Once the preserve of college students on a shoestring budget, backpacking has become a fashionable way to travel.

Many tour operators who conventionally only offered plane-train-bus-cruise tours have of late started offering backpacking tours to cater to the changing needs of the travel industry.

Backpacking is adventurous, backpacking is exciting and best of all, backpacking is a great way to go off the beaten track and discover lesser known areas, even in popular tourist spots.

I once went on a guided tour to Goa in Western India. I saw the popular tourist attractions, stayed in the regular tourist hotels and went to the exorbitant tourist markets. I had a fairly decent time and thought it was a good trip.

Some years later, I again went to Goa. This time around, I went with a few adventurous friends who decided to go backpacking through Goa. Believe me when I tell you that the trip was an eye-opener! I discovered an altogether different side of Goa – far removed from the done to death, regular tourist trail. I had the opportunity to visit exotic, lesser-known spots, meet and interact with the local populace, try delectable local specialty cuisine and even attend a rave party or two! And this adventure backpacking trip cost me a fraction of the high-priced tourist trip I had earlier been on! Since then, whenever I decide to travel to a new destination, I always ensure that I explore the backpacking option first.

Through the years, I’ve developed my own approach to backpacking.

I’ve found the Lonely Planet guides a good source of information. And backpacking sites online always have great tips and backpacking tricks. I especially learnt a lot from the backpacking forums, from people who are similarly inclined to go backpacking through various countries and regions, and who have actual experiences to share. Since they’ve been there and done that, and lived to tell the tale, I tend to trust their judgment and respect their accomplishment.

Backpacking.net’s Jim for instance, offers a list of ten essential items that any backpacker needs to have in her/his back pack for a safe backpacking trip. This list includes a map of the area, a compass, a flashlight (or headlamp), extra food, extra clothes, sun glasses, a basic first aid kit, a pocket knife, waterproof matches and a fire starter.

He also mentions that the most important item is not on the list – and that is common sense. I couldn’t agree more! When you are back packing, a number of situations could arise – from confrontation with unfriendly elements through danger from wild animals to accidents. There is no simple or easy way to predict such things and to be prepared for them. One can however, carry loads of common sense around and think on the feet to deal with the situations the way it needs to be dealt with.

Trust me. If you follow simple guidelines and go prepared with an open mind, a backpacking journey can turn out to be the best vacation you’ve ever had. It’s inexpensive, adventurous and best of all enjoyable! Happy backpacking!

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