Adventure Travel
Looking for something different in a vacation? Whether you are interested in dog sledding, hiking, sea kayaking, safaris or you’ve always wanted to experience another culture or an ecological vacation, today you can design your ideal adventure travel vacation by booking a trip with any number of companies that specialize in adventure travel.
One of the most important factors in ensuring a successful adventure holiday is selecting the right travel company. Accordingly, when making plans for an active travel trip, it only makes sense to know something about your leader and their organization.
To begin, get to know the company you're considering traveling with.
- Ask for references from previous participants and excursions;
- Inquire about safety procedures and any past incidents (plus what you can do to be prepared);
- Ask about the customer satisfaction policy;
- See if you can speak with the trek leader prior to signing on and paying for a trip. If you are able to speak with the trek leader, ask how long they've been guiding the trip, if they have particular experience with the region or the trip activities.
Another consideration, when planning adventure travel, is to know in advance what will be expected of you. For example, if you have never gone white water rafting, don’t try a class IV (high difficulty level) for your first outing. Doing so will only make you scared and miserable and will ultimately detract from the experience. An adventure vacation requires preparation and cooperation, so don't expect to be pampered. Trek leaders are there to ensure your fun and safety, but they aren't personal assistants and they have other travelers to attend to also.
The following Adventure traveler's checklist will help to plan your next travel adventure. Not all items listed will be needed on every trip. Pack only what you need and leave the rest at home. Remember, you've got to carry what you pack.
Essential Documents
- Passport (be sure yours is current and will not expire before your trip ends)
- Visa (if necessary)
- Health documents (proof of necessary shots, etc.)
- Airline, train, bus, etc. tickets
- Emergency information
- Health insurance (if your personal insurance will not cover you overseas, inquire about short-term traveler's health insurance)
- Traveler's checks
- Small amount of local currency
- Credit cards
- Guide books and maps
- International driver's license
- Photocopies of documentation
- Tickets to special events (concerts, festivals, sporting events
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Hotel reservation confirmations
Packs
- Day pack or fanny pack
- Travel Pack
- Duffel
Traveler's Essentials
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle or hydration system such as Camelback, Ultimate Directions or Platypus
- Water purification (pump and tablets)
- Nylon cord (50 feet)
- Mini sewing / repair kit
- Flashlight (extra bulb and batteries)
- Travel locks
- Multitool knife
- Luggage ID tags
- Travel clothesline
- Electrical conversion plugs
- Document pouch (undercover passport carrier, money belt, etc.)
First Aid
Always consult your physician for help in planning which medications you may need for your trip. Some suggestions for your first aid kit are:
- Antibiotics
- Antiseptics
- Tylenol
- Benadryl
- Tincture of Benzoin
- Sterile gauze pads
- Roller gauze
- Non-adherent dressing
- One-inch adhesive tape
- Steristrips
- Ace wrap
- Large compress
- Moleskin
- Second Skin
- Tweezers
- Bandage scissors
- Irrigation syringe
- Motion sickness medication
- Malaria pills
- Sunburn ointment
- Laxative
- Personal prescriptions
- Vitamins
- Diarrhea medicine
Finding the right adventure vacation company is just as important as the trip. After all, there are plenty of amazing places to explore, but it's important to enjoy them with the company that's right for you.
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