Who spends three weeks in the thickest tourist locations is slightly overcharged a few times, makes meticulous notes, then pours unpleasantness on the people of Iran .. an ickhead of nationality unknown.

However, valid point about government policy of nasty high entrance fees for foreigners .. which is rotten shameful and most disappointing.
We had wished an independent Iran would not have followed the pattern of other nations.

Good news, Iran’s entrance fees are less than India’s.

Torres del Paine is regulated and requires advance reservation of each night, camping or mountain hut.
There are some rules for other national parks too, but basically you can trek legally through most of them. Sometimes, there are difficulties to enter or cross private land. The wikiexplora website describes more than 300 hikes and treks in Chile in Spanish.

I'm off to Colombia soon for a couple of months and I'm planning to do some multi-day treks - both jungle and mountain (and anywhere else?!)

As I'll be travelling for five months in total I'm trying to keep kit to a minimum - walking boots will be essential but I'm wondering if the trekking companies hire out things like sleeping bags (ie decent ones for the mountains)? Do the trekking tours have general dates for trips that you can sign up to as a solo traveller, or do they expect groups to…

It depends on your travel style. I like to explore one country and you could easily spend 5 weeks in one of those countries. But what you are planning works as well. La Paz deserves a few days. You will have to take it easy the first days as La Paz itself is high. Uyuni is roughly the same elevation as La Paz but you will be sleeping at much higher altitude on the jeep tour. I highly recommend the 3 day tour. I agree that you could should try to add a few places like Sucre and Potosi. Maybe even…

I travelled to Ethiopia in June and used this and the TA forum for planning so thought I would repay with a trip report. I only had 8 days so limited myself to the Northern historical circuit. With more time I would do longer in the Simiens (at least a 4 day trek) and Harar. Danakil Depression was also recommended to me.

I flew internationally with Ethiopian Airlines so was able to book discounted internal flight tickets with them in advance. All the flights were good and ran as scheduled…

It's not a dream, there are treks that have fewer people on the trails in October the best known such as EBC, AC, ABC and Poon Hill:

Langtang valley will get fewer trekkers than the treks above because of lingering doubts that it can be trekked following the quakes.

The Tamang Heritage Trail, which starts at Syabrubesi as Langtang can), will be quieter still.

Mohare Danda trek and Mardi Himal treks are not as busy as the Nearby PH and ABC treks.

Ganesh Himal is the least busy trek I have…

Hey MelO

Egypt can be a bit of a hassle to do independently and especially for the ancient stuff it is great to have an Egyptologist with you. That being said I wouldn't necessarily recommend one company to do all of Egypt for several reasons:
1. Egypt is a really diverse country (think ancient history, modern history, desert, beaches and cities), and it is hard for a company to specialise in all of these areas
2. By taking tour guides who only work in a specific area, you'll be able to…

Thanks again
I'll take a raincheck for the indigenous people trail.
Here is an epic trek you may not know :)
The desert parts are quite amazing imoYou can get a rough idea here

Hi! Does anyone have any knowledge about this carnival, I have read that it is the most typical in Portugal.
Specifically I am walking a few days of the Caminho do Mar, from Lisbon to Torres Vedras, then going on to stay with a friend in Obidos. I have only just realised that I will be in Torres Vedras on the Monday of Carnival week, complete with backpack!!! I'm pretty old and not inclined to hang around for hours but if I can see something in the afternoon/early evening I would like to.
Thanks.