SOUTH AMERICA First time solo traveller - my itinerary - comments/advice very welcome

peanuthead

Hi all

So after going through a rough enough year I've decided that it's time to get out there and start enjoying myself before it's too late!

I've put off South America so many times because I had nobody to go with that it had sort of become a distant dream!

About 2 months ago I said to myself "screw it!" and decided there and then that I am going to head off for 5-6 weeks this summer - alone. The first time I've ever done anything alone.

So I want to post my itinerary here as I plan it - partly for advice, also for a record for myself and maybe as I update others may eventually find it useful.

So here it is:

INBOUND FLIGHT: Dublin - Iguazu

IGUAZU
I'm going to spend about 3 days, 4 max here, see the falls.

Bus journey to BUENOS AIRES then, coming in at about $500 online.

BUENOS AIRES
Haven't really decided what I will do here, but I plan to spend about 5 days or so.

Bus journey to CORDOBA for about 2-3 days and then to MENDOZA.
I have to be honest, I'm heading to those two places as they have been recommended by friends. I've yet to look them up and see what there is to do - although one friend told me about cycling tours of the wine regions - that sounds good!
I have no plans to buy bus tickets for these trips now, but I have noticed that there is a stark contrast in what my lonely planet guide says the cost of these tickets are and what they are coming up as online.

A bus ticket from BA to CORDOBA in my LP guide says $95 but online it comes up as $400 online
http://www.andesmar.com/TOLWeb/pages/main.seam?conversationId=5384

Bus from CORDOBA to MENDOZA is coming up more expensive again!

Can anyone advise on this?

After that I plan to go to SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA to see the desert then on to the salt flats at UYUNI.

Each of those places I plan to spend about 3 days.

I'm thinking that at this point, when I factor in bus journeys I will have spent 3 weeks.

I then would like to go to UYUNI to LA PAZ and from LA PAZ to MACCHU PICCHU.

All of my journeys will be by bus as I understand this to be the cheapest form of travel.

I would then like to travel from MACCHU PICCHU to QUITO where I hope to have the funds to splash out on a tour of the GALAPAGOS ISLANDS. If not, I will just hang out in quito for a week until my flight home.

OUTBOUND FLIGHT: QUITO - DUBLIN

I know that most of this isn't that detailed and thats because I'm really only sitting down to plan it now. I aim to go around the 15th June.

If people think this is too adventurous time wise or would like to suggest alternative sights/things not worth seeing, please let me know - I'd be delighted of the advice

P

themacman

I like it, your plan looks pretty good. Don't try to over plan it, just have a general idea of how far along your route you should be - I can't stress this enough.

Buses in Argentina are a little pricey compared to the rest of the continent, but those internet prices are ridiculous. Just book your next bus through your hostels as you move along.

A couple of things jumping out at me-
-You wont need that long in Iguazu, unless your'e resting off the jetlag.
-IIRC you wont get from Mendoza to San Pedro in one go, stop off somewhere like Salta.
-If you have time, go from Uyuni to Potosi and visit the mines. One of the highlights of SA for me. But it is tough going and I wouldn't do it again
-Consider stopping at Copacabana (Lake Titicaca) en route from La Paz to Machu Picchu.
-Machu Picchu to Quito is a huge distance. You will need to stop off a couple of times in Peru. Lima/Mancora.
-Quito for me was a bit dodge. I wouldn't dedicate more than a day or two to it.

Anotherducky

Fair play - you'll have an unbelievable time. For the bus situation in Argentina use this website www.argentinabybus.com. I got 5 pretty long bus trips for about €160 through this and it would have cost way more buying them individually. No problems with the service either as long as you book 24 hours in advance. Don't bother with the international pass - waaay more expensive than buses outside Argentina.

This mightn't be up your street but when I was in the salt flats I met this English lad who was setting up his own company doing the salt flats tour on motorbikes. Wasn't up and running yet when I was there but he was a sound lad and id say it would be a great tour (he told me he used to work for gravity mountain biking in la Paz and I checked him out with them when I did death road and they said he was legit). If I was back I'd defo do it this way but either way its a great tour and well worth the three days.

Would love to go back getting depressed writing this!

dory

peanuthead wrote: »

INBOUND FLIGHT: Dublin - Iguazu

IGUAZU
I'm going to spend about 3 days, 4 max here, see the falls.

Bus journey to BUENOS AIRES then, coming in at about $500 online.

Don't book that $500 bus! Book it when you're there (or using the website suggested above). As has been said 3-4 days in Iguzu would be a bit mad.

Have you booked your international flight? I'm just guessing that Dublin - Iguazu would be much more expensive that Dub - Sao Paulo.
Just checked Skyscanner there for 15th June - 18th August and Iguazu is €1300 and Sao Paulo is €695. But maybe with your multicity flight it's different. If not you could easily get an overnight bus from Sao Paulo to Iguazu.

Other than that I'd say just don't plan too much. Plan things you want to see and know how far apart everything is, but you might meet the coolest person ever and decide to travel with them for a few days even if it means compromising. I ended up in Argentina instead of Ecuador for Christmas one year just so I could spend it with some cool people and twas great fun!

Enjoy!

scoochJ

Sounds like a great trip!
Am working up the courage to book a similar trip for myself!

ellie2

Did a similar trip last year Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.
Stay in hostel inn iguazu, fab pool to get over the jet lag.
In mendoza we did a wine tour, think it was uncle hugos or something, free vino at the end, fab day out, didnt think there was too much else in mendoza to be honest.
We spent a couple of days in salta to be honest if you want to spend time in northern argentina hire a car and spend time in the north outside of salta it looked amazing as we passed through.
Not sure if you have time but I thought bariloche was one of the most amazing places on the trip. If your into the outdoors hiking and cycling some amazing spots around there. We were there in January though so weather could be a bit diff in June.
I thought arequipa and colca canyon in peru were pretty amazing aswell.
Near cuzco aswell ollantaytambo has fantastic inca ruins.
Peru and bolivia dirt cheap, argentina dearer than we expected, prices have gone up a lot in the past couple of years.
Get the night buses in argentina, save on a nights accomm, and they are super comfy.
Have an amazing time.

bungaro79

good advice from all above. i'd also say don't always bank on the bus journeys being on time (or even arrive at the right date, more so for the cheaper ones in peru/bolivia). we had a few journeys postponed because of strikes and weather

Meathlass

bungaro79 wrote: »

good advice from all above. i'd also say don't always bank on the bus journeys being on time (or even arrive at the right date, more so for the cheaper ones in peru/bolivia). we had a few journeys postponed because of strikes and weather

Also be aware that sometimes night buses can take longer routes so what you save on accommodation you lose on days. I'm not sure if it's still the case but the night bus from Cartagena to Medellin in Colombia took an extra 8 hours as it went a longer, safer route.

token101

Meathlass wrote: »

Also be aware that sometimes night buses can take longer routes so what you save on accommodation you lose on days. I'm not sure if it's still the case but the night bus from Cartagena to Medellin in Colombia took an extra 8 hours as it went a longer, safer route.

How much did that trip from Cartagena to Medellin cost if you don't mind me asking?

ck086

Oh, you're gonna have a great time! Definitely agree with themacman, don't over plan. You probably will want to stay longer/less time in some places so don't tie yourself in knots by having things booked weeks in advance.

Mendoza is fab, I loved it there but there's not loads to do except relax in the sun. Mr. Hugo is the wine tour guy - he's great fun, and you get as much free wine as you want!

Once you get into Uyuni, get straight out again, there's nothing there except the salt flats tour. Try and arrange your bus to leave the night you finish the tour. You might be tired but it'll save you a wasted day.

I didn't go to Potosi but anyone I've asked says it's a real eye-opener if you can handle it. Don't go if you're claustrophobic though.

If you end up with more time in Bolivia, Rurrenabaque (Amazon Jungle or Pampas tour) was one of the best things I've done in SA. It takes 3-4 days.

You'll definitely need to stop somewhere between Cusco and Quito unless you fly. You can get a bus with Cruz Del Sur straight from Lima to Guayaquil in Ecuador (26 hrs I think). But the buses are very comfy. In Guayaquil you can book the Galapagos too. You can arrange your return flight from the islands to bring you to Quito to get your flight home.

I'm in Peru at the moment, having come from Argentina, Chile and Bolivia. Next I'm making my way to Ecuador for the Galapagos so if you have any more questions, just ask!

Oh, also, LP is years behind Argentinian inflation. 20 hr bus rides are often in or around 500 pesos. I've met 2 other people who used the website above to buy a few tickets together and they also had no problems though. Wish I had known about it 2 months ago

Happy travels!

peanuthead

Hi All

So I'm back - long time since last post I know, but I've a much more solid plan now.

I almost decided not to go but changed my mind again and decided "no, I'm going to do this!" Ha!

So my departure date from Dublin, Ireland is 2nd July. I'm coming home August 11.

I arrive in Buenos Aires on 2nd also I think, then I have nothing else planned until 3rd of August where I will get an internal flight from Cuzco to Quito.

I will spend 6 days doing a trip of the Galapagos Islands before flying back to Quito to come home.

In my month before my internal flight I would like to fit in the following:

A one week language course in Buenos Aires
Iguazu Falls
Salt flats - maybe in Salta or would Bolivia be better?
La Paz
Macchu Picchu - I'm not trekking, I'm going to get a train up to see it

I don't seem to be able to get prices for a bus from Iguazu to Salta - I've been trying Andesmar but it won't give me a price. Does anyone know why?

Would I be better going to the salt flats in Bolivia or Salta? In terms of cost / travel / time

I would have liked to also visit Mendoza, but don't know if I'll have time, what do you think?

Will I need anti-malarials? It sort of concerns me that my doctor can't seem to give me an answer to this question - she says I have to further plan my route before she can tell me - but I can't plan more than I already have, I know I'll get a bus from Iguazu to either Salta or Uyuni (I think this is where Bolivian salt flats are - sorry if I seem like I don't know what I'm on about!) but thats all I do know just yet apart from knowing I'll also be in La Paz. I think I'll ask her to just give me a prescription for them anyway.

The shots I have already gotten are Yellow Fever and Hep A, I'm going back next week to get Tetanus/Diptheria and Typhoid.

Thanks for any further help/advice people can give me.

dory

Don't worry about the doctor. No Irish doctor has ever been able to tell me malaria stuff without looking up their chart. They don't deal with it often enough and the information is changing as different medications are suggested in different years (to avoid the mozzies getting resistant). Unless you're in the jungle you don't need malaria tablets (I think).

As for route - personally I would go in through Bolivia as I think it's an amazing country. You can go through Paraguay in a day, then Santa Cruz, Sucra, Tupiza up through the salt flats and on to La Paz. Also, it would be cheaper to spend you're time in Bolivia with Argentinian buses being more expensive (and luxurious). I went from Brazil through Paraguay, Bolivia and into Chile in three weeks so I think you could do it in two and a bit and then spend the rest of the time in Cuzco getting used to the altitude (you'll be dealing with it in Bolivia also which is good prep for the Inca Trail!).

Enjoy, have a great trip. I hope to be there next year.

macsauce

Im half Peruvian so im gonna put my bias out there from the beginning. I've just put together a 4 week trip around Peru leaving only a couple days after you. Like others have said 4 days at the falls is a little excessive and as accommodation can be a little pricey i think when you look at the cost of those extra nights versus the benefit you could spend that money elsewhere. A few "musts" for me would be to see Tiahuanaco on the Bolivian side of lake Titicaca, also if you spend a day in Puno on the Peruvian side check out the Uros Tribe who live on the floating islands, and maybe a day trip to the island of Taquile if you have time. Since you're going to see Machu Picchu im assuming you're going to spend some time in Cusco so be sure to check out the sacred valley/Ollantaytambo and visit the ruins around Cusco. Also worth a look are the Lines of Nazca and a plane ride over them was only about $150 but well worth it. If you're interested i can email you my itinerary for Peru and you can look up some of the sights. Have a great time, South America is amazing.

Daith

Hey there, sorry for hijacking your thread but your trip seems to be similar to mine though I'm doing it later.

Looking to start in either Argentina or Peru then work my way over from either side. Think I'll start in BA and a trip to the falls.

I definitely want to do Peru and Machu Picchu but I'm unsure what countries to see in between? Any recommendations? Also any suggestions for tour companies in the countries? I'll be doing this solo so don't mind additional help

I was looking at companies like G Adventures but I think they may charge too much compared to me researching more. Any thoughts?

Batigol309

Hey guys

Just got back to Ireland few days ago after a year RTW including last 4.5 months in South America.

First off its amazing....definitely make an effort to learn a bit of Spanish as it totally improves the experience.

Buses are ridiculously expensive in Argentina...in fairness they are comfortable and safe but ye they are going to eat into your budget. DO NOT book ahead..just turn up at bus station and book it there...you can bargain a bit too. Andesmar and Via Bariloche are two really good companies.

Few more points of advice:
- Dont use Lonely Planet as a guide for prices...personally I dont use LP but from other traveleres they said it was way off...you have to remember that the research is done in 2010 so they are 2 years off on most things...internet is your friend..Hostelbooker, tripAdvisor etc
- If you have the budget to fly in Argentina you will save a lot of time...its maybe only 60/70 Euro more expensive.
- For flights check cheapoair.com, you will pay almost double by going through offices of LAN, TAM etc.
- Try and break up your trip between Cordoba and San P...Salta as another poster said is cool...lots to do.
- For Machu Picchu trips unless you have your heart set on the original inca Trail just wait til you get to Cusco. I went around when I got there and got a 5 day Salkantay trk for $200..including food and entry to MP and train back. to but this into context its about $150 for train to and from and entry ticket if you wanted to only do a day trip.
- Menu Del Dia and Set Almuerzos are great cheap ways of getting well fed.
- If you really need to be somewhere for flight always leave yourself some time for buses....for example there are common strikes...I was stuck in Peru for 4 days in a miners strike.

Just be flexible and go with the flow....let the South AMericans laid back attitude rub off. Always better to speak to other bpackers people in hsotels etc and not let LP rule your trip.

If you have any other ques about S.Am let me know....wish i could go back already

Aspiration

The information on this thread has been so helpful!

Fair play to you for doing this alone. My boyfriend and I are heading off a few days before you. Our route at the moment is Lima - Nazca - Cusco - Arequipa - Puno. We're doing volunteer work in Arequipa for 10 weeks before we make our way towards Bolivia. We have 1 month to spend in Bolivia - Copacabana - La Paz - Potosi - Uyuni and then making our way down the Chilean coast to Santiago before flying to Sydney.

That's the general route so far but of course, we're open to all options after the volunteer work and everybody's advice has given us so many more ideas!

Honestly can't wait! Safe travels!