south america for 2 months and then....
Replies: 8 - Last Post: Sep 12, 2012 9:49 AM Last Post By: jepslica
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south america for 2 months and then....
Right, what i am planning for 3 months in summer 2013...need advice, tips, tricks or any sort of ideas on my plan and how much money it will be. ANY comments or input would be greatly appreciated!! :)
next may/june (2013) i am planning to travel (solo, 26, female) to south america for 2 months, and then fly from (anywhere) in south america to Biarritz in France, where i will be meeting up with 3 of my friends to start the Way of St James (Camino de Santiago) which will be for 1 month.
i was checking up online just to get an estimate of how much flights are out of S. America and they are very expensive!!
the countries in S.A i want to visit are Argentina, Peru, Bolivia and Chile, but i also want to get in a trip to the Amazon. And hoping to get a standard (non-fancy) Amazon cruise in there somewhere (which i know will be expensive, but totally worth it). but i may have to go into brazil for that tho!!
any one any thoughts on this? or advice on how to look for cheapish flights?
does anyone have advice on what country to start in and where to finish? How long to stay in a place at a time?
transport with buses/trains etc?
i was hoping to get up to Panama for a week or so, as flights out of panama are not as expensive. However, to actually get to Panama from Argentina/Peru/Bolivia is quite expensive.
has anyone ever done the Camino de Santiago before and how was the experience??? :)
does the whole trip i have planned sound feasible??
ANY sort of thoughts would be absolutely most welcome! :) thanks in advance!
i am going to college in september, so i am quite restricted to just the 3 summer months as a timeframe! :)
this is just a plan at the moment, nothing booked or completely set. i have never travelled before, so forgive me if i sound a bit too ambitious in my plan, but i am fairly determined to do it! fingers crossed anyway :)
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I would recommend Peru and Bolivia. But thats my thoughts - especially if 'cheap' is a priority as Argentina is far from cheap.any one any thoughts on this? or advice on how to look for cheapish flights? Fly from a city with lots of options (Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Rio, Sao Paulo). Next fly to Madrid (its only 550km away - Barcelona is 760, and Paris is 754). And you will have to go by public transport to Biaritzz.
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cool! thanks for the replies! :) so just two countries? i suppose i wouldnt mind too much cutting out argentina, but id really love to get all three of Peru, Bolivia and Chile, and a trip in the Amazon. I was looking at Brazil (Manaus) amazon cruises and they are between about 600-1000 euro. a bit expensive but would they be much cheaper in Bolivia?I am starting to teach myself spanish from cds now as i read up that you may get things cheaper if you speak the language! :D ive about 10 months to learn it. i wont be fluent of course, lol, but hopefully ill have enough to get by. and will probably learn some while im over there.
when you travel, is it wise to stick to a strict timetable or just go with the flow?
if i could get 3 weeks in each country, i think that would be enough for me :)
Edited by: yunno
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I would recommend only two countries. Especially with only two months. You will see more and enjoy more this way. 3 weeks in all 3 countries is going to be all rush rush rush and no time to enjoy. I think your just trying to convince yourself to do 3 countries.As for the Amazon - yes you could go to Manuas or Belem or even Tabatinga and do a cruise (and you could do it cheaper by grabbing a hammock and doing it by the big river ferries). But a lot of people don't enjoy it - 4 to 6 days on a ferry....not pleasant.
Don't forget that the Amazon is not just the river. You'd be better off going to Iquitos, Manu or for price Rurrenbaque.
Its not so much about learning the language, you will get ripped off if you look like a gringo, its about looking like you know the price and haggling skills. If you want to take a taxi, as the hostel how much it would normally cost and haggle to that price.
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Hi!I ´ve visited part of Bolivia and Peru in 15 days, from and back to Argentina, by bus and train.
I´ve been always in the run, but I really enjoy it.
My thought is: If you are not sure that you´ll come back to visit the rest, I´ll visit all very quickly rather that not at all. But that's me. =)
My favorites places of this trip.
Tilcara and the sightseeings (North of Argentina, near the city of San Salvador de Jujuy)
Salar de Uyuni (Sur de Bolivia)
Copacabana (Bolivia by the Titicaca Lake)
Amantani and Taquile (Island in the Titicaca, belongs to Peru and you can reach them from Puno)
Cuzco and Machu Picchu
Good luck!
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Check out Maniti Expeditions in Iquitos, Peru.http://www.manitiexpeditions.com
They offer a lot of Amazon exploring packages for a little over $100 per day. Not really a "cruise" but could be a good option for seeing the Amazon in Peru.
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Just got back from a tour with Maniti Camp Expeditions for 5D/4N. Their prices are very reasonable and they have been very attentive and professional from start to finish. They also get very good reviews online. Losge was very rustic but very nice and in great condition, I have hear alot about the flooding earlier this year but I do not think they were affected. Food was excellent, saw lots of wildlife, and the guides were alot of fun. Had a blast with them!It seems like there is alot of people in the street you can get a tour from and it really seemed tempting to us. I am extremly glad that i didnt do this after hearing some ofthe horror stories from the people who were staying at the same hotel as us. My word of advise is only book with registered tour companies and know what your paying for. iPeru can give you all info on registered tour operators. Take some time to check out reviews about the company you are interested in hiring.
