Don’t be bugged by the bites!
Preparing yourself is the topic for this part of our activity holidays guide.
Being prepared when you are planning on activity holidays almost guarantees that you will have a great time! You should pay attention to your physical condition, your level of expertise in the activities you’ll be undertaking, the equipment / gear you’ll need, and what clothing you take with you.
And something important that often gets forgotten is insect repellant for mosquito control because it can get very uncomfortable without it and otherwise spoil what could be a very enjoyable and memorable holiday
You should engage in some aerobic activity (jogging, cycling, swimming, etc.) at least 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week as preparation. You should make sure you work up to a certain intensity level as you get closer to your activity holiday since you will probably be very physical through it with little down time.
Some things you will be doing like ice climbing or canoeing will not be practical to practice, but you can prepare for hiking and biking. If practicing for the specific activities on your holiday isn’t possible, the best fallbacks for preparation are cycling and walking.
You’ll be provided with a detailed list of gear and clothing to take and should ensure that you have every item on that list as it was created by an expert who knows exactly what you’ll need. Along with what your guide tells you is required for your holiday, you should also take a few small bags, like a backpack and a fanny pack, that will carry all of your personal necessities; larger bags will be cumbersome and might slow you down.
It is generally best to wear durable, comfortable, fast-drying garments, in layers. Bring with you your rain gear, hats to protect you from sun and colder weather, warm jackets, long slacks, shorts, long sleeved shirts to protect you from mosquito bites, extra garments for during non-sport activities, and one additional pair of shoes for in a situation where your primary pair of shoes become wet. You might also want to consider a bathing suit and eye protection. Also an anti itch cream if you do need mosquito bite treatment
Check to see if you will need to bring sleeping items such as a ground pad, tent, pillow and sleeping bag, or cooking equipment, such as cutlery and food. You can sometimes rent these items from the activity holiday company if you don’t already have them.
Your instructor / guide will have a group first aid kit but it’s advisable to also take your own with basics like bandages, aspirin and insect repellant .
