Top Things to do in Moldova

MOLDOVA

Discover Moldova, a hidden gem in Eastern Europe, where rich history and stunning landscapes await. Explore the charming capital of Chișinău, known for its vibrant cafes and lush parks. Venture into the countryside to uncover the ancient villages and vineyards that showcase the country’s renowned wine culture. Don’t miss the chance to visit the majestic Orheiul Vechi Monastery, perched atop a cliff, and take a journey through time at the historic cave monasteries. With its warm-hearted people and diverse cultural heritage, Moldova offers an authentic travel experience for those seeking adventure off the beaten path.

I first visited Moldova in 2021, but my main objective was to visit Transnistria. You can read all about my trip to Transnistria here. Back then I didn’t realize I would be living in Europe a year later, but this time I spent time in Chișinău and surrounding areas. Why did I come back to Moldova though? Well, I had to renew my residency so I needed to leave the Schengen zone and Moldova is not part of it. From Italy there are cheap Wizz Air flights so it was an ideal destination for this!

Chișinău

Since my objective on my last visit was to visit Transnistria, I honestly didn’t spend too much time in the capital — this time I spent a full day exploring the area.

What to see in Chișinău

Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, combines a rich history with a vibrant present. Explore the stunning architecture of the Stefan Cel Mare Central Park, where the statue of Stefan the Great stands proudly among lush greenery. Visit the iconic Nativity Cathedral, an impressive blend of Baroque and Byzantine styles, located in the city center. Don’t miss the National Museum of History of Moldova, showcasing the region's diverse heritage through captivating exhibits. For an insight into Moldova's culture, the National Opera and Ballet Theatre offers an array of performances. Finally, wander through the bustling Piata Centrala, the central market, where local produce, crafts, and artisanal goods abound, providing an authentic taste of daily life in this dynamic city.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Getyourguide.com for more tour options in Moldova.

Where to stay in Chișinău

The first time I stayed in Chisinau, I was on a backpacker budget and stayed at Hostel Amazing Ionika. Overall the experience was great and the owners were very friendly and accommodating, including offering tours to Transnistria and the wine regions. If you are a solo female traveler like I was, I would probably recommend trying to stay in a private room; I didn’t have any issues in the dorm, but it was all older smelly men and I was the only woman (this was just my experience so it might be different for you).

This time around, I stayed in a fantastic hotel called London Boutique Hotel that was still reasonably priced but it was located in an accessible part of Chisinau so it was easy to walk everywhere.

STAY | Alternatively, check out Hostelworld.com for more options in the area.

Staying connected in Moldova

Of course, one of the most important things is figuring out how to stay connected while on your trip to Moldova. For short trips in countries, I personally love using e-sims instead of getting a local physical sim card since it usually takes quite a bit of time to go to the store and get it set up. Instead, I go to the Airalo app, type in the country I’m visiting (in this case Moldova), and purchase a data plan. It only takes a few minutes to set up. Check out Airalo’s Moldova e-sim plans here.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Airalo.com for more e-sim options.

Gagauzia

Gagauzia, a semi-autonomous region located in the heart of Moldova, is known for its rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes. This unique area is home to the Gagauz people, a Turkic ethnic group with a distinct language and traditions that reflect their historical roots and agricultural lifestyle. Visitors can explore charming villages, sample traditional cuisine, and experience vibrant festivals that celebrate Gagauz customs. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the tranquil countryside, dotted with vineyards and rolling hills, making it an ideal destination for a peaceful getaway. Gagauzia offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

If I’m visiting a country more than once, I always try to visit new regions if it’s feasible. The city of Comrat, located within the region of Gagauzia, was only an hour and a half by car so we decided to do a short day trip. There’s honestly not much to do; you can walk around the city center and see everything in maybe just a couple hours. The top highlight was the winery Vinuri de Comrat, where we had local food and a glass of wine cost about €1.

How to get to Comrat, gagauzia

If you’re on a tight budget you can take local transport by mashrutka, but we rented a car for €20 for the day. Honestly unless you’re visiting Comrat by car, I don’t think it’s worth the trip by local transportation since there’s so little to see.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Rentalcars.com for more rental car options.

From the vibrant city of Chișinău to the wine cellars of Cricova, Moldova invites travelers to experience its warm hospitality and authentic traditions. The picturesque countryside with its rolling hills and charming villages provides a serene escape from bustling tourist crowds. In conclusion, Moldova serves as a captivating destination for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure, revealing the beauty and spirit of Eastern Europe.

How to visit every country in the Pacific

Oceania

The Pacific is known to be one of the most challenging regions of the world to travel in — not because of entry requirements, but because of the logistics. Flights may only go once per week, get cancelled often, might get bumped to the next flight (which may be the following week!) if overbooked, and is extremely expensive.

There are fourteen countries in the continent of Oceania, but in this blog we’ll be discussing the hard-to-reach Pacific Island nations; countries like Australia and New Zealand are probably the most accessible, so will not be discussed in-depth here.

How do you go about trying to figure out the best route for the Pacific?

The route you plan will vary depending on your needs and constantly changing flight schedules, but I’ll explain the process in which I mapped out the logistics to visit every country in the Pacific.

Since the Mt. Hagen Festival in Papua New Guinea was on specific dates, that was the starting point. From there, I analyzed the most remote countries and what airlines flew into each one; only Nauru Airlines and Fiji Airways flew into Kiribati, and Fiji Airways was the only airline that flew into Tuvalu, for example.

So I organized two loops:

The Nauru Airlines loop — Kiribati & Nauru

The Fiji Airways loop — Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, Fiji

This left the following countries: Solomon Islands & Vanuatu. There were direct flights to Solomon Islands from Papua New Guinea, which was my original plan before I had some unfortunate flight delays with Air Niugini and ended up missing the flight. Fortunately I was able to rearrange things to add Solomon Islands to the end of my trip with the Fiji Airways loop.

Vanuatu, on the other hand, is touristy enough where you can easily find a connection from most hubs. Therefore, it made the most sense to start and end the Nauru loops in Brisbane, Australia to connect the Solomon Islands, the Nauru loop, and Vanuatu.

The United Airlines Hopper loop — Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau

The third loop I did not do on this specific trip but covers the northern Pacific islands includes Micronesia and the Marshall Islands (I’m saving Palau as my final country so I didn’t visit, but you can add it onto this loop). You can read about that trip here.

Tips for planning a logistically challenging trip

The most important thing is to stay flexible. I left extra days at the end of the journey just in case something went wrong. This worked out great because of the hiccup with delayed flights in Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Islands. I rebooked a new flight for the end of the trip, but if everything had gone smoothly I would have just spent more time exploring Australia!

Rather than booking a bunch of one-way separate flights, I recommend doing the “multi-city” option with a single airline so if a flight gets delayed, the airline will automatically rebook you and your whole schedule doesn’t get messed up. Besides Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, all our flights were with Nauru Airlines or Fiji Airways.

When is the best time to visit the South Pacific?

Even though you might think of the Pacific islands as hot and humid year-round, having good weather is crucial for a successful trip to hop around these remote countries. The best time of year is the dry season, from May until September, when temperatures are pleasant and rain is minimal. It’s still possible to visit other times of the year, but be aware of monsoons cancelling flights; and when some of these flights only go once or twice per week, you don’t want to risk it. I did this trip from August to September and luckily didn’t have any issues pertaining to weather.

What currency is used in the South Pacific?

I will do an overview of currency along with my tips and recommendations, and then under each country get into specifics. In general I recommend carrying a combination of USD and Australian dollars; some countries didn’t even have working ATMs or accepted credit cards so it was easier to carry cash. Only Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu have their own currency, but they also would accept USD and AUD.

Is it easy to book accommodation in the South Pacific?

In general you can find places to stay before your trip online, but it’s important to book far in advance to secure your room since it is very limited. You wouldn’t think countries like Tuvalu would have their hotels fill up, but I was surprised to find out that hotels were completely booked out for construction and aid workers. I’ll share recommendations of where I stayed when I specifically talk about each country.

Itinerary for every country in the Pacific

I just want to preface by saying that I know this is a really fast-paced schedule, and if you should plan extra time at the end of your trip just in case something goes wrong. In total this trip was 24 days long, or 3.5 weeks, but most travelers plan 1+ months to do this. Also flight schedules change all the time so that’s another thing you should be aware of.

“But how can you even see a country in just a few days?”

Ah yes, the question every country-counter gets. The Pacific is extremely expensive and time-consuming to visit, so unless you’re keen on visiting far outer islands, have money to burn, get a lot of time off work or aren’t working etc, you’re probably going to be in the same boat (and probably why you’re reading this blog post :) Plus, I did walk the entire perimeter of Nauru in 3.5 hours so there’s that. Anyways, here’s a brief itinerary on visiting every country in the Pacific, but if you want more in-depth details feel free to click on the country for the full blog post

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

The first stop of this trip; I planned the whole trip around the fact that I wanted to visit the Mount Hagen Festival, which you can read about how I avoided a $3000+ tour and did it independently here.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

My flight from Manila arrived at 8 AM, but was an hour late. My friends and I had booked the 11:50 AM flight to Mt. Hagen give enough cushion room since flights are notoriously known to be late, but that flight was also horrendously delayed by four hours. I recommend booking a morning flight to Mt. Hagen since the flights are always late, and the afternoon flights usually get cancelled due to morning flight delays and weather. If you can, arrive the day before and stay the night in Port Moresby, then get on the first flight the next morning.

DAY 2: MT. HAGEN FESTIVAL

This always takes place over a weekend in mid-August. There’s also a festival that happens in September, but I won’t go into too many details since you can read about how I visited the Mt. Hagen Festival independently here.

DAY 3: MT. HAGEN FESTIVAL

Honestly, I found one day to be enough since they’re the same events on both days; we should have flown out today / Sunday afternoon, but I didn’t know anyone who’s done this outside of a tour so I had no idea. Another recommendation I would make is you could get a driver to take you to Goroka on this day to see the other tribes and fly out of there instead.

DAY 4: MT. HAGEN

We were supposed to fly out on this day (the Monday after the weekend festival), but flights got so delayed it was cancelled. Like I mentioned previously, get in and get out if you’re flying because it’s just so chaotic. Luckily Air Niugini provided us with a free hotel room for the night along with meals and transport.

DAY 5: PORT MORESBY

This is where it gets even funnier; we were supposed to fly back to Port Moresby to catch a flight to the Solomon Islands, but when the plane got into Mt. Hagen it broke down. We were all pretty annoyed by this point, but another plane flew in later that day and we finally got back to Port Moresby. Air Niugini provided us with a free hotel room for the night along with meals and transport. Since we missed our flight to the Solomon Islands and afterwards were supposed to fly to Brisbane, Air Niugini provided us with a free flight to Brisbane instead.

I have to say, for a tiny airline they have fantastic customer service, but they could probably save some money by having a newer fleet of planes that don’t break down so much ha ha. Moral of the story is, what was supposed to only be three days in PNG turned into five, along with missing the Solomon Islands, so always plan extra time and don’t make your itinerary too tight.

AUSTRALIA

DAY 6: ARRIVAL IN BRISBANE

I was thankful that Air Niugini at least gave us a free flight to Brisbane after completely missing the Solomon Islands, and now we were back on track for the Nauru loop. Despite having applied for the Nauru visa over a month prior to the trip, we still hadn’t received it. The man who processes the visas at the embassy in Brisbane kept saying, “don’t worry, you’ll get it,” but at this point we were worried since our flight out was tomorrow. We paid a visit to the embassy to talk to them in person, and it was still “no worries I’ll call them up today,” but sure enough we got them later that afternoon.

DAY 7: THE NAURU LOOP

We had enough time to do a little bit of exploring, but there isn’t a whole lot to do in the city of Brisbane itself. We ended up visiting the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which was fun to do for a few hours to see all the unique animals of Australia.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Getyourguide.com for more things to do in Brisbane.

In the late afternoon we headed to the airport for our 10 PM flight to Kiribati, with a short layover in Nauru. Nauru Airlines is really strict about luggage weight; I’m usually really good about negotiating to keep my backpack with me since it has all my electronics but they refused. I ended up putting my electronics into my foldable pocket-sized backpack and having to check-in my regular backpack.

KIRIBATI

DAY 8: ARRIVAL IN TARAWA

We arrived in Tarawa, Kiribati at 7 AM and the owner of the guesthouse we were staying at was there to greet us. Usually there’s a booth at the airport where you can buy sim cards, but because it was so early in the morning no one was there. The guesthouse ended up having good wifi and we were only there for a night so it was fine.

Getting around the island is easy; you just walk out to the main road (there’s only one haha) and flag down a minibus in the direction you want to go. We spent the afternoon checking out the massive WWII artillery guns and bunkers around the island.

nauru

DAY 9: ARRIVAL IN NAURU

Our flight to Nauru wasn’t until 6 PM, so in the early morning we took a minibus to the airport, hitchhiked on the back of a truck until the North Tarawa bridge, walked 35 minutes to the beach at Abatao, then took a small boat across the water to check out the buias at Tabon te Keekee Ecolodge. Buias are traditional raised houses either overwater or on land.

We arrived in Nauru at 7:30 PM and someone from the hotel we were staying at came to pick us up. The restaurant options were limited — there were only two Chinese restaurants within walking distance of the hotel and they were not good. We pointed to the chicken fried rice on the menu on the wall and the owner nodded, goes into the kitchen with a cigarette hanging off his lip; you could see he dumped white rice into a wok that had was clearly not cleaned from the previous dish he cooked, along with chopped some chicken with bones that was sitting out on a cutting board. Wasn’t my favorite meal but I’ll never forget it hahaha.

DAY 10: WALKING THE PERIMETER OF NAURU

The perimeter of the country of Nauru is about 20 km and takes around 3.5 hours to walk it. I recommend getting up as early as possible, even before the sun is up. We left at dawn at 6:30 AM and it still felt too late; by the time it’s 8:30 AM it is way too hot. If I were to do it again I would find a bike to rent and do it that way, it would be much more enjoyable to do a quick bike ride at sunrise.

Our flight back to Brisbane was at 5 PM; we basically just checked into a hotel then went back to the airport first thing the next morning.

vanuatu

DAY 11: ARRIVAL IN PORT VILA

Our original plan was to do the Mt. Yasur volcano, but unfortunately with Air Vanuatu liquidating and crashes with other airline companies, we weren’t able to visit. I believe you can now visit on certain days of the week if you want to look into it.

We got in at 2 PM and did the usual money exchange, sim cards, rented a car, then found the guesthouse we were staying at. After dinner we met up with some friends at a kava bar.

DAY 12: EXPLORING PORT VILA

One day was perfect to explore the whole island. I’ll go more into depth on my Vanuatu blog post but here’s a quick itinerary of the day:

• Blue Lagoon

• Nasinu Hot Springs

• Hideaway Island and the “underwater post office”

DAY 13: THE FIJI AIRWAYS LOOP

In the morning we went to Ekasup Cultural Village before heading to the airport to catch our flight to Tonga at 5 PM, with a quick layover in Fiji. This is where the “Fiji Loop” begins.

tonga

DAY 14: ARRIVAL IN NUKU’ALOFA

We got in a little after midnight and our guesthouse owner picked us up from the airport. They were able to set us up with a rental car, and we drove to the “Stonehenge of the Pacific” and the Anahulu Cave.

DAY 15: SWIMMING WITH HUMPBACK WHALES

This has been on my bucketlist for a long time and August / September is the best time to do this. It is an expensive excursion, so you want to be aware of who you book with — some tours pack 30+ people onto a boat so it’s hard to get time in the water before the whales get scared off. I highly recommend finding a private boat driver with maximum six people onboard so you get the best experience and value for your money.

samoa

DAY 16: ARRIVAL IN APIA

We arrived in Apia at 4 PM and decided to rent a car; the car rental office was in town so we had to haggle with a taxi driver to take us down there. Some friends of ours from Papua New Guinea were also in Samoa so we met up in the evening for a cultural show and got to have traditional food and watch some dances.

DAY 17: DRIVING AROUND THE ISLAND

I’ll share more details in a separate blog post, but here’s a short guide to the activities we managed to squeeze in:

• Sopoaga Falls

• ToSua Ocean Trench

• Lalomanu Beach

• Papapapaitai Falls

TUVALU

DAY 18: FLYING INTO FUNAFUTI

We got in at 11 AM; our hotel was a minute walk from the airport so we settled in and saw someone across the street renting scooters. We rented one for the day and drove from one end of the island to the other. At sunset the airport runway turned into a soccer field so we spent the rest of the evening hanging out!

fiji

DAY 19: SUVA

Our flight departed Tuvalu around noon and we got into Suva, Fiji at 3:30 PM. We stayed at a guesthouse right next to the airport, but took a taxi to check out the city. Definitely recommend getting Indian food if you’ve been disappointed by all the not-so-great Chinese restaurants around the south Pacific.

DAY 20: NADI

We flew from Suva to Nadi at 6:30 AM, and we got picked up from the airport to go to a floating bar for the day. It was honestly so spectacular after such an exhausting few weeks in the Pacific. Great food and drinks and perfect relaxation time.

solomon islands

DAY 21: FLYING INTO HONIARA

We were supposed to visit Solomon Islands right after Papua New Guinea, but that plan got derailed. Luckily we left time at the end to explore Australia if everything went perfectly, but instead we used the extra time to pick up the country we missed. When we arrived we exchanged money, got a sim card, then walked to the main road and flagged down a mini bus into Honiara for the night.

DAY 22: RODERICK BAY

Trying to find the boat captain / owner of Roderick Bay was hectic, so if you plan on going don’t be surprised. But, my goodness, the boat ride across the channel was probably one of my top scariest boat rides of my life. It’s up there with the Drake Passage to Antarctica. I’ll go into more details in a separate blog post, but be warned, it’s not a trip for the faint of heart.

DAY 23: RODERICK BAY

We literally just hung out and did nothing; the whole Pacific trip and the boat ride out took everything out of me by this point. Roderick Bay was the perfect place to relax and disconnect; there isn’t any signal even though we were told there was, so if you need to stay connected this isn’t the best place.

DAY 24: THE BOAT RIDE BACK TO HONIARA

We tried leaving as early as we could from Roderick Bay to avoid the crazy waves like we experienced on the way in. We spent the rest of our time in Honiara at a cafe before finding a mini bus to the airport for our 5 PM flight back to Australia.

How to visit the Mt. Hagen Festival in Papua New Guinea independently

Mt. Hagen Festival

The Mount Hagen Cultural Show, commonly known as the Mt. Hagen Festival, is a vibrant celebration of Papua New Guinea's rich cultural heritage. Held annually in the town of Mount Hagen, this festival showcases the diverse traditional practices, costumes, and performances of the various ethnic groups across the highlands.

Typically taking place in August, the festival attracts thousands of visitors from both local communities and abroad. Participants representing numerous tribes come together to perform traditional dances, share stories, and display their colorful attire, often embellished with feathers, shells, and body paint.

The event features a variety of performances, including traditional singing and dancing, which are integral to the cultural identities of the tribes involved. Audience members can witness the intricate storylines conveyed through these art forms—often depicting ancestral journeys, daily life, and spiritual beliefs.

Craft stalls and food vendors also play a significant role in the festival, offering a taste of local cuisine and handcrafted goods. This not only provides an authentic cultural experience but also supports local artisans and communities.

The Mt. Hagen Festival serves as a crucial platform for the preservation of cultural traditions amid modernization. It fosters a sense of unity among the tribes while inviting the world to appreciate the unique and rich cultural tapestry of Papua New Guinea.

HOW TO GET THERE

We flew into the capital of Port Moresby early in the morning, then caught a domestic flight via Air Niugini to Mt. Hagen. These flights are known to get super delayed; we were originally on the noon flight but it ended up being 3.5 hours late. After the festival the flight back to Port Moresby ended up getting cancelled due to technical issues so we had two extra days in Papua New Guinea. It’s important to stay flexible so I recommend planning spare days for cushion room or take a side tour up to see the tribes in Goroka.

Where to stay

We stayed at a place called Shalom Guest House, and the owner set everything up from transportation to the festival tickets. It was about 150 Kina per night when I stayed in August 2024. I get a lot of questions about safety, because usually that’s a deterrent for people to visit independently. The guesthouse was gated and felt completely safe, but we didn’t wander off outside of the festival grounds or the guesthouse area. As long as you follow the guidelines of the guesthouse owners, you will be fine.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Booking.com for more options in the area.

How to purchase mt. hagen festival tickets

Make sure you contact the guesthouse owners beforehand so they can arrange everything, but they can purchase the 2-day Mt. Hagen Festival tickets for you in advance for 300 Kina per person. The festival starts early in the morning and ends around 1 PM both Saturday and Sunday. I didn’t know the festival ended so early and would have tried flying out of Mt. Hagen on Sunday instead of Monday if I knew beforehand!

Are there ATms in Mt. hagen?

Unfortunately the ATMs usually don’t work, so you need to bring cash from Port Moresby. The guesthouse and shops don’t accept credit card, USD, or Euro (and there aren’t any exchange offices either), so make sure you plan out how much you need in advance.

How to get around mt. hagen

The guest house arranged all our transportation, from the airport pickup to shuttling us to and from the festival. Prices may vary depending on how many people are in your group. Since the guesthouse was completely full when we went, the owners hired a bus to take all of us around for the weekend and we also got to do some sightseeing besides the festival.

How to Budget for your trip to Mt. Hagen

Please keep in mind that prices may vary, but hopefully this gives you a rough idea for planning your trip and that it’s possible to visit the Mt. Hagen Festival independently and on a budget without spending $3800+ for a single tour!

• Shalom Guest House: 150 Kina / $38 USD per night

• Festival tickets: 300 Kina / $75 USD

• Transportation: 117 Kina / $30 USD

• Food: Prices may vary, but there is a communal kitchen at the guesthouse so we stopped by a grocery store and cooked all our meals during our stay. We didn’t really see too many options for restaurants in Mt. Hagen.

• TOTAL: $220 USD (minus food and round-trip flights)

A Comprehensive Guide on Hiking Everest Base Camp Independently

EVEREST BASE CAMP

Mt. Everest, standing tall at 29,032 feet, is the highest peak in the world. Located in the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and China, this majestic mountain has captivated adventurers and explorers for decades. Scaling its treacherous slopes is a feat that many dream of, but only a few brave souls ever achieve. The summit offers breathtaking views and a sense of accomplishment like no other. However, Everest's unforgiving nature has also claimed the lives of many who dared to challenge its mighty presence. A true testament to nature's power and beauty, Mt. Everest remains a beacon for those seeking to push the limits of human achievement.

As an avid hiker and mountaineer, Mt. Everest is one of the natural wonders of this world that has fascinated me. When I was making plans for Nepal, my 169th country, people advised me that the Annapurna circuit is much more beautiful, but I couldn’t shake the thought of Everest Base Camp. Sure, I would need two weeks minimum, but I knew I had to make the pilgrimage to the highest mountain in the world.

Can you hike Everest Base Camp Independently?

Due to the increasing number of accidents and deaths, the Nepalese government introduced a new rule in 2023 that requires all foreign hikers to be accompanied by a local guide while hiking in Nepal. This rule confused me because I assumed that meant I needed a guide, but after looking into it I found that the regional government of the Everest region opted not to follow this new regulation.

I did end up hiring a guide through Iconic Holiday Nepal if you’re interested in having someone experienced show you the way, but I took careful notes throughout the trip so you can save money and hike to Everest Base Camp on your own without a guide.

10 DAY EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK ITINERARY

How long do you need for everest base Camp?

The recommended length of time to do Everest Base Camp is fourteen days. You need time to acclimatize and extra time set aside just in case anything happens with your flights. When I arrived at Ramechhap Airport, it was backed up because the previous three days there were no flights due to weather. My trek was supposed to be twelve days, but with the delays it ended up being ten days. Understand that the recommended length of time to plan is twelve days, but in a perfect case scenario (which is very unlikely) you can do it in ten.

DAY 1: Kathmandu - Ramechhap Airport - Lukla - Manjo

TREK TIME: 5 hours

DIFFICULTY: Easy with a few ups and downs

ELEVATION GAIN: Lukla (9334’ / 2845 m) to Manjo (9390’ / 2862 m) | 56’ / 17 m

DISTANCE: 7.8 miles / 12.63 kilometers

WHERE TO STAY: Panorama Lodge & Restaurant (200 NPR/night for a twin room)

If you’re lucky, you can fly directly to Lukla from Kathmandu, but if you’re hiking during peak trekking season chances are you’re going to have to make the dreaded four hour drive to Ramechhap Airport. Due to the demand to hike Everest Base Camp, they shift the flights to Lukla out of Ramechhap otherwise regular commercial flights wouldn’t be able to fly out of Kathmandu. This drive is so windy and you’re squished into a packed van.

Getting a flight to Lukla that departs on time is almost like winning the lottery because it’s so rare that it happens. Lukla is considered “the most dangerous airport in the world” due to it’s high altitude and short runway, so weather conditions must be perfect. Sometimes there are even cases where the flight is almost there and the pilots decide to turn around because the weather conditions changed drastically in a short amount of time. Anyways, don’t be surprised if your flight gets delayed and you end up spending a night in Ramechaap.

Most flights that arrive in Lukla happen in the morning, so when you arrive to Lukla use this day to your advantage and get a head start! Because of the mass amounts of people, it’s honestly pretty easy to follow the crowds towards the trail. On the outskirts of Lukla at the beginning of the trailhead, you’ll find the permit office. You need to purchase a TIMS card as it is a record of your trek kept for safety. Individuals pay $20 and get a green card and those in groups pay $10 and get a blue card. The permit costs 3000 NPR + a 13% tax of 3390 NPR (around $30).

Anyways, once you start your hike you’ll descend into a valley and takes about three hours before arriving in Phakding. Have lunch and continue to Manjo for about two hours, where the trail starts to climb. I recommend staying at Panorama Lodge & Restaurant since it’s right after the first permit-check office (you won’t have to wait around if you’re trying to get an early morning start the next day) and you finally enter Sagarmatha National Park.

How much to set aside for food?

The higher your climb, the more expensive food becomes. Up until Dingboche, I would set aside about 1000 NPR per meal (even though you could probably get away with paying 600 NPR, but just to be on the safe side). I also highly recommend buying a Lifestraw water bottle to save money and you don’t have to buy water, you can simply just fill up on tap water or local streams.

Is there wifi and power?

It was quite the shock to learn that everything costs extra, including taking a shower. At each of the tea houses, there is wifi but you have to pay for it. I would recommend getting a sim card or e-sim which will work up until Dingboche. Wifi up until Dingboche costs around 300 NPR on average.

Power is another issue I realized gets more expensive the higher you go. Up until Dingboche you can charge anything you like for on-average 300 NPR. You won’t find outlets in your rooms, but in common areas you’ll see a power strip where the owners can manage everything. Bring a minimum of two power banks, and a mini solar panel that you can hang on your backpack would also be handy.

DAY 2: Manjo - Namche Bazaar

TREK TIME: 3.5 hours

DIFFICULTY: Easy start and then uphill for two hours

ELEVATION GAIN: Manjo (9390’ / 2862 m) to Namche Bazaar (11286’ / 3440 m) | 2436’ / 578 m

DISTANCE: 5 miles / 8 kilometers

WHERE TO STAY: Comfort Inn (300 NPR/night for a twin room)

After Manjo it’s pretty easy until you see a double suspension bridge, where the trail starts climbing towards Namche Bazaar. You’ll climb for about two hours until you reach the second checkpoint, which is your sign that you’re almost there! Get an early start so you can arrive late morning, have lunch, then do an afternoon acclimatization hike. Most people stay in Namche Bazaar for two nights so they can have a full day set aside for the acclimatization hike, but if you’re strapped for time this will condense your schedule.

Namche Bazaar is a fun town where you can get gear your forgot, maybe some last minute first-aid supplies (blister patches anyone?), cash from the ATMs, or fun souvenirs. It’s the perfect place to relax, so if you do have extra time set aside I recommend even saving this for your way back!

DAY 3: Namche Bazaar - Pangboche

TREK TIME: 7 hours

DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. The first part goes downhill, then all uphill after lunch.

ELEVATION GAIN: Namche Bazaar (11286’ / 3440 m) to Pangboche (13110’ / 3996 m) | 1824’ / 556 m

DISTANCE: 11 miles / 18 kilometers

WHERE TO STAY: Holiday Inn Lodge & Restaurant (500 NPR/night for a twin room)

Most people stay in Tengboche for the night, but remember how I mentioned there were three days worth of flights on the day I was supposed to fly to Lukla? Well, now that I caught up to everyone all the tea houses are extremely packed, there was no availability whatsoever in Tengboche, and I had to continue an extra two hours to Pangboche. I recommend stopping for lunch either in Sanasa (it was also packed when I came through so I had to continue on) or the Lawi Schyasa area. I had lunch at Zambala Restaurant right before the Dudha Koshi Bridge, and it was a great stop before continuing on.

DAY 4: Pangboche - Dingboche

TREK TIME: 4 hours

DIFFICULTY: Easy, but this is where you will begin to feel the altitude.

ELEVATION GAIN: Pangboche (13110’ / 3996 m) to Dingboche (14470’ / 4410 m) | 1360’ / 415 m

DISTANCE: 4 miles / 6.4 kilometers

WHERE TO STAY: Hotel Grand Himalaya (500 NPR/night for twin room)

This is an easy stroll, especially if you stayed in Pangboche instead of Tengboche. Dingboche, however, is where you’ll start to see the prices increase in every aspect. From here, I would start to budget 1300 NPR per meal, 1500 NPR just to charge an external battery (which is why it’s important to make sure you charge everything prior or bring a mini solar panel/extra external batteries)! I also finally decided to shower since it’s the halfway point, and that cost 700 NPR. Bring wet wipes otherwise. You’ll also begin to feel the altitude, so it’s important the best medicine is to just take it slow. Don’t hike too fast. A headache in the front of your head is normal, but if you feel it in the back of your head towards your neck, that’s one of the symptoms of altitude sickness.

DAY 5: Dingboche

Use this day for an acclimatization hike! You’ll see most people doing the Nangkartshang Peak trail, which takes about 3 hours. Do it early in the morning since the winds start to pick up mid-morning, and then you can have the rest of the day to relax. Also note that you won’t have signal starting in Dingboche, and wifi is satellite.

DAY 6: Dingboche - Lobuche

TREK TIME: 4 hours

DIFFICULTY: Moderate to difficult due to the altitude and steep climb before Lobuche

ELEVATION GAIN: Dingboche (14470’ / 4410 m) to Lobuche (16142’ / 4920 m) | 1672’ / 510 m

DISTANCE: 5.2 miles / 8.4 kilometers

WHERE TO STAY: Hotel Peak XV (700 NPR/night for twin room)

Hopefully you used the previous day to acclimatize since today is a lot of elevation gain! The trail gradually climbs for about two hours out of Dingboche until you arrive in Dukla. Dukla is a great spot for lunch before you continue on a steeper climb. After an hour you’ll reach a plateau where you’ll find Memorial Park; shrines dedicated to those who lost their lives climbing the Himalayas. Fill up on extra water here in Lobuche, since there will be no water sources in Gorakshep and water is very expensive up there.

DAY 7: Lobuche - Gorakshep - Everest Base Camp

TREK TIME: 6 hours

DIFFICULTY: Moderate with a steep climb to Gorakship, easy to EBC

ELEVATION GAIN: Lobuche (16142’ / 4920 m) to EBC (17596’ / 5380 m) | 1454’ / 443 m

DISTANCE: 7.3 miles / 11.7 kilometers

WHERE TO STAY: Snowland Inn (700 NPR/night for twin room)

Today’s the big day to Everest Base Camp! First thing’s first: the trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep. The trail is flat for about the first hour, then is a constant climb for the next two hours until reaching Gorakshep. Once you arrive at your tea house, grab lunch then continue onto Everest Base Camp for the afternoon. It’ll take about an hour to reach EBC, and is a lot of ups and downs. When you arrive you’ll see a giant sign, signifying that you finally made it!

DAY 8: Gorakshep - Kala Patthar - Pangboche

TREK TIME: 7 hours

DIFFICULTY: Difficult to Kala Patthar, moderate but long on the way back

DISTANCE: 15.1 miles / 24.3 kilometers

WHERE TO STAY: Namaste Lodge & Restaurant (500 NPR/night for twin room)

Get ready to hike Kala Patthar for sunrise at 4:30 AM, the highest point of the trek. It’s a beautiful view of Mount Everest, and you’ll get to see the sun rise behind it. I honestly can’t say if it was worth it or not because I was wrecked after the week, but the scenery was pretty. I didn’t really feel like I missed out on anything though if you’re going back and forth on doing this extra hike or not.

Head back to Gorakshep for breakfast before making your way back down. We had lunch in Dukla, then continued on the path through Pheriche before stopping in Pangboche for the night. Oh, how amazing it was to be back in an area where it wasn’t so expensive for wifi or power! I prefer Namaste Lodge over the previous tea house we stayed at, Holiday Inn, because the signal was better. No need to even buy wifi!

DAY 9: Pangboche - Manjo

TREK TIME: 6.5 hours

DIFFICULTY: Moderate, mostly up and down but just a long day because it’s not a lot of downhill

DISTANCE: 16 miles / 25.8 kilometers

WHERE TO STAY: Panorama Lodge & Restaurant (200 NPR/night for a twin room)

We pushed until Manjo today because my guide said that Namche Bazaar (where most people would stop) wasn’t that far… I would disagree and say it was a decent trek because you don’t have a lot of downhill, unlike the previous day. Going all the way to Manjo for the night absolutely wrecked me, on top of Kala Patthar the previous day.

Again, remember how we were basically competing for rooms every night because it was three days of flights in one so there were 3X the amount of people doing the trek? My guide got word that the day we were supposed to fly out everything was overbooked and weather through the weekend didn’t look good… meaning we could be stuck in Lukla for some time. We made the decision to try and get a flight out the next morning, so staying in Manjo proved to be a good move.

DAY 10: Manjo - Lukla

TREK TIME: 4.5 hours

DIFFICULTY: Moderate, mostly up and down

DISTANCE: 7.8 miles / 12.63 kilometers

We left Manjo at around 5 AM, and the sun began to rise shortly after so it wasn’t dark for too long. We were racing to get back by 10 AM to try and get a flight. As I’m sure you know by now, the flights are very volatile and often don’t run after noon because the weather changes so drastically. Because of all the fumes from the tea houses, I was fighting phlegm and a kennel cough on top of trying to get back. Just as a warning, the tea houses are not well-insulated and you’ll be breathing in all sorts of fumes and chemicals like paint that never quite dried, smoke from the indoor fires, and mold. After coming down from higher altitudes, my lungs loosened up and I got a nasty cough. I noticed most people coming back from EBC also had this. There’s not much you can do about it but just a forewarning.

If you’re racing to get on a flight (just because you have a reservation doesn’t mean anything, it’s literally a free-for-all), go to the The Nest at Lukla Hotel. The owner has a hook-up with the airlines and can get you on a flight. We arrived, had some lemon ginger honey tea (which I recommend for that cough), and the owner got us on the next flight back to Lukla at 11 AM.

Upon arrival in Lukla, I was chatting with the pilot as he packed up his bag and said, “you’re lucky, you got the last flight of the day. The weather is bad now so no more scheduled flights,” And the following days the weather was terrible, as previously mentioned. You really have to be flexible around these flights, or have a guide who’s well-informed.

How to visit Turkmenistan's "Gates of Hell"

TURKMENISTAN

The Gates of Hell in Turkmenistan, also known as the Darvaza gas crater, is a striking natural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of travelers and scientists alike. Located in the Karakum Desert, this expansive, fiery crater has been burning continuously since 1971 when a Soviet drilling rig collapsed, releasing natural gas and creating the mesmerizing spectacle that exists today. Visitors are drawn to the otherworldly beauty of the flaming crater against the stark desert backdrop, making it a unique destination for adventurous explorers and those fascinated by the intersection of nature and human activity.

HOW TO VISIT TURKMENISTAN

DO I NEED A GUIDE TO VISIT TURKMENISTAN?

First thing’s first: at the moment, yes, you need a guide or tour to visit Turkmenistan. Your tour operator will assist you in getting the approval needed to obtain the visa, but this isn’t an easy feat. Turkmenistan is known for rejecting tourists for unknown reasons, but the travelers who got rejected that I know of are all YouTubers. My friend and I ended up going with Saiga Tours, who arranged our whole trip and secured our visas. Just to note, we didn’t go on one of their group trips, it was just us two with a local guide.

How to get a visa for turkmenistan?

Once you get the approval from your tour operator, print out the letter and bring it with you on your flight. The approval takes about a month so make sure you plan your trip far in advance. Upon arrival you will see a visa office where you will present the letter for visa on arrival and pay $90 USD.

HOW TO GET TO TURKMENISTAN

To get to Turkmenistan, you can fly into the capital of Ashgabat. The most popular routes are from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines, Dubai, or Uzbekistan (although I recommend if you’re doing a “stans” hopping tour, you should just go to Uzbekistan overland from Turkmenistan).

COMMUNICATION

Unfortunately you cannot get a sim card in Turkmenistan and the internet is heavily censored so it is highly unlikely that you will be able to communicate with the outside world while you’re visiting. VPNs also don’t work since they’re constantly being banned (I tried downloading five different ones that locals recommended). For some reason I was able to use my email, but other than that all social media, whatsapp, etc did not work.

HOW TO GET TO THE GATES OF HELL

If you’re going with a tour operator, they will take care of all the logistics, but there are a few different ways:

Fly to Dashoguz

This is Turkmenistan’s northernmost city, and close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Köneürgench (or Kunya-Urgench), which is definitely a must-see. The Gates of Hell is somewhat halfway between Dashoguz and Ashgabat, so it’s recommended to take a flight to save some time.

Overnight Train

I actually had no idea prior to the trip that there was an overnight train that connected the country, but this would have been my go-to option rather than having to wake up early and take a flight. I would have loved to experience a Soviet-era train while waking up arriving in Dashoguz.

DRIVING TO THE GATES OF HELL

Chances are, you’re probably going to do one of the above two options but you will have to drive either there or on the way back since the Gates to Hell are halfway in between Dashoguz and Ashgabat. It’s about eight hours of driving total.

Everything you need to know about Lake Malawi

MALAWI

Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa, is a breathtaking freshwater lake located in East Africa. It is the third largest lake on the continent and is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, scenic shorelines, and remarkable diversity of fish species. The lake is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers visitors a serene setting for water-based activities such as snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. Surrounding the lake, vibrant local communities provide a rich cultural experience, while the diverse flora and fauna contribute to the area's ecological significance. From its stunning vistas to its ecological importance, Lake Malawi continues to captivate and inspire all who encounter its natural beauty.

WHAT PART OF LAKE MALAWI SHOULD I VISIT?

This was probably the biggest question I had when I was planning my trip to Malawi. Lake Malawi was the main place I wanted to visit, but it’s so big that I didn’t know what was the best area to visit. I’ll be breaking down all the main areas of Lake Malawi into an easy guide here. Things move very slowly here, so don’t expect to get anywhere fast!

Northern Malawi

Being the furthest north from the main cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe, northern Lake Malawi doesn’t see as much action as maybe the southern areas, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit!

KANDE: This is a pretty quiet beach if you’re looking for someplace to just relax.

NKHATA BAY: Known to be a fishing village, this is a great backpacker town where you can base yourself and do day trips.

CHITIMBA: If you’re overlanding from Tanzania or Zambia, this is a great start or end option since it’s located in the far north.

Where to stay in Northern Malawi

SOUL REBEL LODGE & BACKPACKERS: A budget friendly option located right on the lake in Nkhata Bay

BUTTERFLY SPACE ECO-LODGE: A beautiful beachfront stay and offers activities like yoga or kayaking, and even an airport transfer.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Booking.com for more options in the area.

CENTRAL MALAWI

Being closer to Lilongwe, this is a good option if you don’t have a lot of time to spend going all the way around the lake.

NKHOTAKOTA: A port town in central Malawi, don’t miss the Nkhotakota wildlife reserve, elephants, Mawira hot springs, Mwaya Beach, and the Chia Lagoon nearby.

LIKOMA & CHISUMULU ISLANDS: These are home to Malawi’s most luxurious lodges and can only be accessed by air or ferry from Chilumba.

SOUTHERN MALAWI

If I had to pick one part of Malawi to visit, this would be it! It’s very accessible compared to other parts of Malawi, but definitely a slower pace of life making it perfect to relax. If you’re planning on taking public transport I highly recommend setting aside a full day to get here or return since things are very slow.

CAPE MACLEAR: It’s the perfect jumping point to Domwe Island or Mumbo Island, which is actually where I stayed.

MONKEY BAY: Just south of Cape Maclear, Monkey Bay has a similar vibe. Enjoy the beaches, kayak, or explore the islands off the coast.

LILONDWE NATIONAL PARK: This is Malawi’s most popular national park and is just north of Blantyre. Try a riverboat safari, canoe safari, or a 4WD safari.

Where to stay southern malawi

THUMBI VIEW LODGE: So in Cape Maclear I originally stayed at Tranquilo Resort; I was actually between choosing Tranquilo versus Thumbi since they had similar pricing at the time, but ended up going with Tranquilo since the pictures online looked so much better. I have never felt more deceived by a booking description and I was so disappointed — the wifi didn’t work, the AC didn’t work, and it looked super desolate. The pool was drained, everything was falling apart, and no one else was staying there. I actually ended up walking by Thumbi and was in shock how beautiful the property was; it didn’t look anything like the pictures. Anyways, long story short, I hope this saves any other potential on-lookers if you’re deciding where to stay in Cape Maclear.

NORMAN CARR COTTAGE: Located in Monkey Bay, this is also a highly rated beachfront property.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Booking.com for more options in the area.

HOW TO GET AROUND MALAWI

bus

The main bus you can take around Malawi is AXA Coach Services, but Malawi is connected to the cities by mini bus as well. The hotels will insist on hiring a driver or taking their airport transfer, but insist you want to take the mini bus and they’ll tell you what stop to catch it.

ferry

There is the Ilala Ferry, but it’s quite slow and only goes once a week in each direction. It runs between Chilumba and Monkey Bay. You can check the timetables here.

car

Many hotels will offer airport transfers that will run around $175 each way, which is crazy expensive. If you’re with a group of people it’s worth it, but being a solo traveler like myself it was too much. I’ve heard of people renting cars, but personally after seeing the dirt roads to Cape Maclear and Monkey Bay I would advise against it unless you really know what you’re doing.

The Best Seychelles Itinerary

SEYCHELLES

Embark on a journey to the mesmerizing Seychelles, a harmonious archipelago in the Indian Ocean renowned for its pristine beaches, lush jungles, and untouched natural beauty. Picture-perfect white sands beckon to those seeking relaxation, while azure waters teem with vibrant marine life, making it a utopia for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.

I spent four days exploring everything the islands have to offer, so here’s the best itinerary for the Seychelles. Special thanks to the Visit Seychelles tourism board for hosting me on this trip!

Where is the Seychelles?

Nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is a captivating archipelago renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush tropical landscapes. This paradisiacal destination is dotted with 115 picturesque islands, each boasting its own unique charm and distinct character. From the granite outcrops of Mahe to the coral atolls of Aldabra, Seychelles exudes an air of tranquility and natural beauty that beckons travelers seeking an idyllic retreat. With its diverse marine life, captivating Creole culture, and luxurious resorts, Seychelles offers an unparalleled escape for those in search of sun-kissed bliss and unparalleled natural beauty.

How to get to the seychelles

Being an archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean, it might not be easy to find flights to get to the Seychelles. Your best bet is to look for flights from Dubai on Emirates Airlines, Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines, or even from Nairobi. Emirates usually gets into Mahe in the morning, while the Ethiopian Airlines flight gets in the afternoon.

How to get around the seychelles

If you’re staying on the main island of Mahe, you definitely need a car to get around. My driver was absolutely wonderful, so if you need an easy airport pick-up or even tour guide, I highly recommend Ocean Blue Seychelles.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Expedia for the best deals on car rentals.

On the other hand, the island of La Digue doesn’t have any cars so the best way to get around is by bicycle. You can rent them easily in front of the ferry terminal.

If you’re trying to travel between the islands, the Cat Cocos ferry that goes to all three islands — check the schedule to plan your itinerary thoroughly! I will share the links in the itinerary below.

Where to stay in the Seychelles

For the most beautiful beaches, you can find great hotels in the south of Mahe. This is also something to consider if you don’t have enough time to visit the famous beaches in La Digue since they also have the stunning granite boulders. The only downside is, it’s quite far from everything so you don’t have very many food options besides the hotel. Check out Villa Chez Batista for a stunning location at an affordable price.

STAY | Alternatively, check out Booking.com for more options in the area.

Seychelles entry requirements

There is no visa required to enter, however, you need to fill out the immigration form on this site prior to departure. Make sure you fill out the correct form, otherwise you will have to pay a $70 fee upon arrival (I made this mistake because the form I filled out didn’t specify it was the departure versus arrival form).

MAHE ITINERARY

La Misére viewpoint

This is a great first stop for the day to get a feel for the beauty of the island at the best overlook in all the island. In the distance you’ll be able to see Eden Island.

Victoria

Welcome to Victoria, the capital city of the stunning Seychelles archipelago. This vibrant port city is nestled on the northeast coast of Mahé, the largest island in the Seychelles. With its colorful markets, charming colonial architecture, and bustling waterfront, Victoria offers a delightful blend of Creole culture and a relaxed island vibe. Visitors can savor fresh seafood at local restaurants, explore the vibrant Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, or take in the majestic views from the nearby Morne Seychellois National Park. I also recommend visiting the Hindu Temple and Clock Tower. Whether strolling along the promenade or immersing in local art and history at museums and galleries, Victoria invites travelers to savor the unique charm of the Seychelles.

Mission Lodge

A little more on the history of the Seychelles with beautiful views of the island. Be sure to also try the traditional Seychellois tea at The Tea House.

Eden Island

By lunchtime drive over to Eden Island to try some incredible octopus coconut curry — a Seychellois specialty!

Domaine Val de Pres

Another historical site to learn more about the Seychelles. You can also head around the back to see how they make perfume from the coco de mer seed — the biggest seed in the world.

La Plaine St. Andre

Takamaka Distillery actually converted this historical site into a rum distillery and it’s a fantastic way to end your day on the island of Mahe. Take a tour and have a drink in their garden afterwards.

PRASLIN ITINERARY

HOW TO GET TO PRASLIN

From Mahe you can easily take the Cat Cocos Ferry, which takes about an hour. You could see both Praslin and La Digue on a full-day trip from Mahe, but La Digue is so stunning I highly recommend staying one night. Praslin, on the other hand, is great to check out just for its UNESCO World Heritage Site.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Viator for other day trips in the Seychelles.

Valleé de Mai nature reserve

This was the main attraction of the island of Praslin, so you can easily do this in the morning before heading to La Digue, or on a day trip from wherever you’re staying.

Hidden in the heart of Praslin Island in the Seychelles, Valleé de Mai Nature Reserve is a captivating haven of natural beauty and wonder. This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for its lush, primeval forest that dates back millions of years, and is home to the iconic Coco de Mer palm, famed for producing the largest seed in the plant kingdom. As visitors meander through the enchanting pathways, they are immersed in an otherworldly atmosphere, surrounded by unique flora and fauna found nowhere else on the planet. Valleé de Mai’s serene ambiance and rare biodiversity make it a must-see destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers seeking to marvel at the wonders of the natural world.

LA DIGUE ITINERARY

HOW TO GET TO LA DIGUE

From Praslin, the Cat Cocos ferry is about fifteen minutes to La Digue, making it perfect to squeeze the two islands together.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Viator for other day trips in the Seychelles.

WHERE TO STAY IN LA DIGUE

For luxury travelers I recommend staying at Le Domaine de L'Orangeraie Resort and Spa.

For mid-range or boutique hotels check out Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel La Digue.

For budget travelers Villa Hortensia is a ten minutes walking from the ferry. Unfortunately you’re not going to find a hostel on this island or anything cheaper, but if budget is a concern I recommend staying in Mahe and doing a day trip to La Digue.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Booking.com for other hotels in La Digue.

La Digue was my absolute favorite portion of the trip; I would probably spend an extra night or two here if I had the time because the beaches were incredible and straight out of a postcard! You should definitely rent a bicycle and explore the island — you’ll even find wild tortoises roaming around! If you’re doing the Praslin / La Digue day trip from Mahe then the following is what I recommend doing:

L'Union Estate

It’s a few kilometers to get to the heart of the famous Anse Source d'Argent beach so make sure you take a bicycle. You can spot the giant land tortoises in areas around the estate and can feed them leaves. At the beach you can easily rent a glass canoe — I recommend Crystal Water Kayaks, which is directly across from the famous Instagram photo spot with the granite boulders.

The Ultimate Namibia Road Trip

NAMIBIA

Namibia, a land of mesmerizing beauty and wild adventures, enchants visitors with its remarkable landscapes and rich cultural tapestry. Nestled on the southwestern coast of Africa, Namibia is renowned for its vast deserts, towering dunes, and rugged mountain ranges. The breathtaking Etosha National Park offers superb wildlife sightings, while the iconic Skeleton Coast beckons with its haunting landscapes and shipwrecks. From the quaint German-influenced town of Swakopmund to the indigenous Himba communities, the diversity of Namibia's people adds layers of authenticity to the country's allure. Travelers can immerse themselves in thrilling activities such as dune boarding, quad biking, and even tracking desert-adapted elephants. Whether seeking tranquility amidst the stark beauty of the Namib Desert or embarking on an exhilarating safari, Namibia promises an unforgettable journey through a land of limitless wonders.

In April 2023 my friend and I spent a week doing a road trip around the country of Namibia, which was my 141st country. Here is the ultimate itinerary for a road trip around Namibia!

where is Namibia?

Namibia is a country located in southwestern Africa. Bordered by Angola to the north, Zambia and Botswana to the east, and South Africa to the south and east, Namibia boasts a diverse landscape that includes the Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world. The country's coastline stretches along the South Atlantic Ocean, offering spectacular views and vibrant marine life.

How to get around Namibia

Renting a car was the way to go in Namibia, and I highly recommend looking for something with 4-wheel drive. It’s possible getting around without 4WD but in order to access some sites you need it. For instance, at Sossusvlei National Park you can park and take a shuttle to Deadvlei, but if you want to get there first thing in the morning and beat the crowds you must have 4WD to drive on the sand.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Expedia for the best deals on car rentals.

The Ultimate Namibia Road Trip

Day 1: Windhoek to The Skeleton Coast

We didn’t really spend much time in the capital as we had so much to see in so little time, so we jumped in the rental car and made our way towards the Skeleton Coast. Now, we honestly had no idea where exactly we were going; we knew we wanted to see the dunes where the “sand meets the sea,” but we didn’t know exactly where the dunes were. At first we typed in “skeleton coast” into Google maps and just started driving that way, however, we soon realized that we needed to go to Sandwich Harbour.

After making our way to the coast, we decided to stay the night in the town of Hentiesbaai. Accommodation in this area was a little out of our budget, but we found a cute bed & breakfast Huis Klipdrift Self Catering B&B. They’re apartment-style rooms, which is great for families or if you’re looking to stay next to the beach and barbecue. It’s also a great value and in a perfect location; we walked over to a restaurant called The Fishy Corner, which isn’t the best name but had really fresh seafood!

DAY 2: Sandwich Harbour

Nestled on the southwestern shores of Namibia, lies the enigmatic and ethereal Skeleton Coast, a place where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur. With its desolate and haunting beauty, this stretch of land is a mysterious amalgamation of sandy dunes, treacherous rocky outcrops, and a rugged shoreline that has claimed hundreds of shipwrecks over centuries.

One of our bucket list items for Namibia was visiting the vast dunes next to the ocean; we were wondering if it would be possible to go on our own, but unless you’re really experienced at off-roading it’s not recommended. It’s also highly encouraged to go with a tour group because the tides dictate your safety and your car could get stuck and washed out to sea if not careful.

We went with Mola Mola Marine Dune Experience, and they were fantastic and really knowledgable about the dunes, tides, and how to get in and out of any situation. We had an incredible spread of food for lunch and highly recommend them!

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Viator for other Sandwich Harbour tours.

Later in the day, we went to Walvis Bay to meet with someone who would take us to Pelican Point Lodge, where we would be staying for the next two nights. We drove behind our guide and it was surreal going somewhere so remote, driving past flocks of flamingos and colonies of seals.

DAY 3: PELICAN POINT

Pelican Point in Namibia is a captivating coastal destination that embodies the essence of nature's raw beauty. Situated at the southernmost tip of the picturesque coastal town of Walvis Bay, Pelican Point is known for its breathtaking views and abundant wildlife. As the name suggests, this remarkable peninsula is home to a vast variety of pelicans, which can be seen gracefully gliding over the turquoise waters. The dramatic landscape, adorned with pristine sand dunes and rugged cliffs, creates a stunning backdrop for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Whether it's witnessing a striking sunset, observing playful seals, or taking in the serene surroundings, Pelican Point offers an unforgettable experience that showcases the marvels of Namibia's unspoiled coastline.

Honestly, Pelican Point was one of the highlights of this trip. I didn’t know what to expect, but it sure blew me away. The lighthouse was built in the early 1900’s and was converted into a luxury lodge, meaning it’s the only place you can stay on this peninsula and is an all-inclusive luxury experience. It is a little on the pricey side, but if your budget allows I guarantee it will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

STAY | Check out Booking.com to book your trip to Pelican Point Lodge.

Day 4: PELICAN POINT TO the Namib Desert

In the morning before departure, we had the opportunity to kayak with a colony of seals; it was honestly one of the most incredible wildlife experiences I’ve ever had. This is included if you stay at the Pelican Point Lodge, and one of the many activities they offer.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Viator if you’re interested in kayaking with the seals but looking for another option besides Pelican Point Lodge.

We also wanted the chance to stay in the Namib Desert to be close to Sossusvlei National Park, so we continued our way south and stayed at The Desert Grace by the Gondwana Collection Hotels. This was only an hour from the national park but was a good place to relax for a couple nights.

Day 5: Desert Grace

The Namib Desert, nestled along the southwestern coast of Africa, is a mesmerizing tapestry of boundless beauty and untamed landscapes. Its name, translated as "vast place," aptly captures the essence of this extraordinary desert. Endless stretches of towering orange sand dunes, sculpted by the persistent wind, create an otherworldly panorama that amazes and humbles all who witness it. The desolate terrain is punctuated by pockets of life, where resilient flora and fauna adapt to the harsh conditions. With its ethereal sunsets casting a golden glow over the barren expanse, the Namib Desert is a testament to the raw power and captivating allure of our planet.

Each room at the Desert Grace has its own pool in the back that’s open to the vast desert. It truly feels like you’re out there on your own in the middle of nowhere. They offer different desert tours and trekking, but my friend and I have been doing so much nonstop that we decided to take some time to relax.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Booking.com for more options in the area.

Day 6: Sossusvlei National Park

Sossusvlei National Park is a mesmerizing natural wonder tucked away in the heart of Namibia. Renowned for its towering red sand dunes, this vast desert landscape blends colors and textures in the most remarkable way. As the sun rises, casting its golden light over the dunes, a breathtaking scene unfolds. The surreal beauty of the contrasting deep blue sky against the vibrant red sand is a sight that leaves visitors in awe. Venturing into the park, one can witness the ethereal Dead Vlei, a dried-up clay pan dotted with ancient skeletal trees, frozen in time. Sossusvlei National Park is not only a testament to the power of nature but also a captivating destination for those seeking an unforgettable experience in the Namib Desert.

Deadvlei has been another bucket list spot I’ve wanted to visit in Namibia. There are two gates that provide entry to the national park; the first one opens at 7:15 AM and the other, which is the second set past the first gate, opens earlier. If you camp in the national park you have access to going to the sites earlier than 7:15 AM, but honestly since we were just trying to go to Deadvlei it didn’t really make much of a difference. As long as you have your own car with 4WD you’ll be able to witness Deadvlei with both shadows and broad daylight. If you don’t have 4WD, there’s an area where you can park and take a shuttle.

In the afternoon we headed back to Windhoek and flew out the next day. It was an incredible trip and I hope this itinerary helps your planning!

How to use points to fly to Micronesia and the Marshall Islands

MICRONESIA | THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

We’ve all seen the travelers that fly on business class, get hotel room upgrades, and jet all over the world on points… but HOW? I still wouldn’t consider myself an expert in the credit card points and miles department, but I did want to share how I was able to fly from Los Angeles to Hawaii and take the United Airlines Pacific Hopper to both Micronesia and the Marshall Islands using points.

What is the United Airlines Pacific hopper?

The United Airlines Pacific Island Hopper runs between Hawaii and Guam, and makes stops along remote South Pacific islands along the way. These Pacific islands depend on this route for mail, supplies, and transport, and is the only air connection that many of these islands have. Therefore, using the United Airlines hopper is a great way to visit these countries.

What Islands does United Airlines visit on this route?

United Airlines makes up to five stops between Hawaii and Guam on a single trip, but in total it stops at Honolulu (USA), Majuro (Marshall Islands), Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), Kosrae (Micronesia), Pohnpei (Micronesia), Chuuk (Micronesia), and Guam (USA).

As a country counter, I’m constantly trying to group together countries in regions to visit at a time, which significantly reduces costs rather than going back and forth. It can be confusing to figure out which island belongs to which country, so I’ll break it down for you! The hopper specifically covers the Marshall Islands and Micronesia, which is perfect if you’re trying to use the United Airlines Excursionist Perk to visit two countries on a single trip.

What is the United Airlines Excursionist Perk?

United AIrlines’ Excursionist Perk allows MileagePlus members a free one-way award as part of a qualifying multi-city itinerary, which means you get to visit two destinations on a trip for the price of one. But! Not just any multi-city itinerary qualifies for the Excursionist Perk to get this free flight.

In order to qualify for the Excursionist Perk, you need to book at least three one-way awards together as part of a single itinerary, and the trip must end in the same region that the travel started. For instance, if you’re starting in the continental US, the itinerary must also end in the continental US to qualify for the free leg.

How to use the excursionist perk for the island hopper?

Now, you can use award miles to book from the continental US to the Pacific, but we’re all about maximizing our points, right? I highly recommend looking for a cheap flight to Honolulu, Hawaii and building your trip using the Excursionist Perk from there.

I used my points with Southwest Airlines from Los Angeles to Honolulu for a total of about 13,000 points each way (that’s around $130), but if you book early enough I’ve seen flights go for 6,000 points each way. Definitely worth it!

Awards from the continental US to the South Pacific cost 35,000 miles each way, while intra-island hopper flights cost 0 miles; therefore, it would cost 70,000 miles round-trip if you’re booking directly from the continental US to the South Pacific. But we found a cheap flight on Southwest Airlines so we’re booking the Excursionist Perk from Honolulu, so how much in miles does that look like? This cuts the price down to 27,500 miles each way or 55,000 miles round trip from Honolulu.

I also highly recommend this method if you’re visiting these countries because the United Airlines flights cost around $3000 round trip these days, which is crazy if you compare to points because it’s practically a steal!

How do you obtain points for airlines?

This is another question I often get — it sounds so easy to use points for these trips, but how does one “get” points? Applying for credit cards. Yes, you will need a decent credit score in order to apply for these credit cards.

For Southwest Airlines, here’s a link to sign up for their member credit card and you’re awarded between 30,000 - 60,000 miles. This will cover the cost of your flight from the continental US to Honolulu!

For United Airlines, this is the link you can use to sign up for their credit card rewards program, which is usually around 60,000 miles as well. Since you need 55,000 to cover the cost from Honolulu to the South Pacific, this covers the entire flight.

How I went to Antarctica for less than $3000

ANTARCTICA

Antarctica, the southernmost continent, is an enchanting realm of pristine ice and breathtaking desolation. Spanning over 14 million square kilometers, it stands as a testament to the raw power and beauty of nature. Its vast white expanses, towering glaciers, and jagged icebergs create a surreal landscape that captivates the imagination. Despite its harsh conditions, Antarctica is home to a diverse array of unique wildlife, including penguins, seals, and whales. This remote and unspoiled wilderness serves as a crucial hub for scientific research and exploration, providing invaluable insights into our planet's climate and ecosystems. Embarking on a journey to Antarctica is an awe-inspiring experience, offering an escape into a world unlike any other.

How I went to antarctica for less than $3000

To get straight to the point, my friend works for United Airlines, who has a partnership with the luxury cruise line, Atlas Ocean Voyages. With this partnership, you basically get an employee discount and pay base cost to go on the cruise. My friend was able to secure two cabins a month before departure, so I had to jump on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Interestingly enough, it seemed as if nearly everyone on the cruise was in the airline industry (United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Southwest, to name a few). So, if you or a friend works for one of these airlines, maybe it’s worth looking into!

Other methods I’ve heard of securing a cheap Antarctic cruise are going to Ushuaia and hoping that you can secure a cabin at the last second since they’re just trying to fill up spots. This might require a little more time and patience though, as you might need to spend some time there. I’ve also heard that newer cruise ships are doing “dormitory style rooms,” which are much cheaper and are similar to a hostel where you have a few people in a room and bunk with someone else. It might not be the most comfortable, but it’s another option!

What to look for when choosing a cruise

There’s so many options out there, it’s hard to figure out what kind of ship or cruise to choose, especially since this is not a cheap trip!