r/travel • u/QueCreativo • 21h ago
Sabbatical suggestions for adventurous destinations far from the East Coast US
If you're an American who browses here, you already know that our meager PTO combined with the size of our country makes it hard to venture to the other side of the world. That's why I'm planning to quit my job and take a 4-6 month sabbatical (probably not this year). The idea is to embrace the adventures I've been putting off for "one day when I have the time". To not give a shit that takes 2 full days to reach the destination and another 2 days to get home.
I want to take 2 trips during my sabbatical, and I have already decided on Indonesia for the first one. I am looking for a second destination and am curious where you would go in this scenario.
Criteria:
Probably Asia, Africa, or Oceania - these are pretty far from the eastern US and the goal is to take advantage of actually having time for once. Europe, Latin America, and the Carribbean are easily doable while employed lol
Not Indonesia - I've already decided this will be the first of my 2 sabbatical trips. Even though it's not cost effective, I will go home in between and will NOT be traveling from Indonesia to the 2nd destination
Vibrant local culture - I'm open to both touristy and off-the-beaten path places, but I'd like to avoid resorts and towns that revolve around resorts. I'm more interested in local culture than relaxation, even if there is a lot of tourism there. I am a tourist, after all.
Access to beautiful nature and outdoor adventures - one of the goals of this trip is challenge myself physically. I'm no Olympic athlete but I can handle most outdoor activities.
Ancient historical sites - old ruins, temples, etc are just an area of fascination for me
Budget - not a huge concern
Length of Stay 4-5 weeks. I am an active traveler and definitely prefer bouncing around to different areas over slow travel.
Some Ideas I Have, But Would Love Your Opinion
Sri Lanka
Southern India (Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu)
Ethiopia
Tasmania/New Zealand
Cape Verde
Thank you for reading!
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u/StrawberryMule 18h ago
I would suggest you truly explore Indonesia. It's a huge country but visitors gather in Bali and similar overcrowded tourist destinations. I also recommend reading Krakatoa by Simon Winchester. Yes, you'll learn about the volcano but there's so much more - Dutch colonialism, the rise of radical Islam, fault lines and earthquakes, why marsupials live here but not here, and through to the anti-Chinese riots of the 1980s.
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u/QueCreativo 18h ago
Interesting, thanks for the rec. I do indeed plan on spending 4-5 weeks there. Of course I want to visit Bali, but also planning to spend a lot of time across Java and Lombok.
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u/StrawberryMule 18h ago
Not to put too fine a point on it, but Bali has become an overcrowded, over touristed, shit show. Go. See it. It's important to know what tourism can and cannot do for local communities.
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u/ObviousCarrot2075 17h ago edited 17h ago
Sri Lanka checks a lot of those boxes - we spent 3 weeks there and felt like we didn’t move at a fast pace and definitely saw everything, including some off-the-tourist track places. Lovely country. We did a lot of home stays - which are typical lodging arrangements there - and I thought that was a really unique way to see a place.
Adding some of southern India to that could extend your trip quite easily and extend out a few weeks.
We are actually planning 4 months of travel with our family of 3 for next year (read: we travel slower with a young kid than we did pre-kiddo). But a huge criteria for us is visiting a place that you couldn’t really see fully with a 2-3 week vacay. Something to consider for your plans since it’s a unique opportunity. And if you deem that being important, India would fit in well since it takes time to explore there.
Another couple of areas to look that fit your criteria would be something like a Tanzania, Uganda/Rwanda, Kenya combo. Tonnnnssss of nature and culture. You could add Kili, scuba diving at Mafia island, gorilla and chimp trekking, or Mt Meru for a physical element.
South Africa and Namibia are rather incredible places as well (and can add Vic Falls) that you can easily spend 4-5 weeks in. Cradle of Humanity is a wonder for the ancient element, it’s pretty easy to manage being self-supported if you do some homework and there’s lots of nature/hiking. Tons of different languages and a lot more than meets the eye. Cape Town is a jewel.
Just some thoughts - excited for you!
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u/QueCreativo 17h ago
Tons of great info in here, thank you. I think you're right, Sri Lanka could probably be combined with some of South India due to proximity. And I never considered Namibia, but it seems it has a lot to offer. Thanks!
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u/Run-Hike-Eat-Travel 15h ago
NZ is perfect for a sabbatical, especially if you plan on doing any of the Great Walks. I took a sabbatical there and did a hiking tour with Hiking NZ - it was the 23 day option. It was roughing it for sure (tent camping, carrying your own pack, assisting with food prep etc.) but it taught me a ton and I never would have seen all that I saw in a month. Highly recommend taking more time in the Abel Tasman region at the end or if you go on your own. Just reserve the campsites ahead of time. I’ve been in November, December and January and January was the nicest.
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u/AgentOrangina 20h ago
I would say take advantage of the long window do a trip that requires several weeks to do well. For example, hitting all the 5 ‘Stan’ countries or the Silk Road countries. Or do a long Africa trip. Many companies will do a Cape Town to Vic Falls route but you could start in East Africa and hit even more countries.
Edit: 2-3 weeks is enough for Ethiopia (at most, add a week if you’re including the Omo Valley)
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u/QueCreativo 19h ago
Thanks for suggesting the Stan's, I never even thought about. But you're right, there's a lot to see and they aren't exactly easy to reach.
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u/EmmalouEsq Sri Lanka 18h ago
I live in Sri Lanka most of the year, and it ticks all your boxes. It's a great, old country to explore. The people are wonderful and there's lots to do, if you want, and places to do nothing, if that's what you want.
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u/QueCreativo 18h ago
I definitely love the option to find a beautiful beach and do nothing, thank you
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u/thirtydirtybirds 16h ago
Just wanted to add- if you go to Indonesia get scuba certified if you aren't already, preferably right before your trip. It's one of the only places on earth at the moment with truly healthy reefs, and if you love nature, you can't beat diving. Would be a shame to miss it in that if you go.
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u/QueCreativo 15h ago
Thanks for the tip. I have not considered this but maybe I'll look into it now
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u/Upstairs_Resource161 8h ago
If you’re looking for a cool but relatively safe adventure, and given your criteria, I’d suggest doing Vietnam+Cambodia. Start in the north of Vietnam, get a motorbike, and make your way south stopping at all the cool places on the way, then return/sell the bike and head to Cambodia for your last trip to check out Angkor Wat, Phnom Pehn, and Koh Rong. It’s a fairly popular thing to do and there’s so many places to stop in Vietnam along the way, you will meet other travelers, locals, explore beautiful valleys and small towns, eat amazing food, party, relax, and feel the sense of adventure as you’re biking across a country
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u/flindsayblohan 20h ago
I loved Sri Lanka and would go back in a heartbeat. The food is incredible, the country is gorgeous, there is no shortage of things to do and see. Highest concentration of UNESCO world heritage sites in the world.