RTW Trip - Advice required!
Discussion
I'm planning a 12 month round the world trip from next summer, and have put together a very rough and fairly unresearched itinerary based around where we want to go, what we want to see, and where we can fly to/from quite easily.
Hoping for some advice from a) people who have done similar before and b) locals at our 'waypoints' to guide us in terms of weather - so far researched using the mightly Google.
We will be driving the majority of it, only resorting to public transport in the Far East. Accomodation will be a mixture of camping where possible, sleeping in the vehicle (possibly a camper) and Motels.
So Far:
Fly to Vancouver
1/ Drive from Vancouver to Montreal via Edmonton - 3000 Miles. Allowing 7 weeks for this in August/early Sept.
2/ The biggie. Drive a backwards N through the USA from Montreal to Tucson. Linky: http://tinyurl.com/8hcvx4 This is 7,000 Miles in total (over 19? States) and I've allowed 12 weeks for this from early September to early December.
3/ Tucson to Acapulco via Mexico City. About 1,600 Miles between early December and early January. Haven't decided if the West or East coast would be better??
4/ Fly to Auckland NZ and spend 4 weeks there. No real route but its about 1,600 miles to fully explore. This will be early January through to early February.
5/ The second biggie. Fly from NZ to Brisbane, and start the Aussie leg. This looks like it'll follow the East and south Coast 'til Perth. Then up to Darwin via Alice Springs. This is 6,000 miles over 13 weeks between early February and mid May. Linky: http://tinyurl.com/8dvsrt Lots of research needed here, especially the second half crossing the outback! Will we *need* a Landcruiser or similar?
5/ Last bit is 12 weeks backpacking in the Far East. This time also is a 'buffer' so as we can happily over run the other parts of the trip if required.
So far, the planning is at the earliest stages and we're 18 months away from the proposed start. Timings are very very approximate as are routes, flights and indeed every part of the trip. I'm working to a 12 month plan but it can easily be a bit longer if needed.
Advice from those who have done similar before is very much appreciated. Local input from PH members in the countries we're visiting will also be appreciated!
Hoping for some advice from a) people who have done similar before and b) locals at our 'waypoints' to guide us in terms of weather - so far researched using the mightly Google.
We will be driving the majority of it, only resorting to public transport in the Far East. Accomodation will be a mixture of camping where possible, sleeping in the vehicle (possibly a camper) and Motels.
So Far:
Fly to Vancouver
1/ Drive from Vancouver to Montreal via Edmonton - 3000 Miles. Allowing 7 weeks for this in August/early Sept.
2/ The biggie. Drive a backwards N through the USA from Montreal to Tucson. Linky: http://tinyurl.com/8hcvx4 This is 7,000 Miles in total (over 19? States) and I've allowed 12 weeks for this from early September to early December.
3/ Tucson to Acapulco via Mexico City. About 1,600 Miles between early December and early January. Haven't decided if the West or East coast would be better??
4/ Fly to Auckland NZ and spend 4 weeks there. No real route but its about 1,600 miles to fully explore. This will be early January through to early February.
5/ The second biggie. Fly from NZ to Brisbane, and start the Aussie leg. This looks like it'll follow the East and south Coast 'til Perth. Then up to Darwin via Alice Springs. This is 6,000 miles over 13 weeks between early February and mid May. Linky: http://tinyurl.com/8dvsrt Lots of research needed here, especially the second half crossing the outback! Will we *need* a Landcruiser or similar?
5/ Last bit is 12 weeks backpacking in the Far East. This time also is a 'buffer' so as we can happily over run the other parts of the trip if required.
So far, the planning is at the earliest stages and we're 18 months away from the proposed start. Timings are very very approximate as are routes, flights and indeed every part of the trip. I'm working to a 12 month plan but it can easily be a bit longer if needed.
Advice from those who have done similar before is very much appreciated. Local input from PH members in the countries we're visiting will also be appreciated!
Merlot said:
5/ The second biggie. Fly from NZ to Brisbane, and start the Aussie leg. This looks like it'll follow the East and south Coast 'til Perth. Then up to Darwin via Alice Springs. This is 6,000 miles over 13 weeks between early February and mid May. Linky: http://tinyurl.com/8dvsrt Lots of research needed here, especially the second half crossing the outback! Will we *need* a Landcruiser or similar?
AM very jealous, sounds a great trip! 
No 'need' for a Landcruiser, is possible to stick to the main highway on that route. Plenty of desert driving to be done with one if you fancy some excitement though!
Merlot said:
4/ Fly to Auckland NZ and spend 4 weeks there. No real route but its about 1,600 miles to fully explore. This will be early January through to early February.
4 weeks is a decent time to 'do' NZ (I did!). NZ is very tourist-friendly, you can fix it all up on the internet in advance if you like, and it all works when you get there. I was very pleased to get from Cape Reinga in the north to Ulva Island, but I do prefer scenery to cities. PM me if you need any recommendations for places to stay, car hire etc. www.blokewithacamera.co.uk/NZ.htmEdited by Simpo Two on Sunday 11th January 22:29
Merlot said:
I'm planning a 12 month round the world trip from next summer, and have put together a very rough and fairly unresearched itinerary based around where we want to go, what we want to see, and where we can fly to/from quite easily.
Hoping for some advice from a) people who have done similar before and b) locals at our 'waypoints' to guide us in terms of weather - so far researched using the mightly Google.
You could try www.horizonsunlimited.com The people on there have been to almost every country in the world collectively. Many on there have done RTW tripsHoping for some advice from a) people who have done similar before and b) locals at our 'waypoints' to guide us in terms of weather - so far researched using the mightly Google.
Leccy said:
Merlot said:
I'm planning a 12 month round the world trip from next summer, and have put together a very rough and fairly unresearched itinerary based around where we want to go, what we want to see, and where we can fly to/from quite easily.
Hoping for some advice from a) people who have done similar before and b) locals at our 'waypoints' to guide us in terms of weather - so far researched using the mightly Google.
You could try www.horizonsunlimited.com The people on there have been to almost every country in the world collectively. Many on there have done RTW tripsHoping for some advice from a) people who have done similar before and b) locals at our 'waypoints' to guide us in terms of weather - so far researched using the mightly Google.
Merlot said:
Leccy said:
Merlot said:
I'm planning a 12 month round the world trip from next summer, and have put together a very rough and fairly unresearched itinerary based around where we want to go, what we want to see, and where we can fly to/from quite easily.
Hoping for some advice from a) people who have done similar before and b) locals at our 'waypoints' to guide us in terms of weather - so far researched using the mightly Google.
You could try www.horizonsunlimited.com The people on there have been to almost every country in the world collectively. Many on there have done RTW tripsHoping for some advice from a) people who have done similar before and b) locals at our 'waypoints' to guide us in terms of weather - so far researched using the mightly Google.
No matter where you want to go to, someone there will have been to it. It's mostly people on bikes, but also 4*4s too. The info will be the same though no matter how you're travelling.
Take a look at this Flyertalk forum (and possibly those of the other Alliances - Star & Skyteam) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/oneworld-411/
You'll get ideas on how to best route the flight segments - if you have time, choosing a starting point other than the UK can considerably reduce the costs perhaps making Business Class an option.
You'll get ideas on how to best route the flight segments - if you have time, choosing a starting point other than the UK can considerably reduce the costs perhaps making Business Class an option.
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