looking for advice from the seasoned traveller for ideas to start our six weeks of travelling.
Hi guys- it's James and Naomi. Next year from about July 8th we're planning a trip to s america where we intend to finish the last 4 week in peru. What we need advice on is what to do for those first two weeks. Initially we started looking at costa rica but that is looking as it could be a bit expensive and is also in the green "rainy" season. Other suggetsions coming our way is that venezuela is pretty amazing. We want to be able to do some exciting things like white water rafting, jungle trekking etc... basically having fun with the sites of the country and meeting up with other travellers. Has anyone been there and done that or got any other suggestions that you might think is helpful. Also does anyone know what its like to get to Lima from venezuela or the countries you may suggest.
Many thanks for reading this far
james and nam
x
Reply to this Spend a couple of weeks volunteering in before you start travelling. It will help you get acclimatised and you'll meet people who have already travelled so you can get good up to date advice. I usually start my trips by volunteering, it gives me a good feel for the area and takes the culture shock away a bit. Your best options (if you don't want to go to Peru first) will be Chile, Bolivia or Ecuador. Try http://www.youvolunteer.org for teaching or working with an animal sanctury in Ecuador. There's lots of non-profits about (cheap placements that are community orientated), type "volunteer south america" into google and you'll find plenty.
Happy Travels
Reply to this p.s Lima to venezuela is easily done by bus, but you'll be on it for a long time (3 days at least). You could always break it up with a stop in Quito. Planes aren't expensive if you book far enough in advance
Reply to this My boyfriend and I have a travel company where we specialize in Venezuelan travel. We can help you arrange your travels safely and cheap. I am a 25 year old American female and my bf is From Venezuela. Are you still planning on visiting in July?
Reply to this We are a real option for Chile and Argentina http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/jagrz/
Reply to this For a great river adventure you can take the back door into Peru. Fly into Manaus then take riverboats to Iquitos and on into one of the towns that has road connections to the rest of Peru, either Yurimaguas or Pucallpa. Check the Bradt guidebook, The Amazon (3rd edition is quite recent) for lodges, etc., near Manaus and/or Iquitos so you can see a little bit of the rainforest up close.
As for Venezuela, check my blog here starting in late June/early July -- I'll be there (state of Amazonas) for about three and half weeks on the Orinico, Casiquiare and Rio Negro rivers (taking a back door into Brazil).
KST
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