Je viens de faire le Salar il y a un mois et je voulais juste vous donner un conseil, que n'avons malheureusement pas trouvé dans le lonely mais qui est dans le petit futé (peut etre également sur ce site je n'ai pas eu le courage de lire toutes les discussions sur Uyuni) EVitez de visiter le Salar dans un circuit de trois jours et deux nuits en partant d'Uyuni et en revenant à Uyuni. VOus allez passer quelques heures dans le salar a proprement dit, et tout le reste dans des jeeps sur la route a manger de la poussière. Vous irez jusqu a la laguna verde a la frontiere du chili alors qu au moment de la voir , c a d le matin, elle sera vide donc c est completement inutile meme si la region est tres belle, vous allez voir plusieurs lagunes avec des flamands, je pense que une ca suffit et surtout vous allez avoir le deuxieme jour 9 heures de route, puis vous dormirez a zéro degré vous vous réveillerez a 4 heures du matin pour aller voir un geyser (si vous pouvez, ceux de san pedro sont beaucoup plus beaux, du cote chili) et le meme jour vous allez faire 13 heures de route. Si la route était gourdronné a la rigueur mais je peux vous dire que sur de l apiste vraiment dure dans des quatre quatre a manger de la poussière apres avoir passé une nuit difficile, 5 heures ca passe, 8 heures a la rigueur mais 13 heures c est du n importe quoi. Tous les touristes que nous avons rencontré ont pensé la meme chose que nous, le programme etait trop chargé (d ailleurs vraiment meme le chauffeur a la fin s endormait sur le volant et sortait des pistes ). Je vous conseille donc, dans la mesure du possible bien entendu, de faire soit deux jours une nuit, avec visite du salar, dormir dans un hotel de sel, visite d une lagune genre colorada pusi revenir a uyuni. DEuxieme option: faire dans ces cas la 4 ou 5 nuits et en passer une ou deux a san pedro, ca permet de couper la route (dans le circuit de trois jours deux nuits on passe a une demie heure de san pedro donc ca ne rajoute presque pas de route) et vous permet de voir de superbes geysers, le desert d atacama et surtout son ciel magique. Vous pourrez apres soit revenir a uyuni ( il y a des jeeps qui font san pedro a uyuni directement en une journée, se renseigner car a la frontiere il y en avait plein) soit aller vers santiago ou le perou si vote voyage peut encore vous le permettre.
POur les agences, nous sommes partis avec Olivo tours, tres bien, compter environ 50 euros par personne.
Merci de tes conseils dus à l'expérience.
Je devrais y aller cette année si j'en trouve le temps et cela me servira.
Nicole
Asso. Les Enfants d'Atacama (aide à la scolarisation dans les Andes Argentines- Prov. de Jujuy: San Juan de Quillaques; Puesto Sey et Huachichocana
Les sites pour jeter un oeil:
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/fal83http://brondy.free.fr
Hello,
J'ai fait le circuit que tu décris (celui à éviter) et ça reste le meilleur souvenir de mon voyage d'un mois au Pérou et en Bolivie.
Mais je confirme ce que tu dis, certains conditions de voyages sont difficiles.
A+
Mathieu.
Comme quoi tous les gouts sont dans la nature :) cela n est que mon avis, mais il est vrai que tous les voyageurs que nous avons rencontré sur la route vers la fin et a notre retour pensaient comme nous, et il faut croire que le petit futé aussi. Maintenant bien entendu que c est un voyage a faire, je me permets d'écrire ca juste au cas ou les voyageurs peuvent prendre plus de temps ou le faire en allant a san pedro, cela permet de plus profiter du voyage c'est tout:) bon séjour en Bolivie pour ceux qui y vont! :)
Hola
Pas du tout d'accord avec toi .....
Peut-être es-tu du genre "Voyage à le Japonnaise"
Nous avons choisi un tour de 3 jours et nous avons bien apprécié même de rouler sur pistes .... pour moi ce n'est pas poussiérieux .... chacun a ses propres critères de voyage .... et de confort
Nous nous sommes arrêtés où nous voulions pour prendre des photos et notre
chauffeur était très sympa et attentif !!!
Je n'ai pas eu l'impression de perdre mon temps ... Le spectacle est magique!!
Le silence à écouter .... moi j'aime bien ....devant les Lagunas et les sommets !!
Oui il fait froid la nuit mais nous le savions et dans notre propre duvet aucun soucis!
Pour les repas en plein air ... oui ...un peu de vent mais très supportable !!
Pour ma part j'ai préféré le Sud Lipez bien que le Salar soit étrange d'immensité.
Bon donc pour ceux qui ne connaissent pas .... je les encourage vivement à aller se faire leur propre opinion !!!
ha ha! je ne sais pas ce que tu veux dire par "voyage a la japonaise" mais bon tout ce que je sais c est que je fai sun tour du monde depuis huit mois en backpackeuse en dormant dans des auberges ou des yourtes a - 10 degrés ou a l leverest base camp a -15 je pense pas que ce soit ce que tu appelle un voyage a la japonaise:)
cela me fait rire car sur ce forum, il faut toujours dire que des choses positives sur tout:) ne jamais critiquer, ne jamais ne pas aimer, ne jamais ne pas recommander car sinon, on est jugé. si quelqu un a le malheur de dire qu il n a pas aimé l'Inde ou la Thailande par exemple, tout le monde va venir le juger au lieu de juste en discuter. Je concois tout a fait que toi tu aies aimé tes trois jours dans le salar et je ne te juge pas ni toi, ni ta facon de voyager pour autant. laissez donc les peronnes donner des conseils et des retour d experience si elles n ont pas aimé quelque chose sans les critiquer. c est fait pour ca un forum non? pour dire sn avis, meme s'il est différent des autres.:)
Même chose que Lapresse. Perso, j'ai adoré et comme toi j'ai préféré le sud lipez au salar.
C'est vrai que tous les gouts sont dans la nature. On aime ou on n'aime pas.
Bonjour
nous avions fait le Salar et le Sud Lipez il y a 7 ans en aller retour d Uyuni en 3 jour + 2 nuits supplementaires a la Laguna Verde pour gravir le Licancabur. Nous avions tellement aime ces paysages sauvages de haute altitude, que nous avons saisi l occasion d y retourner lors de notre actuel tour du monde.
Malheureusement nous avons ete choques par l assechement dramatique des lagunes. Il y a 7 ans toutes etaient differentes: les couleurs, les montagnes se refletaient dans les lagunas et les flamands roses etaient plus nombreux. Le spectacle etait grandiose, on n oubliera jamais et ce fut une magnifique excursion meme si les conditions de route et de logement n etaient pas top mais c est le desert.
Aujourd hui meme si la region reste belle, on est moins impressionne mais l excursion vaut quand meme la peine.
Pour eviter le long retour sur Uyuni on conseille de descendre ensuite sur San Pedro de Atacama ou de partir depuis Tupiza retour Uyuni.
Bon voyage a tous
Patrice
« Les vrais aventuriers, ne préviennent personne lorsqu'ils vont au bout de leur rêve, ce n’est pas pour les autres qu’on fait un voyage c’est pour soi »
Oui ... c'est vrai que d'une année à l'autre le niveau et les couleurs des Lagunas peuvent varier en fonction des précipitations ...
Mais pour l'instant la main de l'homme n'y est pour rien .... du moins les locaux
L'exploitation du lithium dans le Salar va peut-être changer le paysage .... donc
Allez y vite !!!
C B
Je vais faire d'ici deux/trois jiours cette excursion revee et j'espere bien qu'elle sera a la hauteur de mes reves justement.
Les voyages dans ces regions, et en particulier dans une zone comme celle-ci ont justement un aspect parfois difficile au niveau des transports ou des autres aspects materiels mais on peut presque dire que c'est un "package"...😉
Mais il est vrai par ailleurs que dans d'autres cas, selon les temperaments et pour des raisons differentes, certains reviennent decus par exemple des lignes de Nazca (j'ai beaucoup aime) et que pour moi le Canyon de Colca n'a pas ete une bonne experience du tout, les paysages oui, mais ca a ete tellement oblitere par le reste...
Je te souhaite un très beau voyage. Personnellement, j'ai trouvé le salar d'Uyuni et les lagunes vraiment magnifiques et surréelles, on est vraiment coupés du monde et pour moi c'est un incontournable. Je n'ai pas du tout été déçue. Je trouve juste domage que de trop vouloir en voir on est pris vers la fin par la fatigue donc je proposais juste un circuit adapté pour pouvoir en profiter pleinement. Encore une fois nous avons discuté avec pas mal de voyageurs très baroudeurs et tout le monde etait d accord pour dire que les paysages etaient sublimes, que c etait vraiment a faire mais peut etre juste differement pour éviter autant de route.
Profites en bien, tu vas voir c'est superbe, et prends ton appareil photo!
laissez donc les peronnes donner des conseils et des retour d experience si elles n ont pas aimé quelque chose sans les critiquer. c est fait pour ca un forum non? pour dire sn avis, meme s'il est différent des autres.:)
Bien sur....😉 et merci.
Ce qui me surprend c'est que d'autres personnes qui comme toi ont beaucoup aime les paysages, n'ont pas eprouve le meme probleme. On pourrait penser que c'est une question d'agence (etat de la voiture, chauffeur plus ou moins a la hauteur...) A ce sujet, le Guide du Routard met en garde contre les agences dont le materiel est hasardeux, en particulier les voitures.
Ils recommandent d'aller voir le listing des agences sur Ranking Bolivia. par exemple cette histoire du chauffeur qui s'endort presque fait peur. Est-il qualifie et/ou a-t-il reste avec des copains la veille au soir...? 🤪
combipat :
Pour eviter le long retour sur Uyuni on conseille de descendre ensuite sur San Pedro de Atacama ou de partir depuis Tupiza retour Uyun
tres interessant.... Je viens justement de demarrer une discussion a ce sujet. je suis a Arequipa et je voudrais savoir comment eviter de faire la boucle Uyuni-Uyuni. On n'a suggere de partir de Tupiza mais etant a Arequipa ca serait uhn grand detour pour y arriver. Qu'en Oensez-vous ?
je pars demain pour Uyuni depuis Santa Cruz, en avion vers Sucre et puis en bus de Sucre a potosi et de Potosi a Uyuni. Je compte faire le circuit de 3 jours / 2 nuits.
Je vous ferais savoir de mes impressions la semaine prochaine!
Si tu viens du Perou, j'imagine que le meilleur choix est de faire le trajet San Pedro-Uyuni. Ca évite la boucle et le dernier jour (4e) de route.
Le trajet Arica-Calama peut se faire facilement de nuit en car.
Je viens de passer 6 jours dans le sud bolivien, voici quelques conseils: - PARTIR de Tupiza!!!! charmante petite bourgade animée, tranquille, pittoresque.…
Après avoir posté plusieurs messages sur ce forum pour préparer mon voyage, je tenais à vous faire part de mon retour d'expérience de mon voyage en janvier…
Juste un petit feedback a ceux qui le souhaitent sur le huayna potosi. Je l'ai monte il y a une semaine. Je ne suis pas un montagnard, c'est la premiere fois…
Aide humanitaire et bénévolat à l'étranger › Bolivie · 3 replies
Mon copain et moi projetons de travailler pour une ONG ou association locale en Bolivie, d'ici 1 mois et 1/2. Nous avons fait une pré-selection mais c'est…
Voici un retour d'expérience d'un voyage au Pérou - Bolivie à l'été 2013 (chuis un peu à la bourre!). Je vais me concentrer dans ce post à donner des infos…
Hi everyone,
We’re planning 40 days in Uruguay and Argentina in February and March, trying to avoid as much rain as possible.
We’re thinking of starting in Buenos Aires, then heading to Bariloche, and from there flying to Córdoba, Mendoza, or Salta. Maybe by bus or renting a car to explore each region.
Do you have any suggestions or tips for us? We love picturesque, historic cities and landscapes. As seasoned travelers, we’re used to planning our trips ourselves.
Thanks in advance!
Hello,
my wife and I will be in Cusco for a week in March 2027.
I’d like to organize the visit to the site on our own, combining the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
We’d leave Cusco on Day 1 to arrive at the site in the morning, then stay in Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo, and on Day 2 return to Cusco while visiting the Sacred Valley.
Is this doable?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hello,
We’re spending 3 weeks in Rio between February 20 and March 15, 2027, to visit our son and daughter-in-law. We’re thinking of one or two "escapes" from Rio—3-day trips to get away from the city (so not too far, max 3–4 hours by car or bus). We’re all ears for suggestions! We love beautiful nature and authentic experiences, not so much the touristy spots... even though those spots are often in beautiful places, we’d rather avoid them.
Thanks for your insights!
Catherine
Hello,
we’re arriving in Fortaleza on February 14, 2027, and planning to rent a car to drive to João Pessoa in two stages. We’ll leave from there on the 20th or 21st to head to Rio. Our questions:
- Which stop between Fortaleza and João Pessoa would be the most enjoyable?
- How long does it take to drive from Fortaleza to João Pessoa?
- Are there any easy hikes (no guide needed) around João Pessoa?
Thanks for all your replies—I’m hoping for lots!
Catherine
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip with my partner (no kids this time—thanks, Grandma!) for two weeks to celebrate her 40th birthday. I’ve been thinking about Chile. We’re looking at leaving around September 18, 2027, starting in the south and returning in early April.
Here’s what I had in mind:
8 nights in a van in the Lake District and the start of the Carretera Austral (up to the Chaitén area). We’re set to arrive in Puerto Montt around 2:00 PM. We don’t want to go too far south since we’re planning to explore the heart of Patagonia (Chile and Argentina) with the kids when they’re older. The idea is to spend 3 nights discovering the lakes (up to Cochamó) and 3 nights in Pumalín Park. I’ve also added two transition nights.
7 nights in the Atacama to experience another side of Chile (San Pedro), taking a domestic flight from Puerto Montt to Calama in the early afternoon. We’ll depart for France in the early evening from Santiago.
IMPORTANT NOTICE for those planning to take a bus to another city, state, or destination from Salvador!
Starting January 20, 2026, the intercity bus station Rodoviária is changing its address!
The Rodoviária is leaving the Iguatemi area and will now be located in ÁGUAS CLARAS (about twenty kilometers from downtown Salvador).
A brand-new station (the most modern in Brazil) has just been set up there, accessible by car/taxi/Uber/metro.
Allow for much more transfer time (especially during rush hours), so leave early if you're heading to Chapada Diamantina or other Brazilian cities by bus.
Remember, there are also private transfers (even French-speaking ones) that can take you directly from your hotel in Salvador to your hotel in Chapada. Sure, it’ll be more expensive, but you’ll save on transfer time and comfort.
Tropical greetings from Salvador,
@ivanbahiaguide
Loyal member of the French-Speaking Brazil Forums for over 15 years already 😊 🇧🇷
Hello,
We’re thinking of spending 1 month in Chile, maybe doing a loop?
From 12/23 to 01/22.
What are the must-see sights, given we’re more interested in the country’s cultural side than the beaches?
Thanks
Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to southern Chile in November. Here's our tentative itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Santiago, then a flight the next day to Balmaceda where we'll pick up a rental car to reach Coyhaique.
Day 3: Walk in the Coyhaique National Reserve, then continue to Puerto Chacabuco. Return to Coyhaique for the second night.
Day 4: Drive to Villa Cerro Castillo for a hike in the national park. Continue to Puerto Tranquilo and stay there for 3 nights.
Day 5: Boat tour on Laguna San Rafael.
Day 6: Day trip to Monte San Valentin Glacier.
Day 7: Excursion to the Marble Chapels, then drive to Puerto Guadal. We'll stay there for 3 nights.
Day 8: Walk along Lago Carrera and return to Puerto Guadal.
Day 9: Rio Baker Valley and, if possible, a glacier excursion.
Day 10: Drive to Cochrane and hike in Tamango National Reserve. We'll stay 2 nights in Cochrane.
Day 11: Walk in the Chacabuco Valley.
Day 12: Drive to Caleta Tortel. We'll stay there for 2 nights.
Day 13: Cruise in the Rio Baker delta.
Day 14: Return to Cochrane.
Day 15: Return to Balmaceda in two stages.
Day 16: Continue the return journey.
Day 17: Return the rental car and head back to Santiago.
After this, we're also planning to explore northern Santiago. I'll post about that part once I have a clearer idea of the route.
What do you think of this itinerary? Is it doable in 17 days?
Thanks in advance for your tips and recommendations.
martine
Hi everyone! So happy to be back on this forum—it’s packed with such useful info! 🙂 My husband and I are planning a 2.5-week self-drive trip to Colombia at the end of the year, including some domestic flights. My first question is: is it possible, easy, and safe to do a road trip in Colombia?
Below is our draft itinerary (with questions at each stop):
29/11: France → Colombia. Overnight in Bogotá.
30/11: Exploring Bogotá: La Candelaria and Montserrate.
01/12: Gold Museum (closed on Mondays). Drive to Zipaquirá (1.5 hrs) to visit the Salt Cathedral. Then drive to Villa de Leyva (3 hrs). Explore the town. Overnight in Villa de Leyva.
02/12: Return to Bogotá via Laguna de Guatavita (5 hrs). Is it worth the detour? Overnight in Bogotá.
03/12: Flight to Pereira. Drive to Salento. Overnight in Salento.
04/12: Cocora Valley (hike among the wax palms) followed by a drive around the area. Are there any waterfalls or other sights nearby?
05/12: Visit a coffee finca—any recommendations? Then explore the surroundings: Filandia, Manizales, waterfalls? Hot springs? Which ones?
06/12: Flight to Medellín.
07/12: Exploring Medellín: Centro, Plaza Botero, Comuna 13. How do you visit Comuna 13? Is it easy to get around Medellín? Metro? Buses?
08/12: Drive to Guatapé (2 hrs). Visit the town, stroll around the lake, then El Peñol. Overnight in Guatapé.
09/12: Return to Medellín.
10/12: Flight to Santa Marta. Drive to a hotel near Tayrona Park.
11/12: Tayrona—El Zaino entrance.
12/12: Tayrona—Palangana entrance, then Bahia Concha and Santa Marta. What do you think?
13/12: Drive to Minca (45 mins). Can we reach the village by car? Pozo Azul and Marinka waterfalls. Overnight in Minca (or back in Tayrona?).
14/12: Drive to Puerto Nao (5 hrs). Stop in Ciénaga on the way + boat tour in Nueva Venecia and/or Buena Vista? Not enough time? Overnight in Puerto Nao.
15/12: Exploring Cartagena: Centro, Getsemaní, the walls + La Boquilla if we have time.
16/12: La Boquilla (is it really worth it?) if we didn’t have time yesterday, then back to the beach.
17/12: Return to France.
So, what do you think? Is this doable, or should we tweak it? Thanks in advance for your invaluable feedback and tips! 🙂
Hi there, I’ll be in Brazil from December 10th to the end of February.
I’ve sketched out a rough itinerary but I’m not sure how to arrange it—considering the climate, year-end holidays, and Carnival.
Basically, I’m thinking of the Amazon, the Northeast coast with Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (but skipping Chapada Diamantina),
Ouro Preto, Paraty, and Ilha Grande—but no Rio visit.
Is this doable in 3 months?
Which direction should I take for this itinerary?
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone, does anyone know the agency Ventura Travel Agency (not ventura travel)? After lots of research and quotes, it’s the only one offering Uyuni at a reasonable price while meeting all the criteria: transfer to the border, private-room accommodation, and a very fair rate. Other agencies or guides either offer shared rooms, no border transfer, or prices that are way too high. But I’d love to hear some reviews about this agency. Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to Chile to visit the Atacama Desert and then head toward Putre, Lauca, Salar de Surire, etc.
Which would be the better time to go, April or November?
Is an SUV enough?
Looking forward to your tips!
Hi everyone, French travelers in Chile—what credit cards do you use for your various car rentals in the country? I’m traveling in September and was planning to switch my regular debit card (a VISA PREMIER in deferred debit mode) for the deposit guarantee.
My rentals are with Figal in Punta Arenas, Econautos in Arica, and Chilean Rent a Car in Temuco, and all of them want the deposit on a credit card. For me, deferred debit *should* work, but I’ve read comments saying the opposite.
How’s it actually working on the ground with these rental companies right now? Will a deferred debit card work, or not at all?
In France, banks don’t issue credit cards, right—or am I mistaken?
Hi everyone, is it still possible to travel in Ecuador outside the Amazon region? If so, do you have a reliable agency to recommend? All your recent experiences from the past few months would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much
Hi,
We’re heading to Buenos Aires for 3 days in November and would like to do a guided tour of a few neighborhoods. There are "free" tours, but none in French. Does anyone have a guide to recommend so we can really get to know the city beyond just the architecture?
Thanks
Hi there,
I’m desperately looking for info on the schedules and routes of (shared) boats to visit the islands of Lake Titicaca.
From what I’ve found, there’s a *combi* (bus) that leaves from Puno to go to Llachon. Where do you catch it? What are the schedules and frequency? Does it take about 1 hour?
Then in Llachon, you can take a boat to Amantani (45 min). Same question—where do you check for frequency and schedule?
After that, from Amantani, boats go to Taquile and then Uros. Do you have enough time to visit the islands between two boats? Frequency and schedule?
The goal is to do this tour independently (no agency) over 2 days. Thanks for any tips you might have!
I just got back from a trip to Bolivia and wow—what a wake-up call. It’s not the easiest country, but it’s absolutely stunning.
I started with Isla del Sol, perfect for easing into the altitude at a relaxed pace. Try to stay in the northern part of the island—it’s quieter and the views are insane. And the trout there? Unreal. Quick tip: bring cash in small bills; they almost never have change, and cards are rarely accepted.
Next up, La Paz. The city’s pretty wild, built in every direction. I did a few hikes in the area, including the famous Charquini Lagoon (the blue lake) at over 5,000 m—let’s just say I struggled 😅 but it was so beautiful it was totally worth it.
After that, I headed to Sajama. It’s cool, especially for the hot springs, and I stayed in Tomarapi. But honestly, if you’re short on time, you can skip it without too many regrets.
The highlight of the trip: the Salar. I did it starting from Tupiza, and I *highly* recommend going Tupiza → Uyuni. Way less crowded at the start and the landscapes are super varied. For the tour, I used SplitYourGuide to find a group, and it worked out great. Super handy for splitting costs and meeting people.
I wrapped up in Sucre—this city is gorgeous, all white, with such a chill vibe. And the salteñas + ice cream? Next level 😋
Bottom line: Bolivia’s a bit rough around the edges, sometimes exhausting (shoutout to the altitude), but it’s 1000% worth it.
If you’ve got questions or need tips, I’m happy to help!
Martin
I was planning to go to Réunion and stay in half-board accommodation with non-professionals, but it seems that’s not really the custom there—or maybe my budget isn’t big enough.
So, since I’ve already traveled around Ecuador and Peru, I’m now looking at Argentina, especially for its mountains (like the ones in Réunion that tempted me, even though—frustratingly—I could only admire them from below).
I plan to get around by bus and don’t know in advance where I’ll sleep, so I won’t book ahead. If I like a place, I might stay for several days.
I know that in Chile, it’s easy to find half-board accommodation, but what about in Argentina?
I’d like to stay with locals in half-board without it being a professional setup. I’m not sure if this is common practice there. It’s up to me to find someone willing to host me.
What do you think?
What would be a fair price (keeping in mind that 40 to 50 € is the max I can spend on accommodation, breakfast, and dinner)?
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Patagonia for three weeks in November, starting from Coyhaique in Chile.
We won’t have a car, and I’m struggling to find information about transportation options for a few parts of the itinerary we’d like to do:
1) From Perito Moreno (the town, near Los Antiguos), we’d like to travel down Ruta 40 to visit Perito Moreno National Park and then cross into Chile via the Paso Roballos (at the latitude of Bajo Caracoles) to reach the road to Cochrane. Without a car, it seems we’ll need to use private agencies to get to the national park—do you have any recommendations or suggestions? Also, does anyone know if it’s possible to cross into Chile via Paso Roballos (from Bajo Caracoles) without a rental car? That is, without having to go all the way down to El Chaltén or back up toward Perito Moreno/Los Antiguos, etc.?
2) The second stretch that seems a bit tricky (though still easier, in theory) is from Caleta Tortel to Villa O’Higgins on the Chilean side. Do we have to go back through Cochrane, or are there ways to get directly from Tortel to Villa O’Higgins?
3) Finally, we’d like to hike into Argentina (El Chaltén) from O’Higgins. Any recommendations for this? Do we need to go through an agency? What’s the estimated duration of the trek?
As you’ve probably gathered, we want to visit some off-the-beaten-path spots but don’t have a car, so we’re looking for the best possible compromises.
Thanks so much in advance for all your suggestions!
Thomas
Hi,
we’re planning a round trip from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, to Salta, Argentina, in two months. On the way there, we’ll take the northern route via Susques, Route 27, then 52. But for the return, we were thinking of taking the southern route via San Antonio de los Cobres, Route 51, then 23. Is it similar to the northern route in terms of road surface? How busy is it, and are there gas stations? Basically, should we be worried about doing it in an SUV that’s supposedly 4x4 but has regular road tires and no second spare wheel, obviously...
I’ve seen that we can stop over in San Antonio de los Cobres.
Thanks for your feedback.
Raf.
Hi,
we’ll be in Calama at the end of March 2026, and I’m looking for a reliable car rental there for a 7-day road trip to Salta, Argentina. But I’m struggling with the car rental agencies in Calama because the reviews can be scary. I saw Gyg, which has great ratings, but I’m a bit wary (5/5 from 59 reviews—either the guy’s amazing or it’s fake...), but I can’t find any recent reviews on VF in general.
For Punta Arenas, I booked with Dachelet and didn’t have any issues with email exchanges.
Thanks in advance.
Raf.
I’m planning the trip of my dreams for next November—Chile!
I’d love to get your thoughts on my potential itinerary. I know it’s a big investment in terms of both time and money, so every bit of feedback, suggestion, or info helps immensely. Thank you in advance!!
1-Flight to Santiago
2-Explore Santiago
3-Explore Santiago
4-Bus from STG to Valpo (2h) + visit Valparaíso + night in Viña
5-Visit Valparaíso + bus back to STG (2h)
6-Flight to Calama + bus to San Pedro + explore and acclimate in San Pedro + car rental in the afternoon (+Chaxa?)
7-(Very early) Valle del Arcoíris + Laguna Cejar + Valle de la Luna
Good evening,
We’d love to go in November to enjoy some beautiful beaches for about two weeks, preferably around Bahia, as November/December seems like a great time.
We’ve already traveled to Brazil several times and know the south of Rio as well as the region between São Luís and Fortaleza, and Chapada Diamantina...
What advice would you give us: the south with Itaparica, Morro de São Paulo, Boipeba, Barra Grande—or all four? Or maybe the north?
Thanks in advance for your help
Hi everyone, it’s been a while since I last posted!
First time in South America for me, my wife, and our 7-year-old son. I’ve put together this itinerary and would love to hear your thoughts:
Bogotá 28/07 – 30/07: Arrival. Which neighborhood and outings would you recommend?
Flight to
2 Filandia 30/07 – 03/08: (255 €). Waterfalls and horseback riding,
Cocora Valley,
Hiking,
Nearby villages.
Flight to
3 Tayrona 03/08 – 07/08: Hotel La Casablanca
Hike with Tierra Nevada and the Kogui village (any feedback?). Return by inner tube for the little one.
Short night hike.
Second hike to La Piscina, etc., return by 🐎.
4 Cartagena 07/08 – 10/08: Air-conditioned bus.
Staying in Getsemaní? Mangroves & the Castle, exploring the city.
5 Bogotá 10/08 – 12/08
Feel free to share your feedback!
Have a great day!
Hi,
During an upcoming trip to Peru, we’ll have one day to explore around Arequipa (excluding Colca Canyon) with a car and driver.
We’ve got a few options:
- Toro Muerto petroglyphs and dinosaur footprints at Querulpa
- Ruta del Sillar and Quebrada de Culebrillas
We’re a group of 6 friends with an average age of 70, all mobile, and we’re planning a trip to Peru in September/October 2026. Below is an idea of what we’re looking for: a French-speaking guide, accommodation in 3-star hotels or homestays with comfort.
Duration: 16 to 20 days on-site.
Visit the main sites with immersion in the culture and way of life.
Which francophone agency in Peru would you recommend? Thanks
Hi there!
I’m putting together my itinerary for Brazil, looking for beautiful natural spots with wildlife, flora, and great hikes...
I’ve come across the Cananeia / Super Agui / Ilha do Mel region and the PETAR / Intervales / Alto Ribeira area.
Has anyone here been to these places? If so, do you have any recommendations for accommodations and activities?
Thanks in advance!
Best,
Olivier 🌍
I’ll be in ARICA in northern Chile at the end of May 2026 and want to get to TACNA.
Are there taxis, buses, or collectivos that run the border crossing route?
After that, bus to AREQUIPA (Peru): any bus company you’d recommend?
