Archive for the ‘Destinations’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Thai Visa Requirements to Get Wet at Songkran

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011

T.S. Eliot wrote that “April is the cruelest month,” and that’s not so far from the truth in Thailand.  It’s the hottest month, at least, with temperatures that often break 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Relief from the heat comes during Songkran, an annual festival that runs from April 13 to April 15th. It was originally the Thai New Year celebration, though nowadays Thailand celebrates New Year’s on January 1st.

Traditionally, Songkran was a time to engage in “spring cleaning,” both physically and spiritually, as well as to honor one’s elders. Many people still observe some of these customs, cleaning their houses as well as bathing their Buddha statues in fragrant water and traveling home to spend time with parents, grandparents and other older relatives.

However, the main attraction, especially if you’re a tourist, is the endless water fights in the streets.  Natives and tourists alike arm themselves with water balloons, buckets and water guns of all shapes and sizes, and hit the town. Anybody outside is fair game, though according to Nomadic Matt most people will refrain from soaking you if you’re holding a  camera or smoking a cigarette.

If you’d like to attend the world’s biggest water fight, the biggest Songkran celebrations are in the northern city of Chiang Mai, though Bangkok is also a good place to go.  You’ll need a valid passport, naturally, and you’ll also need a Thai visa.

If you’re only staying in Thailand for a short time, you can just get a visa on arrival.  If you fly in, you’ll be given a 30-day visa, and if you enter by land you’ll get 15 days. However, if you’re planning to stay longer, you can get a tourist visa in advance that’s good for 60 days.  See Thailand Visa Requirements for Tourists for details.

If you’re applying for a visa ahead of time, RushMyTravelVisa can help. We’ll research your itinerary to make sure you have the documents you need for each stage of your trip, and we’ll help you with the paperwork and answer any questions you may have. Then, we’ll take your visa application directly to the Thai Embassy for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Thai visa today!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

An Ethiopian Visa: Your Ticket to Adventure

Saturday, April 2nd, 2011

Are you looking for an adventure travel destination that’s way off the beaten path? Gadling recommends taking a trip to Ethiopia’s Somali region.

Though there aren’t many visitors and amenities are scarce, if you’re not averse to “roughing”it there are a lot of attractions. Alibilal Cave is covered with prehistoric cave paintings of African wildlife like giraffe and gazelle. Meanwhile, a nearby national park gives you the opportunity to see these animals in person, plus lions and elephants. Even better, the region is overflowing with hot springs to relax in.

But the people are quite possibly the best part of the trip. Gadling’s Sean McLachlan writes:

“The culture here preserves itself by oral traditions. Sitting with a clan elder and listening to his stories can be a one-of-a-kind experience. The Somali region is the easiest place to experience Somali culture, being cheaper than Somaliland and far safer than Somalia.“

If you want to visit the region while it’s still relatively undiscovered, you’ll need a passport and an Ethiopian visa. Americans entering the country via Bole International Airport are eligible for to apply for an Ethiopian visa on arrival, but you shouldn’t expect the process to be easy or smooth. According to the Department of State, travelers sometimes experience difficulty during the visa-on-arrival process and end up “significantly delayed.” So, if you’re thinking of applying for a visa when you arrive, the question you need to ask yourself is this: Do you feel lucky, punk? If you’d rather not chance it, just apply for your visa in advance.

If you’re entering through another airport or crossing into the country by land, you must apply for your visa in advance.

To get an Ethiopian visa, you need the following documents:

  • 1 completed Ethiopian visa application form
  • 1 passport-sized photo of yourself
  • A copy of your round-trip itinerary
  • Your US passport

RushMyTravelVisa can make the process easy and quick. Our visa specialists will research your itinerary to make sure you know exactly what the visa requirements are for each stage of your journey. Then, we’ll walk you through the paperwork and expedite your application for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Ethiopian visa today!

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

    Indonesian Visa Requirements To Walk With Orangutans in Sumatra

    Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

    The orangutan is a fascinating but increasingly rare creature. The only species of great ape native to Asia, its numbers have declined drastically over the past few decades, mainly due to habitat loss and hunting. There were only about 61,234 left in the wild as of 2007; a disturbing decline from the population of 76,300 that scientists estimated were left between 2000 and 2003 (via Wikipedia). However, if you’re tough enough to handle the Indonesian jungle, you can still see these “men of the forest” up close in their natural habitat… for now.

    Mark Wiens of GoBackpacking recently went on an orangutan trek in Sumatra. He writes:

    “It was a truly magnificent site. The bulkiness of the Orangutans miraculously swung through the branches of the trees with effortless ease. The weight of their heavy bodies were supported by rubbery limbs that seemed to just bounce from tree to tree and then spring back as the ape released grip.”

    Heat, sweat and insects aside, it sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To experience it yourself, you’ll need a passport and an Indonesian visa. When it comes to getting the visa, you have two options: apply before you leave the US or apply when you arrive in Indonesia. If you’d prefer to beat a hasty retreat from the airport to your hotel after the long flight, applying in advance will give you an edge. Either way, here’s a handy list of the required documents:

    • Your passport, which must be valid for 6 months and have a complete, pristinely blank page in the back for the visa.
    • 2 completed Indonesian visa application forms
    • 2 passport photos
    • A copy of your most recent bank statement
    • A letter from your boss verifying that you are employed or on a leave of absence. If you don’t have a job, you’ll need to include a detailed letter explaining that fact.
    • An itinerary letter that explains why you are going to Indonesia.

    RushMyTravelVisa can help you with the paperwork and expedite your visa for the fastest possible processing. Our service makes applying for a visa easy, quick and painless.

    Apply for your Indonesian visa today!

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

    Get a Brazil Visa to Leave the World Behind

    Sunday, March 27th, 2011

    If you’re looking to get away from it all, Brazil has just the place: the tropical island of Boipeba. Getting there takes effort: your options are a four-hour odyssey by bus, ferry and speedboat or a flight in from El Salvador in a tiny plane, an experience that the New York Times referred to as “not for the tremulous.”

    Once you’re there, though, the island will reward you with the kind of peace that comes from being someplace beautiful and remote, almost entirely shut away from the outside world.

    Charles Levitan, who runs a guesthouse on the island, told the New York Times, “If you can’t live in the moment, this isn’t the place for you,If you need to constantly know the weather forecast, you might want to go somewhere else.”

    Activities here include swimming, sunning, snorkeling and exploring a pristine patch of rainforest. Floating oyster bars let you enjoy two of the island’s greatest pleasures, fresh seafood and being out on the ocean, at the same time.

    If this sounds like heaven, be forewarned: Now is the time to visit. There’s no guarantee that big developers will keep their claws out of this little chunk of paradise, a specter that haunts even the people who currently work in the island’s tourist industry. Tour boat operator Miguel Rosas Dos Santos told the New York Times, “If I could freeze the island just as it is now, that would be perfect. Everyone loves the money flowing, but too many tourists will ruin the place.”

    To visit Boipeba, you’ll need a strong stomach (to withstand air- and seasickness), a valid passport and a Brazil visa. The last item may be the most noisome to attain; Brazil’s visa requirements are somewhat complex. See Brazilian Visa Requirements for Tourists for more information.

    RushMyTravelVisa can help you cut through the red tape and get your visa quickly and easily. We’ll research your itinerary, let you know what visas you need and what the requirements are, and expedite your paperwork for the fastest processing available.

    Apply for your Brazil visa today!

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

    Get a Nepal Visa to Go Parahawking

    Saturday, March 26th, 2011

    Yet another reason Nepal is freaking awesome: it’s one of only two places in the world where you can go parahawking. (h/t Gadling) What, you may ask, is parahawking? It’s your chance to literally soar with the eagles (or in this case, the trained Egyptian vultures).

    Parahawking involves paragliding (in tandem with a trained pilot if you’re inexperienced, though you can go solo if you know what you’re doing) with a trained bird of prey to guide you to the best thermals. Thermals are updrafts of warm air that help both raptors and paragliding humans soar effortlessly.

    Even better,  at the moment the only organization that offers parahawking is also involved in conservation and rescue efforts for local birds of prey. So, the €125 you pay is money well spent as it helps support those efforts. All the vultures used in Nepal are rescues who became strongly imprinted on humans and cannot be released into the wild. Parahawking helps the Himalayan Raptor Rescue organization raise money for their care and also gives the birds a chance to fly and get some exercise.

    Parahawking is available in Pokhara, Nepal from  November to late March. You can book online here.

    To visit Nepal, you’ll need a valid passport and a Nepal visa. Visas can be obtained on arrival, or you can apply before you leave the US if you’d prefer to have all your paperwork ready before your trip. To learn more, see Nepal Visa Requirements for Tourists.

    RushMyTravelVisa can help you get the visas you need for your trip. We’ll walk you through the paperwork, answer any questions about the process, and expedite your visa for the fastest possible processing. You’ll leave for Nepal with the security of having the paperwork completed and your visa in hand.

    Apply for your Nepal visa today!

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

    Get an Indonesian Visa To Ride the Waves in Bali

    Friday, March 18th, 2011

    With its turquoise water, gorgeous beaches and excellent waves, Bali is one of the world’s top surfing destinations. If you’ve always dreamed of riding the waves in this island paradise, here’s what you need to know to make it happen.

    When to Go

    The dry season, from April/May to September/November, is the best time to go to Bali for a surfing trip. However, even during the wet season there are still plenty of places to surf. In fact, SurfingBali.com notes that “Bali has surf breaks both the west-facing and east-facing coastlines and, because of this an offshore wind can be found somewhere on the island on any given day. Because of the number of surf breaks and the quality and consistency of the waves in Bali, it is still possible to find a many places to surf with only a small to moderate crowd.”

    Best Places

    Bali’s most famous breaks include Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Impossibles. However, those are far from the only places to surf. Other great options include Medewi Beach, Canggu, Kuta, Bingin and Dreamland.

    For Beginners

    If you’ve never surfed before, Bali is also an excellent place to learn. There are plenty of places to rent boards and other equipment, and a plethora of surf schools offering lessons. Gadling recommends that you choose a school where the instructor actually gets in the water with you. You’ll learn faster and have a better experience.

    Also, make sure not to get in over your head. Choose surf spots with waves that are appropriate for your capabilities. You can move on to more advanced waves as you get better.

    If you like the idea of volunteering while in Indonesia, you might consider a trip like i-to-i Volunteer and Adventure Travel’s Surf and Teach English in Bali trip.

    Visa Requirements

    To visit Bali, you’ll need an Indonesian visa and a passport good for at least 6 months from the date you enter the country. You can get your visa on arrival at certain air and seaports, but you’ll be out of the airport must faster and with less hassle if you apply for your visa in advance.

    For more information, see Indonesian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

    RushMyTravelVisa can help you get your visa quickly and easily. Let us help you get your Indonesian visa today!

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

    Get a Nepal Visa to Hang Out in Pokhara

    Saturday, March 12th, 2011

    You’ve probably never heard of Pokhara, but this picturesque little city is actually the third largest in Nepal. A tourist magnet, Pokhara is a base camp for tourists heading into the Himalayas and a place for backpackers trekking the Annapurna circuit to relax and enjoy some creature comforts before hitting the trail again.

    Pokhara caters to the adventurous with knock-off gear shops galore, a paragliding school, and plenty of guides willing to take you along on whitewater rafting trips or jungle safaris. However, the city is not just for adrenaline junkies. The picture-perfect scenery and relaxed atmosphere makes it a great place to “just be.”

    Pokhara is located along the deep blue waters of Phewa Tal, Nepal’s second-largest lake, so if you really want to get away from it all for an afternoon, rent a boat and take to the water. According to Lonely Planet, there are also some gorgeous caves and waterfalls in the hills surrounding the city that are fairly accessible.

    Of course, in Nepal, “accessible” is a relative term. Nothing good comes easily, and that definitely applies to Pokhara. It used to be open to hikers only – now, you can get there by bus or plane, but you may find yourself on the edge of your seat the whole time. Gadling explains:

    “Rather than hiking into Pokhara like the hippies of yore, you can take the bus from Kathmandu. Advertised time is seven hours, but the reality is often closer to ten. Accidents are sadly all too commonplace, so be advised that personal safety is no guarantee. Those wary of long bus rides can fly on one of Nepal’s domestic airlines: Yeti Air, Buddha Air or Agri Air. Flight time is less than one hour, and the views below are nothing less than stunning. As a disclaimer however, all three airlines have less than stellar crash records.”

    On second thought, perhaps there are advantages to hoofing it…

    To visit Pokhara, you’ll need a passport and a Nepal visa. You can either get your Nepal visa ahead of time or apply on arrival. For details on how to do so, see Nepal Visa Requirements for Tourists.

    If you decide to get your visa ahead of time, RushMyTravelVisa can help. Let us research your itinerary, help you with the paperwork and get your Nepal visa processed as quickly as possible!

    Tags: ,
    Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

    Get a Kenyan Visa to Visit Meru National Park

    Saturday, March 12th, 2011

    Decades ago, Meru National Park in Kenya was a virtual wasteland, haunted by poachers who decimated the wildlife population. However, after a 5 year restoration period that began in 2000, the poachers are out and the animals have returned. If you’re lucky, you could see lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, antelopes and even rhinos.

    This park is also the final resting place of Elsa the Lioness, made famous in the book and movie Born Free. Meru is the park where she was eventually released. Although Elsa went on to start a family of her own in the park, she later became ill and died. Her cubs, too young to fend for themselves successfully, began preying on local livestock and had to be moved to a different park for their own protection.

    For a long time, Meru simply wasn’t worth visiting, but it’s definitely well-worth spending some time there now. The animals have returned, but the park has dropped off of most tourists’ radars. Frommer’s recently named it one of the best parks in Kenya, but warned that “Such alluring potential solitude is unlikely to last, though, so make this a priority if you’d like to get a pre-development glimpse of African wilderness.”

    To visit Meru, you’ll need a passport, valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan to enter Kenya, and a Kenyan visa. You can get a Kenyan visa at airport if you’re a US citizen, but don’t expect the process to be quick. It’s best to get one ahead of time, as waiting around is the last thing you’ll want to be doing after your long journey.

    Here are the required documents for a Kenyan tourist visa:

    • 1 Kenyan visa application form
    • 1 passport photo
    • A copy of your travel itinerary

    Kenyan visa application forms are required to be typed. No matter how neat your handwriting is, you still need to go the Kenyan Embassy’s website, fill out the form online and print it.

    RushMyTravelVisa makes getting a Kenyan visa easy. We’ll walk you through the paperwork, make sure you have everything you need and drop your visa application off at the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

    Apply for your Kenyan visa today!

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

    Soon, You Can Live It Up In Siberia with a Russian Visa

    Thursday, March 10th, 2011

    Siberia is not known for its nightlife, but Russia hopes to change all that by building its own “City of Sin” in the snow.

    According to Gadling, the development will be called “Siberian Coin,” and it will be located near Siberia’s border with China and Kazakhstan, in the frozen wastes of the Altai Republic.

    If this sounds like an unlikely place for a “wretched hive of scum and villany,” well, it is. But Russia banned gambling in most of the country years ago, opting instead to create “gambling zones” in underdeveloped regions of the country.

    Currently, Siberian Coin is still a dream and a 9-acre chunk of barren, frozen wasteland – but a four man team is installing an electric grid as we speak. According to Businessweek, the Russian government expects casinos and hotels to brighten up the scenery in about 2 years.

    Or, as Anatoly Golovachyov, the manager of the nearby Kaimskoye tourism center, told Businessweek: “Soon, the mafia and money and prostitutes will show up!”

    If Russia builds it, will people come? That’s the question. My inner geek tells me there’s probably a reason that in Star Wars, the ice planet of Hoth was not known for its nightlife either. But, anything’s possible. (more…)

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

    Laos Visa Requirements to Visit the Plain of Jars

    Sunday, March 6th, 2011

    Deep in the heart of Laos, there is a large open plateau dotted with stone jars that date back to the Iron Age. Some of these jars are immense — the largest is almost 10 feet high!

    Nobody is quite sure where these unusual relics came from. According to this post on Environmental Graffiti, local tradition is that the jars were either used to by giants to brew rice wine or were placed on the plain to store water for thirsty travelers.

    However, the scientific consensus is that they were used in ancient burial rites. Cremated remains have been found inside some of the jars, though interestingly, unburned bodies have been found buried outside of the jars as well. It seems likely that this is because different burial practices existed for different social classes, with elites being cremated and ordinary people being buried.

    According to Wikipedia, some archaeologists have suggested that the largest jars were used originally as “distilling vessels,” where bodies were placed and allowed to decompose for a while before being cremated.

    Only three sites on the Plain of Jars are open for tourists. Elsewhere, landmines hamper archaeological exploration and make tours too dangerous, not to mention the terrible toll they take on local people. If you visit, just make sure to stay on the beaten path.

    The Plain of Jars is accessible from the nearby village of Phonsavan, which is well worth visiting in its own right. (more…)

    Tags: ,
    Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

    « Older Entries
    Newer Entries »