outdoor adventures outdoor trip logistic plan

How to Plan an Adventure: Our Ultimate, Step by Step Guide

We’ve been going on adventures seriously for the past seven or eight years. In this time, we’ve honed planning adventures with confidence down to a fuss free, fine art! This step by step guide outlines exactly how.

To be honest, planning adventures wasn’t easy for us at first – we knew we wanted to do certain things and as we found more and more things that interested us around travel and the outdoors, this list grew. However, it seemed overwhelming, especially when we started looking at some of the bigger trips we wanted to do. There seemed to be so many moving parts we needed to work out – no clear way of finding information about certain places and it would often fill us with anxiety about things we really wanted to look forward to. Nowadays, we have a pretty good handle on things and have got adventure planning down to a fine art. So, we wanted to put together this resource list to help make the process easier for you, share our tips, techniques and thinking points, in a digestible a way, to help you make the most out of your adventure trips for years to come.

Skidoo’ing along the PCT in Northern California was without a doubt one of our favourite adventures to date!

Adventure planning Guide: Quick Links

• Part One: What, Where, Why and How
• Part Two: Day or Shorter Adventures
• Part Three: Longer Trips & Adventures

Firstly, why is it important to plan an adventure ahead?

The more prepared you are, the more likely it is that what you want to do will be a success. Imagine having travelled for hours and hours to get somewhere only to realise that you don’t have the right Visa. Or that you really needed to build up to that ambitious thing you had in mind. These things might sound like worse case scenarios, but they’re all things that can be avoided by knowing exactly what you’re getting into before you do it. Planning adventures in this way has saved us time, money, frustration – and it can for you too. This guide can be used regardless how many days you’re going for, your skill length, the type of adventure and anything in between.

Something to get across right from the start – there is a lot of information included in this resource as we wanted to be as thorough as possible in helping you plan an adventure. However you’ll likely find that some adventures take more planning than others. We’ve put together what for us, is an exhaustive list when it comes to adventure planning, but there may be elements specific to you that you want to add in or take away to suit your needs.

We also think it’s important to distinguish between planning for a day adventure, planning for a couple of nights and planning for a much longer trip around a specific adventure. We all have totally different wants, needs and definitions from the word ‘adventure’ so planning an adventure is likely to look totally different for you than it will the next person. There’s a good chance you have arrived at this resource for any number of the reasons above. This is where things often seem to get complicated, because after a quick Google search, you might find a lot of results are geared towards much longer travel plans. This of course isn’t the reality for everyone, and not everyone wants to go off on a six month adventure! We genuinely believe it doesn’t really need to be that complicated and a lot of this information only confuses you more and takes you further away from what it is you might want to do. As we move on, we decided to break this down into planning for a day adventure and planning for a longer adventure, as it seemed to make the most sense. We think a lot of what we’ve outlined between the two can interlink, but if you’re looking for an idea of how to plan a multi night trip (perhaps backpacking etc) you might want to take most of your cues from the advice in planning a longer adventure.

Tip: set yourself aside some time for adventure planning. The size and scale of your trip will determine how long you need to spend planning. It can be quite nice to put aside some evenings to make future plans and it can actually turn into something you look forward to. It’ll also help you feel a lot more organised as you go through planning an adventure and get closer to your trip. We find it helpful, such as when applying for Visas or entry requirements, to set ourselves calendar reminders, or some notes to check back in on certain things the next time we have a planning session.

Wadi Rum, Jordan, where we over landed, with a guide through the desert and slept under the stars – an unforgettable experience which made all of the planning well worth it!

Planning adventures Part One – the what, where, why and how

You might be at a stage where you have an idea where you want to go and what you’re interested in. You might also be coming to this knowing you want to do something that puts you out of your comfort zone, but aren’t sure where to start. Either way, we believe that there’s kind of a conceptual side to things that if you get clear on this first, will help make planning adventures a lot easier. Here are some of the questions we ask ourselves at the beginning stages of planning adventures:

What is it That I Want to Do?

This might seem obvious, but sometimes, the first step to adventure planning is actually working out what it is you want to do. This can sometimes feel overwhelming in its own right. If you’ve got a craving for adventure but don’t know what, use these questions and simple steps below to help you get clearer on what it is that interests you.

• What interests me right now? It could be a few days walking in Lanzarote , canoeing through the Masurian Lake District in Poland, wild swimming in the Alps, climbing or an incredible road trip full of mesmerising alpine drives . Maybe its paddle boarding the Fjords of Norway or a guided expedition to a peak. It’s important at this stage to not let fear get in the way of your decision making – what is it that you really, really want to do? This can actually be a really difficult one sometimes, so spending some time thinking about what you’ve enjoyed previously – even if you’ve never done an adventure before can be helpful. If this is your first time, think about holidays you’ve enjoyed and what you enjoyed about them.
• 2. Where interests me? Have I seen any inspiration from friends/family/online that has really caught my attention? We’d recommend checking out our destination guides and adventure planning resources for some inspiration, which are frequently being updated. We also love to put together folders of images we see on the likes of social media, Google Searches, even making wishlists on things like AirBnb of places we’d like to visit so that we can go through at a later date. We also love Cicerone guides – they’ve become a bit of a holy grail for us when it comes to getting inspiration for visiting a place. There are simply so many of them available that can give you some really good ideas when it comes to hikes, or even how you could put together multi day trips in certain destinations. We also think they make nice mementos to remember when you get home, too. When it comes to Google searches, you can keep this organised by keeping notes on your phone with specific locations and links that you can look back on later.

We also want to make another point, your adventure plans don’t need to have a big why. We know, we know, maybe that’s an unpopular thing to say in the outdoors/adventure world but not every single adventure you go on needs to have a big, overarching reason why you’re doing it. Whilst campaigning for charity or raising awareness around issues is fantastic, absolutely commended, it doesn’t have to be the only reason you enjoy the outdoors – however, bigger ideas often seem to come with a lot of pressure (and we’re not sure where that started and why). Simply put, your wants and desires are important too. An adventure can do a lot to fill up your cup and give you energy to put into the things that matter to you. Don’t let not having a big why stop you – go where your heart is and follow your instincts. We generally find that even when we go on an adventure that doesn’t have a big reason behind it, the things we learn from it that we take back into our everyday lives are usually pretty profound in their own ways.

When Do I Want to Go? What Season is it at the Time of Year I Want to Go?

This is going to be really important when deciding where and what it is you want to do. If you need to work around holiday time from your day job, you may be limited in the time of year you can go. If this is the case think carefully about your adventure plans. For example, you might want to go to Austria in February to go hiking, but because of the amount of snow, you will need some fairly competent skills in winter trekking to be comfortable doing the kind of routes you might do in summer with much more ease. You may want to head to the desert in Nevada, but the only time you can go is in the summer when the heat will be unmanageable. It’s important when you plan trips to be looking into this to really think about these points when deciding when you’ll head off. If the time off you can take or when you can go are no issue – great, if not, do some research and see what is the best compromise.

Spending two months in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah working on a project sympathetic to the landscape was a real highlight for us – everyday we felt full of awe!

How Much Will it Cost and How Much Do I Need? 

Probably one of the most important things you’re going to need to think about when it comes to planning an adventure is the cost. This may also have a determination on where you need to go if you’re on a budget. If you’re planning in decent time, it’s worth thinking about if there are any day to day living costs you can cut down on for a while to make it work. However if there aren’t, we’d recommend trying to get as much into place as far in advance as you can so you can realistically look at budgeting things in. If this is a real issue, this could be a good opportunity to rethink your where and what plans a little bit – could you do something similar, or even pivot by basing this adventure closer to home? Right now, you’re trying to get an idea of ballpark figures – if possible, you’ll want to have +20% as an ideal buffer zone in case there are any changes (accommodation prices go up etc). We’ll talk more about exact costs later…

Do I Have the Skills I Need For This Adventure?

If you’re prepared for your adventure with confidence and all the skills you need, you are going to have a much more enjoyable time, not to mention safer. It’s important to think about what it is you are going to be doing. If you’re planning a mountain adventure in the summer months over a period of days, it’s worth looking at what is involved in the route. Is there scrambling? Do you need to carry a heavy pack, and do you have the confidence in the areas that you’ll be relying on? Are you planning a winter hiking adventure? Do you know how to snowshoe, assess snow packs and stop your own fall? Any adventure will push you out of your comfort zone, but preparation is key to you enjoying it, succeeding, and being safe. If there are some skills you will need for your adventure, it’s worth thinking how you could start learning those skills closer to home in the time before you leave. Adventures are great like this because they can quite often lead you on other adventures.

Who Will I Go With? 

What is it that you crave from this experience? The feeling of knowing you can do this on your own whilst you spend two weeks trekking alone? The connection you’ll develop with a friend or partner or a bigger group environment? It’s important to think about what it is you want and need from your experience and if you can see yourself travelling with who you want to travel with.

Over the years, we’ve spent a lot of time whilst in America backcountry camping – planning multi day hikes has allowed us to experience some of the most incredible landscapes we wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.

Planning Adventures Part Two – Day or shorter adventures

Whether you’re planning a day outdoors or you’re looking to take an adventure over a shorter number of days, there’s still planning involved. This of course isn’t as involved as planning for a longer adventure, but in order to ensure you have the best experience, it’s good to be as prepared as possible. We usually break this down into the following sections – and this is something that applies to both day and shorter, multi day adventures:

Plan Your Route

Whatever activity you have in mind, you’ll want to plan your route. This might sound obvious, but putting some time into making sure you have everything stored offline or in multiple places is a really smart idea – we try not to rely on one device only. If you’re going for multiple days, you can use the tools in section three to put together a route plan of how much distance you will cover from one day to the next, where are good places to stop etc. This can be really handy if you need to book permits for a specific location and need to specify or know where you might stay/camp on any given night. You’ll also want to think about water stops – understanding the topography of your route is really helpful here – as you can start to get a clear idea of how much water you’ll want to take with you and what resources you have available. Within this, especially if you’re going to be in the wilderness, it’s worth making a meal plan – this will also help you budget and make sure you have enough energy for your days.

Is it Within Reach?

Pushing yourself in the outdoors can feel amazing, but it also needs to be done in a calculated way. We always make sure we look at the route we have in mind, and based on our experience, make an educated decision as to whether we can realistically do this now or whether we need to build up to it. If you aren’t sure, it’s always best to air on the side of caution – so planning in some training routes in preparation can make the difference between going into an adventure with excited nerves and going in just feeling worried. Plus, the training adventures you get to do can be really fun along the way too!

Think about what you’re likely to encounter on the adventure you’re planning, the time of year and the location. What you need to bring will of course differ through the year, but we often see people bringing way too much for a few days and too little for one. When it comes to a day adventure, think about what you’re likely to need and if there is any equipment you need to bring with you. If it’s something you’ve got that you haven’t used in a while, test it out to make sure it’s still fit for purpose. We also always make sure that we’ve got more food than we need in case a trail takes longer to complete than we thought, and depending on the temperature, always make sure that we take more water than we need too. Suncream is also another non negotiable in our day pack – even if it hasn’t forecast sun. We do this especially if we’re going somewhere where it’s snowy, and the snow is reflective, especially when sunny and can lead to fairly horrific sunburn, especially at high altitude where UV levels increase. We’d recommend putting together a list you can tick off and check to make sure you have everything you need.

When it comes to multi day adventures, it’s really tempting, especially if you’re camping for a couple of nights doing a thru hike for example, to want to bring as much stuff as possible because you don’t want to be caught out. However a heavy pack full of clothes you’re not going to wear will only add to your weight. We always opt for lightweight layers that can serve multiple purposes, and accept that we can wear the same things for a couple of days in a row! Food is always another big weight when it comes to something over a period of days, and rehydrating dried food can really significantly reduce the weight of the food you need to bring. We’ve taken to dehydrating our own food after spending many years not enjoying pre packaged things. We would really recommend the Excalibur 2400 Food Dehydrator – it was a pricy purchase, but has been well worth it, and saved us a lot of money in pre packaged food. We’ve been using for a number of years now to make our own food to cook and rehydrate on the trail. It might take a little bit more fore planning, sure, but it is well worth it when you can look forward to good food on the trail.

Fay loves wild swimming, and particularly in very cold water. This project and the planning involved allowed us to visit some of the coldest Alpine lakes in Austria – which ran smoothly due to the planning we put in place in advance.

Logistics of Getting There

You might find it helpful to do some research in advance to find out if the trailhead you need to use or your start point gets particularly busy. This will help you decide what time of the day is best to go. For day adventures that are self initiated and not with a guide, we’d always recommend having a backup option – as that can help avoid disappointment if you get to a car park and it’s full or if the location already looks too busy. If you’re planning to travel by public transport, or need to use something like a park and ride shuttle to get to your start point, you’ll need to factor in how much time you need for the adventure you have planned and how much time you’ll need to get there. Leave some room for delays! The same is to be said if your plan follows a linear route – you’ll need to plan how you’ll get from one place to another and if you need to factor in extra distance to allow you access to public transport or ways of getting back easily.

Adventure Planning Checklist: Day or Multi Day Adventure

• Have I planned my route? Have I done any training I need for this?
• Have I made an equipment list and bought anything new I may need?
• Have I made a meal plan?Have I worked out my transportation?

Planning Adventures Part Three – Longer Trips and Adventures

As we said above, if you’re looking to plan an adventure over a number of days, that’s somewhere in between a day adventure and a longer adventure, you might find this section more useful to get you started. If you’re looking at a longer adventure, there is a lot that can feel overwhelming. Once you’re clear on the thinking points we outlined in part one, it’s time to get onto the logistics. This is crucial to make sure you’ve got everything covered you might not have thought of and ensure that you’ll be able to focus on the adventure once you head off! This is the exciting part in our opinion as it’s where you go from an idea to making concrete plans.

Here are the main things to consider when planning out a longer adventure – these are the exact steps we go through when planning any adventure:

Ice climbing in the Haute Alpes, France – what an amazing experience! Thinking about all of the amazing places we’ve been fortunate enough to experience makes us feel very grateful!

Of course, it’s impossible to get everything down to the last penny, and spending costs may vary from adventure to adventure. Also, things can and do change, but here are some of the main things we’ll look at when scoping out a cost breakdown for a particular adventure:

• Accommodation (if you plan on visiting more than one area or need to book a number of places, it’s also handy to look at a cost breakdown for this too, and if this is likely to change the closer to the trip you book it). Whether you’re more of a hotel person, a hostel person or someone who likes to camp out in the wild, you’ll need to factor this in.
• Transport (this is where we’ll do some more research. What is the best way to get around? Do we need to hire a car? If not, what are the costs for public transport, transfers etc?) If you aren’t going to hire a car, and can’t find the exact prices, get a rough idea and keep aside more than you think you’ll need by doing some research on the location
• Transport to get there – trains, flight costs etc.
• Airport transfers , airport parking, train fair
• Pet sitting or any necessary service you’ll require whilst you’re away
• Day to day budget and daily living costs. Is your location known to be cheaper or more costly? Are there entry costs to where you’re going? How much will you need for food? If you’re on a budget, is there a way you can create a meal plan?
• Vaccination fees

Adventure planning tip: set up a spreadsheet or a Google Sheet. This is a really simple way to visualise cost breakdowns. It’ll allow you to get all of the information into on place, track things as they update and change and see the overall costs in an easy way.

Travel to Destination Logistics

Depending on where you want to go, you’ll need to look at the best way to get to your location. Depending on the time of year you want to go, you might need to pay special attention to if transport is readily available. For example, at certain times of year that might be seen as ‘off season’ flights can be really reduced.

Route Planning

Whether your adventure plans involve a road trip or a multi-day trek, you’ll need to get clear on your route. For example, and depending on the adventure you have in mind, finding out how many hours you might need to drive a day to make it work in your time frame will allow you to add in some eventualities for changes. Or alternatively, finding out how many miles you’ll need to cover a day on foot and what the elevation profile is will help you to assess what is realistic in the time that you have (and train accordingly). If you’re going on a multi day adventure, you’re likely going to need some way of tracking your location or where you are. You may also need to keep up to date with maps that track you when you’re in locations that don’t have cellular service. Make sure any maps you’re going to be using are downloaded for offline use. We’d also recommend checking out our gear guides, such as the best watch for hiking which can help you keep track of where you’re going and what you’re doing.

Planning Your Days

This, again, is totally dependent on the adventure you want to do – and can really vary in complexity. Whatever you’re planning, we always put together an itinerary. Now, we often talk about slow travel and not planning everything on your travels and adventures – and depending on what you’re doing that can of course still stand. We’ll often look to add in space for flexibility – a couple of free days to explore as well, if possible. We always put together a simple spreadsheet, Google Sheet (whatever you have access to) to visualise our plans in more detail and keep on track of things. Your spreadsheet doesn’t need to be complex, but the reason we do it this way is because it allows us to see in easy reference the days per month we’ll be away, where we need to be and when. It also allows you to snag if there are going to be any problems before you leave. This is something you can also keep adding to as you go along. It’s also possible to have a copy synched up to your phone or mobile device so that you can see it on the go. If you’re looking to hike a thru hike, for example, this is a really good way to see visually what you’ll need to do each day and where you may be able to stop to pick up more supplies for example. We’ll usually include:

• Days per month and date info
• Distance to travel (if needed) in rough hours
• The adventure for that day, or which section of it we’ll be on – this is a great opportunity to link up
• Anything important that we need to consider related to this – food resupply stops, fuel stops on an over landing trip, for example

Generally we’d recommend leaving a little leeway either side of your plans for unforeseen changes. Perhaps something will take longer to complete, or your flight is delayed. If all of your plans are tightly packed together, this can cause quite a lot of problems. If you’re short on time, we’d recommend opting for a shorter adventure – trust us – the time you will spend worrying otherwise will not leave you feeling relaxed. It’s a bummer, but it often means you enjoy the time you’ve got a lot more. If you can, work in some time for rest days too – trust us, having a rest day after months on the road can help get you feeling rested and excited again.

Somewhere in the Canary Islands on a multi day adventure.

Adventure Planning Tip: Probably our key piece of advice for trips like this is if you’re feeling a bit stuck on how to break down your days and what will be achievable, do some research. If you’re trying to plan an adventure that has been done before (there’s a fairly high chance at this point it has) do some research online and see if you can find other people’s suggestions of how is best to structure it. This can be helpful in taking a bit of the hard work out of it all. You can always make this more your own by picking and choosing what feels right for you with what you find.

Accommodation

You’ll of course need to decide what works best for the adventure you’re planning. Our favourite’s when it comes to planning accommodation is Booking.com – we typically find they are a lot more flexible in terms of cancellations, and with many places you can even have until relatively last minute to change your mind, which is great for keeping things flexible. If you’re looking at camping for example, make sure you look at any permits you might need in as much advance as possible.

Guides and Specialist Support

Depending on where you’re going and what you’re doing, having a guide might range from being a nice addition to being a non-negotiable. A guide can sometimes be an incredibly wise decision and it can sometimes be overkill. Really think about your skill level here, but also do some research online to see what other people are saying about your particular adventure. As much as you might want to do the whole adventure by yourself, it might be impossible to get access to the area you want to visit without a guide. When choosing a guide, it is highly important to work with a company who you get on with, if you have any kind of bad feeling about them don’t work with them. Make sure you do your research to see what other people are saying. Typically, we always recommend working with local companies and guides wherever possible who give back to the local economy (you’ll often find this information through their website) – this is to both help the local economy, but also to improve sustainable tourism. Guides can also be a fantastic resource when it comes to getting advice on activity and specific ideas you might have. Local knowledge can help you make a much more involved, authentic plan than you perhaps would have been able to otherwise, especially in foreign countries where the culture may be significantly different than what you’re used to. Another aspect to think about, depending on the type of adventure you’re doing, is if you need a support team? If this is the case, you’ll need to consider how far in advance you might need to get this into place. If you’re wondering what we mean by support team, let’s say you are wanting to do a long distance swim for example – you might need to look at having a support boat to help you (or it may even be a government requirement).

Visas, Permits and Entry Requirements

Depending on where you plan on visiting, you might need a Visa for your trip, or for certain sections of it. This can usually be found by typing into Google ‘Insert Location Visa entry requirements for insert your location citizens’. Depending on where you’re based, you’ll likely find National advice and specific advice on your government’s website or embassy. Be wary of people offering specific visa services – they often charge a premium for something that is not usually overcomplicated. From our experience, we can’t think of a single time where we’ve needed a visa to enter a country where we haven’t been able to apply for this through the government of that country’s website. Try to do this as soon as you know your dates of travel to stop any last minute worries.

You might also find yourself having to contend with restricted entry requirements for certain areas. It’s worth looking into this as soon as you can, as this can sometimes but a proverbial spanner in the works. Depending on where you are and what you want to do, there might be special permits that you need to say, camp in certain areas at different times of the year. There are many countries (and particularly seems to be the case in North America) where trail permits are offered many months in advance or through a lottery system. So it’s best to know this as soon as possible and put reminders in your diary if there are specific days you need to apply by.

Taking in the sunset whilst wild camping/backcountry camping in Southern California

Gear List: What Equipment do I Need?

If you’ve decided to work with a guide, they should provide you a packing list of items you’ll need to bring with you, and if you’re trekking for the first time, try to buy items such as your backpack in as much advance as possible. This will give you time to get used to it, so it doesn’t feel completely new and stiff when you head off, the same goes for your boots. If you’re not working with a guide, think about what it is that you’re doing and make a list of all of the things you need for each day whether you have it already or not. Once you have your list, check off the things you have (making sure they’re still good for the job) and fill in whatever else it is you need. We’ve created a number of guides to help you get prepared with the gear you’re likely to need on your outdoor adventures (from years of testing gear out on real adventures), such as the best watch for hiking , the best hiking belts , the best gear for cold water swimming , and many more. Don’t forget to include specialist things like camera equipment on your list if this is one of the main reasons you’ll be going – you might find that you need to look at renting lightweight equipment or buy a new lens for example. Do you need a battery pack to charge your phone? Or is it better for you to take a bigger bank to charge any other devices you need?

Need something new for the adventure you’re planning? check out our gear guides and honest reviews as recommended by hikers, for hikers. click on the links below to explore:

• 20 Best Waterproof Hiking Shoes in 2023
• 12 Best Trekking Poles of 2023
• 25 Best Small 2 Person Backpacking Tents of 2023
• Essential Gear for Cold Water Swimming: As recommended by a year round wild swimmer
• 12 Best Hiking Belts in 2023

Vaccinations

Of course, in recent years since Covid-19, we’ve all become more aware of vaccination requirements. However, there are many destinations that have required other vaccinations long before Covid-19 was a thing. You’ll likely find information as to whether the destination you’re visiting requires specific vaccinations on their government website or embassy website. This is something you want to do as soon as possible, because with some vaccinations, you may need to have this done within a specific time frame of your trip. Vaccinations can usually be booked through a local pharmacy, and if you have time on your side, it will allow them to order anything in that isn’t so common.

Do I Need Specialist Insurance? 

If you have general travel insurance its worth seeing if your insurer covers you for medical treatment based on your adventure plans and the activity you’ll be doing (for example, if it’s a high-altitude trek, you will potentially need cover that will back you up for altitude). It’s also important to make sure that your standard travel insurance covers you for the country you’ll be visiting. If you prefer to book single trip travel insurance, then it’s important to note that if you’re going on a more extreme adventure that most regular insurers don’t cover adventure as standard and you will likely need to look for a more specialised insurance. If you’re travelling within Europe, you should also travel with an EHIC card for state healthcare throughout Europe, which you can find information about online.

Adventure Planning Checklist: L onger adventures

• Have I finalised the costs involved?
• Have I made a clear plan for my days with room for movement in my adventure plans?
• Have I secured accommodation?
• Have I booked travel to and from the location?
• Have I enquired about/booked any guides I may need?
• Have I secured any visas/permits I may need?
• Or have clear dates when I need to?
• Have I made an equipment list and bought anything I may need?
• Have I had or have arranged any vaccinations I may need?
• Have I purchased any insurance I may need?

Plan an Adventure That You Love!

We hope you find this guide useful when it comes to planning adventures you love. We know that planning an adventure can seem a little overwhelming to start, but we hope this guide has helped you to see that if you break it down and plan, it can really help get those big ideas you have in your head to actually happening in reality!

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How To Plan an Outdoor Adventure: A Step-by-Step Guide

Planning an outdoor adventure can be a thrilling prospect. Whether it's hiking the rugged terrains of Alaska, exploring the natural wonders of Yellowstone, or surfing the waves in Hawaii, each adventure offers its unique set of experiences and memories. However, planning such an expedition requires careful thought and preparation. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to plan an unforgettable outdoor adventure.

How To Plan an Outdoor Adventure

Step 1: choose your destination.

The first step in planning an outdoor adventure is choosing your destination . Consider your interests, fitness level, and the type of activities you enjoy. For example, if you're passionate about marine life, an adventure trip to Hawaii with Created for Adventure could be ideal for you. On the other hand, if you prefer mountainous landscapes and wildlife, an expedition to Alaska or Yellowstone might be more suitable.

Step 2: Research Thoroughly

Once you've chosen your destination , spend time researching the location. Understand the terrain, weather conditions, local customs, and any potential hazards. This information will help you prepare adequately and ensure your safety during the trip.

Step 3: Plan Your Activities

Next, decide on the activities you want to engage in. From hiking and camping to rock climbing and white water rafting, the options are endless. At Created for Adventure, our teen adventure trips include a variety of activities designed to challenge, inspire, and educate campers.

Step 4: Pack Accordingly

Packing for an outdoor adventure is different from packing for a regular vacation. You'll need specialized gear and clothing appropriate for the activities you'll be undertaking and the weather conditions you'll be facing. It's also essential to pack first aid supplies and any necessary personal items.

Step 5: Prioritize Safety

Safety should always be a top priority when planning an outdoor adventure. Ensure that all activities are supervised by experienced guides and that the necessary safety equipment is available. At Created for Adventure, we prioritize trip safety and have comprehensive measures in place to ensure our campers' well-being .

Step 6: Embrace the Adventure!

Finally, remember that an outdoor adventure is about more than just the destination or the activities. It's about stepping out of your comfort zone, learning new skills, and making lasting memories. So embrace the adventure, keep an open mind, and prepare for an unforgettable experience!

Planning an outdoor adventure can seem daunting, but with careful preparation and the right mindset, it can be an enriching and life-changing experience. So why wait? Start planning your outdoor adventure today and explore the world in a whole new way!

Remember, as Helen Keller once said, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." So dare to adventure, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Adventure Planning 101: the Ultimate Guide to Planning Outdoor Trips

Over the last 6 years we’ve been in a constant cycle of adventuring and adventure planning – this is exactly how we do it!

Whether you’re looking to do your first mini cycle tour around your local landscapes, you’re scheming a global expedition of gargantuan proportions or thinking about something in between, some element of planning has to be involved. Even if you’re one of those wide-eyed kamikazes who let spontaneity and chance call the shots, some thought and preparation is a must, even if it just stays in your noggin.

This adventure planning guide is exactly what we use from the first day of ambitious daydreaming to stepping out the door. It can be used for  any type of adventure , regardless of your skill level, the trip style, length, location or severity. Even for day hiking or overnight camping trips, a quick glance over will do no harm.

Do I even need to plan?  

The simple answer is: hell yeh! Nothing bad ever came from the right amount of planning but a whole lot can go tits up if you don’t. Time is precious, but the time spent planning before will feel like nothing compared to trying to solve problems when you’re already on the road.

When you’re in the wilderness and far from home, you’ll regret skipping a few hours prep after being turned away from a border crossing without a visa or realise your gear isn’t up to scratch after the first few miles.

Plus, you’ll look like a prize numpty when you return to your mates in the pub and tell them you turned back after a week because of poor planning!

This guide will save you time, money, frustration and likely a lot of pain too. Particularly if you’re vegan or you’re wanting to make your trip as eco-friendly as possible (which you should!), you gotta think things through before.

At the end of the day, life is better filled with adventure and planning is integral to that. Take a read, start planning and get going!

The Adventure Planning Guide Contents

Adventure planning stage 1.

• The Adventure Fund
• A big question
• 1.1 What activity?
• 1.2 Route & destination
• 1.3 What type of adventure?
• 1.4 Solo or team?
• 1.5 How long will it take?
• 1.6 When to go?
• 1.7 What do you need/gear?

1.8 How much will it cost?

• 1.9 Extras, veganism & sustainability

Adventure Planning Stage 2

• 2.1 Make time for the trip
• 2.2 Money, money MONEY!
• 2.3 Visas, vaccinations & permits
• 2.4 Route details & navigating
• 2.5 Advise from others
• 2.6 Get your gear
• 2.7 Plan your food
• 2.8 Physical fitness
• 2.9 The nitty-gritty stuff
• 2.10 Practice runs
• 2.11 Stay motivated and inspired

This article may contain affiliate links, they will never cost you more money but helps Veggie Vagabonds keep making content like this – thank you!

Firstly, the Adventure Fund!

Money, unfortunately, can be one of the biggest obstacles to awesome plans, so why start one step behind? Instead of thinking of an adventure and then beginning to save, our advice is: always be saving.

If you’re constantly putting a little bit into your adventure fund, as soon as you have an epic idea you’ll be part of the way there. This also means you’ll avoid the stresses of penny-pinching for a major trip in a short space of time. Spending the build-up to your trip homebound and living off instant noodles ain’t fun, especially when it’s instant noodles you might be limited to on your trip.

Finding Time For What You Want to Do Vs. Finding an Adventure For the Time You Have…

A hotly debated topic and something Sarah and I disagree on. Personally, I think the best option is to have the biggest, baddest and boldest idea and then find a way of making it happen. Sarah thinks this isn’t always going to be possible, and that sometimes you’ve just got a month free from any responsibilities and want to fill it with something crazy.

The answer depends on you and your situation.

If you want to think of the trip first and fit in everything else around it, follow this guide as it is. If you’ve got limited time or other restrictions (like a budget or time of year you can go), get those ideas down first and then go through the rest of the guide accordingly.

READ MORE : 25 Effective Ways to Make More Time for the Outdoors

This is exactly the order of how we’d start our planning process. Stage 1 is where you note down all your ideas, estimations and goals. Go through these points, get your imagination bubbling, adrenaline pumping and start making notes. You might find it useful to get a small notepad and use it as your adventure planner.

Remember, some of the best adventures begin with a single over-ambitious thought!

A quick note : if you have a destination in mind before an activity, read 1.2 first and then keep going through normally.

1.1 What activity do you want to be the base of the trip?

One of the main things that separate an adventure from travel or other trips is that it’s almost always based around an activity. What exactly do you want to do on your trip?

Do you want a cycling trip, a hiking trip, walking, hitching, paddling, swimming, rowing, skating, sailing, driving… the world is your oyster and this is your chance to push the boat out (potentially quite literally). You could even think of a combination, like Sarah Outen whose epic adventures involved rowing, cycling and kayaking 25,000 miles around the Northern Hemisphere, or our coming E.A.Ex challenge.

At Veggie Vagabonds, we’re big fans of human-powered adventures. Not only are they the most sustainable, but you can start them from your front door. You can find some inspiration for them here .

1.2 Where are you going to go, what’s the starting point and how will you get there?

Are you planning an A to B route (starting and finishing in different places) or will you be starting and finishing in the same place? Will you begin from your front door or do you need to travel to your starting point? Is there a specific destination, route or challenge you would like to do?

Do you fancy planning a cycle tour like Ed Pratt who unicycled from his front door 18,000 miles around the world and back to his front door, or like Mark Beaumont who drove from the UK to France and began his round the world cycle from Paris? If you’ve always fancied backpacking in Scotland but are limited on time, maybe you could travel to Scotland and let the real adventure begin there?

Adventures don’t need to be traipsing to the other side of the world, and whilst it will add a unique cultural element, you can have an equally awesome adventure right on your front door. Plus, it’ll likely be much cheaper with less planning required.

Important : this is a good point to think about accommodation. Are you going to use local accommodation options? Staying in a tent? A bivvie? On a boat? Or even hammock camping ?

1.3 What type of adventure do you want?

Are you planning a hike to test your endurance and perseverance or break/set records? Planning a backpacking trip to explore new lands and embrace the culture? Or even planning a kayaking trip for some solitary soul-searching and to go with the flow?

Any activity can be made to suit any style of trip, but it’s good to decide what you’re wanting early on as more challenging trips will likely require extra thought and physical training.

This is also a good point to think about your sleeping options – will you be camping? Will you be stay in other types of accommodation?

1.4 Will you be going on an adventure solo or as a team?

This is something that can really make or break a trip, and your whole experience can be wildly different depending on your choice.

• Nobody to hold you back
• Can go at your own pace
• Don’t have to make compromises and can plan your perfect adventure
• Don’t need to worry about sharing or cramped living spaces
• Nobody else to look out for
• Completely self-reliant (can also be negative)
• Often more convenient if you’re hitching or asking for local favours
• You learn a lot about yourself
• A team can motivate you
• Shared skills and knowledge can be crucial
• You have people to look out for you and it’s often safer
• Sharing equipment can mean a lighter load
• You have people to share the experience with
• Company can be seriously important on remote journeys
• More heads will have more ideas and inspiration (really good for planning)
• Can make or break friendships and relationships

There are plenty of other pros and cons, what else would you add to the list?

1.5 How long do you need for the trip?

Unless they’re cancelled or shortened, you’ll rarely hear of expeditions that finish earlier than planned, but they often have a way of taking longer. Give yourself ample time and don’t be overly optimistic about your pace or ability . For any type of trip, plan how long it will take from leaving your front door to returning home, not just the time you’ll be in the wild.

If you’re planning an adventure which involves covering distances, like a sailing or a coast to coast trip, roughly estimate the distance of your route and how many miles you can cover each day. You can then vaguely see how long it might take.

Remember to factor in rest days and detours for supplies. If you can cover 20 miles a day, this might not be possible to maintain for months on end . Also, think about altitude gain or environments that might be slower to pass. For cycle touring, 10 miles crossing a city will be completely different from a remote straight and road conditions will also affect the time it takes.

Weather and seasons play a HUGE role . Harsh conditions will be harder to move with (unless you’re fortunate to have a continuous tailwind) and whole regions might be impassable during certain months. This is particularly important to factor in if you’re planning longer-duration journeys where seasons will change or you’re passing through different climatic areas.

For static trips, like spending 3 months in a remote landscape, for example, you can be pretty sure it will take 3 months (as long as nothing goes wrong). Just take into account the time it takes to travel back and forth from your destination.

Important : even if you’re planning on record-breaking time, estimate it will take longer, particularly If you have commitments shortly after your trip or need to return to work. And whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of trying to start work a day after months of physical punishment – it won’t go well!

1.6 When to go on your trip?

There many things which can determine this, but some things to think about are:

• Weather and seasons – your plan might not be possible year-round
• Religious or cultural festivals
• Going in quieter times may be cheaper than peak season
• Do you need permits or visas? Are they available throughout the year? Can you turn up and acquire them or do you need to organise them in advance?
• Do you fancy gruelling wintery conditions or the slog of moving through the heat?
• Might wildlife or environment hinder your plans at certain times? Traipsing through the Highlands in summer and you’ll be hounded by midgies; cross the Carpathians mountains in late summer and you’ll likely come across bears…
• Are you going for a specific event? What are the dates?
• When are you and potentially your team able to go?
• Do you need to think about your health in relation to your trip?
• Really importantly, when will you be ready to go? If your trip needs lots of planning, training and prep, don’t make the mistake of going too quickly

1.7 What do you need for your trip?

With all of the previous points thought of, you can now start to think about all of your outdoor gear and equipment. You should try and make an exhaustive list early on (this is where having a team helps to think of everything) and at this stage, list everything you might need, then you can whittle it down later on.

Every trip will require a different packing list but these are some areas to look at:

• Activity-specific equipment (bicycle, kayak, walking poles etc)
• Sleeping equipment (tents/hammocks/bivvies, sleeping bags , roll mats etc)
• Outdoor essentials (penknife, compass, map, water purifiers, GPS etc)
• Cooking equipment (stove, pots, bowl/cutlery)
• Health and medical items
• Electronics (phone, camera, iPod etc)

If you’re not sure what you need, here’s an idea for camping , bike touring , bikepacking and hiking , or our Gear + Reviews section .

You can also get some great advice on activity-specific Facebook or Reddit groups for your particular activity/trip.

You might need to do some searching online to estimate prices; in the UK we use Alpine Trek for most outdoor gear and Wiggle for everything bicycle-related. In North America, REI is a mammoth resource that will likely have all the outdoor gear you could need at a good price.

Ahh, the dreaded one – how much is this crazy thing going to cost? Try and make as accurate an estimation as you can, so you don’t get stung further down the line. Like the estimated time, it’s safer assuming it will cost more than it actually does. Also, make sure you keep some extra cash aside in case things go wrong.

Some likely trip costs:

• Do you need to buy additional gear?
• Will you need to pay for transport?
• Will you need to pay for any accommodation on your trip?
• How much will food and liquids cost?
• Are there visas or permits you need to pay for?
• Do you need any vaccinations or extra medications for your trip?
• Don’t forget about travel insurance !
• Are you likely to buy gear/repairs/supplies on the road?
• Do you need to pay for things at home, like bills or direct debits that will come out whilst you’re away?

If you’re looking at this and thinking ‘shit, this trip is never going to get off the ground’ – don’t let it dampen your spirits . Give yourself more time to save, think about what is really a necessity and tighten your belt – it will be worth it!

1.9 Trip specifics, veganism and sustainability

Every adventure is beautifully unique, so in the early planning stages you should think about any specific things you need to plan or consider.

If you’re a vegan adventurer , this is a good point to think about vegan gear or vegan food that might make things trickier. Our Vegan Adventure section should have a lot of answers for you.

And, no matter your trip, it should all be aiming to make our time more eco-friendly. How can you help make it a lower-impact adventure? These guides to eco camping and sustainable hiking have some good foundations.

Check out our vegan camping food guide to help you plan staples and recipes for your next trip

Adventure Planning Stage 2: Putting Things Into Action

With all the paper planning done, this is where you can really start to get the ball rolling and wait for the inevitable sh!t, I’m actually doing this moment!

Action 1: Make time for the big trip and plan necessary arrangements

Yes, this is where you tell your boss, family or loved ones you’ll be spending 6 months living from a tent in a remote wilderness… and for many, this might be requesting rather than telling , so it’s damn important.

If you think this might be difficult, think how incredible this experience will be, get creative with your pitch and, hopefully, others will see your point of view and share the enthusiasm. Whether it’s an employer, spouse or even parents, try and show how much the trip will benefit you, and in turn your relationship/productivity at work.

Use this time to:

• Officially book time off work
• Make arrangements with partners, loved ones, family etc
• Think about your home: if you’re renting, could you sublet your room? If your home is being left empty, do you need a friend to check on it from time to time?
• Do you have pets that will need looking after?
• Do you need to cancel any future plans or reschedule things for before/after your trip?

Once you’ve got the time, it’s official – now tell some more people! Sean Conway says this is one of the best ways to commit to trip.

Action 2: Money, money MONEY!

With your costs estimated, take a look at your Adventure Fund and see how your doing.

If you need to start the Adventure Fund from scratch or add more money in, start thinking about monthly/weekly deposits, how you can cut back on daily living costs and when it’s likely you’ll have enough wonga to hit the road.

Action 3: Organise visas, vaccinations and permits

These can all take a surprisingly long time so it’s good to get it done early on. Follow your national advice to find out about visas and vaccinations (here’s a link to the UK Gov Travel Advice ). If you’re planning a long way ahead, make sure you’re accurate with visa timings and that vaccinations don’t expire.

For individual permits, for national parks or mountain access for example, this will depend on your individual trip.

And don’t forget about the International Driving Permit (IDP) if you plan to rent a car or drive during your adventure. While EU citizens typically can use their national driver’s licenses in many European countries, non-EU citizens may need an IDP to comply with local regulations. Check with the relevant authorities or rental agencies for specific requirements.

Action 4: Go over your route and think about navigating

Whilst you don’t necessarily need to plan out every mile of a round-the-world trip, it’s good to get at least a rough idea, particularly for physically harder trips or ones where you’re aiming for fast times.

When we completed the UK Three Peaks Challenge by Bike (probably the most gruelling experience of our lives) we planned every inch of the 7-day route, along with shops to buy supplies and places to camp. This was because we were tight on time and couldn’t afford setbacks. Trying to figure this out on the road would have been hell!

Whether you’re going on a straightforward path or an intricate one, always take a navigating system with a backup. Use a GPS (Garmin eTrex 22x UK / USA ), Map and compass or phone app to accurately plot your route.

For many adventures, following an already established route is quicker and safer. You just need to make sure you know the route is well marked and how/where you can eat, sleep and resupply along the route. Mark this on your mapping system.

Other trips might require you to plot your own route which can take more time but is often more rewarding. For large scale planning, it can be best to start on Google Maps and then focus on areas with regional or local topographic maps. Maps.Me is also good for hiking and land travel whilst Ride With GPS is good for planning cycle tours.

Remember – plan for developed areas, geography and altitude. Once you’ve decided your route you can upload it onto your GPS with waymarkers for points of interest, like a shop, shelter, camping areas etc.

Action 5: Get advice from other adventurers

Get tips on the route, when to go or your outdoor gear by getting busy on social media, making some friends and seeing if they’ve got any pointers for your plans.

Besides it being damn useful, it’s also a great way to find some like-minded pals and get some inspiration. Even pro adventurers will likely give some advice for trips if they’ve done something similar.

For our Three Peaks Challenge, we got in touch with Sean Conway who’d done a similar thing and he sent us his GPX files to take a look at. For our coming E.A.Ex, the cycle touring community on Facebook has massively helped with our GPS systems and climbers from around the world have advised on lightweight equipment via Reddit. When in doubt, ask. And, if you’d like any advice from us, drop us an email or a comment – we’d love to help!

Action 6: Get your kit list drilled down

You should already have a big list, but now with some added knowledge and advice from others you can go through and decide what’s a necessity. Only invest in items you’ll truly need and, unless it’s for safety, only pack things you’ll definitely need.

Start by going through the new list and noting the equipment you already have, then check it’s still in good enough condition.

If you’re buying additional equipment, you can usually source them second-hand from online marketplaces like eBay, Gumtree (Craig’s List in USA) or outdoor gear groups on Facebook. This will keep costs down and be more sustainable

Sometimes it is the best option to buy new, just shop wisely!

A quick note on gear

Don’t feel like you need the best, lightest-weight, most advanced gear on the market, just make sure you’re safe and you get the right equipment for you and your adventure.

If, for example, it’s not a technical trip, you won’t be going into higher altitude or remote areas and you’re confident about having good conditions etc. chances are you can make do with surprisingly little.

Find out what you really need for your trip and prioritise the essentials.

Super importantly: It’s everyone’s responsibility to opt for eco-friendly choices and this guide to ethical outdoor gear explains how to make your trip lower-impact.

Action 7: Think about your food and liquids

Any physical adventure is going to be hugely reliant on maintaining a nutritious diet. Even for day trips, you’ll struggle without the right energy and liquids.

First off, make sure you’re able to carry enough water . When you’re active, it’s recommended you drink at least 1 litre of water every two hours. This will go up in hotter temperatures or during more strenuous activities. Water bladders can be a good lightweight option for carrying big enough quantities.

Also think, is water going to be easily accessible throughout your trip? Will there be drinkable water or will you need a filter? Will there be hot conditions and the need for more liquids?

What are you going to eat? Will you be making camp stove recipes or buying it from shops/eateries? Will you carry food supplies for the whole journey or will you pick them up along the way?

Your food needs will depend on your style of trip, but at the very least you’ll need high-energy snacks to maintain a pace. We like things like energy balls or flapjacks which are easy to eat on-the-go. Obviously it won’t be possible to have these for the whole of longer trips but it can be a nice way to start off.

Important for vegans or people with dietary requirements: this is a really crucial part of the planning process and it can make or break your adventure. For shorter trips it’s easy to take all your food with you but not for longer trips. If you’re going to be passing through foreign countries and you have a specific diet, it’s really important to do a bit of research before and find some good food options to pick up along the way.

Action 8: Make sure you’re up to the challenge!

Depending on your chosen adventure, you might need to start some kind of physical training more than 6 months before you even leave, others might require no training at all. An honest self-assessment will be needed, and again, don’t over-estimate your ability!

For our Three Peaks Challenge, we began properly training 5 months before and when it came to the actual challenge we were bloody glad we did. For our E.A.Ex we need to maintain a high level of endurance for the cycling and hiking aspects of the trip but have also done climbing courses to ensure safety.

This is another time when it’s good to get advice from fellow adventurers; see what training they did or what they’d recommend. The internet is filled with incredible sport-specific resources and training routines so get surfing.

Action 9: Think about safety and nitty-gritty stuff

These might seem like small things but they can still hinder the trip if they’re overlooked

• What health items or medication do you need to take with you?
• How are you going to carry your money? Cash, travel cards etc?
• Do you know the emergency numbers for the countries you’re travelling through?
• Are you confident with camping and/or wild camping? This guide will help
• Do you have all the skills you need? Do you need to practice bike maintenance, map reading, knot tying, bushcraft etc?
• Do you need to brush up on your camp stove cooking?
• Have you told people of your route and put in any necessary safety precautions?
• Double-check your gear list and make sure it’s all well-maintained
• Double-check your route
• Double-check your spending costs

Are there any other nitty-gritty things you think are important to think about? Let us know in the comments!

Action 10: Go for practice runs

Yes, this will be damn fun but it’s also crucial for your main adventure. Going for a completely kitted-out test run will enable to your iron out any flaws with your gear, systems and plans. If you’ve got lots of new gear, it’ll help break them in and also build up some speed with things like tent pitching, bag packing, meal making etc.

Don’t go for some epic adventure, pick something pretty straightforward and closer to home, so it won’t be major doom if everything goes up sh!t creek. Test out your gear, navigation system, meals/energy and any other aspects which are important to the trip.

Maybe you’re sure about some of your equipment running smoothly, but have you used it in combination with new stuff? Is it comfortable? Is it safe? Is it secure?

Action 11: Stay motivated and inspired

Depending on how forward-planning you are, there could be a long time between reading this and the day you tie your laces and head out the door. It’s dead important to stay focused and motivated, particularly if you’ve got plenty more saving, training and prepping to do.

Keep yourself feeling hungry and inspired by constantly feeding yourself adventure content. Keep yourself dosed up with outdoor books , films, documentaries or podcasts.

If you’re planning a cycle tour, grab yourself a copy of Full Tilt by Dervla Murphy; planning a long vegan trail run? Check out Eat and Run by Scott Jurek; going on a gruelling climb? Watch one of these climbing movies .

Also, if you’re saving, training and prepping seriously hard, remember to reward yourself.

Staying restrained is hard for long periods of time and you don’t want to feel bitter about your awesome decision. Every now and again have a day off, treat yourself to nice meal, some pints at the pub, buying a good book etc.

The build-up to a great adventure can often be as memorable as the trip itself; make sure you enjoy it!

Ready for some planning? If you liked this Adventure Planning guide and want more resources, sign up for our mailing list here !

There we have it, every step you need to take towards your challenge/trip/expedition. It really doesn’t take so much time and it’s definitely worth it. Life really is so much better filled with adventure and hopefully this guide can help you add plenty to yours too. If you want anymore tips or advice, drop us a comment or send us an email – we’d love to help out!

Keep exploring…

The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Hiking

Here’s Why Ethical Adventures Mean the World

Facing Your Fears in the Great Outdoors

Hey, amazing blog and definitely worth reading ahead of my big trip – thanks!

Planning a big bike tour and this is dead useful. Plenty I hadn’t thought about before. Cheers!

Good luck with the planning Nik!

Now I just need 6 months off work…

Exactly what I needed. Thank you Josh and Sarah!

Your article is very helpful, especially for the beginner.

Thanks Jay, glad it can be useful 🙂

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How to Plan a Backpacking Trip: the Ultimate Guide (2023)

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No matter if you’re heading out for a quick overnighter or embarking on a multi-week expedition, the most fulfilling experiences await those who understand the art of planning a backpacking trip and getting ready for their adventure. Sure, adventures are unpredictable by definition. However, “ careful planning ” is the key to having a safer, and more enjoyable hiking trip.

Experienced hikers are well aware of the undeniable truth behind the adage, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Planning, in its essence, involves more than just gathering your gear and embarking on a journey without a predetermined route or objective. While this approach may be suitable for familiar territories, particularly when weather conditions can alter initial route plans, it can also be embraced in unexplored areas, especially for those who thrive on embracing the unpredictable.

A “reasonable backpacker” prefers to plan his hike. This entails considering and reviewing various aspects such as:

• Route selection and timing : Using a backpacking trip planner can be invaluable in determining the most suitable route and estimating the time needed to complete each section of the hike.
• Weather forecast : Relying solely on historical temperature data can lead to inaccurate predictions, so it’s essential to check the latest weather forecast for more reliable information.
• Water availability and sources : Assessing the availability of water along the route and identifying potential sources ensures you can stay properly hydrated during your journey.
• Terrain features, vegetation, and wildlife : Familiarizing yourself with the terrain, plant life, and wildlife in the area helps you anticipate any potential challenges or dangers you might encounter.
• Proper and tested equipment : Ensuring you have the right gear, including comfortable hiking footwear, clothing suitable for the weather conditions, and properly functioning equipment, is crucial for a safe and enjoyable backpacking trip.
• Potential hazards and attention to detail: Consider all potential hazards along the trail, including steep slopes, slippery surfaces, river crossings, or potential encounters with wildlife. Paying attention to even the smallest details can prevent an adventure from turning into a disaster.

There are three main questions you need to answer during the planning stage of your hiking adventure. They are the following:

• Who will be joining you?
• Where will you go?
• When will you go?

Answering these questions will allow you to fine-tune your gear and food selection, develop a realistic timeline, and anticipate potential problems.

How do I start planning a backpacking trip? What should my main considerations be? Do I need a permit to go backpacking? We’ll answer these and many other questions. We will also give you practical tips as well as a blueprint for planning your next hiking trip.

Let’s jump in.

Table of Contents

Evaluate your experience, skills, and knowledge. What are your goals?

Pick realistic goals, and save the ambitious projects for when you have the necessary experience and fitness level. Especially before doing a long hiking trip , it is wise to do a couple of shorter trips such as day hikes or two-day trips. These shorter trips serve as valuable opportunities to assess your overall fitness, evaluate the functionality of your hiking boots, test your gear (especially essential items like your rain jacket, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and shelter), and even consider the compatibility of your hiking partners if you have any. A big trip may quickly be cut short by a pair of ill-fitting boots or bad physical condition.

Many backpackers have the dream of conquering a long-distance trail in one continuous journey, which is an ambitious endeavor. While some set off with a vague route in mind and still manage to complete the entire trail, a significant number give up within the first few days or weeks, even with some planning. Failure can be attributed to various reasons such as heavy packs, sore feet, exhaustion, unexpected weather, rugged terrain, and trail conditions. For a long-distance hike, especially one lasting several weeks, detailed planning is highly recommended. It’s advisable to gradually progress by starting with shorter yet challenging trails. As you gain comfort and experience, you’ll acquire the necessary knowledge and determination to finish a long walk.

Preparing for a long trek involves managing logistics, selecting appropriate footwear and gear, and understanding the potential hazards of the chosen trail. This preparation phase can be quite demanding, often proving to be one of the most challenging aspects of the entire hiking experience. However, it is crucial to not only prepare for your trip but to do so effectively. It is essential to be realistic about how the requirements of your planned journey align with your physical capabilities.

The first step in planning ahead is choosing a trip that is appropriate for your skill level. Too often people get into trouble because they underestimate the challenge of their route or overestimate their individual capabilities. It’s important to note that men and women differ in various aspects, including perception and communication, which may contribute to differences in how they handle hardships. However, the capacity to overcome challenging situations is often closely tied to experience and, to some extent, certain biological traits and genetics.

Once you evaluate your experience, skills, and knowledge, it’s time to decide about the group size.

Group size. Solo or with others?

Hiking experiences can vary greatly depending on whether you choose to hike alone or with a group. The size of your group can also have a significant impact on various aspects of your journey. Additionally, carefully selecting the right partner or partners can greatly enhance the efficiency and enjoyment of your travel. We discussed the pros, cons, and dangers of backpacking solo in a separate article so we won’t expand on hiking alone here. We’ll focus on walking with others instead.

Hiking with a group involves certain considerations. Let’s begin with the most important one – your attitude toward others. Be cheerful, helpful, and mind the person behind you especially when grabbing branches. It’s really important to be someone you would want to hike with. Be courteous with others and not only with those from your group but also with the people you meet on the trail. Furthermore, set a pace that makes the other members of your group feel comfortable and always stay close to the group to keep it together.

If you decide to travel with a single partner, it’s a good idea to select a partner who’s a more experienced backpacker than you. This will help you become more proficient in route finding and avoid common mistakes. Partnering up is easy if your soul mate enjoys backpacking and has a similar to your level of fitness. But it gets more complicated if your physical preparation level isn’t similar or you have different goals.

Be critical and don’t make any compromises if something in your partner’s attitude or manners really irritates you. Try to discuss any problems and woes you might have and solve them in a timely manner. You need to sort out potential issues in advance and relinquish unrealistic expectations.

Select an area

You can do that with some help from the Internet, guidebooks, maps, magazine articles, outdoor websites, hiking blogs, trekking agencies, local outing clubs, and guides and outfitters. First, of course, you have to decide where you want to start and finish. Most people have their own preferences based on the nature of the terrain, great stories they’ve read or heard, even on some stunning pictures and photos.

Once you have chosen your partner(s) or decided to solo hike, pull out the guidebooks and pick a trail. In addition to trail descriptions, better guidebooks will include time estimates, elevation gain and loss, and warnings about less-obvious hazards. This way you’ll get some valuable preliminary information. If you are going into less-traveled areas, you may have to glean this information from Internet blogs or topographic maps. A Web search with Google is a good place to start. Once you’ve selected an area, you can obtain up-to-date information from the land managers, fellow hikers, Internet or state/local agencies and institutions.

Photo by Andrew Gosine

Obtain up-to-date information

Try to obtain information that could be of use when planning your hike. The information you’d need is primarily about several important things such as:

Weather and average temperatures

Part of your research should include prevailing weather patterns for your destination. As mentioned above, you can first examine historical temperature data and base your decisions on it. As your departure date gets closer, start following the weather on the Internet. Try to get the most reliable and comprehensive weather forecasts. Nowadays, forecasts can be extremely punctual especially for 4-5 days ahead (specialists reliably predict the weather up to seven days in advance, though keep in mind that this might not be relevant for the mountain weather) and getting caught unprepared is foolish.

How many hours of daylight do you expect? If there will be night hiking, you’ll need lighting (a headlamp or a flashlight) and warmer clothes. On summer trips, there is enough daylight for up to 14-16 hours of hiking per day. This means that you need only a low-powered headlamp/flashlight for camp chores unless you decide to go on a night hike. Additionally, you don’t need warm clothing to have a good sleep. In contrast, you need a high-powered light for hiking after dark and warmer equipment for your winter hikes.

Sun exposure

Sunburn is easier to prevent than treat. Keep in mind that direct solar radiation can be very dangerous, especially between 10 am and 2 pm. The amount of sun exposure is a function of various factors such as cloud cover, vegetation, elevation, surface reflectivity, and the strength of the sun. These details can be obtained from different sources.

Terrain (including elevation gain and loss)

The terrain is among the most important factors when choosing proper footwear for your trip. For rough and rocky terrain (especially if you go uphill) you can play it safe and pick up hard-wearing hiking or backpacking boots. They offer better ankle support, more control, and stability in comparison with light low-cut shoes such as trail-running shoes or standard hiking shoes. However, they’re too heavy and need to be broken in before your hike; otherwise, they can ruin your trip. Additionally, trail-running shoes today are lightweight, more durable, and more reliable than before and provide enough comfort on most kinds of surfaces.

Your clothing also depends very much on the terrain you choose for your hiking trip. If trail quality, signage, and maintenance are poor, you should bring better navigational aids and more protective clothing. You can get familiar with your planned route by looking at pictures and reading descriptions of it.

Time estimates

If you don’t have experience with mountain trekking, you will be surprised that going uphill can take so much more time than hiking on even terrain. But it’s true as it is true that walking in snow is harder and more time-consuming than summer hiking. You need to take details like these into consideration when planning and estimating your timing. Having an idea of how much to lower your time and distance expectations is important, and – in case you’re wondering – your personal experience is a huge factor in determining this.

Hiking hazards

Do your research and make sure you know what kind of hazards you may encounter during your trip. Remember that preparing for a disaster does not mean that you can always avoid it; however, you’ll have a much better chance at dealing with almost any extreme situation you encounter on the trail. If you are a complete novice to the outdoors start with learning the essentials for beginning backpackers . The outdoors is not as dangerous as typically portrayed by sensationalist media stoking fear of the unknown. Nonetheless, people do get sick and injured out there, sometimes fatally. Natural hazards include unpredictable mountain weather, technical rock faces, rockfalls, crevasses, contaminated backcountry water sources, river crossings, flash floods, wildfires, and avalanches.

It can be among the last things most backpackers check out when planning their trip. However, don’t be fooled by that fact – it’s not the same to hike in an arid area with a few cactuses and crossing thick forests (with thorn bushes) or fields lush with grass. For information about vegetation density and types, check topo maps, analyze satellite imagery, find pictures and descriptions posted online.

Wildlife and insects

Use blogs and forums to find relevant information about wildlife and insects that can be a concern. The possible presence of dangerous animals (mice, raccoons, bears, snakes, etc.) affects how and whether you store and protect your food, where you cook and camp, where and when you walk (avoid night hiking in snake country), and whether you need to carry anything for self-defense ( bear spray works well against all kinds of big animals). Relentless swarms of mosquitoes, black flies, and no-see-ums can completely ruin a trip. To maximize protection from them, you can use either long-lasting insect-repellent or insect-repellent for your clothing and gear . There are so many potentially dangerous animals for a hiker so you need to be well-informed in advance about the dangers related to wildlife on a particular hiking trail.

Depending on the location, you need to carry one or more of the following: a mobile phone in a shock and waterproof case, GPS , and personal locator beacon (PLB). If something unexpected happens or if something goes wrong you may need to self-rescue, await an assisted rescue, or apply medical treatment.

Water availability

On any walk, you need to know where water sources are and what the condition of the water is likely to be. Water supply is among the most important things you want to know about a region you’ll be hiking in. Having access to enough drinking water should be one of the major considerations in planning your hiking trip. There are some places where water sources are generally reliable and others where many water sources dry up during the arid summer months. Also, sometimes you don’t have access to clean drinking water in the wilderness. Then, having a portable water filter is essential to kill all pathogens to have clean water. Before relying on a water source marked on a map, consult someone who has personal familiarity with the landscape or check guidebooks and online trip reports for past observations.

Precipitation

Your footwear, clothing, shelter, the types of materials you use, and water availability will all be affected by the amount and frequency of precipitation you can expect during a trip. In prolonged rainy weather, lightweight trail-running shoes like the Altra Lone Peak 7 are preferable to heavier, waterproof boots like the Salomon Quest 4 GTX because 1) boots won’t protect your feet from getting wet and 2) running shoes are breathable and will get dry much faster than a pair of boots.

Sorting the obtained information – what’s useful and what’s irrelevant?

It doesn’t matter how much information you have. It’s important to have enough relevant information. The Internet can overwhelm you with a massive amount of information, so you will need to sort out what’s useful from what’s irrelevant. Many trekking websites are updated regularly and provide a ton of (both relevant and irrelevant) information for your hiking expedition. Filtering out irrelevant information is critical to helping your brain process the most important information out of everything presented to you. Your experience, as well as the ability to think critically, is the key to extract what matters from what’s irrelevant.

Be critical of everything you read or hear, try to find at least two different sources about a particular topic you have an interest in, and carefully evaluate the quality and consistency of the information you get. This will help you allow yourself to reflect thoughtfully, objectively, on the data.

Plan routes

We recommend beginners to stick to trails or established routes and limit the amount of off-trail hiking into the wilderness. They should also focus their efforts on easy to medium trails. Once they have enough experience, they can always do more difficult hikes. More experienced backpackers have more options regarding the difficulty of their backpacking trips. They should plan their route taking into account factors such as the weather and environmental conditions as well as their own preferences.

Photo by Matthew Henry

OK, how to plan your route? First, pinpoint your starting location. Look carefully at the map before you set off and identify some landmarks to keep track of your progress. Then, trace your planned route carefully making note of key features you will pass on the way. It is a good idea to hike with a map in an easily accessible pocket to consult it if necessary.

Nowadays, there are also plenty of excellent backpacking route planner apps that would aid you in planning your hike. Many of them are free to use. Let’s have a look at two of the most popular apps you can use to find your next trail and plan your route – AllTrails and Hiking Project.

AllTrails is an excellent app that can be of benefit to both those who don’t know where they want to go and those who know where they want to go but need more information about a particular trail. You can find solid information, maps, photos, and reviews with accurate details for destinations from around the world. If you’re lucky, you can even find great local trails and parks you’ve never known about. In addition, AllTrails offers useful filters for refined research to help you find your perfect trail.

The community of registered backpackers, trail runners, and mountain bikers exceeds 10 million. As you can imagine, there’s never a shortage of in-depth reviews. Hence, you have so much information about some trails that you could plan your journey down to the smallest detail. What’s even better – the app is easy to use and offers real-time tracking so that you don’t get lost when hiking in unfamiliar places .

Hiking Project is a fantastic free hike route planner app that’s full of valuable information, accurate data, and a great user interface. It has many features that are useful before, during, and after a backpacking trip. For example, you can download detailed trail maps that work offline (before you hit the trail), use the maps to navigate comfortably and record your trail (during your hike), and catalog and analyze the routes that you’ve done (after your trip).

A great way to find backpacking gems and save time, this invaluable hiking tool provides specific technical and cultural information about various trails (including descriptions, elevations, history, etc.), in the US and more than 100 countries from all over the world.

Though backpacking route planner apps provide insights into the different trails, locals can also be an invaluable source of up-to-date knowledge and information, especially in remote areas. They can give you advice or guidance for route planning. Their experience can be especially helpful when you’re looking for more information about particular local sections or obscure trails that aren’t popular or well-recommended. Moreover, they can help you with any transportation-related questions as well as with finding online guides about the area you will be heading to as well as with finding valuable local forums. Perusing these forums can help you find some hidden gems.

Main problems to solve for long hiking trips

Resupplying/logistics.

You need to organize an effective supply of enough food for your entire hiking trip. Planning and successfully executing a strategy for resupply is a must for long-distance hikers. You should also know in advance where grocery stores and post offices are located on the trail. Additionally, there are companies that ship resupply packages to hikers on some of the most popular trails (valid for the US).

Many national parks throughout the world require permits. There are places where you need to apply for a permit long before your trip – especially if the place is popular among backpackers and the number of permits is restricted. Thus, it’s best to check whether permits are needed before making firm plans for an area.

Hiking footwear, clothing, and gear

Proper equipment is critical to navigating through and living comfortably in the outdoors. Many backcountry emergencies result from people being poorly equipped to meet conditions. You will need appropriate and comfortable hiking footwear that’s durable, fits well, provides excellent traction and control. Trail runners are fantastic for most 3-season hikes in various conditions and environments.

See Men’s Ultra Raptor on Amazon See Women’s Ultra Raptor on Amazon

For higher temperatures, pick up a pair of lightweight and breathable hiking shoes or trail-running shoes. For lower temperatures and rough terrain, choose high-cut boots that provide ankle support and give you more control and stability. To learn more about the different types of boots, their features, and best use, see our article where we discuss how to choose the right footwear for backpacking .

As far as clothing is concerned, “layering” is essential, especially when hiking in the mountains. Pick up a pair of proper hiking shorts or trousers depending on the weather, your preferences, and last but not least – the presence or absence of mosquitos, black flies, and other insects. Pretty much the same is valid when choosing a shirt for hiking. In general, you should know what type of hiking clothing you might need.

Know your gear

It doesn’t help to have all the right gear in your backpack if you can’t operate it. Take time to learn how to use your equipment before you leave home. Avoid going out on long trips to isolated places with untried backpacking gear. If you are using old gear, pull it out of storage and check to make sure it is in good repair before leaving. Carry a repair kit to fix your gear if something breaks down.

Specific problems related to the trail you’ve chosen

Anything that can be of interest from natural hazards to dangerous wildlife and fierce bugs such as mosquitos, flies, and gnats. In general, you want to have as much information as possible prior to your expedition as this might help you avoid risky situations.

Hiking around the world

Hiking around the world (especially if you want to do some long-distance trekking) makes planning even more complicated because, in addition to applying for a permit, you should have a valid passport, go to the embassy and apply for a visa (if you decide to go hiking in Asia, for example), buy a plane ticket, take a couple of passport photos, arrange travel insurance, and be vaccinated against tropical diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, Trypanosoma, etc. (if you go to a tropical country).

You may also want to scan all the documents for your trip abroad (you may wish to put everything in PDF format because it’s universal, plus there are a lot of PDF reader programs) including your personal documents, visas, driver’s license, health insurance cards, passport photos, etc. Store them online as a safety precaution. This way, you’ll have easy access to all your documents. It’s essential in case something goes wrong and you lose an important document. Sure, scanned documents cannot replace your official documents, however, they might come in handy for getting a provisional identity document as well as for getting a permit.

Photo by Dan Gold

There’s a wide range of destinations and types of journeys for everyone who’s interested in backpacking around the world .

There’s usually some seasonality and it might be more convenient to visit a place popular for winter trekking, for example, off-season when there aren’t so much buzz and hiking enthusiasts around. This way you’ll avoid the huge crowds of tourists on the trail giving you a chance to focus on exploring the area at your own pace and enjoy your excursion in solitude. Of course, this means that you must be experienced in backpacking, camping, navigation, and first aid in case something goes wrong. Safety is one of the most important things on the trail and thus the ability to govern your actions accordingly and deal with problems and injuries is especially valuable.

Emergency planning

Emergency planning ensures that you are prepared for the unexpected, that people know where and when to look for you, and that your actions are rational and predictable in spite of the emotional trauma associated with any kind of emergency situation. A contingency plan should lessen the risks involved and increase the probability of being found in case of an emergency situation. Creating an emergency plan and leaving it with friends or family means a safer hiking trip for you, fewer headaches, and less unnecessary panic for your family and friends.

Carry a first aid kit in an outer container made of durable nylon to protect the contents. Among the essentials in your first aid kit, you should include some analgesics/antibiotics/anaphylaxis (Ibuprofen, Aspirin or Acetaminophen, Sting relief pad , etc.), bandages, antiseptic towelettes, blister care pads, gauze sponges, safety whistle, water-purifying tablets , extra shoelaces, fire starter, duct tape, multi-purpose tool . The exact content of your first aid kit depends on the features of the place you will be hiking in, the chronic diseases you have, and your previous experience.

Meal planning

Planning meals is an essential part of planning a backpacking trip. You need to eat (and drink enough fluids) regularly throughout your hike, especially when hiking at altitude. Having three solid meals a day with a snack or two in between is recommended. Food plays a large part in how much you enjoy the outdoors. You’ll need lightweight, non-perishable, high in calories foods that taste good. Exhaustion after a long day on the trail can make you think about skipping your dinner which isn’t good for your health and fitness; however, knowing that you have some tasty food in your pack can make you change your mind. A warm and delicious dinner can not only make you feel better but also boost your morale.

A 90 kg person burns around 550 calories per hour of hiking (this number usually varies between 450 and 650 depending on factors like the terrain, weather conditions, the density of the air, your fitness level, your individual basal metabolism, etc.). Thus, you’ll need a lot of energy on the trail. So when planning your meals, look for foods rich in carbs, fats, and sugar – such kinds of foods will provide you enough energy for a long hiking day.

Some people bring their favorite high-carbohydrate foods such as dried fruits, chocolate, granola bars, pop tarts, snickers, energy bars, energy gels, etc., while others prefer eating fatty foods like nuts, jerky, cheese, chips, olive oil, almond or peanut butter as well as any other kind of nut butter available. Eating healthy during long hiking trips is much less important than eating regularly so the choice of foods is not really that important – as long as you take enough calories everything will be all right.

There are numerous examples of people having a pack full of all the “right stuff” and not eating it. Frankly, doing this is much worse than eating junk food on the trail. It can actually be a huge motivation for moving forward to your final destination.

Planning and packing your backpack

When packing your hiking backpack  before hitting the trail, the little things can add up to make a big difference later. If you start out with a good organization system, life in the backcountry will be simpler and more pleasant. Plan carefully the contents of your pack considering the duration of your trip, the expected weather and temperatures, the features of the terrain, the potential dangers on the trail, and your specific needs.

Do the packing the day(s) before the hike when you are not in a rush. Lots of beginners try to pack in the morning of the hike and as a result forget some important things like a flashlight , toilet paper, raincoat, fire starter , etc. It can be daunting to pack for your first wilderness adventure and you don’t want to exacerbate things further by doing it in a rush.

Make detailed lists with all the backpacking gear you’ll need. Also, note what you do and do not use so that on future trips you can fine-tune the packing. Eliminate redundancy when pack planning. When deciding what to cut, think twice about eliminating insulation and food. Fleece or a sweater doesn’t weigh a lot and won’t slow you down significantly but can be very useful on the trail.

It helps to have things you will need during the day near the top of your pack. Keep things like spare clothes and food there for easy access without having to unpack other gear. Carry snacks in hip belt pockets and have your water bottle located so you can reach it without removing your pack. You can check out our posts about packing for a day hike and packing for a multi-day hike. There, you’ll find some further recommendations on packing as well as lists with basic and extra stuff essential for hiking.

Planning a hike, whether it’s a weekend getaway or an extended summer adventure, requires time and effort. It’s easy to get lost in a whirlwind of lists, logistics, maps, and meal plans. Detailed planning is crucial for any hike, particularly for long-distance journeys that span weeks or even months. However, the planning process can sometimes feel overwhelming, even more so than the actual hiking itself. It’s important to keep in mind that gathering information takes time, and there may always be gaps that you can’t completely avoid. However, don’t let this discourage you. Once you take that first step into the wilderness, all the organization and planning fade into the background. Then it’s just you and nature.

Backpacking, like any other activity, tends to yield better results when participants are prepared and have a general idea of what to expect. So be ready to face the challenges that may arise, maintain a flexible mindset, and make the most out of any circumstances encountered along the way. And most importantly – enjoy your hiking adventure!

Do you have a successful strategy you follow? How much time do you spend on planning your hikes? Drop us a line in the comments section below.

Related Articles

How to Pack for Day Trips

How to Pack for Multi-Day Trips

Hiking Backpacks

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10 thoughts on “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip: the Ultimate Guide (2023)”

Highly descriptive post, I liked that a lot. Will there be a part 2?

We are glad that you liked it. Yes, how to plan a hiking/backpacking trip is a huge topic so we could expand on our post (but there probably won’t be part 2).

I really like the tips you have given about hiking. I was planning to go on a hiking trip but wasn’t sure where to go but your article has helped me to star off planning my first hiking trip. I must say I really learnt a lot from your article. Thank you for sharing this amazing article with us.

Thanks, Monica! Glad you liked our guide on how to plan a backpacking trip.

Great article! Hiking tours help me to lower my stress level and improve control over a healthy weight. I am enjoying it together with my friends, especially during the holidays.

Thanks! Glad that you liked our guide. Yes, backpacking is fun, especially when the experience is shared with others.

Great Article , It Helped Me Alot . A Big Thanks To Autor

You’re very welcome!

Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this post plus the rest of the site is also very good.

Thanks, Flossie Medlock for camotrek.com

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Planning your Everest Base Camp Trek: The Ultimate Logistics Guide

The most common questions about an Everest Base Camp trek answered! Learn about guided vs independent, altitude sickness, transportation, gear & logistics.

Planning your Everest Base Camp Trek: The Ultimate Logistics Guide

An Everest Base Camp trek offers the perfect trifecta as far as adventure travel goes. Big mountains, incredible culture, and for most people, a decent physical challenge that leaves you feeling proud and in better shape than when you started.

There are two ways to go about your trek to Everest Base Camp: Independent or Guided, and both options offer their pros and cons. Everest Base Camp trek planning can be a lot of work – from permits, accommodations, transportation, and more – there are a lot of logistics to consider before and during your trek.

I chose to do my Everest Base Camp Trek with the guiding company Anywhere Plus, and I was joined by 8 other Bearfoot Theory readers on this 11-day adventure. At the end of the trip, every person in our group agreed that it was one of the best trips any of us had ever been on – both due to the country and how well our trip was organized.

In this detailed post, I’ll tell you what to expect on your Everest Base Camp trek. I’ll share important information on the following topics:

Scroll down or click to the topic to skip to the section you are interested in….

[fontawesome icon=”fa-check” circle=”yes” size=”14px” iconcolor=”#ffffff” circlecolor=”#74c3ae” circlebordercolor=”#74c3ae” alignment=”left”] The pros and cons of a guided vs independent Everest Base Camp Trek

[fontawesome icon=”fa-check” circle=”yes” size=”14px” iconcolor=”#ffffff” circlecolor=”#74c3ae” circlebordercolor=”#74c3ae” alignment=”left”] standard everest base camp itinerary, [fontawesome icon=”fa-check” circle=”yes” size=”14px” iconcolor=”#ffffff” circlecolor=”#74c3ae” circlebordercolor=”#74c3ae” alignment=”left”] the best time to visit everest base camp, [fontawesome icon=”fa-check” circle=”yes” size=”14px” iconcolor=”#ffffff” circlecolor=”#74c3ae” circlebordercolor=”#74c3ae” alignment=”left”] flights to and from the trailhead, [fontawesome icon=”fa-check” circle=”yes” size=”14px” iconcolor=”#ffffff” circlecolor=”#74c3ae” circlebordercolor=”#74c3ae” alignment=”left”] everest base camp trail conditions, [fontawesome icon=”fa-check” circle=”yes” size=”14px” iconcolor=”#ffffff” circlecolor=”#74c3ae” circlebordercolor=”#74c3ae” alignment=”left”] trekking permits, [fontawesome icon=”fa-check” circle=”yes” size=”14px” iconcolor=”#ffffff” circlecolor=”#74c3ae” circlebordercolor=”#74c3ae” alignment=”left”] food and water, [fontawesome icon=”fa-check” circle=”yes” size=”14px” iconcolor=”#ffffff” circlecolor=”#74c3ae” circlebordercolor=”#74c3ae” alignment=”left”] accommodations on the everest base camp trek, [fontawesome icon=”fa-check” circle=”yes” size=”14px” iconcolor=”#ffffff” circlecolor=”#74c3ae” circlebordercolor=”#74c3ae” alignment=”left”] wi-fi & electricity, [fontawesome icon=”fa-check” circle=”yes” size=”14px” iconcolor=”#ffffff” circlecolor=”#74c3ae” circlebordercolor=”#74c3ae” alignment=”left”] staying healthy and avoiding altitude sickness, [fontawesome icon=”fa-check” circle=”yes” size=”14px” iconcolor=”#ffffff” circlecolor=”#74c3ae” circlebordercolor=”#74c3ae” alignment=”left”] gear for your everest base camp trek, [fontawesome icon=”fa-check” circle=”yes” size=”14px” iconcolor=”#ffffff” circlecolor=”#74c3ae” circlebordercolor=”#74c3ae” alignment=”left”] experiencing himalayan culture on your everest base camp trek.

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••• Independent vs Guided Everest Base Camp Trek •••

Going with a guided group tour provided the opportunity to get to know an incredible group of like-minded outdoor adventurers..

The first big decision you need to make is whether you will do the Everest Base Camp trek on your own or as part of a guided group. An independent Everest Base Camp trek will be cheaper, no doubt, but you’ll also be left to handle all of your accommodations, trekking permits, domestic flights, and logistics yourself. If you are a budget backpacker looking to save money, a very experienced traveler, or someone with a lot of vacation time, an independent Everest Base Camp trek might be a good option, with some caveats which I’ll address throughout the post. If you are going on your own, I’d build a few extra days into your itinerary at the beginning of your trip in Kathmandu so you get all of your gear, flights, and other logistics dialed. I’d also recommend having a little cushion with your schedule on the trek itself in case you run into any problems (altitude sickness, stomach issues, transportation delays, etc).

On the other side of the spectrum, a guided Everest Base Camp trek can cost 3 times more….but is it worth it? There’s a couple of questions you have to ask. How much time do you have in Nepal? How much decision-making do you want to do? Are you solo? Do you want to hike back down or helicopter out? Do you know how to deal with altitude sickness? How much cultural interaction do you want to have? Simply put, having the RIGHT guide puts the stress of planning on someone else so you can focus on enjoying the trek and staying healthy.

Here is Jangbu, one of our incredible guide assistants, teaching me how to pack a yak correctly.

Did you notice that little word up there? The RIGHT guide? The quality of Everest Base Camp guides varies from porters who will carry your bags to full-blown guiding services. And even between the professional companies, there are differences in what they offer. When deciding on a guiding company for your Everest Base Camp trek, make sure you pay attention to the fine print about what’s included and what is not.

Our trip with Anywhere Plus was 100% all-inclusive. And that meant everything. ALL food and drinks in Kathmandu and on the trek, water, lodging, porters, assistant guides, cultural experiences, in-country flights, tips, and a helicopter flight down from Base Camp – this was all included. Every person on the trip was also hooked up with an Anywhere Plus duffel bag which was used to carry our stuff, a warm down jacket and fleece that we got to take home at the end of the trip, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, prayer flags, and a few other essentials for the trek. I admit, it was pretty luxurious as far as an Everest Base Camp trek goes, and the best part was knowing we were in good hands and that we didn’t have to worry about a thing. A final perk I’ll mention. Our guide Karl was a professional photographer and was taking photos of us all throughout the trip. That meant we could be more in the moment and less focused on our cameras. At the end of the trip, everyone received a USB stick with all of the photos, as well as an awesome photo book featuring the best shots from our trip. All of this made it worth every penny, and I’d do another trip with Anywhere Plus in a heartbeat.

Karl knew exactly where to get the best photos to create forever memories of our trek.

••• typical everest base camp trek itinerary •••.

The total hiking distance if you hike straight from Lukla (the starting point) to Everest Base Camp is only 45 miles, but over the course of the trail you gain about 8,200 feet – going from 9,400 feet to 17,500 feet. In order to give yourself time to acclimate to the increasing altitude, most people take anywhere from 9-12 days to hike up to Everest Base Camp, plus another 3-4 back down to Lukla.

We spent a total of 11 days hiking from Lukla to Everest Base Camp. This gave us time to acclimatize and also enjoy our days on the trail without feeling too rushed.

Our guide Karl built in acclimatization days for us in Namche Bazaar & Dingboche. In each of these villages, we did a steep day hike and returned to our Everest Base Camp at night, allowing us more time to get used to the increasing altitude.

Happy and excited to have another acclimatization hike successfully completed!

We reached Everest Base Camp on the 10th morning. Then that afternoon, we trekked to the summit of a nearby peak called Kala Patthar to watch the sunset on Mount Everest on our final evening.

On the 11th morning, rather than starting to hike back down, we hopped on a short helicopter flight all the way back to Lukla. This was included in our trip price, and it was awesome to get an aerial view of the entire trail and all of the ground we covered the previous 10 days.

Our full Everest Base Camp itinerary can be seen here , and I’ve also started posting a series of daily vlogs on my YouTube channel:

Head to my YouTube Channel for the rest of the vlogs!

••• the best time to visit everest base camp •••.

The best time to visit Everest Base Camp is March through May or late-September through November. These two seasons are the driest and typically experience clear mornings and cloudy afternoons.

The Spring season is when Everest Base Camp is full of climbers attempting to summit Everest. If you are interested in crossing paths with climbers and feeling the buzz in Base Camp, this is a great time to go.

In the fall, Base Camp is empty except for trekkers reaching their final destination. During our October trip, we got very comfortable weather with warm sunny mornings, cloudy afternoons, and chilly nights.

Both spring and fall are popular, so be prepared to share the trail with other trekkers, locals, yak trains, and porters. It’s all part of the experience.

The monsoon season is June through early September and is the worst time to visit Everest Base Camp. During monsoon season, services are more limited and there’s a chance you might not get to see those beautiful Himalayan peaks.

It’s a neat opportunity to see a Yak train on the trail! Not something you see on trails in the States!

••• getting to and from the trail •••.

I heard all kinds of stories before our Everest Base Camp trek about how scary the flight into Lukla is. The airport has been referred to as the “World’s Most Dangerous Airport” due to the fact that there is a sheer mountain face at the end of the runway.

We lucked out and got perfect weather on the way to Lukla, and our small little plane and experienced pilots handled the flight with no problems. If you are nervous, just remember, these pilots do this day in and day out and they don’t want to crash anymore than you do.

At the time of writing, tickets online were priced at $150 each way per person. On our Anywhere Plus trip, all of the flights and transportation to the airport were arranged and included. When we got to the airport, things were a little hectic, but they helped us get checked in pretty quick. Also keep in mind that there is a standard weight limit of 10kg per person for checked bags, so depending on your guide and airline, you should be prepared to pay overage fees if your bag exceeds this limit.

We flew on the first Tara Air flight on the first flight of the day, which I’d recommend. Mornings tend to be more clear, and even if there were any weather delays, our group would have the highest likelihood of departure. I’d also suggest sitting on the left side of the plane for the best views on the way to Lukla.

Don’t forget–insider tip–the left side of the plane will gift you with the better views on the way to Lukla.

The other thing to keep in mind is how you are going to get from Everest Base Camp back down to Lukla. A majority of people walk, and you should budget about 3-4 solid days for that. The other option is to fly on a helicopter like we did.

Our Anywhere Plus Everest Base Camp Trek included a return helicopter flight.

••• everest base camp trail conditions and difficulty •••.

I wasn’t sure what to expect as far as trail conditions on the way to Everest Base Camp, but what we found was a super well-maintained trail that was in excellent condition. Some sections were obviously steep, but most of the trail consisted of a well-defined dirt path without too many obstacles. The suspension bridges also seemed to be in good condition, able to support the weight of fully loaded yaks.

The scenery was constantly changing which kept things interesting. The beginning of the trail in Lukla was lush and green with all kinds of waterfalls, and everyday the landscape got a little more drastic until we were eventually above the treeline.

The only section that was a bit more difficult as far as terrain was the final stretch down into Everest Base Camp. This section had some boulders to hop over and once on the glacier you had to be careful as some parts were pretty slippery.

••• Everest Base Camp Trekking Permits •••

There are two different permits you need to trek to Everest Base Camp.

The first is a Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) permit. This costs $10 USD if you are part of a group or $20 USD if you are trekking independently. You also need 2 passport photos. Our Anywhere Plus guide obtained these for us in advance of the trek. If you are on your own, you’ll need to go to the Nepal Tourism Board office near Thamel in Kathmandu prior to your flight to Lukla.

The second permit is Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit which can be obtained once you are on the trail at the office in Monjo. This costs $30 USD+ 13% Govt. Tax.

••• Food & Water on your Everest Base Camp Trek •••

— food —.

Little villages are spread all along the trail with plenty of places to stop and eat or have some tea, and all of the lodges we stayed in served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast usually consisted of hot porridge or eggs, potatoes, and toast, while lunch and dinner menus varied between lodges. Typically lunch and dinner items included Nepalese stew, fried noodles, fried rice, and dal baht (the local Sherpa meal consisting of lentil soup, rice, and veggies).

It doesn’t get much better than having breakfast with a view of Mt. Everest!

Something important to remember is that all of the meat has to be hiked in from Lukla and refrigeration is limited. For that reason, we steered clear of all meat after we left Namche Bazaar, and I’d recommend you do so too. Also, anything with cheese or butter is going to be the local yak version. I myself wasn’t a fan due to it’s strong flavor.

If you are trekking independently or your food isn’t included in the price of your trek, expect to pay somewhere between $4-7 for a simple meal, and that price goes up the further along the trail you get.

— Water —

All tea and coffee is safe to drink since it’s made with boiling water, but all other drinking water needs to be filtered. I’d also avoid brushing your teeth with any kind of tap water, especially in Kathmandu. Bottled water is available on the trail, but it’s expensive and unsustainable since they don’t have a way to recycle or properly dispose of the plastic on the trail.

Instead of purchasing copious water on the trail (which you need to drink to stay hydrated), our Anywhere Plus guide Karl brought a couple of SteriPens, which use UV rays to kill viruses and bacteria in water. Every morning and evening we’d have a big water filtering session where we’d all fill up, and it was a great way to provide free and safe drinking water for a large group. I will note that many of the other guided trips do not include drinking water, so if you choose another company, you should check as to whether you should bring your own SteriPen and/or iodine tablets. For more information on the best water filters for backpacking check out our guide on how to select the best water filte r for your next adventure.

 Here is a glimpse of the little village of Namche.

••• accommodations on the everest base camp trek •••.

There are a variety of accommodations along the Everest Base Camp Trail, and our trek included private rooms at the nicest lodges available in each village.

At the beginning, our accommodations (like our rooms in Namche shown in the picture below) typically came with in-room showers, western-style flush toilets, heating blankets, and in-room outlets to charge our stuff. Towards the end, things got more simple – meaning no heat, no outlets, and squat toilets down the hall. Given the rural nature of the trail, this is the best they have. After day 5, we also didn’t have in-room showers. At some of the lodges, there were hot showers available down the hall, but it was very cold outside and there is no way long hair would dry in that climate. So all of us were sans-showers for the second half of the trek.

While the accommodations weren’t the highlight, everyone in the group was content. After all, the hotels weren’t why we were there. I’d suggest bringing some warm sleeping clothes, ear plugs, and a positive attitude, and you’ll be just fine. That said, it’s not for everyone, and if this description of the accommodations sounds awful to you, than perhaps the Everest Base Camp Trek isn’t a good fit for you.

••• Wi-fi & Electricity on the Everest Base Camp Trek •••

I was surprised at the availability of wi-fi on the trail. Our trip with Anywhere Plus included wi-fi at all of the lodges as well as local N-cell SIM cards for those of us who had unlocked phones. This provided 3G on our phones wherever there was service along the trek as well as plenty of minutes to call home.

For those who are hiking independently or don’t have wi-fi included on their trip, most of the lodges offered wi-fi for a fee, although speed was variable especially towards the end of the trek. It was fast enough in most places to upload photos to Facebook or write emails from our phones. Videos and Snapchat, however, were pretty slow to load, if they loaded at all. For that reason, I’d leave the laptop at home since it will only add to your weight and give you something extra to worry about.

For your electronics, you’ll want to consider bringing a solar panel, battery packs and spare camera batteries. You’ll only have electricity in your room and outlets to charge your personal electronics for the first few days. After that, you’ll have to pay to charge things at the lodges.

••• Staying Healthy & Avoiding Altitude Sickness on your Everest Base Camp Trek •••

The biggest safety concern during your trek to Everest Base Camp is altitude sickness, and there are a number of measures you can take to minimize the chances of getting it.

First, you need to plan an itinerary that allows you to increase your elevation gradually. Second, you need to stay hydrated. This means you should have water available to drink at all times (I used a CamelBak), and you should avoid alcohol in the evenings at the lodges. Third, you’ll want to keep your immune system strong by dressing warm, consuming enough calories, and taking vitamins. I brought some Emergen-C vitamin packets and put one in my water every morning at breakfast.

Taking care of yourself and listening to your body is super important while on your trek!

That said, altitude sickness is unpredictable, and even the fittest of people can suffer from it. If it hits you, it can result in nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and headache, and if you don’t stop and address it, altitude sickness can be life threatening.

If you are on a guided trek to Everest Base Camp, your itinerary will include a couple of acclimatization days where you hike up and return to the same lodge that afternoon. Incorporating these acclimatization days into to the overall trek will increase the likelihood that everyone will be successful in making it to Base Camp. If you are doing the trek independent of a guide, you will want to do the research beforehand and incorporate some acclimatization hikes into your plan.

In the case that you are struck with a case of altitude sickness on the trail, a properly trained and professional guide will have a backup plan. That may include administering Diamox, a medication used to treat altitude sickness, or having you stay back with an assistant guide and catch up when you are feeling better either on foot or by horse. In the worst case scenario, a guide can arrange for helicopter transport back to your starting point or a hospital if necessary. Guides also have ways to communicate in the case of an emergency. I’m not saying these things to scare you, but if you end up doing the trek independently, you’ll want to be prepared for these scenarios.

Diarrhea is a common ailment for travelers in Nepal, and the other key to staying healthy on the trail is to keep your hands clean. This means carrying hand sanitizer on you at all times. I used it religiously throughout the trip – after going to the bathroom, before eating anything, after shaking hands with people – and I never had any stomach issues throughout the trip. It’s not fail-safe, but the more careful you are about germs the better chances you have of avoiding diarrhea.

••• Gear for your Everest Base Camp trek •••

I wrote up my entire packing list for my Everest Base Camp Trek. You can check it out in this post or by watching the video below:

••• Experiencing the Culture on your Everest Base Camp Trek •••

Experiencing the local culture was one of the things that made the trek to Everest Base Camp so special. I can’t speak for other guiding companies, but on our Anywhere Plus tour, we had the opportunity to interact with a bunch of local families. Our guide Karl has been on two Everest climbing expeditions, and during that time he built a lot of relationships in the region. Both of our assistant guides – Nara and Jangbu – were from Nepal. They spoke excellent English and were an incredible source of knowledge about the Himalayan culture and region.

Nara was from Bigu Village and part of our trip costs were donated to his community which is still recovering from the devastating earthquake. Nara was a constant source of positive energy throughout the entire trip.

Here is Nara, one of our assistant guides, in front of one of our hotels.

Jangbu, the other assistant, was a 19 year old Sherpa who summited Everest for the first time last year. Our trip also provided support to further Jangbu’s education so he can obtain a trekking guide license. On day 5, we had the chance to visit Jangbu’s home. His dad taught us how to load up the yaks and his mom invited us into their home for a traditional Sherpa meal of potato pancakes and dal baht. Then Jangbu took us to meet with his local Lama – Lama Geshe – who blessed our prayer flags and anything else we brought with us. The day was one of the stand-out experiences of the trip, and it wouldn’t have been possible without our guide Karl.

This is Jangbu with his mom and dad after our incredible lunch in their home.

Getting blessed by lama geshe in jangbu’s village.

I hope this Everest Base Camp guide gives you a better idea of what to expect & how to plan for your Everest Base Camp Trek. Whether you are going on your own or as part of a group, you are in for a spectacular experience. Again, a huge thanks to Karl and the Anywhere Plus team for making our trip so incredibly memorable, and if you have any questions about planning your Everest Base Camp Trek, get in touch!

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Everest Base Camp Packing List

20 stunning everest base camp photos to inspire your adventure, back to the basics: hiking 101 tips for beginners, what to wear hiking, 22 backpacking lessons from 22 days on the john muir trail, [/content_box].

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With two decades of hiking and seven years of van life under her belt, Kristen has dedicated her life to helping people experience the positive effects of nature. As a pioneer in the outdoor blogging space, she founded Bearfoot Theory in 2014 and has since authored more than 350 blog posts about outdoor travel, hiking, camping, and van life. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Outside Magazine, and Backpacker, and when she’s not on the road, she lives in Park City, Utah with her partner Ryan, their son, and two adventure pups.

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13 Comments

Excluding flights/supplies what would you say the trek with the guide ended up costing you? Thanks so much!

Our trip was $4500 per person, all inclusive.

Hi Kristen. A very informative blog thanks as I plan for an EBC trek in November with 4 other women. 3 of us kiwis. I was interested about hair washing practicalities to which you briefly refer. I have very long thick wavy hair. Not really sure what to do with it. It takes long enough to wash and condition as it is. Sounds pathetic to worry about it! Can you give me a clearer picture as many of your group seemed to have long hair too as to how you all coped. Many thanks! Karen

Do you recommend this for those who don’t get to hike as often as you? I’d like to work my way up to this trip, but I’m not sure how I’d do since I don’t get to hike as often as I’d like.

There were people on our trip who didn’t hike all that frequently who made it, but the more you can train beforehand the better. The altitude is the biggest factor and the better shape your lungs are in, the more you’ll enjoy the hike.

Took a detour to village of Thame from Namche Bazaar, also joined the trail to Tengboche via Namche- Khumjung- Phortse. Such peaceful little villages! Experienced best of nature and wildlife through these trails (colorful rhododendron forests, saw musk deer and Himalayan Tahr up close). Was amazing!

It always have a great feeling being on you blog! You are awesome traveler.

Better alternate route to EBC replacing the run-of-the-mill Tengpoche trail.

It seems to be the best kept secret in Khumbu that there is a much better scenic route opposite side of Tengpoche offering just amazing views across the valley. All trekkers doing only EBC (no Gokyo, that is) should go up this way, and visit Tengpoche on the way down. Thus the itinerary on the way up should be Lukla – Monjo – Namche (2) – Mong La (lunch) – Phortse – Pangpoche (lunch) – Dingpoche (2) – Lobuche – etc.

Even better is one where the first night in DIngpoche is replaced by a visit and overnight at Ama Dablam Base Camp, or actually Mingbo Lodge few hundred meters south from there. As the lodge is at the same altitude as DIngpoche (4300m). Thus the ultimate itinerary is Lukla – Monjo – Namche (2) – Mong La (lunch) – Phortse – Pangpoche (lunch) – ADBC – Pangpoche/Shomare (lunch) – Dingpoche – Lobuche – Kala Pattar, and back via Tengpoche.

Your description gives just two options, independent or guided group with fixed itinerary. There is also a happy medium: private guide or rather a porter-guide (who also carries your pack). You are in total control of the trek and itinerary, P/G is there to help and consult only, not boss you around. Many trekkers have the mistaken idea that hiring a guide would give your independence away. It does not, unless you let it happen. P/G can carry for two people. You can also form your own group with friends and be in total control, telling which routes to take, where to sleep. Of course this means you have to understand the conditions, acclimatisation etc.

Very useful information. Walking on the lap of the Great Himalayas with the crystal clear view of majestic mountains just in front of your eyes is possible only in the Everest Region. Everest base camp trek is the most awe-inspiring popular trekking trail of Nepal in the world.

A few comments specifically about EBC (FYI my daughter and I did Cho La Pass and EBC self guided). I would add in your blog if you’re objective is the experience the Himalayas (and to see Everest) I would discourage EBC and instead consider other routes that give a more private and less traveled experience (and all the guide rules above are still there) Your picture isn’t even Everest but Ama Dublam (the prettiest of the peak inclusive of Lhotse and Everest that you see between Lukla and EBC). I would also mention getting Diamox aka Acetazolamiide script prior to going to help abate any issues with altitude sickness its an easy hedge and significantly reduces altitude sickness and pulmonary edema) . I would also mention how much foot traffic there is between Lukla and EBC, even outside climbing season its constant groups and all full service groups count a porter/2 people and guide for every 6 porters. So if for example there happen to be a group of 20 trekkers, with 10 porters, on 3 guides well the numbers get big fast. They all are following same protocol, acclimation day hike in Namche Bazaar, and the Ama Dablam photo day hike from the monastery. This means ALL trekkers/their companies/and Inividuals w/ or w/o a guide/porter-guide (note: Porter Guides do NOT have to speak English like guides must….and it’s licensed) are sleeping in the same limited locations. I have recommended to several friends to climb Gokyo Ri up the Cho La valley (you still go through Namche Bazaar) you get views Ama Dablam (obviously not as close as the Tengboche vantage point in your picture) Gokyo Ri is just as high as Kala Pathar, and you see 1/10 maybe more of the trekking population. To be clear I’m not ragging on EBC, I get it, but I guarantee you anyone who reads this blog and is looking to roll their own or hire guide or porter-guide does NOT want to be people dodging on the trail because you move faster than the group of 40 in front of you, nor do they want to feel like their in a hotel lobby when the groups start rolling for dinner.

On a separate note I applaud you and your teams ambition/life-style. I actually look forward to seeing/reading more.

Hi Gary, thanks for reading & sharing your EBC experience! This was a group trip we did back in 2017, and I know things have changed (and gotten busier) since. Appreciate your insight that could help others decide how they plan their trip.

Thanks for posting useful information about the everest base camp trekking. I read your complete blog and got i lot of information for my future trek plans. I really got to know about some interesting facts which I was not aware of. I have also got some useful insights from ExpedReview as well.

Thanks for posting wonderful content. Keep posting such types of blogs.

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An Everyman’s Guide to Planning Epic Adventure

How to start from scratch and expand your horizons

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Three years ago, I went on my first-ever backpacking trip. About a year later, I decided it would be a great idea to quit my job and go on epic adventures around the world. Most recently, I paddled a folding kayak 50 miles into a remote fjord in eastern Greenland, base camped for a week, and made the first ascent of an alpine rock route. Right now, I’m sailing to Antarctica.

You can do this stuff, too. I’m not a super athlete. I’ve never been that good at sports. For most of my adult life, I didn’t even spend that much time outdoors. I never went backpacking growing up. I didn’t climb my first pitch of rock until I was 26. (I’m 28 now.) I didn’t learn to ski until earlier this year. I’m by no means an expert at any of those things, but I can do them now. This is to say that it’s never too late to learn something new.

This is what I’ve learned along the way.

Pick a Destination

The place facilitates the adventure. Go wherever your heart desires. Explore places that inspire you. It doesn’t have to be far. Some of my most memorable adventures were the result of jumping in a car and driving just a few hours. (Admittedly, that’s a perk of living on the West Coast.)

That being said, if you really want an adventure (definition: an experience that pushes you out of your comfort zone), then you’ll probably have to leave the highway behind. Try getting out there. Like way, way out there. You don’t necessarily have to leave the country or go very far, but adventure has an entirely different feel if you go where people aren’t.

Last summer, my friends and I tackled the Sierra High Route —a nearly 200-mile cross-country hike through California’s Sierra Nevada. Though it’s nearly parallel to the John Muir Trail, the route follows the trail for only a handful of miles and rarely dips below the tree line. We didn’t see people for days at a time. It also has some technical sections in the form of more than 30 passes—most of them Class 2 to 3 scrambles—and requires some orienteering skills. All of those factors created an experience that was equally accessible but more adventurous than the John Muir Trail, without requiring a great deal more technical skill than that popular thru-hike.

The same could be said about my recent trip to eastern Greenland. While the area is definitely remote and takes some effort to reach, once you’re there, it’s not too difficult to venture out on your own and get the experience of being totally alone in one of the world’s most incredible environments. What makes that place particularly unique? Peaks jut 6,000 feet straight up from the water. Glaciers spill directly into the sea. Everywhere you look, whales are breaching, taking in new air to breathe. There are no roads outside the villages, so to move around the fjords, you must take a boat or helicopter transfer or do like I did and paddle. The experience is larger than life. As a result, it makes you feel incredibly small.

The world is full of places that can have that same effect, and most are accessible by mere mortals (for instance, trekking in Nepal). Sometimes, they just take effort to reach, but they will always be worth the effort.

Choose an Activity

In many ways, the place dictates the activity. In eastern Greenland, for example, no roads connect different areas throughout the fjords, and the land is often too rugged to travel through efficiently, so the only feasible human-powered mode of transportation during summer is kayaking. Indigenous Greenlanders have been using the vessels to get around for thousands of years. Kayaks remain one of the best modes of transportation there today.

Any mountain range in the world will provide nearly endless opportunities for adventure, whether it’s climbing snowy slopes or steep ice and rock, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, or even paragliding. Mountains almost always mean rivers, too. When glaciers and snow melt, they create rivers that run through the valleys, providing opportunities for kayaking or rafting. Canyons can be often found in the mountains. These can provide an entirely different adventure—one where you’re climbing down rather than up.

Adventure doesn’t always have to be human-powered. Baja, for example, is an off-road paradise because the scenery is beautiful, the terrain is diverse, and there are almost no regulations for motorized vehicles. You can drive there from California, eat cheap and delicious fish tacos every day, and camp right on the beach.

Do Your Research

Let’s say you’ve decided to reach past the low-hanging fruit and want to really get out there. You want to go deep. There’s a good chance that planning your trip will be anything but straightforward as a result. You’ll have to get creative. If you want to go to where people aren’t, you have to put in the work beforehand.

You’ve decided on a location. You’ve chosen your level of thrill. Now figure out the best time to go. Is it during the peak season, when conditions are ideal? Or a bit earlier or later, when flights are cheaper and people are fewer but the weather’s more variable?

Exact Destination

Once that’s locked down, it’s a good idea to figure out exactly where you want to go. Google Earth is an incredible tool that can help you home in on specific areas for exploration using satellite imagery. From there, you can use it to discover potential snow couloirs for skiing, rock routes for climbing, lakes for fishing, rivers for paddling, or anything else you might want to do. When you zoom into an area, photos that have been geotagged with that location will also pop up, allowing for a more detailed look.

Next, get some real maps. Search for printed versions if you can. If none can be found, make your own. You can also create routes using mapping software and GPS , but it’s a good idea to have paper versions as a backup, because electronics inevitably fail.

Traveling to a country that requires a visa ? Better apply now. Will you have to send in your passport to get one? Do you have a passport? Does it have enough free pages for stamps? Is it about to expire? Do you need specific vaccinations to get in? Or to get out? Does the park or other area you’re visiting require permits or special permissions? Start looking into it. All of these things take time. You don’t want to be scrambling trying to sort out these issues at the last minute, because any one of them could be a deal breaker.

Getting There and Getting Back

Transportation can cause some of the biggest logistical challenges, so deal with them up front. Will you be staying domestic or going international? Will you fly, or would driving be better? Once you’re there, how will you get around? Can you take group transportation? If so, is it public or private? Will you need to rent a vehicle? Would buying be better? If the journey there will be extend over multiple days, will you need to sleep in places along the way? If you have a long layover at an airport, keeping a sleeping pad in your carry-on will make for a much better night. Otherwise, will you stay at hotels? Hostels? Can you camp? Will an Airbnb be the best bet?

Travel guides like Lonely Planet offer some information on these particulars, but finding the best ways to travel to and from certain places often requires firsthand information. Reddit is a treasure trove of real experiences.

If you’re flying, consider stopovers. The last time I went trekking and climbing in Nepal, it was cheapest to buy round trip flights from L.A. to Bangkok and separate round-trip flights from Bangkok to Kathmandu. That also allowed for a fun stopover. Getting to eastern Greenland required a flight to Iceland first, which allowed for more stopover fun.

Sort Your Gear

The most difficult part of trip planning is often in relation to gear. How much will you carry? What can you scrap? What will you wear? For me, the easiest way to keep track is in Google Docs, because it’s easy to share with friends.

To get started, create a spreadsheet, and then begin a list organized by category: Big Three (shelter, sleeping, and kitchen), clothing, camping, activity-specific items, electronics, and miscellaneous. I like to break down items further by brand, model, weight, and quantity, and make a section for notes. I highlight in red the items I need to purchase or order. Yellow or orange denotes items that I bought but haven’t yet received. Once an item is in hand, it goes green.

After everything has arrived, it helps to lay it all out and take inventory, one piece at a time. Once that’s done, pack it all up.

Solve Problems Ahead of Time

Problems will inevitably arise, so take time to consider what those may be and develop solutions in advance. By evaluating those inevitabilities and addressing them preemptively, you will save valuable time, stress, and energy.

This can be as simple as creating a kit to make field repairs on your gear (patches for sleeping pads, cleaning kits for the stove, duct tape to fix everything else) or packing backups in case a critical item totally fails.

Case in point: My buddy and I brought two stoves to eastern Greenland. Our JetBoil, which is powered with canister fuel, was our first choice because all we needed to do was boil water, and it does that quickly and efficiently. However, shops in the small villages didn’t stock canister fuel. Instead, we had to resort to burning benzene, which is actually a type of furniture polish. Fortunately, we also packed an MSR Whisperlite Universal , so we were able to swap out the jets and make the benzene work.

Be Flexible

To reach Greenland, my buddy Andrew had to fly from Vegas to Los Angeles, and then from L.A. to Reykjavik, before catching a flight to Kulusuk. Somehow, American Airlines checked only one of his bags through to LAX. Andrew had to leave for Iceland (and then on to Greenland) without it. That bag contained several key pieces of mission-critical gear, including Andrew’s mountaineering boots, our climbing ropes, his sleeping bag, and all of his technical clothing. Needless to say, without all of that, we were pretty much screwed.

That left us with two options: try our damnedest to reconnect with that bag, or reinvent our trip on the fly. Andrew spent more than 24 hours on Skype with the airline. Thanks to an astute Alaskan Airlines employee—whose company wasn’t even responsible for losing Andrew’s bag—we were reunited with it five days later and were able to begin our trip.

While waiting, Andrew and I continued to do firsthand research on the area—speaking with locals, checking out maps and books, gathering supplies—and we did some climbing nearby to occupy our time. It was frustrating that we couldn’t just get out and go, but being frustrated didn’t help our cause. Taking action did. Had the bag not shown up after the fifth day, we’d have had to leave anyway because our time on the island was limited. In that case, we would have created an alternate plan, probably focusing on paddling, hiking and scrambling to make the most of what we had.

Your time and money for an adventure is always going to be limited. Only you can decided how to best utilize your resources to make the most of a trip. As such, it’s important to remain flexible and learn how to pivot.

Remember Why You’re There

So much goes into planning an epic adventure that it’s easy to get distracted—or even discouraged—by budget, logistics, travel, and mishaps. Don’t forget why you’re there in the first place. We adventure to seek discomfort. Those other steps are all part of the process, but once you’re out in the wild, it’s time to focus on being there. Get lost in the spirit of it all.

• Indefinitely Wild
• Mountaineering

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Your Guide To Travel Planning Logistics

Get organized with our insights into travel logistics, including flight and hostel booking, travel insurance, luggage, and more.

by MADELYN DRIVER

December 16, 2022

If you’re like most people, you probably start planning for your trip months in advance, especially if you’re planning on being abroad for longer stints of time. But even if you’re the type of traveler who likes to take things as they come, there are some logistical aspects of vacation planning that you can’t ignore. This guide will help you get organized and ensure that your travel plans go as smoothly as possible. Keep reading for insight into flight and hostel booking, travel insurance, luggage, and more.

Where Should You Start?

If you’re not used to planning long trips, it can be tough to know where to start. The most important thing is to have a general idea of your destination(s) and the amount of time you want to spend in each place. For example, are you taking a quick week-long trip to Spain ? Or are you hoping to spend an entire year off the beaten path in Argentina? These trips are very different and will require different levels of planning.

Once you have a basic understanding of your trip’s parameters, you can start to focus on the details. The following sections will walk you through some of the key aspects of trip planning, from booking your travel to making sure you have everything you need before you go.

What You Need To Know About Booking Your Travel

Whether you’re booking a flight, a train ticket, or your accommodations, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure the process goes smoothly. First, try to be flexible with your travel dates. You may be able to find cheaper flights or accommodation if your travel plans are open-ended or flexible. It’s also a good idea to have several different payment options available, in case one method is not accepted. Finally, be sure to read the fine print before you finalize any bookings. This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises down the road.

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Tips For Booking Flights

There are a few things to keep in mind when booking flights, whether you’re flying for business or pleasure. First, try to give yourself flexibility when it comes to travel dates. Flight search engines like Skyscanner allow you to leave your departure and return dates open, which can sometimes lead to cheaper flights. If you time it right, this can result in hundreds of dollars of savings depending on your flight destination.

Or perhaps you’re looking for flight hacks? Skiplagged is a flight search engine that specializes in finding hidden-city ticketing deals. This means you book a flight with a layover in your intended destination, but instead of continuing to the final leg of the journey, you get off at the layover city and don’t take the last flight. While this may sound complicated, it can often lead to cheaper flights.

The only catch? Because you’ll be ditching one or more of the flights, you won’t be able to check a bag and are limited to your carry-on luggage. Similarly, some travelers have reported that airlines that have noticed a repeated habit of using Skiplagged will cancel passengers’ tickets. To be extra careful, using Skiplagged shouldn’t be viewed as a long-term flight strategy, but it can be a great way to snag a cheap flight if you’re flexible and don’t mind playing it a bit fast and loose.

What’s The Best Day Of The Week To Book A Flight?

Statistically speaking, is there a best day to book a flight? In short, yes. According to CheapAir , the best day to book domestic flights is Tuesday, while the best time to book international flights is Sunday. That being said, these are just averages and you may be able to find cheaper flights on other days of the week as well.

How Far In Advance Should I Book A Flight?

This is a difficult question to answer as it can vary depending on your destination, the time of year you’re traveling, and even the current political climate. For example, if you’re planning a trip to Europe during the summer, you’ll want to book your flights several months in advance. On the other hand, if you’re planning a last-minute getaway to a beach destination during off-peak seasons, you may be able to find cheaper flights a few weeks (or even a few days) before your departure date.

A good rule of thumb is to start looking for flights about three months before your trip and in general, flights tend to be cheapest about six weeks before your departure date. This will give you a good idea of the average prices and will allow you to book your flight when you find a good deal. Sites like Kayak also allow you to track your flight’s prices, so you can be notified when the price drops.

Are There Student Flight Discounts?

Many people don’t realize that many airlines offer discounts to students. For example, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest are known for offering discounted flights for students.

To take advantage of these discounts, you’ll need to have a valid student ID as well as a few other documents. Student Universe is a great tool for finding cheap flights for students. All you need to do is create an account and verify your student status. Once you’re verified, you’ll be able to search for cheap flights, hotels, and even tours and activities.

Keep in mind that these discounts are usually only available to full-time students, so if you’re no longer enrolled in school or only go to school as a part-time student, you might not be eligible for the discount. Additionally, some airlines require that you book your flight a certain number of days in advance to take advantage of the student discount, so be sure to read the fine print before booking.

Tips For Booking Hostels And Hotels

The low down on hostels.

For travelers on a budget, hostels are often the best option for finding cheap accommodation. Hostelworld is one of the most popular websites for hostel booking, and it offers a wide range of options to choose from all around the world. You can search for hostels by city, read reviews, and even view photos to get a better idea of what the property is like.

Our best hostel tips? Although hostels tend to be cheaper than hotels, they generally don’t include things like towels or toiletries, so you’ll need to make sure you bring your own or allocate part of your budget to buying these items when you arrive. Additionally, if you’re not a fan of sharing a room with strangers, you can often pay a bit more to book a private room within the hostel.

The Low Down On Hotels

Perhaps you’d rather opt for a hotel instead? When booking a hotel, it’s often best to book directly through the hotel’s website rather than through a third-party site like Expedia or Priceline . This is because many hotels offer special deals and discounts that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. For example, you might be able to get a free night’s stay or a discount on your room rate if you book directly through the hotel’s website. Many hotels will also offer price-matching services, meaning that if you find a cheaper rate elsewhere, the hotel will match that rate so you can book directly with them.

Additionally, it’s always a good idea to read reviews before booking a hotel. TripAdvisor is a great resource for reading reviews and getting an idea of what other travelers thought of their stay. When reading reviews, pay attention to both the positive and negative comments to get a well-rounded idea of what the hotel is really like.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is similar to health insurance in that it can protect you in case of any medical emergencies, flight cancellations, or lost luggage. For many travelers, travel insurance is often overlooked. But if you’re planning a trip, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. After all, you never know when something might go wrong.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Travel insurance is often used as a blanket term to mean coverage for trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost or stolen luggage, and flight delays. Sometimes this is the case. However, some travel insurance policies only offer medical emergency coverage. On the other hand, trip interruption insurance—or trip delay insurance—refers to the specific coverage surrounding flight delays.

Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance (CFAR) is a type of add-on policy that allows you to cancel your trip for any reason whatsoever—even if it’s not covered under the regular policy—and receive some type of reimbursement. For example, let’s say you’ve booked a non-refundable flight and hotel room, but then you find out your grandma is sick and you need to stay home to take care of her. With CFAR, you would be able to cancel your trip and get a partial refund for the non-refundable expenses.

Likewise, global medical insurance plans are unique in that they’re designed for long-term travelers. Although these policies are more expensive, this type of insurance offers comprehensive coverage for things like emergency evacuation, medical expenses, and trip cancellations. If you’re embarking on a gap year , for example, global medical insurance might be a good option for you.

What Does It Cost And Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

The price of travel insurance depends on a few factors, such as the length of your trip, where you’re going, and what type of coverage you need. In general, though, policies start at around $30 for domestic trips and $50 for international trips.

At the end of the day, whether or not travel insurance is worth it is entirely up to you. If you’re the type of person who likes to have a safeguard in place, then buying a policy might give you some peace of mind. Or, if you’re planning on applying for long-term or student visas in another country, some embassies require proof of travel insurance to process the paperwork.

However, if you’re comfortable taking risks and/or can afford to pay for a procedure in a foreign country out of pocket, then you might decide that travel insurance is not right for you.

What’s The Best Luggage For International Travel?

You’ve chosen your destination, booked your flights, and are now on the hunt for the best lightweight luggage. But with so many options on the market, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.

When choosing luggage, consider what type of traveler you are. If you’re someone who likes to pack light or are taking a shorter trip, then a carry-on bag might be the best option for you. These bags are small enough to fit in the overhead bin on an airplane and can often be stowed under the seat in front of you.

If you’re planning on backpacking or spending long periods of time abroad (especially in countries that may not have the infrastructure for paved roads and sidewalks), consider purchasing a backpacking backpack. With these backpacks, you strap the bag onto your back, which leaves your hands free to carry other things.

A 50l backpack will be able to hold your necessities, a few outfits, and a pair or two of shoes. Or, if you’re looking for a backpack with more room, a 60l or 75l backpack will do the trick. Just keep in mind that the more space you have, the heavier your bag will be!

No matter what type of luggage you choose, make sure to read the reviews before making a purchase. This way, you can be sure that you’re getting a high-quality bag that will last you for years to come. And always remember to purchase a bag that has a good warranty. That way, if something happens to your luggage while you’re on your trip, you’ll be covered.

Best Credit Cards For Traveling Abroad

When you’re planning a trip abroad, one of the first things you need to do is figure out how you’re going to pay for things. After all, not all countries accept American dollars, and even if they do, using cash can be risky. That’s where credit cards come in.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a credit card for international travel. First, does the card have foreign transaction fees? This is important because you don’t want to be charged extra just for using your card abroad. Second, does the card have a good exchange rate? You’ll want to find a card that doesn’t charge exorbitant fees for converting currency. And finally, does the card offer any travel-specific perks, such as free checked bags or priority boarding?

When it comes to credit cards with no annual fees, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a fan favorite. This card has no foreign transaction fees and offers a great exchange rate. Plus, you’ll earn rewards points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for travel expenses like flights, hotels, and car rentals.

Another popular option is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card . Although this card has a $95 annual fee, it comes with a slew of travel-specific perks, like free checked bags and priority boarding. Plus, you’ll earn rewards points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for travel expenses like flights, hotels, and car rentals.

Choosing the right credit card for your upcoming trip abroad is an important decision. Be sure to do your research and choose a card that will work best for you and your travel plans.

Although there are numerous ways to go about planning the logistics of your trip, the most important thing to remember is to have fun and enjoy yourself. Trip planning logistics may seem stressful and anxiety-inducing, but with a little bit of foresight and strategy, you can get the major details of your trip ironed out in no time. And, once you’re on your trip, all that planning will be worth it when you’re able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience. Safe travels!

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This trip involves a 4-day trek at high altitude (note that horses and porters carry the bulk of our gear) in often unpredictable weather, class II-IV whitewater rapids, hiking/mountain biking along dirt roads and paths, paddleboarding, and moderate physical labor.

This trip involves a 4-day trek (~34 total miles, hiking 4-7 hours per day with a backpack on) in Iceland’s highlands in often unpredictable weather, a day hike on a glacier, fresh water snorkeling, and moderate physical labor.

This trip involves a 12.7-mile out-and-back hike in volcanic terrain (approx. 5-6 hours of hiking), snorkeling and kayaking in sometimes choppy waters, and moderate physical labor.

This trip involves hiking and horseback riding at high altitude, class II-IV whitewater rapids, downhill mountain biking, and moderate physical labor.

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How to Plan a Multi-Day Outdoor Adventure

Roisin low 16 nov, 2022.

The Adventure Treks community at large enjoys spending time outside and cherishes overnight adventures in nature. If you’ve been on an Adventure Treks trip, you know that we spend many months planning our expeditions—a lot goes into organizing each of our trip’s itineraries! If your AT trip has sparked an interest in planning your own multi-day backpacking adventures, we’ve outlined four main steps below to help make the process easier for you.

(Because Adventure Treks is a business and plans trips for up to 30 people, we follow specific rules, hold commercial permits, and follow many more guidelines that are different from personal trips. We’ll assume your first foray into expedition planning will not involve 23 of your closest friends…)

#1: Logistics

Where do you want to go? 

We recommending narrowing your options to a location you’re familiar with, or one that’s a little closer to home. This will take some of the stress off your shoulders; once you gain some experience planning backpacking trips, you can dive into new wilderness areas.

Online forums are a great place to get tips on different hiking trails and, more important, check for recent water and trail conditions!

Do you need a permit?

Some wilderness places require permits for personal trips, while some areas do not. And some permits are easy to obtain, while others are doled out via lottery systems. Places in high demand (like Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, the Narrows in Zion, and Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks), utilize strict permitting systems to prevent overuse and overcrowding of lands and trails.

Thoroughly research the area you’ll be recreating and comb through its official governing website (e.g., National Forest Service or National Park Service) to find information about permitting, use, and any other restrictions or schedules. You’ll also find information on what’s allowed in that area; for example, whether you can bring your dog, if there are bear boxes to store food, etc.). In western states, be sure to check fire restrictions and specific Leave No Trace ethics (in warmer months, places like Colorado and California may not allow campfires, and many desert regions require all trash and human waste to be packed out… this means no digging catholes! More on LNT below).

Public lands in the United States have their own rules, as they also have unique and individual missions (you can read about some of those differences here ). Take as deep a dive as you’d like about the land you’ll be using—but just make sure you know the rules about overnight wilderness trips before you arrive at the trailhead.

Leave No Trace principles

The seven principles of Leave No Trace provide a framework for how to recreate sustainably in the outdoors and leave minimal impact on the land. It also covers a lot of your bases in the overall planning process.

• Plan ahead and prepare: As we’ve already covered, decide where you are going ahead of time and research the area. Look at the weather forecast, elevation, and terrain to inform your packing list. Purchase a map or download an app to make sure you know your route, your mileage each day, and what hiking pace to keep to stay on schedule.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces: Stay on the trails to avoid scarring and eroding the landscape around you. Select an appropriate campsite for both you and the environment. Camp on flat ground and pitch your tent on soil, gravel, or sand instead of fragile vegetation. Avoid camping under dead trees and set up camp 200 feet away from rivers and streams.
• Dispose of waste properly: Depending on the area, you may be able to dig a cathole to dispose of solid human waste, or you may be required to carry it out (not uncommon in fragile ecosystems in the American west). If catholes aren’t allowed, add “ WAG bags ” to your packing list in order to carry out your poop (sometimes these are available at the trailhead, but we wouldn’t count on it). Put your poop kit together ahead of time and don’t leave any trash behind.
• Leave what you find: Leave wilderness areas as you’ve found them (or better than you found them). You don’t want the people hiking in after you to know exactly what you ate for breakfast because of the food droppings left all over their campsite, or to know exactly where you used the bathroom, or to have to clean up trash that you left. Do not carve your initials into trees, do not remove artifacts or any other items from the forest, and don’t pick the beautiful wildflowers you see.
• Minimize campfire impacts: As you know, it’s crucial to be familiar with fire restrictions ahead of time. Some campsites have designated fire rings , while others do not allow fires of any kind, and others yet will allow fires anywhere in the forest.
• Respect wildlife: Familiarize yourself with local wildlife and how to minimize potential encounters. If there are black bears in the area, do you need to bring a bear can, or will there be a bear box? Are there rowdy raccoons that may try to steal your food? Are there venomous snakes or other small critters to avoid? Perhaps most important, if you do encounter wildlife, keep your distance!
• Be considerate of other visitors: Be friendly with fellow hikers as you pass them on the trail. Respect that people have chosen to explore the outdoors for many reasons, and they may not want to hear your music blaring as you walk along the trail or late at night. If you’re bringing a pet, know the leash laws and do not let your animal run after wildlife.

#2: Food!!!

If you’ve been on an Adventure Treks trip, you’ll know that we LOVE food! You don’t need to skimp on meals just because you’re in the backcountry. Take a look at some of our backcountry meals to spark inspiration for your menu. A few handy tips:

• Bring LOTS of snacks.
• If you’ll be in a dry environment with little water, think about how “water intensive” your meals are (i.e., don’t plan on pasta, rice, and oatmeal for every meal… instead, think about pita pizzas, wraps, or sandwiches).
• Pack food that covers all of your nutrient bases to give you energy for long days and hard hikes.
• AND DON’T FORGET DESSERT! Hot cocoa, brownie mix, chocolate, Skittles… Bring along a treat you can pull out once you reach your campsite or hot cocoa when you get up to watch the sunrise.

Read more about backcountry cooking here .

Don’t just bring food: Bring the tools you’ll need to cook and eat it! Stove, lighter, gas (extra gas is always a good idea), mess kit, pot, pan, spatula, knife or multitool, spices, and cooking oil. You can use biodegradable soap and a sponge to clean dishes (a small rag can also work for a short trip).

You may prefer bring a tent, tarp, or hammock—check the weather to see which would be best. Bring an extra tarp to create a covered area to hang out and cook if there is any adverse weather in the forecast.

Don’t forget your tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. Instead of a cumbersome pillow, toss your clothes into your stuff sack and use that instead. Of course, we’d be remiss to leave out the ever-present camping chair.

A water purification system is crucial. (You can become extremely ill from drinking untreated water.) We specifically use Aquamira, but there are lots of water purification systems out there. Test your system out beforehand to make sure it works.

Don’t assume you’ll always come across a fresh water supply—rather, use your map to mark rivers, springs, lakes, or other bodies of water to plan how much to bring and where to resupply.

First aid kit

Take the basics: Band-Aids, alcohol wipes, gauze, Ace wraps, blister treatment (like moleskin), ibuprofen and anti-histamine, medical tape… And don’t forget group-specific gear, like Epi-Pens or inhalers. Dive deeper into a detailed first aid kit here .

Don’t forget a physical map and compass or an app you can utilize without service. If you’ll be using electronics often, bring a solar or external charger as well.

Once you’ve checked the weather, you’ll have a better idea of what to pack for your trip. Check out the following blogs for more information on outdoor clothing and gear: fleece , insulated jackets , trekking poles , headlamp, rain gear, and hiking boots .

Backpacking does not need to be expensive! Most, if not all, of these items might be found in your closet or at a nearby thrift shop. As long as your rain gear is waterproof, your tent doesn’t leak, and your sleeping bag and pad keep you warm, you’re pretty much set!

#4: Fun and flair!

What is a backpack without some flair?! It’s always fun to spice up your hike with a mascot, a silly hat, and a fun game. Here are some other entertainment options:

• Astrology books or apps
• Games ( One Night Ultimate Werewolf is one of our favorites; you’ll never go back… or trust your friends again)
• Your best British accent
• Your spookiest stories
• A book of stories to read around the campfire
• A journal, sketchbook, or watercolors

If you have any questions or want to talk through how to plan a trip, use us as a resource! Your former instructors and the AT office would be happy to answer any questions and help wherever we can. We’d also LOVE to see photos of your trip and hear about it!

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Adventure Planning 2024: The Ultimate Step-By-Step Guide

Are you feeling adventurous and looking to plan your next big trip? Well, you've come to the right place for adventure planning!

As someone who goes on some sort of adventure every month, I'm always planning something!

Planning an adventure can seem overwhelming, but with a little organization and research, you'll be on your way to an unforgettable journey.

In this blog post, we'll break down the steps for adventure planning, from considering your physical condition to setting a budget. So, let's jump into it and start planning your next thrilling adventure!

How Do You Plan An Adventure?

Are you craving some adventure in your life? Whether you're a seasoned traveler or new to the game, planning an experience can be exciting and overwhelming.

With a little bit of preparation, research, and a sense of adventure, you can plan an unforgettable trip.

In this blog post, we'll explore how to plan an adventure by breaking down the process into seven simple steps.

STEP 1: What To Consider When Planning Your Adventure

Planning an adventure can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Before jumping into the fun stuff, taking a step back and considering a few key factors is important.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you start planning:

• Budget: How much are you willing to spend on your adventure? Having a budget in mind will help you narrow down your options and ensure you're not overspending.
• Time: How much time do you have to dedicate to your adventure? Depending on the length of your trip, you may need to plan for time off work or adjust your schedule accordingly.
• Destination: Where do you want to go? Consider your travel preferences, including whether you prefer a beach vacation, a mountain adventure, or a city getaway.
• Accommodation: What type of accommodation do you prefer? Are you okay with camping, or do you prefer a hotel? Remember to consider the cost and availability of your chosen accommodation.
• Transportation: How will you get to your destination? Will you need to rent a car, take a train, or fly?
• Group size: Are you traveling alone or with a group? Your group size can affect your accommodation, transportation, and activity choices.

Considering these factors, you can create a clear picture of what you want to get out of your adventure and start planning accordingly.

STEP 2: Decide On Your Adventure Or Activity

Once you have considered the above factors, it's time to decide on the adventure or activity that you want to do. Let your imagination run wild, and choose something that excites you.

Important: Are you in shape enough for your adventure?

Are you in shape enough for your adventure? If you are planning a physically demanding experience, such as a trek or a climb, make sure that you are in good physical condition before you go.

Before embarking on an adventure trip, assessing your fitness level and determining whether you're physically and mentally prepared for the challenges you may face is important.

Here are some tips to help you decide if you're fit enough for an adventure:

Consult Your Doctor:

Suppose you have any health concerns or medical conditions. In that case, it's vital to consult your doctor before embarking on an adventure trip.

They can help you assess your fitness level and determine whether there are any precautions you should take.

Research the Activities:

Research the activities you have planned and the physical demands they require. For example, suppose you're planning a multi-day backpacking trip. In that case, you'll need to be able to carry a heavy backpack for several miles each day.

If you're planning a rock climbing trip, you'll need upper body strength and endurance.

Assess Your Fitness Level:

Be honest with yourself about your fitness level. Consider your current exercise routine and whether it prepares you for the physical demands of your planned activities.

If you're inactive, gradually increase your activity level before your trip.

Train Specifically:

To prepare for your adventure trip, consider training specifically for the physical demands you'll face.

For example, if you plan a hiking trip, start by taking shorter hikes and gradually increasing the distance and elevation gain.

If you're planning a backpacking trip, carry a loaded backpack on shorter walks and progressively increase the weight.

Listen to Your Body:

During your training and while on your adventure trip, listen to your body and pay attention to any signs of fatigue or discomfort. Take breaks as needed, stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest.

Don't forget altitude sickness can be severe – especially for those of us in places with little elevation change. Here are some tips on how to prevent and treat altitude sickness .

STEP 3: Research & Pick A Destination For This Activity

Now that you've decided on your adventure or activity, it's time to research and pick a perfect destination.

For example, suppose you're planning a hiking trip. In that case, you'll want to look for destinations with plenty of trails and beautiful scenery.

If you're planning a scuba diving trip, you'll want to find a location with clear waters and plenty of marine life.

When picking your destination, it's important to consider factors like accessibility, safety, and cultural differences.

You'll want to make sure that you can easily get to your destination without breaking the bank and that you'll be able to enjoy your adventure without putting yourself in danger.

You'll also want to research the local customs and norms so that you can be respectful of the local culture.

Many resources are available to help you research and pick the perfect destination for your adventure. Travel blogs (like mine!!), review sites, and social media groups can all be excellent sources of information.

You can also consult with travel agents or tour operators specializing in adventure travel.

Once you've narrowed down your options, it's a good idea to read reviews and check out photos and videos of the destination.

This research will give you a better idea of what to expect and help you make a more informed decision.

Remember, your chosen destination can make or break your adventure, so take your time and choose wisely.

What time of year has the best weather for your adventure? 

What time of year has the best weather for your adventure? If you plan an outdoor adventure, such as hiking or camping, go when the weather suits your activity.

STEP 4: Choose The Best Time For Your Adventure

Now that you have picked your adventure and destination, it's time to decide the best time to go. This step is crucial and can make or break your experience.

Here are some things to consider when choosing the best time for your adventure:

How long will you need for your adventure?

Make sure to plan enough time for your adventure so that you can enjoy it fully.

Some experiences may take only a day or two, while others require a week or more. Take into account travel time and any necessary accommodations.

How will the weather impact your adventure? 

Weather can have a significant impact on your adventure experience. For example, hiking in the rain may be challenging, or skiing on icy slopes can be dangerous.

Research the weather patterns of your destination during the time you plan to visit. Check the temperature, precipitation, and other relevant factors that could impact your adventure.

Once you have considered these factors, it's time to choose the best time for your adventure.

Remember to be flexible and open to making adjustments if necessary. If the weather forecast changes or you need to adjust your schedule, be prepared with a backup plan.

Finally, make sure to communicate your plans with anyone else who will be joining you on your adventure. That way, everyone is on the same page and can plan accordingly.

STEP 5: Set Your Adventure Budget

Now that you have planned the logistics of your adventure, it's time to consider the financial aspect. Set a budget for your experience, and stick to it.

Some things to consider when creating your adventure budget include the following:

How Much Will Your Adventure Cost?

Consider all the expenses associated with your adventures, such as transportation, accommodations, equipment rentals, food, and other relevant costs.

Make sure to research the average cost of these expenses in your chosen destination to get an accurate estimate.

Once you have determined the cost of your adventure, set aside enough money in your budget to cover any unexpected expenses or emergencies. It's always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.

Want some tips on travel hacks without signing up for new credit cards? Check out my friends at the Traveling Franklins for some excellent travel hacki ng tips !

STEP 6: Make Reservations

Once you have decided on the destination and activities, the first step is to make reservations for any necessary permits or reservations for your chosen adventure.

For example, if you plan to hike in a national park, you may need to secure a permit in advance! 

Note :  Check the recreation.gov website for National Park System Reservations.   Backpacking permits at the National Park Sites are typically available directly at the park you plan to visit.

Additionally, some activities may require reservations, such as a whitewater rafting trip or a hot air balloon ride. It's important to research and make any necessary reservations well in advance to avoid disappointment.

I recently was in the Las Vegas area. I didn't realize that Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area now requires a timed entry pass to enter the park.

Be sure to check that the activity you've planned does or doesn't require a permit! More and more places are requiring them nowadays. 

Plan Your Accommodation 

When planning accommodations, it's vital to consider your budget and personal preferences. Are you comfortable roughing it in a tent, or prefer a hotel room with all the amenities?

Depending on your destination, various options may be available, from campsites and cabins to luxury hotels and resorts.

Consider the location of your accommodations to ensure that you're staying in a convenient location for your planned activities.

Plan Your Transportation

Transportation is another critical aspect of planning an adventure trip. Depending on your destination and activities, you may need to rent a car, book a shuttle service, or arrange flights or other transportation.

When planning transportation, it's important to consider cost, convenience, and safety factors. Additionally, consider your destination's terrain and weather conditions, which can impact your transportation options.

STEP 7: Pack For Your Adventure

Packing for an adventure trip can be a challenge. Still, with careful planning and preparation, you can ensure you have everything you need for a safe and enjoyable experience. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Research Your Destination:

Before you start packing, research your destination and planned activities. This information will give you a better idea of the climate, terrain, and other conditions you can expect and will help you pack accordingly.

For example, suppose you're planning to hike in a mountainous region. In that case, you'll need different gear than if you are planning to kayak on a calm river.

Make a Packing List:

Make a packing list before you start packing to ensure you remember everything.

Start by making a list of the essential items you'll need, such as a tent, sleeping bag, and cooking equipment, and then add any additional items based on your research.

Pack for the Climate:

When packing for an adventure trip, it's essential to pack for the climate you'll be in. Pack warm and waterproof clothing, gloves, and a hat when traveling to a cold and snowy destination.

If you're traveling to a hot and humid destination, pack lightweight and breathable clothing, sunscreen, and a hat.

Pack Versatile Clothing:

When packing for an adventure trip, it's important to pack versatile clothing that can be worn in various situations.

Packing clothing that can be layered for warmth and easily washed and dried to help you save space and avoid overpacking.

Pack Light:

Finally, it's important to pack light for an adventure trip. Packing light will make it easier to move around and carry your gear and will also make it easier to pack and unpack.

Consider investing in lightweight and compact equipment, and try to pack only what you need.

What gear or accessories will you need on your adventure? 

The gear and accessories you'll need for your adventure will depend on the planned activities, your destination, and the conditions you can expect. Here are some basic items to consider:

Navigation:

For most outdoor adventures, having some form of navigation equipment, such as a map and compass, GPS, or a smartphone with a navigation app, is essential. Make sure to bring extra batteries or a portable charger if needed.

Depending on your planned activities, you may need a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad for camping. Suppose you're staying in a cabin or other accommodations.

In that case, you may not need a tent, but a sleeping bag and pad may still be necessary.

As mentioned before, pack versatile clothing that can be worn in various situations. Depending on the climate, you may need a rain jacket, hiking boots, or warm layers.

Food and Water:

Bring plenty of food and water if you plan to be in a remote location. You may need to bring a water filtration system or purification tablets to ensure your water is safe to drink.

A first aid kit is essential for any outdoor adventure. Include bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, and any necessary prescription medications.

And remember to take the first aid kit with you on your adventure – don't leave it in your luggage at the hotel or in your tent. I'm guilting of forgetting the kit – are you?

Bring a headlamp or flashlight, and pack extra batteries or a rechargeable power bank. A lantern or campfire may also be necessary for lighting in camp.

You may need tools such as a knife, multitool, or saw, depending on your planned activities. If you're camping, bring a camp stove and fuel.

Other items:

Consider bringing a camera or other devices to capture memories of your adventure. A dry bag or waterproof case may also be helpful to protect your gear from water.

TIP: If you're bringing children along, it's a good idea to include a whistle for each person. Whistles can be crucial in helping search parties locate someone who has become lost.

STEP 8: Share your Plan with a Trusted Contact

To share your trip plan with a trusted contact, follow these steps:

• Choose a Trusted Contact: Select someone you trust to be your point of contact while you are away. This person should be someone who is not accompanying you on the trip.
• Inform Them of Your Itinerary: Let your trusted contact know the details of your trip, including where you are going, what activities you have planned, and when you expect to return. This will ensure that they have a clear understanding of your travel plans.
• Provide Emergency Contact Information: Share any emergency contact information that may be relevant, such as the contact details of hotels or accommodations you'll be staying at, local authorities, or medical facilities in the area. This will help your trusted contact in case of any emergencies.
• Request Regular Check-ins: Ask your trusted contact to periodically check in with you during your trip. This way, they can ensure your well-being and take necessary action if they are unable to reach you.
• Share Your Trip Plan: Give your trusted contact a document that contains your trip plan. This can be a fillable trip plan template provided by a travel agency or an online itinerary creator, or you can create your own. Include essential details such as departure and arrival dates, flight numbers, accommodation information, and any other important notes related to your trip.
• Provide Instructions for Action: Clearly explain to your trusted contact what actions they should take if you do not return from your trip on time or if they are unable to contact you. Instruct them to call the appropriate authorities and share your trip plan with them. This will help authorities respond effectively and promptly in case of an emergency.

Remember, sharing your trip plan with a trusted contact is a proactive way to ensure your safety while traveling and will provide peace of mind to both you and your loved ones.

FAQ's: Adventure Planning

What should i do if i'm not feeling up to the planned activity.

When you find yourself not feeling up to the planned activity, it is important to assess your readiness for the activity. Take a moment to check in with yourself and evaluate how you are feeling.

Do you have the necessary energy to fully participate in the planned activity? If not, it may be time to consider an alternative plan. Having a backup activity in mind can be incredibly helpful in situations like this.

Take the necessary steps to implement your backup plan if it becomes necessary. This could involve exploring different options, such as choosing a different location or opting for a less physically demanding activity.

It's also important to consider external factors that may impact your ability to carry out the planned activity.

If park conditions have changed or if you realize you don't have the appropriate gear and supplies, it might be wise to reconsider and adapt your plans accordingly.

Remember to communicate any changes in your plans to your Trip Plan Trusted Contact.

Letting someone know about your change of plans ensures that there is someone who is aware of your situation and can potentially provide support if needed.

Overall, it is essential to prioritize your well-being and listen to your body when you're not feeling up to the planned activity.

Being flexible and open to alternative options will allow you to have an enjoyable experience while still taking care of yourself.

Final Thoughts: Adventure Planning

As you can see, planning for an adventure takes some time and effort, but it's well worth it in the end. Following these steps ensures your experience is enjoyable, safe, and within budget. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next adventure today!

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Teresa Kulczycki is the founder of An Acre in the City. She has travelled to all 50 States in the USA and has a travel bucket list that she continues to whittle down. She has less than 100 US National Park Service Sites and only 9 state capitols left to visit. Other travel bucket lists includes catching a baseball game at all the Major League Baseball Fields.

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How to make a backcountry ‘trip plan’ for your next outdoor adventure.

• April 8, 2021

No one ever plans on getting into trouble in the outdoors. However, a simple mistake, changing weather, lapse in judgement, random injury, equipment disfunction or loss of daylight can change even the most basic recreational activity into a troublesome situation. By creating and sharing a simple trip plan with family or friends, someone will be able to contact authorities enabling you to have a better chance of rescue and survival in an emergency.

Table of Contents

What is a trip plan

A trip plan is a semi-detailed or detailed plan that you send to family and friends before heading out on an adventure. Whether you are going for a quick hour hike close to home or a 15 day expedition in Alaska, you should always design and share a trip plan with family or friends (who would be concerned if something happened to you). Don’t share it with your uncle bill who is trying to get you inheritance because he will surely burn it in hopes something goes wrong on your outdoor adventure. Share the trip plan with someone who is hoping you will come back in one piece. When I’m going on a quick hike or remote fish I usually shoot a family member or my girlfriend a text letting them know where I’m hiking and when they should hear from me upon return. For longer journeys and ski touring day trips, I’ll draft a quick plan on the computer and email it to my loved ones.

Who is a trip plan useful for

A trip plan is useful for everyone involved in an emergency situation. You want to come home safe, friends and family want you to have a safe trip, and rescue personnel want to be as safe, effective, and efficient as possible. A trip plan allows your loved ones to ring an alarm bell if you do not contact them at a planned waypoint or don’t arrive home on time. It also allows provides rescue teams with the necessary information to follow your trail closely based upon the predetermined route. You always want to be prepared for the worst. By putting together a simple plan you will be able to be rescued more effectively in a worst case scenario.

How to Structure a Trip Plan

Designing a trip plan for any size journey is an integral component to proper adventure preparation. The complexity of your trip plan will depend upon the remoteness, duration and risk involved with your trip or activity. All trip plans regardless of the complexity should include the 4 W’s of good trip planning (Who, Where, What, When). The names of the people involved, the activity, the departure date and time, the return date and time, the area  you will be exploring and the destination and the distance you plan to travel.

Sample Trip Plan (A Quickie)

For a day hike you don’t have to over complicate things. Just shoot a friend or family member a text when your heading out and send em’ a message or give them a ring when you’re back at the car.

S ample Trip Plan (Ski Touring Day In The Backcountry) 

For daytrips on very high traffic trails, the texting method should do you just fine. However if the duration of your daytrip is long or you are going to be venturing into some unfamiliar, backcountry, and hazardous terrain it is always best to put together a simple trip plan like the one below.

Sample Trip Plan (Multi Day Backcountry Hiking Trip)

The multi day trip plan does not differ much from the single day trip plan. Make your route of travel clear for your emergency contact and try to map out the destinations you plan to end your day and camp out at. If you have a GPS device send your emergency contact a few texts at predetermined locations to let them know things are going well!

Taking a few extra minutes before your next trip create a plan will give you the peace of mind that in the odd case of an emergency situation your trusted contact will be  able to contact the authorities, search and rescue providing them with all the information needed to make a swift rescue.

Are you in the habit of making a trip plan?

Let me know in the comments.

PS – Feel free to use my trip plan outline for your next trip or shoot me an email and I would be happy to send the outline to you.

https://plan.adventuresmart.ca/ Also offers a great outline for trip plans and an easy way to SMS these trip plans to friends.

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Craft Your Perfect Outdoor Journey: The Definitive Planning Guide.

Published by outdoorovernights.com on 14 july 2023 14 july 2023.

Are you looking to plan your next outdoor adventure but not sure where to start? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Planning an outdoor adventure can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming with so many options and choices to consider. But fear not, because in this ultimate guide, we will break down the planning process step by step, providing you with all the information you need to have the adventure of a lifetime!

In this guide, you’ll find everything from choosing the perfect outdoor destination to packing the essentials and planning your itinerary. We’ll also provide you with tips on staying safe and prepared in the great outdoors, as well as recommendations for the best gear and equipment. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or a beginner looking to embark on your first adventure, this guide has got you covered.

So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and get ready to dive into the ultimate guide for planning your next outdoor adventure. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with all the knowledge and tools you need to plan a memorable and successful trip. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Are you a nature enthusiast looking for your next outdoor adventure? Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a beginner in the world of outdoor activities, planning your adventure is the key to a successful and enjoyable trip. From choosing your activity to researching your destination, from packing the essential gear to preparing yourself physically, there are several factors to consider for a truly memorable experience.

Choose Your Outdoor Adventure

The first step in planning your outdoor adventure is deciding on the activity that suits your interests and skill level. Would you like to hike, camp, or go mountain biking? Each of these activities offers unique experiences and challenges.

Hiking is a popular choice for outdoor adventurers of all levels. From leisurely strolls in the countryside to challenging multi-day treks, hiking allows you to explore stunning landscapes at your own pace. Consider the duration, difficulty level, and type of terrain when choosing a hiking trail.

Camping offers an immersive experience in nature, allowing you to truly disconnect from the daily grind. Whether you prefer car camping or backpacking, spend some time researching campsites and facilities to find the perfect spot for your outdoor retreat.

Mountain Biking

For those seeking an exhilarating adventure, mountain biking combines adrenaline and beautiful scenery. Research trails suitable for your skill level and ensure you have the necessary gear and safety equipment before hitting the trails.

Research Your Destination

Once you’ve chosen your outdoor activity, it’s time to research your destination. Gathering information about the scenic spots, trail difficulty, and local regulations ensures a well-planned and hassle-free trip.

Scenic Spots

Research the must-visit scenic spots in the area where you plan to venture. Look for viewpoints, waterfalls, and natural wonders to add extra excitement to your adventure. This research will help you create your itinerary and ensure you don’t miss out on any hidden gems.

Trail Difficulty

Understanding the difficulty level of the trails you will be encountering is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience. Check online forums, guidebooks, and local ranger stations for information about elevation gain, distance, and terrain conditions. This will help you choose trails that match your abilities and fitness level.

Local Regulations

Respecting local regulations is imperative to protect the environment and ensure the safety of yourself and others. Learn about any permits or passes required for your chosen activity, as some popular areas have limited access or capacity restrictions. Familiarize yourself with any rules regarding campfires, waste management, and wildlife encounters.

Pack the Essential Gear

Packing the right gear is essential for a comfortable and successful outdoor adventure. Here are some items you should consider bringing along:

Tents and Sleeping Bags

If you’re camping or backpacking, a reliable tent and sleeping bag are essential for a good night’s sleep. Choose a tent that is appropriate for the weather conditions you’ll encounter and ensure your sleeping bag provides sufficient warmth and comfort.

Cooking Equipment

Don’t forget cooking equipment if you plan on preparing your own meals. A portable stove, cookware, and utensils are necessary for cooking delicious meals on the trail. Opt for lightweight and space-saving options to make carrying them easier.

Navigation Tools

To navigate your way through trails and unfamiliar terrain, bring essential navigation tools such as a map, compass, and GPS device. Familiarize yourself with the route before setting off and always have a backup plan in case of any mishaps.

Prepare Physically

Being physically prepared is crucial for enjoying your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Whether you’re embarking on a strenuous hike or a long bike ride, these exercises will help build your endurance and strength.

Cardiovascular Training

Engage in cardiovascular exercises such as running, cycling, or swimming to improve your stamina and endurance. Start with shorter distances and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts.

Strength Training

Building strength in your legs, core, and upper body will help you navigate steep trails, carry heavy backpacks, and handle your bike more effectively. Incorporate exercises like squats, lunges, planks, and push-ups into your training routine.

Endurance Exercises

To prepare yourself for long-duration activities, consider incorporating endurance exercises into your training plan. This could include hiking or biking for extended periods at a moderate pace, gradually increasing the duration over time.

Plan Your Route

With your destination and gear ready, it’s time to plan your route. A well-planned itinerary ensures you make the most of your time outdoors and stay on track.

Create a Detailed Itinerary

Outline your daily activities, including the distance you plan to cover, the highlights you want to visit, and the estimated time it will take to complete each leg of your journey. Consider factors like elevation gain, rest breaks, and detours to allow for a realistic and enjoyable schedule.

Identify Rest Points

Identify suitable rest points along your route where you can take breaks, refill water supplies, and replenish energy. These rest points can be scenic spots, designated campsites, or specific landmarks that can provide both physical and mental respite during your adventure.

Consider Alternative Routes

Consider alternative routes or loop options in case of unexpected circumstances like inclement weather or trail closures. Having backup plans ensures you are prepared for any situation and allows you to adapt to changing conditions on the go.

Consider Safety Measures

Prioritizing safety is paramount when venturing into the great outdoors. Here are some safety measures to keep in mind:

First Aid Kit

Carry a well-stocked first aid kit that includes essential items like bandages, antiseptic ointment, pain relief medication, and any personal medications. Ensure you are familiar with basic first aid procedures in case of any injuries.

Emergency Contacts

Provide a trusted friend or family member with your detailed itinerary, including your route, expected timeframe, and emergency contact information. Check-in with them regularly during your trip to ensure your safety.

Weather Forecast

Check the weather forecast for your destination regularly and be prepared for changing conditions. Pack appropriate clothing layers, including waterproof and insulated options, to ensure you are comfortable and protected from the elements.

Respect the Environment

As outdoor adventurers, it is our responsibility to protect and preserve the natural environment. Follow these guidelines to ensure you leave no trace and minimize your impact:

Leave No Trace

Leave no trace of your presence by taking all of your waste with you when you leave. Dispose of garbage properly, including food waste, and avoid damaging or disturbing the surroundings.

Avoid Disturbing Wildlife

Observe wildlife from a distance and avoid approaching or feeding them. Respect their natural habitat and behave in a way that minimizes intrusion on their environment.

Proper Waste Management

Practice proper waste management by carrying a trash bag and disposing of waste in designated bins or carrying it out with you. Avoid using single-use plastic items that can harm the environment and opt for reusable alternatives.

Check and Double-Check

Before embarking on your outdoor adventure, take the time to check and double-check important details.

Gear Checklist

Go through a gear checklist to ensure you haven’t forgotten any essential items. Verify you have all the necessary equipment, clothing, and safety gear packed and in working order.

Food and Water Supply

Ensure you have enough food and water for the duration of your trip. Plan out your meals and snacks, considering nutritional value, calorie intake, and weight constraints.

Trail Conditions

Check for any recent updates on trail conditions, closures, or restrictions. Monitoring online forums, park websites, or contacting local ranger stations will provide you with up-to-date information that can impact your trip.

Embrace the Unpredictable

No matter how well you plan, outdoor adventures are often accompanied by the unpredictable. Embracing the unexpected and having the right mindset can make all the difference between a frustrating experience and an unforgettable adventure.

Adaptability

Remain flexible and open to changing plans or adjusting your itinerary as needed. Weather, trail conditions, or unexpected circumstances may require you to make on-the-spot decisions. Embrace the opportunity to explore new paths and discover hidden treasures along the way.

Problem-Solving Skills

Develop problem-solving skills to overcome challenges that may arise during your adventure. Be resourceful, think creatively, and stay calm when faced with unexpected situations.

Positive Mindset

Maintaining a positive mindset throughout your journey can greatly enhance your overall experience. Embrace the beauty of your surroundings, celebrate your accomplishments, and find joy in the small moments that make outdoor adventures so memorable.

Planning your next outdoor adventure is an exciting endeavor that requires careful consideration, research, and preparation. From choosing the right activity to packing the essential gear, each step plays a crucial role in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. By following this ultimate guide, you will be well-equipped to embark on your next outdoor adventure and create memories that will last a lifetime. So, grab your gear, get outdoors, and embrace the beauty of nature that awaits you!

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• Essential Camping Gear: Top 10 Picks for 2023.
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Outdoor Adventurers Strategic Plan Template

• Great for beginners
• Ready-to-use, fully customizable Subcategory
• Get started in seconds

Are you an outdoor adventure company looking to take your business to new heights? Look no further than ClickUp's Outdoor Adventurers Strategic Plan Template! This template is designed to help you create a roadmap for success by outlining your long-term goals and strategies.

With ClickUp's Outdoor Adventurers Strategic Plan Template, you'll be able to:

• Define clear objectives to guide your team towards success
• Identify key strategies to attract and retain outdoor enthusiasts
• Implement safety measures to ensure the well-being of your customers
• Preserve natural resources and promote sustainability
• Achieve financial stability and growth

Don't miss out on the opportunity to elevate your outdoor adventure business. Start using ClickUp's Strategic Plan Template today and watch your company reach new heights!

Benefits of Outdoor Adventurers Strategic Plan Template

When using the Outdoor Adventurers Strategic Plan Template, you can expect to experience the following benefits:

• Clear direction and focus for your outdoor adventure company's growth and development
• Improved decision-making and resource allocation based on well-defined goals and strategies
• Enhanced communication and alignment among team members, ensuring everyone is working towards the same objectives
• Increased efficiency and effectiveness in operations, leading to improved customer satisfaction
• Better risk management and safety measures to protect both your customers and the environment.

Main Elements of Outdoor Adventurers Strategic Plan Template

Planning your outdoor adventures has never been easier with ClickUp's Outdoor Adventurers Strategic Plan template!

This template includes the following elements to help you stay organized and achieve your goals:

• Custom Statuses: Keep track of the progress of each task with 5 different statuses, including Cancelled, Complete, In Progress, On Hold, and To Do.
• Custom Fields: Utilize 8 custom fields such as Duration Days, Impact, Progress, and Team Members to track important information and measure the success of your strategic plan.
• Custom Views: Access 6 different views including Progress, Gantt, Workload, Timeline, Initiatives, and Getting Started Guide to visualize your plan, manage resources, track timelines, and stay on top of your project.
• Task Management: Take advantage of ClickUp's task management features like assigning team members, setting due dates, and tracking progress to ensure efficient collaboration and successful completion of your outdoor adventures.

How to Use Strategic Plan for Outdoor Adventurers

Planning your outdoor adventure can be exciting, but it's important to have a strategic plan in place to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience. Follow these six steps to use the Outdoor Adventurers Strategic Plan Template in ClickUp:

1. Define your objectives

Start by outlining your objectives for the outdoor adventure. Are you looking to hike a specific trail, explore a new location, or try a new outdoor activity? Clearly define what you want to achieve during your adventure to guide your planning process.

Use Goals in ClickUp to set specific, measurable, and time-bound objectives for your outdoor adventure.

2. Assess your resources

Take stock of the resources you have available for your adventure. This includes equipment, supplies, transportation, and any necessary permits or licenses. Evaluate what you already have and what you may need to acquire or arrange before your trip.

Create custom fields in ClickUp to track and organize your resources for the outdoor adventure.

3. Plan your itinerary

Create a detailed itinerary that outlines the activities, locations, and timeline for your adventure. Research the best routes, campsites, and attractions to include in your plan. Consider factors such as weather conditions, safety precautions, and any special considerations for the activities you'll be participating in.

Use the Gantt chart in ClickUp to create a visual timeline of your itinerary and ensure a smooth flow of activities.

4. Coordinate logistics

Coordinate the logistics of your outdoor adventure, such as transportation, accommodations, and meals. Make reservations for campsites or lodging, arrange for transportation to and from the adventure location, and plan your meals and food supplies. Ensure that all necessary arrangements are made well in advance to avoid any last-minute issues.

Utilize the Board view in ClickUp to create cards for each logistical aspect and track the progress of each task.

5. Prepare for safety

Safety should be a top priority when planning an outdoor adventure. Research and prepare for any potential risks or hazards associated with your activities. Create a safety plan that includes emergency contacts, first aid supplies, and knowledge of basic outdoor safety practices.

Use recurring tasks in ClickUp to remind yourself and your team to review and update the safety plan regularly.

6. Evaluate and adapt

After completing your outdoor adventure, take the time to evaluate your experience and identify areas for improvement. Reflect on what went well and what could be done differently next time. Use this feedback to adapt and refine your strategic plan for future adventures.

Create a Dashboard in ClickUp to track and analyze the success of your outdoor adventure and make data-driven decisions for future plans.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Outdoor Adventurers Strategic Plan Template

Outdoor adventure companies and organizations can use the Outdoor Adventurers Strategic Plan Template to create a comprehensive plan to guide their operations and achieve their long-term goals.

First, hit "Add Template" to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you’d like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to create a strategic plan:

• Use the Progress View to track the progress of each goal and objective
• The Gantt View will help you visualize the timeline of your strategic plan and ensure timely execution
• Use the Workload View to distribute tasks and responsibilities among team members effectively
• The Timeline View will give you a clear overview of the milestones and deadlines of your strategic plan
• Use the Initiatives View to brainstorm and prioritize new ideas and initiatives
• The Getting Started Guide View will provide step-by-step instructions on how to use this template effectively
• Organize tasks into five different statuses: Cancelled, Complete, In Progress, On Hold, To Do, to keep track of progress
• Update statuses as you make progress to keep stakeholders informed
• Monitor and analyze tasks to ensure the successful implementation of your strategic plan.

Related Templates

• Water And Sanitation Strategic Plan Template
• Media Planners Strategic Plan Template
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• Literary Agents Strategic Plan Template

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Planning an Outdoor Adventure - The 10 Steps

In the UK, there are huge opportunities for anyone interested in outdoor adventure activities - with around 15 national parks and over 30,000 miles of walking trails.  Indeed, in 2019, the value of the outdoor recreation industry in the UK was estimated to be £28.7 billion, with just over half of the UK population participating in outdoor activities. 

An expedition or outdoor adventure can be a thrilling and life-changing experience, but it requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you're planning a multi-day trek, a mountain climb, or a canoe trip, proper planning can help ensure your safety and success. This article will provide a step-by-step guide to planning an expedition or outdoor adventure.

Step 1: Define your objective

The first step in planning an expedition or outdoor adventure is to define your objective. What do you want to achieve? Do you want to summit a mountain, explore a remote wilderness area, or challenge yourself physically and mentally? Once you have a clear objective, you can begin to plan the logistics of your trip.

Step 2: Research the destination and route

Research is an essential part of planning an expedition or outdoor adventure. You need to gather information about the destination, route, terrain, climate, and other relevant factors. Use a range of resources, including guidebooks, maps, online forums, and local experts, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the area.

Step 3: Determine your fitness level and prepare accordingly

The physical demands of an expedition or outdoor adventure can be significant, and it is essential to determine your fitness level and prepare accordingly. Start a fitness regimen that focuses on cardiovascular endurance, strength training, and flexibility. Additionally, consider the altitude of your destination and acclimate yourself if necessary.

Step 4: Create a detailed itinerary

A detailed itinerary is a critical component of planning an expedition or outdoor adventure. It should include the route, daily distances, checkpoints, rest days, and any other relevant details. Be realistic about the time and distance you can cover each day, taking into account factors such as terrain, weather, and your physical condition.

Step 5: Assemble the necessary equipment and supplies

The equipment and supplies required for an expedition or outdoor adventure will depend on your destination, route, and the duration of the trip. Consider factors such as shelter, clothing, footwear, food, water, navigation, first aid, communication, and emergency equipment. Ensure that all equipment is reliable and tested before the trip.

Step 6: Develop a communication plan

A communication plan is essential for an expedition or outdoor adventure. It should include a method of communication with a trusted person who can raise the alarm in case of an emergency. Additionally, consider using satellite communication devices that allow you to communicate even in remote areas.

Step 7 : Consider environmental and ethical factors

Environmental and ethical factors are an essential consideration when planning an expedition or outdoor adventure. Ensure that you follow Leave No Trace principles, which aim to minimize your impact on the environment. The seven principles are:

• Plan ahead and prepare
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces
• Dispose of waste properly
• Leave what you find
• Minimize campfire impact
• Respect wildlife
• Be considerate of other visitors

Additionally, respect local customs and cultures, and act responsibly in the wilderness.

Step 8: Assess the risk and develop a contingency plan

An expedition or outdoor adventure involves inherent risks, and it is essential to assess them and develop a contingency plan. Consider the risks associated with your destination, route, and activities, and plan accordingly. Develop a contingency plan that includes an emergency response plan, evacuation plan, and other relevant details.

Step 9: Obtain the necessary permits and insurance

Permits and insurance are a crucial component of planning an expedition or outdoor adventure. Ensure that you obtain the necessary permits for your destination and activities. Additionally, consider purchasing insurance that covers medical emergencies, evacuation, and other relevant risks.

Step 10: Finalize your plan and share it with others

Once you have completed the above steps, finalize your plan and share it with others. Ensure that all members of the team understand the itinerary, equipment, communication plan, risk assessment, and contingency plan. Additionally, provide a copy of the plan to a trusted person who can assist in case of an emergency.

Planning an expedition or outdoor adventure requires careful preparation and attention to detail. By following these ten steps, you can help ensure that your expedition or outdoor adventure is safe and successful. Remember to define your objective, research the destination and route, determine your fitness level, create a detailed itinerary, assemble the necessary equipment and supplies, develop a communication plan, consider environmental and ethical factors, assess the risk and develop a contingency plan, obtain the necessary permits and insurance, and finalize your plan and share it with others. With proper planning and preparation, you can embark on an exciting and memorable expedition or outdoor adventure.

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Plan Ahead and Play It Safe for Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Outdoor recreation is in high demand as visitors seek experiences among the nation's public land and water destinations in record numbers. Planning ahead and understanding what to expect for your trip is more important now than ever. Visitors also have an opportunity and responsibility to respect these special places and each other along the way. In this article we offer helpful tips and recommendations so you can make lifetime memories (the good ones) on your next outdoor adventure: Embrace Safety, Plan Ahead, Manage Your Reservations, and Be Kind and Courteous to All.

A guide to planning and preparing for an epic outdoor trip

Embrace Safety

John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir (Joshua Davis, US Army Corps of Engineers)

Knowing what to expect as you plan for a safe visit to public lands and waters across the country will help ensure you arrive ready. These are just a few safety tips and reminders, but it is best to thoroughly read descriptions and important trip planning information of the places you plan to visit from the experts who live and work in those areas.

• Check the Weather: The weather can change suddenly and dramatically. Be prepared by monitoring weather conditions before you set out for the day.
• Respect Wildlife : Stay a safe distance from wildlife, keep your campsite area clean and store food in airtight containers, and never feed wild animals. Check here for more wildlife safety tips  from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Prevent Wildfires, as "Only You" Can: First, find out if there are fire restrictions prior to your trip. If allowed, learn how to properly build, maintain and extinguish your campfire from our good friend, Smokey Bear .
• Make a Plan, Tell a Friend: Map out your route, pay attention to your surroundings, and let someone know where you are going and when to expect your return. It is always best to travel with others rather than on your own.

Manti-La Sal National Forest (Stella Klaus, Share the Experience)

The outdoor recreation landscape has evolved with more people discovering natural spaces and falling in love with these special places. Adapting to higher demand requires a bit more advanced planning and can help reduce stress when traveling, especially to popular locations.

• Seek Information: Visit agency websites for updates and search Recreation.gov for trip inspiration and reservation opportunities. 
• Reserve a Campsite:  Be aware that you can reserve most campsites  six months prior to your arrival date , and some popular campgrounds can book up in minutes. Identify when reservations are available for the dates you plan to visit and have a back-up plan. Try mid-week or non-peak seasons for popular locations that tend to book up quickly if you have flexibility in your schedule. Also, take time to research nearby locations and recommendations that may have availability for the dates you are traveling – you may just find a new favorite!
• Install the Recreation.gov Mobile App : For more spontaneous visitors there are also first-come, first-served campsites that offer Scan & Pay, a Recreation.gov service to pay on site once you arrive through the mobile app. Install the app prior to your trip, to ensure you have access while you are on the go.
• Purchase Site and Activity Passes in Advance : There are a variety of passes that you can purchase in advance for added convenience. Learn more about  which passes are right for you .
• Schedule Tours or Purchase Tickets : Did you know that many public lands and waters offer rich programming to help you learn what makes that place special? Take a look at a variety of tours and tickets  available for your next trip.
• Secure a Permit: There are some experiences and locations that are so unique and in such fragile ecosystems that a limited number of opportunities are available each year. These experiences often require some skill, knowledge, and a lot of advanced planning. Think whitewater rafting, backcountry hiking, wilderness backpacking, and other activities. Learn more here .

Manage Your Reservations

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (John Vermette, Share the Experience)

We hope you enjoy your reservation, but we all know life happens – things come up (especially these days). As courteous visitors to public lands, please cancel your reservation if you do not intend to use it. This opens space for others! Heads-up! Visitors who do not arrive at the campground by a certain date and time and do not cancel, may forfeit their reservation, and are assessed service fees. These service fees are returned to the managing agency for care and upkeep of the facility. Learn more about  standard campground policies from Recreation.gov participating agencies.

• Adjust your stay: You may have made your reservation six months ago and now you need to leave a day early to attend your cousin’s wedding. Here is how you modify your campsite reservation  so you can enjoy nature and then join friends and family for the celebration.
• Arrive on time:  Did you know campgrounds have check-in and check-out times? Review your reservation confirmation email so you maximize your campground experience. Also, keep in mind, many locations have security gates that are locked at night. Just another reason to check all the details in your reservation confirmation email and Need to Know information.
• Park in Designated Spaces: Friendly reminder – campgrounds typically have just enough space for one or two vehicles per campsite. If you have a large family or are expecting a few friends, check the campground facility page on Recreation.gov or your reservation confirmation email to understand if the campground has overflow parking and what fees apply.
• Install the Recreation.gov app:  Quickly and conveniently view the details of your reservation, modify  or cancel reservations, or simply book a  new reservation all from your mobile device. Available at select campgrounds, the Recreation.gov mobile app now features Scan & Pay to pay directly from your mobile device for first-come, first-served campsites  and  activities .  Install the app  before you leave home as connectivity in the outdoors can be limited or non-existent.

Be Kind and Courteous to All

Bryce Canyon National Park (Lin Chao, Share the Experience)

Let's all take a pledge to make our outdoor and cultural spaces a safe, welcoming, and respectful space for all. This includes taking care of the lands and waters, as well as those who choose to recreate within these spaces. Here are just a few tips from our Recreate Responsibly  friends for being a kind and courteous camper. 

• Build an inclusive outdoors. Be an active part of making the outdoors safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities. 
• Respect others.  There is space for everyone and countless outdoor activities. Be kind to all who use the outdoors and nature differently. 
• Leave no trace. Respect the land, water, wildlife, and Native communities. Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles .
• Make it better.  We all have a responsibility to sustain the places we love. Volunteer, donate, and advocate for the outdoors.

Explore Related Trips

• Planifica con anticipación y juega seguro en tu próximo viaje
• Road Trip Tips for Exploring Public Lands
• 5 Ways to Prep for Summer Camping

Camp, RV, and Explore Outdoors

Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. We provide tools and tips to discover new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, and reservations. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Recreation.gov!

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Plan with Us

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How to Efficiently Plan for an Outdoor Trip

Everyone can organize an outdoor trip of their liking.

If you are not an expert in the field of backpacking and camping, it might be difficult at first.

Nevertheless, there are fool proof ways where you can efficiently plan an amazing outdoor trip.

In this article we shall be discussing the preparations and steps you need to do when planning for an outdoor trip. These are the basic things you need to complete before you partake on your desired journey.

Selection of Destination

The first step in preparing for a trip is selecting your preferred destination. This place shall facilitate the adventure you will be participating into. You can go to any place that your heart desires.

We recommend you go to places that can inspire you to relax. With this, you will be assured of a memorable adventure which can de-stress you from a busy life.

You really need not to go outside the country or far from your location. You just need to find an accessible place that offers a variety of resources and nature’s beauty. We recommend you go to areas that are facilitated by rangers or authorities. This will keep you safe during the length of your stay.

If you want to ensure that the location is accessible, you can refer to maps. This will help you identify your route and alternate roads should the main one is unavailable.

Sometimes, location can be difficult to reach and may take a lot of effort. Nevertheless, you can encourage yourself by thinking that everything will be worth the wait and effort.

Set Up Outdoor Activities

There is nothing more exciting than participating in outdoor activities. Many camp locations and outdoor recreational sites allow you to engage in fun activities. For example, some sites have nearby bodies of water where you can kayak.

On the other hand, some camp sites offer extensive mountain ranges where you can practice your climbing skills. If there are steep ice formations or snowy slopes you can go with mountain biking and backpacking.

Nature exploration can also involve motorized vehicles. If you are not a fan of walking, look for locations that allow you to bring your mode of transportation. Nevertheless, you must be careful in utilizing regular vehicles on extreme terrains. It might cause damage on your vehicle and cause repairs.

Conduct Research

You need to conduct appropriate research when partaking on an adventure trip.

You can start by looking into your trip’s schedule, destination and transportation.

These are the pertinent considerations when going on a trip.

#1 Schedule

The schedule determines they type of season you need to work with. You can check if the schedule coincides with the season’s peak. Most of the time, the weather conditions during a peak season is preferable.

On the other hand, off-peak seasons tend to provide you more privacy as there are limited adventure goers. Moreover, the transportation costs are generally lower. Nevertheless, the weather condition may not be preferable.

#2 Destination

Once you identify the location you want to go, you can pin point the exact spots you want to visit. There might be a number of tourist destinations on the area that you want to stop over.

We recommend you research from satellite imagery to identify spots that are worth looking at. You may also find geo-tagged images that can give you a more detailed look.

The next step to this is plotting your trip on the map. You can identify which sites are in the same area so that you can group them. Next, schedule each area appropriate to the time of the day when it is accessible. You do not want to go to a closed area, right?

#3 Transportation

Most experts deems that transportation is the biggest challenge in logistics.

Here are some of the things you need to check in terms of transportation:

• Type of vehicle you will use
• Cost of fare or rent of vehicle
• Expected delays
• Layover (when flying in between airports)
• Baggage you need to bring
• Place you will stay

Depending on your selected location, you may travel internationally or just within the domestic area. With this, you can determine the mode of transportation you need to utilize.

Outdoor Gear

One of the difficult things to plan is finalizing the gear you need. You must take into account the amount of weight you can carry. Moreover, you should know what items that are not really needed and not bring along.

We recommend you employ a checklist and upload it online. This makes it easier to share with your friends and family. List the items you need per category such as sleeping, kitchen and shelter. Here are a few items you can consider bringing along:

• Electronics
• Outdoor activity items
• Miscellaneous personal items

You should also list the quantity of each item you will bring along. This information shall aid you in identifying the estimated weight you will bring.

After you create a list, mark the items that you already have and which ones you need to purchase. With this, you can allocate at least a day to source out these missing items.

Finalize the Plan

As the schedule draws near, you can start finalizing your outdoor trip plan. There might be problems which may arise. Nevertheless, it is important to take your time and consider solving some in advance. We recommend you address problems that may blow up more in the future.

You must also take note that not all trips are perfect. With this, you should be flexible with your route and schedule. Should there be any problem with your transportation, we recommend you create secondary plan. You can either re-route or explore other areas you are currently in to not waste time.

Lastly, when you reach to a location, it is pertinent to remember the reason why you are there. If you encounter any problem going there, you must never be distracted. Those mishaps and issues are inevitable. It should not stop you from enjoying your trip as you planned!

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