South America

A 159-day adventure by John Read more

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Trip start
November 1, 2024
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Day 1
Friday, November 1, 2024 at 3:54 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 75 m
Belgium Voer 50.823988, 4.51337550°49’26” N 4°30’48” E
Vossem
November 1, 2024 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
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Day 2–8
November 2, 2024 at 10:31 AM - November 8, 2024
6 nights
☁️ 22 °C
Altitude: 30 m
Argentina Plaza de Mayo -34.608594, -58.37278734°36’31” S 58°22’22” W
1 1
Buenos Aires 1
Nov 2–8, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Arrived in BA at 09:45 getting through customs etc. in about an hour. Directly outside customs is a shop selling public transport cards, so that was my only arrivals worry sorted out. I was a bit taken aback when the guy asked if I'd like to load it with nine thousand dollars. Took my brain a couple of seconds to register that was about 10 euro.
Long bus ride through the teeming outskirts of BA ending in a diversion because of Gay Pride. Got to my hostel and had a quick walk round San Telmo. Seems a nice , relaxed area. Changed 100 USD at the Western Union.
Sunday is market day in San Telmo. Had an explore and even saw a tango demonstration. Googled live music and saw a show this evening 100 meters from the hostel so I bought a ticket.
Very good 4 women show about the evolution of music from the rain forest. Excellent show, I guessed what it was even though I didn't understand the Spanish. A woman sitting at my table confirmed what I thought though.
Monday starts with heavy rain ☹️Read more
Traveler ❤️
11/7/24Reply
Traveler ❤️
11/7/24Reply
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Day 5
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 12:37 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 29 m
Argentina Estación Casa Amarilla -34.63677, -58.36499834°38’12” S 58°21’54” W
Buenos Aires 2
November 5, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
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Day 6–11
November 6, 2024 at 11:46 AM - November 11, 2024
5 nights
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Argentina Plaza Dorrego -34.622057, -58.37082334°37’19” S 58°22’15” W
3
Buenos Aires 3
Nov 6–11, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Museum day today with a visit to the Buenos Aires Museum of Modern Art and the Benito Quinquela Martin Museum.
Traveler Is this breakfast place in San Telmo? Looks familiar
11/9/24Reply
Traveler Either way it looks cool
11/9/24Reply
Traveler No it's a bar where people dance tango every evening for fun.
11/9/24Reply
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Day 7
Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 10:39 AM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 28 m
Argentina San Nicolas -34.600576, -58.38167534°36’2” S 58°22’54” W
1
Buenos Aires 4
November 7, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
An opera house visit is always a must. Unfortunately with a performance on tonight the house lights were down to perform stage lighting checks.
Only tickets left for that nights performance cost 158,000 ARS (150 USD)Read more
Traveler looks beautiful! you saw many things I missed
11/9/24Reply
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Day 8–9
November 8, 2024 at 10:09 AM - November 9, 2024
1 night
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Argentina Puerto Tigre -34.423504, -58.58195534°25’25” S 58°34’55” W
Tigre
Nov 8–9, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
An unexpected day in Tigre after I misjudged my ferry to Carmelo. A very tourist town, but beautiful weather for a walk along the river front.
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Day 9–11
November 9, 2024 at 12:17 PM - November 11, 2024
2 nights
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Uruguay Puerto de Carmelo -33.99733, -58.28420833°59’50” S 58°17’3” W
1
Ferry to Carmelo
Nov 9–11, 2024 in Uruguay ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Finally got my ferry to Carmelo. Very nice 2.5 hour crossing the river. Easy transfer to the bus to Colonia. First company said I heir next bus was in 5 hours, but she drew me a map to another company round the corner whose bus left in 30 minutes. Gave me time to find an ATM and buy some water. My Spanish is improving 😁Read more
Traveler Tiny boat! When I went from BA it was a huge ferry with multiple levels 😮
11/9/24Reply
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Day 9–11
November 9, 2024 - November 11, 2024
2 nights
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Uruguay Punta San Pedro -34.473022, -57.8495534°28’23” S 57°50’58” W
1 4
Colonia del Sacramento
Nov 9–11, 2024 in Uruguay ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Traveler 😍😍
11/11/24Reply
Traveler Is this a copy of a Roman coliseum?
11/11/24Reply
Traveler Or a bullfighting arena?
11/11/24Reply
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Day 11–13
November 11, 2024 at 3:31 PM - November 13, 2024
2 nights
🌬 21 °C
Altitude: 24 m
Uruguay Plaza Independencia -34.9064, -56.20006734°54’23” S 56°12’0” W
1
Montevideo
Nov 11–13, 2024 in Uruguay ⋅ 🌬 21 °C
Arrived about 14:00 and after easily getting to my hostel the first thing I did was honto the bus station and buy my ticket to the next stop. I had a specific bus I wanted to take.
Then to Teatro Silos but too late for tour today so I'll do it tomorrow.
A walk round the old town then up to the 22 floor of the Mirador for the sunset.Read more
Traveler 😍😍
11/12/24Reply
TravelerLooks beautiful!
11/12/24Reply
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Day 12
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 12:23 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Uruguay Prado -34.859318, -56.20467434°51’34” S 56°12’17” W
3
Montevideo 2
November 12, 2024 in Uruguay ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
3 places left to visit today
1. An out of centre art museum
2. Carnival museum
3. 4pm opera house tour

1. Art museum doesn't open for another 2 hours ☹️
2. Carnival museum open every day except Tuesdays ☹️
3. At least I checked on the opera house tour! But no, today's tour cancelled due to a concert for children.

Plan B. The ONE thing that will never let you down. Cheers.Read more
TravelerPlan b ?
11/13/24Reply
Traveler Elaborate!
11/13/24Reply
TravelerBeer
11/13/24Reply
Traveler😂
11/14/24Reply
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Day 14–15
November 14, 2024 at 9:10 AM - November 15, 2024
1 night
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 199 m
Brazil Santana do Livramento -30.880511, -55.50972630°52’50” S 55°30’35” W
2 2
Santana do Livramento to Puerto Iguaçu
Nov 14–15, 2024 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
The twin towns of Rivera and Santana do Livramento. The border runs straight through the middle and is completely ignored. Brazil is cheaper than Uruguay so the Uruguayans do their shopping in Brazil. But Rivera is a duty free town, so the Brazilians go to Rivera to shop tax free.
Had an educated guess as to where the bus station was and managed to get a taxi to take me there.Read more
Traveler Is that the border line?
11/14/24Reply
Traveler Huge river!
11/14/24Reply
Traveler Very disappointed that there was no signs to mark the actual spot. This was more or less in the middle and looked as good as anything.
11/14/24Reply
Traveler It is. Must be a kilometer wide here.
11/14/24Reply
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Day 15–17
November 15, 2024 at 12:02 PM - November 17, 2024
2 nights
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 178 m
Argentina Iguazu Falls -25.67932, -54.45310225°40’46” S 54°27’11” W
1 1 5
Foz do Iguaçu
Nov 15–17, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Traveler ❤️❤️
11/15/24Reply
Traveler Beautiful
11/15/24Reply
Traveler What is that called?
11/15/24Reply
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Day 16
Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 11:40 AM
☀️ 32 °C
Altitude: 195 m
Brazil Foz do Iguaçu -25.684307, -54.4399325°41’4” S 54°26’24” W
Foz du Iguaçu - Brazilian side
November 16, 2024 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Insane long queues to take the shuttle bus to and from the falls.
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Day 18–21
November 18, 2024 at 10:19 AM - November 21, 2024
3 nights
☁️ 28 °C
Altitude: 99 m
Paraguay Catedral -25.284887, -57.63005425°17’6” S 57°37’48” W
Paraguay
Nov 18–21, 2024 in Paraguay ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
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Day 20
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 9:38 AM
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 1,207 m
Argentina Establecimiento Las Higuerillas -24.8021, -65.26935724°48’8” S 65°16’10” W
1
To Salta
November 20, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Fined 100 USD for being in the country illegally! Bus didn't stop at Paraguay border when coming from Argentina.
Ferry costs 2 USD. On the Argentina side there's only a border post and it's 12km to town. Uber lets me down. And tells me there are no available drivers.
Hitch a ride in a pick-up and discover I can't find my Argentina pesos so my tide costs me 20 USD and my remaining Guaraníes.
So I'm at the bus station with no money except USD and no bus ticket. And my bus doesn't go from the bus station of course. Wander round town looking for a western union but non of them have any money. At least I get directions and find where my bus goes from in 4 hours. Go looking for money but all banks are closed and ATM s refuse my cards.
The one thing that is working in this town are the money changers so I can change 100 USD.
Have a steak and ice cream lunch to celebrate and to add a cherry on the cake I can buy my bus ticket online 👍
17:30 I'm on the bus ready for my 17 hour ride to Salta.Read more
TravelerOmg! Now it’s getting adventurous for real!
11/20/24Reply
Traveler Back to civilization!
11/20/24Reply
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Day 21
Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 12:43 PM
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 1,575 m
Argentina San Lorenzo -24.721742, -65.51098224°43’18” S 65°30’40” W
Hiking in Salta
November 21, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
After picking up my washing 😁 went for a hike. First challenge taking a local bus to the starting point. Hostel reception tell me you need a card on the bus but if you don't have one you just ask someone who has and give them 1000 peso.
So I get to the hike. I know alltrails say it's hard. If I'd known how hard I might not have done it.
But I got up and started down. It was begining to get dark and my phone battery was getting lower and lower.
I got lost several times but eventually made it down just as my battery ran out.
Got my colectivo back to Salta andade it back in time for the evening asado.Read more
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Day 22
Friday, November 22, 2024 at 11:35 AM
☀️ 12 °C
Altitude: 4,196 m
Argentina Alto El Morado -23.699037, -65.6599723°41’57” S 65°39’36” W
Salanas, Purmamaca,and 7 colour mountain
November 22, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
TravelerCool! Uyuni may end up being anticlimactic. Looks a lot like it!
11/22/24Reply
TravelerYou are really close to San Pedro de Atacama
11/22/24Reply
TravelerI know, I could get there so easy by bus from here 😁
11/22/24Reply
TravelerI think Uyuni will be better 🤞
11/22/24Reply
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Day 23
Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 1:30 PM
☁️ 25 °C
Altitude: 1,174 m
Argentina Iglesia San Francisco de Salta -24.789965, -65.40819524°47’24” S 65°24’30” W
1 1
Last day in Salta
November 23, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Cathedral, Museum of High Altitude Archeology (MAAM) for the child mummy. General Guemes museum. Etc.
Taking 17:00 overnight bus to Mendoza, 1,263 km.
Traveler ❤️
11/23/24Reply
Traveler Mexicans in Argentina?
11/23/24Reply
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Day 24
Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 10:21 AM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 762 m
Argentina Mendoza -32.889605, -68.8449732°53’23” S 68°50’42” W
Mendoza
November 24, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
TravelerCan you see the Aconcagua from where you are?
11/24/24Reply
TravelerI don't think so. It's about 100 km away.
11/24/24Reply
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Day 24
Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 8:16 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 978 m
Argentina Arroyo del Cepillo -33.808837, -69.06768133°48’32” S 69°4’4” W
1 1
Bariloche
November 24, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
TravelerIsn’t it beautiful? It gets better the further south you go
11/25/24Reply
Traveler ❤️❤️❤️
11/27/24Reply
Traveler 😍😍
11/27/24Reply
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Day 26
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 8:29 PM
☁️ 8 °C
Altitude: 838 m
Argentina Villa Los Coihues -41.140453, -71.42789541°8’26” S 71°25’40” W
1
Lago Gutierrez
November 26, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Traveler Looking good 😊😘
11/27/24Reply
TravelerBeautiful! Did you do a long hike?
11/27/24Reply
TravelerJust finished my hike. 19 km. Now on the bus back to town.
11/27/24Reply
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Day 31
Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 8:13 AM
☁️ 1 °C
Altitude: 1,180 m
Argentina Laguna de los Tres -49.280447, -72.9841449°16’50” S 72°59’3” W
Fitzroy trail, 26 km
December 1, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C
26 km there and back. Starts off ok, but the last km is like a rocky dried up riverbed on a vertical cliff face.
TravelerWhat an achievement! I did only 17 km and was dead at the end. You had much better weather than I had. I could barely see Fitz Roy. gonna steal your photos
12/1/24Reply
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Day 32
Monday, December 2, 2024 at 7:20 PM
☁️ 10 °C
Altitude: 392 m
Argentina El Chaltén -49.343593, -72.87400349°20’37” S 72°52’26” W
Mirador de los Cóndores
December 2, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
An evening hike after the park rangers have packed up and gone home 😁
Easy walking mostly on a sandy path. Great views of Fitzroy now that the clouds that have hung around the top all day have blown away.Read more
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Day 33
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 6:58 AM
☁️ 4 °C
Altitude: 442 m
Argentina El Chaltén -49.330247, -72.8915649°19’49” S 72°53’30” W
Laguna Torre
December 3, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C
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Day 33
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 5:52 PM
☁️ 13 °C
Altitude: 402 m
Argentina El Chaltén -49.327505, -72.88856249°19’39” S 72°53’19” W
1
Sendero Chorrillo Del Salto
December 3, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
Traveler Shorts and tshirts! Positively warm!
12/3/24Reply
TravelerIt was a lovely late spring evening. And today as I'm about to leave El Chaltén - it's been raining.
12/4/24Reply
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