We are planning a SA trip in 2010 for our 40th and are thinking of the following itinerary:
BA
BA to Iguazu Falls
BA to Bariloche
Cross Andes bus/boat trip to Santiago
Santiago
Easter Island

I saw a tour that included all of that except for the Iguazu Falls which we really want to see and we aren't really keen on group tours anyway. The airfare for all of that is quite expensive if we do it independently--are there cheaper alternatives, like tours out of each location instead of an overall tour? Has anyone done the cross Andes tour with Cruce Andino (apparently the only company that does that) and if so, where did you stay en route and why? If I get a good itinerary/deal my sister & BIL will come, too, so I want to find out if this is viable. They don't want to go to southern Patagonia--too cold and wet. By the way, while you are advising, which month would be good to do this where it wasn't too hot in BA/Santiago/Easter Island but not too cloudy/rainy in Bariloche? I think it will be hot in Iguazu regardless, right? I am a hot weather wimp living in Seattle, but like to travel to sunny places.
Thanks for any help anyone can give me!!
Sally in Seattle aka SnR and SnRSeattle

Oops, I should have checked the Chile part of the forum! Just found info on the lake/bus crossing, but would still appreciate any insights in addition and on the rest of the trip.
Thanks!
Sally

There is nothing on your list that you cannot do independently. Once in a location you can take local tours if you want.
Cruce Andino is a Chilean/Argentine consortium and the only ones who do the trip, so you won't do better than their price. I think it was US$171 pp last year. Staying overnight on the way adds to the already expensive trip as the options are one of two hotels and neither is cheap. If you do not stop the night, it is a long 8 hour day but most people do it in one go in the summer. The days are so long. Outside of summer you have to do it in two days, so check the dates you want.
Easter Island flights should be booked far in advance to get the best price. You can arrange tours when you are there.
November and December are good months. Not too hot and a bit off the main tourist season. March and April are usually alright but it depends how soon it gets cold and rainy in the lakes and that varies from year to year.

Thank you so much, Huentetu, for your excellent answer. Thanks for the tip on not staying overnight on the cross Andean trip--we might want to do some activity though, which would make it worth the stop. Thanks especially for the reccy of months that are not too hot! I'll keep reading.
Sally in Seattle

Some people do enjoy staying the night in Peulla. The Natura is the newer of the two hotels. There are a couple of nice waterfalls nearby and both hotels offer excursions.

Congrats on your 40th. Here is some info on the Lakes Crossing,
http://livinginpatagonia.com/?p=755

Feel free to contact me thru the blog for any Bariloche related questions, I live here full time.

Also, the Lakes crossing ends in Puerto Montt, so you would either need to fly or take a bus to Santiago.

Hi Sally! We had a great time in Easter Island in 2006 - here's a link to our blog - highly recommend our guide Josie

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...easter_island/

Best

Liz