re: advice/recs for new camera

Your budget and backpack space say DSLR or micro 4/3rds camera, but everything else you said suggests getting a superzoom with a wide angle lens. I haven't shopped this space in a few years, but last time I checked the superzooms were down close to the size of point and shoot cameras while increasing their zoom range. That's where I'd start my search if I were you, look at the superzooms.