Sorry not sorry this post is going to be a bit of a brag fest. A pre-emptive brag fest. As our wonderful Patreon supporters are aware we have a big surprise to share with you all. Actually just to share with anyone really. It’s that kind of life changing exciting news. We’re off to South America!
Not right now. In a few months we’ll depart Australia and be spending at least three months traveling around South America. It’s always been a dream of ours to explore this area. Just other countries and opportunities have come up along the way.
South Sacrifices.
Travel isn’t all beaches, pinatas and sun tan. Sadly I must burst the bubble and let you know that there are some sacrifices that we all need to make. For us heading to South America has seen quite a few sacrifices.
We gave up our rental in Melbourne. Our lease was coming up and there was that awkward time in between our lease ending and our departure. May saw us have a hectic month with me starting a new contract that’s 9-5 Mon-Fri, we packed up our little house and threw out a LOT of stuff and have moved back in with my parents in the magnificent Macedon Ranges. What no one tells you when you sell/donate/throw away all your stuff is that it’s a lot of back breaking hard work. It wasn’t a magical experience. At the same time it was exhilarating and heart breaking.
I’ve also sacrificed sleep. What was once a 20min commute is now a 2.5 hour round trip. If all goes to plan.
Perk – we now live on 25 acres, wake up to sleepy kangaroos and get stalked by wedged tail eagles on our morning dogs walks. The pups seem to think that these sacrifices are worth it and are truly thriving in farm life.
No I’m not giving up coffee. Not now not ever. Latte for life!
So What Are We Doing?
Who knows. Not us. We fly into Lima and will be making our way to Cusco to join our Dragoman tour. After a hectic 24 hours of travel, we’re grateful that Airport Express Lima will be collecting our weary selves from the airport and taking us to our hotel. Thanks to the team at PeruHop for being so helpful and making sure we don’t travel like a typical tourist. We can wait to explore Peru as we hope between the cities and avoid any potential jetlag. As we arrive after a fairly hectic flight and have limited time to make it to Cusco we decided on going the easiest way possible – Get To Cusco Quick trip.
Peru Hop is quite simple. Choose a pass based on where you want to go and how much time you have. See a suggested plan, follow it, or hop off. Totally up to you.
Where we’ll spend a month travelling overland through Peru, Bolivia and zig zagging across Argentina and Chile. We opted to take a tour for the first leg so that we could see a decent amount of things in a short time and have someone organise everything else for us. This trip is at some point meant to be an adventure holiday and less of a working holiday. I didn’t want the hassle of worrying about accommodation every night just for a few weeks. Hopefully, we’ll be able to swing by Ecuador too.
The Magic of Machu Picchu and Avoiding the Inca Trail
Another tough decision was when we decided to not hike the Inca Trail. Dragoman offers an alternative trek which seemed like a better option to us. The recent tales from the Inca Trail talk of over crowding and subsequent issues between groups of tour companies made us a little wary. It was a terribly tough decision to make but we eventually did. Our trek will takes us through an amazing area, support local communities and give us a rest day before taking the train to Machu Picchu.
Just a note – from 01 July the regulations on the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are changing. You will no longer be able to visit these areas without a guide, and need to adhere to a dedicated time slot. These rules are not entirely new and have been suggested since 2014. They are rather interesting with the main red flag being entry times 6-12 and 12-5pm for entrance and viewing. If you’re found in the area outside of your dedicated time you will be escorted out by authorities.
Dedicated circuits- There are now 3 circuits which take 2-3 hours to hike.
The new rules prohibited re-entering the controlled area.
Other interesting points-
Backpack limits – Nothing larger then 40x35x25cm can be taken into the controlled area.
Prohibited to enter with food/drinks (eek! I get hangry)
Prohibited to enter with umbrella/sun shade
Prohibited to entre with tripod or any type of camera stand/support
No prams/strollers
It is prohibited to get naked, dress up, lie down, run and jump.
It is prohibited to feed local resident or wild animals.
So don’t get naked, don’t take snacks and don’t feed the locals. Seems fair?
Our tour will end in Santiago and then we are on our own.
Playing cowgirl at Campo Antilco, Pucon
I really couldn’t resist another chance to go horse riding in another country. So after Santiago we’ll make our way down to Pucon for a few days rest and relaxation and riding at Campo Antilco in Pucon. Antilco is a mountain ranch, located 12 km outside of Pucón, nestled between the banks of the Liucura River and the foothills of the “Cerros de Quelhue” Forest Reserve. A fully sustainable ranch, complete with bee hives.
Now Pucon, in general, is considered an adventurers dream town. So not only am I looking forward to exploring the ranch but trying out a traditional Chilean saddle the “avio”. Besides riding and frolicking with horses, there are some great hikes from the ranch which no doubt we’ll take part in.
Pushing Our Luck at Patagonia
So no one told me, and I didn’t read, that Patagonia and Torres Del Paine is hard work just to book campsites at. I’ve bought the gear, I’m getting fit and I’m ready to go. But alas this is another area that is under going massive changes to their booking system. Visitors are now required to have all camping areas pre-booked before arriving in the park. Without this you will be refused entry or escorted out by authorities.
So far we’ve not had any luck in booking campsites along the W Trek. Even though it’s around four months until we will be down that way things already look like they might be booked out.
If you do need some advice then see our friends at Travel Outlandish and their amazing guide on How To Book Campsites In Torres Del Paine.
Fingers crossed that within the next month we’ll receive clarification on what’s actually happening. If not we’ll spend a week or two based on Puerto Natales doing smaller hikes.
Other Fanciful Ideas
So there you are. It’s our rough guide to our Sth American Adventure. We’re still planning, researching and thinking of the things that we want to do. Here are a few other fanciful ideas of things that we’re planning on doing.
Skiing in Chile
Drinking All the Wine in Mendoza
Horse back riding in Argentina
Our departure city is Buenos Aires.
If you’re looking for some more inspiration check out this great guide to 30-days of backpacking South America!
Where else should we go? What should we see and do? Hti us up with all your suggestions below. No matter how wild we’ll consider all.
Jeanette
Founder, Principal Blogger & Coffee Drinker
Coffee Lover | Travel Blogger | Horse Rider | Adventure Racer | Donut Dame. Generally nice lady-enjoys wine, indie movies & random dance parties in my tent.
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Travellers are some of the most financially savvy people you will ever meet.
Travellers are some of the most financially savvy people you will ever meet. Have you ever wondered how people afford to travel, invest & drink take away coffee?
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Hi! Peru has a great variety of tourist sites to visit such as Machu Picchu, Choquequirao, The Nazca Lines, Lake Titicaca and a great biodiversity, definitely Peru is a destination that every traveler should do.
I first read about Patagonia in a book by noted travel writer Paul Theroux some years ago. It’s good to read about it again.
All the best for your new adventure and I am sure that you will bring back a lot of interesting stories from your three month tour in South America. Its still a distant dream for me , but I will not stop dreaming about it. Looking forward for your updates and post. Have a Great journey ahead.
Torres del Paine is a pain in the ass to book, but totally worth it. I’m glad you found that post useful. Hope you guys have an epic time!!
Wow 3 months in South america, I am so jealous! I had to do with only 4 weeks and it was amazing. Must go back for more! I suggest you go to the jungle in for example Bolivia, must be amazing. Or northern Chile, Loved it, want to go back for sure.
omg !!!!!!!! This is the dream for me really ! I”m going to be glued to all your posts and updates.
Come join me?
Hi Jean,
Excited for you! I am a huge fan of SA and I only visited Lima and Cusco in Peru. Patagonia is a dream spot for me. Good on you too for seeing how sacrifice is releasing something of a lower nature to make room for something of a higher nature. May be uncomfortable at times but you will love the trip and see the letting go your pad and quicker commute was worth it.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ryan
It looks like you are going to have a great time. I would love to go to Peru it looks such a beautiful country. I wouldn’t be able to hike either due to mobility issues but I am sure there is plenty more to do in such an amazing country
Beware of altitude issues at Cuzco. lots of coca tea.
the reed islands on Lake Titticaca are worth a visit. Lake district of Chile though to Bariloche is cool. The difference between the attitudes of Argentinians and Chileans is very large. Preferred Chile myself. Sucre is nice in Bolivia. Been to most of SA myself going to Colombia in Feb
Oh thanks for the tips!!
That is a great plan for the trip. The obstacles seem to be popping up from nowhere, travel blogging isn’t as easy as it looks to all. But I am sure your trip will be a success. The farm life experience sounds so good! Machu Pichu is in my list too.
Green green green with envy! :p
Hehe. South America is awesome!! And its so good to know you aren’t doing the touristy touristy stuff. Especially by avoiding the Inca trail. Love the route and all the items on the list. Join a dance course too 😀 Slow travel is never ever easy and there are lots of sacrifices like you mentioned.
BUT the perks of living on 25 acres, waking up to sleepy kangaroos and get stalked by wedged tail eagles are truly tempting:D
Have a fabulous trip. Love the way you write!:)
Camping and hiking in machau Pichu is really beautiful experience. Good you described about booking at Patagonia. New rules for the controlled area looks very strict are good too in order to preserve the area.
I love reading your post as we are thinking about going to South America as well. The Peru hop sounds like a great way of transportation, would love to read your experience later on. How about your laptops and safety? Will you be carrying all your stuff the whole time?
We’re still trying to figure that part out!
That’s a heart felt post! True, many a times, many think that the life of travel bloggers is a cakewalk! Too bad that it isn’t!!!
Anyways, best wishes on your South American Trip. I haven’t been there yet. But Machu Pichu is much in my wishlist! So thanks for those tips about changing rules..
Sounds like an incredible adventure! Even though I live right next to the continent, I’ve never been. I’m a bit disappointed to hear about all those restrictions at Machu Picchu. I guess something had to be done to rein in a few dumb tourists but why does Peter always have to pay for Paul?
I am so jealous! It has been a dream of mine to visit Peru for over 10 years now. I was never able to save enough for the flight but hoped to go later this year! Cannot wait to read about it as you travel
That is just fantastic! I’m sure you will have a fabulous time and that all the preparations and living with your parents in with long commutes and stuff sorting will be worth it. I visited Chile (based in Santiago) in January and February and loved Chile so much. We enjoyed trips up to the Andes, going to wineries and even made it out to visit Easter Island. I love the people there and everything was clean and so well maintained. How exciting that you will get up to Machu Picchu and will get down to Patagonia. Truly some beautiful experiences and I wish you all the very best.
Please take lots of llama photos.
Done deal. All the llama photos will be taken.