Hiking: Hit the road, Jack, with a backpack

"You wander around the world with your home on your back.

You don't know where you'll end up next.

You have no car, no contacts, no hotel bookings, no idea.

You get lost, get robbed, get to spend chilly winter nights in a room without a heater.

And yet, somehow you end up having the funnest trip and meet the greatest people in the world."

That's how Aniruddha Deshpande defines of his fondest hobby -- backpacking.

Five years back, Aniruddha, then an engineering student of University of Wisconsin, would have laughed at the 'crazy bunch' walking clueless with backpacks.

"I loved to be sorted when I was traveling -- the itinerary, hotel bookings, even shopping lists were ready in my pocket before I left," says Aniruddha.

And then, his fateful trip to Rome happened. "I went to Rome for a holiday. Just as I reached, I was told that my baggage, with my extra cash, maps, travelers' cheques and more, went on some other flight by mistake. I was left with my backpack and some cash and I am proud to say, it was one of the most fun trips I have had!" he remembers.

Backpacking is no longer just a low-cost, independent 'student' mode of travel -- it's fast becoming a trendy hobby. "Television channels like National Geographic, Travel & Living have popularised backpacking as a unique experience, something adventurous and fun.

That's absolutely right!" says Yogesh Shah, a veteran backpacker and co-founder of Backpacker Co, an Indian venture specialising in arranging budgets, travel plans and equipment for backpacking expeditions.

Few years ago, when Yogesh and his wife Suchna came up with the idea of starting a venture for backpacking, India was largely unaware of this form of traveling.

Today, Backpacker Co has joined hands with lifestyle brand Lee Cooper to launch an all-expenses-paid Europe backpacking expedition for winners of a lucky draw!

"Backpacking in India has been around since the time the hippies discovered Goa! Just that it was though of, as an economy, 'student' option. Also, Indians tended to think of it as unsafe, unreliable. Thanks to the internet and travel shows, even corporate head honchos are all set to go backpacking!" Yogesh explains.

The latest in backpacking is 'flashpacking' -- it's backpacking with a luxe twist.

"It is for those who don't want the hassles of backpacking, but love the thrill and adventure," elaborates Yogesh.

Ishika Chandorkar, a gutsy 21-years-old, who has done 17 treks and backpacking expeditions, loves the sense of togetherness she gets on a backpacking expedition.

"It's so easy to mix into the local culture, taste the street food, get the impeccable flavour of the place. I could never have done that on a luxury holiday.

I think we always put ourselves in a feudal guest-host relationship between us and the locals, when we go as a 'tourist'." says Ishika.

Ishika's tip for backpackers? "Make sure you are really up for it. No matter what happens on the trip, you have to take it in right spirit."

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Aruna Neher, a 38-years-old mother-of-two recently went on her backpacking trip to Germany.

"People raise their eyebrows, the moment I say I am 38 and a mother. But I can vouch for it -- age doesn't matter for backpacking!" Aruna says.

Her daughters went for a trekking camp and raved about it. "I loved the idea -- it made me feel fresh already! My obsession finally made my husband take initiative, keep our children with my parents and go a-wandering with a group of friends."

The usual hurdles came in the way. "We got lost, we lost our tickets, missed a bus -- the usual confusions. But even these hurdles were fun. We felt like teenagers again!" Aruna smiles.

The best experience Aruna has had was in Hamburg, the coastal city in Northern Germany.

"Six of us walked in a group through the city. We found a group of street performers singing their folk songs. One of my friends remembered a Hindi movie song and started humming and before we knew it, we were all singing saathi hath badhana in chorus! The street singers gave an ovation to our little performance!" Aruna remembers.

Backpacking is not just lugging your own stuff without a porter or bellboy! "Backpackers need to travel light -- basic necessities only. The budgeting has to be done properly -- you don't want to be stuck in an exotic city with no money!" Yogesh warns. Also, you have to rely on the youth hostels or your own camping equipment for accomodation.

The backpackers and Yogesh give some handy tips:

• Make sure you are going in a small group. A group too big or too small (only one of two people) needs special management and skills. Generally 4-5 pairs of hands and legs can be great help, especially in splitting up the load.

• If you plan to backpack in India, women going alone by themselves may be an issue. Indian cities are not as safe as European, especially for women.

• Get your research in place -- know the places you are about to visit as thoroughly as you can. Check and compare travellers' experiences on websites. For basics, use google, expedia.com, tripadvisor.com and lonelyplanet.com, recommends Ishika.

• If you are going to visit and stay in cities, book hostels in advance.

• Since you will be traveling with public transport, arrange for season tickets / passes for the city / region.

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Make a note of some must-haves for a backpacking expedition:

- A good, sturdy backpack

- Sleeping bag, if necessary

- A good swiss knife

- All your travel documents photocopied / scanned on a disk

- Your prescription medicines

- Some emergency cash

"And most important, keep an open mind," says Yogesh, "That's the key to any rocking journey!"