Adventure travel is difficult to define but according to the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), it should include at least 2 of the following 3 aspects.
- Engagement in an area with specific geographic or environmental features
- Include cultural exchange
- Have some physical component
Perhaps in addition there should be a perception of risk, either perceived or real.
Many people travel to Bali every year and choose to stay in 5-star resorts in and around places like Nusa Dua. This is not considered adventure travel. Add a cycling tour from the volcano, white water rafting, bungee jumping or scuba diving then it might be called adventure travel. These include some form of physical activity and an element of risk.
Walking Kokoda or climbing Mt Kilimanjaro are both treks but each is a form of adventure travel. Each has certain real risks. Each is very different. In the case of Kokoda, the traveller must consider the physical stress related to the trip. The focus must be on the health risk of undertaking such an activity in a hot, humid environment.
A Kilimanjaro climb is very much about altitude and environmental concerns such as wind, sun and cold, The physical component is important but not as critical as with Kokoda. It is certainly an altitude trek but different to an Everest base camp trek or walking in the Andes. Subtle differences do exist.
In any form of adventure travel, planning is very important. Part of this is your health preparation, and it isn’t just about jabs!
Pre travel considerations include:
This would include a discussion on routine immunisations and whether any require updating. It might be sensible to have your tetanus current for minor non-tetanus prone injuries. Specific vaccines might be required for some itineraries, particularly if visiting low or low middle-income countries.
Is your proposed activity suitable for your current health status? Do you have a chronic health condition which needs further discussion? Are you an insulin dependent diabetic who needs to be quizzed on what your blood sugars might do in the event of illness or extreme exercise or cold? What are your contingencies should there be problems? Do you have a chronic chest condition and more liable to infection? What is an appropriate antibiotic to take?
Adventure travel usually tests the extremes. Issues are more likely to occur and when they do, communications are often tested. Will your travel insurance cover these extremes as well as any current long-term health issues? It is very important to look very closely at any exclusions to the policy. It may cover high altitude trekking, but does it cover traversing using ropes?
Advice on these aspects is usually well covered if using an experienced in country operator. This is one of the benefits of undertaking adventure travel in a group. If you are travelling alone or just with friends, then you must undertake your own research. You might wish you had walking poles when negotiating a trail over slippery tree roots on a difficult descent. This isn’t always appreciated pre-travel.
Medical kits should never be generic. A kit for trekking the Himalayas might be different to one for a surfing safari or overland Africa. Sometimes size and weight need to be considered for daypacks (Kokoda). A medical kit may also be shared with a small amount of a less used item and extra for common issues. The environment can also influence whether skin infections are common.
It would be very unusual for adventure travel to not require some aspect of insect avoidance, sun protection or the management of fluids. These are not hugely expensive aspects of your trip, but all can have serious consequences if neglected.
Proper planning and preparation are the key to a memorable adventure travel experience. Remember it may be the only time you undertake adventure travel, and you don’t want to reflect on what might have been.
