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Fun fact, backpacking has a different meaning depending on whether you ask someone in Europe or North America.

Backpacking to North American’s is where you carry everything you need in a backpack, head out in the wildnerness and usually camp or sleep in tents. American’s put emphasis on this being an activity that warrants camping with no physical accommodation.

Backpacking to Europeans includes carrying everything in a backpack, except you can travel through both urban and rural destinations staying in hostels and other accommodations. Europeans focus emphasis simply on the type of luggage used.

So, I, being from the UK (a European), have focused much of my backpacking posts about the type of trip often associated with gap years and long-term travel, with a backpack, but not limited to just camping and the wilderness. I have “backpacked” through over 30 countries with a mix of hostels, hotels, and one or 2 tents along the way!

Backpacking routes and itineraries

With the world being so big, there are countless backpacking routes that people can travel through. However, there are some regions that are well-connected to make exploring the area easy. When it comes to gap years and backpacking routes, people usually pick the same general tourist spots, and these places are popular for a reason.

I’m going to use this popular backpacking routes hub to outline the common destinations British (and other nationalities) travellers move through.

Gringo Trail – Central America

The Gringo Trail travels all the way through Central America from Mexico to Panama. This route is an overland trail that many backpackers enjoy, whether they complete the entire route on their gap year or just pick 1 or 2 countries during their trip.

Belize
Guatemala

Banana Pancake Trail – South East Asia

Although the route can be split into much shorter ones, the most Popular Southeast Asia route for Backpackers (Banana Pancake Trail) goes through the entire South Asian region from India down to Indonesia. However, since my site is aimed at British backpackers, I am focusing on the 4 countries below, which are usually grouped together for gap year travellers.

Cambodia
Laos

(coming soon)

Thailand
Vietnam

Backpacking Tips for long-term traveller’s

hostels and accommodations for backpacking

Staying Healthy While Backpacking Long Term

Travel Insurance & Medical

Physical & Mental Health

Making friends abroad while backpacking