Arrive Santiago - Leave 10 days later ... Where should we go?

[amaroo]

QFF has been kind enough to release 2 x J return seats to SCL (Santiago, Chile) for May 2016. We have 10 days, have never been to Chile or Sth America and would welcome your suggestions.

The brief - it's a special birthday trip for SWMBO, budget is wide open, willing to travel/fly once on the ground, we're fit able-bodied and up for anything kinda people ... keen for some luxury adventures.

Any and all suggestions welcome.

 

[dajop]

Torres Del Paine. Spectacular. Accessible via Punta Arenas. At the luxury end of the scale look at explora, Patagonia, Chile Luxury Hotel and Explorations. Gets reasonable reviews on tripadvisor, although we stayed elsewhere due to budget! Although not sure what the weather will be like, come May. We visited during March and had a coughpy day with rain and some snow up in higher reaches, followed by a spectacular day of sunshine and blue skies.


Also consider Atacama desert (although I haven't been there so can't endorse), explora hotels also has some luxury accommodation there too.

Of course if you use Chile as an entry point to South America, there are lots of possibilities within a few hours travel ... Macchu Picchu, Rio, Buenos Aires, Perito Mereno glacier, amazon etc etc....

 

[Mattg]

Great question. I would personally spend a couple of days in Chile, then fly to either Peru or Brazil. There's lots to see and do in Brazil and you could easily see 2 or 3 cities in a week.

But, I think it's hard to go past Peru and Machu Picchu. You could fly into Lima, spend 1 or 2 days there and then fly onwards to Cusco. Spend a few days in the Sacred Valley, and a couple of days at Machu Picchu (staying overnight in Aguas Calientes). I can hardly think of a better place to go in South America if it's your first trip!

Just to whet your appetite...

 

[Alanslegal]

Under two hours out of Santiago, you get to a coastal area called Varapaiso - I'd highly recommended a couple of nights there especially in May, when the weather starts to warm up

 

[RooFlyer]

Ten days eh? Willing to fly and with a wide-open budget eh? Special occasion? :mrgreen:

With those parameters, I can't go past recommending a cruise around the Galapagos (7 nights) although the challenge will be to match your (presumably fixed) flight dates with the cruise of your choice.

There are lots of boats to choose from - such as Aristotle Onassis' wedding present to Prince Rainier and Princess Graces' of Monaco the yacht MV Grace to a plethora of small catamarans and various other vessels. On the way to/from Ecuador, go via Iguassu Falls and stay at the Belmond on the Brazilian side.

I think you followed my trip report on these.

 

[snabbu]

Without a doubt a quick trip to Easter Island would be a no brainer if budget wasn't an option and spare days were a plenty.

 

[kpc]

Having been to Sth America 4 times, some of the suggestions I have include: Santiago itself, Easter island, Argentina (Buenos Aires + Iguazzu falls + Patagonia + Mendoza [wine]), Rio de Janeiro, and the 2 big ones, Galapagos Islands and Macchu Picchu...you will find that 10 days is not enough!

 

[dajop]

Under two hours out of Santiago, you get to a coastal area called Varapaiso - I'd highly recommended a couple of nights there especially in May, when the weather starts to warm up

Confused .... Valparaiso has about same latitude as Newcastle. So would have assumed it would be starting to cool down about then (although I guess day to day weather largely driven by what winds are coming off the pacific).

 

[Alanslegal]

Confused .... Valparaiso has about same latitude as Newcastle. So would have assumed it would be starting to cool down about then (although I guess day to day weather largely driven by what winds are coming off the pacific).

Woops sorry, brain freeze my bad Yes I remember wearing thermals during July when I was there lol

 

[bsb]

Depends on budget and what you like. BA is a great city, but if you like the outdoors, Chile has plenty to offer as per previous posts. And then there's Machu Picchu...one of my best travel experiences ever.

 

[amaroo]

Thanks to all that provided suggestions - they are all excellent.

I'll review a few TR's over the weekend and create a short list.

Thanks!

 

[amaroo]

Update. We've been fortunate that QFF have (again) released J award seats so that we can extend our stay by two days. Both flights over the pacific are 4 class birds, hopefully, they will stick and we remain in 1A/1K

After reviewing the excellent TR's over the weekend we've decided on the following... bookings are flexible.

The itinerary...

arrive SCL and transfer to Lima ... 1 night Lima
arrive Cusco and depart for Urubamba x 2 nights. Arrange guide to see the sights
arrive MP x 1 night at Belmond MP ... plan on two visits to MP
Take the BHB train to Cusco .... 2 nights in Cusco
fly to Titilaka ... 2 nights
fly to Lima ... 2 nights
fly to Santiago ... 1 night
fly home

Have booked hotels in - MP (Belmond), Urubamba (Tambo del Inka), Cusco (Palacio Nazarenas), Lake Titilaka (Titilaka)

Have decided to spend time in Lima as we'll more than likely be return visitors to SCL ... not sure what Lima has to offer, so this could easily change.

Welcome views/suggestions.

 

[opusman]

Sounds like a fun trip. I got almost wiped out by the altitude when I did MP/Cusco, so I'd recommend taking some tablets with you just in case.

And the food at the Belmond MP is spectacular, make sure you try the alpaca steak

 

[kpc]

Update. We've been fortunate that QFF have (again) released J award seats so that we can extend our stay by two days. Both flights over the pacific are 4 class birds, hopefully, they will stick and we remain in 1A/1K

After reviewing the excellent TR's over the weekend we've decided on the following... bookings are flexible.

The itinerary...

arrive SCL and transfer to Lima ... 1 night Lima
arrive Cusco and depart for Urubamba x 2 nights. Arrange guide to see the sights
arrive MP x 1 night at Belmond MP ... plan on two visits to MP
Take the BHB train to Cusco .... 2 nights in Cusco
fly to Titilaka ... 2 nights
fly to Lima ... 2 nights
fly to Santiago ... 1 night
fly home

Have booked hotels in - MP (Belmond), Urubamba (Tambo del Inka), Cusco (Palacio Nazarenas), Lake Titilaka (Titilaka)

Have decided to spend time in Lima as we'll more than likely be return visitors to SCL ... not sure what Lima has to offer, so this could easily change.

Welcome views/suggestions.

Are you going to climb Huanya Picchu?? If you are prone to altitude sickness, consider taking Diamox (a diuretic)...needs to be started a couple days prior, and you will be flying, so you will going to the loo often....that's why I didn't take them (to my downfall) but had brought them. Once you get altitude sickness, it is too late to take them....Lake Titicaca is even higher than Cusco . Make sure you visit Pisac in the Sacred Valley for the market and to visit the Pisac ruins. There are also the Ollantaytambo ruins to visit as well...we had great alpaca steak at Uchu Peruvian steakhouse in Cusco...

We only spent 1 night in Lima, and that was to catch up with a couple we had met previously in the Galapagos. Lima has some excellent restaurants, but the city is a bit of a dump IMHO....Lima airport is one of the worse airports I have been to.

You are not spending much time in Santiago but if you like wine, visit https://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.wain.cl/&prev=search which is a large wine shop selling Chilean wine, and you can taste ANY of the wine before buying ...I brought a few bottles back to Sydney but alas they are now all gone!

 

[RooFlyer]

Ha! I see you have my weakness - try to do it all .

Sorry to say this, after you have booked hotels, but if rooms are still available, I'd suggest you consider re-instating 2 nights at Belmond MP. The weather up there is quite changeable; having 2 nights or 1 full day and 2 part days either side gives you more opportunity for a clear day or half day. If the weather is perfect, you can have the luxury of not having to rush about! I'd cut a night in Lima to do this. Lima has a nice old city, but not that different from, say, Cuzco. Great Inca gold museum; but it can also be foggy! I had 4 days there on business some years ago, staying at hotel at Miraflores, on the seaside of Lima. It wasn't until the last morning that we actually saw the coast!

Edit: Even if the room for the second nigh at the Belmond at MP has gone, I'd suggest staying at Aguas Calientes (town at the foot of the road up) the second night. Then at least you have a full day on site (plus your arrival half day) and could catch an early train out. AC is worth a bit of a look in its own right.

 

[amaroo]

Ha! I see you have my weakness - try to do it all .

Sorry to say this, after you have booked hotels, but if rooms are still available, I'd suggest you consider re-instating 2 nights at Belmond MP. The weather up there is quite changeable; having 2 nights or 1 full day and 2 part days either side gives you more opportunity for a clear day or half day. If the weather is perfect, you can have the luxury of not having to rush about! I'd cut a night in Lima to do this. Lima has a nice old city, but not that different from, say, Cuzco. Great Inca gold museum; but it can also be foggy! I had 4 days there on business some years ago, staying at hotel at Miraflores, on the seaside of Lima. It wasn't until the last morning that we actually saw the coast!

Edit: Even if the room for the second nigh at the Belmond at MP has gone, I'd suggest staying at Aguas Calientes (town at the foot of the road up) the second night. Then at least you have a full day on site (plus your arrival half day) and could catch an early train out. AC is worth a bit of a look in its own right.

Your post has motivated me in trying to get another night released at Belmond MP. Our offer to change our 2 night stay at Tambo del Inka and move over to their Belmond Rio Sagrado property seems to have done the trick

Itinerary for the 12 day trip is now;
arrive SCL and transfer to Lima ... 1 night Lima
arrive Cusco and immediately depart for Sacred Valley x 2 nights at Belmond RS. Arrange guide to see the sights
arrive MP x 2 nights at Belmond MP ... plan on two/three visits to MP/HP and a trip down to checkout Aguas Calientes
Take the BHB train to Cusco .... 2 nights in Cusco at Belmond PN
fly to Titilaka ... 2 nights at Titilaka Lodge ... this place looks special! The Lodge | Titilaka - Lago Titicaca - Perú
fly to Lima ... 1 night
fly to Santiago ... 1 night
fly home

Yes, I'm still trying to see it all However, the flight times are not conducive for connections i.e, we can't get to Cusco on the first day and we need to get back to Santiago the night before departure.

We don't plan on returning to this part of Peru ... so we want to tick off the priorities in the one trip.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Looking forward to your trio report on this, as we are scheduling something similar for 2018 - gorillas in 2017 and next year is an R&R year (Port Douglas and Langkawi probably).

A friend ate recently at Astrid y Gaston in Lima and really enjoyed it - probably need to book in advance.

 

[RooFlyer]

Now that will be a trip worth doing! Lucky Mrs amaroo

 

[Deleted member]

Great question. I would personally spend a couple of days in Chile, then fly to either Peru or Brazil. There's lots to see and do in Brazil and you could easily see 2 or 3 cities in a week.

But, I think it's hard to go past Peru and Machu Picchu. You could fly into Lima, spend 1 or 2 days there and then fly onwards to Cusco. Spend a few days in the Sacred Valley, and a couple of days at Machu Picchu (staying overnight in Aguas Calientes). I can hardly think of a better place to go in South America if it's your first trip!

Just to whet your appetite...

View attachment 58822

just what level of fitness is required to visit Machu Picchu ? I have some knee problems but would love to visit one day preferably before the pension card kicks in

 

[kpc]

just what level of fitness is required to visit Machu Picchu ? I have some knee problems but would love to visit one day preferably before the pension card kicks in

There is a lot of stairs to climb...the more you want to see, the more stairs to climb (no lift or escalators! ). ..of course, there is the altitude to deal with which is independent of fitness...I would recommend going sooner rather than later