Travel Forums - Journeymemo.com

[Andi]

Hi,

My girlfriend and I are planning our 6 month trip around SA and are having a debate as to the best route to take.
Basically our initial flight is to Lima on the 10th of November. From here we are unsure if we should travel north or south. The main highlights of our tour are going to be the Inca Trail, Galapagos Islands, Angel Falls, Rio Carnival, Rain Forest Trek and Patagonia. We have already reserved our hostel for the carnival so we must be in Rio for the 20th of Feb.
Other than that our trip is very open we just need to know what the best route is.
We have looked at heading south into Ecuador then Columbia, then Venuezula then taking a boat down the amazon and working our way down to Rio but would this give us enough time to cover the rest of SA?
The other option is to head north through Boliva, Chile down into patagonia and then up through Brazil via the carnival.

Sorry for the essay and thank you for any help,

Chris and Natalie

[Andi]

Sorry just relised I confused north and south! but u get my jist!!
Chris

[Andi]

Apart from the amount of time, I would first go south towards Patagonia as the summer months of November to March are the best to visit.
Of course it is still possible to travel to Patagonia after Rio but I would go there immediately after and as a result means a flight or two which is not really what I would recommend when you have months to spare.
I guess a route through southern Peru, down to Bolivia and into Argentina (Salta, Mendoza) and than further to the lake district when you are technically in Patagonia.

[tony]

Nice trip

[IanStone]

I believe rainy season at Machu Pichu is in January, so it makes sense to see it first. Patagonia is best visited in January, but you won't be alone. Perhaps working your way to Patagonia for Christmas and then to Buenos Aires before going to Rio. You could then do the Amazon , Venezuela and Colombia.

Thats a lot of traveling and I think you should fly over the boring parts. I would suggest a flight somewhere in the Amazon. I have not done it all in boat, but I here it can get a bit dull. A couple of days should be enough. Another suggestion is flying from Ushuaia to BA as the Atlantic coast of Patagonia is dull: