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Trekking Sapa
Trekking Sapa is truly one of the cooler things I’ve done in life. I’d argue that Sapa is one of the most beautiful places on earth if you go at the right time. Vietnam is often synonymous with Halong Bay, but Sapa is one destination I recommend if you have some extra time in Northern Vietnam. How to Get Started The journey to Sapa from Hanoi was a smooth and simple process. From my hostel in Hanoi I purchased a round trip ticket+ 2 day/1 night tour from Hanoi to Sapa for $140. I went through Hanoi Old Town Hotel, which I highly recommend, the staff is incredible and very…
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A Backpacker’s Guide to Visiting the Gobi Desert
If you’re visiting Mongolia, it is likely that you’ll want to visit the Gobi Desert and rightfully so. Getting to the Gobi can simply be broken down into two methods: Organizing a trip through a tour guide and going by yourself. Unless you have your own vehicle, are permitted to drive in Mongolia, and are a master of navigation, you’ll likely be opting for the tour. There are a number of tour companies operating in Mongolia, so your options are endless. How to get Started I booked a 6 day tour with Sun Path Guesthouse, which was an excellent choice (regarded as the best among travelers). For my 6-day journey,…
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Terelj National Park Day Trip
Gorkhi Terelj National Park is an excellent place if you’re looking for a day trip from Ulaanbaatar.You can take the local bus here or book a tour through your hotel, but the best option in my opinion is through taxi ($50 round trip) and I’ll explain why. The local bus and most tour groups will not stop at the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, which is a must see in Mongolia. Not only do you get to see this enormous 40 meter statue, but there is also a museum inside. Here, you can try on traditional Mongolian clothing. If you ask, most taxi drivers will take you to both the national…
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Best Time to Visit Bagan
Bagan is one of the most iconic places in Southeast Asia and the heart and soul of Myanmar. Recently, Myanmar has seen a huge surge in tourism as a result of its relaxed visa policies and proximity to Thailand. The days of being the sole tourist in Bagan are over, but if you travel during the right time, you can pretty much avoid the massive herds. Many debate when the best time to visit Bagan is, but there is only one time that offers great weather and almost no tourists. So When is the Best Time to Visit Bagan? If you do a quick Google search, most will tell you…
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Day Hike in Inle Lake
Inle Lake is one of the most scenic places in Myanmar and those that have been would beg to differ. The lake tour is the highlight of your trip here and probably the main reason why anyone would come visit. The lake tour can be done in either half or a full day so, anything else longer would just seem unreasonable. With 2 days left to spare, I decided to do a day hike. A day hike in Inle Lake is one of best things you can do here. Not only do you get off the beaten path, but you can get an authentic feel for life in Myanmar. Setting…
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Places to Visit in Delhi
New Delhi is one of the world’s oldest cities and a bustling capital with over 20 million residents. Most travelers coming to India will likely fly into Delhi before moving onto other cities. Delhi, while it gets the reputation of being a chaotic, dirty, and unsafe place, is definitely worth visiting and one city you cannot skip over. There is too much history and culture here. Here are a few places to visit in Delhi if you find yourself here. 1) Gurudwara Bangla Sahib This Silk House of worship built in 1783 is beautiful and inspiring. It was fascinating to see all the Sikhs gather here at this beautiful structure covered…
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Day Trip from Hanoi: Tam Coc
Tam Coc is a great place for a day trip from Hanoi. From my hotel, I organized a day tour for $40, which included transportation, entrance fees, and lunch. Your bus will typically pick you up around 8:00 and the first stop is the old capital of Hoa Lu, a 2.5 hour drive from Hanoi. Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th century and today it is one of the most popular destinations in the Ninh Binh province. Hao Lu is rather boring (sorry for that disrespect Hoa Lu). You’ll stay here for an hour and continue by bus for another 30 minutes until you…
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Staying in a Cave Hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey
I often heard that no trip to Turkey was complete without staying in a cave hotel in Cappadocia. Being one to make the most of opportunities, I made sure to make this happen. When I first searched for cave hotels, I saw many of them were out of my price range, often hovering around $100 per night. Seeing how I was a broke graduate student at the time, I wondered if a budget cave hotel existed. I did further research and found out about Elif Star Cave Hotel in Goreme. For just $20 a night, I was amazed by the quality of the room; it was spacious, clean, had strong…
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Lamanai Tour From Orange Walk
If you’re in Orange Walk, you’re probably transiting to another city in Belize or Mexico, or you’re here to do the Lamanai tour. Outside of that, there isn’t much to see or do here. Orange Walk is perhaps the most laid back city in Belize, but a great place to kick back and relax. There isn’t much of a tourist industry, so you get the most authentic Belizean experience. I spent much of my time here relaxing and walking around this tiny town. My friend Kendrya and I came specifically to see the Lamanai (Mayan term for Submerged Crocodile) archaeological ruins. In order to visit these ruins you’ll need to book a…
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5 Reasons You Should Backpack Ethiopia
Little is known about Ethiopia despite being the origin of mankind and one of Africa’s oldest empires. For many, Ethiopia invokes images of crying hungry babies with swollen bellies shackled in huts. For others, Ethiopia is a proud symbol of defiance being one of the few nations to resist full on colonization by any European power. However you may look at Ethiopia, it is perhaps one of the most fascinating countries you can visit in my opinion. Here are 5 reasons you should visit Ethiopia. 1. Food Ethiopian food is delicious and distinct from anything you’ve probably ever had. Injera, a sourdough-risen flatbread made from teff flour, is the fundamental…
