Picture this. You’re deep in the wilderness of Nepal surrounded by tall grass, the punishing South Asian sun beating down on you. Sweat drips from your brow as you maneuver a narrow, overgrown trail through the deep brush. A leech surreptitiously latches on as your ankle grazes the prickly blades of grass. Another one sneaks… Read More Tracking Wild Tigers on Foot in Bardiya National Park, Nepal
Mexico City is a mosaic of ancient civilizations and colorful cultures, home to an electric energy and fueled by the warmth of the Mexican people. It goes without saying that Mexico City is one of my favorite cities in the world, a place that I return to nearly every year. The city feels like home,… Read More The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Mexico City | 2026
I’ve been leading group expeditions to Pakistan for five years now (and going for my sixth year this June 2026) and it is no secret that I am one of the biggest advocates for traveling to this underrated and misunderstood country. The sheer contrast between everything I’ve been told about the country and the amazing… Read More Top 10 Reasons to Visit Pakistan in 2026: Pristine Natural Beauty & Rich Culture
Long gone are the days where Tulum was a hidden gem frequented mostly by backpackers and long-term nomads. Tulum has rapidly become one of Mexico’s trendiest destinations, and as a result, one of the priciest. The laid-back beach vibes have been replaced by the high class clientele of the Zona Hotelera. It seems like every… Read More The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Tulum, Mexico | 2026
I fell in love with Florence over the years without ever having set foot in the city. Through books, movies, video games, and more, Florence captivated my imagination. It felt like I knew the city before I ever went, yet nothing prepared me for seeing the city for the first time. I cried actual tears… Read More The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Florence, Italy | 2026
It did not take long for the lively Greek capital city to win me over. Athens has been a city I dreamed of visiting ever since I was a little kid nerding out over Greek mythology and the legendary figures of Ancient Greece. As far as I was concerned, Athens was a legend in itself.… Read More The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Athens, Greece | 2026
While Barcelona has built a reputation as a tourist trap and even overrated, I am the furthest thing from one of those people. Perhaps I hold a fondness or nostalgia towards Barcelona as the first European city I ever visited, but it is a destination that I love coming back to time and time again.… Read More The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Barcelona, Spain | 2026
One of the most surreal experiences you can ever witness takes place every winter in the mountains of Michoacan, Mexico. Visiting the winter home of the monarch butterflies in Mexico is nothing short of magic. It felt like I was in a fairy-tale, wandering through the forest while surrounded by tens of thousands of these… Read More How To See the Monarch Butterfly Migration in Michoacan, Mexico
Hidden gems have become increasingly hard to come by, especially in this region of the world where cruise ships make their unceasing rounds and streams of backpackers lug their Ospreys north and south like parades of ants. My expectations were fairly tempered as I boarded my flight to El Salvador. I was excited to set… Read More The Backpacker’s Crash Course Travel Guide to El Salvador | 2026
El Salvador is rapidly emerging as a top travel destination. With picturesque landscapes, vibrant towns, and rich culture, it offers diverse experiences for backpackers. Highlights include San Salvador, the Ruta de las Flores, Santa Ana’s volcanoes, and the coastal towns El Tunco and El Zonte, perfect for relaxation and adventure.… Read More Two Weeks in El Salvador: The Ultimate Backpacking Itinerary