5 Steps to plan your adventure vacation

Today the net is full of so called "Travel 2.0" websites that risk is to create confusion to travellers.

Here a simple guide to help you organize an active travel by yourself to save your precious time and maybe some money.

All you need to know is to build a mind map with all the info you'll collect below.

All you need is simple:

• A bit of time
• Patience
• Knowledge of internet

Below the 5 points to consider while planning a tour.

1° The activity you'll practice.

You can choose between different activities like Backpacking, Hiking, Mountain biking, Ecotourism or winter sports.

Be sure to collect info about

• Their availability
• Train level required
• Skills
• Risks
• Whene practice them

2° Choose the destination.

To choose a destination you could:

• Follow the ideas of your friends
• You can choose a random place in the world map
• Get advices from a travel agent
• Find top 10 destinations in niche websites or blogs
• At least search on Google to find ideas

3° "How to practice the activity in your chosen destination"

You can read magazines, buy guide books, read blogs or search in review sites.

While searching be sure to know:

• Communications and Public transports
• Document requirements
• Health and Safety
• Weather and Terrain

Forums and message boards are a great source to find what people like to visit.

• BootsnAll
• Discovery.com
• Aardvark
• TripAdvisor
• Thorn Tree

4° Coordinate facilities and services to reach your destinations.

So search for flights, buy the right insurance and pack the right gear.

Be sure to pack at least these:

• Map
• Compass
• Water and a way to purify it
• Extra Food
• Rain Gear and extra clothing
• Firestarter and matches
• First aid kit
• Army knife or multi-purpose tool
• Flashlight and extra bulbs
• Sun screen and sun glasses

5° Contact a local tour operator.

To choose the best, just look at these aspects:

• Read their trip dossier
• Verify their environment standards
• Evaluate their customer service
• Read their safety policy
• Search for negative reviews on the net