First of all does anyone know when Carnival takes place in 2012? Also, I'm thinking of starting my adventure in Manaus but hope to be in Salvador by Carnival. I want to travel by land and water through Brazil and go from Manaus to Salvador and then to Belo Horizonte which is where some good friends live. From there I hope to journey on to Rio or Sao Paolo and then to Iguassu Falls and on to Buenos Aires, possibly Bariloche, and eventually Ushaia, Argentina all by land as well. I already looked into flights so what I do need help with is looking into bus fares or other fares (ferry or riverboat?) to make this adventure a reality. I'm a 31 y.o. female that is strongly considering this journey alone. How safe is it? I hear Rio is dangerous but many also recommend that a trip to Brazil is incomplete without a stay in Rio. I'm thinking of staying in hostels or if that's not ideal budget hotels. I want to go on an adventure but hope I make it back home too!

Two sites for bus info in Argentina www.andesmar.com and
www.viabariloche.com.ar . The bus services aree excellent - v.comfortable, inexpensive and punctual. www.saexplores.,org has some good info for independent travellers and may be worth paying the $40 to join becsause of the discounts you will get on accomodation, restaurants , tours etc. You will also get access to the clubhouses around SA.

www.hostelworld.com www.hostelbookers.com and www.hihostel.com all offer excellent info an online booking for hostals and guesthouse. Again worth joining one of the hostelling organisations for the members discounts if you are spending a decent amount of time travelling.

We found Argentina to be very safe but did get lots of warnings re Brazil and I have a friend who had a bad experience in Rio a few years ago, but as we only spent a couple of days across the border in Foz de Iguazu,I wouldn't profess to be an expert. If you google most dangerous cities you will see that Rio often makes the lists but then so do a number of noth american cities - Detroit, St Louis. I am sure others will comment. Natuarally you should take all the usual sensible travel precautions and be careful which areas you venture into.

Here is another site for bus travel in Argentina. GThe sites Crellston linked are for specific companies; two of the best I might add. Omnilineas is more like Kayak, a site that provides information about all companies that travel to your desired destination.

http://www.omnilineas.com/

Rio is not an especially dangerous city , nor is most of the rest of the country if you exercise a modicum of common sense.

Buses in Brazil. http://www.antt.gov.br/

You do realise of course that it will be a lot more expensive travelling by bus than flying? It will also be a very, very long trip. Better to spend more time in places along the way than looking through the windows of a a bus in my opinion. Your holiday, your choice.

Thanks for all your replies. They've been especially helpful.

Carnaval 2012 will be18 february - saturday until 22nd february - wednesday