Destinations / South America (Cusco to Rio de Janeiro)

South America (Cusco to Rio de Janeiro)

1 itinerary · 0 open departures · 0 missions

The route from Cusco to Rio de Janeiro cuts across the heart of South America, connecting two of the continent's most iconic destinations through a vast and varied landscape. Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire nestled high in the Peruvian Andes, serves as the gateway to Machu Picchu and a wealth of ancient ruins, colonial architecture, and highland culture. Travelling east toward Rio de Janeiro brings travellers through the Amazon basin, the wetlands of the Pantanal, and the Brazilian interior, before reaching Rio's legendary beaches, carnival culture, and dramatic mountain scenery. This overland journey attracts adventurous travellers drawn to trekking, wildlife watching, ancient history, and the vibrant street life of South America's great cities.

What travellers are doing

Itineraries

-62%

Save £2,771 (62% off)

£4,481 retail with Contiki → £1,710 self-launched

South America (Cusco to Rio de Janeiro) · 18 days

Copycat

Self-Launched South American Explorer with Inca Trail Trek

This self-launched version of Contiki's South American Explorer takes you on the same epic journey from Cusco to Rio de Janeiro — Inca Trail, Amazon rainforest, Buenos Aires tango, Iguassu Falls and Copacabana — at a fraction of the cost. By swapping group tour markups for direct bookings, hostels, and local transport, you can do it all independently for roughly £1,550–£1,900 per person (excluding international flights), saving well over £2,000 compared to Contiki's price. All costs below are approximate estimates based on current budget traveller rates.

adventureculturehiking

Travel Crew

~£1,710

Missions

Nobody's posted a Mission for South America (Cusco to Rio de Janeiro) yet — which, frankly, is an opportunity.

Wait, what's a Mission?It's not a scheduled trip with dates and a minimum group size like a Departure — it's a goal. Learn to dive, do a Muay Thai camp, live somewhere for a month and work on something, chase one very specific experience. Post it, and other people chasing the same thing find you.

Be the first to post one: "Find the most locally-hated tourist trap and go anyway, unironically, in a costume."

Post the first South America (Cusco to Rio de Janeiro) Mission →

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