I need some advice on planning a trip to South America?
My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to South America in May 2010. We will have about 16 days. We probably spend most of our time in Peru, but I like to go to Iguazu Falls in Argentina and a city in northern Chile called Iquique. In Peru we spend about 5 nights in Cusco and go to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca and then spend about 3 or 4 nights in the Amazon. I have spoken with a couple of travel agencies, but I really do not want anything too formal, I would be able to stay in hotels in my choice and my choice hiking too. Is it easy to reach and find your way back and plan their own travel and flight, or is it better that he planned to go out and make a packaging thing? Can someone who has gone before me to say what they did?
My boyfriend and I just returned from 3 months in South America, almost two of them spent in Chile inc Island Easter. I suppose it's easier to go with a structured package, but much more expensive and will not have much freedom. Personally, I like to plan my own, as is more choice. "I can ask, is there any particular reason you want to go to Iquique? I love all things de Chile (Chile, me hehe), but I'm not sure what is there, saying that, I've never been there (just the airport). My cousin went to earlier this year and said it was a beautiful oasis about an hour away from her. At the north end we went to Arica and San Pedro. The two beloved San Pedro, which was very touristy but is a beautiful small town, There are a lot of visits and you can even do the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia apartments from there. I will book your airline tickets in advance, as prices rise. Be warned, the flights in South Africa are very expensive! Much more expensive than here in Europe. Overall, I would like to book trips and excursions when you're there. I was going crazy before leaving as I wanted to get everything done, but that is not possible, if you book deal of flexibility when you're there. One thing however, if you want to do the Inca Trail which will be booked months in advance. I booked in November and we did in March, if you are interested in the way then I really recommend the company that we did http://www.sunriseperu.com/ I suggest (if not already) the Lonely Planet South America on a Shoestring …. Travelers is the Bible! Has so much information and help us a lot in reserve accommodation, excursions, etc. which is also used when searching tripadvisor accommodation. A lot of travelers and the hotel when they come to places, and this is possible when in many places is SA, but I was not comfortable with the idea further in my opinion, is a waste of time, especially if you're not going to stay long in one place. Please email if you have further questions …. for what know, we were: Peru – Cusco, Inca Trail, Arequipa. Bolivia – La Paz, Copacabana (Lake Titicaca to Sun Island), Salar de Uyuni tour. Chile – A little bit of everywhere! Good lucky! Edit: I totally agree with the voice of others, please do not try to fit too, is a shame and a complete waste that has to run to see a little of everything. I think it's much better to spend more time in fewer locations. He is also right in Iguazu is too far away, he tried to fit in, but it was just a nightmare trying to get transportation to / from Bolivia or Chile, so we had to give it a miss. Oh and one more thing, if you buy airline tickets with Aerosur, expect cancellations! That almost ruined our Inca Trail! Thank God for extra long trips to the coaches:). Good coach companies are Cruz del Sur Peru and, or Tur Bus and Pullman Bus in Chile.
AWESOME Iguazu Falls: Cataratas de Iguazu, Argentina