South America Itinerary

what the hell!

Hi guys I'm trying to put together a plan for 3 months in South America next February, March and April. I haven't been down that part of the world before and I can't get my head around it for some reason.

I was looking at focussing on Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia maybe. I would like to do Carnival in Rio too which is at the end of February. So maybe Ecuador first and then fly to Rio for a week and then back to Peru and do Bolivia too?

If anyone had any ideas or have done something like it before I'd be very grateful! Thanks.

absolutegroove

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058360094/south-america-itinerary

I did Rio to Lima by Bus (with one internal fight in Bolivia)

I would also recommend Bolivia (the salt flats were amazing)

If I was you I would either start in Ecuador and end in Rio or the other way round.

International flights in some South American countries can be expensive for foreigners (I took a Domestic flight in Argentina and was shocked by the price)

Plan as much you can but also give yourself time to change your plans as you might want to do other things there.

I loved it by bus but every now and again it was hectic.

I had no Portuguese or Spanish but I got on ok (learn the basic words) and be prepared to haggle.

Are you male or female (if you are female then try to join groups or other women travelling solo. Everyone does it)

You’ll have an amazing time whatever route you decide to take.

what the hell!

Nice one! I’m a 40 year old male so I’m happy enough doing it solo. Thanks for the tip on the flights- I would have assumed they were going to be cheap enough so I’ll have to get used to the buses maybe!

dory

Download the sample of Lonely planet South America from Amazon. The sample has the beginning of the book with the suggested itineraries and highlights. Or get the full book from the library. Try to get one of the flights that fly into one place and out of another. Maybe into Quito or Bogota and out of Lima or La Paz. Bolivia was a definite highlight for me. Most people seem to say Colombia was their favourite.

Sometimes internal flights are ok, so once you're over a border you might be able to fly within a country cheap enough. Lima → Cuzco for example. The international tend to be very expensive.

endofrainbow

I'd drop in to Trailfinders. I usually avoid travel agents like the plague, but with an itinerary like, they can be very useful.

wolfyboy555

I did 6 months in SA a few years ago and more or less did a month in 6 countries including some of the ones you've mentioned.

I'd highly recommend trying to get out to the Galapagos if you're in Ecuador. you can fly from Quito or Guayaquil. It can be done on a budget easily no need for fancy cruises. Cheap accomodation on each island. menu del dia everywhere and then you pay for the individual tours. These are expensive but 100% worth it.

If you're into hiking and into mountains there is some great hiking close to Huarez in Peru. Also there is Iquitos (requires an internal flight) where you can go into the Amazon. No need for Brazil for that. Obviously there is Cuzco and the Inca's which was fascinating. Wasn't a big fan of Lima personally.

As mentioned Salt Flats in Bolivia are great. You can link this into a trip to the Atacama desert in Chile. Amazing scenery. Loved Potosi (crazy high up on altitude with an even crazier mine you can visit) and Sucre also in Bolivia. La Paz is hectic but great too. Really loved Bolivia on my trip.

We took lots of internal buses as we were on a tight budget but you can travel more comfortable if you catch cheap airfares within each country.

Had zero Spanish when I arrived but you pick it up quite quickly. Start some Duolingo now to help. Overall it was an amazing experience.

what the hell!

Guys thanks a million for all the ideas. There are plenty of options obviously and different routes. I've booked bits with Trailfinders before so I might get on to them for an idea. Although I'm nearly too proud to let someone else do it for me! I'll head for the library and have a look at a Lonely Planet.