DiannaS

I am planning an adventure for the end of 2014 and am trying to choose between Torres del Paine and Fitz Roy. I would looove to do both but am a student and have a limited supply of cash. I have done some research and it seems that Chile is more expensive than Argentina, but how do the sites compare? I would like to do a hike where I can camp in a tent along the way, and I am not limited for time.

I am also interested in hearing about other hikes in S.America that may be cheaper and just as beautiful. I should mention this is my first time hiking/carrying my life on my back but am adventurous and would rather avoid hotels.

I am a young adult female initially going alone but hoping to meet people along the way.

Your advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Huentetu

Comparisons of cost aren't much help a year out. The Argentine economy could go in any direction in 12 months. At the moment both sides of Patagonia are expensive. You should look into airfares to get an idea of whether Buenos Aires or Santiago is the most economic destination from your home country. That can make a big difference in the total cost of your trip. Then look at what flights you would need in either country to put you where you want to be in Patagonia on that side of the border. For instance, there are flights from BA to El Calafate and then you can bus to El Chalten. In Chile you can bus to Puerto Montt and fly from there to Punta Arenas, bus to Puerto Natales (this saves on flying the whole way from Santiago).

As for which you might prefer, neither will disappoint.

thursdaysd

As Huentetu says, a lot may change between now and the end of the year, especially WRT to Argentina. Read the posts here about the "blue" exchange rate.

What is the rest of your itinerary? Note that the ferry between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales is back in service, but is now more expensive.

There is a recognized long distance hiking route in TdP, not sure that is the case for Fitz Roy.

DiannaS

Good point on how things may change between now and September (when I plan on leaving). As far as my itinerary goes, it is pretty much up in the air. I do know that after I do some type of hike I will be working on an organic farm for about nine months, not sure where though.

The main issue is that right now I can't get an accurate idea of what a round trip would cost to any of the countries I'm interested in as it's too far in advance. Anyone know a website that could search flights from Sept 2014 returning June 2015? I'm basically waiting to see what kind of flight deal I can get before going any further.... that may mean I need to wait before making further plans

thursdaysd

You can't buy tickets that far in advance. I forget the exact number, but I think it's around 330 days. You either wait until you're within the limit, or buy tickets with no/low change fees. The airfares may not change that much, it's the in-country costs that are more volatile.

Huentetu

So much depends on where you are coming from. Coming from the USA, a lot depends on whether you will have to connect to a hub within the USA or live near one. In other words, it is going to cost you more to fly if you live in Iowa than if you live in Miami. If coming from Europe, Buenos Aires is usually marginally cheaper than Santiago as a destination. Open jaw tickets, fly into one city and out another, are usually more expensive but then you may save a lot by not backtracking. Depending on your passport, you may have to pay a reciprocity fee in both Chile and Argentina. You have to pay it in advance to enter Argentina at any point but only pay it for Chile if flying into Santiago on an international flight. But you may not have to pay anything, it depends on your passport. In either you are going to have to take at least one internal flight to get to Patagonia. At the moment, neither country is a cheap destination. For that you need to go to Bolivia, Ecuador or Perú.

thursdaysd

Well, you don't HAVE to fly to get to Patagonia. It's just quicker and more comfortable. There are buses.

Huentetu

By the time you spend two days on a bus you will wish you had flown!

mlgb

What country are you coming from?

It is expensive to get to either one.

If you want to do a hike maybe Inca Trail would work out less, even though you pay to go with a guided group the airfare and overall costs may be far less, combine it with an excursion to Bolivia and the Salar de Uyuni.

thursdaysd

Lol. I flew south - BsAs to El Calafate, but I teaveled north overland. The longest I spent on a bus was one overnight from Pucon to Valparaiso, though, and I took a few weeks to do it.

DiannaS

Thanks so much for your input! It's so nice as this will be my first adventure where I know very little about what I'm going to be doing.

I'm flying from Ontario, Canada. However I may be able to drive to Minneapolis or Toronto if I could get a great deal.

I would be interested in hearing about other (equally as) fantastic destinations, basically I'm looking for something that is relatively "cheap" and that I can do camping along the way (a circuit route would work nicely).

mlgb

If you'd like to do your own research on price levels in Bolivia (probably the least expensive South American country, but it is a favorite of many), I'd recommend browsing the website of Kanoo Tours.

www.kanootours.com

mlgb

PS, Kanoo is a travel agency, they do not operate their own tours.

They have a section on trekking as well as the popular excursions like the Salar, jungle and the Death Road.

http://www.kanootours.com/ws/index.p...s-treking.html