Trek tips

Herre are my tips for tours with Trek America

General Tips

• Post your contact details on the trek america website and create a facebook group so you can get to know each other, your likes and dislikes before Trek starts
  
• Be open minded. You are on tour with a probable bunch of people who have never met. People will have different likes and dislikes, learn to bite your tounge and not to be set in your ways. Try new things and learn to say yes rather than no!! If there are any problems your tour leader is there to help.
  
• You will probably spend more money than you intend to. Be prepared to spend more than Trek America recommends per day which is $25. Beer money and activity money soon goes.
  
• Travellers Cheques can be annoying, credit cards are often easier to bring (visa being the main one).
  
• As an example to the amount of money I spent. I bought with me over $200 US and it was gone before even Trek Started just being in Seattle.
  
• Tipping is important, especially in the U.S. and Canada. So expect to tip highly, for it to be on your bill automatically!!
  
• Take an MP3 player with you - Share your music tastes round the camp fire and for when you are DJ for the day. Sometimes its nice to just chill with your MP3 on long driving days or before going to sleep
  
• Remember you are not in your home country, respect the people, the land and DON'T FEED WILD ANIMALS (orders from Jen - Trek Leader)
  
• Remember you don't have to do anything you don't want to!! You are there to have fun and to explore, though you are in a group so try to do things as one : )
  
• Finally don't hesitate in doing travelling or a trek, people are there for the same reason as you, to explore and to have fun. You only live once so do it and you might meet friends for life!
• Get used to working together as a group and team work. There is usually a rotation system. One group cooks for the evening and chooses what to cook, one cleans the van and one washes and drys. On the last day you usually clean tents and equipment.
  

Equipment Tips

• Bring a suitcase/backpack (a large rucksack can mean difficulty in gettings things you need and creased clothing) Also pack everything in one bag!
• Bring a small rucksack/travel bag to take with you on days hiking/city days, it can be handy to put money, camera, coat, water, food in etc!
• Therm-a-rest self inflating matress - These are ultra comfortable (you would be suprised). Trek do provide a foam matress but this one just owns all others! Make sure you get a single one so you can fit two per tent!
  
• Bring ear plugs, incase of snooring campers
  
• 3-Season sleeping bag
  
• A head torch or a small self charging torch
  
• Trek have IPOD chargers and battery charges etc etc in the Vans, you may want to bring one just incase.
• Mosie spray (a high quality one) VERY IMPORTANT!!
• Breathable clothes
  
• Waterproof shoes/coat/trousers
• A decent pair of walking shoes and a nice pair for going out in - Might want to bring some Trainers/Sneekers to
  
• DONT BRING TOO MUCH!!!
  
• Depending on how long your going for and where your going - I recommend several pairs of t-shirts, polo shirt, a nice shirt, some jeans, hiking trousers, shorts, and a swimming costume. A hate, sunglasses.
  
• Suncream!!
• Bring a decent camera with plenty of battery facilities and plenty of memory card space. I used over 4 GIG in 28 days.
  

Food and Drink Tips

• If your vegetarian, don't worry to much! There are always round things. Also if you have any other needs, make sure you tell your tour leader.
  
• Food kitty provides breakfast, lunch and dinner (unless your out eating). There is no soft drinks, alcohol etc. I would advise you bring extra money to pay for snacks on the way such as Subway which was a staple on our trek.
  
• There is no obligation to buy or drink alcohol but there does tend to be alot of it going on in some Trek Groups :) The U.S. is alot cheaper than canada so rememebr that!!
• Get over any fussy eating habits as in alot of places its going to be eating on the rough!!