I’m not talking here about the “throw yourself against the mountains” school of extreme athletes. There are many ways to enjoy our high hills without spending a fortune on equipment and other expenses. Here are seven tips to spending minimal money while exploring America’s mountains.

1. Accommodations
Some locations offer nearby or on-site hostels for as little as $25 per night. Grand Teton National Park in northwest Wyoming, for example, has basic cabins just 20 minutes from the park that you can rent for $30 per night. Check hostels for a listing of inexpensive accommodations by destination. And don’t forget camping is also a low-cost way to go, particularly if you borrow or rent your equipment.

2. Free Travel Guides
The Travel Gear Blog has gear-lists and practical advice about how to prepare for just about any kind of trip you can imagine. Whether you’re taking off on a mountaineering trip on the Scandinavian Peninsula, or are braving the rainforests of South America, you can always know how to prepare for your trip

3. Bouldering
If you’re the athletic type but don’t want to invest in expensive ropes, bolts and bags, consider the less strenuous sport of bouldering. This free-form climbing style requires few pieces of equipment — like a chalk bag and decent shoes — but otherwise the investment is nearly nil.

4. Hiking
Also known as walking rapidly, hiking requires the least monetary investment of all. Many parks require a pass, but the prices can vary from just $5 per day to $80 per year, depending on the location. The primary equipment includes a good pair of shoes and a backpack with water-bottle holder. Naturally, you’ll need to fill the pack with additional clothes, snacks, bug spray and the like, but these are all items you should have on hand anyway. BTW: Remember to always stay on the paths to reduce your impact on the ecosystem.

5. Visit Mountains Less Traveled
Tourist-packed Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National Park charge more for hotels, restaurants and guides because they can. Look for the out-of-the-way state parks and locations, like Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson, Md., or Purgatory Mountain in Durango, CO.

6. Borrow or Rent Mountain Bikes
Some cities near mountain areas offer bike libraries, where you can find an assortment of bike styles for free or nearly free. Resorts often will rent mountain bikes, although the cost will naturally be higher. Still, it’s cheaper than buying a bike or trying to transport one. (Just think of the increased gas cost from wind resistance when you mount a bike on your car’s roof.)

7. Use the Proper Equipment
A crappy backpack or shoes will cost you more in the long run, thanks to medical bills from back strain or ankle twists. While you need the right equipment, you can reduce purchase costs by shopping online and taking advantage of free shipping codes. Many shoe retailers also offer free shipping both ways, so if a product doesn’t fit, you can just pop it back in the box and exchange it for another size or model.

8. Select the Best Time
The cheapest time to visit the aforementioned Teton National Park is in April, before vehicles are allowed to drive on it. Explore the Great Sand Dunes in Alamosa, CO, in August, when the temperatures are slightly higher and the cranes that attract sightseers haven’t returned. For more details, visit the National Park Service website or the state-parks site for your destination.

Kate Forgach writes about frugal living on the Go Frugal couponing blog. Read more of Kate’s tips on how to keep more cash in your pocket here. Mountain image used with Creative Commons permission from brewbrooks on Flikr.

Standup paddle boarding in Hawaii is becoming very popular lately, with rentals and lessons available on nearly every island – some cheap hotels in Maui and other tourist-friendly spots offer rentals and lessons right from the hotel beach. You can paddle to calm waters to see the marine life below the surface, or if you are more advanced, you can actually surf the waves standing up on your board. Half and full day lessons can range from $75 to $150 per person, while rentals can be had for as low as $25 for those confident enough to go it alone.

You probably wouldn’t book a flight to Hawaii just to go standup paddle boarding, but if your travels take you to the islands, don’t miss this unique adventure.

Photo by Michael Dawes

First of all, make sure to browse the flights to Australia and book a flight in advance. Keep your eyes on the airlines’ special offers, as well, especially if you are the kind of traveler who decides to leave on the spur of the moment.

Then, make sure to book a hotel room as well. You can easily find cheap hotels in Kings Cross , a neighborhood in Sydney known for its lively nightlife scene.

Now that you’ve got the flight and accommodation booked, it’s time to plan the adventure. Probably the most popular activity for those seeking the adrenaline rush in Australia is skydiving. Also, theme parks are very popular all over the world. And the more exciting the rides, the better… Dreamworld, located in Gold Coast, is definitely a place you should visit.

Who wants to try bungee jumping? Yup, so do I ! (It’s on my bucket list, actually) Bungee jumping is quite a popular activity in Australia. The oldest location is in Gold Coast but you can find plenty of them all over the country. And if you are after the weirdest way to get that adrenaline rush…try zorbing. Hang gliding is also a lovely way to experience the rush of flying.

Swimming with… let’s say “interesting” creatures is also very popular. Crocodiles? Check! Sharks? We’ve got them, too! Don’t worry, you’ll always be in a secure environment.

And let’s not forget the very popular white water rafting. The northern part of Australia is the place to try it. Just make sure to choose the appropriate level of difficulty for your experience.

Photo credit

Obviously, the first place to start planning your trip is to decide on the places you want to visit. It is best to pick out major countries to visit and then space out your time between each country accordingly. This will allow you plenty of time to travel other nearby countries as well.

Once you have your basic itinerary setup it is time to start looking for round the world airfare. Because you will be flying so much and need such a specialized type of ticket, you will really want to shop around to find the cheapest tickets. After all, this ticket will take up a large portion of your budget. There are a number of travel providers that specialize in setting up round the world airline tickets. These guys can really help you plan your trip to fit your needs and budgets.

One thing that shouldn’t be over looked when planning a round the world trip is travel insurance. This can be a huge blessing should something bad happen to you physically. Aside from serious injury, travel insurance can also help you if you have your gear and personal property stolen. When buying travel insurance, just make sure you know what it covers and what it doesn’t as far as personal items are concerned. Some place wont cover things like computers or expensive cameras unless you pay extra for them.

A good zip line or canopy tour should include round trip transportation to and from your hotel. The staff should be very bilingual, friendly, and very positive. Operators should always start the trip by gearing you up and then following it with an explanation of the safety procedures and how the equipment works.

Whats the Difference Between Canopy Tours and Zip Lines?
Because both terms are used very loosely all around the world, sometime it can be hard to distinguish the two. Generally speaking though, the can be defined in the following way:

• Zip Lines – These tours usually involves a number of cables that very in length an height. You are usually connected to the cable via a harness and pulley system.
• Canopy Tours – These are usually much less adrenaline oriented. They tend to be a series of rope bridges or walkways high in the tree tops. Sometimes these types of tours also include a tram system.

Are They Safe?
In more developed countries these types of tours are extremely safe because they have to pass a number safety inspections and regulations. In many less developed countries, there may not be any sort of regulations. This is another reason its a good idea to talk to other travelers about their experience with a particular operator. All and all, many of these tours have a good track record, as the opposite would b bad for business.

Check out some of these canopy tours in Costa Rica.

“Like luxury, adventure can be defined many ways. To our guests it means spontaneity, having the flexibility and the resources to do and see amazing things, both above and beneath the surface. Even on the world’s least trodden beach, or surrounded by the mist of a giant waterfall, you can still get a massage right there – because we set up spa services right there. You might be kayaking up a jungle river, but our support boat makes sure chilled beverages and snacks are waiting for you upstream.”

There is no shortage of genuine adventure travel on these cruises. The ships are loaded with high quality sea kayaks, mountain bikes, scuba gear, snorkeling gear, and much more. The tips include a number of hike dives, snorkeling spots, native village encounters, kayaking trips through the jungle, and so much more.

This perfect balance of luxury and adventure wont come cheap though. If you are looking for a great honeymoon package or just a once in a lifetime luxury vacation, the Tui Tai adventure cruises are what you’re looking for. Rates for these cruises start at around $3,500 per person and go up to over $5,000.

For more information about the Tui Tai Adventure Cruises, check out their website.

For the next 50 miles or so its nothing but a variety of beaches, mountains, rocky coast lines, and you. The Lost Coast Trail starts with forested ravines, smooth wind worn bluffs, and a number of secluded coves filled with panoramic views.

The rest of the Lost Coast Trail will bring you to some uniquely beautiful black sand beaches. You’ll also find your self on some very pristine stretches of coast where you can watch for migrating grey whales, watch various sea life frolic of the coast, and see ample signs of the active wildlife.

Permits Needed

In Sinkyone Park you can self register for a permit at the trailhead. The backpacking fee is $2 per person per night Once you make your way to King Range you will need a special permit for fire and stove use. These permits are free and can be picked up at the Bureau of Land Management.

When to Go

To get the best “summer” experience, visit this area in spring and fall. The summer months here crowded and the weather is more nasty than pleasant and the winter months are wet and miserable.

What to Bring

Make sure to get a tide table for the area. You can get this at the Bureau of Land Management. Several areas of the trail are impassible at high tide. Bear canisters are required in certain areas and you will want to bring a water treatment device.

The hostel also boosts a wonderful restaurant, with items ranging from $1.50 to $3. The best part is that, as long as there are more than 6 people staying at the hostel, there is a $3 all-you-can-eat breakfast and dinner buffet. The food is awesome and goes fast, so make sure to get a spot at the front of the line! Dinner starts at 7pm, so be ready. You can also order your own breakfast, lunch or dinner. I recommend the chicken sandwich. It’s a foot-long shredded chicken sandwich for only $1.50. When ordering food, drinks, or rentals, everything is based on the honor system. There is a sheet with your name on it and columns for each aspect of the hostel to check off every time you eat, drink, or rent.

Prices:

• Camping/Hammocks: $1.50
• Private Dorms: $10
• Public Dorms: $3
• All you can eat buffets: $3
• Lockers: Free

Amenities

The ads for the hostel are a bit deceiving. They say that there are kayaks and Internet access. The Internet is nothing more than a single laptop hooked up to a cell phone. It’s $3 to use for the duration of your stay. The only drawbacks are that there is almost always someone on it and that it can only stay online as long as the battery stays charged, which isn’t long. The kayaks are two two-person kayaks with no seat backs. They are $5 to rent for the duration of your stay.

Lockers

The hostel offers free storage locks as well. However, the lockers are only large enough for small personal belongings. I kept three wallets, a pro SLR, two disposable cameras, and a small video camera in one. You don’t really need to worry about theft, except maybe by other travelers, but that doesn’t happen often. The lockers are free, but require a deposit of a 100 cordovas, which is around $6.

Overview

There are several employees that speak English and will give you all kinds of information on where to go and what to do, as well as rent out the equipment. They rent bikes, horses, and kayaks.

The hostel is very easy to get to from the bus stop. In fact, once you get off the bus, just walk about 1-minute down the road, and you will run into a green gate-that’s the hostel. They also have the departing bus schedule posted in the dining area.

Flies and bugs can sometimes get annoying, but they don’t bite. I slept in a hammock outside with no problem. There are awesome views of the volcano from the dock as well.

5 Adventures in New Zealand
If you are looking for some adventure travel in New Zealand that you can’t do anywhere else in the world, this list should help. For something truly New Zealand, try sailing on a Americas Cup Sailboat. If you want something a little more exciting you could always swim with the dolphins or try tubbing in an underground cave.

BBH Card
The BBH Card is a discount card for backpacking hostels in New Zealand. If you plan on spending an extended amount of time in New Zealand and want to make your adventure budget last, pick up one of these. The BBH card is welcomed at over 340 hostels all over the country.

Australia/New Zealand
If you are visiting New Zealand, odds are you’ll probably want to jet over to Australia as well. Get the low down on adventure travel in Australia by checking out our destination page.

Highlights:
There are so many things to do in Ometepe. It’s a haven for budget adventerers. You can hike to a waterfall, bike to beautiful beaches, kayak to see monkeys, or hike up to see a volcano. The people here are amazing. Always willing to help you out and not asking for money in return. I have more conversations here with locals than anywhere else in Central America. Granted, the conversations consisted of passing the Spanish-English dictionary back and forth, but it was fun nonetheless. I had conversations with teenage girls a number of times, and that was always fun. The first thing they always asked me was if I had a girlfriend! They loved the pictures I had to share of my family and girlfriend.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:

When coming into Nicaragua from another country, make sure you have $8 ready for the border. There is a tax for almost everyone to enter the country. Make sure you have your plane ticket or proof of onward travel as well.

The bus rides are bumpy and long, so I suggest some sort of pillow for sleeping or to put under your butt. I brought along a fleece jacket just to use for those reasons. I also brought an inflatable Thermarest to use as a cushion on the bus and as a float for pools and lakes.

Equipment rentals are all for the duration of your stay and are available from the only place to stay in Merdia, Hacienda Merdia. Kayaks $5, bikes $8, and horses $2 per horse.

Best Way to Get Around:

The roads are pretty much nonexistent here. The bikes you can rent work well enough on the rocky roads, but there are a few hills you have to walk your bikes up. There aren’t really towns here, so there are no taxis. The “town” of Merdia has only two stores, which are parts of locals houses. Your best options depend on where you want to go walking and biking.