Itinerary - Peru, Bolivia, Argentina Query
 

Hi,

We are planning to travel to South America this September/October. We would like thoughts on how realistic our current itinerary is, as we trying to squeeze quite a lot in 3 weeks, see below:

1 - London to Lima (18:30)
2- Lima
3 - Lima
4 - Fly from Lima to Cusco
5 - Day trip to Machu Pichu (train) - It's been difficult to clarify if we can do this without going on the "luxury train"
6 - Cusco (overnight bus to Puno/Copacabana)
7 - Copcabana - day trip to Isla del Sol
8 - Copacabana to La Paz (Bus)
9 - La Paz
10 - La Paz
11 - La Paz (overnight bus to Uyuni)
12 - Salt Flats Day 1 - Is it realistic to think that we can jump on a tour after the overnight bus?
13 - Salt Flats Day 2
14 - Salt Flats Day 3 (Finishing at San Pedro de Atacama)
15 - San Pedro
16 - San Pedro
17 - San Pedro to Salta
18 - Salta
19 - Salta
20 - Salta to Buenos Aires (Flight)
21 - Buenos Aires
22 - Buenos Aires
23 - Buenos Aires
24 - Buenos Aires to London

I should also note that we like travelling at a fast passe, so moving around every couple of days doesn't bother us. Any thoughts from others that traveled in the area would be great.

Thanks in advance!

Rita & Steve

Your itinerary is entirely possible although it will certainly be be fast paced.
A few observations.

1. I think you are short changing Cusco and the Sacred Valley. It is not just about Machu Picchu. Cusco itself warrants at least a couple of days.
2. Have to considered allowing some time to acclimatise? It takes most people 2-3 days. Probably best done at the lower altitude of Ollantyatambo, rather than Cusco itself. I certainly wouldn't consider the overnight bus to Puno so soon after arriving at altitude.
3. It is easier to access MP from Ollantaytambo. For train info look at the Peru Rail site or http://www.seat61.com/Peru.htm#.VrD4CPDfWrV . It is possible to visit MP in a day getting the early train there and the late afternoon train back.
4. Our experience of the overnight bus to Copacabana wasn't great! If you can add a day or two consider the Inka Express tour bus - the scenery is amazing!
5. Personally I would consider omitting San Pedro and get to salta via Tupiza. Saving a couple of days could allow you to squeeze in Iguazu Falls - there are direct flights from Salta. Also, we were there in Sept a couple of years ago and the buses between salta and SPdeA didn't run for a week because the high passes were booked with snow!
6. I love Salta, but the main reason for going there is for the surrounding towns ( Cachi, Cafayate etc) rather than the city itself but two days just isn't enough. Perhaps think about just using it as a transit point and then utilising that time to go to Iguazu.
7. Most of the tours from Uyuni are timed to leave after the buses from La Paz arrive. So leaving on the same day shouldn't be a problem. Alternatively, these people are good and offer trips direct from La Paz via Sajama http://www.banjotours.com

Hope this helps a little. We are returning to the region around September time and have been researching a similar itinerary Who knows, we may bump into each other!

Thank you so much crellston!

You have made very relevant/useful points. It might be a good idea to drop San Pedro. We will revise our itinerary, might ask for your opinion again once we've done so.

Good luck with your planning!

By the way: Can I just ask why you suggested going via Tupiza? We were under the impression that going via San Pedro saved time.

If we decide not go to San Pedro, will it still be worth doing a 3 day tour of the Salt Flats? Is there a direct way from Uyuni to Tupiza via the Salt Flats?

You are very welcome sardinha.

I mentioned going via Tupiza for several reasons. The first time we went we actually got the tour from Tupiza with www.tupizatours.com ( La Torre Tours are another good operator there. The tours tend to be of a better quality than those from Uyuni itself and because they are doing the route in the opposite direction, the many sites are less crowded. Tupiza Tours now operate from Uyuni as well and will drop you off in Tupiza at the end ( a 4-5 hora drive).

To get from Tupiza to Salta you need to get a taxi or colectivo to Villazon (1.5 hours), cross the border to La Quiaca and then get the bus to Salta 4-5 hours.

I have almost decided that we wil get to Tupiza by flying from La Paz to Sucre spend a couple of days there and then get a taxi to Potosi (3 hours) spend a night there and then bus to Tupiza.

The other alternative is to get a taxi to Oruro from La Paz (3 hours) and then get the train to Tupiza vía Uyuni which only runs on certain days but which may work for you.

Ha vino done a couple of overnight trips on bolivian buses I am not keen to repeat the experience.

If you do drop San Pedro, it would be worth extending the Salar tour to 4 days - Don't drop it whatever you do!! It is one of the most amazing places I have ever visited. Some photos on our blog from our 2013 visit http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ai/6/tpod.html Entries 30 onwards

Hi! I've traveled backpacking through Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina, in a fast pace too, but I emphasize crellston's comment on adding more days to Cuzco. Maybe you can do that by cutting days off La Paz? are you visiting for any special reason? because I spent one night there and I HATED it. The only reason it would be worth going is to do 'El camino de la muerte', and even then one day is enough. La Isla del Sol was together with the Uyuni Salt Flat, the most amazing thing I've seen. I STRONGLY recommend spending the night there instead of Copacabana. And what you really should do is the following: leave your whole luggage (whether its a backpack or a suitcase) in Copacabana, take with you whatever you need for the night and following day and take the ferry to Isla del Sol. You will have to choose whether to arrive at the North part or South part. I recommend arriving at the South part, where you will have some long stairs to go up. No matter what, just keep going! You will have a spectacular view of the other side of the island (not the one you were climbing). Spend the night there, wake up early, and take the path all the way to the North part of the island. You will thank me for this. The views are more breathtaking step by step. its incredible. You will even see a small pier in which you can take a dip. The water of the North beach is incredible! So cold but SO pretty!! As you can see, I really loved LA Isla del Sol, and I am sure its impossible not to. If you are not convinced, let me send you a couple of pictures, that'll do it!
In Salta, I also agree with crellston, Cachi and Cafayate are a MUST. You can book a tour there (no need to do it in advance). We got a van which picked us up at 7am aprox, and took us there. The most amazing part is not actually the towns (Cachi and Cafayate) themselves, but the route going there. So make sure that whatever transport you take, makes several stops in the way!
Good luck with your trip!!! Its an unforgettable one for sure!
xx

Fly from Lima early in the morning and then transfer directly to Ollantaytambo. Visit the sites there. Then take one of the later trains to Aquas Caliente. Last Peru Rail Expedition service leaves at 9pm, but you can go a little early.

Next morning visit Machu Picchu early and spend most of day there and then return to Cusco.

Ollantaytambo, Aquas Caliente and Machu Picchu are all at significantly lower altitude than Cusco, so you are actually using this time to acclimate.

Thank you so much for your advice!

It's quite a bit to get our head around,so we'll do a bit more research and might have some more questions :)

Do you advise booking with Perurail & Salt Flats tour in advance?

Thanks again!

Not sure about Perurail, but the salt flats definitely not. When you get to Uyuni, there will be plenty of offers for the tours jumping at you, availability is never a problem, and they are sometimes so desperate you can get a really good price (always cheaper than online since online theres no negotiation possible)

Definitely book Peru Rail in advance. You may be ok but there is little point in risking not being able to get a seat. As mateonicola3 points out, is is easy and probably cheaper to get your Salar tour on arrival. I would however do plenty of research in advance as there are some very good and very bad operators there.

You can also check Inca Rail for the train to MP..same route, different company. I had to use them my second visit because I could not get Peru Rail website to accept my payment.