Advice on Best Route

Hi, I'm gonna be travelling SA for 3 months at the end of December 2009, i'm in Rio fro NYE and fly out of santiago at the start of April. The main places i want to visit are Rion, Buenos Aires, North west Argentina, Bariloche, Salar de Uyuni, Machu Picchu as well as taking in some other areas close by to the ones i've mentioned. My problem is deciding whats the best way to go, do I go south to Buenos Aires after Rio, and then head North to eventually go South again to Santiago were I fly out of or do i head for Peru after i leave Rio and then south and do a loop from Buenos Aires to Santiago via Bariloche. Any advice on this would be great.

Shaun

anyone?

Sorry, didn't see this one.

The main place that is a bit of a nuisance regarding the trip is Bariloche/Santiago, as you have to either go back from Peru/Bolivia to Santiago. Or is you visit Bolivia/Peru first head south and do a return trip Bariloche basically from Santiago. But well, I guess you know that already

Maybe a point is the holidays of Argentinians which is from half December to January (maybe early February). If you want to avoid most of the crowds I would do it at the end of your trip as Bariloche weather is still agreeable in March (your last month) and most of the local crowds have gone to work again.

In that case, an option is (and I add some points of interest which you haven't mentioned):
Rio - Pantanal - Iguazu Falls - Buenos Aires (maybe side trip to Colonia in Uruguay) - Salta and northwest of Argentina - to Tupiza - taking a 3-4 day trip from Tupiza to the lakes and salar de Uyuni ending in Uyuni - La Paz - Lake Titicaca - Cuzco and Machu Picchu - Arequipa - Arica - San Pedro de Atacam and surroundings - Santiago - crossing the Andes to Mendoza - south to Bariloche - cross to Chile from there - north again to Santiago.

I think first month Rio to Bolivia, second month Bolivia/Peru and third month Chile and Bariloche is possible without rushing it too much.

On a side note: if you are able, check if it's possible to end in Buenos Aires. Somehow it's easier with the loop then.

Have fun!
Michael

[ Edit: Edited on 01-Aug-2009, at 08:35 by Utrecht ]

Thanks Michael, thats some great information there. Are there a lot of places to stay around the Pantanal and are they expensive? Its definitely one place i've thought about, i'm also now thinking of going as far south as Torres Del Paine but still not sure if its viable in the available time without rushing things too much.

Quoting finny7

Thanks Michael, thats some great information there. Are there a lot of places to stay around the Pantanal and are they expensive? Its definitely one place i've thought about, i'm also now thinking of going as far south as Torres Del Paine but still not sure if its viable in the available time without rushing things too much.

Well yes, especially from Corumba (near the border of Bolivia) are quite a few options to go on trips of several days and you can choose from camping/budget accommodation to more expensive ones. It's also convenient if you want to travel first to Bolivia, because you can cross from there and take the 'death' (don't worry) train to Santa Cruz from there.