I wonder if anyone can help me. I really want to do the Chile, Argentina & Brazil holiday but it says it says in the overview that it includes steps and some gradients. I was wondering if anyone has already done the trip - I can't find a review on it. If someone has already been they could advise me of whether it is constant steps and hills or just on one or two occasions. Obviously I would expect some. I can walk on the flat without much trouble but my knee protests at many steps!

I looked at the same holiday provided by someone else and it wasn't mentioned but now I have doubts. JY is my definite preferred option.

I'd been grateful for any information on this.

Hi Annie,

I did this fantastic tour in Sept 2012 with Travelsphere and absolutely loved it. JY introduced it the following year and it has an identical itinerary. Here is a link to the review I put up:

http://forum.justyou.co.uk/forum/thread-54850.html 

I'm trying to remember the situation regarding steps and I don't think there were many to be honest. The cities visited were fairly flat and there was a lot of walking to see the Iguazu Falls but there were not large amounts of steps and they were not steep as far as I remember. Rio is built on many hills so there were some slopes there all right but I don't think it was too bad. Perhaps someone who's been there more recently can advise you, or perhaps Monty can do some checking up for you.

I do hope you go, it was my second favourite holiday ever (after South Africa/Zambia)!!

Cheers,

Bob

Thank you Bob. Your review is so good.

Your post gives me hope. I did the Australia/New Zealand trip and it said the same at the bottom of the info about that one but the only place I had problems was the Sydney Opera House. The steps seemed endless! I can do it in my own time but in a group situation I don't like to keep people waiting.

Thanks again.

Annie

Hello Annie,

I was in Buenos Aires, Iquazu Falls and Rio de Janeiro, Christmas 2011. Buenos Aires is flat with a lot of walking. We visited Iquazu Falls on both sides- Argentine side was a long walk to get to the Devils Throat. The Brazilian side was easier but there are steps to get to viewing platforms. Rio is steep for Christ the Redeemer-lots of steps- no easy way of getting to it. Sugar loaf Mountain has 2 lifts, some distance between them in the middle. We had long queues which went around the middle section. Went to first base only as not enough time to wait for second lift. As there were only 8 of us on this tour with our TM, we went at our own pace. The others waited as we took photos- so much to remember :)

This holiday was with Journey Latin America with my eldest daughter, Sarah. It was an amazing experience.

Jan

Hi Mr Gray

As it happens, I've got two overnight stopovers in Chile later this year - in transit to and from my ultimate bucket list destination - Easter Island (JY don't go there so I organised it all myself for this year's 'significant birthday', just as I threatened to do when we were in Iceland:thumbup: )

Have you got any tips for Santiago? Is the airport pretty easy to navigate? Also, any thoughts on vaccinations, malaria tablet and mozzie repellent needs? I'll be there in September.

Happy New Year - I'm glad to read that the Nuneaton Massive will be off on their JY travels again soon!

All the best

Mandy

Hi Mandy, I hope you have a great time in Chile, even if it is only a brief stopover - and I'm delighted you'll finally get to see Easter Island! Unfortunately I don't really have any great Santiago tips as our time there was not quite as it should have been - just before departure our TM was informed by Travelsphere that it was a national holiday in Chile during our time there, so many of the attractions were shut!! After much frantic organizing by our TM and Travelsphere, an amended programme was put together. As far as I remember the airport was easy to navigate. We didn't see much of the city as it was like a ghost town. If you have the time and can organize it, it might be worth heading out of town and doing a wine tasting - we were meant to go to one of the major vineyards but it was shut. So we went to a small independent one instead, who were out to impress and as a result we got very generous measures!! The countryside outside Santiago is very picturesque, with views of the Andes. We did get to the viewing point at San Cristobel which was worth a visit. When in Chile you should try the empanadas (a bit like a Cornish pasty) - very tasty. They have them in Argentina as well.

I can't comment on what vaccinations you'd need for Easter Island, but I don't think there's any need for special ones for Santiago and we didn't need mozzie spray or malaria tablets - I was there in September, which should have been the beginning of spring but it wasn't, as it was quite cold and really the end of winter.

Hope this helps! Have a fantastic time!

Bob

Hi Bob

No worries about the vaccinations - I'll be going to see the Practise Nurse at the Travel Clinic before....Altringham....so I'll find out about Chile at the same time.

I probably won't have much time in Santiago (and I'm also going in September so with my luck will also turn up on their public holiday!) but I hope to venture out beyond the hotel for a little while. Sadly, wine tasting would be wasted on me - tee total, remember? - in fact I was almost drummed out of the Limoncello lecture and tasting session in the Lemon Groves of Sorrento last year because the lady giving the talk couldn't believe that a non-drinker would dare to set foot over her threshold!!

Have an amazing time in Borneo with the orangs. I bet you and Sally will be in photography heaven with all that wildlife! My cousin did work experience out there (not kidding!) and said it was incredible. I'm guessing it was similar to meeting the pandas in Chengdu.

I had confirmation from the local guide I've booked loads of walking/hiking tours with on Easter Island yesterday so Rapa Nui here I come!

All the best

Mandy

Hi Jan,

I've only just found your post. I find the forum a little difficult to navigate but this thread has popped up again thanks to Bob and Mandy! Thank you, it's a really helpful and reassuring post. Obviously I realise that Christ the Redeemer has many steps... I'll maybe have to view from lower down but the rest seems ok. I'm alright on the flat, it's downhill and down steps that are my problem.

Many thanks

Annie