Please comment on itinerary feasibility
 

I will be going this May 4th, 2008.
Here is a tenative schedule. I have some noted questions about driving time between BA and Mendoza. Looking forward to your comments.
May 4 - Arrive Lima, Peru
May 5 – tour Lima, museum
May 6 - Cusco and City tour
May 7 - Machupichu
May 8 - Sacred Valley
May 19 - Return to Lima and fly to Buenos Aires
May 10 - Tour BA
May 11 - Tour BA – art markets
May 12 - ferry to Colonia and the Delta, or Uraguay or Montevideo, Uraguay
May 13 - fly to Iguaza Falls
May 14- explore falls and take taxi to Brazil side of falls
May 15 – fly to Salta or back to BA – How long a drive to Mendoza?
May 16 – tour one of the above areas
May 17 – tour BA
May 18 –tour BA and leave for home
May 19 – does one more day make a difference?

I would "do" fewer places.

Flying from Iguazú to Salta will just about take all day, because you have to do it through BA.

Iguazú to Mendoza is a LONG, LONG drive.

Flying from Iguazú to Salta will just about take all day, because you have to do it through BA - didn't know that, thanks for the information.

How long a drive from BA to Mendoza?

BA to Mendoza is from 10-12 hours, depending on any number of factors.

Honestly it seems an awfully packed couple of weeks, and really requires that all your travel goesabsolutely smoothly and without delays - something not count-on-able in South America. Some of the things would be near impossible - trying to fit in going to Colonia and a trip up the Delta in one day is probably not feasible for example; and if you're going to Montevideo, you're not likely to be coming back the same day (the ferry is nearly 4 hours each way...). I also think you're not giving much time to some places that really deserve spending time exploring - like Lima and Cusco, which each could take a few days to explore, though around Cusco you're hitting at least two of the highlights (keep in mind that the Macchu Pichu day is pretty much 5 a.m. to catch the train and you won't be back until about 11 p.m. - it's a packed, and exhausting day.

I really appreciate your honest response. With all that you said and assuming you have been to all the places that I have listed, what would you cut out of our trip?

You've convinced me - I won't try to fit Peru into this trip. Thanks for your comments.

Too much... The distacnes are long in Argentina, so imagine from LIma... I think you need moretime or a shorter itinerary.
Flintstones

Personally, I'd probably keep Peru - but maybe limit it to Cusco and the whole Macchu Pichu/Sacred Valley part - Lima may be more than you want to try to fit in, though, since you have to fly through Lima in and out, if you wanted to take a day there and simply do something like book a package half-day tour, it might be just an interesting glimpse of the city. In Argentina, given the time you've got, I'd probably stay in BA other than maybe pick just one outside spot for a 2-day side trip - Iguazu or Mendoza would get my vote - Salta's beautiful, but things that are truly interesting to explore aren't close together and take a fair amount of travel time - you really need several days to appreciate the area.

You would chose Mendoza over Salta? Is there more to see in the Mendoza area than wine country? We have decided to fly into BA and see Peru on another trip. Thank you for your advise.

Barabradavis, I feel you should leae PEru for a differnt trip. It is too much. I am doing that trail next August. Boliva-Peru- Bolivia.
I am very excited and got a map with details and the distance between Cuzco and Machu Pichu is not as it is shown in smaller maps. And remember you will be there at more than 3800 mts. You need a time to get used to the altitude. TAke care.
Flintstones

More than 10,000 ft!
I feel only Argentina needs more than the time you have for the whole itinerary.
But You can include the NW of Argentina, Salta and Jujuy province have a lot to show. Salt Flats, colourful mountians, good wines, perfect weather, and great food.
Consider at least four full days, you will not regret.
Angie

Angie,
We have decided to spend a total week in BA. We are renting a condo. I would like to either go to the falls or the NW for the remainder of the time. Does anyone have strong feelings about one or the other?

With the remainder of the time see the Northwest, lots of variety, lots to see. I went on several tours using the MOVITrack which i absolutely loved (also several private expeditions.) Use salta as base for your expeditions.