Highly recommended

Our criteria for hostels were as follows – must have free wifi, computers with internet, breakfast included, close to what we want to see/do.

Mama Simona Hostel in Cusco, Peru.
This is a lovely hostel in a quieter part of town. It was close to Loki Hostel and Loki Travel who we used to book our trips to Mach Pichu and Manu Jungle.
Slightly older crowd and comfortable like home with a lounge in the centre. The beds are awesome and the place is very clean.

Loki, Salta.
This is outside of the city in the countryside surrounded by working farms. The hostel has the perfect setup. Central eating and entertainment area with pool and the rooms (more like little cottages) are a distance away (100m). This is perfect – party if you want and if you want to sleep, the noise is far away.
All drinks and food can be bought on the premises and the food is absolutely delicious.  Prepare to pick up some pounds around the middle.

Posada El Shaddai in Foz do Iguazu (clear signs from the bus station) was our welcome introduction to Brazil and the Brazilians. Poolside entertainment area makes for a very social atmosphere. Super comfortable beds and they even packed us a ‘to go’ breakfast.

Saved the best for last – Riodeal in Rio de Janeiro (Copacabana beach area).
This is more of a bed and breakfast than a hostel but well worth it. The owners are super helpful, it’s brand spanking new, great location (3 blocks from the beach) and once again super beds. The breakfast which is included was way above what we were used to receiving. I mean, chocolate milk, what a lovely touch. (I’m easy to please). An honesty bar and wait for it…a bbq on a rooftop. Never got to use it (rained most nights) but an amazing place to chill.

Let us move on to tours and tour operators.

We booked both our trips in Peru through Loki Travel but both were through other tour companies.

Our 1 day Inca Trail and day at Machu Pichu was through KB Adventures Tour Operator (www.kbadventure.com.pe). The guide was excellent,  good knowledge and very friendly. The hostel in Aguas Calientes wasn’t great but worked. Everything else lived up to my expectations and nothing is as wonderful as the first sight of Machu Pichu through the Sun Gate. If you are strapped for time as we were, the 1 day trail is perfect. And don’t think it’s easy. Do Wayna Pichu,  it’s worth the extra cost.

Our tour operator for the the Manu Jungle trip (4d3n) was Expeditions Vilca (www.manuvilcaperu.com). I cannot recommend this group more highly, especially our guide Sylvia and all the other workerbees that made it memorable. We even had our own cook. The drive there is hair raising in the wet season and thanks to our driver, we felt safe despite the conditions. It really makes a difference when you choose a good company. We spent Christmas in the Manu jungle and everyone went out of their way to make it the best yet.

Altitude Biking accompanied us down the Death Road in Bolivia. We had all the safety equipment necessary and the mountain bikes looked well-maintained. I did think they could have a better first aid kit especially since I needed it (just a few scrapes but needed better dressing). The fall was not due to their lack of support but rather my lack of caution.

The Salar de Uyuni tour was booked through Latitude in Uyuni. They don’t speak English in the office, so just keep that in mind. We ended up being sent with another tour operator,  I can only assume that they work with each other or its a sister company. According to our translations, we received everything they promised and it was an incredible trip. So I’d recommend the company but I doubt it’s any different to the many others available in Uyuni. I found that the 2 day tour was sufficient but we did miss out on the geysers and multicoloured antiplano lakes.  Make sure you use the opportunity on the salt plane to take loads of photo, there is basically only one stop in the middle of nowhere where you can take your pics. Don’t let the driver hurry you.

Hang gliding in Rio. I used easyflyrio (www.easyflyrio.com.br). Marcio Borges was an excellent instructor and I felt I got value for my money. Just be aware that it’s extra for video and photos (I opted to just take the photos which was less) and they often don’t tell you about the cost to register with the hang gliding authority (20 Real).

Sadly I lost all my info on restaurants and buses but I’m sure you’ll figure it all out for yourself.

My advice on buses:
Check your ticket, if it doesn’t say it’s full cama,  it’s not full cama no matter want the slimeball bus ticket seller tells you or promises you. Some routes don’t offer full cama, that’s when they normally try to scam you. Try to avoid people that approach you, rather go to kiosk at the station. Be aware that in Argentina the bag handler often expects a tip to put your bag in the hold. Some can be aggressive about it, others accept it if you just pat your pocket and say you don’t have change.

All the best on your travels. It’s an adventure.