International Overland Trip Preparation Guide
International Overland Trip Preparation Guide List Prepared by Chris Drew | ||||||
| Category | Item | Critical Importance | Time Priority | Prior to Departure | Output |
1 | Timeline | Timeline to departure | flexible | High | 12 months | Timeline |
2 | Safety and Health | First Aid Training courses complete | important | High | 12 -6 months | Action |
3 | Prior to Departure | Shake down trips | flexible | High | 12 -6 months | Recommendation comments |
4 | Where | Route planning generally | flexible | Medium | 12 -6 months | Point form notes |
5 | Group | Group numbers | flexible | Medium | 12 -6 months | Discussion paper |
6 | Sources of Information | Trip Web sites | flexible | Medium | 12 -6 months | Suggestions |
7 | Where | Where to start | flexible | Medium | 12 -6 months | Point form notes |
8 | Where | Where to go | flexible | Medium | 12 -6 months | Point form notes |
9 | Where | Where to stop | flexible | Medium | 12 -6 months | Point form notes |
10 | Where | Highlights to consider along the route | flexible | Medium | 12 -6 months | Brief comments |
11 | Where | Trip time available for each participant | important | Medium | 12 -6 months | Recommendation comments |
12 | Group | Joining the group | flexible | Medium | 12 -6 months | Notes for discussion |
13 | Group | Leaving the group | flexible | Medium | 12 -6 months | Notes for discussion |
14 | Group | Group dynamics | flexible | Medium | 12 -6 months | Notes for discussion |
15 | Vehicle Preparation | Vehicle weak points | important | Medium | 8 -6 months | Point form check list |
16 | Vehicle Preparation | Tyres | important | Medium | 8 -6 months | Point form check list |
17 | Vehicle Preparation | Fuel Systems | important | Medium | 8 -6 months | Point form check list |
18 | Vehicle Preparation | Electrical Systems | important | Medium | 8 -6 months | Point form check list |
19 | Vehicle Preparation | Basic vehicle knowledge | important | Medium | 8 -6 months | Point form check list |
20 | Vehicle Preparation | Basic vehicle equipment | important | Medium | 8 -6 months | Point form check list |
21 | Vehicle Preparation | Recovery gear | important | Medium | 8 -6 months | Point form check list |
22 | Vehicle Preparation | Camping Requirements | important | Medium | 8 -6 months | Comments for discussion |
23 | Other Equipment | Maps progress | flexible | Medium | 6 months | Progress report |
24 | Safety and Health | Staying healthy points to remember | important | Medium | 6 months | Discussion paper |
25 | Safety and Health | Staying safe on the road | critical | Medium | 6 months | Discussion paper |
26 | Getting There and Back | Vehicle Size Limits for Shipping Container | critical | Medium | 6 months | Report |
27 | Paperwork | Passport | critical | Medium | 6 months | Point form check list |
28 | Paperwork | Registration | critical | Medium | 6 months | Point form check list |
29 | Paperwork | Drivers license | critical | Medium | 6 months | Point form check list |
30 | Paperwork | Carnet (requirement) | critical | Medium | 6 months | Discussion paper |
31 | Paperwork | Visas | critical | Medium | 6 months | Point form check list |
32 | Safety and Health | Vaccinations required | critical | Medium | 6 months | Point form check list |
33 | Where | Weather constraints | critical | Medium | 6 months | Outline |
34 | Communication | Foreign Language Preparation | flexible | Medium | 6 months | Course of books |
35 | Other Equipment | Maps progress | flexible | Medium | 6 months | Progress report |
36 | When | When to return | flexible | Medium | 6 months | Recommendation comments |
37 | Camping Equipment | Packing lists | important | Low | 6 - 4 months | Point form check list |
38 | Camping Equipment | Camping equipment | flexible | Low | 6 - 4 months | Point form check list |
39 | Camping Equipment | Sleeping equipment | flexible | Low | 6 - 4 months | Point form check list |
40 | Camping Equipment | Tents | flexible | Low | 6 - 4 months | Point form check list |
41 | Camping Equipment | Cooking | flexible | Low | 6 - 4 months | Point form check list |
42 | Camping Equipment | Food | flexible | Low | 6 - 4 months | Point form check list |
43 | Camping Equipment | Refrigeration | flexible | Low | 6 - 4 months | Point form check list |
44 | Camping Equipment | Clothing | important | Low | 6 - 4 months | Point form check list |
45 | Other Equipment | UHF radio | flexible | Low | 6 - 4 months | Discussion paper |
46 | Other Equipment | GPS unit and use | important | Low | 6 - 4 months | Point form check list |
47 | Safety and Health | Medical kit | critical | Low | 6 - 4 months | Point form check list |
48 | Getting There and Back | critical | Low | 6 - 4 months | Report | |
49 | Sources of Information | Internet sites | flexible | Low | 6 - 4 months | Point form check list |
50 | Sources of Information | Government web sites | flexible | Low | 6 - 4 months | Point form check list |
51 | Sources of Information | Country alerts and terrorism | critical | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form check list |
52 | Sources of Information | Personal sources | important | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form check list |
53 | Sources of Information | Travel books | flexible | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form check list |
54 | Where | Detail s for the Route | flexible | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form notes |
55 | Paperwork | Insurance vehicle | important | Low | 4 - 2 months | Action |
56 | Paperwork | Insurance medical | critical | Low | 4 - 2 months | Action |
57 | Paperwork | Insurance evacuation | critical | Low | 4 - 2 months | Action |
58 | Getting There and Back | Shipping Companies contact and book space | important | Low | 4 - 2 months | Action |
59 | Money Matters | Accessing funds overseas | critical | Low | 4 - 2 months | Recommendation comments |
60 | Money Matters | Volunteering, raising funds for others | flexible | Low | 4 - 2 months | Notes for discussion |
61 | Living on the Road | Accommodation | flexible | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form check list |
62 | Living on the Road | Horizons Unlimited Communities see references below | flexible | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form check list |
63 | Living on the Road | "Rules of the Road" see Horizons Unlimited | important | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form check list |
64 | Where | Revisit places to go | flexible | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form notes |
65 | Where | Regions to visit in detail | flexible | Low | 4 - 2 months | Brief comments |
66 | Where | Routes to drive in detail | flexible | Low | 4 - 2 months | Brief comments |
67 | Money Matters | Budget review | important | Low | 4 - 2 months | Recommendation comments |
68 | Sources of Information | Travel diaries | flexible | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form check list |
69 | Where | GPS References | flexible | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form notes |
70 | Where | Secure all Visas required | important | Low | 4 - 2 months | Action |
71 | Vehicle Preparation | Vehicle parts to carry | important | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form check list |
72 | Vehicle Preparation | Extra equipment | important | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form check list |
73 | Vehicle Preparation | Vehicle maintenance, training | important | Low | 4 - 2 months | Point form check list |
74 | Getting There and Back | Confirm container space forward/return | critical | Low | 3 - 2 months | Point form check list |
75 | Other Equipment | Maps progress | important | Low | 3 - 2 months | Progress report |
76 | Getting There and Back | Shipping Preparation for Vehicle | important | Low | 2 months | Complete preparation and deliver for shipping |
77 | Sources of Information | Foreign languages and communication | flexible | Low | 2 months | Phrase books |
78 | Getting There and Back | Booking air tickets | critical | Low | 2 months | Point form check list |
This chart in an Excel/CSV file to download.
References:
Site for overland travel,
World weather information,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/index.shtml?show=m_guides
Travel diaries of Overlanders,
http://africa.dreamers1.com
http://seeyouwhenwegetthere.com/
http://www.jollyfollies.com/WhatsNew.htm
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