South America for 6 months

Four of a kind

I'm looking to get as much info as I can about routes/trips etc for a planned 6 month trip in South America starting Jan 2013. I know its a year away but I like to do my research before I go places.

I've never been there before. For my last trip to asia, I used travelfish.org as my main source of info, and I'd like to know is there a "south american" equivalent of that website?

Those of you that have visited South America before, what kind of budget would be recommended for 2 of us for the 6 months? We don't drink(odd time) and like doing a few tours/trips as well as staying in fairly cheap accommodation as long as its safe and clean.

Any info would be appreciated as I've no idea where to start planning such a trip, but I suppose that's some of the fun

Also, what kind of climate in general can one expect from Jan - june?

Four of a kind

Four of a kind wrote: »

I'm looking to get as much info as I can about routes/trips etc for a planned 6 month trip in South America starting Jan 2013. I know its a year away but I like to do my research before I go places.

I've never been there before. For my last trip to asia, I used travelfish.org as my main source of info, and I'd like to know is there a "south american" equivalent of that website?

Those of you that have visited South America before, what kind of budget would be recommended for 2 of us for the 6 months? We don't drink(odd time) and like doing a few tours/trips as well as staying in fairly cheap accommodation as long as its safe and clean.

Any info would be appreciated as I've no idea where to start planning such a trip, but I suppose that's some of the fun

Also, what kind of climate in general can one expect from Jan - june?

Anyone ??

themacman

You should buy the Lonely Planet and have a good read. Decide what places you want to see and map out a rough route that way.

I would highly recommend doing a "one way" route, eg dont fly in and out of the same city. For example I started in Buenos Aires and spent 6 months doing a clockwise loop of the continent, finish up in Rio. Remember you dont really need a route as such, just a rough guide as to how far along you need to be. Flexible is good!

You'll be arriving in summer and ending in winter. It'll be damn hot anywhere near the equator in January.

Budget very roughly 1000euro per month per person, but if you plan on spending a decent length of time in Brasil you will need more that that.

:pac:

Meathlass

I spent 7 months there in 06/07 so any prices I give are for that time.

Flight €1000 (flew into Venezuela and out of Rio)
Misc €500 (medication, rucksack, insurance etc)
Galapagos Tour €700
Easter Island Trip €1000 (5 day independent trip, flights were €600 on their own)
Antarctica Trip €4000
Living expenses €4000 (accommodation, food, travel etc, all hostel, basic buses etc.)

I know it seems I spent a fortune but like you the trip was well planned and those additional trips were the highlight of my travels. It might be a long time before I can go back.

Before you go learn some Spanish and Portuguese; it will save you a fortune as you'll feel confident getting the cheapest public transport rather than relying on tours all the time. It just enriches your experience in so many ways. You can do a basic and intermediate evening class in the year you've left to go.

A great site for south america is the lonely planet, thorn tree forum. Every question you've ever wanted to ask about south america will have already been answered there.

imme

Op, what do you want to do, see, spend time and money on.
Do you speak Spanish or Portuguese, do you plan on taking lessons.

Which countries do you want to visit? Where do you plan on starting?

I think starting in Buenos Aires would be one of the more popular options.
You could go down through Argentina to Patagonia.
Take the ferry up one third of the length of Chile from Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt.

Keep going up through Chile up to Peru.
Check out Peru.

Then either keep going to Ecuador or hang a right to Bolivia and on to Brazil.


Alternatively start in Caracas and go on to Colombia. Down through Colombia to Ecuador and then on to Peru.

After Peru head down to Chile and down to the bottom of South America to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Then up through Argentina to Brazil.

There are tonnes of itineraries you could set for 6 months in South America OP, you could easily spend that time in Brazil alone or Argentina or even Colombia.


Alternative places to visit in South America are the Guyanas, they're difficult enough to get to. Some question whether it's worth it. They are different though from the Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries of S America.

Designing an overland route to them can be weather dependent and you might end up having to fly out or go back the way you came overland.

Paraguay is another of the less visited of the S American countries.

Four of a kind

Meathlass wrote: »

I spent 7 months there in 06/07 so any prices I give are for that time.

Flight €1000 (flew into Venezuela and out of Rio)
Misc €500 (medication, rucksack, insurance etc)
Galapagos Tour €700
Easter Island Trip €1000 (5 day independent trip, flights were €600 on their own)
Antarctica Trip €4000
Living expenses €4000 (accommodation, food, travel etc, all hostel, basic buses etc.)

I know it seems I spent a fortune but like you the trip was well planned and those additional trips were the highlight of my travels. It might be a long time before I can go back.

Before you go learn some Spanish and Portuguese; it will save you a fortune as you'll feel confident getting the cheapest public transport rather than relying on tours all the time. It just enriches your experience in so many ways. You can do a basic and intermediate evening class in the year you've left to go.

A great site for south america is the lonely planet, thorn tree forum. Every question you've ever wanted to ask about south america will have already been answered there.

Thanks. Yeah I've begun the Michel Thomas foundation Spanish course the past few days, and I have to say I'm impressed with his method. Very simple to understand and as long as I can get the jist of the language then I'll be able to proceed myself.

Good info and advice above for sure.

The budget will be around €12,000-€13,000 for the two of us(after we pay for our flights etc)

Accommodation options for couples....is there a big increase in prices for rooms rather than dorms in hostels? We don't mind dorms but would prefer something a little more private if possible....but if the price range is way over budget then we'll just dorm it obviously.

Four of a kind

imme wrote: »

Op, what do you want to do, see, spend time and money on.
Do you speak Spanish or Portuguese, do you plan on taking lessons.

Am currently looking after the Spanish side of things. Regarding what we aim to do/see. Well a few treks would be nice, even though we aren't really big into them. Don't want to do the inca trail as that would tie us to a date in order to do it and the cost combined just isn't worth it...unless its not crazy expensive to do it?

Other than that, we just like backpacking our way around and sightseeing as we go. We don't drink much so I suppose that will save a lot on nights out.

Which countries do you want to visit? Where do you plan on starting?

Ideally I thought about starting in Rio, then going down to Argentina, Uruguay, over to Chile, up to Peru, Bolivia and flying out of Columbia? Really need to get a lonely planet and do some solid research etc. But that's just what's in my head at this stage. Nothing planned as such. The climate is another thing which we'd like to try and keep to the hotter side of things...simply for bringing clothes out with us. Don't want to have big warm clothes with us while backpacking if we can help it. How have others coped in this situation while over there regarding clothes?

I think starting in Buenos Aires would be one of the more popular options.
You could go down through Argentina to Patagonia.
Take the ferry up one third of the length of Chile from Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt.

Keep going up through Chile up to Peru.
Check out Peru.

Then either keep going to Ecuador or hang a right to Bolivia and on to Brazil.


Alternatively start in Caracas and go on to Colombia. Down through Colombia to Ecuador and then on to Peru.

After Peru head down to Chile and down to the bottom of South America to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Then up through Argentina to Brazil.

There are tonnes of itineraries you could set for 6 months in South America OP, you could easily spend that time in Brazil alone or Argentina or even Colombia.


Alternative places to visit in South America are the Guyanas, they're difficult enough to get to. Some question whether it's worth it. They are different though from the Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries of S America.

Designing an overland route to them can be weather dependent and you might end up having to fly out or go back the way you came overland.

Paraguay is another of the less visited of the S American countries.


Apart from drink, what are the big day to day expenses would you consider while travelling over there? I know a lot of people would spend a small fortune partying but since that won't be on our agenda, I'd like to know the potential costs.

Thanks guys.

.

themacman

Well done on the Michel Thomas. Complete the beginner course and arm yourself with a Spanish dictionary and you will be streets ahead of most other backpackers.

Your route sounds quite viable to me. And your budget is spot on. Double rooms are more expensive. Stay in a dorm when you fancy it and spoil yourself with a double sometimes - it shouldnt be a problem if youre not partying a whole lot.

The only other relatively big (and regular) expense is for bus tickets. They can be a tad pricey in Brasil/Argentina (I dont know about Uruguay). Having said that, if you are taking an overnighter, you save on your nights accomodation.

Dont worry about the cold. Bring one solid jumper/fleece with you. That was fine for me right down to the southern tip of Argentina. I had to buy some warmer stuff for the Bolivian salt flats but its not worth carrying around any more than one to begin with.