We are planning a trip to South America in March next year. We have booked a cruise on the Costa cruise line ship Costa Mediterranean, and would like to see as much of South America as we can, prior to the ships departure.
Our itinerary is fairly "liquid" at this stage, but based around the following premises.
We are a couple who fall into the "grey nomad" class of travellers (late 50's), and although relatively spry for our ages, undeniably subject to the toll of the years, so not anticipating undertaking any unusually strenuous hiking challenges etc.
Neither of us speak Spanish, - pero intentamos aprender al menos el español "de supervivencia"
We depart Australia, and arrive in Santiago on March 1 2009.
We depart South America March 17 2009, from Santos Brazil.
We would like to include a visit to Machu Picchu in Peru, and to Iguazu Falls. We have also been told that the Atacama desert is spectacular and should not be missed.
We are kicking around the idea of an overnight bus from Santiago to Arica, and then catching a flight to Cusco, from the nearest possible location ( Tacno?) then returning to Las Paz for a flight to Iguazi falls and then on to Santos.
Questions we have are
1. Does one see much of the Atacama desert on the overnight bus from Santiago to Arica?
2. Are we being unrealistic in terms of time scale to achieve what we would like to do?
3. How savage are the effects of Altitude sickness?, and are there any remedies/preventatives that anyone can recommend?
4. Are there any other "must see" recommendations out there?
5. Is anyone else out there contemplating anything similar?
Many Thanks
Jeff and Rosie
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