Lima to Buenos Aires: Deserts & Dancing – Self-Launched

Fly into Jorge Chávez International Airport and make your way to a hostel in the bohemian Barranco or Miraflores neighbourhood. Spend the evening getting your bearings over a local craft beer — try Barranco Beer Company or one of the many bars on Calle Berlin. A great place to meet fellow travellers.

🚌Airport to Barranco via pre-booked taxi or Uber (~£10-15)

🛏Hostel in Barranco or Miraflores — e.g. The Point Lima or Hitchhikers Backpackers (~£12-18/night in a dorm)

• →Explore Barranco's nightlife and craft beer bars
• →Walk the Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros)
• →Meet other travellers at your hostel

Take an early morning bus from Lima's Central Bus Terminal to Ica (Cruz del Sur or Oltursa, ~£10-14, ~4.5 hrs), then a short taxi or mototaxi to the desert oasis of Huacachina (~£2). Book a late-afternoon sandboarding and dune buggy sunset tour directly on arrival — operators at the oasis charge around £20-25pp. Watch the sun go down over the dunes.

🚌Cruz del Sur or Oltursa bus Lima → Ica (~£10-14), mototaxi Ica → Huacachina (~£2)

🛏Hostel at Huacachina oasis — e.g. Banana's Adventure or Desert Nights (~£10-14/night dorm)

• →Sandboarding and dune buggy sunset tour at Huacachina (~£20-25, book locally)
• →Stroll around the oasis lagoon
• →Dinner at a lakeside restaurant

For an early optional detour, take a shared transfer to Paracas (~1 hr, ~£5) and book a Ballestas Islands boat tour (GetYourGuide or direct, ~£12-15) — sea lions, pelicans, and Humboldt penguins await. Return to the Panamericana and catch a bus toward Nazca, stopping at a Pisco winery en route (El Catador winery offers free tours and tastings). Arrive in Nazca by evening.

🚌Shared transfer Huacachina → Paracas (~£5), bus Paracas → Nazca (~£8-10)

🛏Hostel in Nazca — e.g. Casa Andina or Hospedaje Internacional (~£10-14/night dorm or private)

• →Optional: Ballestas Islands boat tour from Paracas (~£12-15, book via GetYourGuide)
• →Pisco winery stop and tasting at El Catador (~£3-5)
• →Bus journey through Peru's coastal desert

Book a Nazca Lines scenic flight directly at the airport or via a local agency (AeroParacas or AeroDiana, ~£80-100pp — the most affordable way to see the lines). Alternatively, take a free mirador tower viewpoint (~£1) for a ground-level glimpse. Experience a traditional pachamanca lunch at a local restaurant — slow-cooked Andean meats and vegetables (~£8-12). Board an overnight bus to Arequipa (Cruz del Sur, ~£15-20, ~9 hrs).

🚌Cruz del Sur overnight bus Nazca → Arequipa (~£15-20)

🛏Overnight bus (saves a night's accommodation cost)

• →Nazca Lines scenic flight (~£80-100, book directly at Nazca aerodrome) OR mirador viewpoint (~£1)
• →Pachamanca traditional lunch (~£8-12)
• →Optional: Nazca Desert Cemetery & Pottery Studio tour (~£10)

Arrive in the morning and check into your hostel. Arequipa's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — spend the day wandering the Plaza de Armas, built from white volcanic sillar stone. Visit the stunning Santa Catalina Monastery (entry ~£11) — an entire city-within-a-city. For dinner, head to a local picantería for rocoto relleno or adobo arequipeño.

🚌Arrival from overnight bus, walk or taxi to hostel (~£2)

🛏Hostel in Arequipa — e.g. Wild Rover Arequipa or La Casa de Melgar (~£12-16/night dorm)

• →Santa Catalina Monastery visit (~£11, book direct or GetYourGuide)
• →Explore Plaza de Armas and the cathedral
• →Dinner at a traditional picantería (alpaca, spicy sauces, local soups)

Book a two-day Colca Canyon tour through a local Arequipa agency (standard backpacker tours run ~£30-45 including transport and guide, departing 3am). On day one, travel through the Altiplano stopping to see vicuñas and volcanoes, arriving at Chivay. Optional hot springs dip in Cruz del Cóndor thermal baths (~£5). Overnight in a simple guesthouse in Chivay.

🚌Included in Colca Canyon tour package from Arequipa

🛏Simple guesthouse in Chivay (~£10-14/night)

• →Colca Valley and canyon viewpoints tour (~£30-45, book via local Arequipa agency)
• →Spot vicuñas and alpacas on the Altiplano
• →Optional: Hot springs at La Calera, Chivay (~£5)

Rise early to reach the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint by 9am — the best time to watch Andean condors soar on thermals from the canyon walls. Return via local villages and ancient Incan terraces. Back in Arequipa by the afternoon, head to the Calle Zela area for drinks and dinner — a lively strip of restaurants, bars, and clubs popular with travellers.

🚌Return transport to Arequipa included in Colca tour package

🛏Return to hostel in Arequipa (~£12-16/night dorm)

• →Cruz del Cóndor condor viewpoint (included in tour)
• →Traditional village and Incan terrace stops en route back
• →Evening drinks on Calle Zela, Arequipa

Spend the morning exploring any remaining Arequipa highlights — the Museo Santuarios Andinos (home to Juanita the Ice Maiden, ~£7) is well worth a visit. Grab a last bowl of adobo arequipeño for lunch. Board an overnight bus to Cusco (Cruz del Sur or Civa, ~£15-22, ~10 hrs). Cama/semi-cama seats offer a comfortable overnight journey.

🚌Cruz del Sur or Civa overnight bus Arequipa → Cusco (~£15-22)

🛏Overnight bus (saves accommodation cost)

• →Optional: Museo Santuarios Andinos — Juanita the Ice Maiden (~£7)
• →Final wander through Arequipa's market district
• →Board overnight bus to Cusco

Arrive in Cusco and take it easy — acclimatisation is important at 3,400m. Check into your hostel and explore the historic centre on foot: Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun, ~£10). Narrow cobblestone streets are perfect for wandering. Pre-book a Cusco cooking class via GetYourGuide (~£25-35) for either today or tomorrow.

🚌Taxi from bus terminal to hostel (~£2)

🛏Hostel in Cusco — e.g. Loki Hostel or Pariwana Cusco (~£12-18/night dorm)

• →Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) visit (~£10)
• →Wander Plaza de Armas and Cusco Cathedral
• →Optional: Cusco cooking class via GetYourGuide (~£25-35)

Choose your Cusco adventure today. Energetic? Book a Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) day trek via GetYourGuide or a local agency (~£20-30 including transport and guide). More relaxed? Visit the Inka Museum on Plaza Regocijo (~£8) and spend the afternoon hopping between Cusco's excellent cafes — Granja Heidi and Jack's Café are traveller favourites. Tonight, explore the San Blas neighbourhood's bars.

🚌Local transport included in Rainbow Mountain tour if booked, or walk/taxi around Cusco (~£2-3)

🛏Hostel in Cusco (~£12-18/night dorm)

• →Option A: Rainbow Mountain trek via GetYourGuide (~£20-30)
• →Option B: Inka Museum visit (~£8) + café hopping in Cusco
• →San Blas neighbourhood evening drinks

Take a local shared minibus from Cusco to Pisac (~£2, 1 hr) and visit the market and ruins. Continue by combi to Ollantaytambo (~£2). En route, look out for community weaving projects — the Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Co-op is accessible via guided Sacred Valley tours (~£25-35 via GetYourGuide). Stop at Cervecería del Valle Sagrado brewery near Pachar for craft beer made with local ingredients (~£3-5 a pint).

🚌Shared combi Cusco → Pisac (~£2), combi Pisac → Ollantaytambo (~£2)

🛏Hostel in Ollantaytambo — e.g. KB Tambo (~£12-16/night dorm)

• →Pisac market and ruins visit
• →Sacred Valley community weaving co-op visit (included in Sacred Valley tour via GetYourGuide, ~£25-35)
• →Craft beer tasting at Sacred Valley Brewery (~£3-5/pint)
• →Explore Ollantaytambo ruins (~£10)

The Inca Trail requires a licensed agency and must be booked well in advance (permits sell out months ahead — book at least 3-6 months before travel). A 4-day Inca Trail package through a reputable local agency costs ~£300-400pp including permits, licensed guide, porters, cook, and camping gear. Today: transfer from Ollantaytambo to Km 82 trailhead and hike through lush scenery to Llactapata ruins. Camp at ~2,700m.

🚌Van transfer from Ollantaytambo to Km 82 (included in trail package)

🛏Camping on Inca Trail (included in agency package)

• →Inca Trail Day 1: Km 82 to Llactapata and first camp (~11km)
• →Spot diverse cloud forest flora
• →Camp dinner prepared by trail cook (included in package)

The toughest day on the trail. Start early and climb steeply to Warmiwañusca — Dead Woman's Pass — the highest point of the trek at 4,198m. The effort is absolutely worth the panoramic views. Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon. Rest up, enjoy a hot meal prepared by your cook, and take in the Andes all around you.

🚌Hiking (no vehicle transport today)

🛏Camping on Inca Trail (included in agency package)

• →Inca Trail Day 2: Climb to Dead Woman's Pass (4,198m) and descend to Pacaymayo camp (~16km)
• →Celebrate reaching the highest point with fellow hikers
• →Rest and recovery at camp

Cross two more high passes — Runquraqay (3,950m) and a second pass at 3,700m — with incredible views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba on clear days. Hike through original Incan constructions and descend through cloud forest to Phuyupatamarca ruins ('town above the clouds') at 3,650m. Optionally push on to Wiñay Wayna ruins (2,650m) for the sunrise finale. Camp here tonight.

🚌Hiking (no vehicle transport today)

🛏Camping on Inca Trail at Phuyupatamarca or Wiñay Wayna (included in package)

• →Inca Trail Day 3: Runquraqay Pass, cloud forest, Phuyupatamarca ruins (~16km)
• →Views of snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba
• →Optional extra hike to Wiñay Wayna ruins

Wake at 3:30am to hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for sunrise over Machu Picchu — one of travel's most unforgettable moments. Descend for a guided tour of the citadel (included in trail package). Take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (~£7 return) and board the Vistadome or Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo (~£55-70), then a shared taxi/bus back to Cusco (~£3). Tonight: celebrate in Cusco's famous nightclubs — Mama Africa or Mythology are trail-finisher favourites.

🚌Bus Machu Picchu → Aguas Calientes (~£7), PeruRail train → Ollantaytambo (~£55-70), shared taxi → Cusco (~£3)

🛏Return to hostel in Cusco (~£12-18/night dorm)

• →Sunrise hike to Sun Gate (Inti Punku)
• →Guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel (Circuit 3 for Inca Trail hikers)
• →Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (~£7 return)
• →PeruRail train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo (~£55-70, book well ahead at perurail.com)
• →Celebrate at Cusco's nightlife — Mama Africa or Mythology club

A well-earned rest day after the Inca Trail. Sleep in, eat well, and explore any remaining Cusco highlights at your own pace. Explore the San Pedro Market for fresh fruit juices and snacks, browse the artisan shops in San Blas, or simply watch the world go by from a café on the Plaza de Armas. Tonight try a pisco sour at a local bar.

🚌Walking around Cusco

🛏Hostel in Cusco (~£12-18/night dorm)

• →San Pedro Market for fresh juices and local snacks
• →San Blas neighbourhood artisan workshops
• →Plaza de Armas café-hopping and people-watching
• →Pisco sour tasting at a local bar

Take the scenic bus ride across the Altiplano to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The Turismo Mer or Peru Hop tourist bus (~£15-20) makes stops at archaeological sites including Raqchi and La Raya pass. Alternatively, take the legendary Andean Explorer luxury train (PeruRail, ~£150+ — a splurge worth considering). Arrive in Puno in the afternoon and check in to your hostel.

🚌Turismo Mer or Peru Hop bus Cusco → Puno (~£15-20, ~6 hrs with stops)

🛏Hostel in Puno — e.g. Hostal Pukara or Uros Titicaca (~£10-14/night dorm)

• →Scenic Altiplano bus journey with archaeological stops
• →Optional: Andean Explorer train Cusco → Puno (luxury splurge, ~£150+)
• →Arrive Puno and explore the lakeside waterfront

Book a Lake Titicaca excursion including Taquile Island and a community homestay through a local Puno agency (~£30-45pp including boat, guide, and homestay dinner/breakfast). Morning boat to Taquile Island — explore the terraced island, see the weaving cooperative (Taquile's textiles are UNESCO-listed), and have lunch at a local family restaurant (~£5-8). Afternoon cruise to your host community for an overnight homestay — cook, eat, and share stories with a local Aymara or Quechua family.

🚌Boat from Puno port to Taquile and homestay island (included in tour)

🛏Community homestay on Lake Titicaca island (included in tour package)

• →Boat to Taquile Island and weaving cooperative visit
• →Lunch at a local Taquile family restaurant (~£5-8)
• →Overnight homestay with local Titicaca community (included in tour ~£30-45)

Say goodbye to your homestay family and cruise to the famous Uros floating reed islands on the return to Puno — walk on the totora reed islands, meet the Uros people, and learn how the islands are constructed and maintained (included in tour). Back in Puno, optionally visit the Sillustani pre-Inca chullpas (funerary towers, ~£10 including taxi/guide) or rent a kayak for a paddle on the lake (~£10/hr).

🚌Boat Uros → Puno port (included in tour)

🛏Hostel in Puno (~£10-14/night dorm)

• →Uros floating islands visit (included in Lake Titicaca tour)
• →Optional: Sillustani chullpas archaeological site (~£10 with shared taxi)
• →Optional: Kayaking on Lake Titicaca (~£10/hr)

Take a shared tourist bus from Puno to La Paz — companies like Peru Hop or Titicaca Tours offer full-day crossings (~£20-30) with a scenic detour via Copacabana on Lake Titicaca's Bolivian shore and a short catamaran crossing at the Strait of Tiquina. Cross the Bolivian border at Kasani (ensure your visa/e-visa is arranged in advance — most nationalities get a free stamp). Arrive La Paz in the evening and explore Sopocachi's bohemian bar scene.

🚌Peru Hop or Titicaca Tours bus Puno → La Paz via Copacabana (~£20-30, ~8-9 hrs)

🛏Hostel in La Paz — e.g. Wild Rover La Paz or Adventure Brew Hostel (~£10-14/night dorm)

• →Scenic drive around Lake Titicaca via Copacabana (Bolivia)
• →Copacabana lunch stop and lake views
• →Bolivia border crossing at Kasani
• →Evening drinks in Sopocachi neighbourhood, La Paz

Explore the world's highest administrative capital. Ride the Mi Teleférico cable car network (~£0.50/ride) for incredible aerial city views. Visit the Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas), Valle de la Luna, and the Mercado Lanza for cheap local food. Adrenaline seekers: book the Death Road (Yungas Road) mountain biking descent via Gravity Bolivia or Barracuda Biking (~£60-75 including transport, bike, guide, and lunch) — one of the world's most thrilling cycling experiences.

🚌Mi Teleférico cable car (~£0.50/ride), taxis within La Paz (~£2-4)

🛏Hostel in La Paz (~£10-14/night dorm)

• →Mi Teleférico cable car city tour (~£0.50/ride)
• →Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas) browse
• →Valle de la Luna visit (~£2, shared taxi)
• →Optional: Death Road mountain biking via Gravity Bolivia (~£60-75)

One more morning to explore La Paz's winding streets and vibrant markets — try the Mercado Rodríguez for the most authentic local experience. Browse the San Francisco Church and the nearby artisan market. In the evening, board a night bus to Sucre (Todo Turismo or similar, ~£15-20, ~12-14 hrs). Opt for a cama seat for more comfort overnight.

🚌Todo Turismo or Trans Copacabana night bus La Paz → Sucre (~£15-20)

🛏Overnight bus to Sucre (saves accommodation cost)

• →Mercado Rodríguez morning market visit
• →San Francisco Church and artisan market browse
• →Board overnight bus to Sucre

Arrive in Sucre and check into your hostel. Bolivia's constitutional capital is a stunning UNESCO-listed city of white colonial architecture set in a mountain valley at 2,750m. Spend a leisurely day exploring — the Plaza 25 de Mayo, the Casa de la Libertad (independence museum, ~£2), and the Central Market are all walkable. Excellent cafes and restaurants cater well to backpackers. Try a salteña (Bolivian empanada) for breakfast.

🚌Taxi from bus terminal to hostel (~£2)

🛏Hostel in Sucre — e.g. Hostel Sucre or Villa de la Plata (~£10-14/night dorm)

• →Plaza 25 de Mayo and Casa de la Libertad (~£2)
• →Central Market for local food and salteñas
• →Walk the historic colonial centre (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• →Optional: Hiking or mountain biking in surrounding hills (~£15-25 with rental)

Sucre has more to offer than its architecture. Visit Cal Orcko — the world's largest collection of dinosaur footprints, just outside town (~£5 entry, accessible by taxi ~£4). In the afternoon, visit the ASUR Anthropological Museum of Indigenous Cultures, or the Jalq'a and Tarabuco Textile Cooperative to buy directly from artisan weavers. Round off the day at Joy Ride Café for good food and company.

🚌Taxi to Cal Orcko and back (~£4-6 return)

🛏Hostel in Sucre (~£10-14/night dorm)

• →Cal Orcko dinosaur tracks site (~£5 + taxi ~£4 return)
• →ASUR Museum of Indigenous Cultures (~£3)
• →Tarabuco Textile Cooperative — shop directly from weavers
• →Dinner at Joy Ride Café

Take a shared bus or minibus from Sucre's main bus terminal to Potosí (~£5-7, ~3 hrs). At 4,090m, Potosí is one of the highest cities in the world and was once the largest city in the Americas during the Spanish colonial silver boom. Check in to your hostel, acclimatise gently, and explore the colourful streets of the historic centre in the afternoon.

🚌Shared bus Sucre → Potosí (~£5-7, ~3 hrs)

🛏Hostel in Potosí — e.g. Hostal Carlos V or Koala Den (~£10-13/night dorm)

• →Bus journey through Bolivian highland scenery
• →Explore Potosí's colonial centre and Plaza 10 de Noviembre
• →Visit the local market for a cheap lunch

Book a Cerro Rico silver mine tour through a local agency (Big Deal Tours or Koala Tours, ~£15-20pp) — led by active miners, this is a raw and sobering underground experience. Alternatively, or additionally, visit the Casa de la Moneda (Royal Mint, ~£8) — one of the most important colonial buildings in the Americas. In the afternoon, explore Potosí's vibrant local market.

🚌Walking and local taxis within Potosí (~£2)

🛏Hostel in Potosí (~£10-13/night dorm)

• →Cerro Rico Silver Mine tour with former miners (~£15-20, book via local agency)
• →Casa de la Moneda (Royal Mint Museum) visit (~£8)
• →Local market browse and cheap lunch (~£3-5)

Take a local bus or shared minibus from Potosí to Uyuni (~£8-12, ~3-4 hrs). The road journey offers great high-altitude scenery. Arrive in the small town of Uyuni by early afternoon — pick up your Salt Flats 3-day 4x4 tour from a local agency today (book on arrival or in advance; standard tours run ~£60-80pp for 3 days including transport, accommodation, and most meals). Rest up — your Salt Flats adventure starts tomorrow.

🚌Bus Potosí → Uyuni (~£8-12, ~3-4 hrs)

🛏Basic hostel in Uyuni (~£8-12/night dorm)

• →Scenic bus journey through the Bolivian Altiplano
• →Arrive Uyuni and book 3-day Salt Flats 4x4 tour (~£60-80, book at local agencies on Avenida Ferroviaria)
• →Explore Uyuni town and the Train Cemetery at sunset (free)

Begin your 3-day 4x4 Uyuni Salt Flats excursion. Drive out onto the vast white expanse of the Salar — the world's largest salt flat at 10,582 km². Visit the salt hotel, Incahuasi Island (cacti island, ~£3 extra), and spend hours doing forced-perspective photos with the endless white backdrop. Overnight in a basic salt-brick lodge or community guesthouse near the flats.

🚌4x4 vehicle (included in tour package)

🛏Salt-brick community lodge near Salar de Uyuni (included in 3-day tour package)

• →Salar de Uyuni 4x4 day tour — salt flats, perspective photos, cactus island (~£60-80 for full 3-day package)
• →Incahuasi Cactus Island walk (~£3 entry, usually included)
• →Sunset on the salt flats
• →Salt-brick lodge overnight

Continue the desert crossing through Bolivia's remote southwest. Stop at the ochre-red Laguna Colorada (flamingo habitat), the eerie geysers of Sol de Mañana, the Dali Desert's surreal rock formations, and Laguna Verde. Keep your eyes peeled for wild vicuñas, llamas, and James's flamingos. All meals provided by your tour cook today.

🚌4x4 vehicle (included in tour package)

🛏Basic refugio/guesthouse in the Bolivian desert (included in tour package)

• →Laguna Colorada (red lagoon with flamingos)
• →Sol de Mañana geysers and hot springs
• →Dali Desert rock formations
• →Laguna Verde viewpoint near the Chilean border

Rise at dawn to see the sunrise over the volcanoes and salt lakes. Continue to the Chile-Bolivia border at Hito Cajón — ensure you have your Chilean entry paperwork ready. Descend by shared transport to San Pedro de Atacama (~£5-10 from border), a small desert oasis town in the Atacama — the world's driest non-polar desert. Check in to your hostel and decompress.

🚌4x4 to Bolivia-Chile border (included in tour), shared transfer border → San Pedro (~£5-10)

🛏Hostel in San Pedro de Atacama — e.g. Hostal Ckelar or Alto Atacama dorms (~£14-20/night dorm)

• →Dawn desert sunrise over volcanoes
• →Bolivia-Chile border crossing at Hito Cajón
• →Arrive San Pedro de Atacama — walk the adobe main street

Full free day to explore the Atacama. Rent a mountain bike and cycle to Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley, ~£5 entry) — an otherworldly landscape of salt flats, sand dunes, and eroded rock, best at sunset when the light turns golden. Book a sandboarding session on the dunes (~£15-20) or soak in the Termas de Puritama hot springs (~£20, book ahead). Atacama stargazing tours at night are exceptional (~£25-30 via Space Observatory).

🚌Bicycle hire in town (~£4/day)

🛏Hostel in San Pedro de Atacama (~£14-20/night dorm)

• →Valle de la Luna by bike (~£4 bike hire + £5 entry)
• →Sandboarding on Atacama dunes (~£15-20, book locally)
• →Termas de Puritama hot springs (~£20, book ahead)
• →Optional: Night stargazing tour at Space Observatory (~£25-30)

Take the cross-border bus from San Pedro de Atacama to Salta, Argentina (Gemini or Pullman buses, ~£20-30, ~7-8 hrs via the Paso de Jama border crossing at 4,200m). The journey through the Quebrada de Humahuaca is breathtaking. Arrive Salta in the evening — try the legendary empanadas salteñas immediately. Head to a Peña Folklore show (live folk music and dancing, entry ~£8-12 with a drink) to experience traditional Argentine culture.

🚌Gemini or Pullman bus San Pedro de Atacama → Salta (~£20-30, ~7-8 hrs)

🛏Hostel in Salta — e.g. Hostel Mactub or Koala Hostel (~£12-16/night dorm)

• →Scenic bus crossing from Chile into Argentina via Paso de Jama
• →Arrive Salta — empanadas salteñas at El Palacio de la Papa Frita or similar
• →Peña Folklore show with live music and dancing (~£8-12 entry)

Salta is the gateway to the high-altitude wine region of Cafayate — renowned for its distinctive Torrontés white wine grown at 1,700m. Take a local bus to Cafayate (~£5-8, ~3.5 hrs through the spectacular Quebrada de las Conchas gorge) and spend the afternoon doing a self-launched winery tour — Bodega El Esteco and Bodega Vasija Secreta both welcome walk-ins. Return to Salta by evening. Alternatively, book a horseback riding excursion in the Salta hills (~£30-40).

🚌Local bus Salta → Cafayate → Salta (~£10-16 return, ~7 hrs total)

🛏Hostel in Salta (~£12-16/night dorm)

• →Bus to Cafayate through the Quebrada de las Conchas gorge (~£5-8)
• →Self-launched winery tours in Cafayate — Torrontés wine tasting (~£5-10 per winery)
• →Optional: Horseback riding in Salta hills (~£30-40, book locally)

Fly from Salta to Buenos Aires — book ahead with Aerolíneas Argentinas or JetSMART for the best fares (~£50-90 one way, ~2 hrs). Far preferable to a 20-hour bus journey. Arrive in Buenos Aires with an afternoon to explore — rent a bike via BiciBA (the city's free bike-share) or book a guided bike tour of the city via GetYourGuide (~£20-25). For dinner, try a traditional parrilla (Argentine steakhouse) and watch a tango performance — La Cumparsita in San Telmo is a neighbourhood classic.

🚌Domestic flight Salta → Buenos Aires (~£50-90), Metrobus or taxi airport → hostel (~£8-15)

🛏Hostel in Buenos Aires — e.g. Milhouse Avenue or El Galpon (~£14-20/night dorm)

• →Flight Salta → Buenos Aires (~£50-90, book ahead on Aerolíneas Argentinas or JetSMART)
• →Buenos Aires bike tour via GetYourGuide (~£20-25) or BiciBA free bike share
• →Traditional parrilla dinner with tango show in San Telmo (~£20-30)

Your epic 35-day journey from Lima ends here. If you have time before your flight, explore the colourful streets of La Boca, the designer boutiques of Palermo Soho, or the antique markets of San Telmo (Sunday market is legendary). Head to the airport for your onward flight — allow 2-3 hrs for Ezeiza international airport. ¡Buen viaje!

🚌Taxi or shuttle to Ezeiza Airport (~£20-30)

🛏Check out of hostel in Buenos Aires

• →La Boca neighbourhood and Caminito street art
• →San Telmo Sunday antique market (if applicable)
• →Palermo Soho final shopping and coffee stop
• →Depart from Ezeiza International Airport (EZE)