From Buenos Aires to Santiago in 11 days? Route help please

Hello,

We have 11 days to get from Buenos Aires to Santiago
Where should I travel in those 11 days: Airplane saves time but it is expensive compared to buses (but these are slow) - please Help!

I think the 4 possible options are:

1) Bus BA --> Mendoza -->Chile coast Valparaiso --> Santiago
Or
2) Bus/Fly BA --> Bariloche --> Travel north to Santiago (via Puerto Montt etc)
Or
3) Bus/Fly to Salta --> the San Pedro de Atacama --> Travel south to Santiago
Or
4) Puerto Madryn --> Bariloche --> Santiago (its 20 hrs bus from BA)

Very tough decision as we do not want to be rushed too much?
Where would you go North/South/West from BA with 11 days to get to Santiago???

Please help advise us,
Thank you

i WOULD FLY... IS THE BEST THING TO DO IS NO MORE THAN 200 USD. YOU WILL SPEND A LOT MOPRE IF YOPU STAR GOING ON TAXI FROM ONE TERMINAL TO OTHER PLANE TO BUS STATION BUS STATION TO PLANE AND FOOD AND ALL THESE THINGS. THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO TAKE PLANE THAT GOOES THOUGH BUENOS AIRES-CORDOBA-SANTINGO (LAN).

IF YOU WANT TO TRAVEL AND KNOW NEW PLACES YOU SHOULD STAY IN BUENOS AIRES AND OTHER DAYS IN SANTIAGO. BARICLOHE IS FAR AWAY FROMSANTIAGO AND FROM BUENOS AIRES TOO. Salta is like 1200km from buenos aires.

I dont know what are you expectatives.

msn and mail ---- alicata ( a ) gmail . com

It all depends to be honest.
The places you mention.Have you been to visit them before or do you only have the option to see one of them?

Personally all the places in Argentina you mention i really liked so if the option is only 1 then it depends what interests you.

As for Valparaiso i would seriously avoid at all costs.I was there for 2 nights to rest and split up my journey as i had lots of time but they were a waste of 2 nights i would of rather spent elsewhere.

And Santiago as well was another place i didnt like.I reckon i could see everything worth seeing there in 1 day.

Our only requirements are:

-To travel a route that goes from Buenos Aires to Santiago in 11 days.
-Not to spend too much money on flights but not to have too little time to spend in places due to long bus journeys.
-See spectacular sights (not cities as we will have seen Rio, Montevideo, BA) - we want to get away from cities a bit. (That is why maybe SP de atacama or South Chile would be right)

We need to know what route is realistic in 11 days,

Thanks for your help so far.

(If we had more than 11 days I think we would do buses everywhere as they are cheap but we do not mind spending a bit more on the odd flight to save time)

Ok after a bit more research I think it could be good to narrow it down to:

1) Fly from BA --> Salta, then bus to San Pedro De Atacama, then bus down to Santiago.

or

2) Fly to Bariloche and the travel up to Santiago

Both flights with LAN Chile are similar prices and less than £150 per person which seems to be good for South American flights!

Still not sure which route would be better for 11 days though.

How long would you need to spend at Salta (2-3days?) and San Pedro de Atacama?

Salta i was there for 4 nights which gives you 3 days to go on 2 tours and a walk around the city which has some amazing buildings which was about right.

San Pedro de Atacama i was there for 3 nights and went cycling the 2 days which was amazing.I travelled from Bolivia into San Pedro de Atacama,Chile where i went on a 3 day tour across the salt flats which was amazing.

Bariloche ive been to twice.The first time i stayed 4 nights/3 days.First day i went on a cycle ride then walking around the mountains where they ski.Then again a walk around the city.Its a nice place but given the choice i would rather visit Patagonia.
The 2nd time was just to relax after a long bus trip.

I would also seriously consider having a look around Buenos Aires.Its an amazing city and if you plan everything and head off early in the morning you really can see alot.If you need a hostel there Hostel Estoril is amazing.Federico the manager is an amazing guy and ive stayed there on and off for at least 2 months.

Thank you Reece & co. Helpful info.

We are leaning towards option 3) flying from BA to Salta then Bus to San Pedro (maybe 4x4 to Salt Flats) then back down on bus to Santiago. It is achievable in 11 days I think.

Do you think 2 nights is enough in Buenos Aires then (this is where our planned trip ends so we get some time there)

Thanks.

I loved Buenos Aires hence i stayed for at least 2 months.However reasons being i fell in love with a woman and the city.
Personally i would say its not enough but if your short on time then it will always be there in the future.
It depends on what time you arrive in BA.Generally 2 nights means 1 day of looking around unless you arrive very early and leave very late in the day.

Highlights for me were walking around the city to see the amazing buildings.Hostel Estoril have free maps with a fantastic circular route.
Looking around La Boca,Recoleta Cemetery,Tango show at night.

I reckon you could do all this in 2 days if you start early.

http://www.welcomeargentina.com/purmamarca/index_i.html

This place is fantastic for going on a tour from Salta.You get to see the 7 coloured mountain and get to go out to the Salt Flats.

Cheers Reece,

So you can go with a tour company from Salta to Purmamarca & the Salinas Grandes? (on a 1 day tour?)
Can you recommend a tour company & approximate price for this tour?

Do these salt flats compare with those in Bolivia? (It would be quicker than the 3 day jeep tour from San Pedro)

Thank you.