The post Cuzco appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>Cuzco is a major backpacker melting pot, one of the main backpacking hubs in Peru and the staging ground for people contemplating doing an Inca Trail trek or visiting Machu Picchu. Whilst it was a major city for the Incas, the Spanish colonial style is firmly entrenched on the city.
Just take a stroll round La Plaza De Armas and check out the impressive colonial cathedral, and you soon get a sense that this city has had an interesting and varied past, especially when you see the ancient walls built out of huge stone blocks by the incans, thought to be the first earthquake proof construction in the history of mankind.
There is a great nightlife scene to Cuzco as well, as you would expect with backpackers having returned from successful three-day Inca Trail treks, loaded up on excitement and enthusiasm with travellers tales about where they’ve been and what they’ve seen, with plenty of other backpackers willing to listen to their stories in nervous anticipation of their own treks that lie ahead. You can easily spend a week here, even if you’re not going to do the Trail there are plenty of day trips that you can enjoy and is not a bad place to rest up if you’ve been on the road for awhile.
If you’re new in town, make sure you head to the Cross Keys pub located on the corner of the Plaza de Armas, you’ll be sure to meet some backpackers in there.
From Cuzco most people had South after the Trail to find Lake Titicaca and then end up in La Paz the capital of Bolivia.
With Xtreme gap years backpacking in South America trips, you will most likely end up in Cuzco on the following adventures:
Lima to La Paz via Cuzco, Inca Trail trek and round the world South America.
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]]>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 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!
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]]>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 Amantani Home Stay and Cultural Exchange, Peru, South America appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>This peru gap year trip is will open your eyes to the reality of life high up in the Andes for the local Indians, and can be one of the highlights of backpacking in South America. This is a cultural exchange experience in Amantani where you will spend time with the locals and learn about their way of life.
Amantani Island is located on Lake Titicaca at an elevation of over 3800m. It is home to the pre-Inca Aymara people and visitors can experience the traditional way of life on the island with an overnight stay with a local family. This is a great opportunity to learn about very different cultures first hand, and while it is undoubtedly a tourism encouraged encounter, it is still the best way to actually learn about the culture of the people at Amantani.
You get to do this trip on the Round The World South America Trip as well as the Ecuador and Peru Travel Pass and Lima to La Paz Travel Pass trips.
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]]>The post Discover the Inca Civilization in the Sacred Valley, Peru, South America appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>On many of our Peru Gap Year Programmes and the Round the world South America Trip you can unearth impressive Inca ruins and visit handicraft markets in the picturesque Vilcanota River Valley.
The Sacred Valley of the Inca Civilization was one of the most important sites for the Incas and now with some of the most well-preserved archaeological ruins in all of Peru. The Sacred valley is nestled in the Vilcanota River Valley, not far from Cuzco with incredibly picturesque terraces for the cultivation of native crops.
The setting is undeniably pretty, and jam packed with cultural exchange experiences and activities.
The Sacred Valley is blessed with a good climate presenting hundreds of opportunities to take pictures of people, landscapes and ruins. This trip is a day trip from Cuzco .
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]]>The post Colca Canyon, Peru, South America appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>Check out the worlds second largest Canyon, and see huge Andean condors soaring overhead. Impressive lanscapes, colorful traditions and local music galore.
An Unforgettable visit to the 100 km long (3,191 meter deep) Colca Canyon where you can check out local Peruvian flora and fauna such as vicuña and Andean condors. Bewarned, standing at the cliff edge may make you feel a little squeamish, but that is what Adrenaline Travel is all about! Marvel at the steep canyon walls – dance with local women wearing exquisitely embroidered colorful clothing all set tot he sound track of Andean Pan Pipes.
(Suggestions for Colca Canyon: The highest point of the trip is 4,910m and on average the other locations are approx. 3,800m. for some Altitude Sickness can be present, so if you feel sick, it is a good idea to drink plenty of coca tea, chew coca candies or take altitude sickness medicine such as Sarochi or Diamox in extreme cases).
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]]>The post Dune Bashing in La Huacachina, Peru, South America appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>Dune Bashing, Sand Boarding and Buggy Riding! There is a shed load you can do with sand especially when yoy have a huge desert full of it. La Huacachina, Peru is where a pretty little desert oasis comes alive with the sound of suppercharged dune buggies and the excited screams of Xtreme Gappers as they test out their skills on the slopes of the sand dunes.
It is what adrenaline travel is all about, having lots of fun in surreal landscapes, trying out adventures that you can´t do at home.
Sand boarding, was not exactly a mainstream sport is a lot of fun. It’s a bit like tobogganing, except you get sand just about everywhere, but nothing a nice cold beer won’t remove at the end of the day. What is particularly surreal about this experience, and backpacking in South America in general is that one day you can be high in the Andes, within a couple of hours can be in the Amazon rainforest or in a tiny desert oasis having a blast with your new-found backpacker mates.
Sand boarding trip is included on the round the world South America programme, and also in the Ecuador to Peru travel pass.
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]]>The post Ballestas Islands Trip, Peru, South America appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year Blog.
]]>The Ballestas Islands means “Crossbow”, named by local fishermen who sailed around the islands for many centuries. It is a nature lovers dream, where you can easily see some of the most impressive sea birds of South America. During breeding season you can view resident and migratory birds, including flamingos, red-legged cormorants, Inca terns, bobbies, as well as playful sea lions, funny Humboldt penguins and if particularly fortunate, the occassional sea otter and might Condor, a bird with the greatest wingspan in the world.
You will be picked up from your hostel and early in the morning (around 7:30 am) or from the bus station if you preffer and taken to the pier to meet up with your awaiting speed boat
The trip takes about 2 hours, during which you will also see the Candelabra. This is an enormous figure that can be seen clearly from the sea. It is a geological carving that has been etched in tot he landscape, our local guide will explain some of the theories as to why it was created. Once you reach the Ballestas Islands, you can check out the birds mentioned above, as well as dozens of sea lions on the shore of the beaches.
The Ballestas Islands Trip is included on the Xtreme Peru Experience and the Ultimate South America Trip.
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