“Be prepared.” It’s the well-known scout motto but over-preparation can be the downfall of many a first-time backpacker. The temptation to pack everything you’d need to survive can be overwhelming but honestly, you don’t need clean clothes every day or three jackets, just in case, and you definitely don’t need that zombie cleaving hatchet hanging from your pack. Instead of carrying 20kg of unnecessary gear, stick to these tried and tested ultralight backpacking tips. Trust me, your back and leg

Choosing the best hikes in Europe is no easy feat. After all, this diverse and vibrant continent is home to incredible coastlines, sweeping valleys and jaw-dropping mountain ranges. Whether you enjoy heading out into the hills for the odd day hike or dream of tackling one of Europe’s great walks, we’ve got you covered. The walking trails on this list range from easy to physically demanding, so there’s an option for hikers of all fitness levels and experience. Stretching through some of the be

Nestled high in the Selva Alta (high jungle) mountains of Cusco, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, sits the magnificent Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. Getting well over a million visitors each year, The Lost City Of The Incas ranks highly on the bucket list of many a backpacker. But what’s the best way to get to Machu Picchu?

South America is a vast continent full of great tales and even greater storytellers. If you’re nervously planning your first trip to South America, sitting calmly counting down the days before you can return, or suffering from post-travel blues, watching some of the best South American movies will help you kill time...

Whether you love the idea of always having an internet connection or you would rather keep your travels device-free, it is easy to see the advantages of having a SIM card that allows you unfettered access to the web. Even the most anti-technology folks out there must understand how useful it can be to check your current location on Google Maps or book a hostel at a moment’s notice...

Finding the best backpack for travel is not an easy task, especially if you are looking for a backpack/daypack combo! Blending an old school aesthetic with modern functionality, Salkan’s first backpack appears to be the ideal bag for long term travellers and weekend trippers alike...

I have always been wary of insurance companies. I have almost zero trust in them, so when I stumbled across members of our South East Asia Backpacker Community singing the praises of travel insurance company, SafetyWing, I was keen to find out why they are so popular...

The links to online stores (like Amazon) on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate South East Asia Backpacker earns from qualifying purchases. That does not change the content of our reviews. We pride ourselves on giving our readers the very best information we can...

When backpacking, there’s nothing like checking your bank account and noticing that your bank has been charging you withdrawal fees to put a downer on your day! Not only have you been paying a transaction fee to the ATM itself (sometimes up to 6 GBP for each withdrawal!) but your own bank (you know the ones who are supposed to be looking after you), have been mugging you off as well! All because you withdrew your own money from a foreign ATM...