Brian & Kristin's Travels. From 2006 and on..: Planning a backpacking trip

Well, it aint easy, I'll tell you that much. Not like its difficult, just lots of information and planning, even if you dont have a plan. As for travel insurance, we decided to get cards for free insurance . K got the International Student Travel (http://www.myisic.com) card for $22 , and I got the International Hostels (http://www.hiusa.org) member card $28. Both give free travel insurance, and the Hostels one you can upgrade thru travelguard at a greatly discounted rate. They both also give discounts to a lot of things.

So here are some things we packed and links that we used to get stuff, or lookup info for our trip.

Pack
-Money Belts
-Bank statements
-HIV and Medical Paperwork (immunization records)
-Passports, Drivers License Health Insurance Cards, VA Cards, train tickets,
-Copies of ID : Passports : Itineraries : tickets
-Toilet paper
-sewing kit
-mess kit/canteen
-socks
-clothes line
-gatorade packs (emergency hydration)
-maps
-gps/radio
- WiFi phone
-mask (N95) http://www.magellans.com/store/Health___Air_PurifiersIF115?Args=
-bandanas/head covers : sunglasses
-iodine and bleach droppers or new water purification pills (mircopur)
-hand sanitizer
-sunblock : mosquito spray (deet) : clothes treatment (permethrin)
-Bed roll
    -sleeping bag
    -sheet
    -pillow

Medications / First Aid Kit
-army field manual
    * Personal prescription medications (copies of all prescriptions, including the generic names for medications, and a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationary for controlled substances and injectable medications should be carried)
    * Antimalarial medications, if applicable
    * Antidiarrheal medication (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide)
    * Antibiotic for self-treatment of moderate to severe diarrhea
    * Antihistamine
    * Decongestant, alone or in combination with antihistamine
    * Antimotion sickness medication
    * Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other medication for pain or fever
    * Mild laxative
    * Cough suppressant/expectorant
    * Throat lozenges
    * Antacid
    * Antifungal and antibacterial ointments or creams
    * 1% hydrocortisone cream
    * Epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen), especially if history of severe allergic reaction. Also available in smaller-dose package for children.

VISAs

http://www.waytorussia.net
russian travel agency

provides
invitations for visa's

Tours

http://www.seat61.com/Trans-Siberian.htm

http://www.romaniatravel.com/index.php?lng=en&tree=4

http://waytorussia.net/Baikal/Activities.html
baikal lake tours

Railways /
Airlines

http://www.airfare.com

http://www.raileurope.com/us/common/rail_map/index.htm
europe railways

http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/passes/eurail_selectpass_saver.htm
eurpass prices

Russia
http://www.seat61.com/Trans-Siberian.htm#Fares