Trek America - an awesome way to travel (Trek America)

Member Name: petite_poupette

Product:	Trek America
Date:	21/05/09 (414 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Value for money, likeminded people, organised but flexible, private transport

Disadvantages: Make sure you budget for extra expenses, long drives some days

I chose to use Trek America when I travelled on my own in the States. Partly it was because this was my first time travelling on my own and also because it really reassured my parents that it was an organised tour.

**What is Trek America?**

Trek America runs trips all across the United States, Canada, Mexico and parts of South America. These vary from 7 days up to as long as 6 weeks in some instances. The majority of the trips are camping based although most will have some nights in budget hotels or hostels (these are normally in cities). However, there are some treks which are all lodging based and therefore no camping required. The trips are for 18-38 year olds but that does not mean that they are big drunken affairs with everyone drinking themselves stupid all night and sleeping all day. Definitely not! Obviously, there are opportunities to go out, but the majority of people seem to also want to visit and see the places on the tour and make the most of their time away.

Trek America is designed for people travelling on their own. There are no supplements to pay if you're a solo traveller. Having said that, some people come with friends/siblings/partners etc so you're guaranteed to have a mix.

** How does it work?**

Each trek is run by a trek leader and this person acts as your guide/helper/friend throughout your trek. I was very lucky and had a great leader who made a huge effort to make sure that everyone had a good time. Trek leaders do not receive a great deal of payment and often have no base as such, so the minibus in which you travel becomes like home to them. Tip them well at the end (if you think they deserve it).

Treks have a maximum of 13 people plus the leader which means that everyone really does get to know everyone else. The tours are led in english but the groups can be international. My group for example consisted of 6 Brits, 5 South Koreans, 1 Austrian, and 1 Dutch. This mix of cultures makes for great meals when it's dinner time.

Talking about dinner - everyone contributes a set amount to the food kitty at the beginning of the trek. This is then used to buy food at supermarkets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Therefore, you can eat 3 meals a day for about £6 (a bargain to me). Everyone takes it in turns to cook and clean, and this all is much more fun than it sounds. In cities, there is the chance to dine out which is paid for separately. We used all the left over food kitty money at the end of our trek to treat ourselves to a slap up meal in a very nice seafood restaurant in Malibu.

I already mentioned that camping plays a big part in trek. Tents sleep two, and they are provided along with sleeping mats. All you need to do is bring along a warm sleeping bag. The tents are easy to put up and take down and by the end of your trek, you'll have it down to a fine art. The tents we had were quite old so hopefully Trek America will be buying new tents, but that said, they did serve their purpose and were big enough to fit two people and all their belongings. City lodging is normally in budget hotels which have to be paid for separately when you get there, but Trek will tell you if you'll have this as part of the trek you select.

As for getting around, everyone travels in a minibus with their belongings stowed away in the trailer. Some days involve lots of driving and hours spent in the minibus but this isn't as bad as you think. Games, music, reading, sleeping, watching the world pass you by - are all things that help pass the time. And just think, it's not you that's driving. There are regular toilet/refuelling stops so you get a chance to stretch your legs and stock up on some drinks and peanut butter cups!

** I'm not sure I want to be shepherded about on my holiday?**

Trek America is an organised tour in name, but in reality it's much more. Yes, you do have to be at certain places at certain times, but there is also the opportunity to tell your trek leader what you want to see. If a lot of people in the group want to visit the local zoo for example, she'll try and make that happen, and probably even get you a group discount at the same time.

There is flexibility within the trek and no one has to do everything. I remember my entire group going off for an afternoon's hiking in the sun whereas I chose to sit on the lake shore and relax. As long as your trek leader knows and you stick to any time constraints, you can make the trek your own.

There will be additional acitivites on offer and these will need to be paid for separately so make sure you have some extra money with you. Again, there is no obligation to do these. Most people do a few.

**Where did I go?**

I went on the 21 day Northern Trail trek which started in New York and finished in Los Angeles. I had an absolutely fantastic time and am in fact meeting up with a fellow trekker this weekend. My personal highlights would be San Francisco, Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole.

I saw and experienced so many more things than I would ever have done had I planned the trip on my own, and got to do it with a likeminded group of people.

Yes, it's a tour and yes, many people look down on those who use them, but I would recommend Trek America because of all the local knowledge that the guide has and the things that you just wouldn't know or think to do unless you knew the places well.

**Things to note**

You don't often get time in the start and end cities to see them so plan accordingly as you wouldn't want to start in such a great city as New York and not see the place.

You will need extra money for the food kitty, activities, dining out etc.

You will be camping (unless it's a lodging tour) so if you don't like the outdoors, maybe Trek America isn't for you. You will also be cooking so don't expect fancy 3 course meals every night.

However, I'm keen to stress that even though it's an organised tour, there is flexibility built into it. But ultimately the more you make of the trek, the better a time you'll have.

Summary: An organised tour with flexibility that you can make your own.