Tracing the footsteps of Butch & Sundance in South America

As many of you know, I will be heading off to South America on the 28th December 2008. So naturally, I am gathering as much information as possible before I leave. 

Luckily, I was listening to the most recent podcast from Excess Baggage, Radio 4 and was delighted to find that the topic of discussion was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid, and their path through South America. The real life events of these characters was fascinating to listen to, and I was particularly enthused to hear John Pilkington's descriptions of the looters zig-zagging through the altiplanos - hiding among the rocky outcrops, organ pipe cacti and llamas!

"Butch Cassidy & the Sundance kid" movie (1969)

Here are John's recommendations for Bolivia, Argentina and Chile:

Following the trail of Butch and Sundance, Bolivia

• Tupiza (tours of the Butch & Sundance hold-up site)
• Waca Wañusca (the Dead Cow Hill) - 100 years later the trail is still used by local llama herders to transport salt blocks and in late May, June or July you stand a good chance of meeting 30 or so 'grumpy rumbling llamas being cajoled into carrying blocks of salt!'
• Uyuni, south western corner of Bolvia, look for little travel agents that will take you on the south western circuit (3/4 days by land cruiser) in order to see Uyuni salt lake and volcanoes along Chilean border.

Uyuni, south-west Boliva

Patagonia

• While Patagonia stretches a vast expanse of 1/2 million square miles, the must-sees for mountain-lovers are Torres del Paine, southern Chile and Mount Fitz Roy, Argentina. 

Torres del Paine, Argentina