Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile
Replies: 9 - Last Post: Nov 27, 2012 2:55 PM Last Post By: sarah_bama
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Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile
On November 3rd I will be flying into Lima, Peru with a friend, at which point she will stay in Lima to volunteer and I will be heading to Cusco to take spanish lessons/volunteer/live with a host family for 2 months. After that, she will meet me in Cusco and we will hike to Machu Pichu (on an alternative trail).But this is about as far as we've gotten...We decided to do about 4 months of backpacking after this time, but it's so hard to figure out where to go. Also, we're hoping to do some WWOOF/Workaway along the way to cut down on costs/gain more experience with locals than we might staying in hostels, but that is not the nature of our entire backpacking journey. We're also not really sure where to WWOOF if anyone has suggestions..
We have kind off thought up doing a sort of loop south into Chile, than east into Argentina to Buenos Ares, than to North West Argentina, Bolivia, and back to Lima to fly out (because it's so much cheaper to fly out of than anywhere else). Of course we hope to be stopping in many places along the way, I don't mean these would be direct bus routes. But it's very hard to narrow down what areas/cities to spend time in in these countries... Or whether this is even a logical route. I don't want to be one of those travelers who rush through to see everything- I can really see the value in "slow" travel. Which is why I kind of feel like going from Peru to Bolivia to Argentina and flying out of Buenos Ares makes more sense (skipping Northern Chile because I've heard mixed reviews, but I don't really know..opinions?). The problem is that flights out of BA are double the price of those out of Lima... but if it was truly worth it I think I would be okay with that.
Anyways...I'm really rambling now. I'm just wondering if anyone has personal experience they can speak from to help me out, in terms of what a good route might be, and within these countries where we should go (and even more helpful-- with a description as to why). (also to be clear, I'm not trying to create any sort of "itinerary," I just feel like we should have some sense of where we would definitely like to go within each country so we don't miss out due to ignorance.)
I really appreciate your time and thoughts!
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agree with the above.From Cusco via Titicaca, la Paz, Uyuni salta flats Potosi and Sucre to the amazing surroundings of Salta is an obvious route. From there are sevral options, cross over to San Pedro de Atacama, head to Iguazu or direct to Buenos Aires via Cordoba maybe. Your best option would be indeed to fly out from BA and you should try to book with a company the option to fly into Lima and out of BA but on one ticket, not on 2 different ones. Often this does not come much more expensive. If it does not work look for a route back or try alternatives, like to fly back from Montevideo or Sao Paulo or Santago.3
Thank you both so much for you advice and thoughts! Beerfree, do you have experience in San Pedro de Atacama or any other part of northern Chile? Are there nice beaches there? I'm just not so sure if it's worth it.Thanks again!
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Overall, northern Chile is pretty boring. Long stretches of nothing at all, Beaches aren´t a good deal as the water is very cold. If you look for beaches, you should go from Buenos Aires to Uruguay or from Iguacu to the brazilian coast. You will find some good beaches there at this time of the year.From where are you flying into Lima?
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BTW I did a quick search on expedia for flights London - Lima, buenos Aires London and the price were exactly the same as a simple return London - Lima. There are many options and you have to be patient and try many options6
Wow thanks for doing that! Unfortunately, I'm flying from Chicago..not London. I haven't found anything nearly as cheap as the flights into/out of Lima, though let me know if you find something different!As far as northern Chile goes, thanks for the thoughts...I'm thinking we will probably just skip it.
Do you have any experience in the Amazon rain forest of Peru or Bolivia?
Also..Iguazu falls. Do you think it's worth going out of our way for?
