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,

//www.horizonsunlimited.com

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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