HT and Scar,

Is Iguazu Falls a RT from Buenos Aires, or can I continue on to Rio from there?

I don't know about the RT part, I know the airlines out of BA usually come back to BA .. but I don't know about this sort of flight.

You can fly to Rio from the Brazilian side of the Iguazú Falls, but you will need a visa.

Thank you, AV.

We are planning on going on to Tio, so will have our visas.

Am I correct that there is bus service between the Argentine and Brazilian side?

Yes, there's bus and you can also take a taxi.

Hey, Ira! I often read (and bookmark) your posts on the Europe board ... now it's my turn to share with you.

My husband and I (late 50s) spent just under three weeks in Peru this past February. It was our first visit to South America. We had a fantastic time ... I absolutely had no idea how much there was to see and do. The cultural experience was beyond anything I could have imagined.

We spent a few days at the beginning and end of our trip in Lima - actually Miraflores, which is probably where you will want to be. I know many people say to skip Lima, but we enjoyed our time there. We hired a private tour guide for a day-long tour of the city; well worth the time. We really loved strolling along the streets of Miraflores on our free days. Plenty of great restaurants and sidewalk cafes. One caveat, though ... it is my understanding that for much of the rest of the year the city is socked in with a gloomy pervasive fog.

If you are going to be in Peru for a week, it would seem to be a shame not to travel to Cusco and to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. The flight to Cusco from Lima is very short, and there is so much amazing culture and history in Cusco alone, I think you would love it.

We hired a private guide for the time we were in Cusco and Machu Picchu (also traveled with our guide south to Lake Titicaca) ... we used Vidal at Adventure Holidays Peru ... and we thought he was fantastic. We were easily able to customize our itinerary, choosing various levels of hotel accomodations, sites, length of tours. The price was reasonable, and Vidal (who is a native Cusco resident) was very smart and personable, with a great sense of the Inca history and culture.

I think Peru is probably one of the most interesting and unique places I have ever visited. It was especially interesting to me to see the "other side" of the history of European colonialism.

Hi scd,

Well, you have certainly re=whetted my apettite for Lima.

I think Lima is fine for a couple days, but not a week. Lots of people love it and it does have fabulous cerviche and good restaurants. Miraflores reminded us of the coast of California -- very pretty, high rocky coast with beautiful views. Basically there is a park and a big shopping mall in the main part of it. I agree with scd, if u do go to Peru, missing the SV and MP would be a shame.

Today's New York Times Travel section has an article "Buenos Aires Spotlights Its Cafes" that you may find interesting as you plan your trip.

Thanks, HT.

Saw it this morning.

I love BA but I also recommend a stop in Santiago. For that matter if you like the Andes and Malbec I would highly recommend at least a brief stop in Mendoza. You can fly from BA to Mendoza and then Mendoza on to Santiago. The flight from Mendoza to Santiago is a short but scenic hop over the spectacular Andes. Highly recommend LAN over other alternatives.

Thank you, ona.

I shall check that out.

I agree w scdreamer. I really would consider adding Cusco and the Sacred Valley, as well as Lima. I won't address BA since I've never been, just Lima and Santiago. I spent 2 nights in Lima and the same in Santiago, as well as 5 nights around Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

Santiago feels much Anglicized, Lima feels like a South American city, more chaotic. With Lima you'll have to be on guard against street crime (although from the stories I see here and on TA, it almost sounds as if Lima is safer!)

If you want to feel safe and comfortable, Santiago would be the choice. The food is good, but nowhere near as excellent as that in Peru (although they do have an outpost of Astrid and Gaston). There is a nice PreColumbian museum in Santiago, but it pales in comparison to the Larco museum in Lima. If you want to experience exceptional food and the Andean/Inka culture and ancient sites, Lima and Cusco are must-sees.

Thanks, ml.

I'm tilting toward Lima -->Cusco --> Lima --> Santiago --> Buenos Aires.

Sound better!

When you start to get into bookings, consider using LAN if you can, you may get a good deal on internal flights using their South American airpass.

Info is on their website under special offers.

Hi ml,

Thanks for the info. The SA pass looks as if it could be a bargain.

I came upon this thread by accident, but now that I am here, I will comment that I am quite surprised by the lack of mention that Ecuador is receiving. I would certainly advise a few days in Quito with the usual side trips from there by bus or car/driver. The view of the volcanoes alone place this area among the most scenic of those I have seen in South America.

I see no reason to visit Lima if you are not proceeding further to Cusco and sites beyond.. But having been to Lima only twice, for just a couple of days each time, perhaps I did not get the full flavor of the city. I agree that the food is excellent!

In BA, we liked the Claridge Hotel very much. By negotiating directly with the hotel, we got a very good rate on a week-long stay.

I would certainly agree with leaving Brazil for another time.

If u decide to go to Cusco, u may want to fly into Cusco and than travel directly to the SV as the altitude is considerably lower in SV than Cusco. Doing it this way will give u a chance to acclimate to the altitude. We loved Ollantaytambo in SV and took the train from there to MP. Cusco is a charming town too.

To take best advantage of the SA Airpass, you will want to use LAN for the international leg, booked as a LAN flight and not a codeshare!

I would like to see Ecuador next but Quito scares me...and I was fine with Lima...enlighten me...

Thanks for the additional help.