Canada to S.America in 5 months (ADVICE PLEASE!) - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

mugglewump · 05-29-2008, 03:18 AM

Hey punks,

I'm new here but am in need fo some friendly advice and assistance. I'm planning my first long-term solo trip next year. I've been away with my friend before to Morrocco which was great and took myself to Istanbul this year to break my solo virginity and although I found it immensley freeing it was a tad lonely too but to be honest I expected that.

What I am planning to do is start from Ottawa (as my family will be over there to visit my sister in April next year) work my way acorss canada to vancouver and down the west coast of the US to mexico, through central and down to spend at least three months in S.A. I need to do some more planning of a route but want to see bolivia, peru, argentina, ecuador and some chile.

What I'd like to know is if anyone has done this trip or similar and what their experiences were, what sort of budget I should be looking at and if you guys think I can do it justice in the time. Money is kind of a restriction hence not doing it for longer.

cheers and muchas gracias for any information!

:D

**TheJake** · 05-29-2008, 12:47 PM

In 5 months? Crazy! I haven't heard of any one coming on here having done an expedition like that though I've been planning one of my own for quite awhile now.

Are you thinking of hitching it? bussing it? biking it?
Where are you hoping to sleep? Hostels? Beaches? Jungles?
Male or Female?

**epicballa** · 05-29-2008, 12:54 PM

that's a trip i'd love to do someday, should be amazing.

**mooloo** · 05-29-2008, 08:32 PM

I would also love to know if anyone has any comments on this, as this is the kind of trip I am thinking about doing in a couple of years!

Best of luck with the trip, I’m sure someone will be able to give you some actual advice soon! J

mugglewump · 05-30-2008, 01:06 AM

TheJake: Is it really that crazy?! I thought it sounded achievable-ish...!

Well I'd like to do it as cheaply as possible yet also leave room for spontaneity! I was thinking greyhounds across Canada and the US (or maybe rent a car - so could sleep in that or cheap hostels/motels) then buses and what not down through central am down to SA and then buses around there and a flight back to the UK (home). Planning to take a year of spanish lessons before going to help make more of it.

FYI, i'm a 26yr old male, want to do the trip solo, meeting as many weird and wonderful people along the way as possible

**TheJake** · 05-30-2008, 01:58 AM

Naw it's not crazy as in insane, it's crazy as in rad! I think you should give yourself a bit more time or not even put a length on it at all, I spent 2 months in just one country in South America and then tossing in Central and Northern, 5 months could fly by without you really soaking anything in. Know what I mean?

mugglewump · 05-30-2008, 02:52 AM

Hmm, yeah. I'd love to have a bit more time but I am limited by cash flow really

maybe I should downscale things.