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From Times Online

May 2, 2007

Ask our expert: South America in three weeks

Two ambitious travellers want to see the continent's highlights in three weeks. Can they do it?

Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Chris Parrott

Dear Chris, I do not really know where to start. We (my husband and I) wish to travel in South America. We have three weeks and wish to do as much as possible, although perhaps in that time can only do the highlights. The order of preference is: Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Iguazu Falls, Patagonia, Rio and Buenos Aires. And anything else you would suggest. We wish to travel in the best month of the year. We live near Manchester but are happy to start the journey from London. Should we be going via a travel agent? We would appreciate your help. Harish Joshi, Manchester

Times Online Latin America expert Chris Parrott responds: The distances are enormous. Your list of highlights is like saying "while we're in Seville we'd also like to do Moscow and Istanbul". So keep your highlights manageable.

Best month of the year is a similar concept. Best for cheap airfares? (avoid Jun-Aug and December). Best for fewer tourists? (avoid Patagonia in Nov-Mar, avoid Peru in July-Aug) Warmest? (Avoid the high Andes, and Patagonia, in June-Sep).

If you're prepared to do lots of flying, your whole list is manageable. Manageable and enjoyable in three weeks are Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Iguassu Falls and Rio, involving some internal flights and some buses/trains. Best time of the year for this? Probably May is best, and Dec-March worst.

Do you need a tour operator/travel agent? Depends what you want to do. If you are self-sufficient and short of funds, backpacking is fine - you just need connecting flights and away you go. If you want the security of an escorted group, or the pre-planning of a tailor-made itinerary, it'll cost more - but the tour operator takes the responsibility of doing it for you. (Journey Latin America 0161 832 1441 can do all of the above).

Chris Parrott is director of Journey Latin America, the UK's leading Latin America specialist since 1980