Ecuador & Peru

Follow the classic Quito-to-Lima route through Ecuador and Peru entirely independently — no group tour markup required. You'll ride local buses between cities, stay in well-rated budget hostels, book jungle homestays directly with community operators, and use overnight buses (just like the tour does) to save on accommodation costs. The experiences are identical: Amazon rainforest homestay, Baños thermal springs, colonial Cuenca, Mancora beach, Trujillo ceviche, and lively Lima. Costs below are approximate per-person estimates based on current backpacker rates.

Travel Crew

~£620

Experience the iconic Inca Trail, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu independently — without the group tour markup. This self-launched itinerary follows the same Inca Trail route as Gap360's guided trip, starting in Cusco and finishing with a sunrise visit to Machu Picchu. You'll book your Inca Trail permit directly through an authorised operator (required by Peruvian law), use local transport between cities, and stay in well-rated budget hostels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£390

This self-launched version of PVTravels' 8-day South Peru circuit covers the same unmissable route — Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco and Machu Picchu — but on your own terms and at a fraction of the cost. Instead of a packaged group tour, you'll book budget-friendly guesthouses and hostels, travel on public buses and budget domestic flights, and pick up guided excursions directly via GetYourGuide or local operators on the ground. All costs are approximate estimates per person and will vary depending on your travel style, season and exchange rates.

Travel Crew

~£510

Same incredible Peru adventure — Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, the Inca Trail, Cusco's markets and the Maras Salt Mines — but booked independently and at a fraction of the group-tour price. You'll stay in well-rated budget hotels and hostels, travel by local trains, shared buses and taxis, and book activities directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook. All costs are approximate per-person estimates based on current backpacker rates.

Travel Crew

~£630

An epic 51-day self-launched adventure through six South American countries — from Lima's buzzing streets to Rio's iconic beaches. Hit all the major highlights: the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the Uyuni Salt Flats, Atacama Desert, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Iguassu Falls and more. By swapping the guided group tour for independent travel — local buses, hostels, and self-booked activities — you can have the same incredible experience for a fraction of the price. All cost estimates are approximate and per person.

Travel Crew

~£2,150

Experience the best of South America independently — from Peru's sand dunes, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu to Bolivia's salt flats, Chile's Atacama Desert and Argentina's Buenos Aires. This self-launched equivalent swaps guided group travel for local buses, shared transfers, self-bookable tours and budget-friendly hostels, saving you over £1,500 compared to the commercial operator price. All the same bucket-list moments, at a fraction of the cost.

Travel Crew

~£2,050

This self-launched 3-day itinerary replicates the Exodus Lake Titicaca add-on independently — travelling the spectacular altiplano from Cuzco to Puno by shared tourist bus, visiting the floating reed islands of the Uros people by public boat, and exploring the ancient Sillustani burial towers. You skip the group tour premium entirely by booking transport and activities directly, staying in a comfortable guesthouse in Puno, and eating at local restaurants. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£115

Follow the same epic route from Lima to La Paz — Amazon jungle lodges, the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca homestays and Bolivia's altiplano — all independently booked at a fraction of the group tour price. Swap the guided group for local buses, self-booked tours and hostel common rooms full of like-minded travellers. This is one of South America's greatest adventure routes and it's very well-trodden by independent backpackers. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£760

Experience the very best of Peru independently — from Lima's coastal neighbourhoods and Nazca's desert dunes to the depths of Colca Canyon, the Sacred Valley, a Quechua homestay and the iconic Inca Trail finishing at sunrise over Machu Picchu. Swapping a group tour operator for self-booked transport, hostels and GetYourGuide activities slashes the cost dramatically while preserving every highlight. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£700

This self-launched version of Exodus's classic Inca Trail & Salkantay Trek combines the breathtaking Salkantay high route with the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu — all without the guided group price tag. You'll book your own Inca Trail permit (essential — permits sell out months in advance), join a small-group Salkantay guided trek via local operators (far cheaper than international tour operators), and organise your own accommodation in Cuzco, Aguas Calientes, and the Sacred Valley. The same stunning passes, glaciers, cloud forests, Inca ruins, and that unforgettable first glimpse through the Sun Gate — at a fraction of the cost. All cost estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£750

This self-launched version of Exodus's Essential Peru tour takes you through the iconic highlights of southern Peru — Ballestas Islands, Nazca Lines, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, and Arequipa — without the group tour price tag. By booking local buses, public trains, and budget hotels independently, and self-booking activities via GetYourGuide or directly with local operators, you can experience the same world-class destinations for a fraction of the cost. Estimated costs are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£940

Discover the wonders of the Inca world on your own terms — no group tour markup required. This self-launched version of G Adventures' classic Machu Picchu Adventure follows the same Lima–Cusco–Sacred Valley–Aguas Calientes–Machu Picchu–Lima route, swapping guided group transport and hotel packages for local buses, trains, hostels, and self-bookable tours. You'll visit the same iconic sites, eat at the same community restaurants, and experience just as much magic — at a fraction of the cost. All cost estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£625