Advice for 5-week itinerary in South/Central America

[Nessa Conway]

Hi,

I am looking for advice on an itinarary for a trip to south America next year.  I Irish, but an currently living in New Zealand with my Kiwi partner.  We will be flying back to Ireland to get married August and would like to do a 5 week trip on our way back via Central/South America.  To be honest we don't know where to bigin, as its just soo big and we have so little time.  i know we definitely want to see Rio, do the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, the Galapygus, and see Cartagena in Columbia.  I have also heard that its a great experience to sail from Cartegena to Panama, and then head up to Boca del Toro to island hop.  Is this all doable in 5 weeks or are we just trying to fit in too much??  Is it easy to fly internally between thses places??  Also it is going to be our honeymoon so I would like to stay in at least one amazing 5 star resort and get pampered, preferably towards the end of the trip.

Any advice you could give would be much appreciated and also any places that are a must see that I have not mentioned.

Cheers

Nessa

[Cookie Evans]

If you want to go to bocas del toro on  a island hop check this place outcharming bed and breakfast in bocas del toro

[Ed Wetschler]

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage, Nessa. As for South/Central America, you sure have picked some of the greatest hits. Problem is, the only way to really enjoy them is to set aside three months for the journey. Just one example: If you're sailing from Cartegena to Panama, how can you resist visiting the San Blas islands? What's more, I'm figuring 7-10 days for Cuzco and Machu Picchu, another week for the Galapagos -- these places are more than worth it --  and pretty soon, we're busy.

For now, I'm going to pass along a link to a discussion about Costa Rica lodges:  http://www.tripatini.com/forum/topics/recommend-ecominded?commentId...

Where would I want to honeymoon in Costa Rica? Hands down, it would be Lapa Rios. It just might be the most extraordinary, romantic place I've ever stayed at, and I've been around. http://www.laparios.com/ Mind you, it's a splurge.

On this page of links to Machu Picchu blogs, stroll down to The Insider's Guide and read that one first.  http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blog/list?tag=Machu+Picchu  

[Jacquie Whitt]

Congratulations Nessa!  Your trip sounds exciting and jam-packed! 

We organize tours (including destinations weddings & honeymoons) to Peru, Ecuador & Galapagos. 

Here's my "big picture" tips:

• flights between countries are not always direct and may not be offered every day. 
• you could spend min of 12 days just in in Cusco/Inca Trail/Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands
• You need at least 2 days to acclimatize to altitude prior to hiking the Inca Trail (if you are traveling in other high altitude destinations, you could arrange the sequence of your trip so that you are acclimatized prior to arriving in Cusco) 
• Cusco is an incredible high-altitude destination and worthy of spending at least 1 full day if not longer.
• Inca Trail hike requires permits which should be booked at least 6 months in advance and cannot be changed, transferred or cancelled. "Use them or lose them"
• It takes 2 days to get to Galapagos Islands from Cusco, Peru and requires an overnight in either Guayaquil or Quito, Ecuador
• you can book all your international flights between the different countries as an open jaw - then book regional flights separately:  RT Lima/Cusco RT Guayaquil/Galapagos for instance
• you can get pampering at hotels that may not be 5*.  For instance, Encantada Spa & Boutique in Cusco costs about 1/4 of the cost of a 5* luxury resort and has spa services and massages.  5* Hotels usually have very nice restaurants which is one of the things that 3 & 4* star may not have.  If you're in Cusco, you will have access to a variety of restaurants
• In Galapagos, check out the land-based tours unless you have your heart set on a cruise. You will stay in small, locally owned hotels/lodges and eat in local restaurants.  Tours will include marine activities & land-based hikes & visits to local sites.

Congratulations and Good luck with your plans,

Jacquie Whitt

[Tony Humphrey]

As Rio is a must.... consider a trip to Iguacu Falls for 2 nights.... Cuzco, MP and the Nazca Lines are also spectacular... perhaps simplify your 5 weeks into either the Atlantic side (Rio, Iguacu, Panama & Caribbean) and another time... the Pacific side of the continent Peru, Galapagos, Andes....or get your missus to flyfish and spend 5 weeks in Kiwiland...

[Shelane]

Hi Nessa,

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!  I would love to assist you with putting together this amazing adventure!  What you must consider are a few things - you may not be able to do all of these areas.  Budget makes a big difference as far as getting around quickly (the difference between chartering and commercial).  You should plan on ten days for Peru, as you will need two days to acclimate.  Cusco, as you're being told, is worth visiting.  As it is your honeymoon, I would like to know if you are set on the Inca Trail or if you would consider a much less trafficked way to hike to Machu Picchu.  Last summer I hiked lodge to lodge.  It is the best way if you are looking for romance!  The lodges are not five star, but when compared to the options on the Inca Trail they certainly are!  You'll hike each day and then enjoy a private room, hot shower, perhaps a jacuzzi beneath the stars, and a glass of wine.  I wouldn't have done it any other way.

If you would like assistance with this, you are welcome to contact me.  Please feel free to review my travel profile at either of these websites.  We, Huffman Travel, are members of the Virtuoso network and are ranked among the top 1% of travel companies within the U.S. I can put together a seamless journey for you.  http://huffmantravel.com/about-us/huffman-travel-advisors/shelane-n...

Best Regards,

Shelane

[Anil]

Hi Nessa,

Two major factors will determine how you experience your honeymoon. Your budget and your health. Some of the places in your wish list are in high altitude, and some of your trips will involve places where there are mosquitos and other tropical viruses for which you have to be pre inoculated. August/September is tail end of their winter season so keep that in mind.

You could buy a wonderful book by Patricia Schultz called "Thousand Places to see before of Die" It has a whole chapter devoted to Latin America. One experience that I highly recommend is crossing the Bolivian Salt flats (Salar de Uyuni) As to flights, between LAN and TAM you will have covered most of LatAm countries. Lan Chile then flies nonstop from Santiago to Auckland. 

Enjoy your trip. 

[CR Surf Travel]

Congratulations Nessa! It sounds like a dram trip. I specialize in Costa Rica vacations, so let me know if you need help with that part of your trip. My website is www.crsurf.com and I've helped travelers since 1998. The only months I would not travel to C.R. would be September and October during the peak of the rainy season. Also, since any unforeseen delay may affect other parts of your trip, please consider travel insurance. Any licensed travel agent should recommend it, and with this link you choose between all of the major policies. http://www.squaremouth.com/21164

[TOUR in PERU - Tour Operator]

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Do not hesitate to contact us whether you have questions and need some advice!! Visit us at www.TOURinPERU.com

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