Our Plans

Why South America?

Jerry and I decided we need to start checking things off of our bucket list (which is pretty long).  I have wanted to visit Antarctica ever since I saw an exhibit at the Houston Museum of Science about Ernst Shackleton’s expedition.  The photographs that were presented were just incredible.  I knew that some day I had to see the continent for myself.

I researched cruises for about a month. Yes, a spreadsheet was involved.  I finally choose a two week cruise that will hopefully take us south of the Arctic Circle.  Why didn’t Jerry get to choose?  He has already been to Antarctica several times, included all three US research stations AND the Dry Valleys.  I did consult with him and he wisely suggested two weeks was better than ten days.  

So now that we were going to need to be in Ushuaia, Argentina mid-February 2023 it made sense to go to South America early and explore a bit.  South America has many wonderous places but, most of all the Andes.  We are Team Mountain after all.

Where We Aren't Going

I’m going to cover where we aren’t going first to avoid disappointment and questions.  We are fortunate to have visited South America three times already and checked off some top tier places:  Machu Picchu in Peru, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador and in 2016 Torres del Paine in Chile.  I would love to revisit all three again but, first I need to see everything else.

Where We Are Going

Flights

Where we are Currently

Mode of Transport

I’ve had a couple of questions about how we are getting from place to place and if we are renting a car.  Our primary means of getting from city to city is going to be flying.  The exception is between El Calafate and El Chaltén (where there is no airport) so, we will take a bus.  The only place we are renting a car is in San Carlos de Bariloche so, we can explore the Route of the Seven Lakes.

Places and Duration

  • Quito – About a Week
  • Cuenca – A month
  • Santiago – A Week
  • San Carlos de Bariloche – Two Weeks
  • El Calafate – A Week
  • El Chatlén – A Week and a Half
  • Ushuaia – A Week
  • Antarctica – Two Week Cruise!!!!
  • Buenos Aires – A Month