How To Establish and Plan Your Travel Goals
The beginning of every new year brings with it the prospect of new possibilities and opportunities for growth. In any given year, we inevitably face new obstacles, and we can't predict when we will align our mental strength with our physical strength to overcome them. There’s always a new destination to explore, a new mountain to climb, or a new physical boundary to be broken. It’s human nature to constantly strive for self-improvement within ourselves. We want to know what we are capable of.
The beauty of this life lies in the fact that personal development is a lifelong endeavor.
Instead of seeing self development as a painful task, find ways to connect it with your personal interests. Keeping focused on what you're passionate about is much easier and leads to greater fulfillment in the long run. Wilderness travel is an unparalleled classroom for knowledge development, self growth, critical thinking, and rapid decision-making. Setting travel goals instead of making basic resolutions will help you stay motivated and achieve greater wisdom in the process.
Take on big dreams. Make travel your goal.
Establishing a Plan
It’s a common misconception that you need lots of money to achieve your travel goals. Reaching these destinations is much easier than you think if you have a proper plan in place. The good news is that Overland Yukon has created a step by step guide on how to turn your travel dreams into reality. Our blog series will walk you through the entire process, from planning your trip, to financing it, to staying on top of your travel plans.
Your dreams are too precious to let them remain unrealized. Start by choosing a destination.
1. Choosing Your Destination
The grand question - where do you want to go? When answering this question, take a moment to consider what personal objectives you'd like to achieve during your trip and if the destination can meet those needs. For example, the Yukon is an excellent place for testing both your physical and mental strength. This is because survival psychology can be just as important as physical fitness in the wild. When you’re climbing mountains, traversing through rugged terrain, and rationalizing through challenges on the road, you’re not just vacationing. It's a learning experience.
Knowing where to look for inspiration is crucial, and everyone gathers inspiration in their own unique way. Some individuals may create vision boards on Pinterest, while others may discover new travel destinations through movies or magazines. Below are some of our favorite social mediums for gathering adventure inspiration.
Instagram:
Location: Brainstorm names of regions you’re thinking about visiting in a certain destination. (For example, “Whitehorse, Yukon Territory”). When you type the name of a location into Instagram’s search bar, photographs will appear for every user that has tagged that location in a post. To get more specific, insert the name of an attraction, like, “Kluane National Park” into the search bar. Images captured by real users will give you an idea of what these places really look like - aside from the tourist traps. It’s also an optimal way to find local-based influencers in the area.
Influencers and Travel Accounts: Instagram is filled with people trying to inspire you. If you’re thinking about visiting a region, type the name of it into the keyword search bar and hit the “Accounts” tab. There are designated Instagram accounts for many popular travel destinations, either run by local influencers or tourism partners, that can provide you with all the information you need to make your decision.
Hashtags: You can also use hashtags to collect realistic photographs of travel destinations. Find hashtags for regions you're interested in visiting, famous attractions, or activities you're interested in completing while you’re there. Hashtags are also useful for gathering travel inspiration on other platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
For some Yukon travel inspiration, follow Overland Yukon’s Official Instagram account: @overlandyukon.
Pinterest:
Through the creation of Pinterest “boards” that are segmented by topics, users can pin posts with blogs, photographs, and web links to them and easily organize and categorize travel planning and travel tips unique to certain destinations. If you’re deciding between multiple destinations, try creating separate Pinterest boards for each of them to weigh out the costs and benefits. A visual representation of a destination makes it much easier to determine its key features. Whichever board aligns with your personal goals the strongest - choose that one.
To peak your thirst for Yukon’s undiscovered wilderness, follow Overland Yukon’s Pinterest.
Google:
Just by typing in a short keyword search, you will come across thousands of blogs written on any given topic of others sharing their experiences or knowledge about a destination. Take advantage of the advice others share on the internet, and use these as reference points to answer some of your other questions, like best beginner hikes, what campsites to visit, and why you’ll want to rent a car while you’re there.
For simple trips to places you know well, online travel agencies like Expedia and TripAdvisor are great resources. These online forums are full of individuals answering your direct questions about a certain region - and if it is a popular one, there will be plenty of information to read. But for other trips and travelers who are looking to explore off the beaten path - travel can be an overly complex web of suppliers and schedules. This is where travel professionals like Overland Yukon, can help you navigate all that.
2. Mapping Out Your Itinerary
Once you have identified your destination, planning a realistic itinerary is next. You may want to visit Yukon’s southern lakes region and Tombstone Territorial Park all in one trip - but is that optimal when the regions are hours in distance from each other? With an Overland Yukon vehicle, it is. Our team works together to build you a customized itinerary suited to your needs so that you do not have to limit your travel goals. Let your dreams run wild. Add in camping gear and you are set for the adventure of a lifetime. Just show up, grab the keys, and hit the road.
In mapping out your itinerary, try to choose your top three attractions you’d like to visit in each area. Ask yourself the following questions:
What are my must-see regions?
Do the activities offered align with my personal goals?
What time of year am I looking to visit based on what I want to see?
How far is each region from the other?
How many days will I need to see it all? (Your travel budget will likely determine the duration of your stay)
What are my three must-see attractions in each region?
Do I have a car rental?
In traveling with a vehicle, this helps you to avoid things like missed trains and crowded public transportation. A vehicle will offer you the privacy and flexibility you need to accommodate your trip to exactly what you want it to be – if you’re road tripping and planning to sleep in it, you can also save on hotel costs!
Do I want to reach my travel goals by myself or alongside others?
How many vehicles will I need based on the number of people I am travelling with?
What is my travel budget for this goal? (We will cover more budgeting tips in the next article).
3. Mapping Out Costs
The next stage in the process is mapping out your travel costs. Your budget will affect every element of your trip - from where you stay to what you eat for breakfast every morning. But the cost of your journey does not determine how much self-growth you will get from it. To plan out an experience suited to your interests, consider your must-see regions and activities you will want to engage in while you are there. What are the costs of each?
The benefit of completing your travel resolutions somewhere like the Yukon is that most of the activities you will engage in there are free or of little cost. Because you will be driving through spectacular wilderness for most of your trip, you can enjoy nature's beauty at no cost other than the gas you will need to fuel up your vehicle. Doubling as a hotel room, adventure activity, and mode of transportation - this will allow you to reduce your travel expenses and put money towards important things like food. If you have extra dollars, consider splurging on a hotel room in Dawson City or Whitehorse on one of your final nights. Another idea is to put it towards an adventure experience, like flying over Kluane National Park and Canada’s biggest mountain (Mount Logan).
Once you have outlined your must-see experiences and destinations, it’s time to equate the costs of flights, food, and how much everything will cost based on the number of travelers in your group.
Traveling with a group will always make things more cost-efficient. But it’s important to ensure their travel goals align with yours. When inviting people to join you on your trip, be sure that they are looking to gain similar experiences to you. Travelling with a partner will allow you to motivate each other and have someone to help you stay accountable for your travel goals.
4. Determining Flight Costs
One of the largest expenses of travelling is flights, and how you choose to book your flights can have a significant impact on your trip. First, you will want to determine what time of year you will be visiting as flight costs vary based on seasonal demand. To reduce your costs, do some research on Google regarding flight costs at different times and book your trip in the non-popular travel days, such as Monday - Wednesday.
Flight costs also tend to be cheaper the earlier you book in advance. Determine your travel goal(s) early on so that you can purchase your flights sooner for a cheaper cost. In travelling with trip providers like Overland Yukon , you can reserve the option to book tickets and account them into your total package costs. In addition to helping you find affordable flights to Whitehorse, Overland Yukon’s chief exploration officers will also pick you up at the airport once you arrive. Another money-saving opportunity!
Where Should I Book My Flights?
Flight costs vary on the website that you find them on. Here is a quick rundown of the best flight search sites for booking cheap airfare:
Many of these websites, such as Google Flights, offer the option to turn on notifications so that you are notified when flights become cheaper based on industry trends. Turn these on for a month or so, and you will see how much flight costs vary based on the time that you book. Take advantage of these savings when you see cheap flight prices.
When Should I Start Planning My Trip?
It takes time and effort to plan out your perfect trip to achieve your travel resolutions. In terms of when you should start planning, this is relative. Best practice is typically to begin planning six to eight months in advance. This will give you time to find the best price for airfare, lodging, and activities. It will also leave you some time to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the goals you’re looking to accomplish while you’re there. It’s never too early to get in touch with Overland Yukon to discuss your travel dreams. Make an inquiry through our website or social media today.
For more information on how to budget your trip effectively, stay tuned for the next segment on Turning Your Travel Dreams Into Reality.