Crossing the Andes on the Mendoza to Santiago bus, or vice versa, is a superb way to see some stunning countryside. It's also a heck of a lot cheaper than flying. It's only going to cost you $US30-35 one way for a reserved seat. Plan to do the Mendoza to Santiago bus ride during the day so you can enjoy the views. This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through…
Outstanding. Brilliant. Incredible. Fantastic. Perfect. All adjectives to describe the Salta Tucuman road trip in Argentina. This drive was another one of the highlights of our trip to northern Chile and Argentina. I'd read reports of other travel bloggers about how wonderful this region is but it has to be seen to be believed. The Salta Tucuman road trip is only 450 kilometres but most of that is on rough, dirt roads so the going is…
Every trip you take teaches you something - whether about yourself, the country you're visiting, the culture or hard topics like the impact of overpopulation or rising food prices. It all depends on what you're open to learning. My recent trip with my husband, John and good friends, Jo and Ted, to northern Chile and Argentina taught me plenty. Here's what traveling teaches you in Chile and Argentina. I learned 8 lessons over 18 days.…
I've seen Yerba Mate in the grocery stores and remember reading Che Guevara's biography which had frequent references to drinking it. But it wasn't until I got to Argentina that I discovered what a love affair the people have for this drink. Healthline describes Yerba Mate as a "drink that has the strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the joy of chocolate." This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a…
You can do this, it will be easy, just take one step at a time and breathe deeply! So there we were, Ted and Jo, novice hikers, with world-class mountain hikers Leigh and John, in the middle of nowhere - ok it was the Chilean Atacama Desert. Hot beyond belief, sunny and arid (it rained 11 months ago for an hour). Hey while we're staying at this 5 star resort (Tierra Atacama) let's go climb…
Our goal while in Chile and Argentina is to move between the two countries using public transport wherever possible. Not only is is much less expensive but its a great way to absorb some of the local flavour. We traveled from Chile's Atacama Desert, specifically San Pedro to Salta in northern Argentina by bus. I was less keen on this ride, mainly because of its length - 11 hours. Updated January 2020. This post includes…
Chile's Atacama Desert sits in the northern part of the country. It's one of Chile's three main tourist regions - the others being Patagonia and Easter Island. The Atacama Desert is desolate, dry, forbidding, inhospitable and at first glance you're going to wonder how you're going to find comfort in these surroundings. But the Atacama Desert surprises too. The Moon Valley Chile is located in Los Flamencos National Reserve. It’s moon-like landscape consists of sand dunes,…
Trekking in Peru is at the top of many a hiker's wish list. Our self-guided tour of the Cordillera Blanca with two donkeys and a donkey driver was outstanding. And trekking in the Cordillera Blanca on your own is quite doable...if you speak a little Quechua or Spanish. Fortunately in our party of three, one did. Prior to our arrival in Peru we had done some research with the help of the South America Explorers Club. They…
Have you ever wanted to boat the Amazon River from Peru to Brazil?In September 2003, I took a break from Dalhousie University and packed my bag for South America. My flight landed in Lima, Peru, but after a string of bad weather I opted to start my route in Brazil. I couldn't think of a more challenging way to get there than by cargo boat. My experience floating down the Amazon River from Iquitos, Peru…