Travelling has a different meaning for different people. For some it can be a way to take a time off from their routine, for others it can be a way to spend some quality time with family, for some it means exploring, while there are people for whom travelling means a way of living. Well, no matter how you look at it but travelling surely changes a person by giving him memorable experiences.
Whether you are travelling within India or abroad there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Firstly, you need to decide a place where you need to go and also need to ask yourself the question, ‘why do you want to visit that particular place?’ Deciding the theme and doing a relevant research is the first step when you plan your trip. If the theme of your travel is wildlife then you cannot go to United Kingdom and expect to see lions and gorillas. Secondly, you need to understand what the requirements are. For instance, if you are travelling to any African or South American country you need get yellow fever vaccination. You will also need to understand the weather conditions about the place you want to visit. Seriously, you wouldn’t want to spend an entire day in your hotel room, dormitory or hostel due to bad weather conditions. Talking to an expert or someone who has a good amount of experience is always a better idea.
In recent times, there are many travel websites which have made life easy by providing good deals on things like hotel booking, flight booking etc. There are many travel agencies as well who have designed travel packages and all you have to do is just select the package and you are saved from the trouble of booking flights, hotels and other necessary formalities.
Well, if you are a kind of person looking for a little bit excitement and adventure then backpacking is the right thing for you. Backpacking is a form of low-cost, independent travel which includes the use of a backpack which can be easily carried for long distances. Backpacking includes use of public transport, inexpensive lodging such as youth hostels, often a longer duration of the trip when compared with conventional vacations and an interest in meeting locals as well as seeing sights. Unlike a conventional package tour, backpacking enables a traveller to be a part of the local culture rather than just experiencing it.
Here are some of the tips if you consider backpacking as the right option for you

Pack Light
With backpacking, your mantra should always be pack light. You need to leave stuff behind and streamline what you’re bringing with you. Bringing valuable or sentimental stuff with you is asking for a disaster. Only pack what you can replace and save money of overweight luggage fees when you fly.

Camp Out
If you can, you should really camp out for part of your backpacking trip. In a lot of countries, there are plenty of comfortable campgrounds that won’t drain your monetary resources. This is a great option if you have some experience camping and you have the option of carrying your own tent. If you’re ready and willing to embrace your inner Bear Grylls, you can make camping work just about anywhere. However, safety is always the priority especially if you are backpacking solo.

Or Stay in a Hostel
Camping isn’t for everyone. You might not be able to bring all the gear you’d need, or you might just want the comfort of a bed. Try one of the hundreds of backpacker-friendly hostels across the world. The best ones have free breakfasts, or even a kitchen with access to cooking stuff. If you buy groceries and make a couple meals in the hostel, you can save a ton of money over a long trip. There are good chances that you will make friends with backpackers from other countries.

Carry Your Own Snacks
Being on an adventure and living out of your trusty backpack can really drain you. Snacks might seem like a silly addition to your gear but it can really help you keep energy levels high between meals and rests.

Prefer Walking
Don’t let the convenience of a cab ride lure you in. There are mileage costs and tipping the driver. Also, sometimes cab drivers take you on the “scenic route” to hike your fare or just flat-out overcharge you. Meanwhile, walking will be good for your health and also for your budget while travelling. If you want to go somewhere and it’s too far of a walk, look to public transit to get you there. Busses and trains are cheap and usually reliable.

Be Careful of Scam Artists
There are many cases of tourists or travelers being conned in the city where they travel. No matter where you’re backpacking, every city will have different kinds of scam artists. They can spot a tourist from a mile away and will go out of their way to take advantage of you. It’d be heartbreaking to be staying on budget and then have that all ruined by a theft, so you need to keep your money close at hand.

Team TNV