I'm in the beginning phase of planning a multi-country South American trip at the end of 2008. I've never been on a multi country trip, let alone had to plan one, so I'm a bit overwhelmed and constantly worried that I'll forget something. So far the plan is to take off sometime between Nov 26-30 and return January 11th (just in time for the spring semester). I've got 6 countries I'd like to visit and now begins the process of narrowing down times and durations to be in each place.

Has anyone ever planned a solo 1.5 month trip to South America? What are some things I should be more strict about planning, and what are some that I can leave to the universe (and figure out when I get there)?