hola caro...toujours a la recherche d un guide?
je vis a iquitos et je ccnnais bien la foret et les guides..en dehors des sentiers touristiques! a bientot jean louis
hola caro...toujours a la recherche d un guide?
je vis a iquitos et je ccnnais bien la foret et les guides..en dehors des sentiers touristiques! a bientot jean louis
Bonsoir
Je commence juste à surfer sur ce forum
Tu as deja fait ta rando à IQUITOS ?
Avec on epouse on pert le 10 juillet sur le Perou Bolivie avec une asso, ensuite on se garde 10 jours à Iquitos
Tu as trouvé des guides sur la region ? ou tuyaux ?
Avec mon amie, nous sommes allés en Amazonie dans la Réserve de Pacaya Samiria, une des plus fabuleuses réserves amazoniennes !
Nous avons passé 5 jours au coeur de la réserve en compagnie d'un guide Julio et d'une cuisinière Merlina, qui ont été extrêmement sympathiques et adorables avec nous. Le séjour restera inoubliable pour nous, non seulement pour ces deux personnes magnifiques et aussi pour toute la nature que l'on a pu voir scintiller tout autour de nous.
En plus, nous avons pas payé cher du tout, ça nous est revenu à 800 soles (200 euros) pour deux personnes, hébergement (rustique bien sûr, pas de lit confortable comme dans un lodge...), la bouffe et les services du guide et de la cuisinière, tout compris... Nous sommes partis de Yurimaguas en bateau... rafiot plutôt !!! :) pour débarquer à Lagunas (15h de trajet). Et à Lagunas, il y a plusieurs associations de guides locaux qui proposent ces services pour visiter la réserve. D'ailleurs, il est possible selon le temps que tu as, de faire une visite de 12 jours pour se rendre à la lagune Pastococha qui a l'air gigantesque et sublime !!! Malheureusement, nous n'avons pas eu le temps de faire ce séjour et si je dois repartir en Amazonie un jour, c'est là-bas que j'irai !!! Et je ne te parle pas de la faune que nous avons pu observer et comme dirait Julio "Mucha suerte para vosotros !!!" effectivement, nous avons eu beaucoup de chance... dauphins rose et gris qui ont joué pendant plus de 45 minutes, singes, oiseaux de tout genre et de toute couleur, caïmans, lucioles, chants de grenouilles, d'oiseaux de la nuit, les splendides aras ou toucan et le clou du spectacle et j'en passe... un anaconda à moins de 50 cm de la pirogue !!!! bon pour ça faut avoir "Mucha Suerte !!!" Et quand la bouffe manque, Julio qui a grandi dans la forêt, appris à chasser et pêcher avec son père depuis son plus jeune âge, pêche des poissons à la lance que Merlina nous prépare au petit déj... Royal !!!
Je suis complètement désordonné dans tout ce que j'aurai envie de te dire concernant ce moment que j'ai pu partager avec ma chérie, Julio et Merlina... Et j'oublie aussi les légendes qu'ils nous ont fait partagées... un rêve s'est réalisé pour moi à ce moment-là, j'en ai les larmes aux yeux rien qu'en écrivant tout ça !!!
Si tu décides de te rendre dans cette réserve, vas sans soucis à Lagunas, tu trouveras des guides. Souvent dans le lonely planet ou le routard, ces infos ne sont pas communiquées. Attention aux rabatteurs qui souvent s'en mettent dans les poches au passage et du coup ce sont les guides qui sont pénalisés car pas payés à leur juste valeur, même si je trouve que ce que nous avons payé est dérisoire par rapport à d'autres sites touristiques et finalement bien moins enrichissant émotionnellement !
Et si tu y vas à Lagunas, je pense que tu peux demander à avoir Julio et Merlina, les gens les connaissent bien, c'est un petit village de 1800 habitants. Et si tu les vois, passes leur le bonjour de Alan y Virginia et dis leur que nous pensons bien fort à eux !
Bonjour bernrd05,
je suis interresse pour passer quelques jours dans la jungle vers Lagunas, peux tu me communiquer les coordonnees du guide ou les infos utiles
merci
le numéro de télephone de Kléber SALDANA EST LE (0051) 65- 40 10 09 et celui de Gamaniel VALLES c'est 10 07 la fin.
Ce sont 2 responsables de l'association de guide ETASCEL à LAGUNAS.
J'ai laissé pas mal de message sur le sujet. Fait une recherche par mot clef......
Vous parlez tous d'aller au parc Pacaya Samiria en partant de Lagunas mais si on arrive par Iquitos ce n'est pas plus simple de commencer par Nauta au nord-est du parc ? Ou n'y a-t-il pas de guides à cet endroît là ?
Je peux te recommender ce gars magnifique paloverde30@yahoo.es.
Il habite à Iquitos et travaille toute la saison pour une agence de voyage assez populaire.
Nauta ne fait pas parti du parc.
c'est de l'autre coté du fleuve.
Par contre tu peux éffectivement entrer dans le parc en face de Nauta.
D'un autre coté la parc est immense et tu ne verras pas forcément les mêmes choses en entrant par Lagunas Requena ou du coté de Nauta.
Je suis d'accord Bernard mais ce qui me motive c'est qu'il faut déjà une journée pour aller d'iquitos à Lagunas, alors que pour aller à Nauta c'est rapide il y a juste une petite route à prendre.
C'est sur que Iquitos /nauta c'est 45 min à 1 heure de route, mais il faut ebsuite traverser le fleuve et puis entrer dans la réserve (il y a une zone peuplée autour) et enfin s'enfoncer quelques heures dans la réserve pour commencer à voir des animaux.
En fait plus tu t'enfonces profondement dans la réserve plus tu as de chance de voir des animaux.
Tu ne verras pas de loutres géantes sur le bord de la réserve par exemple.
qui, il parle très bien anglais et connait très bien le sujet, très-très recommendé. En mêmem temps il travaille pour une agence locale assez réputée qui possèdent une base lointaine (170 km) d'Iquitos. Si tu as besoin de plus d'info, donne-mois connaitre.
Bernard, vu que tu as l'air de bien connaître la jungle dans le coin, est-ce qu'il y a une grande différence entre faire un trek dans la réserve Pacaya Samiria ou faire un trek dans une autre portion de jungle aux alentours d'iquitos. Y a-t-il plus d'animaux à cet endroit parce qu'ils ne sont pas chassés ? Et sinon quels vaccins avais-tu fait avant d'aller sur place ?
xerox74, le guide que tu connais se trouve où exactement ? Perso je compte trouver un guide sur Iquitos et partir dans la jungle avec.
D'une maniére générale pour voir des animaux il faut aller dans des endroits isolés où ils ne sont pas trops dérangés. Plus tu est loin de la civilisation, plu tu vois d'animaux.
Dans la réserve tu peux éffectivement voir pas mal d'animaux, car c'est une zone protégée.
Il y a d'autres endroits dans la région d'iquitos où tu peux voir des animaux mais il faut s'éloigner beaucoups (plus de 100km) pour vraiment sortir des zones cultivées et exploitées par l'homme.
Aprés, la jungle c'st pas un zoo et il faut aussi avoir de la chance.
Perso dans Pacaya Samiria, j'ai vu pas mal d'oiseaux dont des Aras à plusieures reprises, des singes en quantité, des parresseux, des pécaris, des iguanes, des tortues, des caimans blancs (les petits), un caiman noir, un anaconda, et des loutres géantes.
De toutes façons le guide et le lieux vont ensemble. Un guide n'est efficace que dans un endroit qu'il connait. Donc, ou tu choisis un guide et il t'ammenera dans le coin qu'il connait, ou tu choisi le lieux et tu trouves un guide ensuite sur place.
En ce qui concerne Pacaya Samiria, c'est une réserve immense dans laquelle on peut entrer par plusieurs endroits. Mais chaque point d'entrer à ses spécificités. La faune n'est pas la même dans toutes la réserve et les moyens de transport différents (canoé, navire à moteur plus ou moins grand.....)
Pour les vaccins rien d'obligatoire mais par prudence Fiévre Jaune, Typhoide, Hépatites et Tétanos.
Perso je ne prends pas de traitement préventif pour le Palu, uniquement de bons répulsifs. Il y a possibilité de se faire traiter à Iquitos en cas de crise.
J'éspère que j'aurai autant de chance que toi et pourrai voir pas mal d'animaux en liberté.
Sinon si il se met à tomber des cordes est-ce que les départs en jungle sont annulés ?
Dans la selva il pleut presque tous les jours, mais en saison séche elle dure rarement trés longtemps.
Tu en es quitte pour mettre un poncho ou rester dans le campement et attendre que ça passe.....
Une paire de chaussure confortable genre basket pour quand tu es dans le bateau ou dans un endroit clean et une paire de bottes en caoutchouc quand tu vas en forêt. Tu es trouveras sur place pas cher voire t'en faire préter par certains guides.
L'agence ETASCEL de Gamaniel VALLES SANCHEZ tél (0051) 65 40 1007 et Kleber SALDANA VARGAS tél (0051) 65 40 10 09 à LAGUNAS.
J'ai déjà laissé pas mal de messages à ce sujet.
Hi there, I’m looking for recent info on a boat trip with sleeping accommodations from Belém to Santarém. I don’t want a "luxury cruise for wealthy tourists"—just a bed with a minimum of comfort seems great to me🙂. I didn’t find any up-to-date details with Amazon Star. Do you have any companies, guides, or prices for this route to recommend?
I’d love to hear tips and feedback on this trip, especially since I’m traveling solo. I’d like to get a sense of what to expect and ensure some basic safety with transportation.
Thanks.
I live in Quindío and I’ve seen a lot of worried questions since the August earthquake. Here’s an update for those planning a trip to the coffee region.
Tourist sites are operating normally: Salento, the Cocora Valley, Filandia, and Pereira Airport are open and welcoming travelers. The region needs visitors—coming here directly helps the locals.
A few tips to plan your stay:
• Airports: Pereira and Armenia, each about 1 hour from Salento.
• Where to stay: Salento for the vibe and proximity to Cocora, Filandia, or a *finca* near Quimbaya for more tranquility.
• Cocora: Easy to explore independently from Salento, with the Willys (local jeeps) leaving from the square. Go early to avoid crowds.
• La Carbonera: Less known, wilder, and home to the largest wax palm forest. The road is long—best done in a 4x4 or with a Willy driver.
• Coffee: Many small family-run *fincas* offer tours around Salento and Filandia.
• Hot springs: Santa Rosa de Cabal, on the way to Pereira.
• Duration: Plan at least 3 days to enjoy without rushing.
If you have any questions about the region, ask away—I’m happy to help.
Hi everyone! I’m heading to Colombia in January 2026 and have a few questions. In Salento, which is better to do—Cocora Valley or Carbonera Valley? After that, I want to fly from Medellín to Rincón del Mar. Is there an airport in Tolú? I can’t find any info. Thanks in advance, and *buen viajé* to all! Kristian
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! 🙂
It's decided—2027 will be Brazil, in the summer (unless you advise against it 😕). From what I’ve read, the weather’s okay, even if it’s a bit chilly for swimming. We’re going, as always, as a group of four, with our teens. 🙂
We’d be looking at a solid two weeks, at least 14 days on the ground. I’m planning way ahead to nail down an itinerary and book our flight tickets (the prices I’m seeing already are freaking me out…).
From my research, I’ve come across some classic routes: Rio/Iguazu/Paraty/Ilha Grande.
Roughly: 4 days in Rio, 2 in Iguazu, 2 in Paraty, and 3 on Ilha Verde. That’d leave us one more stop on the trip.
Since we like to end with a "chill" stop for the kids,
My questions:
- Is Ilha Verde worth it this time of year? I’ve read that swimming might not be an option—water’s too cold… So not ideal for a chill/relaxing destination?
- How should we round out the trip in the South? São Paulo? Another stop along the Costa Verde?
- Wouldn’t it make more sense to head up to the Northeast, where it’s warmer, like Salvador de Bahia?
But Salvador raises other questions:
- Are there flights from Iguazu to Salvador?
- And for the return to France, would we have to connect through Rio or São Paulo from Salvador?
- Any suggestions for places to stay around Salvador?
Thanks for your input—I’m sure I’ll have more questions as I go along. 😉
Hi there, we’ve decided to head to Brazil at the end of March for 2.5 weeks with our 13-year-old son. From what I’ve gathered from some research, Rio seems like a great destination at this time of year, and I’m thinking around 4-5 days to explore it—does that sound right to you? Copacabana, Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, maybe a favela tour, or any other ideas?
How’s the best way to get around locally? I’ve heard about Bonito or Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande—what do you think of those? Fernando de Noronha for snorkeling or even diving? Is Recife a good option at this time of year?
If you’ve got any suggestions, we’re all ears—it’s for our 50th birthdays! :-) Thanks so much for your help and tips. See you soon.
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!
We’ve planned our road trip in Chile, and the only thing left is to book the TABSA ferry from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams.
Problem: the ferry that leaves Punta Arenas at 1 AM isn’t available for booking, no matter the day or month. All the other departures can be booked, though.
On top of that, Tabsa isn’t responding to any messages.
We’re planning to explore Peru’s main highlights and were wondering if anyone could share insights on the quality and comfort of overnight buses. If so, which bus company should we trust?
Hi,
My wife and I are heading to Brazil from November 6th to December 2nd. We’ll be stopping in São Paulo, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Rio, and Salvador de Bahia.
Could you recommend some nice, non-luxury places to stay in each of these spots?
Also, any suggestions for places to visit would be great.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Marc
Hi there.
I already posted a message asking for advice about our upcoming trip to Chile.
Details: Getting around by bus or train.
Starting from Valparaiso, heading north, passing through cities and places to visit, then returning to Santiago via a different route.
Avoid the beaches...
Thanks
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
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 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
