Ecuador vs. Peru? (1 Viewer)

We want to visit South America for the first time. We are not sure, yet, what would be the better choice: Peru or Ecuador.

Background:

• We want to get an impression of an Andean transect.
• We want to travel independently, that is without a driver/guide if not necessary.
• We would hire a car or use public transport (if safe when travelling with camera equipment etc.)
• "Easy" travelling (hassle free, friendly people) would be fine.
• Accomodation should be okay but not too expensive.
• We don't speak Spanish, yet, but we will take a crash course before the trip.

So our questions are:

• Which destination would you recommend for a first trip to South America and which places should we visit?
• What's the best time to go there?
• Do you have to book anything in advance (accomodation, certain trips)?
• In which places would you highly recommend taking a guide?

PS: Equal thread in the Peru forum.

I have never been to Peru, but I have done two trips to Ecuador. I think it's the best choice for a first-timer (given that you want to visit South vs. Central America). Fairly good infrastructure, a good selection of car rental companies, lots of excellent lodges to stay in. (The same may be true about Peru nowadays, too - I just wouldn't know by direct experience.)

On our first trip (2001), we stuck with hired drivers, because I had no knowledge of the country (or Spanish). On the second trip (2007), we rented a high-clearance vehicle, and drove ourselves over the Papallacta pass. I highly recommend that trip - plenty of easy access to different altitudes. The birds at Thermas de Papallacta are wunderbar!

Peter C.

P.S. I should also mention that I took a lot of Spanish classes between the two trips - but even after that, my Spanish is still quite poor. Nonetheless, I found I could get by with just a few words.