Given that the initial concept was a strict RTW flight path, I
actually did have a fairly specific set of dates and locations in my head. However, I’m trying to pull back on the
planning in the interest of allowing for spontaneity. So, here are a few prime locations I’m
planning to hit, and a few more that may just make the cut…
Machu Picchu.
This was ALWAYS going to be the start of the trip. Besides being a fairly obvious starting point
(Peru is a relatively easy destination to reach from the States, and, if moving
consistently in an Eastwardly manner, it just makes sense), trekking the IncaTrail to Machu Picchu has come to symbolize for me, the start of my journey of
discovery. Since the Trail books up
relatively early, this was also the very first destination I knew I HAD to
book. And it forced me to go ahead and
buy the inevitable one-way plane ticket.
 |
| via Peru Treks |
Iguazo Falls.
I’ve always imagined myself taking an extended breather in
Buenos Aires at some point along the way, and Iguazo Falls are too gorgeous of
a weekend getaway opportunity to pass up.
This is one of those must-do’s that I hope isn’t too overrun with
tourists to spoil the natural beauty.
Buenos Aires itself is definitely a must-see as well, and I imagine that
it or Sao Paulo will be a launching point into destinations further east…
Other South American destinations that may or may not make the cut:
- Galapagos Islands – Yes, they would be incredible, but I’m not sure the cost allows them to fit into the RTW venture all that well. I imagine this could be a great trip later on.
- Easter Island – Those statues just absolutely fascinate me. This is a potential week-long getaway from Chile or Argentina, but also might be a bit pricey and far off the beaten path. Still…
- Patagonia – I’ve always, always wanted to do a trek through Patagonia, especially a multi-day visit to one of the glaciers. However, it’s out of the way, expensive, and requires a whole separate set of gear than the endless-summer stuff I’ll be packing. It may be worth dipping down into Chile, but not doing full-on glacier trek this time around.
Africa.
I’ve gone back and forth on IF I want to go to Africa, and
if so, for how long. I currently have a friend living in Zanzibar,
but I have no idea if she’ll still be there by the time I’m passing
through. Ideally, I’d love to take Intrepid Travel’s “Cape Town to Kenya” route, but 1) unless I can book at a discount,
cha-ching, and 2) booking a 45-day trek in advance just before what I have
planned for India stresses me out. I’d
rather play it by ear a bit, see if I want to spend more or less time in South
America, see if any of those trips go on discount (or book a shorter one), and
it’s possible that a quick jaunt to South Africa or Morocco or even a stopover
to visit friends in Europe might be a better way to pass my “in between”
time. Stay tuned…
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| Okay, yes, this route looks amazing. (via Intrepid Travel) |
Dubai.
This one’s a surprising must-see for a RTW, but it’s on my
list for a couple of reasons: 1) it’s a
natural stopover before flying into Delhi, especially if I’m coming from
Africa; 2) a first-world country stopover for re-supplying after a potential
multi-month stint in Africa just prior to a multi-month stint through India,
Nepal, and South East Asia would be really not terrible; 3) it just so happens
that the parents of one of my very
dear friends live there. So that’s convenient. I may be popping in on them for a week and
doing laundry and visiting the desert and the beautiful buildings. Don’t worry parents, I’ll give you plenty of
warning J. And thank you!
India.
I knew I wanted to see India, but I didn’t really know HOW I
wanted to see India. Until a new friend
fresh back from her own 9 month wanderings sent me a link to a tour company she
had used in Nepal that was running some discounts. One of the major items on my list I wanted to
do was see the Elephant Festival (I do have a thing for elephants), but with it
being one very specific date out of the year, I wasn’t sure I could manage
being in the exact right place at the exact right time. Until this company offered a trip to see the
Elephant Festival, the Taj Mahal, other major sites around India, and….
Holi. Done, and done. That will be a once in a lifetime
experience. All of it.
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| via Bohemian Tours |
 |
| via National Geographic |
Nepal.
A teahouse trek from Kathmandu has been inching its way up
my bucket list enough to surpass Patagonia for now. And since that same tour company taking me
through India also offers an Annapurna Circuit trek, and since I begged them
for an extra discount if I booked two trips, it seems like a no-brainer.
 |
| via Bohemian Tours |
Other things in the region I’d love to see, but not sure I’ll make it to…
- Tibet – Seriously, I’m in love with this place. I’m just not sure about the ease of securing a visa, the timing and the transportation, and other things are just simply taking precedent. I definitely want to see the eastern part of China, and to get a multi-entry visa while on the road may be more trouble than its worth.
- Myanmar / Burma – Hauntingly beautiful seems an appropriate way to describe the vast countryside dotted with temples, and some of the other familiar sites in this country. Tempting, for sure.
South East Asia.
I specifically planned to have this at the end of my trip
because 1) it’s relatively cheap, and 2) I’m pretty sure I’ll want to stay a
while. I’m definitely not booking any
treks in advance, and I’m not planning out my route too much, hoping to meet up
with other backpackers and slowly work my way through the region. However, I do have a few must-do sites and
activities…
- Volunteering with Elephants in Thailand
- Angkor Wat
- Singapore
- Beach time
- Street food
- Eventually work my way up (or down) the eastern coast of China by train (the Great Wall is also a must)
Beyond.
My original set-in-stone itinerary had me then jumping to
South Korea, to Japan, and finally back home.
However, I’m leaving this a bit open-ended. Do I think I’ll return to the States when
this is over? Absolutely. Do I think I might stay in South East Asia a
bit longer, extending my trip past a year?
Probably. Do I think I could be convinced to swing down through
Australia and/or revisit the lovely New Zealand before heading home? It’s definitely a possibility.
So there you have it. The loosely-planned itinerary of this future nomad. If anyone has any tips, suggestions, recommendations, warnings, or just wants to plan on meeting me in any of these (or other) destinations... just let me know
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