Again, another ambitious route, but well worth it.
Peru
*Day 1- Lima
*Day 2- Flight to Cusco
*Day 3- Bus to Pisac and Ollantytambo
*Day 4- Aguas Calientes- Machu Picchu
*Day 5- Aguas Calientes- Machu Picchu
*Day 6- Cusco
*Day 7- Puno
*Day 8- Arequipa
*Day 9- Tacna
CHILE
*Day 10- Arica
*Day 11- Arica
*Day 12- Overnight bus to Atacama desert
*Day 13- San Pedro de Atacama
*Day 14- San Pedro de Atacama
*DAY 15- San Pedro de Atacama
ARGENTINA
*Day 16- Buenos Aires
*Day 17- Buenos Aires
*Day 18- Buenos Aires
*Day 19- Buenos Aires, night flight back to NYC
Thursday, October 2, 2008
SA Rd2 Hotels- Peru, Chile, Argentina
PERU
Lima
Gran Hotel Bolivar http://www.granhotelbolivarperu.com/
While I can't say the hotel was the most comfortable, it was well worth it to see the building as a whole. It's truly reminiscent of the golden age of Peru. Unfortunately now, due to a much weakened economy, the hotel is no longer in all its glory. But it's still maintains its pride and posture. Drinks on the balcony at the restaurant are a must.
Cusco
Ninos Hotel http://www.ninoshotel.com/
Loved this hostel! Not to mention proceeds from your stay go towards helping the children of Cusco. The owner was a photographer who visited Cusco and fell in love with the town and children. There are photographs throughout the hostel of the various children she's met over the years. Rooms are pleasant, the little cafe is great, and the location is wonderful.
Ollantytambo
El Albergue Hotel http://www.elalbergue.com/en/
This quaint bed and breakfast was just so lovely. Its owner, Joaquin, is fantastic! He's so friendly and helpful. The gardens of the hotel are so serene and beautiful. And it was here dining with a small group that I met one of my now good friends, Phillip, from Australia. So please dine here at least once during your stay! Another must is the steam room. Real eucalyptus leaves, fragrant wood and steam are the perfect treat after a long day of hiking in the sacred valley. The location of this hotel is also perfect.
Aguas Calientes
Wiracocha Inn http://www.wiracochainn.com/index.php
As far as hotels go here I'm not sure any are that spectacular. But since you're spending as much time as possible up at Machu Picchu it doesn't really matter how nice the hotel is. This one served its purpose and had consistently hot water, which I heard was an issue at a lot of the other hotels.
Puno
Hostel Pukara http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/hotels/puno/hostal_pukara_puno_lake_titicaca.html
Comfy and colorful, no frills. I did like that they had a bus which would pick you up at the station.
Arequipa
La Casa de Melgar http://www.lacasademelgar.com/
Oh my this hotel was beautiful! I wish I had spent more time here and in the town. 2-3 nights would have been perfect. The hotel is made out of volcanic rock which creates spectacular rooms and open air hallways. I was very camera happy here to say the least. Staff was very friendly as well.
CHILE
Arica
Dona Ines Hostel http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-Arica---Dona-Ines-012018.en.htm?lswitch=Y
What to say about this one...it's an experience. Definitely more of a hostel than budget hotel. And definitely a scene. Bbq's, parachute swing in a tree, graffiti, and drinking pisco out of a bullhorn... that's just a glimpse into a normal stay there. Say hey to Roberto for me!
San Pedro de Atacama
Altiplanico Hotel http://www.altiplanico.cl/english/sanpedro/index.htm
Beautiful hotel! Definitely a splurge, but well worth it. You get to stay in your own little adobe hut. The pool is refreshing and relaxing and the staff is very accomodating.
ARGENTINA- Buenos Aires
Art Hotel http://www.arthotel.com.ar/
See, told you, it was so great I had to stay there again! Love this hotel.
Lima
Gran Hotel Bolivar http://www.granhotelbolivarperu.com/
While I can't say the hotel was the most comfortable, it was well worth it to see the building as a whole. It's truly reminiscent of the golden age of Peru. Unfortunately now, due to a much weakened economy, the hotel is no longer in all its glory. But it's still maintains its pride and posture. Drinks on the balcony at the restaurant are a must.
Cusco
Ninos Hotel http://www.ninoshotel.com/
Loved this hostel! Not to mention proceeds from your stay go towards helping the children of Cusco. The owner was a photographer who visited Cusco and fell in love with the town and children. There are photographs throughout the hostel of the various children she's met over the years. Rooms are pleasant, the little cafe is great, and the location is wonderful.
Ollantytambo
El Albergue Hotel http://www.elalbergue.com/en/
This quaint bed and breakfast was just so lovely. Its owner, Joaquin, is fantastic! He's so friendly and helpful. The gardens of the hotel are so serene and beautiful. And it was here dining with a small group that I met one of my now good friends, Phillip, from Australia. So please dine here at least once during your stay! Another must is the steam room. Real eucalyptus leaves, fragrant wood and steam are the perfect treat after a long day of hiking in the sacred valley. The location of this hotel is also perfect.
Aguas Calientes
Wiracocha Inn http://www.wiracochainn.com/index.php
As far as hotels go here I'm not sure any are that spectacular. But since you're spending as much time as possible up at Machu Picchu it doesn't really matter how nice the hotel is. This one served its purpose and had consistently hot water, which I heard was an issue at a lot of the other hotels.
Puno
Hostel Pukara http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/hotels/puno/hostal_pukara_puno_lake_titicaca.html
Comfy and colorful, no frills. I did like that they had a bus which would pick you up at the station.
Arequipa
La Casa de Melgar http://www.lacasademelgar.com/
Oh my this hotel was beautiful! I wish I had spent more time here and in the town. 2-3 nights would have been perfect. The hotel is made out of volcanic rock which creates spectacular rooms and open air hallways. I was very camera happy here to say the least. Staff was very friendly as well.
CHILE
Arica
Dona Ines Hostel http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-Arica---Dona-Ines-012018.en.htm?lswitch=Y
What to say about this one...it's an experience. Definitely more of a hostel than budget hotel. And definitely a scene. Bbq's, parachute swing in a tree, graffiti, and drinking pisco out of a bullhorn... that's just a glimpse into a normal stay there. Say hey to Roberto for me!
San Pedro de Atacama
Altiplanico Hotel http://www.altiplanico.cl/english/sanpedro/index.htm
Beautiful hotel! Definitely a splurge, but well worth it. You get to stay in your own little adobe hut. The pool is refreshing and relaxing and the staff is very accomodating.
ARGENTINA- Buenos Aires
Art Hotel http://www.arthotel.com.ar/
See, told you, it was so great I had to stay there again! Love this hotel.
SA Rd1 Hotels
CHILE
Santiago
Happy House Hostel http://www.happyhousehostel.cl/
The friendliest service at any hotel I stayed at during this trip. It is a hostel, but you can still reserve a private room if you so choose. Location is great and the building is beautiful. It's a renovated mansion converted into a hostel. Absolutely lovely.
Pucon
Hotel Antumulal http://www.antumalal.com/
Probably the most gorgeous hotel I've ever stayed in. Definitely worth the splurge, which really isn't that expensive compared to the typical hotel prices in the US and Europe. You will want to spend a full day just at the hotel alone exploring their beautiful grounds and taking a dip in the lake, weather pending. The architecture is simply splendid. Check out the restaurant too!
Punta Arenas
Hostal Fitz Roy http://www.hostalfitzroy.com/
Since there were 3 of us we rented the apartment. Furnishings are basic, but the owners are wonderful. They were incredibly accommodating and helpful. You truly felt like you were staying at someone's house rather than a hotel.
Puerto Natales
Hotel Oasis http://www.hotelesdelapatagonia.cl/ficha.php?cod_des=2&cod_hot=16
I would say this hotel was fine considering we really weren't there much. The best thing might have been the bizarre gnome collection they kept hidden in plants around the hotel. But one night we stopped at another hotel for an amazing dinner and I really wish we had stayed there: Indigo http://www.indigopatagonia.com/en/
ARGENTINA
Iguazu
Hotel Esturion http://www.hotelesturion.com/
This hotel had a great pool and an amazing poolside restaurant with a fantastic barbecue of roasted vegetables and an assortment of meats. The grounds were lovely as well with a very serene sitting area by the river.
Buenos Aires
Art Hotel http://www.arthotel.com.ar/
I loved this hotel so much that I stayed there again on the second trip! The location is perfect, right in the Recoleta. The rooms are gorgeous: exposed brick walls, high ceilings with canopy beds. And the price is a steal!
Santiago
Happy House Hostel http://www.happyhousehostel.cl/
The friendliest service at any hotel I stayed at during this trip. It is a hostel, but you can still reserve a private room if you so choose. Location is great and the building is beautiful. It's a renovated mansion converted into a hostel. Absolutely lovely.
Pucon
Hotel Antumulal http://www.antumalal.com/
Probably the most gorgeous hotel I've ever stayed in. Definitely worth the splurge, which really isn't that expensive compared to the typical hotel prices in the US and Europe. You will want to spend a full day just at the hotel alone exploring their beautiful grounds and taking a dip in the lake, weather pending. The architecture is simply splendid. Check out the restaurant too!
Punta Arenas
Hostal Fitz Roy http://www.hostalfitzroy.com/
Since there were 3 of us we rented the apartment. Furnishings are basic, but the owners are wonderful. They were incredibly accommodating and helpful. You truly felt like you were staying at someone's house rather than a hotel.
Puerto Natales
Hotel Oasis http://www.hotelesdelapatagonia.cl/ficha.php?cod_des=2&cod_hot=16
I would say this hotel was fine considering we really weren't there much. The best thing might have been the bizarre gnome collection they kept hidden in plants around the hotel. But one night we stopped at another hotel for an amazing dinner and I really wish we had stayed there: Indigo http://www.indigopatagonia.com/en/
ARGENTINA
Iguazu
Hotel Esturion http://www.hotelesturion.com/
This hotel had a great pool and an amazing poolside restaurant with a fantastic barbecue of roasted vegetables and an assortment of meats. The grounds were lovely as well with a very serene sitting area by the river.
Buenos Aires
Art Hotel http://www.arthotel.com.ar/
I loved this hotel so much that I stayed there again on the second trip! The location is perfect, right in the Recoleta. The rooms are gorgeous: exposed brick walls, high ceilings with canopy beds. And the price is a steal!
South America Round 1- Chile and Argentina
I was ambitious in that first trip to South America. About 2.5 weeks and 2 countries. It's never enough time, but it's still fabulous.
Here is the route I took:
Chile
*Day 1-Santiago
*Day 2- Valaparaiso- day trip from Santiago
*Day 3- Isla de Maipo- day trip from Santiago
*overnight bus to Pucon-Lake District
*Day 4- Pucon
*Day 5- Pucon
*Day 6- Pucon, bus to Frutillar
*Day 7- bus to Puerto Montt, flight to Punta Arenas- Patagonia
*Day 8- Punta Arenas, evening bus to Puerto Natales
*Day 9- Puerto Natales- Torres del Paine
*Day 10-bus back to Punta Arenas
*Day 11- big flight day: Punta Arenas-Santiago-Buenos Aires-Iguazu
Argentina
*Day 12- Iguazu
*Day 13- flight back to Buenos Aires
*Day 14- Buenos Aires
*Day 15- Buenos Aires
*Day 16- Buenos Aires- night flight back to NYC
Here is the route I took:
Chile
*Day 1-Santiago
*Day 2- Valaparaiso- day trip from Santiago
*Day 3- Isla de Maipo- day trip from Santiago
*overnight bus to Pucon-Lake District
*Day 4- Pucon
*Day 5- Pucon
*Day 6- Pucon, bus to Frutillar
*Day 7- bus to Puerto Montt, flight to Punta Arenas- Patagonia
*Day 8- Punta Arenas, evening bus to Puerto Natales
*Day 9- Puerto Natales- Torres del Paine
*Day 10-bus back to Punta Arenas
*Day 11- big flight day: Punta Arenas-Santiago-Buenos Aires-Iguazu
Argentina
*Day 12- Iguazu
*Day 13- flight back to Buenos Aires
*Day 14- Buenos Aires
*Day 15- Buenos Aires
*Day 16- Buenos Aires- night flight back to NYC
The splendor of South America
I've been fortunate enough to travel to South America twice now and I can't sing its' praises enough. I was lucky enough to go for 3 weeks on each trip, which I realize isn't feasible for everyone. Regardless, I'd like to share some of my route with favorite hotels, restaurants and sites. And as always, I'd like to stress that I prefer to go on trips without a tour. Some may not be comfortable heading to a new place without a guide. Whatever feels right to you is what you should do. At the same time, I'd just like to say push yourself a little; get out of your comfort zone and explore. Sometimes the best places I found along the way were through word of mouth from other travelers or really just happy accidents. So please, read, enjoy and travel!
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