What are the most beautiful islands in the Pacific?

Hi there!

I'm puzzling and figuring out how to create a relative 'budgetproof' backpack journey and combine the most beautiful places with a limited budget of around $6500 (all-inclusive). I don't need any kind of luxery and I'm satisfied with inexpensive and primitive cabins or hostels, as long as it's safe for a young woman who is traveling on her own.

I want to visit some parts of Asia and I would love to make a horse trek of about 10 days in Nepal. It would be a intense dream come true! I consider all other options and I'm completely open for some constructive criticism and input.

I have written some questions since I consider myself as a 'layman' because I don't have that much knowledge and expertise about such matters, to be honest.

+* Is it realistic to combine a trip to one of the magical islands in the Pacific with my journey through Asia? My goal is to be away from home for about three months - half a year and I hope that I'm able to travel for about two weeks, but one week would also be a true blessing! I am absolutely willing to do some work during my stay to fund the rest of my journey. Perhaps, Australia is a good place? But from what I've heard, Australia is extremely expensive and therefore not recommended for backpackers with a limited budget?+

+* Keeping my wishlist in mind, which island or islands would you recommend me? And which islands would you absolutely discourage me? And for what reasons?+

+* Where can I book a relatively 'cheap' ticket for a destination in the Pacific? And what would be the best place to travel from?+

Thanks!

Hersenspinsel.

1. You need to do a lot more research before we can provide meaningful advice.

2. This branch isn't for Australia, it's for islands in the Pacific. But to answer your question, I found backpacking in Australia to be affordable because I didn't have to sink such an absurd amount of money into the ticket.

3. There are no truly cheap destinations in the Pacific with regard to the cost of the flight, unless you live in Australia and get a cheap deal (or get lucky with some sale from an Asian carrier).

4. You seem absolutely clueless, so I would steer you away from Papau New Guinea. I haven't been there, but the stories I have heard make it sound like it is not for novices, given the risks. Same goes for Truk in the Federated States of Micronesia.

5. If you plan on visiting Asia, it might be cheaper to do a round-the-world ticket, given that you are flying from the Netherlands. Then which island you visit would be bounded by which alliance (OneWorld, etc.) you choose. For example, StarAlliance has United which will get you to places in Micronesia like Palau, whereas OneWorld has Qantus, which will get you to Australia and a number of other islands. Note this ticket could cost anywhere from $3000 USD and up. Europe to Nepal alone is expensive.

6. Also not germane to this board but relevant to your inquiry, note the number of individual trekkers who have been kidnapped or mysteriously gone missing in Nepal. Do a Google search on missing traveler Nepal. I wouldn't do that trip alone.

Australia, NZ, and the South Pacific are not budget-friendly destinations. Fiji is the cheapest country in the South Pacific, but it's still twice as expensive as most of SE Asia...

With your budget being what it is, I'd just focus on Asia/SE Asia.

I found Samoa to be cheaper than Fiji, but tch7's point still stands--pacific travel is expensive.

I'm going to Fiji for a month this summer. I intend to go to the Yasawa Islands, which truly are the most beautiful picture postcard paradises you can imagine. I have been before and am very excited to go back. Azure waters, beautiful under water world, lovely people, hiking possibilities etc etc.

Now, to put things in perspective: The flight alone is almost 1900 euro (from the Netherlands to Nadi, via Hong Kong). After that I need transport to the Yasawa islands (around 150 euro) where I stay in dorms (around 50 euro a night including all meals) in resorts. And I'd want to do some tours and have a drink every twice in a while (don't want to do the math...).

As others have stated above, your budget might be good for South East Asia. I can personally recommend Laos. It's a lot cheaper than the Pacific and even cheaper than Thailand, there are no safety issues (at least I encountered none) and it's a great country with lovely people. Time of year could be an issue though, summer might be too hot and there's a rainy season as well. I went in December/January which was perfect.

You could also consider getting a working holiday visa for Australia, so you can (legally) work and travel there. I've been there a couple of times and just fell in love with the country. Very easy to meet people if you stay in backpacker hostels, maybe hitch a ride (share the costs) with fellow travelers, very nice scenery and as a horseback rider you might get a jillaroo job on a cattle station.

Good luck and safe travels!

Asia is much cheaper than small Pacific Is places and tahn Australia/NZ