South America Suggestions - the usual, no budget, no time

Hello all,

This is my first post on TP. Have been reading quite a few threads of people with similar requests, most are already a few years old though and with the prices of flights having gone up the way they have Im hoping for some better overland travel options.

Im currently in Santiago and need to get to Trujillo in Peru for the 2nd week of January. My previous plan was to take the bus to Mendoza, stay a couple of days there, then on to Buenos Aires and after a few days to Iguazu - which should bring me to the end of December where I try and take a flight to Peru from the closest airport. However, the prices being as they are, I would almost spend the same amount of money that I did getting here from Europe just one way.

Route suggestions most welcome

Thanks!

Just re-reading my previous post, I think I may need to explain why Im heading east when wanting to go north. Mendoza and Buenos Aires were cities that I definitely wanted to see and spend some time in which is why I am heading there first. The question was how to I go north to Peru after having gone east ?

Thanks

Don't know whether you need visas - to go from Iguazu to Peru needs either Paraguay or Brazil and Bolivia - may cost more than a flight.