The post Lake Titicaca appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>There are certain spots in the world that just seem special. People have different reasons for believing locations can have this almost mystical appeal, Stonehenge, the Nasca lines, Mayan temples in Mexico the Grand Canyon in USA, but the Bolivia Lake Titicaca is definitely one of these locations.
Perhaps its geographical, something to do with the fact that it is the highest lake in the world, formed millions of years ago when the Andes rose up out of the Pacific, who knows maybe the altitude just messes with people’s heads when standing on one of the many islands looking out over a light blue seascape.
It is a stunning location, and definitely should not be missed from any round the world South America itinerary.
One of the interesting things about Lake Titicaca is that there are whole indigenous populations who live on the lake, on artificial floating islands made out of reeds. You can stay there, overnight and meet the Indians and discover more about their way of life during several of our South America gap year trips. Have a look at the Amanti homestay experience for more.
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]]>The post Free Travel Guides! appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>Want exclusive access to tonnes of free travel guides written and edited by Xtreme Gappers on plenty of different destinations? Then like our fan page and you are good to go. We take a lot of pride in discovering, reviewing and writing about some of the most exciting travel activities out there, in our travel guide section you can find all the details.
We are constantly publishing new guides so you can subscribe to the library to get notifications of when new ones are released, might give you something to look forward to when you are back off your travels!
If you would like us to write a guide on one of our destinations or activity then let us know through the face book comments system below.
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We have guides on traveling to Oz, Guides on Kilimanjaro, Guides on staying safe and how to best prepare for your travels. This is not the kind of watered down crap you find in the lonely planet.
We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed writing them. Oh you will need flash to view the guides too. Sorry Ipad people.
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The post Free Travel Guides! appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>The post New Xtreme Gap Brochure for 2013 appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>Pretty exciting news! The new Xtreme Gap Year brochure is ready! If you have not already requested it click the image below.
The last year has been pretty busy for the Xtreme Gap team researching even more incredible places to go and finding even more special activities for you to do.
Really exciting experiences that you just can´t do at home. Travel that is not only benefits you personally but gives you something seriously cool to write home about.
The brochure is interactive, giving you links to videos, galleries and reviews so you can get inspired about ways to escape the doom and gloom of the News and dreary weather at home. There is another way people (and it starts by clicking the brochure link below).
Have a happy and adrenaline fuelled adventure!
The post New Xtreme Gap Brochure for 2013 appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>The post Planning a round the world trip – getting started appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>So you are planning on setting off on a round the world adventure? Good for you!
I love travel and all the exciting things that go with it, and have assisted many people in planning the ultimate round the world trip-
By way of introduction, my name is Oliver Bray and I am one of the founders of Xtreme Gap Year, I take a very hands on approach with our customers and their travel plans (if needed!)
I have been on a lot trips in the past (68 countries and counting so far!) and pretty much been to every continent (well not the 2 poles) with work and for pleasure, so I do have some experience in round the world trips, and all that goes along with it.
Many people really don´t know where to start when it comes to planning a huge trip, understandably so, as there is so much to see and do, so I have created a series of newsletters that can help give you some guidance when it come to planning your round the world trip.
If you are planning on that once in a life time exodus, then check out our round the world section. Customisable itineraries taylor made for you, vetted and researched by us. Sign up on this form and we will send you information on planning your trip Including:
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Firstly some things to think about! Planning a trip is a pretty exciting experience, all the place you can go and all the cool things you can see. The people you will meet on the way from all over the world, and the totally amazing adventures out there that await you, but like many you may be wondering where to start.
Most people have an idea of roughly where they want to go before they set off, knowing certainly helps because it enables you to research flights a lot easier, and once you have a route in mind you can get to the really fun stuff. However if you don´t know, start with an Atlas or Google Earth (there is a google earth plugin on the home page of our site – check out the big map). Think about places you have seen on the TV that are of interest and ask your mates where they would recommend!
Your personal budget will make a difference as to where you can go, Africa and Asia is a lot cheaper than Australia and New Zealand, but they all are a very different travel experience. So think about what you want to get out of the trip!
If you want more of a cultural experience head to Africa, Asia or South America, if however you want more of a party and action sports scene, check out Australia and New Zealand and the USA. Just remember the golden rule! Don´t be too greedy! You might have limited time away and spreading yourself too thin can lead to too much travel – sometimes it is best to enjoy somewhere for a while!
Sometimes you can combine both quite easily, like Asia and Australia and New Zealand, other time you will find it is a lot more expensive to add on certain continents to a round the world itinerary. In my experience South America always adds on a significant amount to flight prices so consider where you would really like to go carefully and weigh up the pro´s and Cons. Don´t get me wrong South America is a truly amazing place, but probably worth exploring on its own trip, rather than bolting it onto a round the world trip for instance, especially if you have limited time or funds.
Here is a check list, write it down on a piece of paper, buy a little notebook to scribble down your ideas and do your budgeting, or if you are really nerdy sign up to google documents and start planning your trip saving your stuff online (handy to access anywhere on your travels).
Firstly When can you go? So you may just want to drop it all and head off tomorrow, great if you can, but if you are unsure it helps to set a date! Plan you departure on the flight prices and weather (seasons) at your intended destinations. The most popular time to set of on a round the world trip from the UK is After January 21st. Why? The weather is miserable in the UK and the flight prices have decreased after the Christmas holidays.
Remember if you are heading to the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed, and if you are heading somewhere Equatorial, to watch out for Monsoon seasons.
Secondly how much realistically can you save? Money is the life blood of travel, the more you have the more you can do, so work out what you can save, and cut costs like there is no tomorrow. £10 goes a long way in Asia! Once you work out how much you can save this gives you an idea of your total budget and what will be realistic. Remember you will always spend more that you think, so double your estimate. May seem like a lot, but it is pretty realistic.
So there you go, and action plan to get you started, with plenty to think about. If you want lots of further tips and hints sign up to this newsletter it contains lots of advice on finding good flights and travel insurance then its on to the fun stuff, some kick ass ideas for your trip…on that note be sure to join our facebook group for access to photo galleries, videos and ideas for travel options!
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]]>The post Surreal but real the Salar de Uyuni salt pans, Bolivia, South America appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>There is nowhere else on earth like the Salar de Uyuni, a natural phenomenon that is so surreal you actually feel like you are not even on this earth when standing there.
Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest saltpan, at a whopping 4,086 square miles. It is actually the remains of several prehistoric lakes, formed when the Andes were created pushing trapped Sea water high into the newly formed mountains. Thousands of years of evaporation dispersed the water, leaving behind the salt.
What this means on the ground is litterally a sea of white crust, flat spanning out as far as the eye can see, with just the occassional Island sticking up housing some really cool cactii!
On the Xtreme Bolivia Experience you will be taken out on the Salt pans by Jeep with the other adventurers and what an amazing experience it is. Expect to take some bizzarre pictures as the landscape gives you know frame of reference for distances. much like in the Arctic, mountains that appear a couple of miles away, can actually be several hundred miles away.
The trip is a 3 day 2 night experience, and takes in much more than the amazing salt flats. You will be taken onwards to the desert landscapes of the Atacama Desert in Chile (so take your passport as you will be crossing the boarder) as well, taking in the Valle de la Luna (Lunar Valley), and through the geothermal hot springs and Geezers. One of the highlights for many is stopping off at a very red lake, where thousands of flamingos, live and breed.
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]]>The post Gravity Assisted Mountain Biking the Death Road in Boliva South America appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>The Death Road, or the Camino del Muerte, as it is affectionately known in Bolivia is the worlds most dangerous road. No joke, it is pretty damn scary. A 2 way dirt road snaking through the Andes with 600 metre drops and barely enough space for 2 vehicles to pass claims 100 lives per year. The crosses and shrines to the unfortunate departed serve as a reminder to the perils of the death road all along it´s route.
Adrenaline Travel doesn´t come more real than this, as on the Xtreme Bolivia Experience you will go mountain biking down the Death Road, with Gravity Biking. The 65 Km ride descends 1200 metres, so fortunately you don´t have to peddle hard, as gravity will do the work especially as the air is so thin at this altitude (above 4000 metres).
Before you start to rush to take out life insurance, we should mention that over 8000 people have done this trip last year, 50,000 in total and most have survived, so the chances of you returning are pretty good, but if it isn´t for you, do not worry, you can spend the day in La Paz instead.
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]]>The post BOOM! Blow Stuff Up in Boliva. Active Mine Visit, Bolivia, South America appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>At some point in process,during the creation of man, something somewhere went slightly haywire. The gene to procreate and create and generally be nice to things had to be offset with something. That something became apparent with the invention of Dynamite.
Oh yes. There are few things more satisfying in this world than blowing the hell out of something with a healthy dose of TNT.
Unfortunately in the UK and Europe, we have health and safety rules, that mean you can´t “handle blue Tak” with out wearing goggles. Yes it is true. Fortunately in Bolivia, you can blow the shit out of rocks is an active silver mine with dynamite, and guess what – you get to set the charges and push the plunger if you are really up for it! Check out 2 travellers Ania and Stew on a trip down the mines
Just Remember, it´s not big, it´s not clever, but it is alot of fun. Do it at your own risk.
You can do this on the Xtreme Bolivia Experience
The post BOOM! Blow Stuff Up in Boliva. Active Mine Visit, Bolivia, South America appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
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