world trip planning, backpacking trip planning

You can can along two paths here. You either take the route of 'plan every last detail' - that is, every detail you can think of...you will forget many things I promise you...OR...just 'cancel that mobile phone and go'.

Throughout this trip I've met hundreds of fellow travellers and nearly all have chosen on or other of the above. I not sure there is any middle ground with respect to planning (well, not when it comes to planning you first big trip). If you do chose to plan then the excitement of what you're embarking on will soon take over any kind of pre trip life you may have had and you'll be left thinking of every last detail.

IMHO, I think planning is the way I would recommend taking for a first trip. Firstly it's very exciting searching book shops and the internet etc for that travelogue of someone who has done what you are embarking on or trying to find that deserted Thai beach you've got your heart set on. One thing to remember though is...once you start your highly planned trip, your plans will change! You may meet a really cool travelling buddy and stay somewhere longer or go off on a tangent. You may hate a place and want to leave early. You may get sick (lets hope not but it does happen) and need to spend a week or so shaking off that cold you've contracted whilst in Beijing. Things just happen.

Over the course of the first year I think I changed the date of practically every flight...but it doesn't matter. For me, the planning stage of my trip (what I thought I'd do and when) held NO similarity of what I actually did...but that said, it was a good exercise and great fun!...I was ready for the shock of trying to get a taxi on leaving New Delhi airport. I was prepared for my first night away from home sleeping in a dingy backstreet hotel in Cairo. I had my initial Visas organised...I FELT READY.

Embarking on your first trip can be daunting so being prepared is a good thing and not just for you...maybe if you're mum knows you are well prepared, she'll feel a bit easier about you exchanging a warm snug bed in England for a concrete box (without a bed) in Cambodia. Planning also makes the waiting time go by more quickly. I initially started planning about nine months before departure - some of the inoculations alone require a six month course of treatment and nine months is a long time to wait when you're excited! But for me it flew by...I was looking at RTW ticket options, researching Visas, looking at what items I had and what I thought I may need to buy (this itself is a minefield for which I have some great advice - see the equipment section) - I was constantly doing stuff!

So when it comes down to planning your trip of a lifetime I guess it is a very personal thing. If planning is your thing then go for it but just be ready to throw it all away the moment you step out of your front door :D

- Matt.

page last updated: 28/04/2008

 

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