First Step into the Wild, a Beginners Guide to Adventure Travel
It is that moment to which every potential adventurer is familiar. It is that silent moment of staring at the photos on the screen, the moment of a combination of some strong cocktail of fascination and fright. You observe an image of a hiker who is perched on the mountain ridge with his arms spread out towards a large cloud-ridden valley. This is a view of you paddling across the unimaginably turquoise waters through huge limestone walls. Here is a party of tourists ready to stop and laugh in the middle of mud, and to have their photograph taken to commemorate the conclusion of a long journey through the jungle. There is a voice within, which says, I want to do that. And almost in the same breath there comes another voice, more forceful, more persistent, but saying, on the contrary, “But I could never.” It is a story that keeps so many of us on the sidelines, that only elite athletes, fearless daredevils and those who live their entire lives skiing mountains can enjoy adventure.
This book comes to inform you that this is a myth as a belief. Adventure travel does not have a single and extreme image. It has nothing to do with climbing the tallest mountains and taking dangerous trips. The nub of adventure travel is merely to have actively decided to learn about the world and not passively. It is not about staying in the zone of relaxing comfort of a resort, or a guided tour around a city with its bus guidance of the most common touristic interests. It is the process that varies between the strenuous day-long hike within a national park and the process of learning to scuba dive, the long trek throughout foothills of a great mountain range and the cycling vacation to a nation with landscape covered by vineyards. Adventure is an individualistic affair. It is about approaching the border of your comfort zone and making only one bold step over it. It is on behalf of anyone, irrespective of age, origins, or sporting abilities. All that is really required is a bit of curiosity, some adventurousness and readiness to entertain the unfamiliar. it is your guide to packing that ember into a fire, a complete book to assist you in planning and preparing, and taking your very first life-altering trip.
The positive mind of a beginner – getting ready for your first adventure
A set of waterproof gear, including a pair of hiking boots, is not the most significant equipment you will ever possess but it is your own mind. How well you plan your first trip by preparing mentally to make the journey long before you leave home will determine how successful your adventure trip will be. It is not about changing how you feel, it is about a change of thinking, how you think.
Evaluate Your Comfort Zone (and get the logic of the boundary)
First there must be an honest evaluation of self. What are you genuinely good at and what would you genuinely be excited by or threatened about? It is not a judgment thing, it is a collection of information so that the correct decision can be made on your behalf. Upholst Finally, are you scared of a height? So maybe rock climbing is not the most ideal way of starting a trip, however a zip-lining tour, wherein you are tightly strapped, could be another exhilarating method into tackling that fear in a climate controlled setting. Are you afraid of the deep sea but you love the water? Sea kayaking outing in a sheltered bay could be ideal whereas a surf camp could be too much the first time around. Be truthful of your fitness level. Would you be happy to walk one hour or is it possible to hike several hours actively? These questions will assist you to select an activity and a place that is difficult enough but not too hard so you can have a sense of capability rather than failure in your first experience.
Having Done Physical Preparation is Self-Care
You do not have to be a marathon runner, a weightlifter, to enjoy an adventure travel, at least basic fitness may make your adventure as exciting and injury free as possible. Consider physical preparation to be giving a favor to your future self. In the case that you decide to do the hiking adventure then the most recommended thing that you can ensure is to break those hiking boots. Wear them around the house, all the time you are going on errands, on long walks on weekends. This will help avoid the type of blisters that will ruin an otherwise lovely trip. Begin an easy exercise program, one month-two months before your vacation. This might include walking the stairs instead of using the elevator, increasing the length of his/her walks, or adding a few simple exercises with own body weight such as squats and lunges. It is about achieving not being a super-athlete but about developing all the stamina and resilience to enjoy your days without being worn out altogether.
Decide Between Guided and Independent adventure: Which One Will Work Best For You?
In case of a first time adventurer, and in most occasions, it is advisable to book a guided trip. forget the idea that this is any kind of cheating or that it is not a real adventure. An excellent guide is someone who makes fantastic experiences. They take care of the logistical nightmares- transportation, permit, accommodation, and food, so you can concentrate only on the experience. What is more significant is they are risk managers. They are trained in first aid, they are well familiar with a local terrain and weather, and they can make decisions, which keep you safe. Guided trip also provides an in-built community. You will get to share it with like-minded individuals in a small group and this makes an instant network of friends to share the most and least of it with. And as you progress with experience and confidence you may definitely go towards more independent adventures, but as a first time, this is a smart and empowering decision to have an expert guide who will lead you.
Embrace Discomfort Embrace Discomfort: The Magic of Type Two Fun
One should have a realistic image about what adventurous travelling is. It is not cloudless sunsets and ecstatic photos at the top. It will be awkward in some instances. Your trek could be good, and it could be rainy through out the day. You will be tired, sore and sweaty. There could be a possibility to use a rustic toilet. Your muscles will feel sore in manners you could not imagine. In the adventure world, we have what is referred to as the type two fun. It is an miserable or painful exercise at the time, but afterwards fun and fulfilling. During our hikes, it is exactly what happens when there is a rough last hour of the hike to an amazing view. The skill which is important to learn is how not to be alarmed by this discomfort, how not to get upset over all these mishaps, but to learn to accept the bumps in the road as part of the story. It is during the hardest moments in life that you learn you are strong and it is of such moments that you will talk about and laugh the most about.
The Soft Adventure Haven Tricks: Places to Go on your First foray
The best place to go is the main problem of a successful first adventure. These countries are suitable not only to experienced travelers but also to beginners: They have the best combination of easily accessible activities, stable tourist infrastructure, and safe and friendly atmosphere.
Costa Rica: The Eco-Adventure Play ground
Costa Rica is a lot more frequently referred to as, the Switzerland of Central America, and it certainly is a paradise to the inexperienced adventurer. The country is extremely safe and secure and there is a very strong sense of ecotourism in the country which has led to a topnotch tourist infrastructure. The language in the tourist destinations is widely spread in English, and the national philosophy about the good life, “Pura Vida” (the pure life), invites people to a very warm and relaxed mood. One is amazed by the sheer amounts of possible adventures that are available. It can begin in the cloud forests of Monteverde, a place where you could feel the joy of zip-lining in the canopy of some of the longest and SAFEST cable systems world-wide or even walk within the treetops by traversing exciting hanging bridges. Just outside the volcano town of the Arenal, spider monkey, toucan and sloth sightseeing hikes are laden in the rainforest, or attempt an easy white-water rafting journey on the Class II and III rapids of the Pacuare River. The Pacific coast is the place to hit, to get the best and secure surfing training as an absolute beginner in places such as Tamarindo or in Manuel Antonio towns. Costa Rica will give you a chance to taste a massive menu of various adventures in one easy, beautiful, and unbelievably welcoming package.
New Zealand: Paradise-On-Earth of Hiker
New Zealand is an unequaled place to visit by all those whose hearts are on mountains, epic sceneries and simple joy of walking. It is among the most secure nations of the world and the inhabitants of the country are commonly welcoming and no-nonsense that is what they are fondly called as Kiwis. It is almost staggering in its natural beauty and the country is blessed with an amazing system of well maintained clearly marked hiking trails. The Great Walks are a collection of the best tracks that offer the most spectacular routes like passing the coastal utopia of the Abel Tasman Coast Track or the larger volcanic land, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The entire multi-day treks may be on an upcoming holiday, but you can readily enjoy part of such trails as an amazing day excursion. There are many more adventures that New Zealand can provide that are very accessible other than hiking. Or you can hop into a boat cruise of the beautiful fjords at Milford or Doubtful Sound, and even do some kayaking, or head off on a guided group to hike on the ancient ice of Fox, or Franz Josef Glaciers, or, to get an adrenaline fix, visit Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world where you can experience the world first commercial bungee jump in an astonishingly controlled and nurturing environment.
Thailand The Tropical Introduction
Thailand is a bright, culturally diverse and unbelievably cheap door to the world of adventure travels. There is a highly used tourist route in the country hence it is extremely simple to find transportations, book trips, and orientate yourself. The story of adventures here is usually focused to the beautiful sea and the clear warm water on the coast. The world is a place of steep limestone karsts that are standing high along the region of Krabi and the islands of Phang Nga Bay- coming out of the blue water. It is an ideal location of sea kayaking where you will be able to paddle through secret lagoons and discover sea caves. Of interest to people who are fascinated with the underwater world, the island of Koh Tao is perhaps one of the finest and cheapest destinations on the earth on which anyone can get a PADI open Water scuba diving qualification. The training is professional and tough and in no time you are going to be exploring corals reefs with a lavish spread of colourful fishes. In Thailand, northern Thailand is sensational in the region of the city called Chiang Mai where you may have a guided jungle trek, and climb and walk to distant hill tribe villages to have a look around and learn the culture and nature there.
Iceland: The Journey of the Lifetime
Iceland is the land of magic, elemental beauty. It is the land of volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and the waterfalls that may be so astonishing that it is hardly believable. It takes the novice to the feeling of a real voyage of discovery in a setting that is simultaneously very unchallenging and safe. One can enjoy the country the most by renting a car and driving the Ring Road, which is the main highway circumscribing the island. It is practical that the natural wonders are usually found within short distance of the road so that they can be easily accessed. You will be able to walk behind the curtain of Seljalandsfoss waterfall, on the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara and learn how icebergs of Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon flow out to the sea. To have an adventure with more structure, you can also take part in a guided glacier hike on Sólheimajokull, where you are supplied with the crampons and ice axe and demonstrated safely through the old ice. During the winter, you can find out the magic and blue world of the ice natural cave. Another sort of one-of-a-kind adventures you could ever come across in the world is snorkeling or diving in the Silfra fissure that is between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and the water that is passed through decades here is filtered, and therefore, you can hardly get any more clear water.
Peru: fee of High-Altitude Trekking
The point of ultimate adventure to many people is a hike at a high altitude and no other trek in the world is more iconic than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Although this might sound scary, Peru presents a well-catered and easy approach to the environment of mountain trekking. The four day Inca trail is the traditional course but has to be organized by a registered tour operator well in advance and they organize everything. You will be guided by experts, porters will take most of your luggage as well as cooks that will provide wholesome dishes. All you need to do is just walk and absorb all the beautiful Andean scenery as well as the Incan ruins on your way. Acclimatization is the secret of success. Day yourself in the city of Cusco (which is also 3,400 meters up) before you start so that your body gets accustomed to altitude. Alternatively, an alternative route can be obtained through treks such as Salkantay or Lares which also have different routes to the spectacular end site. One has a sense of achievement getting to the Sun Gate in the early morning and witnessing the lost city of Machu Picchu lying flat at your feet after a couple of days of hiking that can never be explained and this is just a perfect climax of a first-time hiker.
Slovenia: The European adventure awaiting to be discovered
Sedged in-between Italy, Austria and Croatia, Slovenia is a little, fairytale country that has an unbelievable leash when it comes to adventure. It is also safe, clean, cheap and so small that within a very short distance you can enjoy mountains, rivers and caves. Ljubljana is a beautiful serene city that is the capital and a place to start your tourism. It is an hour away by car to the breathtaking grandeur of Julian Alps and Triglav National Park. This is where you can make breathtaking picturesque and signed hikes around the tranquil Lake Bohinj, which is much quieter and more real compared to the popular Lake Bled. The real hero of Slovenian adventure, though, is Soča River Valley. The Soca River is a natural miracle, known due to almost unbelievably saturated water of turquoise color. It is a centre of water activities and you can participate in guided tours that include canyoning, easy to learn but will have you pulling yourself down waterfalls and down natural rock slides, or can go white-water rafting on its fun and splashy rapids. Slovenia can also offer some of the mightiest cave systems of the world and the huge chambers of the Postojna or the gargantuan underground canyon of the Caves x26 metres are an adventure of another, underground variety.
Part 3: The Stay Practical Toolkit – Kit, Security and Techniques
To make an adventure successful, it will not only take plane ticket, proper gear would be needed, some safety orientation and a few skills.
Gear: Spend your Money Wisely
There is no need to purchase the most expensive equipment, yet there are several essential elements, where a quality counts. Priorities must be given to a pair of comfortable, waterproof, well-worn hiking boots, the first is important in such activities. They are the most important item of your equipment. Secondly, it is vital to have an appropriate fitting backpack that will be comfortable. Visit an outdoor shop and get a professional to assist you in getting one, which fits your body, and the trip. Good quality rain gear and a waterproof jacket combined with breathable pants are the third non-negotiable. Wet means miserable, dangerous, cold. In addition to these big three think in layers. Layering system plays a crucial role in temperature management of your body. It includes a base layer (merino wool or synthetics) also known as a moisture-wicking layer that is warm but not insulated (such as a fleece jacket), and finally your waterproof outer shell. Some of the other must-have items that you should not forget to pack include a headlamp (helps when you are trying to navigate at night), some basic first-aid kit (which should be cheap and should be with you at all times), a quality water filter or purification tablets, and a quality portable power bank to charge your devices.
Travels Insurance: The Most Valued Purchase
There is no need to underline that the person who lacks money and space to buy travel insurance has no money to travel. This is doubly so in case of adventure travel. You must definitely buy a policy which addresses what you are intending to do. Most typical travel insurance coverage excludes what they term as risky activities. Ensure that you read the small print. Does the policy cover hiking up-to some altitude? Does it include scuba diving and white water rafting or zip-lining? Make sure your policy covers emergency medical evacuation that can cost astronomical amounts of money. It is not a shortcut point. An inclusive insurance cover is your security blanket because it gives you that confidence that enables you to enjoy every bit of your adventure.
Safety in The Wild
Most significant safety guideline outdoor involves knowing your limits, as well as listening to your body. You should not feel guilty of retracing your hiking steps after the weather has taken a turn or even when you feel tired during the hiking. Accidents occur when one pushes harder than can be done. Another reason it is important to hire a guide when you are a beginner is because he makes judgment calls on behalf of the whole group. Leave No Trace apply your principles every time you go hiking: take everything with you when you come out, do not disturb wild animals, and do not overload the place. The general rule is to stay away when it happens to be wildlife. Wild animals should not be fed because when they are fed they become aggressive and are reliant on man. In places that have bigger predators such as bears you need to store your food and anything that might smell well.
Preliminary Skills to Begin with Before You Go
Although your guide will take care of the big technical skills, it would be good to acquire some of the basics before you travel so that you will have some confidence. Get to know the use of compass and physical map. GPS notwithstanding, batteries can fail, and a rudimentary understanding of how to navigate is a very good ability to know. This is a good idea to learn the basics of first aid. You can start with an on-line introductory session, otherwise take a course with your neighborhood community centers. The ability to clean up and bandage a wound, the knowledge of dehydration or hypothermia signs, and the blister treatment can be the difference of huge volumes in a minor emergency. This is not just a qualification to what you will encounter during your trip since they come in handy throughout life.
Parting: The quest has just started
But becoming an adventure traveler does not start out in some distant corner of the trail, but it starts in the mind. It starts with the choice of words, namely, saying, I can rather than I can not. It starts taking the risk of not knowing, of not being sure, of not relying on comfort and ease but basking in the celestially flawed moments that comprise a true adventure. The destinations and tips in this guide are mere pointers and meant to make you gain assurance and some means to undertake that first, necessary step.
Start small. Come up with a difficult day hike in any park close to you. Register in a beginner session at a climbing gym in your city. Your first long-term journey does not have to be one-month-long; even a week of organized programs in such countries as Costa Rica or Slovenia can become a life-altering adventure. And you will come back after your initial adventure with more than photos. The trip will leave you with a greater sense of confidence in the power of your own strength, a perspective on nature, which has never been there and will make you feel a great sense of achievement. The trepidation will have been switched with muted exuberance and the world will all of a sudden feel larger, more available as well as the realization of impossibilities that exist. That Is the real magic of adventure. The travel is begun.
