There’s no better way to experience somewhere new than on your own two feet, the sights, sounds and smells tickling your senses as you look left and right, up and down, your left foot overtaking the right and then vice versa.
It’s the most amazing sensation you can get when you travel, the rawest and beautiful means of exploring, hopping from bus to hostel with nothing but a backpack to carry as you make your way down the beautiful backstreets of another far-flung city, town, and province.
Don’t get me wrong, road-tripping is hella cool, sleeping in your car beneath a star-speckled sky before heading off on another 100-mile journey the next day. But nothing is better than putting everything you need into a rucksack and heading into the great outdoors, whether that be a European City or an island off Thailand, something you’ll know if you’ve been on such an epiphany trip before.
If, however, your planning for your first time, there are a few things you might want to know before you set off.
Buy The Best Backpack Ever
We know this is super-duper obvious, but when you’re traveling around on foot you really need to buy a proper backpack, one that won’t rub your shoulders or give you a backache two days into your three-week adventure. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning on hiking through the Yellowstone National Forest or making your way through India one hostel at a time, getting a backpack that fits you like a glove is worth every penny you gulp at.
Only Pack The Essentials
I’m not the most amazing mathematician, but I know a) there are around 2200 steps in every mile and b) Mother Nature is a curvy woman, meaning not many of those miles will be flat. That’s why you’ll want to watch what you pack and keep your load as light as possible. Forget about luxuries and just focus on the things you can’t live without, and then keep them all safe with weatherproof padlocks on every compartment. When your trekking through some faraway paradise, you’re probably going to wear the same pair of shorts, vest top and swimming costume each day, with just a couple of nice outfits for those special occasions. So keep that in mind.
Be Super-Respectful
It doesn’t matter which country you are backpacking through, you will be warmed by the sea of smiles you are greeted with. But those smiles can quickly disappear if you don’t respect the local cultures. Smile, be polite, try and speak the local language, always accept a kind offer and know what’s considered bad etiquette. For example, if you’re in Thailand, never point at someone with your feet and never touch someone’s head, even children.
Embrace Public Transport
Yes, it’s technically classed as backpacking, but that’s different to hiking, so embrace the local modes of transport and use them to your advantage. Tuk-tuks, buses, trains, subways, boats – anything that is going to help you get some proper mileage under your belt is well worth exploring.
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