South America, 3 months itinerary, What not to miss?!?

Hi All,

I'm landing in Santiago on the back end of a RTW trip next and we fly out of rio de janeiro. Budget wise we have planned for 3 months in south america, hopefully more. I was wondering if anyone had any advise on routes? Budgets? What countries not to miss?

Although it is likely to change, we are currently planning on working up through Chile, then through bolivia for a bit then peru (machu pichu etc), then maybe flying (if cheap enough) to Sao paulo and spending some time working up the coast to rio before we fly home. I was wondering if this route is already realistic in 3 months or if we can extend it? I would love to also see ecuador and colombia ive heard is one not too miss but then it might cause problems getting to brazils coast from so up north in the region.

Any experience from other itinerary which have been done in only 3 months? or how long needed to spend in each country? what to see? costs? etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Dom

Hi Dom,

I guess with 3 months you'll have plenty of time to travel overland the total route.
Apart from domestic flights (especially in Brazil), flying in South America is not cheap.
What season are you going? If you go during November-March, you might visit the southern part of Chile or Argentina, although it's too much combined with the parts you mention you want to travel.

I would go north from Chile, but first travel into Peru and then make your way south/southeast through Bolivia, into northern Argentina and then make your way eastwards towards the Iguazu Falls, then north to the Pantanal and further east to Rio.

Cheers
Michael.

Hi Michael,

the approx months i'm likely to be spending around south america will be July-September which i know is likely to be winter in the southern parts which is trying to make us not to inclined to go too far south as coming from Asia i'm guessing we won't be too geared up for the cold weather.

With flights as well we know these are really expensive to fly around the region thats why we if possible can avoid as many flights as possible.

Hi,
I have just arrived at home after I have been traveling alone in Peru, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. In Guatemala and Honduras it was very cheap and the people in Guatemala countryside was very kind and helpful. Don´t stay in Guatemala city because there is a lot of crimes people who has been there told me.

Hi everybody,
I know it's an older thread, but just wondering if dlovallo1 completed the trip...What itinerary was the final one and what would you recommend? I'd be interested in spending 3 months in South America at the end of 2013 and started to look around for info and advice.

Cheers!