
Overindulging is common when traveling because there is usually no one to keep you in check. This makes you more likely to engage in risky behavior like binge eating, drinking, or other irresponsible pursuits. Is it any surprise that after a few months of traveling, some backpackers look like shit? They threw away half their savings and their hard-earned physique for the sake of pure indulgence.
You should take care of yourself if you plan on going backpacking for an extended period and want to keep going. Eat consciously, like you would at home. Avoid becoming drunk. Even though it’s probably not the most straightforward travel advice to follow, you should squeeze in a workout whenever possible.
2) Remember the essentials, especially a sturdy tent!
One of the great draws of backpacking for me is the opportunity to spend the night in a tent under the stars, far from the reach of WiFi and the crowds of humanity. The extra weight of a tent is a big drawback to carrying one while traveling. The possibility of long-distance hiking getaways appears out of nowhere. Just now, it’s easier than ever to go off the beaten path. But if you have a tent, you may set rules about where you want to sleep.
3. Be sure to pack a microfibre towel
Towels made from microfiber are more absorbent, dry rapidly, and don’t weigh much. In a traveler’s arsenal, they rank among the essential items. What is my advice for taking one of them on a trip where you’ll be backpacking? Please keep your hands on it because soon enough, everyone will want one.
4. You should bring a suitable sleeping bag
A decent sleeping bag is just as important as a tent to keep you warm, dry, and comfy while camping. Sleeping bags aren’t required for everyone, and whether or not you bring one depends on where you’re going and how much camping you intend to do, but if you want to camp, a sleeping bag is often the difference between a good night’s sleep and a terrible one.
When you pair a tent with a sleeping bag, you can take shelter and warmth virtually anywhere. If this is your main place to sleep, shelling out the extra cash is a good idea. Since you’ll be carrying all your belongings in a backpack, you should select a lightweight sleeping bag with a compact pack size. Also, remember to bring a sleeping bag that can withstand the weather you’ll encounter!
5. Always have a water bottle on you.
Always bring a water bottle while traveling. Buying water in one-liter volumes numerous times daily is a waste of money in most nations. Costly if you have to buy it every day for your trip.
In addition, there is a significant problem with plastic pollution that needs to be addressed immediately. A contributing factor is the astounding number of plastic water bottles bought by backpackers worldwide. Stop being that careless traveler!
6. Bring Generic Antibiotics
Basic antibiotics are an essential component of any well-stocked first aid kit. Antibiotics are widely available and inexpensive in the major cities of developing nations. You should pick up antibiotics in the city you land in if you do not have time before leaving your native country. That way, you won’t have to worry about being without treatment if you end up in a remote part of the country.
7. Prepare your meals.
Spending a large percentage of your income on restaurant meals, no matter where you are is not sustainable. You can only afford to dine out sometimes if you’re going to be backpacking around Europe for a few months.
Eating out frequently for longer than a few weeks is probably not the healthiest choice. Spend some time in the hostel kitchen learning how to cook some of your meals, and you’ll save a tonne of money and make new friends, eat well, and avoid hunger. The most famous person at the hostel will always be the backpacker who has learned to eat well on a tight budget.
8. Take synthetic garments
Synthetic garments outlast cotton garments and may be washed with less effort. Synthetic shirts and pants will last much longer and won’t wear out as rapidly. Please inform the dry cleaner that you need to avoid direct contact with hot irons. Put a rain poncho or cover on your backpack, and bring an umbrella if the weather seems iffy.
There will sometimes rain during a multi-month vacation unless you visit a desert or another dry area. When the clouds break and the rain begins to fall, you’ll want to ensure your belongings are safe. If your backpack is not water-resistant, you should install a rain cover to keep your stuff dry.
9. Do your laundry
To further stretch your travel dollar, wash your clothes before you put them in your backpack. You can get your clothes to appear sharp with enough effort, and the process isn’t as complicated as you think.
You may rest assured that the maids and porters won’t misplace or damage your belongings. When you hand over a huge bag of clothes, something always goes missing, whether by accident or on purpose. If you want to get things done right, maybe you should do it yourself.
10. Always have toilet paper on hand
A squat toilet is a type you’ll likely use if visiting an Asian or Middle Eastern country. Most squat toilets also lack toilet paper. You should bring a roll unless you can water your crack or scrub your hand to a nub after using the restroom.
In addition to lighting a campfire, wiping your nose, and cleaning up food messes, the toilet paper you pack can be used for all these purposes and more on your next backpacking trip. In light of this new information, toilet paper seems like a must-have.
11. Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is a thrilling and worthwhile aspect of any traveler’s journey. Hitchhiking is a great mode of transportation if you don’t have to get anywhere immediately. Who knows who might pull over to pick you up? Understanding that you must use your wits when hitchhiking in any country. There are jerks in every nation.
Make sure you’re nice, but decline the ride. Please wait for a ride until you feel completely safe in it. If you’re looking for further information, you can always refer to my super hitchhiker guide.
12. Don’t get ahead of yourself in the planning process
When hiking, it’s crucial to leave some wiggle room for unplanned activities. Having rigorous arrangements where one delay derails the trip is too stressful to be pleasurable. Thus it’s not practicable to plan your vacation down to the final hour. It’s wise to plan and get a room in more expensive hotels if you’re traveling during a festival or peak travel season, but you should take your vacation seriously.
Backpacking is all about letting go of control and seeing what happens. The key to dealing with the unexpected is to keep your options open and your mind flexible. It’s essential for a traveler to be motivated and self-directed but not obsessive when it comes to making reservations and setting plans. The expert broke backpacker is also characterized by their adaptability.
13. Take along a headlight
Buying a headlamp is essential if you are going to be camping or traveling to a region that is prone to power outages. A headtorch can be put to innumerable valuable purposes. Each day, you will find a new use for your headtorch, whether for making dinner in the dark while camping or navigating the hallways of your hostel to use the restroom at 3 a.m. If you’re going trekking, the headlamp is an absolute must.
14. Bring an external battery or power bank.
An essential piece of advice for anyone camping is to bring a power bank to charge all your devices. Power banks vary significantly in size and weight. If you have many gadgets that need charging at once, invest in an external battery with multiple USB connections.
Long trips by bus, aircraft, or train can be made more bearable with the help of power banks, which can keep your electronic devices fully charged and ready to go. Before setting out on a long trip, you should always have a fully charged power bank. You may assign your camera with your portable battery pack while hiking.
15. Do some hiking
Regarding things to do when traveling, trekking and hiking are at the top of the list. Exploring its wild and gorgeous landscapes is the best way to get to know a country.
What’s even better? The best part about trekking is that it costs next to nothing! Aside from the costs of visiting a national park, obtaining a trekking permit, and staying in a mountain hut, backpackers of any budget can go trekking. You only need your two feet, determination, and the proper equipment to get where you want to go.
16. Engage with the Community
Too often, gaping chasms separate foreign travelers from the natives they visit. Without a doubt, the goal of every budget traveler is to form genuine relationships with the people they visit. Please don’t spend all your time on your phone or use it as a social crutch to cover uneasiness. Missing out on encounters and unexpected connections is the best way to squander time. Get away from your phone and rediscover the joy of travel: interacting with new people and learning from unique experiences. If you want to make this happens while hiking, one suggestion is to refrain from acquiring a SIM card.
17. Gather a first-aid kit
It’s wise to carry a first aid kit with the necessary supplies. You or a traveling companion will inevitably cut themselves slicing onions, burn a hand on a stove, get bitten by an irritating insect, scratch your knee on a rock while climbing, or twist an ankle after stumbling down the stairs under the influence of alcohol. Things are about to go wrong.
If you keep a first aid kit on hand, you can handle minor injuries as they arise without calling for help. On the road, problems occur constantly. Always have a plan B ready for the unexpected.
18. Simplify Your Life
Backpacks are a great indicator of a traveler’s level of experience.
The inexperienced seem entirely disorganized, with their belongings strewn about the place. Sandals and toothbrushes can be found in their diddy bags and hiking boots. The veterans organize their belongings in space bags, packing cubes and ziplock bags. Some travelers label each of their luggage, which may or may not indicate sociopathic tendencies.