penguingal

Hi,

I'm plannign a 4-6 week trip to:

Argentina (Buenos Aires, Iguacu Falls)
Patagonia (Bariloche, Calafate)
Peru (Lima, Cusco, Macchu Picchu, Pisac)
Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Iguacu Falls)

and would like advice. Are there any other places that are interesting and en route that I've missed out?

I'm a value traveller and not a cheap traveller. If flying makes more sense for the increased cost, I would do that but I am aware that without time restrictions, any bus trips (scenic and comfortable) that I make also mean savings that can be ploughed back into a couple of days of longer stays in these beautiful places. Any advice on worthy bus trips to take?

Also in booking internal flights and hotels, do local tour agencies give cheaper rates? Any good ones to recommend?

Since I'm travelling these places, is there a regional pass that allows me to fly amongst these countries all for 1 price?

qwovadis

www.latinamericaforless.com

helped me a lot.

good for planning help even if you decide to DIY.

Visa issues usually with Brazil

also Yellow Fever jab/cert required for multi-country usually

4-6 weeks=10-15 days/GIANT country including travel time

not a lot of time

flying best...Airpass from folks like www.lan.com

might save but best to confer with a good agent.

In Peru deluxe bus www.cruzdelsur.com.pe VIP seats

makes sense to do the Gringo Trail Lima to MP

no flights to Paracas Nasca on the way to

Arequipa/Colca Canyon Titicaca

Generally on more upscale custom tours agents save.

penguingal

Thanks. That helps. I was thinking of a week in the Sacred Valley in Peru (with a day in Lima since forummers say there is nothing much to do there), 4-5 days in Buenos Aires, 3 days in Rio, and 5 days in Patagonia.

Aguadito

You can fly to Cusco
WWW.LANPERU.COM
WWW.STARPERU.COM ( CHEAPER ) It's a new airlinea and cheapeas one. WWW.PERUVIANAIRLNES to Cusco up January 1rst, 2010
or can by bus Cruz del sur.com.pe, it's leave daly at 16.30 p.m 22 hrs trip
WWW.PERUTOURISTINFORMATION.COM
You can go to Machupíccu from Ollantaytambo 1h30' I mean after Sacred Valey can catch the train at 16.00 p.m to Aguas Calientes so next day morning go to Machupicchu and see the Sunrise if time permited can go to Putukusi works to do it

penguingal

Thanks. Quick question - for flights between Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Lima, is it true that it might be cheaper to fly from US into each of these countries than directly?

eg. US - Rio - US - Lima etc.... a friend was saying that it might be cheaper just because distances within S America is huge....any thoughts?

mlgb

When you find out how much the visa/reciprocity fees are for Brazil, Argentina and Chile, you just might want to change your trip itinerary.

Brazil will screw you over the biggest, I think.

If you can enter Argentina or Chile without flying into Buenos Aires or Santiago, you may escape the fee.

Lima doesn't charge to enter, only charges $30 for international departure (airport tax).