Trip ideas for 2 weeks in South America??
 

Hi everyone,

So I will be in South America this coming December, and I could really use some trip ideas. I will have roughly 13 days, departing from Rio de Janeiro on the 10th of December and returning to Brasilia on the 23rd. I'll be travelling with three other people, all in our early 20's, and our budget is flexible, although not too extravagant. We want a mix of adventure/hiking/etc, and more relaxed city sightseeing and culture. The only places we're not interested in are Brazil and Uruguay as we have already visited.

I would really appreciate some suggestions.

Do the Lakes Crossing in Argentina and Chile's adjacent narional parks. We traveled from Bariloche, Argentina to Puerto Varas, Chile. Beautiful scenery, volcanic mts., a combination of boats and shuttle buses.

Second Peru. Trekking around Cusco?Machu Picchu ; relaxed city and cultural life in Cusco and Lima,

!Buen viaje!

I would suggest Machu Picchu, Peru!

Bolivia would be my first choice. It has some superb hiking and adventure activities, Salar de Uyuni is one of the wonders of South America. Biking the death road is another popular activity. We did look at doing a 5 day bike ride from La Paz down to the Amazon basin but sadly never got around to it. It is also one of the cheapest countries on the continent. However, La Paz, though very interesting, does lack the cosmopolitan infrastructure of many other capital cities.

Peru has it all. It also has the well developed tourism infrastructure that will enable you to see and do a great deal within your 13 days. I would however avoid using any tour company (like the one above) that finds it necessary to flaunt the rules by advertising their service here.

December is not the greatest time for weather in the Andes in Bolivia or Peru so maybe Patagonia - southern Argentina and Chile would be a great, but relatively expensive option.

I think in early December I might still give Bolivia and Peru a shot. You might get some rain, of the thunderstorm variety especially afternoons and overnight. In the Salar de Uyuni the rain was the phantom type, didn't reach the ground. If it does rain, you'll have the benefit of those reflections on the Salar that everyone wants photos of! One benefit of December travel in the Andes is that it's warmer.

Allow a bit extra time for delays (well anytime you'll be in Bolivia that goes). And avoid night buses.