Two weeks in South America

MillField

Hi all,


Myself and a few friends are planning a trip to South America in June. We would all like to visit Peru and see Machu Picchu, but as to where else to go we're not sure.


We only have about 2 weeks so we won't be able to see a whole lot, but what would you recommend as a place to go after Peru?


Is it difficult to travel around South America? What would be the best places to fly in/out of? Are there any months that are a no go because of weather?



Thanks!

schemingbohemia

You could easily do the 2 weeks in Peru, would simplify things a lot. Have you been at altitude before? You should really give yourself a day or two at least in Cuzco to acclimatise before trekking to Machu Picchu.
If I had my time again i'd have looked around Lima a bit more. We did the Nasca lines, interesting enough. Went to Arrequipa too.

MillField

schemingbohemia wrote: »

You could easily do the 2 weeks in Peru, would simplify things a lot. Have you been at altitude before? You should really give yourself a day or two at least in Cuzco to acclimatise before trekking to Machu Picchu.
If I had my time again i'd have looked around Lima a bit more. We did the Nasca lines, interesting enough. Went to Arrequipa too.

We'll give ourselves good time in Peru for sure, but we would like to see one more country/city even if it's just for the final 3 days or so.


Is there a lot involved in the Machu Picchu trek?

solerina

Stay in Peru, its a huge country with loads to see....it needs 4-6 weeks alone without going to another country.
We did MP, we arrived at altitude on Monday started the trek the following Friday and were still feeling the affects of the altitude, the trek took 3 days...it was amazing. If you want to book onto the actual Inca trail you need to book now, it can only be done through a company that have representatives in Cuzco...passport numbers etc required. You can book various random unofficial trails when in Cuzco but none are the actual trail and all unofficial trails have you arriving in MP by train/bus, the real trail has you arriving at the Sun gate for sunrise....amazing experience !!
We booked our trail via G Adventures, I highly recommend them, local guides etc.

BobbyBobberson

You sound pretty determined to go elsewhere, if unsure go to Google Flights and type in Cusco or Lima in origin and then "South America" in destination and it gives you prices to elsewhere in South America. Might help you decide.

We flew from Lima to Bogota and had a great time in Colombia. We got night buses between cities but with your timetable it might not work. You could fly home from Bogota then.

Subcomandante Marcos

If you're going to be in the southern part of Peru anyway do La Paz for a few days if you really want to see another country while you're in the area. Flights are relatively cheap or you could hit Puno and Lake Titikaka first and bus across the border.

I'd just stay in Peru though to be honest, it's a massive country and getting around is less easy than you think. You're also going to have to factor in the altitude, at least some of you will have issues acclimatizing.
Drink the coca tea, it helps.

Tomw86

It does depend on what you're after after Cusco/MP.

Colombia I cannot recommend enough and it is an amazing country, whether you go to Bogota or Medellin or to the Northern Coast in Cartagena.

If you are looking for a beach trip after being the mountains then I cannot recommend Mancora (flight internally will be cheap and bus) in North Peru or Montanita, just over the border in Ecuador enough.
If you went to Montanita (via a flight and bus) you could spend the last day or two in Quito which is a vibrant, modern city with plenty to see and do also - Including the Equator which runs just outside the city - and fly out of here.

It really is a matter of choice but Ecuador was the country that definitely surprised me the most in my time spent over there.

Tomw86

Also to note, I found flights internally in countries are cheap, but across a border can get very expensive.

I would recommend bus travel, overnight, where you can and don't scrimp on it, go semi or full cama. (1st class essentially)

BobbyBobberson

Tomw86 wrote: »

Also to note, I found flights internally in countries are cheap, but across a border can get very expensive.

I would recommend bus travel, overnight, where you can and don't scrimp on it, go semi or full cama. (1st class essentially)

Yup, International flights are far more expensive than people realise. We booked Lima to Bogota return as it was cheaper than one way but did not take the return flight!

GreeBo

Regarding La Paz & Colombia, just be warned that I spent 6 weeks travelling around South America, 3 days of which were trapped in La Paz due to a strike.
When they strike they often barricade the roads out of the city and dont let tourist busses out.

We almost missed our MP hike due to this.

Other friends got a call to their hotel that their bus (due to leave in 2 days) was leaving in 30 minutes to avoid getting trapped.

Others again spent 10 days there the year before.


MP is amazing, but as above, you need to book it properly.

If you want to see much in 2 weeks you are going to have to take lots of internal flights as buses take hours to travel.
11 hours from La Paz to Cuzco for example.

We spent 4 days in the middle of the Amazon which was incredible, salar de uyuni is also great. (4 day jeep trek ending up staying in a hotel made out of salt)

Further South Argentina is amazing if you are into hiking/trails. Tierra Del Fuego is great.

With 2 weeks you will need to focus on 1 or 2 countries at most otherwise most of your trip and a lot of money will be spent travelling.