Thread: South America

more specifically Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador.

I've just booked my tickets for April and will be starting in Peru. I really want to do the Maachu Piichu just curious if anyone has done it, or the 4 day inca trail and what companies you went through, or if you saw it solo.

I am leaving my trip pretty wide open just want to back pack and see a lot of things. If anyone knows some stuff worth seeing let me know!

clearly, if you're going to Bolivia, you simply MUST buy a car from their online classifieds and take it for a drive on some o those awesome windy roads....

Haha, Top Gear ftw.

Never been to any of those places Spero; but enjoy.

All I'll say is: Be very aware of high altitudes... people who've never experienced it, will have a difficult time simply doing anything. Raging constant headaches depending on how long you stay in those areas' until you become used to it. 5000m above sea level is no joke.

Specifically for the area's? I'd say try Couchsurfing... not for places to stay, but for people to meet.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts and checking out your photos, Spero. I'm keen to venture out that way, too.

This year there's a possibility of revisiting Germany and/or Belgium, next year is a trip to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup, skiing and Sauv Blanc drinking, and then in 2012 I'll probably make good on that interest to visit South America.

I'd love to go to NZ too - if only for taking photos
Smuggle me into your luggage rec!

Only if you're wearing the penis suit. If we get busted by customs, I at least need there to be some entertainment value.

i did the 4-day hike with GAP but there are other companies that go all the time. So we had like a group of 10 people hiking 2 guides and a bunch of porters that do all the lugging of equipment. I'll post some pics that are in my facebook, have a look. only so many people are allowed permits on the trail so i suggest booking it before hand. You can catch the train up then to the city below it Aguas Calientes, then bus to Maachu Piichu and back or walk up to you.

photos from facebook
day2

p.s. chew coco leaves nom nom nom

Kagetsu - Couchsurfed pretty much all over the US & Canada best thing ever. Going to be hostelling mainly in SA but will do a little bit of couchsurfing. As for high altitudes been hangin in the rockies for the last four months, snowboarding etc so will be halfway there for South America. Im spending two weeks in LA though so I hope that I keep up with my tolerance anyway.

By the way great pics James

Agree with Sammy. José de San Martin and Simon Bolivar are probably the most important ones. O'Higgings liberated Chile with help of San Martin.