Backpacking

Backpacking is packing (carrying) all that you need to survive (usually for a few days, but sometimes for months) on your back. Done for pleasure, usually in beautiful places. It is a form of walking or hiking wherein the traveler carries a pack that contains food, water, and shelter or the means to obtain them, for a trip that includes one to several overnight stays.

Overnight stays may be out of doors (under the stars or in a tent), or in some sort of permanent shelter such as in a hostel.

Backpacking also refers to a type of traveller:

"Backpackers" refers to a subculture of generally youthful travellers exploring the planet on a limited budget. They refer to themselves as backpackers because they can be roughly defined as travellers that travel with a rucksack (a large backpack) instead of a suitcase. They often go hiking and camping, backpacking in the other sense, but they more often explore more urban settings. United in having slim wallets as well as a passion for the exotic, they seek out low-cost options such as standby flights, youth hostels, and buying food at supermarkets abroad instead of going to restaurants. They often collect in beautiful places with low costs of living such as Goa (India), Essouaria (Morocco), or Thailand.

They are generally very social, and a highlight for many backpackers is meeting others on the road. They are quick to share advice on great sites, cheap accommodations, and e-mail addresses. Many strive to meet locals wherever they visit but find that the loose network of backpackers makes them feel at home instantly in a foreign country.

Novels about backpackers include William Sutcliffe´s Are You Experienced? (India) and Alex Garland´s The Beach (Thailand).