Any help/ideas/suggestions would be REALLY appreciated!

I'm traveling to Ecuador (Quito and the Galapagos Islands) for 4 months to study abroad as part of my graduate program. Once we finish some friends and I are headed to climb Machu Picchu.

We should finish MP on Dec 26th. Two of my friends are sticking around to explore Peru and flying out of Lima on Jan 3rd.

I want to backpack some, if possible (I'm into outdoor activities- backpacking, climbing, rafting, etc) and/or explore towns and cities as much as I can.

__My question:__

1) Should I stick with my two friends and travel around Peru a little? I heard mixed opinions about hiking the Inca trails in January so we are looking at a combo of hiking and exploring the towns/cities. Or should I head down to Chile by myself to trek one of the Torres del Paine Circuits which look stunningly beautiful but more costly/farther away?

Note: I'm a 25 yo female traveler from the US. I've traveled quite a bit before but never in South America. I don't speak too much Spanish yet but should be conversational by this time after studying the language and living with host families.

I need to be back in the US on the 7th of Jan so I have from the 26th of Dec - 7th of Jan.

I have to book a plane ticket asap so any thoughts, advice, or opinions would be MUCH help!

WIthout even knowing where in Peru u would be exploring I say got to TdP. I have been to Peru and just spent time in Chile this past Winter. TdP is absolutely gorgeous and nothing in Peru (outside MP) comes close to it. I dont think you need 12 days at TdP so u could explore some of Peru with your friends, but dont miss a chance to get to TdP.

weather2travel.com climate guides

Guaguiltagua.com Ecuador Peru is fine along the Gringo Trail

Rains a fair amount in the jungle and rails wash away to MP

Floods in Sacred Valley

TDP is quite scenic

Closer almost as good is Huaraz Like lodgings Caroline there

KUelap.org Gocta falls amazing and in Peru.

If u go to Chile u can save a lot of time and money flying Sky

Despegar.com

Love Peru and Ecuador Chile less Inkan heritage EXPENSIVE

Pretty though for my money Peru and Ecuador

Did Cotopaxi last fall and huaorani.com bellavistacloudforest.com

Had an awesome time.

I meant to add that Chile is more expensive than Peru and TdP because of its location no doubt is expensive. Sky is the way to go,but book directly with them
http://www.skyairline.cl/en/index.aspx

It does take a while to get all the way to TdP from Lima, (flights, plus ground transport). Consider if you really have enough time. It will be faster if you arrange a private transfer from Punta Arenas directly to TdP. If you want to hike to the towers I'd stay at Las Torres on arrival (their all inclusive includes transfers).

I haven't yet met a student who didn't wish they had left their return from a study abroad open. I think it is much to early to know what you'll want to do at the end of 4 months in Quito.

It's possible you might have a break and go to Machu Picchu in the middle of your studies, or have new friends that want to go to Rio.

If a one-way or open ended flight is too expensive, I'd book your main ticket with the return home out of Quito, or even Lima, on Jan 7. Whether you go to Peru or Chile, it probably isn't that much more to go back to Quito.