Backpacking trips tend to involve a massive backpack, endless hostels, and days on end where you can’t wash the sweat off. It’s a rough travel option, but it’s so fun when you’re young that you probably didn’t mind. Unfortunately, you’re older now, and you may well assume that your backpacking days are far behind you. But we’re here to tell you that you’re wrong thanks to two simple words – luxury backpacking.
Reserved for sensible travel enthusiasts who want an authentic, active trip without the pain, luxury backpacking does exactly what it says on the tin. Keep on reading as we consider how you can lean into this new and admittedly surprising subsect of luxury travel.
# 1 – Make Sure to Invest in the Best Backpack
Young backpackers often opt for whichever backpack is going cheap, no matter how cumbersome, uncomfortable, or just plain unsightly it happens to be. If you want a more luxurious experience this time around, then backpack choice has more of an impact than you might think. You’ll certainly want to steer clear of unappealing, cumbersome bags in place of sleeker options that are ideally no larger than 45 liters, and which have front-loading capabilities to save you from delving headfirst into your pack every hour or so. Backpacks with fancy modern elements that could include charging ports and inbuilt weatherproofing are also always welcome!
# 2 – Scrap the Hostels
Remember, you’re less used to an active lifestyle than you possibly used to be. You’re certainly not going to want a communal shower and a stiff bunk if you’re aiming for a more luxurious vibe. Rather, your ability to enjoy this trip rests on your ability to scrap the hostels and instead pre-book some more luxurious accommodations. This is doable even if you want to sleep in the wilderness, thanks to the luxury campsites that are now worldwide, including options like the fantastic EcoCamp in Patagonia. Equally, it’s important to realise that you’re not beholden to avoid luxury hotels during your stay. So, if you’re planning to backpack a route like the Pacific Crest Trail, don’t hesitate to pre-book night stays at luxury hotels en route, like the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, where you can enjoy boutique styling, room service, and that hot tub you’ve been dreaming of.
# 3 – A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
A lack of tight planning often feels like an essential part of a backpacking trip, but you may be pleased to know that the opposite is true with luxury backpacking. Here, planning elements like knowing your route, securing all your documentation in advance, and even looking into travel insurance policies like those offered by Generali before you go are part and parcel of the process. This removes the risk of discomfort or setbacks, while also ensuring that you never lose your way or end up with an injury that you’re unable to find prompt treatment for. And the result will hopefully be a calm backpacking adventure without the same element of stress, and with plenty of time for enjoyable rest stops at every stage along the way.