Backpacking is a dream come true.
Go on an adventure around the world on a whim, taking only the bare essentials.
But between the desire to escape without preparation and reality, things can be a little different.
How to plan a backpacking trip ? Where to go? What to pack? Here's what you absolutely need to know to make your next trip a success.
Minimalist travel: when backpacking becomes the new trend
With your travel bag on your back, has the idea of dropping everything and getting away for a few days crossed your mind? Well, this desire reflects a new trend: packing only the bare necessities, so you can focus on the essentials once you arrive.
No more bulky, impractical luggage, the traveler 2.0 is a backpacker who doesn't want to bother with the superfluous.
Practical for hitchhiking or for storing in a hostel room, the travel bag meets a need for freedom, far, far from the attachment to material things that very often make life difficult for us when we travel.
Relearn to live with the minimum without feeling frustrated at not having put everything in your suitcase.
How many times have we regretted the amount of luggage we had? The time we spent packing and unpacking? How many times have we also felt stressed and anxious, fearing that we would never find our suitcase on the airport conveyor belt?
Minimalist travel means removing a mental burden and being able to fully enjoy your stay.
A concept that can be compared to the slow travel phenomenon:
- Seeking enriching experiences with local communities while rethinking their needs.
- Strive for non-accumulation, which often opposes the fear of lack. We will therefore favor solutions available in the country in which we are located.
What to put in a minimalist bag?
True explorers know this well: the gear you carry is one of the key elements for a successful trip around the world. It can be a valuable ally, but it can also become your worst enemy.
To avoid forgetting anything, it is best to prepare a travel list to write down on paper the essential things to put in your bag.
First of all, the model of the bag is important, as is its filling capacity.
Going on a trip alone with your backpack doesn't mean depriving yourself of everything.
You will therefore need to buy a bag that is suitable for your body size but also according to the number of items you wish to carry with you.
The average capacity is between 20 and 50 liters, but some brands specializing in travel bags offer ranges of up to 70 liters and sometimes more.
We will take care to store everything cleverly to save space in our backpack .
We will take the classics like clothes, beauty products, a first aid kit, a phone charger, an international plug, etc., and objects to make our daily life as an explorer easier, such as a filter bottle, for example, to rehydrate throughout the day, in any region of the world.
Backpackers will also need to adapt their travel container depending on the destination.
Whether it's a hot, tropical, or cold climate, the preparation will not be quite the same.
The length of your trip will also be a major factor. Packing for a two-week trip or for the next 365 days poses different challenges, both in terms of equipment and the specific features of the bag.
Traveler's tip: you should remember to check the dimensions of your travel backpack so that you can carry it in the cabin (if you are traveling by plane) so that you don't have to leave it in the hold because it is too large.
Backpacking: Which are the best countries for ultra-light travel?
Hitting the road with your backpack strapped to your back isn't always easy. To ensure a successful trip, it's important to carefully consider your destination before setting off to explore the world.
The best places to backpack vary depending on each person, their preferences, and their experience. However, there are certain things that will make the trip easier, especially if it's your first solo trip .
First, the weather. With a bag that's smaller than a suitcase, it's obvious that destinations where the thermometer reads -10 degrees all year round are a no-go. The space-saving aspect of a bag doesn't allow you to pack warm clothes at the bottom of your bag.
Another detail, but one that can be very important. The limited equipment at your disposal during the road trip will undoubtedly lead you to ask for help more regularly. Consider cleaning your belongings, for example.
Speaking the language can be very useful to avoid being left helpless in a situation that could be resolved quickly. Having some knowledge of English, Spanish... can help avoid unnecessary stress.
When choosing your future backpacking destination, you will look at the low cost of living, the languages spoken and practiced, the presence or absence of other backpackers, the average price of a hotel room, and the type of transport available.
Peru, the Philippines, Greece and Thailand are dream destinations for tourists who love minimalist travel.
Backpacking around the world is becoming more and more popular and is gaining more and more followers, and for good reason: it allows you to travel in complete peace of mind to explore the landscapes and meet the local populations without having to drag around the weight of a whole life that you just forget for a few days of respite.
