Planning Guide for International Overland Travel

Dear EO Members,

The Attachment shown as "Planning Outline" at the foot of this entry takes you to a guide we have used to plan the last twelve months prior to departure on our international overland trip.

Some of the information and sequencing may be helpful, but every trip and preparation will need variations on the theme.

Any comments are welcome.

Cheers, Chris and Ann

For non members the following is the same information but not in table format.

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 Shipping Contacts 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


References:

Site for overland travel,
http://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://seeyouwhenwegetthere.com/index.php

http://www.jollyfollies.com/WhatsNew.htm

http://www.geocities.com/gkingsmill/