I am planning a 7 month RTW trip starting in January 2018.

A little background on my style of travel... I travel for the cultural experiences. I enjoy getting a sense of the everyday lives of the people in the areas I am travelling. I do not like the stereotypical touristy things (unless we are talking art museums, which I am a sucker for). I like roaming through cities or towns, talking to the locals, and eating lots and lots of the local specialties. Essentially, I want to hit a wide range of cultures on this trip, while not being totally rushed.

This itinerary covers a lot of area, but I feel like I am spending an adequate amount of time at each stop and not just rushing to a new place every couple days. In SEA, I focus on Thailand and Vietnam, and put together a solid three week itinerary for each. In India, I follow a standard route through Rajasthan, while also adding Varanasi and Bodh Gaya for a meditation retreat. Then, I go to Europe and spend about two weeks in each of Italy, France, and Spain, though I essentially do not visit more than 3 places in each country. The final leg of my trip is in South America. I want to spend a significant amount of time backpacking through the budget countries, but I also want to visit a few of the major cities in the more expensive countries. So, I start off with a week in Buenos Aires, a week in Montevideo, and two weeks split between Rio and Sao Paulo. Then, I spend the remaining 2 1/2 months or so backpacking through Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia.

I would like to get the community's thoughts about my tentative route. Thanks in advance for your opinions and constructive criticisms.

Disclaimer: This itinerary is expensive from a airfare standpoint, but I plan on being a budget traveler in all other respects (except for occasional splurges on food). So, I understand that this itinerary will require flights between regions and countries and within some countries.

Fly to Bangkok

Thailand (22 days):
Bangkok - 5
Islands - 10
Chiang Mai - 7

Fly to Hanoi

Vietnam (22 days):
Hanoi - 7
Halong Bay - 2
Hoi An - 4
Hue - 2
Ho Chi Minh - 7

Fly to New Delhi

India (36 days):
New Delhi - 5
Jaisalmer - 5
Jodhpur - 3
Udaipur - 3
Jaipur - 3
Agra - 1
Varanasi - 4
Bodh Gaya - 12 (going to a meditation retreat)

Flight to Rome

Italy (13 days):
Rome - 7
Florence - 3
Venice - 3

Fly to Paris

France (12 days):
Paris - 7
Rouen - 1
Honfleur - 3
Giverny - 1

Fly to Barcelona

Spain (17 days):
Barcelona - 5
San Sebastian - 7
Madrid - 5

Fly to Buenos Aires

Argentina (7 days):
Buenos Aires - 7

Fly to Montevideo

Uruguay (7 days):
Montevideo - 7

Fly to Rio

Brazil (14 days):
Rio - 7
Paraty - 2
Sao Paulo - 5

Fly to Santa Cruz

Bolivia (18 days)
Santa Cruz - 4
Sucre - 3
Uyuni - 3
La Paz - 5
Copacabana - 3

Peru (25 days):
Arequipa - 3
Cusco - 10
Lima - 5
Iquitos - 7

Fly to Popayan

Colombia (24 days):
Popayan - 3
Salento - 3
Bogota - 4
Medellin - 4
Cartagena - 5
Tayrona NP - 5

Again, I would appreciate any feedback about this route. I put in the number of days and locations in order to get a framework that I can use to estimate the trip's feasibility, but the route itself will obviously be more fluid when I am actually on the road.

Thanks again!!

Hi All,

I will be traveling to Argentina from late November to mid December for 23 full days. I am mainly into nature, hiking, wildlife, culture & architecture.

I just started planning and here is my first pass at the itinerary. Since I don't have much time left to plan, I would really appreciate your input in the early stages if possible before getting into planning each destination. I am still not sure about which destination will come first.
Buenos Aires - 4 days
Iguazu Falls - 2 days (there will be flying in both days, arrive early first day then leave late the second day), probably no time to cross to the Brazilian side!
NW area: Salta / Cachi / Jujuy - 5 days
San Martin de Los Andes then drive along the lakes till Bariloche and spend time there - 6 days
Patagonia area: El Chalten / El Calafate / Cross over Chilean border to Torres Del Paine - 6 days
The only thing that I really wanted to include but not sure how is visiting the penguins and the Ushuaia / Tierra Del Fuego area.
What do you think of the amount of days spent in each area? I didn't go much into what each destination has to offer but seems like there are lots of stuff to do in all those stops. Any suggestions to drop any destination for another??

Waiting for your input.
Thanks a lot

Hope this may be of use, just as some of the info on this site has proved to be.
1. Visa: Can't offer much help as obtained mine through Algerian Consulate in Barcelona. They needed printed proof of hotel bookings for all nights, the forms and photos and insurance cover, making it clear that if all requisites were satified visa would be issued. It took ten days.
2. Domestic Flights - don't leave it too late to book domestic flights - they can fill up - just the price doesn't rise on the Air Algerie website. Remember - the terminal for local flights is apart from the Intl. and you have to walk. When we went there it took next to no time to check in and clear security, (which is most stringent at foot of the plane).
3. Arrival at Intl Airport. Very few overseas tourists, so be patient with authorities, who were really friendly, but paperwork is what it is. As with about everywhere, really interesting, if you speak French.
4. SIM card. In arrivals there are several, but only Djezzy open till about 9pm. Took only five minutes and cost about €11 for a card providing data and calls for a trip of a couple of weeks. Good signal too, even in Ghardaia and Ouargla.
5. Taxis - as with everywhere, several hustlers, as with those offering black market money exchange. You can argue drivers down, but to go downtown, don't expect to pay much less than 2,000AD. Download the App Yassir and it is about 1000AD to the airport, but you have to wait for the taxi to arrive and speak good French. In town they are rarely more than 300 - 400AD. Traffic is the bane of Algiers - give yourself time if you are heading out between 3 30 - 6pm.
6. Algiers Downtown - very agreeable to walk around -- don't miss the wild lighting of the Poste building in the evening. Good shopping on Didouche and a few decent restaurants at the end - Brasserie des Facultés - seen better days, but good food and friendly staff - show football too! Restaurant de l'Université on Didouche nice quiet atmosphere. Also check out the kebab place on Didouche about 44 - 46 - chargrilled!
7. Kasbah and other sights. Not essential to get a guide, but if you don't want to miss a lot and spend all day there, recommendable. I can provide details of one on request. Get a taxi to the Palais du Dey - still being restored, but possible to see a few gems there - same goes for the Al-Barrani Mosque. Strolling down, stopping at workshops and houses is a must - especially those -now museums, such as Mustafa Pasha , Dar Aziza, and Dar Kha'daoudj. Lower Kasbah gets busier on the way down, but didn't feel uncomfortable. Didn't look really that abandoned or dirty and would consider it a must see stop. The Ketchaoua Mosque seems only open at prayer time so be careful if you want to see it in all its restored glory. Lastly - don't miss Bastion 23 (Palais des Raís) for the interiors, celings, courtyards and views.
Lastly, elsewhere would recommend the Martyr's Monument (Mqam Echahíd), not just for the views, but it imposes and the marble floor with its infinity effect with the sea as a backdrop is sublime. Down from there is the Jardin d'Essai - well worth a visit if only for the avenues of dracena (dragon blood trees). Lots of leafy avenues, a chance for peace and see how the locals relax.
8. Ghardaia - may well be only overseas, but many domestic tourists and those of Algerian parentage, here to see an architectural and cultural gem that won't be here for all that much longer. Airport is small, remote and you will be a long time getting checked and possibly waiting for a Darek (Gendarmerie Escort) to your lodgings. Contacted a local who, for the moment is dealing mainly with national tourism and French, but speaks English, as does his guide. Highly recommend both. Stayed at Dar Akham in Beni Issguen - an oasis of calm, decent rooms and food, friendly atmosphere in a palm grove setting. Our hosts (who run the highly recommendable Maison Traditionelle in Beni Issguen), took us round El Atteuf - most historical, Ghardaia - most commercial - great for souvenirs and berber carpets. Don't haggle. Really. Don't. Prices are reasonable already and people just don't understand. Like bargaining in M&S. Lastly Beni Issguen - charming, sedate, other worldly, marvellous views from the tower at the top. You can, at a pinch wonder round by yourself, but take a guide. They are only a few euros and they are only too happy to share their wealth of knowledge, although a little antiquated in their ways.
Highly recommend you hire a guide and transport for the day - can do all three places easily with lunch and all for about 9000AD the lot - so if you are 2 or 3 works out very well. Hitching - certainly, but need French and ideally Arabic - learn a few words of Dziri Algerian - goes a long way.
9. People - a reflection of the little influence of overseas tourism, perhaps, whether in Algiers, Ghardaia or Ouargla. Only good words for all we dealt with. Friendly, helpful, hospitable. our guides in Ghardaia invited us out for a trip on foot to the desert just to chill and take tea and enjoy the sunset. Simple but unforgettable.

hello everyone
below are my trip details..please recommend any changes/suggestions ?
best way to travel from el calafate to el chalten and then from there to puerto natales ?
any must to attractions /sightseeing/ restaurants are welcome.. awaiting your response :)
0 02/12/2016 Friday Calcutta CCU---->EZE departure at 20:05 travelling time is 32+ hours
1 03/12/2016 Saturday Buenos Aires Reaching BA at 19:45
2 04/12/2016 Sunday Buenos Aires
3 05/12/2016 Monday Buenos Aires
4 06/12/2016 Tuesday Puerto Iguazu BA to Puerto Iguazu
5 07/12/2016 Wednesday Puerto Iguazu Puerto Iguazu to
6 08/12/2016 Thursday Puerto Iguazu
7 09/12/2016 Friday
8 10/12/2016 Saturday
9 11/12/2016 Sunday Ushuaia BA to Ushuaia
10 12/12/2016 Monday Ushuaia
11 13/12/2016 Tuesday Ushuaia
12 14/12/2016 Wednesday El calafate Ushuaia to El calafate
13 15/12/2016 Thursday El calafate Perito Moreno
14 16/12/2016 Friday El Chaten El Calafate to El Chaten
15 17/12/2016 Saturday Puerto Natales El Calafate to Puerto Natales (Chile)
16 18/12/2016 Sunday Torres Del Paine Puerto Natales to Torres Del Paine
17 19/12/2016 Monday Torres Del Paine
18 20/12/2016 Tuesday Santiago Puerto Natales to Santiago
19 21/12/2016 Wednesday Santiago Valparaiso
20 22/12/2016 Thursday easter islands
21 23/12/2016 Friday easter islands
22 24/12/2016 Saturday easter islands
23 25/12/2016 Sunday Easter islands to santiago to calama
24 26/12/2016 Monday San Pedro de Atacama
25 27/12/2016 Tuesday San Pedro de Atacama
26 28/12/2016 Wednesday
27 29/12/2016 Thursday
28 30/12/2016 Friday
29 31/12/2016 Saturday Buenos Aires
30 01/01/2017 Sunday Buenos Aires
31 02/01/2017 Monday Buenos Aires
32 03/01/2017 Tuesday Buenos Aires 21:30 departure EZE--->CCU travelling time 27 hours

Hola a todos,
I am planning to travel to Ethiopia from 18/11 to 8/12. Idea is to move towards Bati, Lalibela, Gondar and Simien mountais. Would love to combine also Harar and potentially Danakil although do not want to "rush" so I will see what is feasible to do in the days I will be there.
***I am looking also for travel companions so feel free to send me a private message to catch up if you are there in the same dates!

I would like to ask here for recomendations on how to move around and advices.

On transport:
- any bus company to recommend to travel around Ethiopia? aer there different types of buses and how are they?
- where to buy bus tickets beyond bus stations e.g. bars, etc..? agencies are a good option or charge high fees?
- any hint on minibuses - are there scams for turists and if so, any recomendations?

Any advices on
- Simien Mountains NP: I would like to have a 2 to 4 days trek to Simien mountais. I read positive and not so positve posts around so not sure what to believe. Any recomendations on how to organize this - better in advance or good enough once there? any best travel company to contact with? - heard we need to have a scot/bodyguard so I guess this needs to be booked
- Political situation: heard there was a tense political situation more towards South lately - safe to travel around towards North or any update to take into account?

Thank you very much!
Enjoy the travel,
Elena

Is there any city I can visit easily from Buenos Aires that:

#1. Is hot right now since it's winter in Argentina.

#2. Has little to no tourists and hopefully is easy and cheap to reach from Buenos Aires as soon as I arrive after Chile. Should be within one week.

I plan to take a bus somewhere warm as soon as I get off the plane. I much preferred the rural life in rural Peru (Canta) as opposed to the city in Lima and I'm sure Buenos Aires will be the exact same thing. Ideas? Thank you. Ideas?

Hi,

cross-posting this from the Chile forum.

I have spent hours and hours already trying to come up with a good itinerary, but I am kind of stuck, so maybe somebody here can help me. I want to spend 1 month in Argentina/Chile, mostly for hiking in Patagonia. Here is what I am trying to combine:

One of the famous, spectacular, harder and colder multi-day hikes in the far south. This is what I want to do first, and my current plan is to the Torres del Paine O circuit.
Another multi-day trek in a warmer, more friendly and less crowded area. So I am looking for something that does not have to be as spectacular as the O circuit, but that is pure, warm and green nature, in the best case with lots of animals to see.
I want to end the trip by spending 5 days or so in Buenos Aires (seems more exciting than Santiago).
In between, I would like to maybe do one or the other day hike.
I can fly in via Santiago or Buenos Aires, does not matter for me. It will be in February, and for the most part I want to sleep in my tent. The main problem with this itinerary is that (a) most less crowded treks for point 2 are relatively hard to get to and (b) most seem to be on the chilean side, from which it is hard to get to Buenos Aires.

My best candidate for the hike in point 2 is hiking from Chile Chico to Cochrane through Jeinimeni NP and Parque Patagonia. However, I cannot efficiently connect Torres del Paine to Chile Chico and Cochrane to Buenos Aires (cannot be done the other way around).

Any idea what other hike I could consider for point 2? Other suggestions that could make planning easier?

Thanks a lot for any help!