The whole idea of backpacking around Thailand is so romantic. What is the best way to express any kind of culture or exotic locale: traveling. on the ground. When you travel on the ground and you experience a country inch by inch as you use public transport and take trains, you can’t help but savour the exotic essence of a country. Well, don’t get too excited. What I just described is the idea behind backpacking in Thailand. Your actual experience may vary tremendously. You see what determines whether you end up with a trip that is memorable and enjoyable boils down to two things: proper research and attitude. I’ve already talked about attitude in previous blog posts, I’m not going to discuss that here.

To sum up, you need to have the right expectations. You cannot come into any kind of experience with an entitlement mentality. That, is your recipe for disaster and you’re just simply setting yourself up for disappointment. The best attitude to assume, is to expect that you will be discovering something new. Explore your sense of possibility and indulge your curiosity. If you have this mindset before you go backpacking around Thailand, you increase your chances of having a wonderful time. Best of all, you increase the chances that you will look back fondly to your trip to Thailand. With that said, the other side of the equation is also important. You have to do proper research. Here are my tips regarding this important component:

Research Ahead
One of the most common mistakes backpackers make is to research their backpacking trip once they’ve hit the ground. That’s right. They got on the plane, arrive at the airport, then and only then do they decide to research. This is too little too late. Chances are you might actually end up with nasty surprises. Do yourself a favor and hit TripAdvisor and other online resources weeks before you decide to backpack around Thailand. This can help you tremendously because you would know exactly where to go, what to expect and this sets the right mood for you. Another set resource you could check, are travel blogs that deal with Thailand.

Extensive versus Intensive itinerary
This is a very important decision point. When planning any kind of trip, you have to decide whether you want to have an intensive itinerary or an extensive one. An extensive itinerary involves traveling. to as many different places as possible. It’s all about reach and coverage. On the other hand, an intensive itinerary involves a few places, but you really drilled down. You tried to experience the locale like a local would. You step into their shoes and see the local attractions with their pair of eyes. I know it sounds romantic at this point, but this choice between extensive and intensive itinerary setting can actually create conflict.If you’re going to be backpacking around Thailand with a group of friends, you might end up fighting because there’s a pronounced disagreement regarding extensive and intensive traveling. Decide this issue ahead of time. This way, you can diffuse possible conflicts while you still haven’t bought your tickets.

The Pros and Cons of Intensive Traveling
The great thing about intensive traveling., is you really get a sense of what a place is like from the eyes of a person who lives there. You experience the essence of a place that would otherwise be an exotic point in the map. You can tell your friends that you’ve actually traveled and lived in Thailand. When you say this, you know what the food tastes like, you know the problems and the advantages of people who live there have. If anything, it deepens your knowledge of the social, economic as well as the natural reality of the place you’re visiting.

The big disadvantage to intensive traveling. is that it’s too easy to get a slanted view of a particular country. For example, if I was traveling. to Thailand and I spent all that time in the highlands, I would have a much skewed view of what it feels like to live in Thailand. Compare this if I spent the time in their coastal areas, on islands, in Bangkok, and big cities. I get a more holistic view of their country.

As I’ve mentioned above, you’d get a more holistic view, if you travel extensively by packing a lot of diverse locations into your itinerary. You get to view Thailand from many different perspectives. This pays up tremendously if you’re going to be backpacking around the Thailand. The downside of extensive traveling., is you better budget enough time. The last thing you want, is to just spend 1 day in Bangkok and the next day in Phuket. While you’re more than welcome to do that, I’m telling you right now you would walk away with a very superficial understanding and appreciation of Thailand. Thailand has so much to offer. It really would be a shame to spend only one day in these amazing places. This is the big disadvantage of extensive traveling. You’re forced to cut back on the amount of time you can spend truly experiencing a particular location.

Keep Safety First in Mind
Regardless of what you do in Thailand, it’s really important to make sure you keep safety in mind when backpacking around the country. As I’ve mentioned previously, make sure that you made a copy of your passport. Make sure that your important contact information is easily accessible. It’s always a good idea to travel in a small group that is constantly communicating with each other.

While Thailand has its fair share of tourist-related crimes, the good news is that, crime is at a manageable level compared to other travel destinations in the world. Finally, it’s a good idea to take information from the locals regarding where to go backpacking around Thailand. Locals can give you the quick ins and outs of destinations that are off the beaten path. With that said, make sure you cross reference with online resources so you can get a clear idea regarding the overall safety level of the locations recommended by locals.

Planning your Tour with Tours designed by experienced Backpackers in Thailand

One most of the romantic ways to travel is to go Backpacking. On paper, it sounds romantic and idealistic. After all, every country has its own distinct set of scents, sights, and sounds. When you backpack from one end of the country to the other, you put yourself in a position where you really soak up all the sensory delights of a particular culture and a particular point, time and place. Sounds awesome, right? Well, not so fast. You see, if you’re going to be backpacking to Thailand, you need to make sure to plan your tour with backpackers Thailand veterans’ respect.

There are many veteran travelers in Thailand and they have a lot of stories they could share with you. A lot of these stories actually have a lot of tears and anger behind them. Either they got ripped off or they were put in a very dangerous situation. Whatever the case is, the experiences were hard earned. It’s a good idea to plan your backpacking trip with these Thailand veterans. They will give you the complete details of how to plan your trip right. Make no mistake about it. If you are looking to backpack to Thailand, keep in touch with backpackers Thailand travel veterans’ respect to look up to.

Here are the reasons why:

• Advanced Planning Increases the Likelihood You’ll have a Great and Memorable Trip, yet spontaneity can be an awesome asset as well. Often times this type of yin & yang perfect mix is done by Tours done by backpackers.
• The reason why you’re going to Thailand in the first place, is you want to have a good time. But don’t stop there. You want to have a trip that you can look back fondly on. You want a trip that is memorable.
• Unfortunately, a lot of trips to otherwise exotic locales, become forgettable. You know exactly what I’m talking about if you’ve gone on a “traditional” packaged trip. You get on a bus, you go from one tourist destination to the next. In fact, in many cases, you end up at a tourist trap. This is a complete and total waste of time. If you wanted to do that, you could have stayed at home. You’re looking for a specific experience.  Only specific companies employed with specific people can provide this experience like Lost Beaches Travel Co. This is why you’ve chosen to backpack to Thailand. A lot of advanced planning is required here because by picking up the right tips and advice, you maximize the likelihood that you will get the experience you are looking for.

Backpackers Offer Great Perspective

Compared to interviewing experienced tour guides, backpackers can give you a lot details that you would otherwise miss. You see, these people have made it their business experience a particular country from the street level. As much as possible, they try to experience Thailand as local Thais would. Compare this with simply opening a glossy brochure and trying to experience a faraway country, the way somebody who works at that country’s tourism ministry wants people to perceive that country. It doesn’t even come close. People who are looking to backpack at exotic locales are looking to get an authentic feel or experience from their travel experiences.

Sit Through Backpacker Blogs the Right Way

A lot of the backpackers whom you should look up to as far as specific travel information goes, keep blogs. You should check out these blogs but I’m telling you right now, don’t believe everything you read. You see there’s always a danger that they’re trying to sell a product or some sort of service. You need to sift the information you come across based on the commercial culture. This way, you can emphasize the things that you could actually use and disregard the stuff that would steer you the wrong way.

Cross Reference Everything You Read

If you pick up on a very engaging story giving you all sorts of exotic ideas for a good time in Thailand, don’t stop there. Cross reference what you read with other resources. This will help you separate hype from reality. I’m telling you, if you’re going to be spending your hard earned cash and your precious time in an exotic place far, far away, it’s always a good idea to make sure that you’re doing things that you should be doing. You can only assure yourself that you’re doing this when you properly vetted your planned activities.

Don’t Get Too Excited – Remain Practical

I know it’s too easy to get all excited about your upcoming trip to Thailand. So, it’s too easy to fantasize about the things that you will see, the scents that you will smell, and the food that you will eat. I don’t mean to be a joy kill, but the reality is, you also have to remain practical. You have to understand that if you lose your passport, it can be quite a headache. Dealing with US Embassy officials can be a hassle. Dealing with any kind of government bureaucracy can be a pain in the ass.

So, to protect yourself, make sure you make a copy of your passport that is easily accessible by somebody at home. You only need to make a phone call, so they can fax the copy of your passport to you. Also make sure that you make a master copy of all your important information. This includes your credit card numbers as well as your traveler’s checks.

Organize your Thailand Trip around Themes

By this point, you probably have gathered lots of information from backpackers who have experienced Thailand in a very intimate and personal way. This, is all well and good, but it is so easy to spread yourself to thin. You see Thailand is a huge country. It offers a wide range of activities. There’s so many ways to experience the country. The best way to really get the most out of your upcoming backpacking trip to Thailand, is to organize certain themes. Maybe you’re looking for a food tour. Maybe you’re looking to visit temples only.

Come up with a theme all your traveling. Partners can agree on and consult with backpackers Thailand veterans’ respect for the right information.

If you follow the tips above, you increase the likelihood that you will have a good time in Thailand. Of course this doesn’t guarantee that you will get your money’s worth. It really all boils down to your mindset. If you go into any kind of situation with the right attitude and the right set of expectations and assumptions, you increase the chances that you will have a good time. Unfortunately, I’ve been a veteran of many tours where one bad apple spoils the bunch. Make sure that everybody in your backpacking group is on the same page as far as expectations and attitudes go. Otherwise, you might just end up creating problems for yourself due to interpersonal conflicts.

Thailand is the land of enchantment, it really is. It doesn’t really matter what kind of media images you’ve been exposed to, Thailand Group Tours really brings out the exotic charm of Southeast Asia to people and the world over. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in Western Europe, or in other parts of the world. It doesn’t really matter how hot or cold your climate is. If you visit Thailand, you are guaranteed, an experience of a lifetime.

Thailand just offers so many sites, sounds, and smells that really take you to a different place. If anything, a trip to Thailand really recaptures the essence of traveling. The main reason why people should travel is not to pursue the familiar. It’s not to recapture the things that you’ve already explored. Instead, it’s all about stepping outside of yourself and pushing your comfort zone outwards to go beyond the familiar. It’s all about exploring interests that you may not be fully aware of. In other words, it’s like looking at the world with a fresh set of eyes. This is why, it’s always a good idea to consider Thailand group tours.

The group tours bring quite a bit of benefits to the table while minimizing some of the common hassles of traveling to faraway places like Thailand. With that said, the sad reality is, the vast majority of Thailand group tours out there flat out suck. They deliver disappointing results. You go in thinking that you’ll be discovering this exotic Southeast Asian country. But at the end, you will end up feeling ripped off. If you don’t want that to happen to you, pay attention to the following. These tips will enable you to find Thailand group tours that don’t suck.

Group Tours can be a Great Way to Save Money

Let’s start with the basics. The reason why you should consider Thailand group tours is they help you save money. You see there’s such a thing as economy of scale. If you and your travel buddy are just going to Thailand on your own, chances are you will end up paying too much money. If you go as a group, on the other hand, you get to enjoy certain discounts. This can translate into lower airfare, lower accommodation prices, and lower cost of local transportation.

Group Tours can Save Time and Hassle to Package Trip Planning

Another hassle to typical travel plans is that, you simply don’t know where you want to go. This is especially true if you’re traveling. to a place you’ve never been before. It seems that all destinations are equally attractive. In many cases, you try to end up to as many different places as possible. I’m telling you right now, if that is your travel strategy, chances are very high that you would spend a lot of time going around in circles, only to feel disappointed. Why? You do not spend enough time at certain spots. You do not spend enough time to completely savor the local experience.

Group Tours are packaged in such a way that they clearly identify proven crowd pleasers. They isolate certain itinerary spots that have proven to produce high quality experiences. Going with Thailand group tours, take a lot of guest work from self-planned or individually planned trips. In addition to the substantial savings you enjoy, you also save a lot of time and hassle. Instead of burning up all this emotional energy trying to determine where you’re going to go, you save that energy so you can enjoy your trip.

The Dangers of Group Tours

Now, that I have covered the benefits of typical group tours, keep in mind that there are dangers as well. The big danger is that you end up in places you don’t want to go. You’ll also feel in many cases like you’re sardines packed in a tight can. Another danger to group tours is that, if you pick the wrong group tour, you might end up zipping through so many different itineraries, that your trip to Thailand feels like a blur. Fortunately, with Lost Beaches Travel – this isn’t the case. All the location have been sought out, researched and thoroughly experienced, there’s nothing you wouldn’t want to hit on a Lost Beaches tour.

Look for a Lot of Variety in the Itinerary

The first step is to look for variety. Since you’re going to Thailand, you want to enjoy the mystery and mystique of Thailand. You want to soak up all of the exotic charms of that beautiful Southeast Asian country. The best way to do this, is to ensure a healthy amount of variety in your itinerary. The good news is that, most of Thailand group tours will spell out the itinerary. They leave little to the imagination. They’re not going to spring surprises on them because everything is listed.

Now, keep in mind variety doesn’t mean that you’re jumping from one corner of Thailand to the next, to the other far corner. By variety, I’m talking about coastal experiences and highland experiences, as well as interacting with indigenous people in Thailand.

Look for Experienced Tour Guides

Another factor to look for in Thailand group tours that don’t suck are experienced tour guides. Experienced tour guides not only know enough regarding the local people and the local culture and attractions, their excitement is infectious. You can’t help but be excited about the things that you’re seeing, the scents you’re smelling, or the local products that you are touching. It becomes a multi-sensory experience that makes certain Thailand group tours more memorable. Look for experienced and passionate tour guides.

Pay Attention to Logistical Support and Amenities

When going on tour in Thailand, make sure you pick the Thailand group tours that make sure that you’re transported properly. This of course means proper logistical support. You don’t want to go with a start-up that’s not organized. You don’t want to go with a moment pop up operation that doesn’t have enough vans to shuttle you back and forth. Even worse, you don’t want to go with an operation that is going to keep you waiting ridiculous amount of time. Another factor you need to look for is, a group tour that has great reviews as far as food choices go. You see, when you’re traveling., sampling the local forms a crucial component of the travel experience. Go with Thailand group tours that have developed a reputation for shuttling visitors among the very best local yet low cost Thai eateries.