RT2015

Hi there,

I am going to start with a confession. I am yet to do any valuable research on this and the idea was only recently put into my head. But I know from the Europe forums here that Fodorites are very helpful and that the best experts are those who live in the places I would love to go, who jump on here and offer advice.

I love to hike but I have not done a lot internationally, other that some safe treks in Europe on my own and one or two difficult day hikes in Canada, but with someone. So my first question is are there challenging but safe treks to do in Argentina/Chile, perhaps multi-day ones that do not require spending thousands on a tour company? I love the idea of Patagonia but I am not sure how safe it is to be there on my own?

My next question is would it be possible to plan a trip for around three weeks that included such a hike, some time in Buenos Aires and Santiago and/or anywhere else that Fodorites recommend? I don't want to rush in and out of places but would ideally like to see some of both countries if possible.

I would also love advice on the best time to go. Is summer crazy busy (I am sure that is a rhetorical question) and would it be better to go in spring or autumn - such as October/November or March? I am coming from Australia and can now go almost direct, via NZ, thanks to Air NZ flights and it's so much quicker than Europe or North America!

Thanks so much!

RT

thursdaysd

Torres del Paine has well worn multi-day trekking routes. You could start in BA, fly to El Calafate for the glaciers, bus to Chile, fly to and out of Santiago. I did a much longer Rio to Santiago trip, but didn't hike.

harrisonf

There are a couple of great areas in Patagonia including,

The Tierra del Fuego National Park
A great place to stay is Llao Llao Hotel and Resort near the Llao Llao Peninsula in Argentina. You can take a trip to the Los Glaciers National Park every day out of El Calafate.

These are a couple of great places you might want to consider.

tower

Llao Llao resort is handsome...(see pics)..here below are some Chilean pics which may trigger an idea or two for you.

tower

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ocheArgentina#

Amy

One additional thought is to visit Rapa Nui (Easter Island) on your way to or from; there is some great hiking there and it's a really special place. I also really enjoyed visiting the Atacama Desert in Chile, particularly the flamingo flights and the Tatooine-type landscape.

RT2015

Wow guys, thanks so much. I want to go now! Maybe I will swap my plans and do South America next year and Europe the year after (I just got back from my first Europe trip and am keen to head back for some more challenging hiking). Are all these routes safe and easy enough on your own?

Thanks again,
RT

RT2015

Also, is it possible to do all of this for under AUD$8000 (that' about US$6000)in three weeks? That's not including flights to and from Australia. And of course I will probably do a little bit of shopping (as long as I can store my luggage somewhere while I do a multi-day hike)!

Amy

This is from five years ago, so of course is outdated, but this trip to Chile and the Peruvian Amazon was under $5,000 for everything including airfare.

http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...rip-report.cfm

I love South America; I just got back from Nicaragua/Peru/Colombia. Prices are generally less than most of Europe, but of course prices vary depending on where you are.

RT2015

Thanks so much Amy. I am quite torn as to whether to go back to Europe next year or wait. The budget may help push South America further up the list. Do you know if it is expected to be more crowded than normal though because of the Olympics?

Amy

I'm not really sure if the Olympics will impact any of the rest of SA (other than Brazil) but I wouldn't think there would be noticeable crowds in Chile.

The exchange rate is better for Europe now than it's been for a while, but of course who knows by next year? In general, it can be pretty cheap to travel in South America and it's very rewarding in terms of nature, particularly. On the other hand, of course, there is a lot in Europe to see. For me, I tend to alternate Europe, Asia, and South America, with occasional forays into Africa and one awesome trip to Australia (including Outback camping in a swag.)

Happy planning whichever way; it's a good problem to have!

RT2015

Thanks Amy, yes indeed it is a good problem to have.

I am Australian, so exchange rates for me aren't great anywhere but it isn't that bad either really, other than the UK at the moment.

I will wait and decide in a couple of months I think, as long as I give myself enough time to get a good priced early bird fare it will be fine. I have read that Chile and parts of Argentina are among the most expensive in SA, but I imagine it will still be cheaper than some parts of Europe and UK. I did go to Spain and Italy just recently though and they were pretty cheap.

crellston

Everything is, of course relative to your home currency ( mine is the UK) but we found Argentina to be inexpensive compared with Chile and even more so if you used the "blue dollar" rate but with unofficial inflation at 25% + that could well change.

If it is trekking you are after, have a look at Peru or Bolivia. Costs are much lower than Chile and Argentina ( or Spain and Italy for that matter).

We didn't do much trekking on our last trip but have done so before. Here is a link to our blog of our 2013 trip which may provide some further ideas

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ai/6/tpod.html

RT2015

Thanks crellston. The reason I was looking at Argentina is because I really want to go to Buenos Aires and also because everyone I know who has gone to South America goes to the Incas and while it is beautiful, I guess I was just looking for something different and I love the look of the glaciers, and Iguazu Falls.

And yes I know this next bit is ridiculous, but as a solo traveller I am a little scared about Bolivia - and Columbia -, completely thanks to a book I read about a cocaine smuggler ... I don't plan to undertake any illegal activity but I guess I was just a little unsure about safety in the country in general! And I knew a Colombian who told me scary things about kidnappings etc ... Anyway, if I was travelling with someone (and I may end up doing so by the time it actually comes around) I would perhaps not be so unsure ...

Thanks,
RT