My husband and I are planning our first trip to South America after many years of European adventures. We're still roughing together an itinerary but think it will be Buenos Aires then Iguazu then Mendoza. From Mendoza we'd like to take the bus over/through the Andes to Santiago and to then come home from Santiago. We'll have two weeks or a little more for the trip.

Question is does snow ever impede that Mendoza/Santiago route in April or May? And if so, is our only alternative to fly back to
BA and then fly to Santiago (we think we are correct that in Argentina pretty much all flights are in and out of BA with no connections between other cities.)

Thanks for your help. I'm doing a lot of research here and through other sources but I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. We're quite excited about this new adventure!

Topping this for your Maggie - Sorry I can't help with your question, but this bus ride is spectacular. We took it (in Dec.) 11 years ago and it was one of the highlights of our trip.

I hope you can do this trip since we felt is was worth it.

MY

I believe there is going to be ok to travel Mendoza-santiaago by bus in Spring. It is a lovely trip, no food allowed from one country to the next, if you have a sandwich or two better eating before getting to customs.
Also it takes long to get through customs they are a little slow...

M,
Like MichelleY said, awesome. We paid 10.00 USD from Santiago to Mendoza (10 yrs ago) and the bus does make stops. I wish that we could have stayed several nights along the way.

Graziella: Wouldn't April/May be Fall?

Maggie - check the flights- it seemed like some in our group flew direct to Santiago.

Please report back.

MY

M,
You should have no problems. There are a number of co, that service this route. In fact we were on a "Greyhound" and only 3 pas. As for April/May, you will be fine.

You are right I got my cables (head ones) crossed but it would be fine Spring or Fall.