Hitchhiking on the Haute Route?
Here are some suggested itineraries for a partial tour:
http://www.alpineexploratory.com/holidays/walkers-haute-route-west.html
http://www.alpineexploratory.com/holidays/walkers-haute-route-east.html
The logical place to end before transferring to Geneva is Chamonix.
Not likely to be realistic, especially in the Rockies.
I do see the occasionally hitchhiker, but trying to get a ride on the major highway is not only unsafe (I will not pull over suddenly at 110 kph, nor where there is no official pullover), but not likely to be successful. These days truckers tend to have pretty strict rules about unapproved passengers, foreign visitors generally won't pick up people and many folks don't have space, especially if you have a big pack.
Also, there are fairly long stretches between Banff and Vancouver where you're in national parks - so no people stopping, no hotels/stores etc. And you have to have a Plan B because if you get part way and run out of rides, Greyhound is the only non car option, and their schedules are limited (and getting more limited) and reliability even worse.
It's not that you can't get rides, but it's not a realistic way to plan a whole trip and to get rides, you generally need to foster friendships in places like hotels, hiking trails etc. You can also try Facebook or other online forums for rideshares - many of Facebook. But be prepared to have to chip in for fuel, expenses and park pass costs.
All in all, I think you need to plan on options other than hitchhiking - and have sufficient funds. If you get asked at the border, they will expect you to have enough money to cover a bus or reasonable rideshare.
Hello,
Going to London for work Nov 6-8. I wanted to do some outdoor exploring: backpack, or inn-camp, or bike it, or town hop, or hitchhike? Im open to using a guided trip. Im going to have about 4-5 days to do it. Not sure what is some epic English nature stuff or English countryside....?
Im not into museums.
Thanks
Hi Willem. It's me again.
Yes, I did it in July 2009 with my own car. A section of roughly 40km on both sides of the Goderzi pass (up from Khulo to Adigeni) is in a very bad shape. It hasn't been upgraded since then, despite various announcements over the past years the government would plan this (it didn't happen, so far, to my knowledge). You can probably get a taxi, I am not sure if there are scheduled busses or mashrutka's all the way to Akhaltiskhe (or Batumi if you come from the other side). There seems to be little traffic (and little interest in it) around the pass itself. Hitchhiking is possible, but count on changing multiple times, as it is mostly local traffic that you'll encounter, especially higher up, between Adigeni and Khulo. Due to some technical issues I have experienced hitchhiking/mashrutka between Zarzma / Adigeni and Akhaltsikhe.
I have a photo album of my car adventure between Batumi and Akhaltsikhe here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saab99/albums/72157678577000445
It is an adventurous road, and the section from Batumi to Khulo is beautiful through lush foresty river valleys.
Hi TLCh,
Thanks for your reply, and sorry for my late response! Forgot which email address I had attached this to, oops. I'm about to leave Cyprus after an enjoyable stay, and just wanted to report back, I guess. The intercity buses are very easy and central, especially in South Cyprus. The website cyprusbybus.com was a super super helpful resource when planning my journeys. North Cyprus was harder, there aren't timetables as such, but still doable. I hitchhiked to get to places like Germasogeia Dam for day walks, but some places you could get to by bus and then walk... and people are friendly and try to help you if you ask!
I didn't do any overnight stays or more than one day hikes, so don't know about that.
Hi,
Two months are almost similar in weather wise. So do not worry about the month.
Hill country - Nuwara Eliya, Haputale & Ella.
South West beaches - Hikkaduwa & Benthota
South beaches - Unawatuna, Talpe, Midigama, Weligama, Mirissa, Goyambokka, Rekawa
Best Surf-points - Galle, Midigama, Weligama
Cycling - Ella
Travel companions - can be arranged based on your requirement25 days - well enough. You can have a good, relaxed tour. I suggest to skip Trinco & Arugam and include hill country.
Hitchhiking is not popular in Sri Lanka and I haven't seen that. But similar alternative options are there. Please find more info in my PM.
Regards,
Nad.
Thanks for your reply Nad.
I hear the sea is very rough in August time in the South and South West coast. Is there any point going to those beach destinations I listed if its not safe to go in the water (and I presume not safe for a beginner surfer to surf either)?
It’s best to use this report as a back-up to the current Lonely Planet guide book or one of its older editions.
Black Market / “Mercado Azul”:
The Mercado Azul has basically finished due to the free floating Arg. Pesos so it’s no longer necessary to deal with it.
Sim card:
Movistar worked out good in the south, a Sim card is ARS 50, buy additional credit in the form of “bolsas mixtas”. You get local talking time and internet access in packets according to your needs.
E.g. ARS 160 valid for 7 days, 2GB internet plus free Whatsapp, 80min local talking time with all operators plus unlimited SMS.
Public transport - busses:
If you don’t consider hitching or flying as an option, buy your ticket several days ahead, especially in the high season Dec – Feb. For example when I was in Ushuaia in the beginning of January, bus tickets to Punta Arenas were sold out for 4 days ahead of time. The same is true for El Chalten up north to Los Antiguos and Bariloche.
Hitching:
Hitching in general worked out great for me; often it was the only option in Argentina and especially in Chile, see my longer report there. Basic knowledge is that single travelers are in advantage of groups, more than two will be much more difficult and women get a lift easier than men. But the most important rule is; whenever possible try to talk to drivers, which is much better than just standing on the road and wait for them to stop for you. Talking to drivers is easiest on traffic lights, police checks, borders or petrol stations.
Accommodation:
Where I have a tip for accommodation, you’ll find it below but I also stayed with friends and used Couchsurfing.
Ushuaia:
It’s an interesting place but it’s clearly a cash cow. This is seen easily when you visit the local museums for example.
Museo Maritimo & Museo del Presidio (Prison Museum) has simply doubled the prices to ARS 600 / US 15 adults, ARS 450 students and ARS 1’350 families. Open 10am – 8pm, April to Dec. and 9am – 8pm Jan – March.
The prison museum is huge and is somehow a bit overwhelming and very divers. I couldn’t figure out why e.g. the Swiss have a cell showing the beautiful Château Chillon. There are good but pricey souvenir shops.
Museo del Fin del Mundo is now ARS 200 adults and 100 for students. Small but worthwhile visiting.
Hikes:
Laguna Esmeralda
Beautiful and easy 3h return hike to this little lake. I went with friends but local tour operators do the trip daily at around 10am and return by 3 & 5pm. The cost is around ARS 450. Bring all the stuff you may need. If you have your own wheels you could stop on the way back to Ushuaia at Playa Larga and go for a walk there as well. At the end of the road follow the trail.
Antarctica Cruises:
These cruises got meanwhile very expensive.
I haven’t been yet to Antarctica but inquired in a couple of places for such a trip (for the future).
I would recommend to check out the offers at Freestyle Adventure Travel.
Talk to Gabriel Chocron or one of his team members in the “bunker”. His website has a ton of information including some current trips. You can also participate in a newsletter sent to your email. Best to enlist before you go there. www.freestyleadventuretravel.com
Email: Gabriel@freestyleadventuretravel.com / Tel. +54 9 2901 156 06 661.
For a quick overlook: A 10 days Antarctica classic trip will cost you about US 5’500 in a triple cabin on the inside of the ship!
Leaving Ushuaia up north by bus: Book your ticket several days ahead of time.
King Penguis near Porvenir, Chile:
If you like to visit the King Penguins in Chile, 115km from Porvenir do the following:
Take the first bus (around 7am) to Rio Grande, 211km away. Tell the driver that you are heading to the border at San Sebastian by hitchhiking. He’ll let you out at an intersection with a petrol station. Cross the road and walk down to the petrol station to talk to as many people as possible until you get a lift over the border.
... Informations continue at my Chile report.
El Calafate:
I did various stuff with friends in the area but here are 2 worth wile trips.
A cheaper but good option to visit the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier:
Caltur has an office that works like a travel agent. It’s located in the middle of town at Ave del Liberatador 1080. It’s a good place to book various tours in and around El Calafate, including Glacier Trekking and up to El Chalten, including accommodation. If you speak to the office manager Mariano who also speaks English, you’ll realise quickly that some folks in Patagonia can work pretty fast and efficient :) Tel +54 02902 491 368. www.caltur.com.ar
The most common tour is:
Morning bus to the glacier Perito Moreno 09.00 - 16.00 hours, (2-2.5h for the drive), ARS 800 / US 20. Book your boat tour here as well for 11.45h, 13.00h or 14.30h, ARS 700, US 17.50, 1h
Afternoon bus to the glacier 13.00h – 20.30h, ARS 800 / US 20.
Afternoon boat ride is at 15.45 only, ARS 700, US 17.50, 1h
If you are taking the afternoon tour you’ll have at least 2h on the board walks. This was more than enough for me (including seeing 3 large ice blocks falling into the water and doing most of the walks). Remember: If you can choose, look for a cloudy day as the contrast of the ice is much better to see.
Expensive, great and diversified: Book the “Adventure” Tour for US 250 per person at
Glaciar Sur, owner Marcelo Jannes (basic English), the current cute staff spoke English and French as well.
www.glaciarsur.com, 9 de julio 57, paseo de los pajaros, phone: +54 02902 495 050.
Both tours (Avenutura and Pioneros) come at the same price and are explained on the website where you can even watch a short movie about the tour.
The Adventure Tour is from 08.00 – 19.30/20.00 with a max of 12 people.
First you drive for about an hour on a gravel road to reach a small boat (roofed). The boat trip across Lago Roca takes about another hour. From here you’ll hike for max 1h to meet a Zodiac boat in which you’ll cross a smaller lake for about 30 min. If it’s windy, you’ll get wet but they have some body covers on board. Upon landing you’ll walk approx. 1.5 – 2h to Laguna Fria with its ice blocks (which fell down from the surrounding glaciers like Glaciar Frias). Here you’ll have a lunch (included and transported by the guide) before you return the same way. The landscape is beautiful as you are walking in a valley surrounded by mountains and glaciers. The terrain is mainly flat and easy to walk so it’s definitely possible to do the trip if you have an average physical condition. On this hike you’ll be alone with your group in a stunning landscape.
The Pioneros Tour costs US 250 as well per adult and last from 09.00 – 19.30.
You’ll be on a 2h drive (on the way you’ll stop for watching animals, rock paintings and some sheep stuff demonstrations at an estancia (farm) where you’ll enjoy later a tasty BBQ lunch. Later you’ll do a 45 min boat cruise and a half an hour walk to see Perito Moreno in some distance.
After a further 15 min drive you’ll get to the official board walks where you’ll have 1.5h time to walk around with a guide who’ll explain you everything you may ever want to know about the glacier.
(I haven’t done this tour)
Onward transport to El Chalten:
Caltur has daily departures in high season to El Chalten at 08.00h, 13.30h & 18.00h, 3h, ARS 1’600 / US 40. Tel +54 02902 491 368. www.caltur.com.ar
Book your ticket at their office at the bus station or in town.
The bus station has free Wifi.
Chalten Express office at the bus station has similar prices and various departure dates in high season.
Hostal Shilling is a good budget to middle class option.
Paradelo 141, jefe Cecilia. Phone: +54 02902 491 453
Dorms are ARS 800 (4-bed & 5-bed option), singles are ARS 1’715 and doubles are ARS 1’960
Breakfast and Wifi is included. It’s a 5 min walk out of the centre of town.
Agreeing with the above that your housing option is a great deal--take it.
Other than staying with people who specifically advertise couch-surfing opportunities, my view is that it would be profoundly culturally insensitive to ask people to host you or let you stay with them. Most people who would do so would feel deeply obligated to cook some food for you and be a host, which costs THEM time and money. It would frankly be outrageous to me for someone coming from overseas to ask locals to sacrifice for them, so that you can have that opportunity.
Similarly with hitchhiking. People will share cars, but you should share the cost. Minibuses around town are inexpensive (a few birr). Longer trips, there is no reason you should not pay what the locals pay.
