Back Pack Suggestions?

Question

Hi, a friend & I are looking to go backpacking for 4 - 5 weeks from mid July onwards. HAs anyone got any suggestions, apart from India, Egypt & Austrialia / New Zealand. Ideally we are looking at South America. Although finance is not an issue we still would like to be sensible with expenditure.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I highly recommend the Continent of South America.
It is incredibly interesting, has a great vibe and nice people in all the countries.

Argentina is fantastic for cities, nature and people (see my blog) and one of the cheaper countries.
Peru is littered with incredible archaeological sites.

Chile has fjords and glaciers etc.

Your main concern should be the instability in the world markets. This has made Brazil very expensive for instance. But it's a huge and fantastic country.
I strongly recommend doing the boats in your hammock with the locals on the Amazon with the necessary malaria precautions. Say Belem to Iquitos or vise verse. Downstream is faster of course & up can take a month. Worth every second.
Pantanal is great but lots of mozzies.

Pategonia is stunning but getting to winter now and can be freezing.

Argentina is my honest recommendation.. and Buenos Aires alone is amazing.

It's Essential to travel with either the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide. It's like the bible for traveling and covers everything. Well worth the money!!
Again: check my 360 for a quick idea.
http://uk.360.yahoo.com/profile-RRGsRIc1…
Cheers
oh yes: a Spanish (south american castellano) phrasebook is essential. Few people speak english, but learning a language is PART of the experience of the culture! I learnt it in a few weeks. Because one simply has to. Big fun.

Bolivia is cheap but slightly unstable yet good for nature like the jurasic age Salt flats near Uyuni. Geysers, volcanos etc. Good stuff.
Brazil is Portuguese.

Travel by bus in Brazil is almost more expensive than to fly. Bus in Argentina is super cheap.. Again.. I recommend Argentina. I also felt extremely safe at all times.

Source(s):

backpacking South America - 6 months (2001)
backpacking Argentina Brazil - 3 months (just the other day)

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thank you - I think it will be Argentina... altough I am British born.. I have always favoured Argentina s mhy favourite footbll team - so Pampas here I come ( hope thats the way to spell it.... otherwise it is a brand of nappies here !)

Answer 2

I would recommend Cuba. Especially since things are bound to change forever after the Fidel/Raul boys reign comes to an end. America will be trading again and the likes of the old classic cars due to trade embargoes will be a thing of the past.

I went for a month about two years ago and found it a great time to visit a few cities and towns around the country. I spent just under a week in Havana and then toured by a combination of train and bus in a circle round the country.

The scenery is beautiful, the people are very welcoming and the cocktails are Delicious!

It's not as cheap as some other places in Latin America but by no means expensive. Traveling around and eating are cheap and generally you will stay in peoples spare rooms at places called casa particules for around $20 U.S per night.

I really really can't urge you enough to go!

Source(s):

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/c…

Answer 3

Peru- The Inca Trail
Raratonga, Fiji, Galapagos, Rio.

Answer 4

apart from expense, Gregory packs will offer what you need. Check out your local outfittter....good hiking and be careful. Sent from Tennessee!