Below are some very effective tips that can give you some good ideas on how you can easily plan out your trip without much fuss.
1. Make up your mind on your destination.
Choosing a specific destination for your proposed trip is one very effective way of giving you a concrete goal to pursue. Don’t be like most people who merely talk about a trip without knowing where they intend going. Choosing a destination before you start planning out your trip gives you a sense of direction and makes planning much easier and targeted. It is easier for you to plan your trip to Paris than it is for you to plan your trip to Europe.
2. Decide how long your trip will be.
How much will your planned trip cost you? This question may be hard to answer except when you have a very clear idea on how long you intend your trip to last. You must decide how long you wish to spend in your proposed destination before you can be able to figure out how much budget you should make for the entire trip. The moment you decide on which city you wish to travel to, the next thing should be to decide on how long you wish to stay there. A good example is to plan for a ten day hiking trip to a hotspot in Paris or some other exciting location anywhere in the world.
3. Make researches on cost.
Once you know where you are going and for how long you will be there, the very next should be to decide on how much you need for the trip. The best way to arrive at a concrete estimate of your planned trip is to research the cost of visiting your proposed destination and the means of travel you prefer to use. Since you plan to backpack rather than staying in some luxury hotels, you may not need to research much before you arrive at an accurate estimate.
4. Stay focused on your travel plans.
You can easily get distracted from your plans to travel, but there are ways you can ensure you stay focused and inspired in spite of all odds. One very effective way to stay focused and inspired when planning your hiking trip is to keep feeding your travelling desires and goals with inspiring stories such as why tomorrow is too late, why now is the best time to embark on that trip, etc.
5. Check for available deals.
Okay, preparations are in top gear for your proposed trip, but before you buy that flight ticket or pay for your hotel bills, look out for deals that may help you save some cash. If you see great deals on travelling to an exciting and breathtaking location in Berlin, decide whether your love to go to Paris too much that you will pass up for the opportunity to save.
6. Book your flight on time.
Booking your flight early helps you avoid certain difficulties and rushes that result from booking late. Booking early will equally help you get the flight you desire for your trip.
7. Book your accommodation.
Book your accommodation for as long as your trip will last. If your trip is going to be a very long one, you can book your accommodation to cover the first few days. Booking late may mean you may not be able to find a vacant room in choice hotels.
8. Plan out your activities.
Make a sketch of every activity you wish to engage in during your trip and a rough estimate of what they will cost. Make last-minute adjustments to your savings to make sure you have enough money to accommodate all planned activities. Planning your activities helps you figure out if your chosen tours or activities require any kind of reservations.
9. Let your card company know you are travelling.
No matter how long you plan to stay, it is important you let your credit card companies know of your planned trip, this way, your card is less likely to be blocked while you are away and your transactions won’t be flagged as fraudulent. There can be nothing more annoying during your vacation and hiking than sitting on the phone for hours trying to sort things out with your credit card company.
10. Complete your packing.
Once you have taken care of different aspects of your travel needs, it is time to get your stuffs together and stack them into your backpack. Keep a list nearby to make sure you don’t miss an essential item.
11. Buy your travel insurance.
Most people make the mistake of thinking they are too healthy to buy travel insurance when traveling. Travel insurance is not just about covering you when you fall sick while hiking overseas. Travel insurance covers you when your camera gets damaged, your flight gets cancelled, something gets stolen or you lose a family member and have to cut your trip short to travel home.
12. Have fun.
You have made all the necessary preparations, it is time to go on that trip you have always wanted to experience and have all the fun in the world. Make sure you don’t leave your passport behind as you head for the airport. These tips will help you get more organized and prepared for your trip.
Your planned trip can be as simple as booking your flight and packing or as complex as reorganizing your entire life to go backpacking for the rest of your life. But no matter the type of trip you have in mind, and the length of time you wish to spend on your trip, these tips will help you make your trip a very memorable one.
13. Learn how to talk to strangers.
Your trips and hiking require both physical and mental preparation. It is important you engage in some physical and mental exercises to help you build up your mind and physical strength. Adequate physical and mental preparation for your trip will help you travel without experiencing travel anxieties. Below are some tips to help you prepare adequately for your hiking trip.
Talking to strangers is one aspect of traveling you may not be able to avoid. Whether you are talking to other backpackers on trains or talking to residents for directions, you will find yourself interacting with strangers quite often. To most of us, talking to strangers is one of those things we would rather avoid if we have our way.
So as a way of preparing for your trip, you should start practicing how to talk to strangers to help you master the habit. You can start with just one new hello per day and increase the number of strangers you talk to daily as the days go by. This may not seem exciting at first, but with time, you will get to enjoy your new habit of picking up conversation with strangers.
14. Learn to fast.
Studies have shown that even when you travel with enough money for your needs, circumstances can crop up to leave you feeling very hungry with no food in sight for longer than you may consider comfortable.
If you live in the western world, you may not be used to hunger pangs, which makes them more annoying when they come calling during your hiking adventures. Try going a whole day or two with just little foods like crackers and pieces of bread, this way, your body will learn to endure the unintentional hunger pangs when they come later during your trips. Fasting has been found to be quite helpful to your body in more ways than you can imagine so don’t be afraid to fast.
15. Take some backpack walk practice.
Hauling around a backpack for miles can make your shoulder and leg muscles sore. This often happens when you are just starting your journey. The best way to ensure this does not happen is to walk around with your backpack fully loaded. Always start up small and work your way up to avoid pains and cramps. This will also help you learn how to pack for the real journey.
16. Try sleeping around.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean you should sleep around with people! I mean sleeping around your house or town. During your travels, you will have to sleep in different places daily, with some of them looking strange and funky. If you are travelling for free, chances are that you may have to sleep outside at least once.
One very effective way to prepare for this kind of situation is to sleep at different locations in your home and later at different places in your city. You can even try sleeping on the street or in the forest, so long as it is safe.
17. Get dirty.
How you choose to travel the world does not matter, whichever way, you are going to get dirty. You may be away for weeks without a complete shower or clean clothes to wear. Getting dirty may be very uncomfortable at first, but you will eventually get accustomed to it. Don’t worry about the dirt-your body has a natural way of cleaning itself.