What is Backpacking?
Backpacking is a culture/form of low-budget travel for a longer time-span engaging in cross-culture conversations. It encompasses of carrying lesser luggage, travelling in cheaper modes of transportation or hitchhiking and living in cheaper accommodation like hostels or by couch surfing. By saving up money, these backpackers get to travel for a longer duration of time. The ‘backpackers’ are usually objected at exploring and understanding other cultures, people and the history of the place. It is more of a cultural exposure and adventurous experience rather than leisure retreat. This culture is widely spread across Asia, Europe, South America, Central America, etc. Though this concept is quite unpopular in India since people seek travelling to enjoy luxury rather than engaging themselves in understanding cultures, the awareness about backpacking is quite wide-spread across the country.
The concept of backpacking can be derived from centuries ago. In the 17th century, people started travelling for leisure and knowledge. Many people intended on following the routes of many ancient travelers who went on expeditions. These expeditions were recorded in some form of a travelogue and have been published as Books. Some of the ancient travelers include John mandevillie, Marco Polo and Dean Mohamed.
In the 1950s and 60s, young people seeking spirituality, freedom and cheap marijuana began travelling overland from Europe through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to India and Nepal, and sometimes Thailand. They packed light and kept costs low by hitchhiking and taking buses. This “hippy trail” came to an end in 1979, when the Iranian revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan closed the route. But Asia is still the most popular place for first-timers. Gap years was yet another phenomenon why people went on grand tours as to get a break after their high school and before starting to work or right before marriage as their last “hurrah”.
Backpacking endeavors creativity and enhances the concept of Good human faith in people’s mind since it is believed that strangers cannot be entrusted so easily and assumed to often not have good intentions.
Mordern Backpacking culture
Since many counties are getting familiar to the concept, modern trends have changed the course of backpacking. It has become a hub were people of different nations are eager to meet each other, not focusing on the cultural and local aspect of the place.
Hence, the traditional concept of backpacking widely differs from the conventional form of backpacking, for example.
Flashpacking: Typically, these modern travelers elect to travel in less expensive destinations in order to dine and stay in more lavish places. Think of it as backpacking with a flash, with the use of tech devices such as laptops, iPods and phones.
Glamping: As the word implies, glamping refers to glamorous camping, whereby the individual may seek out the comfort of a bed, comfortable meal and glass of wine – with many travelers staying in Eco-lodges or luxurious yurts.
Gap-packing: This term refers to young backpackers who travel for an extended period on a gap year, usually between school and university or university and full-time work. It comes with a sense of a trip being more of an educational experience rather than a holiday.
Solo backpacking has also become a popular phenomenon. These backpackers tend to focus more on their individualistic perceptions and creating their own definitions of the world and the society. Hence, there are increasing number of solo travelers all across the world.
Glamping: As the word implies, glamping refers to glamorous camping, whereby the individual may seek out the comfort of a bed, comfortable meal and glass of wine – with many travelers staying in Eco-lodges or luxurious yurts.
Gap-packing: This term refers to young backpackers who travel for an extended period on a gap year, usually between school and university or university and full-time work. It comes with a sense of a trip being more of an educational experience rather than a holiday.
Solo backpacking has also become a popular phenomenon. These backpackers tend to focus more on their individualistic perceptions and creating their own definitions of the world and the society. Hence, there are increasing number of solo travelers all across the world.