Budget Treks That Go a Long Way

TrekAmerica will offer budget trips this winter to such warm-weather destinations as Mexico and Florida, in addition to a variety of Southern California venues.

A 20-year-old company that specializes in economical camping tours for travelers between the ages of 18 and 38, TrekAmerica was created to provide an inexpensive way for British youths to visit North America. It now offers 20 programs stretching from Mexico to Alaska, with groups that often include Australians, Europeans, Israelis, South Americans and North Americans traveling together in 13-passenger vehicles.

Expenses are reduced by camping. Two people share a four-person tent. Equipment, except sleeping bags, is provided. Occasional nights are scheduled at hotels for an extra $25 per person. Participants also pay about $30 per week to a food kitty, which covers supplies for three meals most days.

This winter TrekAmerica will operate:

--11-day Florida tours that depart from Miami and include visits to the Florida Keys, Kennedy Space Center, the Everglades, Disney World and New Orleans for $650 (air fare is extra on all programs).

--25-day Mexico tours that leave from Mexico City and include visits to Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido, Tulum, Cancun, Merida and Vera Cruz for $970.

--21-day Los Angeles-to-Mexico City programs for $770 and 46-day Los Angeles-to-Mexico City tours for $1,650.

--14-day tours of Baja California, departing from Los Angeles and reaching as far south as Cabo San Lucas, for $510.

--21-day tours between Los Angeles and New York City for $890.

--14-day tours from Los Angeles that include visits to San Diego, the Colorado River, Tucson, Grand Canyon, Zion Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley and Disneyland for $640.

For details, contact a travel agent or TrekAmerica, P.O. Box 1338, Gardena 90249, (213) 321-0734.

It’s now easier for travelers to find low-cost lodging in London. In August, the London Tourist Board began, for a small fee, to provide an “on-the-spot” reservation service for accommodations at six of the city’s international youth hostels.

The average fee for a night’s accommodation in a dormitory-style room is $18 for travelers 21 or older. Guests under 21 are charged $15 per person. If you are not a member of a national youth hostel association, you also are required to purchase a guest pass for $2.60 per night.

Paying for the reservation service will be most attractive to travelers who don’t want to chance hauling their luggage to a hostel, only to find it full.

The fee for the reservation service is $3 per person, to a maximum of $9. The service is offered by London Tourist Information Centres at the Heathrow Airport underground station, Victoria station, Liverpool Street station and at the centers in Harrods and Selfridges department stores.

One problem faced by backpacking travelers to Australia is the large increase in independent hostel facilities. Some are quite good, but others don’t meet fire and health regulations and it can be a lengthy process for the courts to close them. So exercise caution when choosing where to stay.

The Queensland Youth Hostel Assn. recently announced that it has ceased its association with the Brisbane hostel, 390 Upper St., and is opening a new facility at 53 Quay St.

The new hostel will accommodate up to 80 travelers in double and four-bed rooms. It’s a five-minute walk from the Brisbane Transit Centre and a 10-minute walk from the city center. Kitchen facilities will be open to guests, and there will be a cafeteria and tour booking agency.