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How to Do Adventure Travel Trips on the Cheap

By U.S. News & World Report

These days travelers, aren’t looking to just go on vacation — they’re craving an adventure. Not only are Americans traveling abroad more, but the adventure travel industry is booming. In 2013, the Adventure Travel Trade Association reported a 65 percent yearly uptick in this niche travel market since 2009. This year, the ATTA reported a 10 percent increase in adventure travel tourism revenue in North America compared to the previous year.

For those unfamiliar with the term, adventure travel encompasses any hands-on activity that enables travelers to get out and experience the world around them. It’s a type of travel that challenges people to get out of their comfort zones by directly engaging with a destination and its culture. For Christine Sarkis, senior editor at SmarterTravel, adventure travel is physical. “You’re not only seeing it but you’re sweating it and feeling it.” Kevin Raub, a writer at Lonely Planet, said it can also be emotional. “The relationships you forge with other travelers, as well as the interactions with locals, are both priceless and unforgettable.”

Aspiring adventure travelers won’t have any problem finding plenty of bucket list-worthy trips for all ages with a quick Google search. However, adventure travel can often come attached to a high price tag, as the average international trip can cost thousands of dollars. But an affordable adventure is possible. U.S. News spoke with travel industry experts to find out how to plan an adventure of a lifetime without breaking the bank.

Look locally

For those looking to grab adventure travel by its horns but don’t have the funds to support a trek to Machu Picchu, consider seeking domestic opportunities. Christopher Cohen, associate editor at Outside Magazine, believes camping gets you the biggest bang for your buck. “A solid camping setup doesn’t cost much, and you can use it over and over again,” Cohen said.

Robert Firpo-Cappiello, editor-in-chief of Budget Travel, said national parks are a great place for aspiring adventure travelers on a budget to start. “Opportunities to push your physical limits abound at a park nearby, and local outfitters and guides are certainly more affordable than flying halfway around the world,” Firpo-Cappiello said.

The U.S. boasts more than 400 areas designated as national parks, totaling more than 84 million acres of land. Only 127 of those national parks charge an entrance fee and there are select holidays where many of those parks, including the Grand Canyon and Yosemite, waive entrance fees. The National Park Service also gives visitors the opportunity to participate in a variety of free guided tours at select National Historic Parks, including Washington, D.C.’s National Mall.

Do it yourself

If you’re still set on going abroad for your adventure travel fix, skip the tour company and plan it yourself. Raub finds this approach to be the most cost-effective route to adventure travel. “There is a premium to be paid for having the groundwork done by someone else,” Raub said. “Plan the big stuff on the ground once you arrive, directly with the outfitter. With safari or national parks, for example, you can often pay daytrip entrance fees and arrange a guide in the nearest town or village. It’s not only cheaper, but offers a more enriching cultural experience and helps the local economy.”

Tim Leffel, a seasoned adventure traveler and author of “Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune: The Contrarian Traveler’s Guide to Getting More for Less,” suggested budget adventure travelers start by seeking out less expensive destinations. “For those [based] in the U.S., Mexico and Central America are quite cheap to get to … and a mountain hiking adventure in Switzerland is going to cost you far more than one in Ecuador or Bulgaria.” Leffel added if you can skimp on anything, do so with lodging. “You usually won’t be in your hotel all that much anyway if you’re on the move, so downgrading the accommodation can make a big difference in the price,” he said.

Wherever the destination, Outside GO President Sandy Cunningham recommended traveling during the low season for better deals, and advised booking one-way tickets for multidestination trips instead of round-trip fares. Firpo-Cappiello suggested signing up for a volunteer vacation. “If you’re lacking funds, a volunteer vacation is an eye-opening way to push yourself, helping out the locals and getting to know the sights and travel destinations,” he said.

Book a basic tour

Although planning an adventure travel trip by yourself is a surefire way to cut costs, experts agreed that it requires a lot of research. Those who are new to adventure travel, especially those looking to go to remote regions, may find that booking with professional guides is a better fit. “It’s true that organized trips can be expensive, but you’re often paying for safety and support to push your limits,” Cohen said. “My parents, who are in their late 50s, did a bike trip to the Alps up some of the famous mountains in the Tour de France. They could have done it much cheaper by planning it themselves, but knowing they had the mechanical support and a van to ride in if they got too tired let them get the most out of their trip.”

According to Sarkis, the reason adventure travel can be so expensive is because some companies organize amenity-driven trips, with features that may be considered unnecessary to some travelers. Another reason is the additional single supplement fee, which some companies require solo travelers to pay simply because they’re going on a trip alone. Luckily, all of these expenses can be easily avoided.

There are a variety of travel companies that cater to budget travelers, including Intrepid Travel and G Adventures. Both companies offer trips with fewer inclusions and simpler accommodations, as well as trips for those who wouldn’t mind paying a little extra for some luxury. Another bonus: For the majority of its tours, G Adventures waives the single supplement fee. Discounts can also help reduce the overall cost of the trip. Sarkis recommended looking out for early bird and last-minute booking deals, which are sometimes as high as 20 percent off.

If you’re still unsure of whether or not to book with a company, experts agreed that you should compare how much the trip will cost on your own against the price offered by the company. “There is no one-size-fits-all answer,” said Sarkis. “The best thing to do is a huge amount of legwork.” Comparing prices, researching what the company offers on its tours and assessing your own comfort level and travel needs will not only help you find the best deal, but help you figure out which type of trip is best for you.

More from U.S. News

Beginner’s Guide to Adventure Travel

Best Adventure Vacations in the USA

6 Volunteer Vacations to Experience

How to Do Adventure Travel Trips on the Cheap originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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