Traveling around the globe in one single trek — let alone taking a full year to do it — likely tops many folk’s bucket lists. But if the thought of how much it would cost has blocked you from making it happen, it’s best to rethink. Considering that tab on a “per day” basis actually makes one new round-the-world journey a relative bargain.
Indeed, Intrepid Travel has just launched a 365-day trip that covers 34 countries across five continents. The total cost: $75,000, which breaks down to roughly $205 per day — far less than most Manhattan hotels. This marks the first time this yearlong trip has been offered.
The key to keeping the total expense so reasonably priced is the use of local accommodations during the trip, according to Intrepid.
The itinerary — which begins in Bangkok on Feb. 3 and ends in Buenos Aires on Feb. 2, 2017 — includes 12 nights in hostels, five overnight buses, four nights in homestays, even one night in a Sahara Desert camp in Morocco with basic facilities. The bulk of stays will be spent in hotels (174 nights), followed by camping (99 nights).
Other lodgings include a villa on an island in Lake Titicaca and camping on the Antarctic Peninsula.
It also helps that the cost includes most, though not all, meals. Flights to Bangkok and from Buenos Aires are also an extra expense.
Of course, the itinerary packs a few noteworthy punches.
Participants will spend 21 days in Indonesia combing through Java and Bali, a week in Delhi, even a 45-day overland from Kenya to South Africa. Other perks include visits to Machu Picchu, fine restaurants in Buenos Aires and views of Mount Everest during the trip’s trek through China, Nepal and India. Other stops include Petra, Jordan; Hanoi, Vietnam; Cairo and Mexico City.
There’s a 22-person maximum, so we suggest you book fast.