Peru, Bolivia

catoutthebag

Hey

I'm thinking of visiting one of the two for 7-10 nights (probably the former), next year, solo. I know it's a tiny amount of time, but having a quick check of itinerary, it is possible for a highlights visit, without doing a major trek etc.

I've only done short European breaks solo, nothing this long haul with connecting flights and for this length of time. I'm not a 20's backpacker etc.

So, my questions

1) which out the two would recommend? I'm leaning to Peru.

2) when would the best time be to visit?

3) would I meet people through staying in hotels?

4) given I'm not trekking, how last-minute could I book?

5) rough check of flights in spring looks around £400? How much would I realistically need to set aside for flights, 7 nights hotel, food, transport, day trips/expedition? £1500?

6) anyone done similar not backpacking in a hostel, and therefore got a bit lonely!!

One concern for a short trip would be time wasted being massively exhausted and jet lagged for at least a day and then dealing with altitude if going to various parts of peru.

Any other tips etc welcome. The net, Inc trip advisor, seems a minefield for south America.

Thanks

Voyager2002

1. Remember that they are both fairly large countries (and seem larger because of the difficulty of getting around). So choose a couple of specific places, rather than just a country. Bear in mind that after allowing for jet-lag and exhaustion, you will only be able to visit about two locations during your trip. Personally I have always wanted to visit Bolivia because of a particular Andean music group from there, but air fares to Bolivia are generally a good deal higher than to other countries in South America;
2. Check any guide book;
3. Maybe, although hostels would be better. This is really a personal matter: have you met people in hotels in Europe?
4. Flights: probably best to book a couple of months before travel, unless you are happy to pay last-minute air fares. Hotels are likely to be available on the day when you turn up;

6. I tend not to get lonely, but I am confident about communicating in Spanish and meeting local people.

Loads of information and resources out there -- pick up a copy of 'The South American Handbook', for instance.

martindow

Might be worth considering Ecuador if you're going to S America. It is much more compact than Peru or Bolivia and has a good variety of landscapes - Andes where most interesting cities are, the Pacific coast (although this may be best avoided after the earthquake damage earlier this year) and to the east rain forest. Travelling is easy.

I've not been for some years but found it to be a lovely place. As in a lot of S America, and may other places in the world, you need to be alert for petty crime especially theft.

bigadaj

Ten days is too little time I'd have said, where are you getting flights for £400, I'd have thought £600 or more typically?

richardw

Peru, Machu Piccu is getting very busy, I have a feeling that visitor restrictions will happen soon.
BA have a good flight from Gatwick.
Take altitude medication for Cuzco and rest when you get there.
If you have Avios you can spend them on LATAM internal flights.
Nothing much to see in Lima, it's just a stopover place.

catoutthebag

Thank you for the various comments and suggestions.

As mentioned, I agree 7-10 days is not massive. It won't be my last trip there, I'm young and have plenty of time, though not enough time and money to blow a month of work sadly.

I've looked at various itinerary briefly and know 7/10 would be ok for a highlights tour given I'm young and fit and don't expect to do 3days trekking in Machu Picchu.

I don't meet people on my short European trips as I'm there for 2-3 nights, on the hoof, constantly walking around checking tourist stuff, galleries, taking pictures etc.
I wonder if this may be different even if j stay in a hotel in s America as there will be organised group excursions?

£400, 600, I looked at flights a while back. I'm budgeting £1500. I'm not a big eater or drinker and think most will be spent on accommodation and excursion.

Anyway, Ecuador may be a good compromise shout.

bigadaj

If you've not been out of Europe before then South America is quite a big first step.

You'll need a basic level of Spanish, many people would make a first trip to south east Asia as the infrastructure there is far more suited to budget travel and English is widely spoken.

Meeting people would be little different than in Europe, if you want to meet people then you need to make some effort. Tour groups will generally be quite insular, meeting individual travellers on hostels is probably easier.

melanzana

What about Chile, and Torres del Paine? Got it all, mountains, glaciers etc.

Just wondered aswell, what is the position regarding altitude sickness in Machu Pichu? I was tempted, but backed out having read some horror stories!

Is it very dangerous, and since so many people visit M P I'm wondering if it is so bad?

catoutthebag

bigadaj wrote: »

If you've not been out of Europe before then South America is quite a big first step.

You'll need a basic level of Spanish, many people would make a first trip to south east Asia as the infrastructure there is far more suited to budget travel and English is widely spoken.

Meeting people would be little different than in Europe, if you want to meet people then you need to make some effort. Tour groups will generally be quite insular, meeting individual travellers on hostels is probably easier.

I have been out of Europe.. north America, north Africa, Canada mainly, but not on my own.

South east Asian cooking uses lots of nuts, fish etc which I have severe allergies to..unless I could find a way round that, then it would appeal, especially solo travel with language barrier

catoutthebag

melanzana wrote: »

What about Chile, and Torres del Paine? Got it all, mountains, glaciers etc.

Just wondered aswell, what is the position regarding altitude sickness in Machu Pichu? I was tempted, but backed out having read some horror stories!

Is it very dangerous, and since so many people visit M P I'm wondering if it is so bad?

True, but I'd like a little Amazonian trek

catoutthebag

Vietnam looks appealing looking at pictures