When it comes to affordable travel options, backpacking across a country is one of the best ways to go. Not only is this an incredibly easy way to save some money for trips that will last a little longer, but it’s a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and country. One thing you can count on is the incredible views that you’ll get to see when backpacking across a country.
Given that this is such an affordable travel option, it’s not surprising that there is a spike in the number of young adults that want to add “backpacking” to their travel resume. Even though we’d all love the chance to save some money while traveling, deciding to go backpacking in a foreign country isn’t something that you should do unless you’re adequately prepared, and you have your expectations set.
In order to gain experience backpacking, you first need to plan a trip in which you will be backpacking across that country. The only way to really get experience is to get out there and give it a shot! If you are planning your first backpacking trip, keep reading. We are going to cover some guidelines that can help ensure that your first backpacking trip goes as smooth as possible.
Remain Open Minded
We just mentioned that one of the most important things to having a successful backpacking trip is setting realistic expectations. While backpacking is a much more affordable option for you to take advantage of, it’s far from the comfortable travel accommodations that you might be used to. For that reason, it’s essential that you remain open-minded throughout your travels.
From the different places that you’ll stay and the people that you meet to the experiences that you enjoy and the restaurants that you’ll eat, an open mind is the best way to ensure that you have a great time while traveling abroad. By setting the expectations that anything and everything could happen, you leave yourself open to really enjoy everything that you cross paths with.
Once you’ve accepted that this will be the reality of your travels and you’re comfortable with it, you can start to pack for your backpacking trip.
Invest In Quality Gear
As you may have guessed, “backpacking trips” do require you to have a physical backpack. Now that you’ve set realistic expectations of what your trip will be like, it’s time to start investing in quality gear.
While a backpack is the primary word that attracts focus, it’s not the only piece of equipment that you’re going to need when you’re traveling. In fact, there’s quite a bit of equipment that you should invest in. Unfortunately, not all of the materials that you’re going to invest in are easy to find at a low price. The good news is that most pieces that you do purchase will be good for years to come and there are plenty of places where you can find secondhand or lightly used equipment that will work just as well. Whichever route you choose to take, there are a few options for you to take advantage of.
Since there are so many different pieces that you will need to invest in, it’s always good to start setting equipment aside a couple of months before your trip. This will make it easier for you to purchase quality gear and give you enough time to find all of the pieces that you need.
Create an Itinerary
One of the many perks to backpacking is that you literally have everything that you need on you at all times. In these instances, you honestly can let adventure take you wherever it may lead. That being said, it’s always good to have some sort of itinerary created, even if it is made with the intention of being a fluid itinerary.
The primary reason that creating an itinerary, even one that you know you will approach with an open mind, is beneficial is that it can help you get a better idea of the supplies that you’ll need while on your backpacking adventure. For example, if you’re planning on enjoying a few hikes while you’re there, you are going to want to pack hiking boots. If you know that there is a high chance of rain, you will want to pack rain gear.
Another significant reason that you should create an itinerary is so you can get an idea of where you will be staying and when. Hostels are one of the popular options among backpackers because they are affordable and easy to come by, but there may be times where you plan on camping out. If that is the case, do you have a water filter available? A way for you to cook food? A very basic itinerary that answers these questions can help ensure that you’re prepared when your adventure does begin.
ParkDIA Can Help You Out
We’ve only scraped the surface of ways that you can prepare for your up and coming backpacking trip. In reality, there is much more that you can do. Keep an eye out for future blog posts that touch on additional ways that you can ensure you’re ready for anything that might be thrown your way.
With as much as you need to plan for a backpacking trip, the last thing that you should have to worry about is your car. ParkDIA makes it easy for you to leave your vehicle for extended periods of time without having to worry about crazy Colorado weather. We offer both covered and uncovered parking options to accommodate your needs. Browse our airport parking services and rates and reach out to our team if you have any questions that we could assist you with.
