I have 60 days in South America. What should I definitely not miss out on?

Question

I'm planning my trip and will be there from middle of March to middle of May. I want to start in Ecuador, make my way down the west side of the continent to Patagonia. Then come up the east side.

I definitely don't want to miss Machu Picchu and Patagonia. But what else are must see places?

Also, are there any tours you recommend? I'll be going by myself and would like to travel with tours in some areas.

Answer 1

Go to Quito, Ecuador.  See the Mitad del Mundo.  The middle of the Earth.  You have to take public transportation so it will definetly be an adventure.  The busses are dangerous so beware.

When you get to Cusco, Peru.  Stay at the Casa Ninos.  It is a great place to stay.  Clean and beautiful.  Make reservations.

Answer 2

More info please.  When will you be going and what type of things do you like / are you looking to do?  ie Do you like nature or cities?  Interested in seeing dessert type landscapes, alpine, snow, highlands, jungle, beaches...ect...  How much $ is in your budget?  Enough to fly often?  Enough to include a week in the Galapagos?  What is your level of comfort?  Do you need a 3 or higher star hotel or are hostals more your style?  Do you speak any spanish or Portugese?

Ok so all of these questions aside I will give some advice.  60 days is not enough time to the things along your itenerized route any justice.  My first suggestion to you would be to choose one region of S.America and concentrate your time there.  ie Southern Cone or Brasil or Bolivia and Peru or Ecuador and Peru or Venezuela and Colombia.  Being that you have so little time, if you have the money I would suggest flying when you can.  This is especialy true of the Southern cone route.  Bus rides while are relatively comfortable here are none-the-less extreamly long.  I once spent 41 hours on a single bus in Argentina (and in this time we only covered the southern half of the country)

Ecuador:  Do a week cruise of the Galapagos islands on a smaller boat (not more than 15 guest passengers max.)

Also check out Otavalo.

Peru:  As you said, Machu Picchu and Cusco, maybe Arequipa and then Lago Titicaca.

Bolivia:  Salar de Uyuni

Chile:  Torres del Paine (this depends on the time of year of course)

Argentina:  Buenos Aires, Iguacu Falls, Ushuaia, maybe Bariloche (lakes region), Antartic cruise if you've got the $.

Brasil:  Sorry I haven't been so can't give good info.

Venezuela:  Canaima and Salto Angel (Amazing place!), Merrida, Los Llanos, Islas Los Roques.

Colombia:  Cartagena, trekk to Ciudad Perdida in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Bogota (and include a trip out to the Salt Cathedrals near Bogota), Villa de Leva (near Tunja), Popayan.

Somewhere along the way I'd throw in a jungle trip either in Possibly in Ecuador, Peru or Brasil.

Ok so here is a list and it is hardly representative yet way, way more than one could accomplish in 60 days, even if he were flying everywhere and not sleeping...  and this does not even include a Brasil (which I'm sure warrents an entire 60 days or more itself)

So once again, I suggest you choose one reason and explore it better.

Also check out Lonelyplanet.com and it's Thorn Tree Post, South America branch for more info.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I am a retired senior living in the mid states and I like to do things I did years ago. I just am more careful and slower.in all I do. Your itinerary and passport is much in line with my plans. I plan traveling alone but I would like to see about some sharing. I hope to be with two other travelers who will at some point be in Santiago, Chile for a visit soon. I have a dear friend there I must see. Please Message me or email me if you have some ideas. I have even thought of shipping my car to Quito and driving south from there. Thanks for reading this.

Answer 4

Angel Falls,Amazon cruise !!

Answer 5

amazon in brazil, cuba, argentina, galapogas islands......

Answer 6

lol..go to the GOOD tours...and  and argentina....think u already metioned something about that

Answer 7

Bolivia Salt Flats by Uyuni

San Martin de Los Andes in Argentina

Puerto Montt in Chile

Glaciar Perito Moreno in Calafate, Argentina

Answer 8

doin a line of coke in columbia

Answer 9

YOUR SHOTS BEFORE YU GO..AND TAKE ANTI MALARIA TABLETS WITH YOU TOO

Answer 10

60 days down the west side to then go up the east side you are going to have to hustle. If you stay in hostels you will have the opportunity to meet many travelers like yourself.

  Becareful at the border crossing at Tumbes Peru. Try to have your ducks in a row or being you dont have a lot of time a good international bus is Ormeño http://www.grupo-ormeno.com/home.php

  You can fly into Cusco from Lima for about $90  then after your pilgrimage head towards lake Titicaca and La paz to salar de Uyuni. the gringo trail now takes you through Argentina rather than Chile because the costs are cheaper