What my itinerary looks like about 24 hours before I leave
About five weeks in Colombia.
Starting my trip in Colombia, this is also where I find it most logical to do a few weeks of Spanish classes to prepare myself for the upcoming months. I am quite a basic Spanish speaker at best, and have not spoken the language in years, so a bit of brushing up seems essential. I will start my trip with a one week course in Cartagena, and apart from that I plan on traveling a bit along the coast, then visiting Medellin, Guatape and Bogota before crossing the border to Ecuador by bus, making a few stops along the way.
About a month in Ecuador.
Quito will be my first stop in Ecuador. I am also considering hiking the Quilotoa Loop, visiting adventurous Banos, maybe stopping by Cuenca and spending a couple of weeks by the coast. I would love to spend a few days in the Galapagos as well so I am eager to see how that fits my budget. It's safe to say it would be expensive, but at the same time it is really a once in a lifetime experience. I guess time will tell whether I make it there or not.
About a month in Peru.
My entire itinerary is planned around the time I will be spending in Peru, as I am in fact doing a group trip for most of my time there. This tour is one of the few things I have booked in advance. I originally intended on going to Peru a bit sooner, as the final months of my trip will now be hectic to say the least. However, when you fail to realize how early the Inca Trail passes are selling out, you only have yourself to blame. Due to this I will not be able to do the Inca Trail until the end of October/beginning of November, and have had to sacrifice a couple of destinations I was planning on visiting afterwards (more like the entire countries of Argentina and Chile, I'll be back!).
In Peru I am making a few stops along the coast in the north before spending a few days in Lima. From Lima I will be doing the "Andean Discovery (Southbound)" with Gadventures, a company that I have previously travelled with in Southeast Asia. A few of the highlights on this trip will be a local homestay on Lake Titicaca, an excursion to Colca Canyon and of course the Inca trail and Machu Picchu.
About ten days in Bolivia.
The making of sacrifices has begun, and Bolivia definitely would've deserved more than a ten day visit. I guess a few days are better than no days at all. My trip with Gadventures will leave me in La Paz, and from there I plan on visiting Sucre, Potosi and Uyuni, obviously to do a tour of the famous salt flats.
Three days in Chile.
Because why not? Chile is a looong country and not very convenient to visit when you are short on time. While both Patagonia, Santiago and Valparaiso will have to be spared for a future trip, I think I'll be able to fit in a few days in the desert of San Pedro de Atacama. I am actually very excited about this.
A few days in Uruguay.
The most recent addition to the itinerary. Here I plan on visiting Montevideo and Punta del Este, before taking the ferry to Buenos Aires through Colonia.
About a week in Argentina.
Big country - I'm leaving most of it out for now. I will however stay a few days in Buenos Aires before heading to Iguazu Falls, probably by plane to save time.
About two weeks in Brazil.
After visiting the brazilian side of the falls, I'll be flying down to Rio. I also plan on visiting Ihla Grande and Paraty before ending my trip in Sao Paulo, which is where I'll most likely be flying out from. I'll be back in Norway just in time for Christmas.
Now I just need to finish the impossible task that is fitting my entire life for the next four and a half month into one backpack. Wish me luck!
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