19-Day South America Self-Launched Adventure: Buenos Aires to Cusco
19 days · Argentina, Brazil & Peru
Tangol Tours charges £4,100
No-markup version: ~£1,535 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 19-day trip through South America's greatest hits, following the same route as Tangol Tours' guided package but booked independently: Buenos Aires tango and steak, the Tigre Delta, the thundering Perito Moreno Glacier, both sides of Iguazú Falls, Rio's Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf, Lima's colonial centre, and finally Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Uses local buses, domestic flights booked direct, and self-guided activities — roughly a fifth of the packaged price. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget rates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Arrive Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Land at Ezeiza International Airport. Take the Tienda León shuttle bus or public bus 8 into the city centre (~£8) rather than a taxi. Check into a hostel in San Telmo or Palermo. Spend the evening acclimatising — walk to Plaza de Mayo and grab an empanada dinner.
🚌Tienda León shuttle Ezeiza–centre ~£8
🛏Hostel in San Telmo/Palermo (dorm ~£14, private ~£30)
- →Airport transfer by shuttle bus
- →Evening orientation walk around Plaza de Mayo
Buenos Aires city & tango
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Self-guided walking tour of the centre: Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, then San Telmo's antique market and street tango, colourful La Boca (Caminito), and upscale Recoleta with Evita's grave. In the evening book a tango dinner show directly — El Querandí and similar venues sell tickets online; cheaper alternative is a milonga class plus a standing show.
🚌Public transport (SUBE card) ~£2
🛏Hostel in San Telmo/Palermo (dorm ~£14)
- →Self-guided San Telmo, La Boca & Recoleta walk
- →Tango show with dinner (book direct, ~£45–70)
Tigre Delta day trip
Tigre, Argentina
Take the Tren de la Costa or Mitre line train from Retiro to Tigre (~£1). Join a shared boat tour of the Río de la Plata and delta islands (~£12), wander the Puerto de Frutos market, and return by train. Cheap, easy, and exactly the operator's Day 3 but self-booked.
🚌Mitre line train Retiro–Tigre ~£1 return
🛏Hostel in Buenos Aires (dorm ~£14)
- →Delta boat tour
- →Puerto de Frutos market
- →Train ride from Retiro
Fly Buenos Aires to El Calafate
El Calafate, Argentina
Book a domestic flight direct with Aerolíneas Argentinas or Flybondi (~£90–130, book early). Arrive in El Calafate, gateway to Patagonia. Settle into a hostel and sort your glacier excursion for tomorrow.
🚌Domestic flight BUE–FTE ~£110
🛏Hostel/guesthouse El Calafate (~£18)
- →Domestic flight to El Calafate
- →Evening in town, book glacier tour
Perito Moreno Glacier
Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
Join a shared day tour to Los Glaciares National Park (~£40 including park entry, or take the public bus ~£15 plus ~£12 entry). Walk the frontal boardwalks, view the glacier from the Curva de los Suspiros, and add an optional boat ride to the south wall (~£20).
🚌Shared tour van or public bus ~£15
🛏Hostel/guesthouse El Calafate (~£18)
- →Los Glaciares National Park & Perito Moreno boardwalks
- →Optional boat to glacier south wall
Fly El Calafate to Puerto Iguazú
Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Fly El Calafate to Puerto Iguazú (usually via Buenos Aires, ~£120–160). Arrive in the subtropical border town, check in and plan your two days at the falls.
🚌Domestic flight FTE–IGR via BUE ~£140
🛏Hostel Puerto Iguazú (~£15)
- →Domestic flight to Puerto Iguazú
Iguazú Falls — Brazilian side
Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Cross the border to Brazil (bus ~£2). Explore the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls — panoramic bus and walking paths with the classic Devil's Throat Canyon views. Entry ~£14. Cheaper and easier than a package; the border crossing is straightforward.
🚌Border bus to Brazil ~£2 return
🛏Hostel Puerto Iguazú (~£15)
- →Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls
- →Panoramic park bus & lower trail walk
Iguazú Falls — Argentine side
Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Full day on the Argentine side: upper, lower and Devil's Throat circuits via the eco-train. Entry ~£18. The Argentine side is bigger and more immersive — allow the whole day and bring lunch.
🚌Local park bus ~£4 return
🛏Hostel Puerto Iguazú (~£15)
- →Argentine side upper/lower/Devil's Throat circuits
- →Eco-train to Garganta Station
Fly Puerto Iguazú to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fly to Rio (often via São Paulo or Buenos Aires, ~£110–150). Transfer to Copacabana or Botafogo by bus/metro. Evening walk along Copacabana beach.
🚌Domestic flight IGR–GIG ~£130
🛏Hostel Copacabana/Botafogo (~£18)
- →Domestic flight to Rio
- →Evening at Copacabana
Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Take the Corcovado train up to Christ the Redeemer (book online ~£15, plus park fee). In the afternoon ride the Sugarloaf cable car (~£25) for sunset views over Guanabara Bay. Metro between the two is cheap and safe.
🚌Metro ~£1.50
🛏Hostel Copacabana/Botafogo (~£18)
- →Corcovado train to Christ the Redeemer
- →Sugarloaf cable car
Guanabara Bay cruise
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Book a shared Guanabara Bay boat cruise via GetYourGuide (~£20) — passes Flamengo, Botafogo, Urca, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Rio–Niterói Bridge. Afternoon free to explore Urca's waterfront.
🚌Local bus/metro ~£2
🛏Hostel Copacabana/Botafogo (~£18)
- →Guanabara Bay shared boat cruise
- →Urca waterfront walk
Rio free day — beaches & Santa Teresa
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Your own Rio day: hit Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, ride the Santa Teresa tram, try feijoada for lunch, and hike up to Selarón Steps. Optional favela tour or botanical gardens if you want structure.
🚌Metro & tram ~£3
🛏Hostel Copacabana/Botafogo (~£18)
- →Ipanema & Copacabana beaches
- →Santa Teresa tram & Selarón Steps
Fly Rio to Lima
Lima, Peru
Fly Rio to Lima (often via São Paulo or Bogotá, ~£200–280). Arrive in Peru's coastal capital and settle into a hostel in Miraflores, the backpacker-friendly district.
🚌Flight GIG–LIM ~£240
🛏Hostel Miraflores (~£16)
- →International flight to Lima
Lima historic centre & Larco Museum
Lima, Peru
Self-guided day: Larco Museum's 5,000-piece pre-Columbian collection (~£7), then the UNESCO-listed historic centre — Plaza Mayor, Cathedral of Lima and the colonial Casa de Aliaga. Metro/bus from Miraflores is cheap.
🚌Local bus/Metropolitano ~£2
🛏Hostel Miraflores (~£16)
- →Larco Museum
- →Lima historic centre walk
- →Cathedral of Lima & Casa de Aliaga
Fly Lima to Cusco
Cusco, Peru
Book a budget flight to Cusco (~£60–90) direct — often cheaper than the operator's suggestion of booking through them. Take it easy on arrival: Cusco is at 3,400m. Buy a coca tea, rest, and plan the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tickets.
🚌Domestic flight LIM–CUZ ~£75
🛏Hostel Cusco centre (~£14)
- →Flight Lima–Cusco
- →Acclimatisation day in Cusco
Cusco & Sacsayhuamán
Cusco, Peru
Buy a partial Boleto Turístico (~£25) covering Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo and Tambomachay. Walk or take a taxi up to the fortress, then visit the Cathedral of Cusco. Evening: Plaza de Armas at sunset.
🚌Walking & taxi ~£3
🛏Hostel Cusco centre (~£14)
- →Sacsayhuamán fortress
- →Q'enqo & Tambomachay
- →Cathedral of Cusco
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, Peru
Take the train from Cusco (Poroy/Ollantaytambo) to Aguas Calientes — book Vistadome or the cheaper Expedition train direct (~£60–90 return). Ride the bus up to Machu Picchu (~£20 return), entry ~£35, and take an optional shared guided tour (~£25) or self-tour. Return train to Cusco in the evening.
🚌Expedition/Vistadome train ~£75 return, shuttle bus ~£20
🛏Hostel Cusco centre (~£14)
- →Train to Aguas Calientes
- →Machu Picchu guided/self-tour
- →Intihuatana & temples
Sacred Valley — Pisac & Ollantaytambo
Sacred Valley, Peru
Full day in the Sacred Valley: shared van or colectivo to Pisac market (~£8), then Ollantaytambo village and fortress. Boleto Turístico covers the ruins. Lunch at a traditional valley restaurant. Return to Cusco by colectivo.
🚌Colectivo/shared van ~£10
🛏Hostel Cusco centre (~£14)
- →Pisac market
- →Ollantaytambo fortress & village
Depart Cusco
Cusco, Peru
Last morning in Cusco — coffee in San Blas and pick up souvenirs. Head to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport for your onward flight home.
🚌Taxi to airport ~£5
🛏—
- →San Blas morning
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. Tangol Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Tangol Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,535 | £4,100 |
| Duration | 19 days | 19 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,565 per person (63%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Tangol Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,535
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does 19-Day South America Self-Launched Adventure: Buenos Aires to Cusco cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,535 per person for 19 days in Argentina, Brazil & Peru. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Tangol Tours?+
Yes — Tangol Tours charges around £4,100 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,535 — a saving of roughly £2,565 (63%) per person.
How long is the Argentina, Brazil & Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 19 days, covering 19 day-by-day stops through Argentina, Brazil & Peru.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Argentina, Brazil & Peru, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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