🌍 Ultimate Travel Guide
🧭 1. Pre-Trip Planning
✈️ Choose Your Destination
- Research weather, safety, local customs
- Check visa requirements
- Consider altitude if trekking (e.g., Himalayas, Andes)
📅 Best Time to Visit
- Research the climate and festival calendar
- Avoid off-seasons with harsh weather (e.g., monsoon or winter in mountain regions)
💳 Budget & Currency
- Estimate costs for food, travel, accommodation, permits
- Check currency exchange rates
- Use Revolut, Wise, or local ATMs to avoid high fees
🧾 2. Travel Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid for at least 6 months from return date |
| Visa | Apply in advance if required (eVisa, embassy, or on arrival) |
| Travel Insurance | Must cover medical, evacuation, adventure sports |
| Vaccination Proof | Some countries require Yellow Fever, COVID-19, etc. |
| Emergency Contacts | Local embassy, insurance provider, family numbers |
🧳 3. What to Pack
🏝️ General Travel
- Passport, travel documents
- Cash + cards
- Phone + charger + power bank
- Clothing based on weather
- Basic medicine kit
- Toiletries + quick-dry towel
🏔️ Trekking or Adventure
- Trekking boots
- Layers: base, fleece, windproof
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Water bottle + purifier tablets
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
- Snacks & energy bars
Tip: Always carry a lightweight daypack for essentials.
🛡️ 4. Health & Safety
- Get vaccinated if necessary (check CDC/WHO)
- Avoid tap water unless filtered
- Eat hot, fresh food
- Buy travel insurance with evacuation coverage
- Register with your embassy (optional but useful)
- Keep emergency cash and a backup card separate
📱 5. Apps & Tools to Download
- Google Maps / Maps.me (offline maps)
- XE Currency (exchange rates)
- Google Translate
- Rome2Rio / Skyscanner (transport)
- Booking.com / Hostelworld / Airbnb
- AllTrails / Gaia GPS (trekking)
- Polarsteps (travel journal)
🌐 6. Connectivity
- Buy a local SIM card or eSIM (Airalo, Holafly)
- Use free Wi-Fi carefully — avoid online banking on public networks
- Carry a small universal power adapter
📌 7. Cultural Tips
- Learn a few local phrases
- Dress modestly where appropriate
- Respect local customs, especially religious sites
- Ask before taking photos of people
- Tip according to local customs
🚨 8. Emergency Info
Keep a physical note of:
- Passport number
- Emergency contacts
- Insurance claim number
- Blood type & allergies
- Embassy/consulate number
