6-Weeks Off, Reddit where should I go?!?!

Travel

Hi everyone! I quit my job today and don’t start my new job until June 1st and wanted to get suggestions on where to go!

Details: 1. American bases in California 2. Man 3. I have to be back to California by May 11th for a wedding and then I can take off again.

Interests: 1. Outdoors. I was looking at hiking Kilimanjaro, but the weather is bad. For reference, I’ve done Everest Base Camp and Patagonia, which I loved 2. Animals 3. Natural wonders. I’ve done Iguazú Falls, the Galapagos, Easter Island, and the Serengeti.

Budget: $15K to $20K. I’ve busted my ass at corporate for years without a vacation.

Misc: I plan on staying at hostels and taking local transportation.

Ready for suggestions!

in backpackingby BananaStone87

57%

1mo

fancioro

1mo

Peru. Do the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, spend some time in the Huaraz/Carhuaz region for hundreds of incredible hikes, go to the Amazon to see wildlife, Lima for world-class food and the best thing is no matter how hard you try there's no way you'll use all of your budget.

[deleted]

1mo

If you make it off Reddit for 6 weeks, don’t come back. It’s the only way to win. Godspeed.

ThePartyWagon

1mo

All over Europe! You could hit a lot of places in 6 weeks with that kind of budget. Maybe not the top destination for animals and maybe not as many big accomplishment destinations like Everest Base Camp. Maybe it’s not as outdoorsy as you’d like but I’d think you could create an agenda with that in mind.

BananaStone87

1mo

Thank you! Great suggestion. Anywhere in particular you’d recommend?

doordiver

1mo

Going to link this here as it's a good way to travel Europe

https://www.eurail.com/en/eurail-passes/global-pass?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiYOxBhC5ARIsAIvdH52HqvOBnm8CqzhJLYe8l2fYtelq7grxodDcMu_XYfzYzOkH3n5IpxUaAtzfEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Would recommend visiting lots of cities in western Europe and this is a good way of getting around

In particular I'd look at northern Italy, (Florence, Venice, Milan, Rome(not particularly north but well worth seeing)) and neighbouring countries capitals all tend to be good as well (Bern or Geneva) for Switzerland, Vienna is fantastic but it's very open on where you decide to go, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam etc.

ThePartyWagon

1mo

This person has better recommendations as I have not explored much of Europe but I love northern Spain, there’s plenty of outdoor access as well. Good surf in various locations, plenty of hiking along the Camino de Santiago as well!

Kananaskis_Country

1mo

With that kind of budget I'd book a tour to Son Doong Cave then spend the rest of the time in SE Asia.

Have fun with your research and happy travels.

Comfortable-You-6583

1mo

I did Kilimanjaro recently, it's AMAZING. I would save it for like early January though. Early June is doable too.

I'd recommend Uganda (gorilla trekking) if you're heading to Africa.

Latin America is pretty cool too like Colombia

2apple-pie2

1mo

i would definitely go back to Nepal, love the country. Maybe 3 passes, manslau, or lantang.

i also second the Vietnam and Peru suggestion.

sharingsilently

1mo

Before or after your may 11th date, consider a trip around Iceland. You could rent an RV camper to travel around the entire coast, or something more rugged for the interior. It’s extraordinary - truly. But also restful and you can kick back before starting up your new job.

On the other side of the may 11th date consider a trek to Machu Picchu. The site is great, but the trek across the mountains on the Mayan trails is fantastic.

Regardless - have a fantastic time.

….

BananaStone87

1mo

This is an amazing idea!! I love it!! Did you do it with a partner? I did a similar trip with a van around the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State and it was fantastic. I feel like doing it alone might be lonely. I know, I know, #firstWorldProblems

sharingsilently

1mo

Did do it with family… ( wife, two older teens at that point…) there are really nice RVs to rent, not cheap for the good ones, but it’s worth it. You have such flexibility for your schedule. Might be lonely a bit / might be super restful though. If you go, take the boat up to Grimsey island. Not much there but crazy colorful birds, but it’s amazing to get that far north, into the cold harsh northern Atlantic—memorable for sure. And up to the 60th parallel!

When I was solo I did a really great “barefoot cruise” in the Bahamas… really fun on a small sailing ship. Completely different than a “cruise” -yuck. The original company went out of business but check out Windstar Cruises—there may be other companies—you’re looking for a ship with real sails and around 100 guests max, for a “real” sailing experience. It was amazing to be on the ocean in a smaller craft - to get to know captain and crew- and to be able to get places that only small ships can go.

You said you had been to Patagonia, right? If not I’d suggest there too - and maybe all the way down to Antarctica (before it breaks apart-ha!)

Jealous! Enjoy!

bbr35

1mo

Peru is a good recommendation but I'm not sure the weather is quite ideal - it's only the beginning of the dry season. Iceland is also great but the weather in April, early May isn't that great - been there end of April and it rained for almost the entire time with very strong winds.

To provide an alternative - this is a great time of the year for the great outdoors of Utah/Arizona. If you haven't already been, you could base yourself in Moab then Kanab or St George and then Lake Montezuma or Cottonwood and explore those areas. So much beauty - don't even need to hit the national parks. Sometimes the best places are just next door ;)

Regular_Zombie

1mo

Save yourself the long travel time and section hike some of the PCT.

BananaStone87

1mo

What a great recommendation

AcanthocephalaDue494

1mo

I was in the Amazon for a month this time last year and it was easily a top 3 experience of my life (I’ve also done Patagonia, Iceland, and a few other places people have recommended). The Amazonas region is truly unique and there’s so many things to see/do. I would recommend by starting in Leticia in Colombia and finding a tour that will take you to Puerto Nariño (I did one that I can recommend if you’re interested). This included seeing pink dolphins, fishing for piranhas, kayaking through flooded jungle near sloths and countless birds, jungle night walk, tasting amazing food, etc. From there (if you’re feeling extra adventurous) you could take a boat down the river to Iquitos and slowly make your way into Peru to do the Huaraz region. You’ll need a hammock for the boat (you can buy it down there) along with a book(s), journal, and some binoculars. Nothing quite like it. Lmk if you have questions (you’ll make a slight dent in that 15k also lol)

[deleted]

1mo

I love South Africa. Game drive in KwaZulu-Natal, and shark diving in Cape Town.

[deleted]

1mo

The Amazon was a bucket list for me. I did it in Bolivia. Saw crocodiles, a toucan, a bright green snake, pink dolphins, a capybara. Our guide tried to find an anaconda, and piranhas but no luck. The sound of the jungle when everything was waking up around 5 am was terrifying.

Human-Spinach-6798

1mo

Kota Kinabalu is great hike

sharingsilently

1mo

What did you decide to do? Let us know!