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Preparation advice is the focus of this installment of our guide to activity holidays.

Properly preparing for going on activity holidays ensures that you have the best possible time whilst on them. 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.

Your physical activities should include a sport or exercise that will condition your body and should be done several times a week. Increase the length and intensity of the exercise as you get nearer the start of your holiday and get comfortable doing back-to-back days of exercise as you likely won’t get any rest days whilst you’re away.

Specific practicing for some activities (such as whitewater rafting or caving) might not be possible, but you can prepare specifically for others (such as rock climbing or skiing). If practicing for the specific activities on your holiday isn’t possible, the best fallbacks for preparation are cycling and walking.

You will be given a list that details the type of gear and apparel you will need to bring. You should be sure that each item on that list is with you, since a professional created that list and knows what exactly is needed. In addition to what your tour company advise you to take, you should take only the absolute basics as you’ll probably have to carry your bags (take one large one and a smaller daypack) around more than what you would on a ‘normal’ holiday.

Take clothing that is functional, like shirts and pants that can be zipped off and are made out of material that offers UV protection. Bring with you your rain gear, hats to protect you from sun and colder weather, warm jackets, long slacks, shorts, long and short sleeved shirts, 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. Swimwear and sunglasses are the only other items you might need.

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. And even though your guide will have an emergency care kit with them, you should have your own basic one with band aids, alcohol swabs, pain relievers and bug repellant in it.