jff Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 and get there via the inca trail..... also worth it.. I didn't do the Inca Trail, but everyone says it's incredible. Maybe someday. On the bright side, I probably would not have climbed Wayna Picchu if I had taken the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After seeing numerous people at the Cuzco airport who could barely walk from all the blisters on their feet, I'd advise bringing a large stash of Dr. Scholl's products if the Inca Trail is on your itinerary. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Smith Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 The Columbia River Gorge is pretty awesome. I've never been to it but I hear that the Black Canyon of the Gunnision in western Colorado is also pretty spectacular. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
duzer Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I've never been to it but I hear that the Black Canyon of the Gunnision in western Colorado is also pretty spectacular. We did three months including Belize, Gutemala, Ecuador, Galapagos (7 day cruise), inca trail, including a month in argentina and would have been able to stick to your budget for the time frame you are working with. Since our trip was "short" we flew a lot. After speaking to a bunch of folks down there, buses are a nice way to see the world and depending where you are, can be a much different experience than what you would expect stateside - in argentina the buses were fantastic. There are cheaper ways to Galapogos than the flight, and if you have time - think of the adventure. Many folks get deep discounts just showing up and jumping on with what is available. This was most likely one of the most expensive per day segements of our trip, but not too bad when you broke it down. regarding the inca trail - for less than $10 a day, hire a porter and grab some coca leaves. Did the trail and hyuanu piccu - yes was a little tired, but no worries. Check out the lonely planet travel thorn discussion board - lots of great 411 on cheap places to stay, ways to get around etc. 50k is over 200 a day - many places that could buy you a week..... . my advice - a few splurges placed strategically through the trip will be something you will never regret....... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moe_Syzlak Posted February 20, 2009 Author Share Posted February 20, 2009 We did three months including Belize, Gutemala, Ecuador, Galapagos (7 day cruise), inca trail, including a month in argentina and would have been able to stick to your budget for the time frame you are working with. Since our trip was "short" we flew a lot. After speaking to a bunch of folks down there, buses are a nice way to see the world and depending where you are, can be a much different experience than what you would expect stateside - in argentina the buses were fantastic. There are cheaper ways to Galapogos than the flight, and if you have time - think of the adventure. Many folks get deep discounts just showing up and jumping on with what is available. This was most likely one of the most expensive per day segements of our trip, but not too bad when you broke it down. regarding the inca trail - for less than $10 a day, hire a porter and grab some coca leaves. Did the trail and hyuanu piccu - yes was a little tired, but no worries. Check out the lonely planet travel thorn discussion board - lots of great 411 on cheap places to stay, ways to get around etc. 50k is over 200 a day - many places that could buy you a week..... . my advice - a few splurges placed strategically through the trip will be something you will never regret....... Yeah, I'm guessing you were meaning to quote me. We definitely feel we have MORE than enough budgeted. If we can come home with more money than when we left, it will be a good thing. We will definitely splurge now and then. You need to. Both my (future) wife and I are experienced "vagabond" travelers, so we feel like we know what we're getting into. As I posted at the top of this thread, we did over a week in Panama in style (three days of two tank dives) for less than $400 for the both of us. I had one of the best meals I've ever had in a shack eating freshly caught snapper (I think it was snapper) that we saw handed to the cook by a local spearfisherman. Buses are definitely the way to go. They can be scary in places but you can get just about anywhere on a bus for basically nothing... if you have time to spare. With regard to budgeting time, do you think two months is enough to do Peru, Ecuador, Columbia and Bolivia right? We are then planning to do another month and a half in Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
duzer Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Yeah, I'm guessing you were meaning to quote me. We definitely feel we have MORE than enough budgeted. If we can come home with more money than when we left, it will be a good thing. We will definitely splurge now and then. You need to. Both my (future) wife and I are experienced "vagabond" travelers, so we feel like we know what we're getting into. As I posted at the top of this thread, we did over a week in Panama in style (three days of two tank dives) for less than $400 for the both of us. I had one of the best meals I've ever had in a shack eating freshly caught snapper (I think it was snapper) that we saw handed to the cook by a local spearfisherman. Buses are definitely the way to go. They can be scary in places but you can get just about anywhere on a bus for basically nothing... if you have time to spare. With regard to budgeting time, do you think two months is enough to do Peru, Ecuador, Columbia and Bolivia right? We are then planning to do another month and a half in Chile, Argentina and Brazil. We were kinda rushed - spent 10 days Peru - really only in Cuzco/inca trail that was enough time there - didnt make it to nasca, lima, etc. Ecuador,lots of options - coast, jungle, galapagos A month was a short time for Argentina, only got to hit Iguazu (two days is plenty) Mendoza (five days not enough), Calafate/Chatlen (very $$$) and BA - Chile, Argentina and Brazil are huge areas - could spend more than a month in each. Really depends what you want to do. Visa's are costly for Boliva, Chili and Brazil, I think $150 a pop - that kept us out. (this may be differnet now) I am not too much of a seasoned traveler, but we made a couple of reservations (inca trail, galapagos) and did the rest on the fly. Panama is on our shortlist.. - cheap flights from LA - just need time to get around. A little more difficult to get extended periods off..... but now you got me thinking. ..... How long did it take from Panama city to get out to Santa Catalina, and with a little more $$ is there a quicker way? What about surfboard rental/purchase... damn airfare is almost as much to bring a board as to fly down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moe_Syzlak Posted February 21, 2009 Author Share Posted February 21, 2009 Thanks good tips! Panama was great. We really did our homework as we only had a week down there. We originally had planned to go to the Caribbean side, but in a few short years it has really exploded and sees a lot of tourism and, as a result, higher prices. We caught a cab form the airport in PC directly to the bus station and spent about 8 hours total traveling on three separate buses to get to Santa Catalina. When we were there, you couldn't rent boards, but Oasis had some they let us use, but only on the mellower surf right outside Oasis. My fiance went to law school in San Diego and has surfed more than me, but neither of us really had the experience to tackle the famous break in Santa Catalina. Because it is so sketchy, no one really wants to rent you a board. That may have changed. You could tell that expat surfers were beginning to invade the town. My guess is that the year and half has brought a lot of change to the town. As far as getting there faster, you can rent a car of course. There were certainly people there who had rented cars. There isn't much need for a car in town once you're there. I would guestimate that it wouldn't be that much less time in a car, though. The issue is not slow buses, it is the road from Sona to Santa Catalina is very slow, for buses or cars. If you're seriously considering a trip there and want to see some pictures, let me know and I'll give you access to an online album I have of the trip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Papillon Parade Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Cape Breton Island off the coast of Nova Scotia. Seriously one of the most beautiful places on earth, and not just because it's where I live. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
miss jayne Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 The Columbia River Gorge is pretty awesome. I once had my mind blown on a hike in this park: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/recreation/waterfalls.shtml The trails just go on and on in this area. So many negative ions that you are high as can be and I swear look physically altered, if my pictures are any proof as usual take some of the less traveled paths: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/maps/Short_Loops.pdf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheMaker Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Cripes, you'd never know we were in the midst of a recession on by reading this thread... I'll recommend Old Montreal, for those of us who are stuck in North America. I have yet to schedule and finance a $300k, three-year vacation there with my wife, but it nonetheless remains a beautiful example of an early 17th Century urban centre and is one of the oldest cities on the continent. It's also a fine example of multiculturalism at its friendliest and most successful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
remphish1 Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I can vouch for Old Montreal. It is really nice...if you like that stuff I would highly recommend going further upstream to Quebec City. That is such a beautiful city and has a great older part of the city too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moe_Syzlak Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Cripes, you'd never know we were in the midst of a recession on by reading this thread...Travel doesn't have to cost a lot. In fact, it can cost a lot less than staying at home working 40 hours per week. I'll add doing a backcountry hut trip to the 10th Mountain Division Hut System in Colorado. We did a trip this weekend to the Betty Bear Hut and it was great. I've done a few of these huts and it is always great! Here is the approach: And the view from the hut's front deck: P.S. I spent $30 this weekend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Artifice Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Need to get my brood (Wife, 2 year old, pet) out and about, and I'm getting tired of the annual OBX beach trip (like beaches, just tired of this one). Any very young child friendly suggestions? We're NC based. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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