There was a time when I used to start backpacking at the end of every month. Taking my backpack or my hiking backpack out of the wardrobe was first-hand exciting itself. I bought a hiking bag just for trips that had a longer duration like a week or more otherwise I’d be sticking with my Wildcraft backpack that I have been using for over 6 years now. No matter the situation I carry my camera as an essential, a pair of clothing, and my wallet as IDs are important then lace up my shoes and step out. I would mostly go to places within the vicinity of nature away from urbanization and pollution.
My favorite thing to do is check out new locations and click pictures of the geography, demography & animals when I get lucky. Will not miss out my camera even if I forget to take my toothbrush or earphones. Also carrying any valid ID is important wherever you are planning for your backpacking trip as it is necessary to have your identities verified at different places, some places of stay and transportation. Having cash on hand is also important so as to purchase food and items in need.
It is advisable to carry a metallic or a tupperware water bottle which can be refilled and kept instead of buying packaged water which people easily litter. One must have noticed that there are many young people who are not actual travelers but even if they visit any natural location they put captions with the words “wanderlust” “backpackers” which I find really hilarious. Jokes apart let’s try to understand backpacking and who are backpackers.
Backpacking is a type of low-cost, autonomous travel that frequently derives to staying at cheaper alternative accommodation medium like camping, hostels, dorms while transporting all of one’s belongings in a backpack. It has evolved from a fringe form of travel conducted only out of necessity to a mainstream significant form of tourism. Backpacking simply put together is a term that means budget travelling.
What comes to your mind when you hear the word backpacker? It’s simply someone who travels with a compact backpack. This is a person who is taking a vacation or traveling for whatever reason but instead of carrying a suitcase and heavy luggage, is carrying everything in a backpack. A backpacker is likely someone who would be staying in a hostel rather than in a hotel. They will be more likely to take public transportation and walk than to rent a cab.
Things To Take Care Of Before Backpacking
Backpacking is considered to be an inexpensive way of traveling compared to conventional traveling. You can also think of backpacking as in, “I’m going backpacking this weekend” to mean someone who will be trekking while carrying their belongings and food for a camping trip. Like every anthropomorphic activity or culture one has to follow some basic etiquettes, even in the case of backpacking.
- Do not pack irrelevant items. Take only essential items.
- Do not pack over-enthusiastically. You’ll have to carry all that heavy load around.
- Try to save money wherever possible, do not over spend.
- Never skip meals, you may sometimes get past your usual lunch hours due to travelling but always have your food to keep up the energy.
- Help other backpackers with your stuff. If you or they’re in need of assistance you should help each other.
- Be a true backpacker, be cool remain cool at every situation.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all time and cautious about where you’re heading. Backpackers are supposed to have excellent navigation techniques.
- Try to keep the surroundings clean, do not litter here and there. Plastics and wastes should be collected to only dump in trash cans or dustbins.
- Do not make noise while passing through forested areas as it can disrupt the animals in their habitat.
- Do not lend things to others that you know you can’t do without. For example- Giving your power bank to someone will make you helpless when you run out of battery.
- Do carry emergency kits. Medical supplies, food rations, emergency communications devices, self-defense equipment are a must.
- Practice backpacking regardless of gender or age group.
- Do not be reckless just because you think you’re confident. Accidents often happen to backpackers. Precaution is always better than cure, so stay careful.
Fortunately for us India is a country which is a dream destination for backpackers all around the world. We have all the geographic and different climatic conditions with a wide array of culture within the same boundary. India is a large country with 28 states and 8 union territories which have a plenty to offer not only foreigners but Indian backpackers themselves. Backpackers can actually discover more and experience better compared to conventional tourists as they get time to interact and learn from their travel.
On a tight budget, you can easily go backpacking in India and have a unique cultural experience. From home stays with warm and welcoming families to hostel dorms with other travelers. Backpacking in India is an adventure of a lifetime, with everything from local railways to hitchhiking a truck. India is a backpacker-friendly location thanks to its abundance of backpacker hostels, low-cost home stays, inexpensive market and street food culture.
Aside from that, the accessibility and low cost of public transportation are other advantages. However, the cost of travel varies greatly depending on the place you will be going. Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, two popular backpacking destinations in India, are much easier for navigation travel. Lesser-known places such as the Northeast are still reasonably priced, but slowly in development stage gearing up for tourists in no time.
