Trip itinerary suggestions...

[cajones]

I am glad to find you guys. I know this question is a tall order so let me give you the background info.

My wife and I are from SanDiego but are living in the coast of Ecuador for a year. We want to take a wandering trip in February. Thinking about a one way from Guayaquil to either Buenos Aires or Santiago and then just busing it. Wine country in chile or Argentina plus Patagonia to Buenoa Aires. After exploring all of that we might be short on time but we want to bus it (hopefully on a bed bus) to the Uyuni flats in Bolivia and then finishing it all up with the inca trail hike in Peru (I know its the tourist thing but we have to do it living so close.) So what I'm asking is for the best approach to getting it done. My wife and I are flexable travelers who want to keep it cheap and sweet so we can splurge occasionaly on the trip. She is Ecuadorian/American and speaks spanish while I am learning. Any help would be a huge help. We are not really sure where to begin having never been in that part of South America. Now Ecuador??? We are guru's. :) Thanks in advance!

[Marcos Wolff]

Hi there! I don't know how much time you have available for your trip, but this would be a good option for the order: Santiago de Chile, bus to Mendoza (6 to 8hs, several companies), bus to Bariloche (night bus, Andesmar)... From Bariloche you can visit the Chilean Lake district which is awesome as well, recommended if you have time... Once in Bariloche, you have diferent options...
1) Excursion along Route 40 to El Chalten, it is the cheapest way of doing it... It includes an overnight in Perito Moreno (not the Glacier, the town, close to the UNESCO Human Heritage Painted Caves). Then, you can stay in Chalten for ate least 2 nights if you wanna enjoy the treks available (no need to hire guide for the standard ones, the paths are easy to follow). From Chalten, 5-hour bus to El Calafate... You can spend 3 nights in Calafate and leave to Torres del Paine in Chile, there an excursion that leaves Calafate at 5am and reaches Lago Grey in Torres del Paine after a sightseen excursion in the Park, it is the best way to get there if you want to avoid taking a bus to Puerto Natales and a compulsory overnight there before taking another bus to Paine. Paine is great for trekking, let me know what type of experience you want and I can give you info about the options... From Paine bus to Natales (not much to do / see there, so go directly to Punta Arenas) and Punta Arenas. There are daily buses (except on Sundays) to Ushuaia, it takes more than 15 hours and the buses are not really comfortable, but it is the only option and the ride is nice. Now, from Ushuaia, take a plane either to Puerto Madryn (Peninsula Valdes, whales are there from May to December, in february you will be able to see penguins, orcas, sea lions and birds) or to Buenos Aires... Believe me that it does not worth busing from Ushuaia to madryn or Buenos Aires, if you compare $$$ and time spent you will realize of that, unless you are planning to visit something on the way north...
2) Bus from Bariloche to Puerto Madryn (10 hours, Andesmar)... and then, the same route but the other way round...
To visit Uyuni I higly recommend taking the 4WD excursion leaving from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile... it is about 100$ and includes all meals and 2 overnights in huts on the way along the desert and salt flats... Just remember that it's like an adventure, the huts are less than simple (no hot water), the weather is freezing at night and the excursion does not include english speaking guide (just the driver), you share the 4WD with other people (6 people total capacity)... Atacama worths a visit as well... How to get to Atacama? If you are in Buenos Aires, you can go to Santiago and then flight or bus to Calama, or you can go to Salta (Argentine NW) and the busing to Chile, Atacama is on the other side of the Andes... some helpful sites: www.interpatagonia.com / www.sanpedroatacama.com
Options are infinite,... hope this helps... :-)

[Richard Leon]

I read in your comment that the Inka Trail was the "Turist thing" , and in some way it is because it it full of tourists,, BUT it is simply amazing, I have done the Inka Trail 4 times and each time was with different people, different weather, etc and each time was the best.

I have done plenty of treks in Peru and the Inka Trail is by far the best. I have not up to date seen a single picture which makes justice to the amazin views during the treck. IT is just something a camera lens cant grasp.

Uyuni, now there is a great place also. I also had the fortune to visit there in 2004 and was the highlight of my trip. Getting there is rough but well worth it as you feel like you are in another World.. by far the oddest place I have been in my life.

In my last trip thru Peru, and Bolivia,, the highlights where Cuzco, Inka Trail & Machu Picchu, spending an overnight in Amantani Island in LAke Titikaka and Uyuni.

Hope this info help ...

[icesar]

I would recommend the Buenos Aires starting point rather than Santiago. It's an amazing city, and from there it will be easier to get to the Mendoza wine country and to patagonia, before continuing with your trip.