Regarding the camera, I've been looking at cameras with my dad (who is really into photography) and he's been showing me some cameras he thinks will do well there and still take good pictures. He wanted me to ask if there are any specific brands or types of cameras that do better there or if there are some that have a bad reputation of breaking. I don't want to get down there and have my camera break and be with out one, like you said there are amazing sights there you won't see anywhere else
Thanks again for all this amazing info!!