time to pull out a map!
south america is huge! buses are cheap, (i’m not sure there are trains) and you could do it in a month without problem, but you’re talking some serious travel time (albeit through some beautiful country)

Just did a month long trip in southern Argentina, with side trip to Torres del Paine. Argentina was a lot bigger than I originally had thought prior to traveling there. I had to resort to a few domestic flights as the distances were a bit daunting.

A flight from BA to Ushuaia was about 3.5 hours. Flight from Ushuaia to El Calafate was about 1.5 hours. Flight from El Calafate to Bariloche was 2.5 hours. Bus from Bariloche to BA was 24 hours.

Domestic flights weren’t that expensive but to fly across to CHile or vice versa would have increased the cost significantly. TIckets appeared to be cheaper to purchase once you were in Argentina itself.

Oh, and the only way to get over to Chile from Punta Arenas to Santiago (I think) is ferry or flight or get over by land via Argentina for some very long bus rides.

Anyway, I found a month to be sufficient amount of time to see the major stuff in Patagonia as well as some quality time in Buenas Aires, Bariloche and Torres Del Paine. If you can narrow down what you want to see over hte month’s time it’d be better use of your limited time.

thanks for help. I know it’s a big trip but I figuered that if I travel by night I can spare some money I would spend normaly on hostels. I Don’t think I’ll be doing more than 10hours bus drives .Plan is to stop on the way in some places but as I don’t know much about Argentina & Chile don’t know yet what is worth of seeing. I might do some hitchhiking in Chile cause I red somewhere it’s pretty safe.what are the prices of national flights…I’ve heard that is cheap to fly, but how cheap?? Is there any connection to south pole or eastern islands? If you’re looking on the globe that’s the end of the world for me concidering where I’m..so I figuered while I’m there why not take that extra step..
also any tip on what to see and not to see will be more than helpfull ….thanks again…
J.

From Ushuaia (southern most city in argentina) this is the stepping off point for trips to Antartica. However, i did not hear of any plane trips, only cruises. These were usually a minimum of 10 days, with a 2 day trip to and from which meant only like 5 actual days at Antartica. These trips seemed to be at least $2000 USD at the minimum.

The 24 hour bus ride from Bariloche to BA was actually fantastic. I had a seat that was like a first class seat on an airplane, they showed several movies, and they fed you food and wine. I think it cost like $50 USD total.

Flight BA->Ushuaia was $200 USD, Flight Ushuaia->El Calafate was around $80USD and El Calafate->Bariloche around $80 but I cant be too sure about hte last two unless I check my receipts.

Punta Arenas to Santiago: 40+ hours
Santiago to Antofagasta: 10-12 hours

LAN Chile usually posts specials on their website on Tuesday mornings.

Meredith,

Tried sending you an email to the address on your profile, but it came back returned. Did you change your address? I just have some S. America travel questions for you & I love your blog on Kahunna’s site, so I figured you’d be a good one to ask.

-A

My junk mail filter might have bounced something from a stranger’s address. I’d be happy to send you an email, but maybe you could start a separate topic here? I like to post answers where other people can find them too.

Meredith,

Yep, I started up a new topic "Newbie to Latin America" or something like that. Good idea on that, that way more people can share in the info, not just me!

-A