Machu Picchu & S America Planning + India?

[RooFlyer]

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Have you spent any time in northern Chile: Arica, Antofagasta, Iquique?

Only a long time ago. JohnM is the go-to guy and probably juddles.

 

[Milboo]

We had a quick look at the salt flats following previous suggestions. Now that we are looking at heading to La Pas we will have have another look.

How did you get there? And any suggestions on where to stay?

We never made it there in the end as we gave up Uyuni and Atacama when we secured very last minute places on a Galapagos cruise.

This was what we had been looking at! https://www.scottdunn.com/luxury-holidays/americas/south-america/bolivia/la-paz/airstream-uyuni

 

[JohnM]

Have you spent any time in northern Chile: Arica, Antofagasta, Iquique?

I thought the Atacama was great (see last TR link listed in my signature line below).

One thing to bear in mind is the big distances in Chile with the very elongated N-S orientation of the country (although the roads are very good). It really means that you need to do Chile in multiple chunks. Trying to see Patagonia and the Atacama in the one trip would be a major mission, requiring a lot of time.

Chile offers a lot of contrasting landscapes. It's a question of prioritising what you want to see and do and visit the region that best delivers what you want. The extreme S and the extreme N are the two parts that have blown my mind the most.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I thought the Atacama was great (see last TR link listed in my signature line below).

One thing to bear in mind is the big distances in Chile with the very elongated N-S orientation of the country (although the roads are very good). It really means that you need to do Chile in multiple chunks. Trying to see Patagonia and the Atacama in the one trip would be a major mission, requiring a lot of time.

Chile offers a lot of contrasting landscapes. It's a question of prioritising what you want to see and doAtacama and visit the region that best delivers what you want. The extreme S and the extreme N are the two parts that have blown my mind the most.

Thanks John,

I agree with your comments about the long distances from far south to far north. Given the time of year we will be visiting; late April/early May, I'm thinking we should concentrate on the north and save Southern Chile for another trip, if only because of weather/temperature considerations.

I've looked at your trip report on the Atacama and it does look interesting.

OTOH, do you have any favourite wineries within a day of SCL?

JV

 

[JohnM]

Thanks John,

I agree with your comments about the long distances from far south to far north. Given the time of year we will be visiting; late April/early May, I'm thinking we should concentrate on the north and save Southern Chile for another trip, if only because of weather/temperature considerations.

I've looked at your trip report on the Altacama and it does look interesting.

OTOH, do you have any favourite wineries within a day of SCL?

JV

That's sensible. Patagonia is very much a summer destination unless you want (severe, I imagine) snow sports.

The classic winery very close (c. 1h) to SCL is, of course, Casillero del Diablo (Cave of the Devil). While I wouldn't describe it as a 'favourite', it is the 2nd or 3rd largest wine company in the world, I believe. Their commercial-grade wines are readily available in Australia (Dans, Vintage Cellars, BWS) and are worth a try, and quite reasonable at the price point IMO (try the Sav Blanc - it's a bit different than what we typically think of - not so tropical-fruity. I rather like it). It's very commercial but a visit is worthwhile IMO. They have guided tours of the nice grounds and historic cellar, including a tasting, in English. The day I went, the English-speaking guide was very easy on the eye, too....

Make sure to visit Valparaiso if you are lingering around the central Chile area. If you're driving, go through the old town area for a bit of fun (it's on the slopes and has a few one-way streets).

There are also some lovely little seaside villages along the coast around Valparaiso that are worth a visit for a seafood lunch. I'd suggest staying in or near Valparaiso for a while if you are going to spend most of your time in the SCL region. You will need a car for ease of transport. SCL is nice enough but only good for a couple of days IMO.

 

[Straubs]

Two nights, with two full days (Tahiti flight leaves after midnight )and we thought that was OK, not having any specialist must-dos. I'll disagree a bit with Denali here, as I think a (private) tour would be beneficial. If you take yourself, all you'll see are moai and they might all look much the same whereas in detail, they aren't. We did two single day tours, just three of us and driver/guide and it worked well. You could get away with one day and take yourself for the second or third days.

If you go in May, arrange your accommodation early ...

Easter Island bit from a recent TR ... although if your miles are tight in the RTW, this will only exacerbate that 'problem' ?

Oh, in Peru and Chile look out for ceviche ... hope you'll love it. And pisco sours ... I've started making my own at home and they are a hit! (Having a lime tree covered in 'em helps)

RooFlyer we are ceviche lovers since our last trip to Melbourne where we tried a little South American restaurant - just an amazing taste. Planning a trip to MP and would hope to try more while in South America!

 

[Straubs]

Following this thread now also to help in planning our own trip in May 2018 ...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Following this thread now also to help in planning our own trip in May 2018 ...

Perhaps we'll bump into each other somewhere over there....

 

[Jacques Vert]

Apparently the severe water shortage in Bolivia continues and the locals are none too happy about it.

Smartraveller: [FONT=&quot]Community unrest and blockades have affected transport routes around Achacachi near Lake Titicaca, including roads to Copacabana.

[/FONT]Hopefully things will improve before May 2018.[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

 

[Straubs]

Perhaps we'll bump into each other somewhere over there....

Yes! Though with the thousands there at any one time ... probably not! I hope you have a fabulous time, and with J each way, you will at least arrive refreshed!
I, on the other hand, will probably sit slightly crooked for 16 hours, with my arms outstretched between Master 12 and Master 5 - as I try desperately to keep them slumbering.
I remember, on our last trip via Singapore with them: they both went off to sleep, so I tried to watch that movie with Amy Schumer in it (Trainwreck?).
Well, the opening scene had a bare male bottom in it ... immediately a voice goes off beside me: ` Mum, what are you watching?!!'

Still haven't seen it

 

[love_the_life]

Yes! Though with the thousands there at any one time ... probably not! I hope you have a fabulous time, and with J each way, you will at least arrive refreshed!
I, on the other hand, will probably sit slightly crooked for 16 hours, with my arms outstretched between Master 12 and Master 5 - as I try desperately to keep them slumbering.
I remember, on our last trip via Singapore with them: they both went off to sleep, so I tried to watch that movie with Amy Schumer in it (Trainwreck?).
Well, the opening scene had a bare male bottom in it ... immediately a voice goes off beside me: ` Mum, what are you watching?!!'

Still haven't seen it

Keep you eyes out on the way back planes fly well south to miss the winds and you might get a view of Antarctica. There were some great photos here somewhere. We loved MP and Cusco and the travel group we used was excellent (just the 2 of us with a private guide). They handled all the internal flights/transfers/accommodation etc so made it very easy. After MP and Amazon we went on to the Galapagos, booked separately though.Can't believe it was 5 years ago (a significant birthday trip).

 

[Jacques Vert]

I, on the other hand, will probably sit slightly crooked for 16 hours, with my arms outstretched between Master 12 and Master 5 - as I try desperately to keep them slumbering.

Been there, done that. I trust you get a little sleep.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thanks again to all for the great replies.

I've decided to split out the second part of our trip (India & Sri Lanka) to a separate thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....de/india-sri-lanka-planning-2018-a-84746.html

Feel free to continue to comment on ideas for Sth America on this thread.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Does anyone know if the (historic) train from Tacna to Arica is currently running?

 

[Jacques Vert]

So...when starting to plan this trip I was thinking that Award flights to/from SCL would be like hen's teeth; in fact, there has been a lot more availability than I thought and (from what I remember) from previous years.

In the past couple of days I have re-booked a substantial part of this trip. We now fly CFS-SYD-SCL-LIM without stopovers. Then by road to Ica, Huacachina & Nazca. Then back to Lima before flying to AQP (on points) and the Colca Canyon.

Then it's AQP-LIM-CUZ, also on points. We then head up to Lake Titi and La Pas before heading down to Arica by bus. A week and a half in northern Chile before flying to SCL and another week and a half around SCL before flying to AKL.

I've discovered that award flights in Sth America can save you some serious $ (assuming you have the points). For example:

1. LIM-AQP = 10k points + $A14.90 pp
2. ARI-SCL = 14k points + $A30.90
3. AQP-LIM-CUZ = 14k points + $A7.20

However, if you cross an international border the price goes up:

1. LPB-LIM = 14K points + $A115.15
2. ANF-LIM = 14K points + $A58.70

Works for us.

JV

 

[Jacques Vert]

You would have seen the cautions about getting out of Cuzco quick, going down the sacred valley and then returning to Cuzco to look around. How long are you planning at MP? If a quick-ish visit, my advice is to plan at least 2 trips, on different days. For instance, arrive noon-ish, go up, and then return up there next day. This spreads the risk of being if not 'rained out' then poor visibility. Here's the start of the Sacred Valley part of my 2015 TR on Sth America.

We will get a day or two's acclimatization in Arequipa/Colca Canyon before heading to CUZ; and then two nights in Oly, + one in A C before heading back to CUZ. Fingers crossed that neither of us have any issues.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I'd suggest having a look at Arequipa and the Colca Canyon while you're in Peru. You can get a bus tour to the Colca Canyon from Arequipa, usually involving an overnight stay somewhere near the canyon. It's also worth looking into a prescription for Acetazolamide as this helps minimise the effects of altitude sickness

I'm assuming you did this trip and did some acclimatizing in Arequipa first. If so,can I ask how long you spent in Arequipa before heading up to the canyon?

 

[Caversham04]

I'm assuming you did this trip and did some acclimatizing in Arequipa first. If so,can I ask how long you spent in Arequipa before heading up to the canyon?

A couple of days - more would probably help. Would recommend visiting the Santa Catalina Convent while you're in Arequipa. Can also recommend the Hostal La Hosteria if you're looking for somewhere to stay.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I've been looking at travel insurance for this trip.

Reading through the T & C's for Columbus Direct, I noticed that it mentions "hiking, trekking or camping above 2,500m", but there is no definition of hiking, trekking or camping. Having dealt with insurance companies previously, I decided to ask for clarification of this clause.

I pointed out that we would be visiting Machu Picchu and the Colca Canyon, travelling by bus/car and undertaking normal sightseeing activities. I was expecting that there would be some limit as to how far one could walk before it was considered a hike or trek. This is the answer I received:

Our underwriters have advised that Machu Picchu and Colca Canyon would be considered hiking as they require considerable amounts of off-road walking across country and climbing.

In terms of policy coverage, this would mean that sports pack B is required in order to be covered for these two events.

Problem is, Sports Pack B effectively doubles the premium!

Guess I'll be looking elsewhere. Something for others to watch out for.

 

[k_sheep]

Thanks for the info - I hadn't even considered that. Off to check my insurance!

I know to check for diving and snow sports, but hadn't thought about altitude.