Starting an 8 month tour of South America in Nov 2010 .. anybody got any ideas on preferred routes/itineraries?
Hi folks and fellow backpackers ....
Im heading to South America in Nov 2010. Never been before so dont know what to expect. Leaving aside all the finer details and places to see (which I will attend to in another blog), Im at the stage now where Im just planning my overall route. The only event I need to plan around is the Carnival in Rio in March ... apart from that Im easy, although it would be nice to get a comprehensive look at South America as I can within the 8 months. Id prefer to travel overland and would love to take in Central America too .. (or is this being far too ambitious). Anyway ... as I said Ive never been before .. have 8 months to spend there so Id really love to hear what people think/suggest i.e. Where to start, finish, .. where to skip past and where to spend longer.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Peter.
Reply to this Assuming you want to see Patagonia and the south parts of Argentina and Chike, I would suggest you start either in Buenos Aires or in Santiago de Chile. Then, you can make your way down south during Nov - January, and the in February make your way up north again toward Iguazu Falls from where you can cross into Brazil, just in time to get to the Carnival.
Then, it is really up to what you like - you can travel through all of Brazil and cross through the Amazonas into north Peru, or you could cut in the middle of Brazil through Pantanal and go into Bolivia. Or you could fly to either of these two. Travel Bolivia, up north to Peru and continue up north through Ecuador, Colombia and hopefully would still have time to go into Panama and Costa Rica. 8 months, if you do not really a slow traveler should kind of be enough for this route. Not sure though if you will have enough time to even continue further to Nicaragua, Guatemala etc.
Another option (which is what we have done) is to fly from Brazil to central America and then start making your way south again.
It is wonderful that you have 8 months, this is an amazing continent to discover! Enjoy every bit of it!
Lilach
Reply to this Lilach, thank you so much for your advice. Ive decided to start in BA working down south to Ushuia (on east coast) and back up north (on west coast) but taking in some places in Chile too if possible. As Im leaving BA on 13th Nov ... Im wondering if I can make it back up to Santiago for Christmas/New Years, or perhaps you could recommend another nice place to spend the Christmas holidays. Maybe Santiago is a bit optimistic and I may be rushing my Patagonian experience.
I like your idea of heading over to Rio for Carnival then cutting across to Bolivia and Peru, then heading up North. Since I first posted my blog, Ive decided to leave out central America altogether, as I think its best to stay in places longer to experience them, so I wont be venturing into Panama this time (maybe next trip ...).
Thanks again for you advice and help.
Peter
Reply to this I believe Bariloche could be also a nice place to spend Christmas at - it has plenty of good restaurants and chocolates!...
If you do not make it that north until Christmas, then even El Calafate would be nice to spend Chirstmas at (we spent a very lovely new years' eve there).
I have heard there are also a lot of foreginers in Ushuaia in Chirstmas
But, I would not worry so much about it - I think everywhere you will be in that area, you can find ways to have a wonderful happy and tasty Christmas...
Reply to this Well, in 8 monthes you have time enough to visit the best places in South America!
no to miss: Galapagos in Ecuador, Amazone Jungle, Iguazu Falls in Brasil and Argentina, Uyuni in Bolivia, Machu Picchu in Peru
, Titicaca Lake, Ausangate trekking in Peru (unknown but beautiful!!)
Enjoy your trip!! Reply to this Hi Peter,
I'm also hoping to go on a 6 month trip in December/January. It makes sense to start in the South as Lilach said and work your way up North as you can see Patagonia and the Bolivan/Peruvian Andes at the best times.
My route is slightly unconventional as I'm seeing friends in Quito for XMAS and New Year but it will hopefully be along the lines of - London - Colombia-Ecuador-Coast of Peru-Arequipa-Chile-Santiago-Lake District-Patagonia-Buenos Aires-Rio for Carnival-Quro Preto-Paraty-Sao Paulo-Iguaco-Bolivia-Cuzco-Lima-Ecuador-London (with some flights along the way in case I start running out of time).
Have you done some research on the Rio Carnival? Is it best to book with a tour group or just book your accomodation and tickets independantly?
Its so difficult to plan South America as there is so much to see and such vast distances involved. I've been to Ecuador a few times and love it there and would recommend the Galapagos. Rio is amazing as well.
Good luck with the planning and will keep an eye out for your blogs when I'm on the road to see if we're in the same place!!
Rob
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