BucketListly Blog

The State of Design

In Travel Blogging Industry

Travel blogs nowadays are starting to look all the same, with generic off-the-shelf templates, difficult navigation, way too many unnecessary popups and don't get me started on scroll hijacking (why do people do this?). I believe it is due to the fact that creating websites have become more accessible and blogs can be easily built with automated tools, allowing bloggers to focus more on writing, marketing and SEO.

This is all good for beginners but when these blogs grow, most bloggers forgot about design and instead doubled down on SEO and marketing, sometimes sacrificing user experience for profit. Their identities are diluted over time and hence why most of the travel blogs you see nowadays feel similar to one another.

Great Design & Excellent Storytelling

In order to promote great design in the travel industry, I have decided to scour the internet in search for the best travel blogs out there that have great user experience, excellent storytelling, and websites that pushed the envelope of what travel blogs can be.

Here are the 10 best design travel blogs in 2018:

1. The Travel Episodes

What I love About it: The Travel Episodes does not just take storytelling to the next level with their writings but also with video clips, sound effects, and photography. It's like reading a futuristic storybook that teleported you to the place. For example, the Hitchhiking through Pakistan entry, when you first landed on the page, you are already feeling the tense atmosphere of the video playing in the background, and the more you read through easily-digestible paragraphs, the more you wants to see how it all went down. The Travel Episodes blog takes travel blogging into the realm of short stories like no other travel blogs I have seen.

2. 12 HRS

What I love About it: 12 HRS has a concept they stick to that I really like. You guess it, it's the "12 Hours in" series that provides not just a detail guide on how to spend your limited time in a city, but also the guides are clearly divided into hours with phenomenal typography and stunning photography. Imagine a high-quality magazine but on the web.

3. Jungles in Paris

What I love About it: Jungles in Paris takes travel storytelling into a deeper level away from the usual topics travel blogs like to write and more in the territory of a deeper understanding of countries' cultures and traditions. It's a breath of fresh air to read stories about "The Amazon Most Endangered Hunters" than another guide to a city or a country.

4. I am Aileen

What I love About it: Aileen is one of my favorite travel blogger. She writes her travel articles from a perspective of a third-world country passport holder (like me) and she shares her story with amazingly thorough detail, pastel-colored photography and easily digestible list. The aesthetic of her articles just screams how much attention she paid to design. Plus, her articles are always accompanied by a stunning cover photo with on-point typography. An example of her unique aesthetic can be seen on her "Japan Sakura Forecast" article.

5. Camels and Chocolate

What I love About it: Camels and Chocolate is one of the most colorful travel blogs out there. Kristin, the owner of the blog, really paid a lot of attention to her blog's design from the on-point color scheme to the aesthetic of her photography. Every element of the landing page works in harmony with her content. Articles like "Real-Life Narnia: A Guide to Jasper" also put focused on photography, making it feels like we are traveling with her.

6. Along Dusty Roads

What I love About it: Along Dusty Roads authors, Andrew and Emily are one of the best travel photographers in the travel blogging game. All of their articles are accompanied by abundant of information and stunning photographs that will inspire anyone to visit the place. Their article about The Forgotten Animals of Bolivia has not just amazing photography but also a clean design that put the focus on the content first and foremost and is easily digestible. I remember reading their blogs extensively when I was traveling in Colombia and Ecuador.

7. Expert Vagabond

What I love About it: If I want to plan something adventurous, I always visit Expert Vagabond. Mathew is a great adventure photographer and an excellent writer. His travel blog is designed for optimum information consumption with a simple layout, clean and content-centric. Expert Vagabond never failed me at getting the concise information quickly without sacrificing the ability to dive deeper into a place if I wanted to. His article about Hawaii is a great example of his excellent writing and inspiring photography.

8. Sidetracked Magazine

What I love About it: Sidetracked travel blog is a great example of a travel blog that excels at everything from unique adventure stories to a beautiful layout that doesn't dilute the content. An article like "Paragliding off the Alaskan Mountain Range" shows off their ways of getting first-hand stories from adventurers and accompany it with adventure photography in between to give you the sense of scale. You will feel the rush of adrenaline by just reading through their articles.

9. Classe Touriste

What I love About it: Classe Touriste takes you off the beaten path further than most travel blogs do. The travel blog is designed to almost feel like you are reading a newspaper full of adventure stories with big typography, photography in a grid and clean layout. For example, Classe Touriste will take you to places like North Korea and convince you to do the same with their absolutely stunning photography.

10. Our Wild Abandon

What I love About it: Our Wild Abandon is a creative and quirky travel blog by the duo Kyla and Jill with stories that will make you want to run away with them and do long road trips around the world forever. It's like On the Road book by Jack Kerouac envisioned in the 21st century and split into smaller stories for internet consumption. Their layout design, for example on their Yosemite story is almost invisible, making ways for the stories and photography to shine and take over.

And there you have it, the top 10 travel blogs I believe have the best design out there. What do you think of the list? If you have any recommendation or you want me to add to the list, please don't hesitate to let me know in the comments below.

Things to Do Map

When to Go

September to October is the best time to visit Budapest as there will be fewer people compared to June - August, the weather is still great and the best of all, the colors of the city started to shift towards autumn so you will be able to see a more colorful side of Budapest, especially up from Buda Castle.

Where to Stay

Budapest - Urbana Hostel - 13.55 USD/Night (Great location, in between the train stations and the city center. The beds have privacy curtains.)

How to Get Around

Most of the attractions recommended here are all within walking distance and Budapest is best seen on foot so I would recommend you walk as much as you can.

If you are planning to travel away from the city center, metros or buses are a great way to move around the city. You can buy the single trip ticket for 350 HUF (1.3 USD) at any train station. With this ticket, you can go on metros, buses or trams but if your trip requires you to change to a different line or types of transportation, you will have to get a different ticket for 530 HUF (2.10 USD). Don't forget to validate the ticket when you enter the platform.

Download official Metro maps here.

Best Things to Do in Budapest

Breakfast at WARMCUP Cafe

Nothing like starting a day full of adventure with a fine cup of coffee at WARMCUP Cafe, a cool art cafe with delicious coffee, great vibe and wide range of pastries and sandwiches for your morning.

Climb up the St. Stephen's Basilica

One of the most important church in Hungary, St. Stephen's Basilica is a great place to admire the beautiful Neo-Classical style architecture and stunning decoration of the interior, especially the intricate detail of the cupola from the inside.

You can also climb up the tower and see the city from above. Not the best view of the city in my opinion but it is a good place to get a sense of direction and see where things are in the city.

Stare at the Sheer Beauty of the Hungarian Parliament Building

This is possibly one of the most popular attractions in the city. With the gigantic Gothic Revival style facade and a perfectly symmetrical dome at the center, there is no mistaking the building for anything else. The parliament is best viewed from the other side of the Danube river during sunset when the lights are illuminating the symmetrical body of the structure.

You can also make an appointment and go inside the parliament building to see the famous Assembly hall of the House of Magnates but be sure to book it early in the day as booking is only available on the day of your trip.

Keep an eye out for the statue of Imre Nagy, one of the most significant prime ministers, standing on top of a copper-wrought bridge looking at the country he loved.

Pay Respect at the Shoes on the Danube Bank Memorial

The Shoes on the Danube Bank are a memorial dedicated to the 3,500 people who were shot into the Danube during the time of the Arrow Cross terror. They were ordered to take off their shoes before getting shot at the edge of the water so that their bodies would be carried away by the water current. Over sixty pairs of shoes were sculpted out of iron and attached to the stone embankment along the side of the Danube river.

Have Lunch at Hummusbar

Nearby St. Stephen's Basilica, there is a restaurant called Hummusbar where you can get a 700 HUF (2.77 USD) falafel. It is served in both small and big portion with delicious falafel balls, hummus dip and many other varieties of healthy, Mediterranean, and vegetarian-friendly options you can choose. If you want to save cost but still have great food, this is the place.

Walk up the Buda Castle

After lunch, walked along the Danube river and cross the Széchenyi Chain Bridge towards Buda Castle and climb to the top of the hill to the courtyard for a breathtaking view of the city. You can also go inside and check out the National Gallery if you have time to spare.

Admire the City from Fisherman's Bastion

While you are on the Castle Hill, walk further north and visit the Fisherman's Bastion, a fairy-tale-like bastion straight out of some fantasy novels like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter.

You can either walk along the wall or sit in a cafe along the wall to get the best view of Budapest from above. Personally, I think the view from here is by far the best spot out of all the place I saw in Budapest.

Also, be sure to turn back and appreciate the beauty of Matthias Church located in front of the bastion.

Have a Coffee at the Oldest Cafe in Budapest

Photo by Dpotera

Ruszwurm Confectionery is the oldest cafe in Budapest opened in 1827 and is still operational today. It is located a block away from the Fisherman's Bastion so if you are looking for a break, here is a good place to do so. The cafe is equipped with a 200 years old wooden counter that is still in use today. The price for a coffee and a cake remains quite cheap considering how popular it is among tourist.

Look out to the City from Citadella

Photo by Tamás Mészöly

Citadella is a fortress located at the top of Gellért Hill. The Citadella has seen many occupants since its construction from the Nazi using it as an anti-aircraft position to the Communists using it to bombarded the people in the city. Due to its strategic location, I can see why this place played an important role in the city's history. Citadella is another great lookout point for those who can not have enough of the city's majestic view.

Get Soaked at the Gellért Thermal Bath

Photo by Roberto Ventre

Budpaest is well-known for its thermal bath due to an abundance of hot springs, so much so that the city was named the "Spa City" in 1934. It is located near the Citadella, and from there you can soak yourself in the "healing water" and relax inside the beautiful Art Nouveau style architecture of Gellért thermal bath. If you have spare time, a thermal bath is a must-visit for those who want to experience Budapest to the fullest.

Party at the Famous Ruin Bar

Photo by Jorge Franganilloe

You can not come to Budapest without attempting to see the ruin bar culture that the city is famous for. Szimpla Kert is one of the best ruin bar in the city. If you want to see a unique ruin bar with a fun vibe, lively atmosphere, and beautiful decor, this bar is a must-visit.

Things to Do Map

When to Go

June to August is the best time to go with the warm weather, longer days and with a lot more happening outside than other period but it comes with more tourists, expensive accommodation, and warm weather.

September to October is the best time if you prefer to avoid the crowds and would like to save cost while enjoying the city at its best still.

Where to Stay

Porto - Urbana Hostel - 22.21 USD/Night

How to Get Around

Metros are the best way to travel around the city. It is well connected and relatively cheap.

Right from the airport, you can get an Adante card at one of the machines near the entrance. The cost per trip will depend on the zone you are traveling to but if you want to go to the city center from the airport, you will have to pick Zone 4 and each trip will cost you 2.5 EUR. With one trip purchased, you can travel to any station within one hour of you validating the ticket. You must validate the ticket every time you enter the metro station as there will be people waiting to check in case you have not validate the card.

The Adante card can also be used on the city buses as well you can navigate the city with both types of transport.

If you have to catch an airplane late at night or early morning, I would recommend getting an Uber. For 13 EUR, I was able to get Uber to the airport at 4:45 AM right on time for my flight at 7 AM.

Best Things to Do in Porto

Have Pastries for Breakfast

Porto is an amazing place if you like pastries, both salty or sweet. There are a bunch of great pastry place in Porto but my favorite is A Loja dos Pastéis de Chaves. Their famous puff pastries come in both salty and sweet. I would recommend you try the original veal flavor or chocolate if you are into sweet pastries.

If you like tarts, you can not go wrong with Nata Lisboa. There most well-known pastries are their sweet custard tarts that you can buy for later or have for breakfast. With a good cup of coffee and delicious pastries for breakfast, you are ready to explore the city.

Check out Livraria Lello

Photo by WASD42

Livraria Lello is no ordinary bookstore. Despite it being one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal, it is also the bookstore that inspired Harry Potter’s author JK Rowling to visualize and create the Harry Potter’s library in Hogwarts. The curvy interior of the store with skylight illuminating the wooden staircase and bookshelves make the place quite a sight to behold.

Visit the Clérigos Church

Clérigos Church is the Baroque church that is considered to be the landmark of the city. With its narrow tower that gives you a panoramic view of the city from above, the church is a must visit for photographers or travelers who are interested in architecture.

Admire the Portuguese Craftmanship at Porto Sao Bento Train Station

The main train station are usually not a tourist attraction but the one in Porto is an exception. The walls of the Porto Sao Bento train staion is decorated with approximately 20,000 azulejo tiles, dating back to 1905, all of which form beautiful murals on 3 sides of the building's walls. The murals allows you to take a peek at the Portuguese mastery of craftmanship back in the days.

Try Francesinhas at Café Santiago F

Photo by Filipe Fortes

Café Santiago F is a family run cafe that has become one of the best places to try the famous sandwich, francesinhas in Porto. The place is always plagued with long queues but if you get there around 11:30 AM for an early lunch, there will be plenty of place for you. The Francesinha here is amazing and definitely worth the wait. With its multi-layered meats and sausages combining with the secret orange sauce (one might call it, the "Moist Maker" 😉), with one bite, you will know why this is considered the best sandwich in the world.

Enjoy the View of Porto from Miradouro da Vitoria

Miradouro da Vitoria is one of the best lookout viewpoints in Porto. Not too far from the Clérigos Church, you can stroll down the small alleyway of the city and until you approach an opening with the view of the Port below and all the Wine Cellar hill-side signs scattered around the other side of the river. It is one of the best photo spot out there.

Visit the Bolsa Palace

If you have time to spare, I would recommend you to take a 40 minutes tour around Bolsa Palace or former stock exchange building. Its spectacular interior of the place will make you wonder if you were really standing inside a former stock exchange building.

Stroll along the River at Ribeira Square

Ribeira Square is the perfect place to stroll along the side of the Douro river heading towards the Luis I bridge. The square gives you a great view of the Douro and its many bridges. There are also many restaurants and cafes here for you to sit and relax but if you are looking to try seafood, I would recommend skipping here and going to Matosinhos as it will be cheaper and fresh.

Visit the Porto Cathedral

This Roman Catholic church located in the historical center of Porto, is one of the oldest and most well-known churches in Porto. Its location, on top of a hill dominating the city, serves as a good spot for a panoramic view of the city. With its Baroque exterior, stunning Romanesque facade and nave with a little touch of Gothic style on the inside, the church is a must-visit for travelers who are interested in the history of the city.

Walk Across the Luís I Bridge

You can walk this bridge from either the top level or the bottom level. It is worth walking both levels but the view from the top is by far the best lookout point you can get in Porto. You will have a panoramic view of both sides of the river and from up above, you can see the beautiful detail of the city you wouldn't see on ground.

You can either get a cable car or walk, but if you can, I would recommend walking since you might be able to stumble upon a view like I did.

Try Port Wine from the Opposite side of Douro River

Porto is well-known for its fortified wine and along the Douro River, the opposite side from Ribeira are plenty of famous wine cellars you can indulge yourself in. You can either get a tour through one of these wine cellars or simply find a restaurant, sit and enjoy the unique texture of sweet Porto wine.

Eat Fresh Seafood at Matosinhos

If you are craving for seafood, the cheapest place to go with the most local vibe and fresh seafood is Matosinhos, 30 minutes metro ride away from the city center. Take a metro to Mercado station and walk towards the coast and you will find plenty of seafood place to eat (even on Sundays).

A particular place I like is Marisqueira dos Pobres restaurant located near the coast in Matosinhos district. For 9 EUR, you can choose what kind of seafood you want and they will prepare it fresh for you. The dish will come with the seafood you ordered plus delicious seasoning, colorful toppings, potatoes, and salads. It was definitely worth the price IMO.

Enjoy local cuisine at Restaurante O Buraco

If you want to try local food near the city center, you can go to Restaurante O Buraco located near the hostel recommended in this guide. The restaurant serves all kinds of Portuguese traditional food and it is popular among both the locals and tourists alike. The place is very small and almost always crowded so prepare to wait or get there as early as you can. The place opens from 12:00 - 15:00 and 19:00 - 22:00 on weekdays, 12:00 - 15:00 on Saturday and close on Sunday.

Itinerary Map

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Why go to Germany

With a perfect harmony between the old and the new, the efficiency and the creatives, and the antiquity and the modernity, Germany is a country that offers many things for all kinds of travelers.Museums for history buffs, creative cafes for hipsters, lively local events for party goers, and mountains for adventurous, no matter who you are, you will find a place to belong in Germany.

When to Go

July and August is the best time to visit with the perfect summer temperature, high chance of clear days and a more lively environment throughout the country with lots of people outside and outdoor activities to participate. But since it is high season, everything is more expensive and the cities are much more crowded than other months.

April - June and September - October are also a great time to visit if you are looking to avoid crowds and keep your cost low since these are shoulder seasons and the weather may get a little unpredictable.

How to Get Around

Flixbus is the best option when it comes to traveling to different cities in Germany. It is cheap, reliable and very well-connected throughout western Europe. There are also many discounts and promotions that could save you a fortune so keep an eye out for their 1 EUR bus tickets.

When it comes to traveling in big cities like Berlin and Munich, Metros are the best option. They are fast, relatively cheap and cover a wider area than buses or trams. Download Metro maps here: Berlin | Munich

Accommodation

Frankfurt - Frankfurt Hostel - 27.66 USD/Night

Munich - Wombats City Hostel Munich - 28.63 USD/Night

Nuremberg - Five Reasons Hostel - 26.61 USD/Night

Dresden - Lollis Homestay - 21.34 USD/Night (Fun environment, located in the creative part of Dresden)

Leipzig - Five Elements Hostel Leipzig - 16.34 USD/Night

Berlin - Jetpak Alternative - 33.39 USD/Night (Highly recommended! By far the best hostel in Germany. It is located in the stylish alternative zone of Kreuzberg. The best part is the hostel is catered to solo backpackers (no big groups) so you are sure to find friendly people here. Plus, the properly made free latte for breakfast is just the best!)

Hamburg - Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel - 29.68 USD/Night (Modern, clean and have curtains for privacy)

Cologne - Die Wohngemeinschaft - 28.45 USD/Night

Germany Two Weeks Itinerary

Frankfurt (optional 1 night)

Frankfurt is probably the cheapest place in Germany to fly to and from so that is why our journey begins here. To be honest, Frankfurt is not much of a tourist city and since you have only 2 weeks, I would suggest you skipping and go straight to Munich. Of course, if you have some time to spare, you can explore Frankfurt either when you arrive or on your way out of Germany.

If you are interested in exploring Frankfurt, I would suggest you spend the day at the city's old town square, Römerberg. Be sure to check out the City Hall, Frankfurt Cathedral and hang out at the Fountain of Justice while you are there.

Munich (3 nights)

Munich is the capital city of Bavaria, home to centuries-old buildings and its unique Bavarian heritage where the cliche culture you see portrayed in movies are from. Marienplatz is the where all the centuries-old buildings are located. You can spend an hour or two walking around the area and enjoying the vibe of the city while immersing yourself in the beautiful architecture of Munich.

The best place to get a view of the city is from St. Peter’s Church in Marienplatz. Be sure to hike up there and get the feel of the city with a 360° view from the top. Since the tower is centrally located, and high enough, you will be able to see the best of Marienplatz in one go from here. I would recommend going early in the morning when the sun is still hovering the horizon.

There are also several parks you can picnic and just have a nice morning stroll through nature, away from the city such as the Olympic Park and the English Garden.

If you are looking for a day trip, you can visit the Nymphenburg Palace, a royal residence of former rulers of Bavaria. The place is massive in scale with a large garden full of statues surrounding the lavishly decorated interior and baroque-style exterior of the palace. You can easily spend an hour just strolling around the garden of this palace.

Another big tourist attraction near Munich is the Neuschwanstein castle located an hour away from the city. In order to go there, you will need to book a ticket online from here and then you will have to take a train to Füssen on the day of your tour in order to get to the castle. I would highly recommend you to book the ticket in advance especially if you are visiting during the high season.

Find out more about Munich here.

Nuremberg (2 nights)

From Munich, you can take a bus to Nuremberg, where you will be able to see German history up close. The Imperial Castle is the best place to start your journey in Nuremberg. The castle was built hundreds of years ago and the surrounding area is concentrated with historical buildings some of which are converted into a museum where you can learn the medieval history of Germany.

My favorite structure in the Imperial castle has got to be the Sinwell Tower where you can go all the way up to the top and have a 360° view of Nuremberg.

Nuremberg is also famous for its Christmas market and if you are traveling around the end of the year, you will be able to experience one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Even in October, I was able to see a market fully packed with people buying and hanging out in the square.

If you are interested in the dark history of the Nazi regime in Germany, you should also visit the Nazi Party Rally Grounds. There is a museum in unfinished remains of the Congress Hall of the former Nazi party rallies where a permanent exhibition "Fascination and Terror" is held. The exhibition is concerned with the causes, connections, and consequences of Nazi Germany. The museum is uniquely created and shows how Nuremberg played an important role in the Nazi Regime. Hitler once agreed that Nuremberg is the "most German of German cities".

Dresden (2 nights)

Dresden is a place full of surprise. Located in the Eastern part of Germany, the city is not as popular as Berlin or Munich but it has quite a lot to offer. From the Baroque style architecture to the nature surrounding Saxony Switzerland, one full day is barely enough to experience what the area has to offer.

Visiting the old town, you will find many attractive Baroque architectures from the beautiful gate of Georgenbau to the stunningly massive Dresden Cathedral, which are all located in the same area, easily walkable in a few hours. Spend some time and explore the old town and you will see why this is one of my favorite city of all.

You can also go on a half day hiking trip to Saxony Switzerland national park and hike to the Bastei bridge. One of the stunning location in Germany. To tell you the truth, I did not expect to see such nature in Germany. Bastei bridge is definitely worth a visit if you like nature.

In order to hike to Bastei bridge, you will have to take a train heading in the direction of Schöna or Bad Schandau to the Kurort Lathen station from the Dresden Neustadt station. From there, you have to go into the town and cross the river with a ferry and then follow the path to the start of the hike.

Find out more about Dresden here.

Leipzig (2 nights)

Leipzig is one of the lesser known city that usually goes under the radar for most tourists but the city offers many unique experiences for travelers who seek to get away from the usual tourist traps and see Germany in different perspective.

First, you should visit the Monument to the Battle of the Nations (Völkerschlachtdenkmal), a monument commemorating Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig, a crucial step towards the end of the war. It is one of the most impressive monument I have seen so far and among the highest in Europe, standing at 91 meters. Best of all, there is a viewing platform at the top and you can climb up 500 stairs and get a beautiful view of the landscape around the environment.

The monument is a little further out of the city so if you want to spend your time in the city, you can hang out at the Altes Rathaus, a historical old town of Leipzig. Around the old town, you will find many interesting architectures to explore such as St. Thomas Church and the futuristic-looking building of the University Of Leipzig.

Here is an insider tip for you, if you want a nice panoramic view of the city, head over to Panorama Tower near the old town, pay 3 EUR to the restaurant and you will be able to access its rooftop platform and get a nice photo of Leipzig from above.

Berlin (3 nights)

Another of my favorite city, Berlin is given the title, the creative capital of Europe and it was not a mistake. Berlin is a city that appeals to all types of people may it be the party goers, the adventurous or the hipsters. The usual touristic places to go to in Berlin are East Side Gallery, Charlie's Checkpoint, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Berlin Cathedral, all reachable via metros.

For museums, if you are interested in the history of World War 2 and East Germany during the repressive DDR reign, I would recommend you visit the Topography of Terror museum and DDR museum respectively. These museums will give you a detail look into Germany under the Nazi and the Soviet occupation that followed.

The Topography of Terror museum is free and it is focused on the cruelty of the Nazi party, mainly about Himmler and his plan of extermination. A truly gripping experience, but a must if you are into history.

There are no better ways to learn more about East Germany under DDR reign than a visit to the DDR interactive museum in Berlin. The museum showcased many aspects of what it was like to live in East Germany from being eavesdropped by the government with their intelligent surveillance program to the movement that eventually took down the iron curtain.

If you want to go full-on alternative like I did, you should stay in Kreuzberg area (Jetpak Alternative, the hostel I recommended) and hang out at the Kastanienalle Street where all the cool cafes and second-hand shops are.

Flutgraben Canal is also a great place to find something to eat. A restaurant I would recommend is White Trash Fast Food, with western style food and amazing vibe.

More over, if you are looking to go out at night, check out Urban Spree and align your visit with their event schedule for a nice night out. Located by the Spree river, this artistic space is dedicated to urban cultures through exhibitions, art, DIY workshops, and concerts. You can always find events every Friday night here.

Find out more about Berlin here.

Hamburg (2 nights)

Hamburg is a city located by the river Elbe, and home to the second largest port in Europe so the best place to visit is the Warehouse District (Speicherstadt) located there. Speicherstad stretches over 1.6 km along a canal and with its unique red-brick building crisscrossing the canals along the side, it makes the area the perfect place to walk around and admire the architecture.

There are also places like the Miniatur Wunderland museum, the Hamburg Rathaus City Hall and the Elbtunnel (old underground tunnel) that are worth a visit when you are there.

Cologne (2 nights)

Cologne is a cultural capital located on the Rhine river. Home to one of the oldest university in Germany, Cologne is considered to be a university city, which in turn brings out a lively vibe you usually get from a creative and young population. One of the most famous landmarks that define the city is the giant Cologne Cathedral. Despite the size and the interior, you can also climb up to the top of one of the tower and get 360° view of the city from above.

You can also indulge yourself in the old town of Cologne and try some of the local finest beers like Kolsch or go on a tour around the Chocolate Factory and fulfill your Willy Wonka childhood dream.

And there you have it, a 2 - 3 weeks itinerary for Germany. I know it is not exactly 2 weeks (16 nights) but feel free to adjust the itinerary to fit your schedule. If you don’t have that much time, I would recommend dropping either Frankfurt, Cologne or Leipzig as I believe there are more things to do in other cities. What do you think? If you have any question, feel free to ask me in the comments below.

Things to Do Map

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Where to Stay

Bogota - Urbana Hostel - 13.68 USD/Night

I recommended this hostel because it is located in Zona Rosa, a more hip and safer area of Bogota. It should also take you away from the typical touristic and dangerous areas like downtown where most tourists stay. You will have a much better time out here than in the center.

How to Get Around

Uber all the way. It might be a little more expensive than using their bus system (BRT) but Uber is considerably cheaper than normal taxis and much safer too.

Safety in Bogota

During the day, in a less crowded area like Zona Rosa, it is safe to walk around. You may have to watch out for pickpockets when you are in the downtown area (hence why I don't recommend staying there).

At night, a good rule of thumb is if you don't see any locals walking on the streets at night, don't do it yourself.

1. Walk around Plaza de Bolivar

Lets get the obvious things to do out of the way first, with a walk around Plaza de Bolivar, a beautiful colonial square located in the heart of the historical area of the city. Surrounding the square are some stunning cathedrals, monuments and palaces for you to indulge yourself in the colonial part of the city.

Be sure to walk up some of the hills towards the mountain as you will be able to see some nice colonial houses and a great view of the area.

2. Visit the Gold Museum (Museo del Oro)

Photos by McKay Savage

Who doesn't like gold? The Gold Museum in Bogota contains the largest collection of gold artifacts in the world, most of which are from pre-columbian times. You will get to see the history of the people inhabited in Colombia before the Spanish colonists unfold through their shamanistic rituals and craftsmanships. It offers a different perspective on the history of the indeginious people here.

3. Visit the Botero museum (Museo Botero)

This is by far one of the happiest museums I have ever gone in to. You will leave this place with a smile on your face. Botero Museum is a museum featuring a collection of Fernando Botero’s best work. He is renowned for his paintings and sculptures of overly-sized cartoonish people and animals. There is no mistaking Botero's work with any other artists out there.

4. Go up the Cerro Monserrate

This is by far my favorite attraction in Bogota. A few minutes walk away from Plaza de Bolivar, there is a Teleferico de Monserrate, cable car station where you can take a cable car up to the lookout point on Cerro Monserrate. The lookout is a perfect place to watch the sunset over the cityscape of Bogota. I highly recommend you to see this place both at night and during the day. It gives a different vibe depending on when you are there.

5. Enjoy Local Dinner at Andres DC

A giant local restaurant/bar with several floors dedicated for different types of people from fine-dining to a salsa dance floor, Andres DC is a great place for dinner. The amazing decor, the delicious food, and the friendly live band that comes up to your table and dance with you will leave you nothing but great memories about Bogota.

6. Pre-party in Zona Rosa

Photo by Isaacyaya

Zona Rosa is a hip neighborhood that is known as a popular dining area and the nightlife center among the locals. Most of the great restaurants and bars are all located here. It is also relatively safer than the central area, and makes it a good place for you to hangout both during the day and the night.

7. Learn some Spanish with Locals at Gringo Tuesday

Every Tuesday, both foreigners and locals gather in a bar called Vintrash to be part of Gringo Tuesday, an event that brings the local community and foreigners together to help with each other's Spanish/English. There are tables for all levels of Spanish and English from beginners to advanced so no matter what level you are on, you are sure to find a group of people to talk to. Plus, the place turns into a dance floor after 9 PM where everyone joins in and dance to reggaeton music.

8. Party at Theatron

Wondering where you can go on Friday or Saturday night? Theatron is where the best parties are at in Bogota. Renovated from an old theater, Theatron features 5 stories of, a dozen rooms of unique theme dance floors all with a different genre of music. It is labeled as a gay bar but the locals know that any gender is welcomed there and will enjoy the parties nonetheless. There is nothing quite like it.

9. After Party at BAUM

There are pre-parties, parties and then there are after parties in Bogota. If you are looking for the real after party club, there is no better place than BAUM, one of Colombia's best-known and best-loved nightclubs. With DJs from across the world, playing deep house until sunrise, you are sure to experience the real nightlife here.

10. Sunday Stroll at Usaquén flea market

After a weekend of parties, there is no better way to relax on a sunny Sunday than to go to Usaquén park and enjoy the quieter and more relaxed vibe of the city. There is a flea market at the park where you can find all kinds of handcrafts and hipster items for souvenirs. If you are not interested in shopping, there are also areas where you can sit and enjoy a cup of Colombian finest coffee while listening to music performed by local street performers. A memorable end to your trip in Bogota.

There you have it, top 10 things to do in Bogota, Colombia. Now, you can tell all your friends how wrong they were when they told you there is nothing to do in Bogota. What do you think of the list? Let me know if I miss anything in the comments below.

Itinerary Map

Video

Why go to Egypt

Egypt and its ancient culture throughout the Nile has captivated and amazed travelers for centuries. From the sand-covered tombs of lost civilizations to the dusty barren desert of the Sahara, Egypt will bring out the adventurer in all of us. You get to learn the history of Ancient Egypt, see firsthand the ruins of the pinnacle of human achievements while acting out one of your favorite scene in the Indiana Jones movies. Now, tell me why you would not want to visit Egypt? 😛

When to Go

October to April is usually the best time to visit due to mild weather but in my opinion, the crowds and the increase in price might ruin it for you. I would recommend shoulder seasons like June or September where you will have the best of both worlds, with fewer people, ok weather, and not too expensive.

How to Get Around

Trains and buses are well-connected with touristic cities. The cheapest mode of intercity transportation I found was buses but trains do offer a nice way of seeing the country from a different perspective.

To learn more about the schedule of the trains, I always consulted Seat61.com comprehensive guide to trains in Egypt

For buses, I always go with GoBus because they are comfortable, reliable and cheaper than the trains.

In Cairo, taxis and metros are recommended. Metros are only accessible within the main city premise so you might be required to take a taxi to go further, say from Cairo to the pyramids of Giza. If you are taking a taxi, hail it from the street and don't ever get on until you verify that their meter is not "broken". If you don't have much choice, say coming back from the pyramid, do bargain hard and don't ever get in a taxi until you and the driver agree upon a price.

Accommodation

Cairo - Freedom Hostel - 7.96 USD/Night (Best hostel in Cairo hands down. Well-located, friendly travelers and staff, very modern despite being in an old building, and fast Wifi)

Aswan - Keylany Hotel - 22.00 USD/Night (Single Room)

Luxor - Bob Marley House Hostel - 5.68 USD/Night (Owner is amazing, Maria understand how to create good hospitality. Service on par with European hostels.)

Alexandria - Triomphe Hostel - 11.00 USD/Night

How NOT to Get Scammed

Scamming is common in Egypt and it is important for you to know how they do it and how you can avoid getting scammed like I did. I have written an entire article about it so you can read more on ways to avoid getting scammed in Egypt here.

Here are a few things to keep in mind. Everyone got scammed at the pyramid may it be the taxi driver who pretends the meter was broken, a person impersonating to be a guard and attach to you like leeches until you pay them, people pretend to give you free stuff which in actuality it is not, people starting a friendly conversation out of no where, etc. so keep your eyes open and ignore any interaction that deems out of the ordinary.

Egypt Two Weeks Itinerary

Cairo (4 Days)

The first day you arrive, you will likely want to hit the ground running and check the Pyramids of Giza off your bucket list. Unfortunately, the pyramids are not in the city so you will have to either hail a taxi or charter your own transport to the Pyramids. You can easily spend half a day there.

Be sure check out all 3 pyramids and the Sphinx while you are there.

The second day, you can spend your time seeing the real Cairo. First, you can go to the area called Coptic Cairo where the Coptic Christian resides. In this area, you will find the famous Hanging Church, one of the oldest churches in Egypt that dated back to 3rd century AD.

Also, be sure to spend some time walking around the markets in the area and you might find a hidden gem like I did. There was this book market tucked away from the crowds that stood out to me. With small alleyways and bookshops along both sides, you can feel the knowledge flowing into you just by walking through the market.

Mosque of Muhammad Ali is another must-see stop in Cairo. The architecture and the sheer size of the mosque will take your breath away.

From the Mosque, you will also be able to see the cityscape of Cairo.

In the evening, you can also visit the famous Cairo bazaar called Khan el-Khalili. Khan el-Khalili is the main hub of trade in the historic center of Islamic Cairo. You can find all kinds of souvenir here (bargain hard) or if you are not interested in shopping, this place can be a good place for you to grab a cup of coffee and watch people.

Not to say, the bazaar itself is one hell of a photogenic place.

If you have another day in Cairo, you can hit the museum and learn more about the history of Egypt. The Grand Egyptian Museum is a must if you want to see real artifacts from the ancient times.

Find out more about Cairo here.

Alexandria (2 Days)

After a few days in the buzzing capital, it is a good time to visit the coastal city of Egypt, Alexandria, named after the founder of the city, Alexander the Great. The city is easily reachable by buses or trains and some people actually do a day trip from Cairo but I would recommend staying 2 nights here so you can spend 1 full day in this historical city.

Citadel of Qaitbay, Montaza Palace, and Library of Alexandria are a few places you can visit while in Alexandria. You should also try out some of their seafood which the city is known for.

Aswan (3 Days)

From Alexandria, first you have to get yourself back to Cairo either via buses or trains and then you can take an overnight train across the country to Aswan.

In Aswan, you can take a day trip organized by your hotel to Abu Simbel, a Nubian ruin located right by the border between Sudan and Egypt. Abu Simbel is hands down my favorite place in Egypt. The scale of this place is best seen with your own eyes. The gigantic statues in front of the temple of Ramesses II were nothing I have ever seen in my life.

Nearby the main complex lies another temple dedicated to the queen Nefertari. Another impressive temple carved on a side of a mountain. This place reminded me why I decided to visit Egypt. It is truly the definition of Egypt for me.

After Abu Simbel, the tour should drop you back around 4 PM, just in time for a nice climb up the sand dune across the Nile to watch the sunset. In order to get across the river, you have to take a local motorboat from the pier next to the River Transport Authority. On the other side, you can either pay to go into the Tomb of the Nobles or you can hike up around the temple complex and go to the top of the sand dune for free. Hands down, the best sunset spot in Aswan.

If you have another day, you can also get a taxi and a boat to Philae temple, and the Kalabsha Temple. Bargain hard with both the taxi and the boat. In the evening, you can rent a felucca out on to the Nile and enjoy a quiet evening while watching the sunset. Again, bargain hard for those feluccas. Go half price or even lower when bargaining with them.

Find out more about Cairo here.

Luxor (3 Days)

Coming from Aswan, you can either take a bus or a train to Luxor which should take you no more than 4.5 hours by train and 6 hours by buses.

Luxor used to be a capital city of Ancient Egypt which is why you will find many ancient palaces and ruins all concentrated in and around Luxor. Some of the places like Valley of the Kings and Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut are located quite far from the city so I would recommend going with a shared tour among other tourists to save cost and time. The tour should take you to the most famous spots of Luxor such as the Valley of the Kings, the alley of the Queens, Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu temple, and the Colossi of Memnon.

The tour should take you the entire day so when you get back, you can splurge a little and enjoy a nice delicious meal at Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant. Camel burger from there comes highly recommended.

With the yellow dusty landscape of the desert and all the stunning ruins scattered around the area, Luxor is one of the best and cheapest place in the world to go on a sunrise hot air balloon trip. Start your second day early with a hot air balloon tour and enjoy Luxor from above.

You can also visit the Karnak and Luxor temple which should be easy to reach as it is located not too far from the city center. The Karnak Temple Hypostyle Hall is one of the most impressive sites in Egypt and the most visited by tourists from around the world. The hall consisted of 134 gigantic pillars lined up in 16 rows that were supposed to support a roof, now fallen. Since this place is popular among tourists, it is best that you wake up early in the morning and be the first at the gate when it opens. I had the whole hall to myself for a few minutes before people flooded in.

For Luxor temple, I would recommend you to visit this temple last at sunset because the temple is best seen during sunset and at night with all the lights illuminating the halls of the temples. It is also one of the few places that are open until late. Plus, it is easily walkable from the city center so you can go there anytime.

Find out more about Cairo here.

Flying out of Cairo (1 Day)

From Luxor, it will take you several hours to get back to Cairo. The best and cheapest option I found was to take an overnight bus to Cairo instead of the train to save money on transportation and a night of accommodation.

And that is it for Egypt. What do you think of the itinerary? If you like it, please feel free to share or if you have some stories about Egypt, please tell us in the comments below.

Itinerary Map

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Why go to Turkey

Turkey sits at the crossroad between Europe and Asia and has been inhabited since the Paleolithic age by many civilizations making Turkey one of the best destinations to travel to for history buffs and adventurers alike who enjoys walking around historical places. Other than that, the people are amazingly friendly especially in the east, the food outrageously delicious and the cost of traveling very affordable. If you are looking to get yourself introduced to the middle east region, there is no better place than Turkey.

When to Go

While June - August is a high season where the price, temperature, and the number of tourists are at its highest, I would recommend you to visit Turkey either in May or in September to avoid the high price and the crowds. The weather in May and September are still great and the price not at its highest. You might get some rainy days but I think it is worth a sacrifice to avoid spending more during high season.

Keep in mind that from May to June is Ramadan and even though you won't have a problem finding food in the west, it is more difficult in the east part of Turkey so prepare accordingly or avoid visiting during the Ramadan.

How to Get Around

Buses are the best mode of transportation in Turkey. It is luxurious, quite reliable and often one of the cheapest ways to travel around the country. Bus companies like Metro and Ulusoy are recommended for most main routes but other small regional companies are perfectly fine too.

Keep in mind that most Turkish buses are not equipped with a toilet but they stop quite often at rest stops.

For more information, check out Turkey Travel Planner website. You can find almost any information about traveling in Turkey there.

Accommodation

Istanbul - World Hostel - 12.00 USD/Night (Very well located near the Galata Tower, has a cafe on the first floor and very well-equipped and clean)

Selçuk - Boomerang Guesthouse - 9.90 USD/Night

Fethiye - Fethiye Guesthouse - 14.85 USD/Night

Faralya - George House - 16.00 USD/Night (Campsites)

Antalya - Sabah Pension - 15.00 USD/Night (Amazing breakfast!)

Goreme - Hostel Terra Vista - 6.58 USD/Night (Rooftop bars, cheap hot air balloon tours available)

Mt Nemrut - Karadut Pansion - 12 USD/Night (Single Room)

Van - Van Backpackers Hostel - 12 USD/Night

Trabzon - Adelanta el Destino - 18.57 USD/Night

Kars - Hotel Kent Ani - 25 USD/Night (They can help you organize a tour to Ani)

Turkey One Month Itinerary

Istanbul (4 Days)

Istanbul is probably one of the most colorful and lively city I have ever been too and you need to spend at least 4 days in the city in order to get to know the city better. The Old Town is where you can spend the first few days at. Here are the things worth seeing in the old town: Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar.

Hagia Sofia is definitely worth the expensive ticket. This place blew my mind!

The grand bazaar is also a good place to go people-watching or simply shop until you drop.

After you have immersed yourself in the Old Town of Istanbul, spend a day walking around Taksim Square, eating great food and hitting all the cool bars and clubs in the area.

Also be sure to go up the Galata Tower during sunset on a clear day. This is the best place to see Istanbul from the top.

Spend your last day in Istanbul crossing the river to the Asian side of the city so you get to see how the locals actually live there. Also, the Asian side is considerably cheaper when it comes to food so be sure to try everything you want there.

Find out more about Istanbul here.

Selcuk, Ephesus and Pamukkale (3 Days)

From Istanbul, you can take a bus from Metro Bus Ticket Office near Taksim Square and head over to Selcuk. Selcuk is the perfect base for you to do day trips to Ephesus and Pamukkale. Since Selcuk is located within walking distance of Ephesus, I would recommend you spend half a day walking around the ruins. The Library of Celsus is very well-preserved and was quite a sight to behold.

You can explore Ephesus in half a day and spend another half day back in Selcuk and hike up the Ayasuluk Hill to the fortress dominating the entire city. The view from up there is perfect for watching the sunset over the city while sipping a cold beer and listening to birds chirping away.

Find out more about Ephesus here.

On your second day, you can join an organized tour from your hostel to Pamukkale and spend a day soaking your body in the natural white carbonate mineral baths.

The mineral-rich water dripping down the mountainside, collected and spilling over the terraces creating beautiful cascades of stalactites pools are quite a sight to behold.

If you are not into this sort of things, you can go to the ruins of Hierapolis nearby and learn about the history of the place.

Find out more about Pamukkale here.

Fethiye (1 Day)

Fethiye is a typical port city with lots of luxury hotel goers and tourists that want to spend their time relaxing by the sea. We are just passing through here for a night to break the trip down before we go to the Butterfly Valley. That said, if you are looking to hike somewhere, I know the best place for a nice sunset in Fethiye.

Amyntas Rock Tomb is a rock-cut tomb built by the ancient Greeks in the 4th Century BC. Hike up there and spend a quiet time watching the sunset.

Butterfly Valley and Faralya (4 Days)

From Fethiye, I recommend you to take a one-way boat trip from Oludeniz to the Butterfly Valley and instead of going back, you can spend some time at the valley and then hike up to Faralya and spend a few nights up there.

Butterfly Valley is one of the most beautiful places I have seen in Turkey but it has been ruined by the party boats that came everyday blasting music, driving away all the butterflies that gave the valley the name. That is why I recommend you hike up the valley and stay at the top so you are away from the loud obnoxious tourists plus the sunset is so much better up the valley.

There are many day hikes you can do from Faralya since the place is located right in the middle of the famous Lycian trail, one of the best long hike trail in the world.

I spent one-day hiking to Kabak Beach which is a disappointment since it was ridden by throngs of tourists and resorts but the hike was very nice and quiet.

I spent another day hiking with my friend who guided me to a place called the Paradise beach, tugged away unnoticed by tourists along the Lycian trail. There was no one but us on the white pristine beach. No wonder why it was called Paradise.

If you are interested in hiking to these places, you can ask your hostel for information and maps or if you stay at George House, they usually have an in-house hiking guide and you can ask for more detail from them.

Find out more about the Butterfly Valley here.

Antalya (2 Days)

Antalya is the fifth-most populous city in Turkey and the capital city of the region so it is a nice place to take a break from the long bus ride and spend a day walking around the Old City. The port is quite stunning in Antalya and a perfect place to watch the sunset.

Goreme, Cappadocia (5 Days)

There are many cities you can base yourself in Cappadocia but the best one for budget travelers like us is Goreme. From here, you can find plenty of hot air balloon tours with competitive price. It is also a good base for you to launch yourself into the surrounding hiking spots.

You can go on a hot air balloon tour here which should cost you no more than 120 EUR. Cappadocia is probably one of the best places in the world to do so. At the end of the tour, you will get a glass of champagne to celebrate your accomplishment.

For hiking trails, the Red Rose Valley, Pigeon Valley, and Love Valley are highly recommended. You can spend a day hiking Red Rose Valley and another hiking the Pigeon and Love Valley together to see the Cappadocian landscape up close.

You can also go on a day trip to the city of Derinkuyu and the Ihlara Canyon but it is best to do this with a tour since there is no public transportation the goes this way.

Selime Monastery should also be included in the tour and fun fact about this place I didn't realize before was that this was where George Lucas initially planned to shoot his Star Wars film but the request was not rejected by the Turkish government.

Find out more about Cappadocia here.

Mount Nemrut (2 Days)

Getting to Mt Nemrut requires a lot of patience and determination but how often do you get to see a bunch of heads of gods carved out from stones on top of a freaking mountain? In order to get here, you can either fly or take a bus to Kayseri and from there to Kahta. You can either stay in Kahta and get a tour or take a taxi to Karadut and hike 3 hours one-way to Mt Nemrut.

Either way, it's going to be a long trip to get to Mt Nemrut. If you are not interested in seeing My Nemrut, I would recommend skipping and go straight to Van either by flight or a really long bus trip.

Find out more about Mount Nemrut here.

Lake Van (2 days)

Now we are going off the beaten path to the city of Van in the eastern part of Turkey. The Kurdish are the majority in this part of the country and you can see right away how friendly and welcome they are when they see a strange face like us walking around. I had the best time with the locals here.

Van is also well-known for its generously-sized and amazing breakfast. Unfortunately, I was there during Ramadan... so no, I did not get to try it myself.

You can do a day trip from Van to the lake and get yourself on a ferry to the Akdamar island where an ancient Armenian church stands. With the church standing on a lonely island in pristine blue-colored lake Lake Van is one hell of a photogenic place.

In the evening, you can either walk from the city center or take a van (dolmus) to Van Castle (labeled Kale on the van). The castle is a good example of how the ancient Armenian civilization had influenced the area during 7th centuries BC.

Find out more about Van here.

Trabzon (2 days)

Trabzon is a city by the coast of the Black Sea and the capital city of the Trabzon province. Due to its location right in the middle of the Silk Road, it is common to see other civilization's remnants in Trabzon. One of those is the photogenic Sumela Monastery which was built by the Greek monks in AD 386. What is so amazing about this monastery is that it was built on the side of a steep cliff at the altitude of 1,200m above sea level. It is a site of great historical and cultural significance.

Since it is not easy to get to the monastery by yourself, I would recommend going with a tour and then separate from the group and explore the area by yourself like I did.

Find out more about Trabzon here.

Note: The Monastery has been closed since 2015 due to some several restoration and field works. The monastery is planned to reopen in mid 2018.

Kars (2 days)

We are finally at our last stop in Turkey! Congratulation, you have made it through the length of the country. Leaving the best for last, near Kars, there is a ruined medieval Armenian city called Ani.

Long ago, Ani was the capital of the Bagratid Armenian kingdom but got sacked when the Mongols arrived and the ruins are what is left of this once proud city.

Ani consisted of many Armenian structures from churches to houses scattered all over the site. You can spend a few hours just going from one structure to another and you still can't stop marveling at it.

I dubbed this place, "the land of structures built in impossible places" and you can see why.

Find out more about Trabzon here.

And there you have it. A one-month itinerary backpacking through Turkey. Even though it became harder and a little pricier the more east you go, but I assure you, the hospitality of the people in the East will have you begging for more time in Turkey by the end. I hope you will find this itinerary useful. If you have any feedback or recommendation, feel free to let me know in the comments below.

Itinerary Map

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Why go to the Easter Island

For one, Easter Island is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world and yet the island was a home to one of the most amazing culture, the Rapa nui. The island is also known for its numerous monumental statues, called moai, created by the early Rapa Nui people. There is no other place like it in the world and if you are interested in the history or the mystery surrounding the moai, you should definitely visit Easter Island.

If you are not into this kind of stuff but still enjoy being in nature, Easter Island has you covered as well. With its volcanic landscape, untouched nature and the remoteness of the island, you will be able to experience nature in its entirety here. Also, away from the polluted cities of the world, at night, if you drive out of town, you will be engulfed by a 180 view of the Milky Way. If this doesn't convince you, I don't know what will.

When to Go

The beginning of February is the best time since your trip will coincide with the Rapa Nui annual event celebrating the history and culture of the island, the Tapati Festival. You will be able to see the locals perform traditional dance, music, and theatrical performance. The event usually takes place at the beginning of February for almost an entire month. Be sure to check and confirm when the Tapati Festival begins here.

How to Get There

The most expensive part of this trip that deterred most backpackers and travelers is the airfare. LATAM airline is the sole operator for the island and in order to fly to the Easter Island, you will most likely have to go through Santiago, Chile. Because of that, it will be almost impossible to find a price less than US$1,000 round trip nowadays and the closer you book to your departure date, the more expensive it gets. It cost me US$ 1300 for a round-trip flight I booked a month in advance.

Keep an eye out for cheap tickets on Skyscanner.

How to Get Around

There are many ways you can get around the island and the price ranged from cheap to crazy expensive. The cheapest option is renting a mountain bike which should cost you around US$28 per day but keep in mind that the island is hilly and it would take you around one hour to two hours to bike across to the other side. You would need to rent it at least 3 days in order to see everything on the island.

The next option is a scooter or a motorbike which will set you back around US$60 - US$70 per day and you are required to have a valid motorbike driving license. You can't use your car driving license to rent a motorbike.

Next up is the ATV which cost US$90 per day. For ATV, you can use your car driving license to rent. This is what I chose as my mode of transportation because I didn't have a motorbike driving license and I wanted the flexibility of driving at night so I can be the first to see the sun rises at Ahu Tongariki.

Car, jeeps and vans are also available but it will cost you from US$150 or more per day.

Last but not least, you can go with an organized tour through local agencies. They will pick you up at your guesthouse and take you to all the places you want to see. Although, you do lose the flexibility of having your own transportation.

There are plenty of rental shops along the main street. Shops like Insular or Oceanic are a good place to start looking for your best transportation for your time here.

Accommodation

Hanga Roa - Camping y Hostal Tipanie Moana - 22.00 USD/Night

Things to Do

Hanga Roa (Day 1)

Arriving on the island, the first thing to do is to find a mode of transportation. Spend the first evening walking around the main street and find a store to rent your transport. My recommendation is to rent for 2 days and spend the rest of your time in town, learning the culture and the history of the island.

Ahu Tongariki (Day 2)

Once you have rented a vehicle, the next morning, wake up around 3 AM and drove from Hoga Roa towards Ahu Tongariki. Ahu Tongariki is the largest ahu on Easter Island and the perfect place to watch the Milky Way and the sunrise.

It should take you no more than 25 minutes to drive across the island to Ahu Tongariki. Why so early? Well, when you are out in the middle of the island at 4 AM, turn off your vehicle lights and then look up. This is what you are going to see.

Once you arrive, you will find that the entrance to the Ahu Tongariki is closed until the sunrise. Don't sweat since you can drive around the fence and watch the milky way shine its bright light on to the moai statues from the fence.

Around sunrise time (7 AM in February), you will be able to go inside and watch the sunrise. Even if you are not a morning person, I will still recommend you to wake up for the sunrise. It is wonderful to see the shadow of the moai statues moves around you.

Rano Raraku

North East from Ahu Tongariki is Rano Raraku, a volcanic crater where all the rocks for the Moai statues came from. You can see many moai statues scattered all over the quarry, some were incomplete.

You can still see some of the statues being built before it was abandoned after the carvers encountered hard rocks in the material.

Rano Raraku is usually crowded during the day so the earlier you come the better.

Anakena Beach

After hiking up Rano Raraku, wouldn't it be nice to be able to relax on a beach somewhere? Anakena is a white coral sand beach in the north of the island and you can drive up from Rano Raraku, have a nice lunch or simply just relax under palm trees and listen to the sound the waves crashing on to the beach. Nothing is more peaceful than that.

Be sure to also check out the Ahu Nau Nau, one of the best-preserved statue on the island.

Enjoy the ride

This is why I recommended going for an open-air vehicle like a bike or an ATV. Driving around the island can be a highlight in itself. As you drive around you will see the shift from the wonderful green landscape to a ruggedness of a volcanic landscape. You might also stumble upon surprising things like wild horses or a lone moai in the middle of nowhere so look out for them.

Enjoy the Tapati Festival

Once you get back to Hanga Roa in the evening, go into the town center and attend the Tapati Festival. The local performance with the locals dressed in traditional clothes and dance to upbeat island traditional music, nothing gets better than that!

Be sure to coincide your days with either the opening or the closing ceremony so you can witness the best of the festival while you are there.

Ahu Akivi (Day 3)

The next morning, you can start a little late and drive off to another Ahu, the Ahu Akivi. This one is a particularly sacred to the Rapa Nui people due to its absolute astronomical precision. It consisted of seven moai statues and are all faced exactly towards the point where the sun sets during the equinox which also aligns with the Moon.

Hike to Ana Kakenga

Ana Kakenga is a refuge volcanic tube formed a thousand years ago through volcanic activities on the island. What makes this cave special is its location overlooking the ocean. You have to hike to get to the entrance which is a small hole with no sign indicating that this is an entrance. It is very difficult to locate but if you have a guide with you, he/she will show you where the entrance is. The view is worth it though.. or so I heard since I couldn't find the entrance myself!

Rano Kau

Rano Kau is one of the most impressive places to visit on the island. The crater is an extinct volcano which consisted of wetland/lake at the center. Due to its formation, crater walls sheltering the lake from the wind that wet the island, the crater has its own microclimate.

With your vehicle, you can reach the lookout point easily and you will be able to see the entire crater from the top. Also be sure to go further and visit the Orongo village, a ceremonial village and a center of a birdman cult back in the days.

Ahu Tahai (Day 4)

On your fourth day, you will no longer need your vehicle so return it before they charge you an extra day. Walk around the city center and toward the north, you will find Ahu Tahai, a ceremonial complex comprises of three Ahu platforms, one of which has its eyes restored. Did you know before that some moai statues have eyes!? I did not!

Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum

In order to appreciate all that was and is the Easter Island, I would recommend you visit the anthropological museum and learn the history of the Rapa Nui people. The museum is walking only a distance away from Ahu Tahai The museum is closed on Monday so prepare accordingly.

Rest and Chill on the island

For the last half of the day, take your time and enjoy the scenery from the city center and hang out with the locals at the park or at a restaurant.

The good thing about visiting during the Tapati festival is that there is always performance happening in the evening so be sure to check it out before retiring to your guest house.

Fly Back to Santiago (Day 5)

On your last day, you must be completely exhausted but be sure to walk around a bit more and shop for a souvenir before you depart to the airport. The miniature moai statue, in particular, was my favorite and I had to buy for my place at home 😊.

Even though I spent close to US$2,000 for this trip, I had no regret doing it. Being able to immerse myself in nature in such a way was soul recovering and was a much-needed break from the grind of going city to city in South America. Easter Island is not for regular budget travelers but if you are determined enough like I did, being there will be one of the most rewarding things you can do in your life.

What do you think about the itinerary? Do you have any suggestion or feedback? If so, please do tell me in the comments below.

I started my trip in Ecuador through the border-crossing in the north and since I had no clue what to do in Ecuador except the Galapagos, I initially planned to travel through the country in no more than 2 weeks. To my biggest surprise, it took me a month and a half before reaching Peru. Why?

Well, follow me and I'll show you Ecuador!

For more information about Ecuador, here is my suggested itinerary and how to travel to the Galapagos on a budget. If you are also interested in this type of photography, check out my Follow Me and I’ll Show You _______ original series.

Quito

First surprise for me was the realization that Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, stood at the altitude of 2850m and are surrounded by some deathly volcanos. So my first order of business was to climb the 4784m volcano (Vulcan Pinchincha)

From the city, I took the gondola up to the trail head and started hiking toward the summit. The hike started off easy enough but then the path became steeper and the ground became less and less stable. Before the summit, I was climbing up a steep wall of rubbles with my hands.

It was all worth it though as I found this little guy on the summit greeted me with its friendliness. It instantly became my best friend. :)

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi is a very active stratovolcano at an elevation of 5,897 m. Its location is not too far from Quito and made for a great day trip. I left early in the morning, and found a guy that would be willing to guide me up the mountain. He drove me up to the trail head and stopped at an alpine lake along the way.

Unfortunately, the volcano was still pretty much active and summiting was prohibited so we were able to reach on the mountain hut, which was only 1,000m away from the summit. It was snowing heavily too so I think it was good we didn't go to the top.

Mindo

From the alpine environment of Quito, it was time to change it up a little. I went to Mindo, a village in the middle of a cloud forest 2 hours away from the capital. Here you can see the drastic shift in the environment. Mindo is well-known for its many waterfalls and bird species.

Me and a couple of friends went on a hike to discover the many waterfalls scattered in the cloud forest.

After hiking 2 volcanos, this was a much needed break for me.

It sure felt like I was reborn! It was amazing how I was able to go from the alpine environment of Quito to a tropical one in Mindo in only 2 hours. It was such a dramatic change in the nature, my body was still processing it.

The hike took us around 2 hours and we were able to hit up around 4 waterfalls .We didn't complete the entire trail though as we had an appointment to go do this...

Tubing! You always hear about the relaxing tubing experience in Laos drinking beers and floating your days away. Not this one. We wanted adventure and we had it!

I really enjoyed Mindo. It was an adventure stil but was a relaxing one. Unlike climbing volcanos, Mindo offers you enough adventure but also enough time to soak yourself in the nature and relax. A highly recommended destination if you are traveling in Ecuador.

The Amazon

It is like the saying goes, "if you haven't seen the Amazon, you haven't seen South America". Maybe that is just me saying it but still, Amazon rainforest is a must for a South America trip. For one, the rainforest stretches over 9 countries in South America so you can plenty of entry points here. I went with Ecuador because it was quite easy to organize from Quito and my friends only had time to go from Ecuador so we went together.

When I was in the Amazon, I was reading a book called the Lost City of Z and the book talked about how the independent explorers of that time mapped the Amazon and how unforgiving the environment in the rainforest was. Stuff like flesh-eating bats and maggots that live inside your skin had me terrified but also appreciate how far we have come. With Google Maps in hand, I no longer take it for granted.

It was a 4-days trip so there was plenty of time to explore the forest. We went on multiple forest walks, night safaris, swim in the lagoon and visited the native Amazonian village and got to talk with the chief.

At sunset we were always going to the lagoon trying to track down pink dolphins with no luck... until I looked up and saw one. :)

On our last day, we went n a forest walk and 2 minutes in to our walk we stumbled upon an Anaconda feasting on the turkey-like bird! We were very lucky since not many people get to see the Anaconda while on a jungle walk.

The guide told us this was a baby one. Still, it was 3 meters long and I couldn't imagine what the full grown one would look like in real life.

Baños

I have seen photos of people swing off a cliff overlooking a volcano before on Instagram but I didn't know that that particular swing was in Banos, Ecuador! I was excitedly surprised to find that it was only an hour hike away from my hostel.

Baños, the place with the highest concentration of swings in the most dangerous places in the world.

The Tungurahua is another active stratovolcano hovering over Banos. Seriously, is there any villages in Ecuador without a volcano hovering over them?

The Galapagos

It had always been a dream of mine to travel to the Galapagos and experience wildlife up close and so when I was in Guayaquil, I took that opportunity and flew to the island.

On my first day on the island, I spent the entire day planning and looking for a cruise to go on. There were so many options with so many routes it was almost too overwhelming. Eventually, I found one that fits perfectly with my schedule and off I went. The first day we spent exploring the main island (Isla Isabela), hiking up a lookout point, walking through volcanic caves, and visited the tortoise breeding ground.

The reason why I went with the cruise to explore the Galapagos is so that I could have access to the most remote part of the islands. This was one of the volcanos on the remote side of the Fernandina island.

Nothing grows here any more due to the volcanic activity. Such a drastic difference between the dead landscape and the untouched wildlife that made it their habitats.

This is one hell of an earth-shattering view! Get it? No? Ok, I'll show myself out...

We stopped briefly at the black sand beach. You see, the thing about Galapagos is that the animals here are not used to having predators so they no longer fear you no matter how close you are to them. I have never seen anything like this since!

Just a regular day on the Galapagos 🤣🤣

The wildlife under water were as impressive as the ones on land.

In between stops, we also went snorkeling with sea turtles, seals and sharks. It was one the most memorable moment of my life despite to freezing cold water.

Vilcabamba

Vilcabamba was the last stop in Ecuador for me before I went down to Peru. I was initially thinking of taking a slow day and just sitting in cafes but that would not be fair for the country so I decided to do a small hike, which turned into a long hike, got lost in the forest and eventually got chased down by 2 ferocious dogs. Let's just say the day went well. Haha!

Mandango is a peak in Vilcabamba that was very important to the Inca warriors back in the days. Legend goes that the place has regenerative power and it was used often by the Inca warriors for that reason. Needless to say, that was enough of a reason for me to hike up to the top.

Despite the fact that I got lost afterward, accidentally trespassed into people's home and got chased by 2 dogs, the hike was definitely worth the sweat. Be warned though that the weather down here is a lot more humid and hotter than the rest of Ecuador so prepare enough water.

You will not be able to appreciate the landscape of Vilcabamba until you saw it from the peak. The layers of rock sediments and colorful orange, brown and red stripes across an entire face of a mountain was quite a sight to behold.

Videos

And that is is for the "Follow Me and I'll Show You Ecuador" photographic journey. I hope you enjoy this one! If you have any questions, feel free to put down your thoughts in the comments below.

Follow me and I’ll show you Colombia

If you are looking for a recommended itinerary for Colombia, I've got your back. Here is my Ultimate Backpacking Itinerary for Colombia.

Bogota

I arrived in Bogota late at night and I went straight to my friends place and since it was Friday night, we went straight out to party. Needless to say, I spent the next few days recovering from that ordeal and had a chance to go up the gondola to Monserrate and absorb the hilly landscape of Colombian capital city. Monserrate is by far, my favorite spot in Bogota.

After a week in Bogota, me and my friends decided to go camping by a lake near Bogota. The night was cold but calm with people around camp fires listening to music, chilling out. It sure was a nice break from the buzzing city of Bogota.

Santa Marta

After a lazy week in Bogota, I flew up north to Santa Marta and went straight to hiking the Tayrona National Park. Me and my friend went through rush green and thick rain forest and stumbled upon a village of indigenous people. Not very talkative and very defensive towards tourists but the kids love us. :)

Minca

Two days in the forest sleeping in extreme humidity by a beach in Tayrona National Park, it was time to move on. I spent a few days relaxing and doing day trips around the region. One of those place is Minca, which I much prefer than Santa Marta. Greener, cooler, and much more quiet and chill.

Casa de Elemento is a hostel/guesthouse on top of a mountain in the forest of Minca and it has a giant hammock built on the side of a hill. After a tough hike, there is no other place I want to be than here.

Cartagena

A trip to the north of Colombia won't be complete without a stop at the touristic port city of Cartagena.

Cartagena is a colonial city by the northern coast of Colombia. It is possibly one of the most photogenic colonial town in Colombia hands down. I mean look!

Medellin

Ahh Medellin, expat favorite city, the infamous hometown of Pablo Escobar, and the renown coffee region of the world, Medellin is truly a city worth exploring for an extend period of time.

Aside from the usual tourist attractions, Medellin serves as a good hub for day hikes around the surrounding mountain. This particular hike is called Tres Cruzes and can be done in 30 minutes.

I spent an entire week hiking with my friend as he showed me around the hidden hikes that normally tourists like me wouldn't know. To be honest, I don't even know which hike this was!

Since Medellin is surrounded by mountains, the weather can change quite fast so when you go and hike somewhere, be prepared for muds and rains!

This hike I took with my friend started off like a regular trail but I think we might have been lost and somehow ended up going through several private properties. We had to jump and crawl through barb wire fence to get to this spot but it was worth it.

After 2 hours hiking up through thick grass and jumping over fences, we finally reached the top and the view.. is simply breathtaking.

If you watched Narcos, the view from the photo above may remind you of a certain scene of the show's addictive intro.

Salento

Salento is where the adventure is at. I spent one full day hiking around the Cocora valley, where all the tall palm trees are. I have never seen anything like it before.

I really love Salento. It has to be my favorite place in the entire country. The hike in the Cocora Valley was amazing while the town, located in a remote area of the mountain served as a great spot to be among Colombian nature.

It was nothing short of astonishing to be able to stood among these giants up close.

Popayan

Popayan or "white city" as it is sometime called, is a colonial city in the south of Colombia. The city square is surrounded with beautiful white colonial architecture unlike the colorful buildings of Cartagena. The city itself is great but I was there for one thing, to summit "the Vulcan".

Purace Volcano is one of the most active volcano in Colombia and with all my strength, I hiked the damn thing starting as early as 6AM from the city and came back, almost collapsing at 7PM. It was a tough hike, not because of the trail but of the wind and snow we got up there. The altitude of 4,646 m didn't help either.

Even though we didn't see anything at the top, my friend was able to capture this photo showing the landscape around Purace while the clouds cleared for a bit.

San Agustin

San Agustin is a small town in the Andes known for its archaeological park, home to numerous pre-Columbian remains. Instead of going all out adventure like we did in Popayan, me and my friend decided to hire a driver to drive us around the archaeological park and we visited a bunch of waterfalls along the way.

Since San Agustin is so remote and the road connecting Popayan to San Agustin is so horrible that it took us more than 6 hours to traverse the distance of 136km on a bus. To make things worse, I had to traverse back to Popayan to proceed to my next and last destination.

Ipiales

Ipiales is a perfect stop for people who wants to cross the border to Ecuador after. Near the border is Las Lajas Sanctuary, a basilica church built on a side of a cliff. If you are coming this way, this place is a must visit. It is also a perfect place to say good bye to Colombia is you proceed forward to Ecuador.

Videos

I spent a week in Saint Petersburg during Autumn (not the best time) and I have decided to compile a list of things to do in this city compressed in a more vacation-friendly timeline. Within this city guide, you will find out when is the best time to go, affordable accommodation, ways to around and a list of fun things for you to do in this wonderful city.

Itinerary Map

Video

When To Go

June to August is the best time to go as the temperature is perfect for outdoor activities hovering around 20 - 25°C and you are more likely to get a clear day than shoulder seasons. Clear days are hard to come by out of the summer time so I would only recommend this period.

How To Get Around

Saint Petersburg attractions are mostly concentrated around the winter palace area so most of the places are walkable.

If you want to explore a little further, the metro system is possibly the cheapest and fastest way to get around inside the city. It should cost you around 45 RUB (0.8 USD) per single trip of any distance.

Buses are a little bit cheaper (40 RUB) but depends on the traffic and time, it might be faster and more reliable to stick with the metro.

Getting from the airport and vice versa are relatively easy and cheap. When you exit the terminal, there will be a bus waiting going to the city. Hop on and pay 40 RUB (luggage not included) and it will take you to "Moskovskaya" metro station and from there you can take the metro to where you are staying.

Accommodation

Saint Petersburg - Hostel Chickadee - 6.5 USD/Night (Centrally located inside an old European building with beautiful wooden decors and comfortable beds with curtains.)

If you booked the same hostel that I do, from Moskovskaya station, get on the dark blue line and change to red line at Tekhnologicheskiy Institut station and head to Vladimirskaya station and you are 2 blocks away from Hostel Chickadee.

Things to Do in Saint Petersburg (3 nights)

Kazan Cathedral

Walking along the Nevsky Avenue, you will stumble upon Kazan cathedral, one of the biggest cathedral in the city so it is difficult not to check it out. The cathedral is free entry from 7AM - 8PM.

The Savior on the Spilled Blood Cathedral

One of the most iconic landmark of St Petersburg, this colorful cathedral is located in between the criss-crossing canals of Saint Petersburg. The cathedral is especially beautiful at dusk from the big bridge on Nevsky Avenue near Kazan Cathedral.

Be sure to go inside and look up. The interior is even more epic than the exterior in my opinion.

The Winter Palace and the Palace Square

The winter palace is another beautiful landmark you have to see in Saint Petersburg. Its unique green/white color combination and its perfect symmetry make the exterior quite a sight to behold. To make this place even better, the inside of the palace is the Hermitage museum.

The Hermitage Museum

The Hermitage Museum houses one of the most prestigious and largest art collection in the world. Even if you are not interested in the art, the museum do house temporary exhibition for you to learn about the history of Russia. When I was there, the October Revolution exhibition was on display. It was interesting to see how the revolution played a big role of transforming Russia to what it is today.

The 3 million items houses in the Hermitage museum occupies a large complex of six historic buildings. The museum is a labyrinth. I can see myself spending an entire day here learning and admiring the prestigious art collection and a unique interior grand Russian design.

St. Isaac's Cathedral

This cathedral is both impressive on the outside and on the inside but the best part of this cathedral is not any of that, it's the fact that you could climb up the tower to get to the balcony and absorb Saint Petersburg from the top.

Although you have to pay a few RUB to get up and get in separately but due to its location, 360° open air panoramic balcony, and its proximity to the winter palace, it was worth all the Rubles needed. I spent almost an hour up there taking timelapse videos of the city's skyline.

When you get inside, beware. You might get neck pain afterward because the cathedral decors and the colorful interior will have your head all the way back looking up and your jaw all the way down. Yes, it is that stunning!

Peterhof

Photos by Alex 'Florstein' Fedorov

Peterhof is a summer palace located outside of Saint Petersburg. The palace consists of a series of palaces, gardens and the Grand Cascade which the place is known for. If you are here during the summer, check out the big fountains at the Grand Cascade. Keep in mind that the fountains are only operational from May to September so time your visit accordingly.

Mariinsky Theatre

Photos by Perfektangelll

If you plan your trip ahead of time, be sure to align your visit with any opera, ballet or concerts that perform in the Mariinsky Theatre and book the ticket before hand so you can see the grand interior of this historic theatre. To see the upcoming shows, please visit this page.

Cafe for Digital Nomad

Bonch

I haven't done this in a while but since I found the perfect place for people traveling in Saint Petersburg, it is hard not to recommend.

Located near the Winter Palace, Coffee Bar Bonch is the best place to sit and enjoy a nice cup of cafe, watching the locals socialize or just sit and work on your laptop in peace. The cafe has a fast free Wifi (you need a Russian phone number to activate the wifi) and plenty of power sockets around the cafe. Coffee and cakes are delicious and not too pricey.

The location is shown above.

Within this guide, we will focus on keeping the backpack as light as we can without sacrificing the capability to film effectively while traveling.

Quick Summary

Total: US$ 3,473.66

Camera: Sony a6500 General Purpose Lens: Sony 16-70mm F4 (SEL1670Z) Low light Lens: Sony 35mm f/1.8 (SEL35F18) Wide Angle Lens: Rokinon 12mm F2.0 (RK12M-E) Tripod: Rangers 57” Ultra Compact Charger: Anker Premium 5-Port 60W USB Wall Charger Power Bank: RAVPower 26800mAh Power Delivery Lens Cleaning Solution: Lens Cleaning Kit External Hard Drive: WD My Passport (2 TB) Other Accessories: Spare Batteries | SanDisk SD Card | Polarizer Backpack: Herschel Supply backpack

Cameras

Sony a6500

US$ 1,398.00

The Sony a6500 is one of the best cropped-sensor mirrorless camera in the market and for good reason. It is fast, reliable and versatile perfect for both photography and videography. With its fast autofocus and 6K sharpness in 4K format video shooting, I have been seeing major improvement in my travel videos.

Above is an example of my travel video shot on the Sony a6500. The body is light and compact compare to DSLR so it is perfect for traveling.

Buy Sony a6500 ($1,398.00)

General Purpose Lens

Sony Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS (SEL1670Z)

US$ 779.00

This is my preferred choice for the best all around lens. What that means is that this lens stays on my camera most of the time. The 16 - 70mm covers most of the range I need while allowing me to zoom into people from afar. The f4 aperture is also fast enough for most use cases.

If you are looking for a cheaper option, I would recommend the alternative (Sony 18-105mm f/4 Lens (SELP18105G)) instead since it's only US$ 598 but with all the capability you get from my lens but just a little bit heavier.

Buy Sony Vario-Tessar 16-70mm Lens ($780.00)

Low Light Lens

Sony 35mm f/1.8 Prime Fixed Lens (SEL35F18)

US$ 448.00

What my general purpose lens lack is the ability to shoot great in low light. This lens compensates the general purpose with its faster aperture at f1.8. It is also a great street photography lens because the bokeh effect on this lens is phenomenal.

Buy Sony 35mm f/1.8 Prime Fixed Lens ($448.00)

Wide Angle Lens

Rokinon 12mm F2.0 Ultra Wide Angle Lens (RK12M-E)

US$ 332.18

This lens is for rare occasions when I want to do astrophotography and with the extremely wide angle and low aperture, I should be able to capture the scale of the milky way with the landscape easily. The problem is that this is a manual focusing lens so I will have to manually focus the shot myself hence for the rare occasion.

I'm using a variant version of this lens as you can see in the photo but I would recommend you buy Rokinon instead as it was recommended by Lonelyspeck.com

Buy Rokinon 12mm F2.0 Ultra Wide Angle Lens ($332.18)

Tripod

Rangers 57” Ultra Compact Tripod

US$ 69.99

I used a Chinese variant (Jusino B-025) of this tripod but the size, quality and price are pretty much the same. I always carry my tripod in my backpack so a tripod has to be small enough when fully collapsed. This one is around 35cm collapsed so it fits well in my backpack. It is also made of metal so it's durable and sturdy enough to carry the payload.

Buy Rangers 57” Ultra Compact Tripod ($69.99)

Charger

Anker Premium 5-Port 60W USB Wall Charger

US$ 49.99

This is my universal charger for all my electronics. With 4 USB ports and one power delivery USB-C port, I can charge all my electronics with just one charger. This is one of the few charger that is capable of Power Delivery technology which should allow you to quick charge powerful devices like MacBook or the Pixel 2 phones through its USB-C port.

Buy Anker Premium 5-Port 60W USB Wall Charger ($49.99)

Power Bank

RAVPower 26800mAh Power Delivery Portable Charger

US$ 79.99

I am using a Somoss Sense 6+ Pro 20000mah power bank but it is only available in Thailand so I would recommend you getting RAVPower portable charger with Power Delivery Support. I use this to keep all my electronics topped up during the day. Power Delivery support means that you can quick charge powerful devices like Macbook or the Pixel 2 phones as well.

Buy RAVPower 26800mAh Power Delivery Portable Charger ($79.99)

Cleaning Solution

Lens Cleaning Kit

US$ 8.99

Moving from a compact camera to mirrorless camera with interchangeable lens require you to keep the sensor clean yourself. At first I thought I wouldn't need it but being in the desert for 3 days taught me otherwise. Tiny specks can ruin your videos so having a cleaning solution ready will come in handy when you need it.

Buy Lens Cleaning Kit ($8.99)

Hard Drives

WD My Passport Portable External Hard drive (2 TB)

US$ 69.99

I have 2 identical My Passport HDs with 2TB each to back up my photos and videos. One I take it with me on the road, and the other is safe at home. I have had the opportunity to experience the worst fear a photographer could ever face first hand not too long ago, when my bag was stolen together with my external HD. It was a hard lesson learned, and that is why I now have two HD backups and you should too.

Buy Western Digital My Passport HD ($69.99)

Other Accessories

Spare Batteries

Spare batteries are always a good idea for Sony Mirrorless cameras which are known to have terrible battery life.

Buy Sony NP-FW50 Spare Batteries ($19.59

SanDisk Extreme 128GB SDXC UHS-I Card

The Sony 6500 are quite picky about its SD Card since it will only allow shooting 4K in the highest quality (100M) with SD Card that has SDXC U3. Simply look at your SD Card and see if there is a U symbol with a little 3 inside. If not, then you will need a new card.

Buy SanDisk Extreme 128GB SDXC UHS-I Card ($55.00)

B+W 55mm Circular Polarizer

This is optional but the filter will cut bright light coming through the lens during mid day and bring up the color saturation a little. Perfect for landscape photography during bright days. This particular one (55mm) is for my general purpose lens mentioned previously.

Buy B+W 55mm Circular Polarizer ($62.95)

Backpack

Herschel Supply Little America Daypack

US$ 99.99

Last but not least, the thing I can't live without is my Indian Blue Herschel Supply's backpack. I carry everything I need for the day with this backpack including camera gear, snacks and water. The main reason why I love this backpack is the unique style it has to it that is hard to find in travel day pack.

Buy Herschel Supply Little America backpack ($99.99)

Total Cost: US$ 3,473.66

"Three thousand dollars? That is expensive!". I'm not gonna lie, it was not cheap buying all these stuff but remember that I bought many of these over the span of 3 years so feel free to pick what works best for you. I hope you will find this list useful. If so, feel free to hit share, tweet and comments below.

Video

When To Go

In order to see the northern light, there are two prerequisites that need to be met. First, you have to be there in winter and secondly, you will need a clear dark. Winter in Russia is from November to February.

If you choose to go in November, the weather can be quite unpredictable but the weather is still above 0°C. If you choose to go in February, the weather can be freezing cold, but it is a little bit drier and less clouds.

Personally, I went during November and even though it rained on my in other parts of Russia, when I was in Murmansk, the rain stopped and there was a break in the clouds late at night so I was able to see the northern light on my first day hunting it. It is actually more common than most people make it to be in the Arctic Circle.

Visa

Russian Visa policy varied country to country so this trip might be more expensive to some. For the citizens of countries listed here: Visa Policy in Russia, we are good to go. If your country is not listed, you will have to pay around 100 USD - 200 USD for the application fees.

For the citizens of western countries who hold privileged passports, this may seems like a hassle but it is not too bad. You just have to plan ahead of time and prepare the correct documentation for the embassy and apply before you depart. Consider the amount you save for going to Russia instead of Finland or Iceland.

Accommodation

Murmansk - Economy Hotel Vector - 14 USD/Night

Budget

This will varied from person to person because of the strict visa policy by Russia but for citizens from some Asian countries or citizens from South America, we don't need to visa for Russia (Hurray for once!). Here's a breakdown of my budget:

Domestic Flight: Moscow - Murmansk (1 hour): 35 USD

Accommodation: Economy Hotel Vector: 14 USD / Night / Dorm Bed

Northern Light Hunting Tour | Facebook: 45 USD / 3 - 4 hours trip

Total I spent: 108 USD (2 nights)

Things To Prepare

Camera gears: You will need a tripod and a camera that has manual mode capabilities. You also need to learn a little bit about ISO and shutter speed before you go.

Tours: You will need to book a Northern light tour to transport you into the wilderness away from city lights. I went with Visit Murmansk Tour Agency (Facebook). You can just go to their offices in Murmansk and book the tour there the day before. It's probably cheaper than booking before you arrive.

Warm Clothes: Winter Russia is not joke especially in the Arctic Circles so prepare layers. While northern light hunting, you will be out in the cold for hours taking photos so prepare accordingly. Anything wool (socks, gloves, scarf etc.) are good for the cold.

Camera Settings Tutorial

I can write an entire blog post about this but for now, I will give you the settings that worked for me when I was in Murmansk. What you need are a tripod and a camera with manual mode with a lens capable of an aperture f4 or less.

Photos

Set to manual mode and set up your camera on a tripod. Set your focus to manual and focus to infinity. Set your aperture (the f value) to the lowest your camera can do. Set your shutter speed to 6 - 13 seconds. Set your ISO between 1600 - 3200. Voila! Try and experiment with these values to see which one fits your environment most.

Videos

Shoot timelapse (series of photos) for this and convert to a video in post processing. You can use similar settings as above or try something with less ISO (less noise) and higher shutter speed (to compensate for the lowered ISO) and then shoot the timelapse in an interval of a second more than the shutter speed. For example. if your shutter speed is 8 seconds, try the shooting interval of 9 seconds.

The Northern Light Hunting Tour

I know what you are thinking, but this is not exactly like a regular tour. It's more of a transportation with the guide watching out for signs of the northern light than explaining history and telling stories. Once you find the northern light, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with the northern lights at your own leisure. We were out there for 4 hours and I was able to capture many photos and a timelapse so I am quite happy with the tour.

Other Things to Do in Murmansk

Visit the first ever atomic powered ice breaker at the port of Murmansk. It was decommissioned and turned into a museum for tourists to visit.

Walk up the Alyosha Monument to get a nice sunset view of the city. Be careful, as the most of the path can be covered with wet snows and if you don't want to show your unintentional break dance move, then please walk carefully.

You can also do the northern light tour I recommended for every nights you are in Murmansk to maximize your chance. Even if you saw it already the first time, you might be able to see it with a better sky and scenery the next time.

Itinerary Map

Video

When To Go

June to August is by far the best time to visit Moscow as it is the summer time with a comfortable temperature of 23 - 30 °C. I was there in November and it was rainy the entire time I was there. I gotta see the northern lights in the arctic circle though, which is nice.

How To Get Around

Moscow is very accessible via Metros. The metros are pretty easy to navigate too as all the airports are connected via the brown line where you can switch to any colored lines from there. It is extremely cheap too with one ticket costing around 50 RUB for a single trip.

Before arriving I would suggest you download an offline map from here: Download Moscow Metro maps.

Accommodation

Moscow - Boxtel Hostel - 11 USD/Night (Very well located near the Red Square, and you get the capsule to yourself!)

Things to Do in Moscow (3 - 4 nights)

Red Square

Red Square is one of the highlight of Moscow and for great reason. Many of Moscow's unique architectural wonders like St Basil's Cathedrals and the State Historical Museum are all located here. If you booked the hostel I recommended above, you will be minutes away from the Square and you can visit this place at your own leisure.

Photo Tips: Getting a stunning photo of the Red Square is real tricky as it is one of the most popular attraction in Moscow but it's not impossible. Try to point the camera up to exclude the crowds or visit the Red Square at night where there are less people and with better lighting.

The Kremlin

Next to the Red Square is the Kremlin. Going inside the Kremlin is highly recommended. It is concentrated with stunning buildings with historical importance such as Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the Grand Palace and the Cathedral of the Archangel.

Photo Tips: Walk across the bridge to the other side of the river and capture the Kremlin from there with all the lights. It is quite a nice easy walk that should not take you more than an hour tops.

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

A gigantic cathedral near the Red Square with an iconic golden roof. You may have seen this from afar while walking around the Red Square so don't forget to incorporate this into one of the stops in your walks. You can even go up the cathedral to the lookout point to see Moscow from above.

Photo Tips: Right before the bridge end connecting it to the cathedral platform facing the cathedral on your left, you can get a nice perspective of Moscow. With a mix of old Russian architectural style and the modern style of the main building of the Moscow State University, in creates a beautiful contrast between the 2 styles especially during sunset.

Moscow's Underground

Moscow's metro system is one of the oldest metro system in the world and one of the most extravagant as well. Decorations in stations like Komsomolskaya and Mayakovskaya are left intact and still worth a visit. It is like walking into a palace full of people. Although, not all of them are worth seeing so pick the stations carefully.

Photo Tips: Going against all travel photography teachings, the stations are best visited during prime time when there are most busy. Long exposure shots are perfect for a poorly lid crowded station like Komsomolskaya.

The Museum of Cosmonautics

If you are a space nerd like me, you probably know who Yuri Gagarin is (the first man in space) and since you are traveling in his country, what is a better way to pay respect to him than to visit the museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow. The musuem is interesting in itself with large collection of amazing space instruments and satellites used during the Space Race, a little nod to Buran the Russian Space Shuttle and a history of the first man, woman and dogs that went to space. You can spent half a day here learning all about the USSR legacy during the Space Race.

Tips: If you don't mind waiting in long queues, every third Sunday of the month, the museum is free to enter.

Moscow Business District

Moscow has many cool skyscrapers but the best place to see all of this concentrated in one area is at the observational deck along the river near the Bagration Bridge. You can take a metro to Kievskaya and walked north west across the streets toward the river and there you can capture a nice perspective of the new modern Moscow.

Photo Tips: the location of this observational deck is not very well documented so you should not have a problem with the crowds. Try to walk along the entire stretch of the river and you should see a dock that goes down close to the river. With a beautiful calm day or night, you might be able to get a beautiful photo of these skyscrapers.

Arbat Walking Street

The Arbat walking street is the perfect place to go see Russian street performers performing to interesting crowds after work hours. Even in the cold wintry Russia, there are many street performers along the streets, under the connecting bridges and around the entrance of the Arbat metro station.

Photo Tips: After work hours are the best time to see the people interacting with the street performers, perfect for street photography.

Church of Nikolaya Chudotvortsa Tverskoy Old Believers' Community

This is a small, relatively unknown cathedral but what makes this place special for me was its location. The small cathedral is located in between business centers and skyscrapers which creates the perfect contrast between the old and the new.

Photo Tips: Walk up the street in between Torro Grill and Bianca restaurants in front of the church for a bit and turn back. YOu will be able to get the perfect shot of this old church squeezed in between 2 modern skyscrapers.

Moscow State University

Photos by Dmitry A. Mottl

Moscow State university is not just one of the highest ranking university in the world but one of the most iconic architecture in the city. The main building with its Neo-Palladian style resemble the State Empire Building in New York but larger and more captivating.

Photo Tips: The building is perfectly symmetrical so if you walk through the botanical garden and turn back, you will be able to see a beautiful symmetrical view of the university.

Since you and I are no regular travelers, within this article you will find all the information you need to travel through Turkmenistan the right way.

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Suggested Itinerary

7 Days in Turkmenistan

Day 1: Crossed the border from Khiva and get picked up by Stantours at the border. Stop by at Köneürgench for lunch and go to Darvaza crater. Sleep in a tent there for one night.

Day 2: Drive to Ashgabat. Stay in Ashgabat for a night

Day 3: Another full day in Ashgabat

Day 4: Fly to Turkmenbashi, get picked up by the Stantours at the airport and drive to Yangykala Canyon. Camp there for a night.

Day 5: Drive back to Ashgabat. Stay in Ashgabat for a night.

Day 6: One last full day in Ashgabat or make your way to the border you want to cross out.

Day 7: Either fly out from Ashgabat or cross the border out to Iran, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan.

When to go

The best time to go to Turkmenistan is during March - May or September - November where the temperature is more manageable at around 23 - 35°C. Temperature can be extreme during summer and winter so I wouldn't recommend going during those times.

How to Get In

Through Guided Tours (Expensive)

This is the option I chose as it allowed me more freedom to see the country as it should be seen and went to remote places with ease. It is also the most expensive option.

If you choose to go with this option, I would recommend you reaching out to Stantours and asked for David as he was the one that recommended me the itinerary. Stantours has proven to be one of the cheapest option out there and most reliable. If you decided to go with Stantours, asked for a driver named Vova. They said the driver wouldn’t be able to speak english but Vova was more than capable of explaining the story behind the places you are visiting, plus he made a delicious grilled chicken for dinner in the desert.

For the 7 days itinerary recommended in this post, I paid 1,200 USD with Stantours including everything such as accommodation, food, jeep, domestic flights and the 2 visa applications. I could probably get it cheaper if I booked it earlier since the domestic flight was almost 200 USD more than it should be.

Note: Even with a guided tour, there is still a 50% chance of your visa getting rejected so contact your tour agency way in advanced before arriving in Central Asia. Mine got rejected once but thankfully I had 3 weeks in advanced so I was able to apply for another one and got approved in time for my trip.

Transit visa (Cheapest)

This is the most economical option but you will need to be flexible in your time. First you must go to a city where there is a Turkmenistan embassy. Bishkek, Tashkent or Dushanbe are good places to base yourself in while you wait for the visa. It may take 2 - 4 weeks so apply as soon as you can.

There are a few caveats in going with this option. First, the transit visa maximum stay is only 5 days including your arrival and departure days so you barely have time to see much. Also the country you came from must be different from the one you departed to as you are supposed to be transiting.

The cost for the transit visa is around 55 USD or 155 USD for Russians.

For more updated information on getting the transit visa, please see this page.

How to Get Around

If you go with a guided tour, they should provide you with a jeep when traveling to anyway outside of Ashgabat. If you got a transit visa, there will be one or two taxi waiting at the border where you can pay them to get to places like Ashgabat or Darvaza crater at a ridiculous price (50 USD+) but that is your only option. Public transportation is non existent outside of Ashgabat.

Within Ashgabat, buses are well-connected and easy to navigate. Just go up to one of the bus stop, look at the color coded bus lines, and take the one that passes the place you wanted to see.

Things to Prepare

Print Documents: With the approved letter invitation provided from your tour agency or embassy, you can get your visa stamp at your designated entry point but be sure to print the letter of invitation before arriving at the border.

Prepare enough USD: It is impossible to get USD in the country so if you have to pay your tour company in Ashgabat with USD, prepare it before you arrive in Turkmenistan. If you carry a VISA ATM, you can get Turkmen Manats out from at ATM at the Oguzkent Hotel in Ashgabat.

Be prepared for the internet censorship and limited wifi access: Free wifi is only available in big hotels like Hotel Oguzkent and Grand Turkmen Hotel in Ashgabat and the internet is heavily censored for obvious reasons so have a VPN service installed on your phone. If you are using Android, I'd recommend Orbot as it has never fail me anywhere I went.

Turkmenistan Highlights

Darvaza Crater (1 night)

The Darvaza crater (the gateway to hell) is probably one of the reason why you are in Turkmenistan in the first place. This unstoppable burning crater is out of this world.

The crater is best seen at night while you camp nearby in the desert.

It is less impressive during the day but still pretty amazing!

Ashgabat (3 nights)

At first you will hate Ashgabat, but give it a few days. As you learn the ropes and get used to its weird no-photo policy and the lack of locals walking around the city during the day, you will start to enjoy this white marble city as it is.

Ashgabat is an architectural wonder with many alien-looking white marble structures scattered all around the city. It is like Las Vegas but without the people.

Places like the Wedding Palace (Bagt köşgi), Sculpture Of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Alem Center (Älem), Constitution Monument (Konstitusiýa binasy), Bitaraplyk Binasy, and Independence Monument (Garaşsyzlyk binasy) are quite a sight to behold and photo taking is allowed here.

Here are all the places you should see if you like the over-the-top style of architecture that are plenty in Ashgabat. Personally, I love them!

Oguzhan Palace (Oguzhan Köşgi) and the Russian bazaar are also interesting to see but photo-taking is not allowed as it is near a military barracks. They actually came up to me, look at my photos on my camera and deleted them!

Yangykala Canyon (1 night)

Turkmenistan is at its best when you go outside of the city and in a remote area and camp there. Yangykala canyon is one of the most spectacular natural sight in Turkmenistan. With its unique red, pink and orange bands that stretched acrossed the canyon walls, it is definitely worth visiting all the way out here.

The best spot to camp is on the windy plateau above the canyon where you can enjoy a 180 degree view of Yangykala from above.

The sunrise and sunset are the best time to experience the canyon.

And there you have it, a suggested itinerary for one of the weirdest country I have ever set foot in. Did I miss anything from the list? If so, feel free to let me know in the comments below.

Itinerary Map

Uzbekistan Travel Video

Why go to Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan is like Iran on steroid. With its Persian root and its significant location during the Silk Road time, cities like Samarkand and Bukhara were able to maintain most of its wonderful structures and culture that have been striving for the pass 2 millennia.

With so much history, Uzbekistan is the place to be to learn about the Silk Road trade route that dominate much of Central Asia history, explore the stunning desert landscape, and be immersed by its unique culture.

When To Go

Uzbekistan is best visited during either Spring (April - May) or Autumn (September - November) where the weather is mild and the colors of the seasons are in full swing. In the summer, it is possible if you can handle the desert heat.

If you want to go during the summer, keep in mind that most road transports are not equipped with air conditioning and marshrutka (minivan) can be cramped at times so prepare accordingly.

Getting a Visa

Almost everyone needs a visa to get into Uzbekistan and many of you will need a Letter of Invitation (LOI) prior to getting a visa so be sure to get it before embarking on the journey. To see if you need a LOI or not, please visit Caravanistan for the latest information.

You can also get your visa in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan which is highly recommended if you planned to visit Kyrgyzstan as well. For more information on this, please see a quick guide by Lost With Purpose.

How To Get Around

High-speed trains are the easiest, most comfortable and cost effective to travel around Uzbekistan. Unfortunately, as of 2017, you can not book the ticket online so you will have to go to the train station the day before and get the ticket one day in advance. You can try getting the ticket on the same day but there is a high chance that it will be fully booked during the summer.

Another option is taking a bus. It is cheap and not as uncomfortable as a marshrutka (minivan) but it is slower and you might have to change buses at times.

Some stretches of the itinerary I proposed might require you to get a shared taxi. From Bukhara to Khiva, it is best that you organize a shared taxi with your hostel since the train doesn't reach Khiva directly, only Urgench. The shared taxi might be a little expensive but it's direct and much more comfortable. It will take you around 6 hours to travel from Bukhara to Khiva.

Accommodation

Tashkent - Topchan Hostel - 8 USD/Night

Samarkand - Amir Hostel - 10 USD/Night

Bukhara - Rumi Hostel - 7.99 USD/Night (Excellent breakfast, spacious and very well located. They can also find you a shared taxi to Khiva at a reasonable price. Highly recommended!)

Khiva - Laliopa Guest House - 9 USD/Night (Excellent location, comfortable room with air-con. They organized daily tours to the fortress too.)

Nukus - Jipek Joli Inn - 25 USD/Night (Twin Room)

Important Information

You are required to register to an accommodation every day you are in Uzbekistan. The hostel/hotel will manage this for you but you will have to keep all the registration papers provided by your accommodation throughout your entire trip.

Since 2017, the official rate of exchange had been equalized to be the same as the black market going rate so you are no longer required to exchange your money at the black market. You can do it at any back now.

Crossing the border from Osh to Uzbekistan, my bags, my camera and computer were searched. Most of the time, they are looking for illegal drugs, pornography, drones and political books so be sure not to carry those with you when you are traveling to Uzbekistan

2 Weeks Itinerary

Tashkent (2 nights)

Tashkent is not exactly my cup of tea as but it is still a good place to see Uzbekistan proper metropolitan. The city is equipped with a Metro system and so traveling around the city is easy and fast. It is also a good place for you to get a sim card and prepare for a trip through the country.

There are a few sights to see but the most interesting ones are the Chorsu Bazaar (shown above) and the Kukeldash Medressa which is right next to the bazaar and can be easily reached by a metro.

If you enjoy beautiful architecture, be sure to visit Hotel Uzbekistan and the surrounding buildings. This area have all the cool looking architecture on display from the soviet-era to the modern Uzbek architecture.

Samarkand (3 nights)

Samarkand is one of the reason why I decided to come to Uzbekistan. The entire city is like an open air museum with multiple UNESCO sights all concentrated in one area which makes it easy to explore. Right at the center of all is Registan, a public square framed by three madrasahs (Islamic schools) with distinct architectural style.

Registan is best seen during either sunset or sunrise.

Another of my favorite sight is the Shah-i-Zinda, a necropolis which includes mausoleums and other ritual buildings. This cluster of buildings are most photogenic in the evening when there is less people.

A few other sights like Bibi Khanym Mosque and Gur-e Amir Сomplex are also worth visiting as well.

Bukhara (3 nights)

The beauty of Bukhara lies within the small alleys of the old town area where you can discover locals living out their lives in the traditional sand structure.

You can spend an entire day just walking around the Lyab-i Hauz square, shopping for souvenirs, drinking cold beers and enjoying the traditional food on a roof-top restaurants.

Kalon Mosque and the minaret are also quite a sight to behold as you can walk around this spacious mosque admiring at the intricate craftsmanship of the Uzbeks or hide from the sun under the shade of the Minaret.

Kalon Minaret is one of the few architecture that was spared by Wrath of (Genghis) Khan when his army invaded Bukhara. Although the fate of the minaret was spared, what the tower had become to represent after that was as dark as if it was destroyed. Tower of Death as it was known after was due to the fact that the execute people by throwing them out of the tower.

Walking a little further, you will stumbled upon a beautiful sand fortress called the Ark of Bukhara, a massive fort that has since turned itself into a museum for the public.

Chor Minor is also worth a visit. Chor Minor or Four Minarets is a nice little old mosque located in between the cramped stall of modern city of Bukhara.

Khiva (3 nights)

The entire city of Khiva is UNESCO site and for a good reason. The city is surrounded by an old wall that maintained its traditional look throughout the years. You can still see many household living inside the wall in traditional sand structures with its unique culture intact.

Khiva old town square is there you will spend most of your time. It is located right inside the front gate where you can find nice restaurants, museums and locals hanging out in the evening.

You can also go up one of the minaret for a nice sunset over the city.

Another thing to do in Khiva is to go out into the desert and explore the many long forgotten fortresses that scattered throughout the barren land. Ayaz Qala is the most impressive one of all and you will be able to see it from a wonderful view point on a hill nearby. Too bad, there were zero attempt at maintaining all these forgotten fortresses.

Nukus (2 nights)

Only a few hours away from Khiva, Nukus is worth a visit if you have a bit of time left on your trip. Mizdakhan Necropolis, Moynaq and the Nukus museum of art are definitely worth a visit.

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When to go

People usually prefer going in mid summer (July-August) as the weather is more present but I would personally recommend going in Autumn (September) where the weather is a little cooler but the scenery is the most colorful at this time of year with trees turning orange all over. Another reason is that there will be less tourists traveling the highway so you will most likely have the whole place to yourself both in the mountains and in the guest houses.

How to Get Around

Hired Jeep and Driver

This is the best option for backpackers who are not keen on biking themselves and have limited time. You will be able to see everything in 8 days while not breaking the bank.

Who should you go with? I went with Osh Guesthouse who organizes these trips regularly at a reasonable price. The cost of both the jeep and the driver are calculated by kilometers so it will depend entirely on your itinerary but the going rate we got was 0.70$/km + 15$ daily allowance.

For this 8 days itinerary (off season), the total cost was 704 USD (jeep + driver) so if you can find 3 more people, you will only pay 176 USD each excluding food and accommodation. For food and accommodation, it should cost you around 15 USD per day.

What I did was I got around 200 USD out from an ATM machine (Optima or Demir give out USD) in Osh and changed 150 USD into Tajikistan Somani and the rest I kept it for emergency.

And of course.. with a goat

How to find more people

If you are a solo traveler like me, doing road trips alone is not just expensive, but also boring as hell so in order for me to plan this trip, I went onto Caravanistan Forum and started a post to see if anyone wanted to join. In only a few days, I got 4 emails and my plan began to take shape from there.

The key is to be flexible in your schedule as much as you can by posting it on Caravanistan Forum in advanced with as much information as you can. Here is an example of my post.

Which Route to Pick

There are many routes to pick from but after careful consideration, I decided to go with the traditional Pamir Highway route from Osh to Khorog through the Wakhan Valley which diverted off from the Pamir Highway to Langar and gave me a chance to glance at Afghanistan from the Tajik side.

This route took us 7 days on a private jeep and an extra day on a public jeep from Khorog to Dushanbe. Here is my itinerary:

Day 1: Osh - Lenin Peak - Sary Mogul

Day 2: Sary Mogul - Crossed to Tajikistan - Karakul Lake

Day 3: Karakul Lake - Murghab

Day 4: Murghab - Bulunkul (Hiking possibility)

Day 5: Bulunkul - Wakhan Valley - Langar

Day 6: Langar - Hotspring - Ishkashim

Day 7: Ishkashim - Khorog

Day 8: Khorog - Dushanbe (public jeep)

Accommodation

Osh - Osh Guesthouse - 5 USD/Night (Not the best hostel but you are likely to find more people for your Pamir Highway trip here)

The Pamir Highway - Mostly Homestays and Guesthouses - 10 - 15 USD/Night with dinner

Dushanbe - Green House Hostel - 6 USD/Night

Things to Prepare

Be prepared for the cold: During autumn, especially at high elevation, the temperature may go down to 0 or even minus so bring layers.

Be prepared for the Altitude: You will be sleeping above 3000m elevation half of the trip and it can get quite uncomfortable at times so prepare some painkillers or altitude sickness pills. Also, keep yourself hydrated at all times!

Sleeping bag not needed: All the guest houses should provide you with warm blankets and heaters.

Snacks: Somedays you will be in a car for 8 hours so a little snack will make the trip a little more enjoyable.

Prepare Kyrgyz Som and Tajik Somanis: In Osh, be sure to exchange your money into Tajik Somani and leave a few Kyrgyz Som before leaving as you will need to pay for accommodation and food along the way and the closest town you can exchange after Osh is Murghab with questionable rate.

Prepare card games: You will be spending 8 days off the grid in guest houses with strangers so prepare a deck of cards or games to keep your group entertained. A good party app to use is "Heads Up!" ( | iPhone).

Visa and GMAO Permit: Be sure to get e-visa with GMAO permit for Tajikistan beforehand. There will be plenty of checkpoints that will ask you to show it.

Expect Unreliable Internet throughout the trip : Tell people that you will be away for 8 days as you will not find any reliable internet until Dushanbe. You can get a Megaphone SIM card at Murghab but the internet rarely works reliably on the Pamir Highway.

The Pamir Highway Highlights

Day 1: Osh - Sary Mogul

First day of the trip, we set off from Osh to see the Lenin Peak base camp and slept at Sary Mogul.

This day alone made me excited for what was to come as the scenery shifted from city to mountains to large orange plain and to a stunning view of a snowy mountain range.

This is the Lenin Peak.. or somewhere within those clouds.

Day 2: Karakul Lake

The next day, we crossed the border from Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan and continued our way up through the No Man's land, passed this famous ram statue and stopped for a night at the Karakul Lake.

Here is one of the most memorable view I captured along the way.

The Karakul Lake is definitely best experienced during sunset.

Day 3: Murghab

The third day, we drove up a 4655m Ak-Baital Pass, the highest point on the highway and stopped in Murghab for a night.

If you are expecting Murghab to be a proper city with all the facilities you need, you will be disappointed. To my eyes, Murghab seems more like a large settlement than a city.

Day 4: Bulunkul

The fourth day, we set off early to Bulunkul so that we can do some hiking around the Bulunkul lake. The walk took us around 3 hours both ways. It was relatively easy but the altitude was quite taxing on my body.

That night at the Bulunkul lake was the coldest night we experienced during the entire trip as it was snowing lightly in the evening.

As the snow stopped in the morning, the entire scenery in Bulunku changed overnight. From orange hills and mountains to an all white and bright landscape. It was quite a sight to behold.

Day 5: Langar and the Wakhan Valley

The fifth day was quite exciting as we diverted from the Pamir highway and drove through the beginning of the Wakhan Valley where we could get a glimpse of Afghanistan.

I hope one day we can cross this river and travel through Afghanistan proper.

The Wakhan Valley was definitely one of the most beautiful stretch of the Pamir Highway. We stopped multiple times to just relaxed and played frisbee. The fact that Afghanistan is only a stone throw away made it even more fascinating.

We spent the fifth night in Langar, a nice cozy town tucked away within the Wakhan valley. In the evening, we decided to walk around the town but ended up playing frisbee with the kids in a park. It was one of the best evening we had as we were able to experience first hand how much they appreciate us being there visiting their hometown.

Day 6: Ishkashim

On our sixth day, we stopped several times for a few photos of the never-ending snowy mountains on the Afghan side.

We also stopped for a cultural visit at a local museum to learn more about the history of the Pamirs.

After the museum, we visited a few ancient fortresses that scattered around the valley. One of the more impressive ones was the Yamchun fortress. Built in the 3rd century BC, the fortress give us a clue as to what belief system (Zoroastrianism) was widely used in the Pamirs back in the days.

We went into a hot-spring and relaxed for a few hours before we continued our ways to Ishkashim and spent a night there.

Day 7: Khorog

The seventh day was a short day as we headed straight to Khorog in the morning and spent the entire day exploring the town and preparing for a big goodbye party as everyone went their seperate ways the next day.

Day 8: Dushanbe

I decided to get a shared jeep (taxi) early in the morning to Dushanbe as we have heard how bad the road was and how long it took people to traverse this stretch of the Pamir Highway. It took us 16 hours as expected with a few big incidents but other than that, the scenery was definitely worth seeing.

There you have it. A guide and a suggested itinerary for the best road trip of your life along the Pamir Highway. I hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did! If you have any question about the route, feel free to let me know in the comments below.