Anyone done tours through South America before?
Discussion
For my honeymoon next year, we're already planning what could be the trip of our life and so I want to make sure I get it right and I was hoping to get some recommendations from any PH travellers.
The plan is to spend four weeks in South America travelling through three countries and I was hoping to get some advice from anyone who's done something similar.
The first stop will be in Argentina, landing in Buenos Aires and then flying to Patagonia for a six day train tour.
After this, we're back again in Buenos Aires and then plan to set off to Peru to do a little exploring and of course to visit Machu Picchu.
However this is what we're not sure about. What is Peru like to visit? My other half mentioned visiting Brazil, but I'd like to stick to Spanish speaking countries where I can speak the native language. (I'm fluent in Spanish).
The final stop which cannot be changed is a visit to Colombia to visit my mum's side of the family and introduce my newly wed-to-be to everyone. We'll be in Bogota and Cali for a few days driving from one city to the next and then after a couple of days with everyone, we'll be off to Cartagena to relax for a week in the sun before jetting back home.
Like I said, we're a bit unsure with regards to the Peru part of the trip. My other half is not so keen on getting cold and too tired (and I had to really beg with her for the Patagonia train tour), so I need to do something very interesting for her that isn't too taxing.
Any recommendations?
The plan is to spend four weeks in South America travelling through three countries and I was hoping to get some advice from anyone who's done something similar.
The first stop will be in Argentina, landing in Buenos Aires and then flying to Patagonia for a six day train tour.
After this, we're back again in Buenos Aires and then plan to set off to Peru to do a little exploring and of course to visit Machu Picchu.
However this is what we're not sure about. What is Peru like to visit? My other half mentioned visiting Brazil, but I'd like to stick to Spanish speaking countries where I can speak the native language. (I'm fluent in Spanish).
The final stop which cannot be changed is a visit to Colombia to visit my mum's side of the family and introduce my newly wed-to-be to everyone. We'll be in Bogota and Cali for a few days driving from one city to the next and then after a couple of days with everyone, we'll be off to Cartagena to relax for a week in the sun before jetting back home.
Like I said, we're a bit unsure with regards to the Peru part of the trip. My other half is not so keen on getting cold and too tired (and I had to really beg with her for the Patagonia train tour), so I need to do something very interesting for her that isn't too taxing.
Any recommendations?
mechsympathy said:
What does she want to do? There are various ruins (as well as Macchu Picchu), lots of trekking, the Nasca Lines and Colca Canyon. A lot of it's at altitude, which makes walking around hard work if you're not acclimatised and out of the tourist centres accommodation is pretty basic.
Personally, I'd be more than up for trekking, but I don't think my other half would last the distance!!!Whilst my definition of exercise is a 60-80km mountain bike tour in the Alps, and running a half marathon, my fiancée likes to enjoy the leisure of a gym, swimming and yoga. She would like to see Machu Picchu, but I don't think she'd like to do much more trekking than that. So I need to think of sights and things to see rather than doing heavy walking at altitude for the whole week.
However, I could be wrong in that Machu Picchu could be a whole week in itself. Getting there, looking around and then of course returning to Lima.
Like I said, this bit is a little up in arms....
beanbag said:
However, I could be wrong in that Machu Picchu could be a whole week in itself. Getting there, looking around and then of course returning to Lima.
Cusco (the jump off point for Macchu Picchu) is nice enough, if quite touristy. There are other ruins (Sachsayhuaman) near by as well and it's be a good place to stay to get acclimatised. The trek to Macchu Picchu is very straight forward (2 days IIRC, and assuming no gut or altitude issues) but AFAIK they try to limit numbers now and have made porters compulsory (effectively a way to get more people employed) so you need to book in advance.The Colca Canyon and Nazca Lines are fairly close (ie a few hundred km) from Cusco so you could tie in a trip to one of those.
mechsympathy said:
beanbag said:
However, I could be wrong in that Machu Picchu could be a whole week in itself. Getting there, looking around and then of course returning to Lima.
Cusco (the jump off point for Macchu Picchu) is nice enough, if quite touristy. There are other ruins (Sachsayhuaman) near by as well and it's be a good place to stay to get acclimatised. The trek to Macchu Picchu is very straight forward (2 days IIRC, and assuming no gut or altitude issues) but AFAIK they try to limit numbers now and have made porters compulsory (effectively a way to get more people employed) so you need to book in advance.The Colca Canyon and Nazca Lines are fairly close (ie a few hundred km) from Cusco so you could tie in a trip to one of those.
beanbag said:
I'm taking that you've been before? What's it like in terms of altitude? I've done 3800m without any issues...
IIRC Cusco is at 3600m, the Machu Picchu trek gets to 4200 and the top of the Colca Canyon is over 5000. None of it is life threatening but if you fly in to Cusco you can expect a headache.I did a trip 6 years ago from Cali down into Ecuador, Peru, Biolivia, Chile, Argentina and then back to Santiago in Chile. Difficult to pick out highlights but Columbia is brilliant - it's like the rest of South America but without the tourists.
Inca Trail was a must for me, but then again I love hiking. Some very unfit people with us still managed it, so no worries there. It's definitely worth it if you do decide to go. I felt Cusco was a bit too commercial, but it is a handy base for lots of really good sites. A trip to Nazca is definitely worth it - you'll believe in aliens afterwards though.
Am now very jealous.
Inca Trail was a must for me, but then again I love hiking. Some very unfit people with us still managed it, so no worries there. It's definitely worth it if you do decide to go. I felt Cusco was a bit too commercial, but it is a handy base for lots of really good sites. A trip to Nazca is definitely worth it - you'll believe in aliens afterwards though.
Am now very jealous.
I went to Peru last year and did the Inca trail etc..... its definitely worth it as you get to see other ruins on the way and it gives you a great sense of achievement at the end.
As the others said the second day going up to 4200m is the only slightly taxing bit, you can get a porter to take your OH's bag if needs be. Saying that, they give you plenty of time and I saw people well into their fifties coping pretty well. Or you could just get a bus up there with all the Japanese tourists!!
Cusco is quite commercial but it does have a certain charm and there are plenty of decent things to do, places to eat etc etc.
Basically i'd say it was well worth a visit.... especially as you pretty much have to go past it on the way to Columbia.
Enjoy!
As the others said the second day going up to 4200m is the only slightly taxing bit, you can get a porter to take your OH's bag if needs be. Saying that, they give you plenty of time and I saw people well into their fifties coping pretty well. Or you could just get a bus up there with all the Japanese tourists!!
Cusco is quite commercial but it does have a certain charm and there are plenty of decent things to do, places to eat etc etc.
Basically i'd say it was well worth a visit.... especially as you pretty much have to go past it on the way to Columbia.
Enjoy!
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