Tourist vs Explorer: Which One Are You?

Overview

Many people travel away from their hometowns for a variety of reasons. They may travel on business or work, or they may travel for a vacation and sightseeing. You will also find travelers who hit the road to gain profound insights.

Insights into what you ask? There are no limits and constraints other than the desire to explore and experience. Tourists are the best-known variety of travelers. The main goal of their journey is casual pleasure and recreation. This could be on a solo trip, a family vacation, or a party on the road with friends.

Some common activities for all of the aforementioned varieties of tourists include sightseeing, holiday photography, and shopping. Pub Hopping and clubbing may be other popular activities among tourists. However, this may be more in the case of those vacationing with rather than family tourists.

You could opt to do these things on your own or join a tour group which will save you the trouble of planning your itinerary and would help ensure you get the best out of your journey. However, it limits your flexibility, and you may find yourself with itineraries or activities outside your domain. Moreover, you will need to carefully assess your tour operator to ensure you get your money’s worth. 

What differentiates explorers from tourists?

While tourists travel primarily for casual recreational purposes, explorers often have something more tangible in mind. This could range from building a deeper connection with a new culture to immersing oneself in nature.

Some may venture out to change the world as much as their own lives. Many have made an impact by offering their skills and services through volunteer programs in fields such as environmental conservation. Or even working with children with special needs in terms of education.

Such explorers may also often come away from their journeys with new learnings, such as a new skill like mountaineering or even pottery. An additional perk is that these new skills become priceless memories.

The most common variety of casual modern-day explorers is backpackers. This kind of explorer will often be on the road for several months or even years at a stretch, often at as economical a budget as possible. People may often take to backpacking at some intermediate phase in their life. This could include the recent completion of one’s education, a change in job/career, or simply soul-searching adventures.

A somewhat semi-professional kind of modern-day explorers includes vloggers and YouTubers. Today on the internet, you can find video journals of explorers who have explored remote regions and spent time with indigenous communities. Or even those who have documented their journeys, such as this one. 

So how does one decide if they are a tourist or an explorer? Well, the answer is simple: To each his/her own. One is not better than the other; it is a question of what you are looking for when you pack your bags to hit the road.

Getting Around

Whatever kind of traveler you may be, you will likely use the road, rail, or air transportation to get around. When traveling within India, train travel offers several benefits.

It is the most economical while offering comforts that other modes like road transport may lack. These include food from the train's pantry or independent vendors who ply their mouth-watering treats at nearly every station.

Or, even being able to use the washroom whenever you require, instead of having to wait for a pitstop. This along with more legroom and the freedom from having to sit in one place throughout your journey.

For avid explorers, train travel also allows one to traverse across the country at a leisurely pace. Additionally, you have the opportunity to make plenty of new friends while onboard, even if only on a temporary basis. The chance to connect with several travellers, will also, in turn, open up the possibilities for new destinations whether on your current journey or in the future.