When planning an adventure abroad, there are several factors to consider about your adventure destination, as well as your personal health and safety. For the most part if you are planning to join an adventure travel tour, the tour company and your tour guides will work to ensure your safety. However a little research and preparation can go a long way when you are far from home on an adventure of a lifetime.
Here are some travel tips to help you plan and enjoy your adventure travel trip abroad.
Before you go on an adventure trip
- Check your government's travel warnings web site before you book any type of adventure travel abroad. It never hurts to be well informed about your adventure travel destination.
- For Americans: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
- For Canadians: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp
- Carry a passport that is valid well beyond the date of your anticipated return home. Some countries require at least six months.
- Obtain required visas well in advance.
- Visas for Canadians: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/visas-eng
- Visas for Americans: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
- Make a copy of the identification page within your passport and your visa, and keep it separate from the original. For instance, leave a copy at home and keep another copy in your suitcase.
- Leave copies of your passport identification page, itinerary, and travel insurance policy with friends or family.
- If you are travelling with children, carry documentation proving that you have the legal right to travel with them (i.e. a consent letter from the other parent, court order etc).
- Let your country's government agency know that you are heading abroad. This will help them contact you if there is a family emergency at home, or if there is a crisis (i.e. earthquake, civil war) where you are traveling.
- Carry an emergency contact card with the details of your countries nearest embassy or consulate office in your destination country.
- Get vaccinations, medical certificates and any other health needs that you may require during your trip (i.e. prescription medicine, supplies, extra eye glasses). For a list of required vaccinations for the countries you wish to travel to, go to http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ or contact your local travel medical office.
- Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws. While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. The US State Department web site has useful information about local laws, criminal penalties, traffic safety, road conditions and other useful information about the countries you will visit.
- Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime: To avoid being a target of crime, do not wear conspicuous clothing or jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money. Do not leave unattended luggage in public areas. And absolutely do not accept packages from strangers.
By being prepared, well informed and caution, you can ensure that your adventure travel abroad is a trip of a lifetime.