#travellocation

Backpacking is one of the most freeing and exciting ways to travel – facing a whole new country with nothing with you. A backpack of belongings is the modern man’s way of going back to the times of travellers like Ibn Battuta or Xuan Zang who traversed entire continents all by themselves. It is, for sure, one of those experiences that will change who you are as a person, which is why you have to be extra careful when you are picking your choice among the best backpacking trips in the world.  There are so many factors that you need to take into consideration, especially if you are going through backpacking destinations for beginners, which is why we have made a list of the top 10 backpacking destinations.

Let us delve into our list of the best international backpacking trips:

1. Nepal

Nepal, located in the Himalayas, is home to the tallest mountains in the world. You can trek for hours in the beautiful mountain trails, look up and see the tops of the mountains disappear into the skies. The place is also culturally rich, a mix of Indian and Central-Asian heritage, with temples and pretty little houses, making it an ideal backpacking destination. Nepal is also known for being unbelievably cheap when it comes to food and accommodation – it is home to one of the cheapest hostels in the world, located in Kathmandu, for just around two dollars a day. Just make sure your flight luggage is light because you cannot carry around a lot of baggage while you are in Nepal.

2. Zanzibar

This biodiversity hotspot has beautiful and exotic creatures just waiting in the wilderness for you to chance upon them. While this may seem scary, Zanzibar has several wildlife sanctuaries where you can enjoy the exhilarating feeling of coming close to magnificent creatures like the Zanzibar leopard, which is indigenous to Tanzania. The weather too, is quite pleasant and warm, maybe a bit too hot for people who are used to the cold, but that makes Zanzibar the ideal destination during winters! In Zanzibar, you can always indulge in new activities like snorkelling or diving; all taught to you by the trained professionals.

3. Bucharest 

Bucharest is an iconic city – located in Eastern Europe; it houses a charming combination of both modern elements like bars and fancy restaurants as well as bits from the past, like vibrant museums and historical monuments. The beautiful, distinctly European cobbled streets of Romania is sure to transport any traveller back in time, to when all Romania was famous for was its resident vampire, Count Dracula. The city also has a lovely suburban side to it, although it may turn into a nightmare for some, who have reported multiple cases of robbery and pickpocketing, which backpackers need to look out for no matter which country they are. All this being said, the Romanian gipsy charm still calls out to you, and Bucharest remains one of the world’s top backpacking destinations in the world.

4. Istanbul

The very idea of Istanbul brings to one’s mind the beautiful silhouette of the buildings, the rounded roofs of the mosques and the dusty, archaic-looking streets of the bazaar. Beyond all this, Istanbul also boasts of excellent and cheap food, which can range from mouth-watering kebabs made from all kinds of meat and various rice preparations. The iconic painting The Turkish Bathcan become a reality for you too, except there may not be as many beautiful women lying around lazily. You can also get therapeutic, albeit somewhat rough, massages done while you are at it – the dusty, rustic walls of Istanbul is home to a culture that is rich and must be experienced.

5. Belgrade

The capital of Serbia has a lot to offer, from raving parties at night that can be an adventure of a lifetime, to beautiful architecture that is sure to take your breath away. There is, therefore, plenty to keep both your days and nights occupied in this beautiful European city. It is also, like New York, a city that never sleeps and the nights are always bustling with activity, so a backpacker like you can spend days and nights roaming the city without fear of being alone and in danger.

6. Thailand

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world today, this exotic country has transformed itself from a place that used to be a haven for backpackers to a commercially exploited tourist spot. But while a large part of Thailand’s charm and beauty has been commodified by the travel agents and the Tourist Department, this is still one of the best solo backpacking destinations that exist in the world today.

But if the solitude that accompanies a backpacking trip is what you are looking for, then the places the tour guide recommends would not befit you at all – the beaches and the popular resorts are almost always over-crowded. One way to avoid this is to go as far away from these touristy places as possible and find solace in the tropical scenery that exists even inland.

7. Turkey 

Home to Istanbul, the rest of Turkey also offers a delectable range of trekking options for your backpacking needs. If you are done with Istanbul and want more of the magnificent country and its culture, step out of the capital city and set off to the suburbs for more adventure. It is rightfully known as one of the top backpacking destinations.

8. Tanzania

Just like Zanzibar, Tanzania has many other regions that provide a beautiful tropical vibe. The vegetation and the shores are without a doubt something you will enjoy, and they are present throughout the country. The wildlife is exotic even in other forests, so you should go back to Tanzania a second time because it is definitely worth your time and money.

9. Ethiopia 

Ethiopia is one of the best backpacking destinations in the world because of how affordable it is, especially when you consider how beautiful the scenery and the cities are. The food is extremely cheap, as is the accommodation, but your heart and belly will be full by the end of the day with just around twenty dollars a day, everything included. Even the transport is ultra-cheap, and the cultural heritage of this historical place especially places like Addis Ababa.

10. Georgia

If you thought this was the US Georgia, you could not be more wrong – this Eastern European nation often goes under the radar when people make a backpacker destination list, but the place is a dream come true for the lone traveller. The mystery that surrounds it is perhaps the most alluring part of the country. The entire area has a high literacy rate and is home to a friendly, English-speaking populace. The government has also been recently investing in the tourism industry more than ever, which is why your trip will be extremely cheap and easy. Make sure you visit the iconic city of Tbilisi!