I"m traveling from Quito, Ecuador to Santiago, Chile over the course of a month. What's the best way to do it?

How long would it take by bus? What diversions do you recommend along the way? Should I spend a week in Lima? Cuzco? I am planning on stopping in La Paz. Any other ideas? Most of all, could you give me an idea of how terrible the bus rides will be to make this journey?

Thanks for all of your answers.

Hi, although I love bus riding, from Ecuador to Chile you will have to pass through Peru and there is a part where the Panamerican Highway is blocked due to the recent earthquakes. The epi-centres of these earthquakes (there were two!) were the towns of Pisco, Chincha, Ica and they all lie very near the highway. I doubt that they will be ok within the next 3 or 4 months and no buses are allowed, only the ones bringing help. Therefore, I recommend you can go to up to Lima on bus, stay some days in Lima to see the city but then fly from Lima to Santiago. There is a vast amount of "cheap" airlines that fly everyday there. I am a bit confused about your stop in La Paz: Quito, Lima, Santiago are all united with the Pan American highway and in a fairly staright line along the coast but La Paz (Bolivia) is a long shot further east, after the highlands so it's not like you're just "stopping" there, you will have to really go out of your route to go there. From Lima I reocmmend flying to Cuzco and then you can go to La Paz on train or bus but then fly to either Lima again or Santiago. Anyway, try flying this southern part of Peru, things are not well right now and I doubt they'll be well for the next 3 or 4 months.

try flying smart people wld fly