Chile Travel Forum

This summer I'm going to be in South America for 5 1/2 months. Three months of that are going to be spent in Peru working on a project. I fly into Santiago, Chile and I want to go to Peru at a relaxed pace. I was planning on taking about a month to amble north through Chile but I've heard that skipping across the Andes to Argentina and going through there and Bolivia to Peru can be a better, more fun, and cheaper trip.

I don't want to take more than a month and a half getting to Peru because I would like to spend a month or so in Ecuador as well before I head off to Central America.

Anyone have any experinece with this route or thr countries involved? Reccomendations or suggestions?

Thanks
-Joe

Absolutly! Going overland is far more enjoyeable. I have no knowledge of Patagonia myself, but have heard first hand accounts of the ease of crossing between Argentina and Chile. From San Pedro de Atacama, in the Atacama desert in Chile you can take a 3 day tour across the Salar de Uyuni and Lagunas. it's one of the best trips in South America as it goes through one of the most scenic regions in the planet. The trip ends in Uyuni, from where you can venture into Boliva. May I suggest a visit to Potosi to do the mining tours, Sucre to see the white houses and architecture, La Paz for the tranquility, and Rurrenbaque (via de death road) to see some jungle action. From La Paz, you can grab a bus to Lake Titikaka (suggest you visit Copacabana in Bolivia and Puno in Peru). Once in Peru, you can head to Cusco, Arequipa, Nasca, Ica (definitly hit Huacachina), Pisco, and Lima. From Lima, take a detour to Huaraz if you're into treking as it's one of the trekking mecas in Sth America. Continuing north you'll end up in Ecuador, where I highly recommend you visit the Quilitoa Circuit.... check out my Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile poages for more details. I also have info on Central America as I did an overland trip from Texas (US) to the Atacama Desert overland via CA and the Andes.

suerte,
Fernando