Is 2 months a feasible time-frame?

[DaveJ]

Dear Mark and all fellow South America aficionados!

Basically, I'm plannin my first trip to South America with my girlfriend - after many months of deliberation and, despite quite a short time-frame, We wouold like to see/experience/live a multitude of things. I've read quite a lot on the various countries but I would just like to know whether our plan is actually feasible in 2 months (with the possibility of two weeks extra)?

We're intending to go from July until the end of September 2010 due to studying commitments. We would start of in Buenos Aires and travel a 'loop' to Santiago and up Chile, taking in as much as possible - obviously depending on the time we have -, to Peru (Macchu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, Cuzco and Lima and Nazca lines if possible), Bolivia (possible Salar de Uyuni, Potosí, La Paz), through Paraguay (mainly just Asunción) towards Iguazu falls, onto BA once again (with a possible stop-off of in Montevideo, but, once again, I fear that time may restrict us somewhat).

It does seem quite a lot! We are both capable hispanohablantes - one of the reasons for the trip is language practice - and thus communication would not be a problem. I am almost certain that this trip is only the beginning and will inspire us to return and perhaps do more 'worthwhile' activities than travelling! Thus, if need be, we could cut it down and explore more of the continent at a later date. I am keen not to spend the entire time travelling and not rush anything!

I would be grateful if anyone could give me some advice on this and I hope to be able to help others when I return!

Thank you,

David.

[Mark]

Hi David,

Don't forget distances are enormous in South America. Bus rides can take forever. Santiago has not much to offer. It's just a big city, ideal to make travel plans to either Patagonia in the South (highly recommended) or the Atacama desert in the North. Northern Chile is very barren. You'll have to cross the Atacama desert all the way to San Pedro de Atacama to travel to Bolivia. Not much to see here. Maybe traveling directly to Bolivia crossing Argentina's Salta is a possibility. You can enjoy the Train of the Clouds (Trén de Las Nubes). Read more here about highlights of Northern Argentina, Bolivia and Southern Peru

I personally think spending as much time as possible in both Bolivia and Peru is much more rewarding. Both Bolivia and Peru have so much to offer, they're also very traditional. Keep in mind that traveling from either Peru or Bolivia to Foz do Iguazu is going to take about 4 to 5 days overland.

Whatever you decide to do you'll have lots of fun. Keep us posted about your travel plans.

[DaveJ]

Hello Mark!

Thank you very much for the reply. Your advice has definitely been taken on board and we are now aiming to spend as much time as possibe in Peru and Bolivia and we'll leave out Santiago and the north of Chile. The Tren a Las Nubes does look fantastic and hopefully we'll be able to find a way to include the journey in our trip!

I am very grateful for your help, your enthusiasm for continent is evident and your website is the best for travel in South American (and South America in general) that I have found on the web, without a doubt!

Thank you once again,

we will keep you posted!

David.