Articles Tagged with: backpacking

Travel through China as a backpacker is certainly not without its challenges though, and purchasing travel insurance before you set out will ensure you have peace of mind while making your way through the countryside. You’ll want to try and reach some out-of-the-way destinations and not just stick to the major cities, and guide books like Lonely Planet and Let’s Go make great travel resources.

Recommended routes though China include backpacker favourites such as Guilin, Yangshuo and Longshen. Single trip discounted insurance These are all must-see destinations that are slightly off the beaten track but well worth diverging towards.

Named after a karst rock formation near to it, Yangshuo is bordered by the Lijiang (Li) River and often visited in conjunction with nearby Guilin. It’s a sublime destination for relaxing away from the crowds and taking part in outdoor activities like cycling, rock climbing on over 200 routes and cave exploration. Yangshuo has good amenities for travellers located along West street and the pedestrian-only Xian Qian street.

The breathtaking landscape of Guilin is graced with enchanting karsts, mysterious caves and lush tropical growth. The intimate city is popular for its clear waters and natural wonders, some of which you will find on display in the Stone Museum. An ancient city dating back 2,000 years, Guilin also features many cultural highlights.

Also of interest are the many ethnic minorities, which are found in greater numbers here than anywhere else in China. Longshen is also home to a vibrant collection of Dong, Zhuang, Yao and Miao ethnic groups.

Regardless of where you go in China, most who have backpacked in the country agree that it’s a great destination. The country is so massive that it can take at least several months to see all the major sights. As well as offering great value for money, China’s sights are diverse and include exotic gardens, impressive monuments and museums, striking temples and plenty of amazing natural landscapes.

One of the best reasons for travelling in China is the food. Although at times it can be bizarre, it is generally tasty and offers enough variety so as to please almost every palate. Backpackers should be careful of eating raw or suspect foods as good medical care is not available in all locations.

This is another good reason to take out travel insurance before travelling. China is a developing country and the cleanliness is not as you would expect from a Western country. Specialist backpacker insurance The country relies on coal for its energy and pollution is rife in the big cities.

Likewise, the infrastructure is only slowly improving and roads are not always safe, with the accident rate being extremely high. You should plan your travel route well and know what to expect ahead of time as much as possible.

China is a safe country to visit in terms of crime; however, backpackers should keep an eye on their bags and not be showy with valuable items. The Chinese are generally not physically aggressive. Regardless, it’s recommended that you have travel insurance while backpacking through China.

When backpacking or camping you will need a good set of cooking gear. Cooking in the outdoors is a lot harder than cooking at home in a nicely furnished kitchen. So the Backpacking Cookware that you will use outdoors will be quite a bit different from what you use at home.

To make your choice of the right Backpacking Cookware to take, you will first need to know what is available on the market for you to buy. Below is a list of the most popular types, along with their good and bad points.

ALUMINIUM.

This used to be the first choice of backpackers, lightweight campers, and hikers because it is very light. However it is not as strong or durable as some of the other materials used for cookware. Food tends to stick to it making it difficult to clean in an outdoor situation. Also Aluminium has been linked to some health problems, as it tends to breakdown over time and can contaminate the food cooked in it. Having said this, I have used Aluminium for many years with no harmful effects. (I would still rate it as a good choice as you will properly only be using it for a few weeks of any one year.)

STAINLESS STEEL.

The main drawback here is the weight, as it is a lot heavier than other types of backpacking cookware. Also it is not the best at distributing the heat evenly and the food must be stirred or moved constantly to ensure even cooking. Stainless steel is very tough and strong though, and will stand up to almost anything that can happen to it in the outdoors.

LIGHTWEIGHT STAINLESS STEEL.

The introduction of new technology has come up with a lighter weight stainless steel, it has all the durability and strength, but as its name suggests is considerably lighter.

TITANIUM.

The modern first choice. It is very light, it is also very durable and tough, and a better distributor of heat when compared to stainless steel. A good set of Titanium cookware will last a very long time. The only downside is its price, as it can be expensive when compared with the other materials.

A FEW BASIC TIPS.

(1)Are you choosing a solo backpacking set of cookware, or do you want a kit that will do for two or more people?

(2)Pots with a slightly rounded bottom will distribute heat better than flat bottomed ones.

(3)Make sure the pots have a good fitting lid, as this will cut down on your cooking times, saving you fuel.

(4)Try to buy proper Backpacking Cookware as opposed to ordinary cookware, as the former should have folding or detachable handles to make packing it into your backpack much easier.

Backpacking involves walking long distances with heavy gear on your back. That is the essence of the sport, but it does not have to be the reason why you give it up or can no longer do it. You do not have to struggle with heavy equipment. There are things you can do to make your backpack lighter and reduce the strain on your body.

By packing items that has multiple use, you will definitely reduce the number of the items required to pack. In the end, you will also reduce the weight of your pack. This is great for someone who simply can not handle the weight or who is suffering from back problems due to the weight of their backpack.

It is actually quite easy to figure ways to get more than one use out of some typical gear. You can likely use many of the items you already carry and be able to eliminate the use of other items you carry. Additionally, there are other pieces of gear that have multiple uses, too. In fact, you probably already are using pieces of your gear in more than one way without even realizing it.

You may not be parachuting on your backpack trip but a parachute cord is a usefully piece of gear is lightweight and offers a few different uses. It can be used as a clothesline or to tie your food bag up when camping overnight. You can also use it in case of an emergency to tie a splint in place. To pack it you loosely wind it up and hook it to the outside of your pack.

You may have brought candles along just for a little extra lighting, but candles do more than provide light. A candle can be used to help start a stubborn fire and works as a great waterproofing agent. They are lightweight and you will barely even notice if you add them to your pack. In addition they are better than to carry a lantern, which is heavy.

Duct tape is commonly know around the house as the ultimate ‘do-it-all’ tool. Duct tapes are durable and they are very strong in nature. A roll can last you a long time and it has many helpful uses. It can be used to insulate, as a wrap for a bandage and repairing tents, backpacks and almost everything else. Duct tape should always be a part of your backpacking gear.

Safety pins are another great item to pack as it is light and easy to pack. Safety pins can come in helpful to secure bandages, act as clothespins or hooks to hang items and as a stand in fish hook.

Plastic placemats are also lightweight and easy to pack. Plastic placemats can be utilized in many different ways. Instead of sitting on blankets and getting them wet, use a placemat. Use it to set your shoes on, so you do not get dirt and mud in your tent. Be creative and you can find other uses. For example, you can use a fly swatter to prepare food.

You may find that you can cut your gear down by several pieces by simply using multifunctional gear. You can also take out items that the multi-use gear is replacing. The key is to find items that are light and the item can be used in many situations. It takes some creative thinking, but you will be able to do it.

What is a backpacker travel insurance?

Backpacker travel insurance is not the same as annual holiday insurance, this is mistake many young travelers make when purchasing insurance. Annual holiday insurance is designed for your average holiday maker, who goes abroad a couple of times a year usually for a week or two at a time, and spends most of their time relaxing on the beach. This is very different to the habits of your average backpacker, if there is such a thing as an average backpacker. If you are planning on travelling for long periods of time annual holiday insurance usually doesn’t cover your stay out of the country for more than a few weeks at a time.

Backpacker travel insurance initially covers any travel period from a total of 90 days to a one year trip, with a pay as you go benefit enabling you to extend, as often as you want to, the duration of your travel insurance up to 18 months. Online Backpacker travel insurance will take care of you during your longer than usual travels, but will also give you the freedom to fill this time with exciting opportunities as you will automatically be covered for a huge range of hazardous sport that you may get the chance to try.

Hopefully it’ll be an adventure of a life time, but you’ll be visiting strange places where you may not even speak the language. Don’t worry, you’ll no more feel like a stranger in an unknown world. Find all your information on travel insurance online. Avail of trip cancellation insurance and holiday insurance. Other features include temporary car insurance, health insurance, medical insurance and prescription services.It’s wise to have a good choice for all backpackers and people backpacking around the world, whether you have taken a gap year and taking time out from your studies, business or just a holiday, vacations, working abroad or studying abroad as a student. Get special covers on adventurous sports, skiing, and providing protection for activities such as scuba diving, paragliding, bungee jumping and winter sports.

Baggage and Possessions Cover: Ensure that your policy protects your possession or you will be unable to claim any compensation for stolen or lost items. Your policy should also cover any administrative costs incurred in the event that your passport is stolen and needs to be reissued.

Emergency Medical Cover: This will provide financial cover for any costs you have to make in the event that you need medical attention.

Holiday Cancellation: If due to unforeseen circumstances you have to cancel your trip early, you will be compensated for any monies lost.

Personal Liability. This is legal cover for any accident, injury or harm you might inadvertently inflict on another individual.

Rescue and Repatriation: In the event of a medical emergency rescue, all your costs will paid by your insurer. This should include helicopter rescue.

Travel Delay: Compensation for any money lost due to a delayed departure, though this will often only be paid after you have been delayed for a set length of time outlined in the policy wording.

Always learn to verify the terms and conditions of any insurance. Carry out research online, always compare the Backpacker Travel Insurance insurance package rate and be aware of the fact that a cheap insurance is not the best one. Comparing different insurance packages is quite essential.

One of the rights of passage for many young people is to save some money and go traveling. It is easy to pack up some belongings into a backpack and go traveling with friends. Whether it’s touring around the world or focusing on a country or a continent, it’s easy to have fun.

There is a lot to be said for exploring the world and becoming immersed in different cultures and practices. This means that as well as having a break from their working and studying life, they can learn about other cultures and their lifestyle. The very nature of backpack travel means it should be as simplistic as possible to travel. It is simple but people have to be aware of basic backpacking tips to make the best of a trip.

Every traveler is different and they need different tips and advice. How long you stay and where you are going makes a difference. There cant be just one guide for every backpacker but there are some constant rules. Some of the key essentials for any traveler should contain the following:

- Keep a note of where you will be staying in a secure place

- Always ensure your passport is stored safely

- Be aware that not everyone who offers advice will be genuinely friendly

- Make yourself aware of local customs before you go

- Try and learn the basics of a foreign language if you are going abroad

- Have fun, obviously!

One consistent element of backpacking involves a lot of traveling. Whether it is by foot, bus, train, air or sea, there is a strong need to remain comfortable throughout your travels.

Any experienced backpacker will tell you that a sturdy and comfortable pair of footwear is vital. For any amount of walking, the need for a pair of shoes that provides a sturdy grip on the road and proves security and comfort. These should be bought before traveling and broken in before the trip. This is definitely on the major backpacking tips that would be offered by an experienced traveler.

Backpacking is a trip predominantly undertaken by the young and perhaps inexperienced traveler. This means there is a massive need for information to be passed to potential travelers.

A collection of backpacking tips would be a great addition to any person who is looking to travel around. They should be used before and during the trip to ensure they have a great time.