Backpacking can be one of the most exciting and rewarding ways to see the world. Today, the international backpacking community provides a fantastic range of opportunities for anyone who wants to enjoy the freedom that it can offer. However, as with anything else in life, there can be risks attached and it is best to be aware of how to stay safe before embarking on your backpacking travels. Here are some simple tips to make sure your backpacking trip abroad and outdoors will be safe and smooth.
Be informed
The most important thing is to make sure you have all the information you need about the countries you will be visiting. Obviously, some countries can be dangerous places outdoors, whether that is because of manmade violent conflicts or nature’s own threats. Today it is easy to use the internet to get all the information you need so that you know where to avoid and how to be prepared for what the places you go to may have up their sleeves.
Clothing and equipment
Knowing what to take with you and what to leave behind is the true art of backpacking. Again, information is key – along with some common sense of course. Remember to take the right type of clothing for the climates that you will be travelling through and also any equipment you might need if you are intending to visit countries with specific terrain or weather difficulties.
Keep in contact
Perhaps the most important thing regarding safety and backpacking is to make sure someone knows where you are, and where you intend to be, at certain set times. This way you have a back up should anything unforeseen occur and you are not able to make contact yourself.
Keeping in touch by phone or email is cheap and easy wherever you go and can also bring peace of mind to loved ones left at home.
Emergency funds
Making sure you have enough money to get by day to day is of course essential but a big part of backpacking is getting by on a low outlay. You should still make sure that you have some access to an emergency fund should the need arise though and this can be done through the likes of credit cards and prepaid travel cards.
Insurance
The carefree ethos behind a backpacking trip doesn’t sit easily with things like insurance policies but anyone travelling abroad should make sure they have the right kind of cover in place to deal with any type of emergency situation. You can find dedicated insurance for backpackers from Allianz Global Assistance so that your policy matches your trip perfectly.
