I'm planning a trip to SA with a friend in July - we only have 6 weeks!! we're planning on flying into Rio from the UK does anyone have any ideas for an itinerary / what we need to see so we can get the most out of time we have???? x
How much can we see in 6 weeks????
Assuming you leave from Rio as well, this could be a route done in about 6 weeks.
Rio to Pantanal and on to Iguazu Falls, about 1 week
To Salta (argentina), around Salta and into Bolivia about 1 week
Altiplano tour in Bolivia (tupiza uyuni for example) and on to Lake Titicaca about 1 week
Cuzco, and Machu Picchu about 1 week.
Heading south again to Chile..san pedro de Atacama and on to Salta again across the Andes about 1 week.
Then heading towards Buenos Aires and through uruguay and the southcoast of Brazil to Rio, about 1 week.
There is so much to do. But I guess because it's winter in the south of the continent, I didn't fit in Patagonia in the itinerary. Pitty, because it's beautiful.
With the itinerary Utrecht suggests, you need a holiday to recover from your holiday. Honestly, that is a way too densely packed schedule, and would require meticulous planning, which imho takes the relaxation out of your trip.
It might help to determine first what kind of things you (mainly) want to do; beach and party, hiking and outdoor, indigenous culture? If it's culture you're going for, Brazil, Chile and Argentina are less obvious candidates; they áre, however, for outdoor freaks.
Unless you're a beach fanatic (Peruvian beaches suck, unless you're into surfing), I reckon that Peru and Bolivia would suit most people's taste, as they offer a decent mix of cultural things and a variety of outdoor possibilities. But flying in and out of Rio is a bit of a detour, then...
I'm trying to shed light on all aspects of a six-week trip here, that's obviously not gonna work. How about this schedule? It's all overland travel; responsible travellers should try to minimize their flying.
Week 1
into Rio
Week 2
Rio - Pantanal - Bolivia (this is quite 'adventurous', taking the train from Corumbà to Santa Cruz. Jungle-time!)
Week 3
Santa Cruz - Sucre (colonial capital) - Uyuni (salt plains)
Week 4
Uyuni - Salta (Argentina) - Buenos Aires
Week 5
Bs As
Week 6
Bs As - Iguazu - Rio
This way, you have some mix of jungle, plains, Andes, and culture. Alternatively, you could consider flying back from BsAs, which saves you the trip back up north and allows for more time in Argentina.
[ Edit: Edited on Jan 26, 2007, at 1:14 AM by bentivogli ]
Thanks for that!!
Do you have any suggestions on how we should get around, we have heard about an internal flight pass that you can book before you go????
As were only going to be there for 6 weeks we need to make sure were not on a bus for half of it!!
being on the bus (well, on the road) is what travelling's all about, isn't it? Flying is not recommendable for that reason, too; you won't have nearly as much opportunity to actually experience the countries you're visiting if you fly your way from one highlight to another. It's really not about seeing as much as you possibly can (that can be done much more efficiently just buying a book, or watching discovery channel), but about experience.
[quote=bentivogli]With the itinerary Utrecht suggests, you need a holiday to recover from your holiday. Honestly, that is a way too densely packed schedule, and would require meticulous planning, which imho takes the relaxation out of your trip. quote]
Are you serious Niels? And what about the other thread about the guy who wants to travel in two weeks from Lima to BA trought Cuzco, Machu Picchu to Santiao etc etc. That one was ok for you, and I thought it was packed. I mean, ok, you can have your thoughts and I have mine, but you don't need to be different per se man, that's pathetic. If you want to suggest your own itinerary that's ok, but don't critisize others too much. Or do you think your posts are objective information, that it have to be done that way?
[ Edit: Edited on Jan 26, 2007, at 1:40 AM by Utrecht ]
Didn't mean to offend you, Utrecht 
Can't remember the thread you mention, but apparently I changed my mind since then (and no, obviously there is no such thing as an 'objective' itinerary, don't be ridiculous). The biggest problem with the itinerary you suggest is the Pantanal; it takes considerable time getting at the nice spots, away from Campo Grande, so a week is just not enough.
Ok, well, I thought from a couple of places there are lots of 3 day tours offered, but yeah, if you really want to explore in depth you need more time. Just check the other thread, that initial itinerary was so tight, by elvis something I don't no.
But sometimes it's nice as well to come home and be tired after a rough trip, isn't it?
Again - thank you!
We're trying to plan our trip knowing at the moment not a lot!! Any advice is always welcome!!
I've been searching posts for hours trying to figure out what the best way of getting around is, I totally take on board the point of getting the bus / train however does anyone feel that a plane trip or two would be needed considering the time have???