Adventure travel vacations are meant to be exhilarating and exciting! Naturally, however, when traveling in exotic destinations, all adventurous women embarking on adventure travel trips want to avoid potential hair-raising surprises that can otherwise befall the unprepared wayfarer.

In our 35+ years of experience leading adventure vacations for women, we’ve encountered raging snow storms… in August; boated through crocodile-infested lakes and been “robbed” by marauding bears.

These experiences have prompted us to write our “Top 10” adventure travel tips so you can “travel savvy” and avoid common pitfalls and inconveniences on your adventure vacation with AdventureWomen.

Best tip EVER! Madagascar - the "Lost Continent" - an Evolutionary Wonderland

Best tip EVER!    Madagascar: The “Lost Continent” – An Evolutionary Wonderland

Tip #1: Travel Light!

On adventure travel trips, there is often limited storage space on the sailboat, camel, raft, llama, helicopter, and other vehicles of transport we use on our trips. Therefore, try to limit your luggage to one (yes ONE) manageable suitcase and one small carry-on bag. Remember you are often the one carrying your own suitcase and therefore, be good to yourself. The test: can you run up the stairs with your bag?

Tip #2: Plan for the Trip Home

Wherever we travel, we find amazing keepsakes and souvenirs that allow us to remember our AdventureWomen vacation for years to come. Bring an empty lightweight nylon or canvas bag in which to carry home a beautiful kilim rug from Turkey, a carving from Africa, an Icelandic sweater, or a boomerang from Australia. Every time you see your keepsake, you will be reminded of the sights, smells, tastes, visual memories and friends you made in that wonderful distant land!

Tip #3: Carry-On Your Essentials

What should you pack in your checked luggage versus put in your carry-on? Medications (with labels on) which you might not find easily in overseas or wilderness locales… toiletries in 3 oz. containers, all your camera equipment, one full change of clothing, cash, trip itinerary, important papers, and your passport and visa. It’s also a good idea to wear any items that are essential to have for your trip, such as your hiking boots if you are on a trek.

Tip #4: Tag Your Bags!

The fact that luggage manufacturers make almost every bag either black or red is one of life’s great mysteries. Don’t let this deter you. Mark your bag with identification tags both outside and inside, and use your yellow AdventureWomen luggage tags. Bring TSA approved luggage locks to use, especially if you are storing luggage during a trip.

Tip #5: Be Clever, Make Copies of your Important Travel Documents

You will speed up logistical delays if you make several copies of your passport (first 2 pages only and relevant visa page), airline ticket, and credit card numbers and distribute these between your luggage and carry-on bag. Always leave copies at home. This one tip will save you from days of delays. You cannot get a new passport, if yours is lost or stolen, without 2 passport photos. Bring extras! Don’t leave home without these!

In this age of smartphones, you can also put all your important information (passport and credit card numbers, passwords, driver’s license number, etc.) on a secure app on your smartphone, iPhone, iPad. Check out MyWallet, 1Password, and more.

Tip #6: Why You Need a Smart Chip Credit Card for Travel

If you’re planning an international trip to Europe, Asia, or even Mexico, make sure you bring a card with a smart chip. Most merchants are accepting smart chip cards only, and are refusing to accept the cards with a magnetic strip.

As long as we’re talking about credit cards, don’t forget to call your bank to let them know you are traveling out of the country, so they don’t refuse your international charges.

Tip #7: Find a Friend! Tell Your Family!

Leave a copy of your trip itinerary with friends or family. Make sure you include fax, phone numbers, and email addresses where appropriate.

Tip #8: Confirm Your flights!

Always call or go online at least one day in advance to check schedule or flight changes.

Tip #9: Leave Your Jewels at Home

Especially when traveling to developing countries, please don’t wear or bring expensive jewelry. Gold necklaces, earrings, and rings are often an irresistible temptation to those less fortunate who live in less wealthy economic circumstances.

Tip #10: Barter Basics

It’s fine to bring along items “for trade” which you can use to “barter” with, such as pens, bandannas, T-shirts, or hats to exchange for in-country artifacts and souvenirs. In some developing countries, these are sometimes considered more valuable than cash and you can often get some great deals by making them available. Don’t be afraid to barter. This is a very time-honored custom in many countries!

Bartering in rural Vietnam - how much should I offer for this?

Bartering in rural Vietnam – how much should I offer for this?

And one last bonus tip: Be Open to Adventure! Use Your Sense of Humor!

Any adventure vacation necessitates being a good-natured realist, able to laugh at new situations which may not be expected, and that you can later turn into memorable stories which make your trip truly unique. Try to remain open and flexible to new situations as they occur, and remember that laughter is the universal language of all travelers.

Happy Trails and Safe Travels!!