The 10 Best Bargains in Adventure Travel (2009 Edition)

Inn-to-Inn Trekking to Machu Picchu

Provider: Mountain Travel Sobek

Length: 7 Days

Price: $2,500

Mountain Travel Sobek new Machu Picchu Inn-to-Inn Express is a great bargain for those interested in hiking to one of the world's most popular adventure destinations. What makes this trip unique (and a bargain for the price) are the accommodations: All six nights are spent in comfortable lodges with hot tubs and Peruvian cuisine, compared to other vacations where travelers go camping in tents. But don't be fooled by the higher-end lodging—the trip is still rated strenuous because of the high-altitude treks.

And Machu Picchu isn't the only interesting sight on the way. Stops at the Inca ruins of Tarawasi, walks through coffee plantations and bamboo forests, and optional hikes to glacial lakes and hot springs guarantee every day brings something new to see. The trek also provides views of Salkantay, the highest mountain of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. On the final day, the group arrives in Machu Picchu early in the morning for a guided tour. Then, the rest of the day is spent exploring the city or hiking to Huayna Picchu for spectacular views of the ruins and surrounding mountains.

Trip Planning

For 2009, the remaining departure dates are September 18, 20, 22, 25, and 30; October 2, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23, 28, and 30; November 6, 13, 20, and 27; and December 4, 11, 18, 25, 27. Price includes six nights' accommodations, all meals, and entrance fees. Gratuity for the tour guide and airfare is not included.

(Photo: iStockphoto/DHuss)

Trekking Mount Everest

Provider: Gap Adventures
Length: 15 days

Price: $699 + $250 local payment

Who hasn't dreamed of one day climbing Mount Everest? Ever since Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary reached the summit in 1953, the mountain has been the preeminent challenge. Although the climb may be difficult, Gap Adventures makes it easier to trek to the Everest Base Camp—at least financially. Most trips to this ultimate destination cost more than $1,000, making the Everest Adventure a true bargain.

This active trip takes participants from Kathmandu up through Amphu Lapcha pass to Everest Base Camp and the beautiful vistas of the Himalayas before returning via the Imja Khola. Accommodations in teahouse lodges make the journey more comfortable. Along the way, trekkers will be able to see musk deer and Himalayan tahr, as well as glaciers and views of the valleys below. Optional walks on acclimatization days head to the small village of Thame and to Chhukung, which has astounding views of Island Peak and fluted ice walls on the Amphu Lapcha pass. The final day is spent in Kathmandu, with plenty of time for sightseeing or shopping.

Trip Planning

Remaining trips in 2009 depart on September 20 and 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25, and 31; November 1, 8, 13, 15, 22, and 19; and December 6, 13, 18, 20, and 27. A local guide and assistants for the trek are included in the price, as are porters. Two nights' accommodations in hotels, 12 nights in teahouse lodges, and internal airfare within Nepal are included. Meals and international airfare are not. An additional $400 is recommended for food.

(Photo: iStockphoto/weareadventurers)

Whitewater Rafting in California

Provider: Destination Wilderness
Length: 3 or 4 days

Price: from $745

Whitewater rafting trips are hard to come by during the cooler autumn season, but Destination Wilderness' Lower Klamath River Rafting Journey runs through October on class II and III whitewater. And you can choose your own adventure with the available rafts: paddle rafts for those who want to get in the action, oar boats for rafters who want to enjoy the ride, and inflatable kayaks for bold paddlers who want to be more in touch with the world around them.

The trip down the river starts on a calm section, but by the end of the day the rafts have traversed the Rattlesnake and Mixmaster rapids, among others. The following two or three days head down the Klamath canyon, and visitors are likely to see wildlife like deer, bears, or eagles. The days aren't all spent on the water either, as there are stops to explore Ukonom Falls canyon and others. When the day's rafting is finished, there is plenty of time to hike the area as well.

Trip Planning

September and October departure dates are available any day of the week. Price includes all river equipment, meals, guides, waterproof bags, and shuttle to the river. Camping equipment is not included, but may be rented for an extra fee. Airfare and transportation are additional. The trip departs from Happy Camp, California.

(Photo: iStockphoto/Mike Norton)

Hiking, Biking, and Snorkeling in Bali

Provider: Intrepid Travel
Length: 9 days

Price: from $535 + $200 local payment

For those who want a wide variety of activities in a beautiful and varied location, Intrepid's Bali Adventure may be just the ticket. For a bargain price, visitors can experience the Indonesian culture and view the scenery on mountaintops and in the crystal-clear waters. In Ubud, watch a traditional dance performance and sample the local cuisine. There is also time for optional visits to art galleries, museums, and the monkey forest, or for whitewater rafting or a walk through surrounding rice paddies.

The trip continues on bike past villages and temples to Sangeh, where the group continues on foot to Sideman, near Bali's highest mountain. A hike to the summit of Mt. Batur, an active volcano, is also included as part of the trip, as is a day of snorkeling through the reef at Menjangan Island. Optional scuba diving is also available here, and later there is a visit to a hidden waterfall and the chance to take a dip in the Banjar hot springs.

Trip Planning

Remaining departure dates in 2009 are September 26; October 3, 10, and 31; November 14, 21, and 28; and December 12, 19, and 26. For a limited time, the October 31 departure date is available at 20 percent off the list price, making it an even better bargain. Eight nights' accommodations are included; five nights are spent in hotels and three nights in basic guesthouses. Eight breakfasts and one lunch are also included. An additional $150 allowance for other meals is suggested. Airfare is extra.

(Photo: iStockphoto/James Rangihika)

Hiking and Horseback Riding in Costa Rica

Provider: Gap Adventures
Length: 9 days

Price: $499 + $200 local payment

You could pay a lot more for a Costa Rican adventure, but why should you? The Costa Rica Quest is one of the best bargains to the adventure country, offering more time, activities, and inclusions than similarly priced trips.

This trip includes a horseback tour of the majestic Monteverde cloud forest, which is similar to a rainforest, with much of the moisture coming from the constant clouds above. And, there's still plenty of free time for optional activities like soaking in hot springs, whitewater rafting, swimming, or kayaking.

Trip Planning

Guaranteed departures for 2009 leave on September 19, 26, and 30; October 7, 10, 17, 24, 28, and 31; November 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, and 28; and December 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 26, 28, and 30. Eight nights' accommodations in hotels are included, as is a horseback riding trip in Monteverde and a guided trip through the cloud forest. Additional optional activities include a day of rafting, a cave tour, a volcano hike, a visit to local hot springs, admission to butterfly gardens, canopy zip lines excursions, dolphin watching, surfing lessons, and much more. No meals are included, and a $300 food allowance is recommended. Airfare is also additional.

(Photo: iStockphoto/Cay-Uwe Kulzer)

Snowshoeing in Switzerland

Provider: Exodus Travels
Length: 8 Days

Price: from $1,380

Winter is almost here, and that means plenty of snow adventures are available. Exodus Travels offers a unique bargain for those who love the season, but do not have much experience with snow sports. Snowshoeing in the Swiss Alps requires no previous know-how, and it offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. From the base camp of Kandersteg, located a few hours away from Zurich, participants can take a variety of walks in the best snow of the area.

The walks may include a trip to the frozen lake of Oeschinense, which is fed by mountain creeks and surrounded by mountain pines, alpine roses, and edelweiss; or to Blausee, the "Blue Lake." Every day brings a new and different walk on the best snow. And, the winter months are some of the best to snowshoe in the mountains, because the temperature, though low, can feel comfortable due to its dryness.

Trip Planning

Departure dates for 2009 are December 19 and 26. Snowshoes and poles are provided and included in the trip price. Optional activities include illuminated toboggan runs, horse-drawn sleighrides, and a visit to a cheese-making cellar. Breakfasts are included, but lunches and dinners are additional, and an allowance between CHF272 and CHF384 (about $260 to $370, check xe.com for current conversion rates) is recommended. Airfare is not included.

(Photo: iStockphoto/Lucyna Koch)

Cycling in Maine

Provider: Bike Vermont
Length: 6 days

Price: from $1,595

The Biking in Maine trip is a bargain because it allows you to cycle as much or as little as you wish. Full van support is available, and the average daily mileage is about 19 miles. On most days, additional opportunities for longer excursions exist for a more challenging experience. With all the extras, the average trip length is about 25 miles. No matter how many miles are cycled, though, amazing views are guaranteed.

Perfect for those who love quaint fishing villages, peaceful lighthouses, and natural scenery, this trip begins on Bass Harbor and the Bass Head Harbor Light, one of the most beautiful on the East Coast, and heads out to Swan Island. Then, the group rolls into Acadia National Park's Carriage Trail system, notable for its lovely views and fall foliage. A break from the bikes lets the troop take to the water and kayak through Pretty Marsh Harbor. Then it's back to Acadia and the Loop Road.

Most of the riding is classified as easy or intermediate, which allows riders to enjoy the classic backdrop along the coast of Maine. The ocean views, wildlife, and beautiful foliage in the forested parts of Acadia National Park are priceless, but the opportunity to see them with Bike Vermont is a good deal.

Trip Planning

Remaining departure dates for 2009 are September 20 and 27 and October 4. Price includes five nights of lodging, five breakfasts, four dinners, detailed maps, two guides, ferry costs, most entry fees, and parking. Bike rentals cost extra, although helmets are incorporated into the charge for the tour. Airfare is not included.

(Photo: iStockphoto/Eric Foltz)

Hiking, Biking, and Kayaking in Thailand

Provider: Gap Adventures
Length: 14 days

Price: $899 + $250 local payment

This is a unique trip to Thailand, offering visitors the chance to see the beauty of the country and its capital city, Bangkok, by bicycle, on foot, and from the water. Travelers on the Thailand Hike, Bike, and Kayak expedition can explore the chaos of Bangkok on a bike with a guided tour revealing hidden temples, plus cycle around the spectacular Kanchanaburi. A bike trip in the ancient ruins of Ayuthaya, Thailand's capital from the 14th through 18th centuries, should also reveal much about the modern society.

Cultural exchange is also a part of the experience, with a hilltribe trek through the jungle to villages that are home to the Karen, Lahu, and Akha peoples. Rafting on the River Kwai through Erawan National Park allows a slower pace to take in the scenery. Three days are spent kayaking around the Andaman Sea, and the opportunity to go snorkeling around the coral bays should tempt any traveler.

Trip Planning

Guaranteed departure dates remaining in 2009 are October 4 and 25, November 15, and December 6 and 27. Four breakfasts, six lunches, and four dinners are included; a $150 allowance is recommended for additional meals. Accommodations are also part of the total, while international airfare is extra.

(Photo: iStockphoto/laughingmango)

Cycling in Sicily

Provider: Ciclismo ClassicoLength: 9 days

Price: $4,795

Cycling the rolling lands of Italy can be a dream come true, especially with the right touring company. Ciclismo Classico offers dozens of Italian trips, but the La Bella Sicilia offers a truly unique experience, making it a bargain that's tough to beat. Most cycling tours are self-guided, but Ciclismo Classico offers two guides in this case, ensuring that you'll learn a lot about the land you travel over. Plus, the trip includes a lot of extras that most leave out, meaning you have less to worry about when you arrive in Sicily: All breakfasts, most dinners, and a picnic lunch or two are included in the price tag, as well as the bike rental. And the hotels are all four and five stars, a luxury after a long day's bike trip.

But what really makes this adventure an incredible bargain is the opportunities that are offered. While cycling may be the primary activity, other types of exploration are included as well. A visit to Greek ruins, including the more than 5,000 tombs at the Necropolis of Pantilica, and a boat ride in the Mediterranean aren't just optional experiences—they're part of the package. The same is true for a hike up Mt. Etna, Italy's only active volcano. How's that for a vacation?

The cycle trip averages about 29 miles per day, and takes group members through Syracuse, one of the most important Greek colonies. Participants then head along the coast of Sicily, eventually reaching Caltagirone and its magnificent stairway. A ferry to Lipari and Salina lets you roll along the volcanic islands and their caverns, cliffs, and beaches.

Trip Planning

Remaining departure dates for 2009 are October 7 and 21. The price for this trip includes meals and accommodations as described above, as well as snacks and drinks along the routes, and any shuttles needed while on the tour. Tips for local city guides and performers are also included in the trip price. Helmets, which are required, and gratuity for the tour guide are the travelers' responsibility. Airfare is also additional.

(Photo: iStockphoto/tobias machhaus)

Hiking in Morocco

Provider: Gap Adventures
Length: 8 days

Price: $499 + €100 local payment (about $146 USD; check xe.com for current exchange rates)

Unlike many hiking trips in Morocco, the Atlas Mountain Trek offers a chance for cultural education and one-of-a-kind experiences. The home base is the town of Aremd, where you can mingle with locals, breathe in the clean mountain air, and enjoy beautiful views. A visit to a Berber home for tea with the villagers is also included, creating a distinctive opportunity not offered by most Moroccan tours. The exceptional opportunities to meet and interact with Moroccan people for the moderate price certainly make this excursion a bargain.

The price also includes a guided tour of the bustling medieval city of Marrakech, where the tour begins and ends, as well as most meals, which means your money goes further when you arrive in Morocco. From Aremd, the group treks into the High Atlas mountains, up to the Tamatert pass to take in its panoramic views. Travelers can visit villages on their way to the Tizi M'zik pass, and hike to the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch, where they can join villagers asking for good health.

Trip Planning

Remaining departures this year are October 17 and November 21. Price includes three nights' accommodations in a hotel and four nights in a multi-share gite (a simple vacation home) and seven breakfasts, three picnic lunches, and four dinners. Gap Adventures recommends allowing $150 for additional meals. Airfare is not included. Activities not included are a traditional steam bath and massage and a Moroccan three-course dinner and folklore entertainment.

(Photo: iStockphoto/Chris Hepburn)