Self-Launched Journey Across South America: Lima to Rio in 19 Days
19 days · Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina & Brazil
On The Go Tours charges £5,440
No-markup version: ~£2,540 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of On The Go Tours' 19-day Lima-to-Rio group tour, rebuilt for independent travellers. You'll cover Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, La Paz, Asunción, both sides of Iguazú Falls and Rio de Janeiro — using budget flights, local buses and colectivos, hostel dorms or private budget rooms, and self-bookable walking tours and entry tickets instead of a tour leader. The route is genuinely ambitious (lots of travel days, three internal flights), but it's entirely doable solo with a bit of pre-booking. Costs are rough backpacker estimates in GBP; you can trim further by staying in dorms and cooking some meals, or push the budget up for private rooms throughout.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Lima — Miraflores & Barranco
Lima, Peru
Land at Jorge Chávez International Airport and take a taxi or airport bus (Airport Express Lima, ~£6) to a hostel in Miraflores or Barranco. Settle in, walk the Malecón clifftop path, and get your first ceviche. Book your Cusco flight tonight if you haven't already.
🚌Airport bus ~£6
🛏Hostel dorm in Miraflores or Barranco
- →Malecón sunset walk
- →Ceviche dinner in Barranco
- →Sort out Peru SIM card / eSIM
Lima colonial centre walking tour, then fly to Cusco
Lima to Cusco
Join a free/pay-what-you-want walking tour of Lima's historic centre (Plaza Mayor, San Francisco church catacombs) via GetYourGuide or GuruWalk — tips of ~£5-8. Afternoon budget flight to Cusco on Sky Airline, JetSMART or LATAM (~£50-70 booked ahead). Take it easy on arrival — you're at 3,400m. Coca tea, water, early night.
🚌Taxi to airport ~£5; flight Lima–Cusco ~£60
🛏Hostel in Cusco historic centre
- →Free walking tour of Lima colonial centre
- →Afternoon flight to Cusco
- →Easy acclimatisation evening in San Blas
Cusco city sightseeing & Inca ruins
Cusco, Peru
Self-guided day around Cusco: Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha (Sun Temple, ~£3), and a walk uphill to Sacsayhuamán (~£5 entry, or buy the tourist ticket). Take a pay-what-you-want walking tour if you want context. Spend the afternoon sourcing a Sacred Valley tour and Machu Picchu tickets online (PeruRail/Inca Rail + machupicchu.gob.pe).
🚌Walking
🛏Hostel in Cusco
- →Qorikancha entry
- →Sacsayhuamán fortress
- →Cusco walking tour
- →Book Sacred Valley tour and Machu Picchu entry
Sacred Valley day tour: Pisac, Ollantaytambo
Sacred Valley, Peru
Book a small-group Sacred Valley day tour via GetYourGuide or a local Cusco agency (~£20-25 including transport, some entries extra) covering Pisac ruins, the Pisac Sunday-style market, and Ollantaytambo fortress. Cheaper still: public colectivos from Cusco to Pisac (~£1.50) and on to Ollantaytambo (~£1.50). Stay the night in Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes to save an early start.
🚌Shared valley tour van or colectivos ~£22
🛏Guesthouse in Ollantaytambo
- →Pisac ruins and market
- →Ollantaytambo fortress
- →Optional: overnight in Ollantaytambo
Train to Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, Peru
Take the PeruRail/Inca Rail scenic train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (~£40-50 one way, book well ahead — the cheapest Expedition/Voyager class). Then the Consettur bus up to Machu Picchu (~£10 return). Pre-book your timed entry on machupicchu.gob.pe (~£40 including Circuit 2 or 3). Self-guided entry is standard now — hire a guide at the gate (~£15 split) or just read up in advance. You can swap the bus for the 1.5hr uphill walk if you're feeling fit.
🚌Train ~£45 + bus ~£10
🛏Budget guesthouse in Aguas Calientes
- →Scenic train to Aguas Calientes
- →Machu Picchu entry and circuit
- →Optional: 1-day Mini Inca Trail hike
Sunrise return or Huayna Picchu, then back to Cusco
Aguas Calientes to Cusco
Option A: re-enter Machu Picchu at sunrise (second entry ticket ~£40, book Huayna Picchu trek months ahead if wanted — sells out fast). Option B: walk to the Inca Bridge or wander Aguas Calientes' hot springs (~£3). Afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo then colectivo or bus to Cusco (~£45 total).
🚌Train back ~£45 + bus ~£3
🛏Hostel in Cusco
- →Optional Huayna Picchu climb
- →Inca Bridge walk
- →Aguas Calientes hot springs
Cusco free day: Maras salt pans & Moray
Cusco, Peru
Book a half-day Maras & Moray tour (~£18 via GetYourGuide or a Cusco agency) covering the circular Inca terraces at Moray (~£4 entry) and the Maras salt pans (~£3). Or the DIY way: colectivo to Urubamba then shared taxi (~£8 total). Back in Cusco by evening — pack for the bus tomorrow.
🚌Shared tour van ~£18
🛏Hostel in Cusco
- →Maras salt pans
- →Moray Inca terraces
- →Rainbow Mountain option (very early start, ~£25)
Cusco to Puno via the La Raya pass
Puno, Peru
Take the scenic daytime bus Cusco–Puno (~£18-25 on Cruz del Sur or Transzela, 10 hours) crossing the La Raya pass at 4,332m with Altiplano views and a few photo stops. Arrive Puno in the evening, stay near the Plaza de Armas. Alternatively book a tourist bus with ruin stops (Inka Express, ~£35).
🚌Bus Cusco–Puno ~£20
🛏Hostel in Puno
- →Andean Altiplano scenery
- →Optional Inka Express tourist bus with stops
Uros Islands boat trip, then to Copacabana
Puno to Copacabana, Bolivia
Early morning half-day tour to the floating Uros Islands from Puno harbour (~£12-15 including boat and island entry; book at the pier). Back by midday, then take the local bus or combi Puno–Copacabana (~£4, 3.5 hours including a border crossing at Kasani). Afternoon at Copacabana's Moorish basilica, and hike the Cerro Calvario for sunset over the lake (~£2 entry).
🚌Uros boat ~£13; bus to Copacabana ~£4
🛏Guesthouse in Copacabana
- →Uros floating islands boat trip
- →Copacabana Basilica
- →Cerro Calvario sunset hike
Isla del Sol, then on to La Paz
Copacabana to La Paz, Bolivia
Morning boat to Isla del Sol, the Inca sun island (~£10 return, note the 8:30am and midday departures). Walk the ridge path between Yumani and Challapampa if time allows. Back to Copacabana by 2-3pm, then bus to La Paz (~£4-5, 3.5 hours, ending at the El Alto side). Evening arrival — take a taxi down into the city (~£3).
🚌Boat ~£10; bus to La Paz ~£5; taxi ~£3
🛏Hostel in La Paz city centre
- →Isla del Sol boat trip and ridge walk
- →Border crossing into Bolivia
- →Arrive La Paz
La Paz: Witches' Market, Teleférico & city views
La Paz, Bolivia
Join a free walking tour of La Paz via GetYourGuide or GuruWalk (~£5 tip) covering the Government Palace, Cathedral and Mercado de las Brujas (Witches' Market). Then ride the Teleférico cable car (~£0.40 per ride — ride the Red and Yellow lines up to El Alto for the best views) and take a local minibus back down just for the experience. Evening: try a salteña.
🚌Walking + Teleférico ~£2
🛏Hostel in La Paz
- →La Paz free walking tour
- →Witches' Market browsing
- →Teleférico cable car to El Alto
La Paz free day → overnight connection toward Asunción
La Paz, Bolivia
Optional morning: Cholitas wrestling show (~£15, usually Sunday/Thursday) or the Valle de la Luna (~£3 plus taxi). In the afternoon take a flight or a long bus to Santa Cruz, then onward to Asunción. Note: there are no direct Bolivia–Paraguay flights on most schedules — the practical route is La Paz → Santa Cruz → Asunción (Boliviana de Aviación or via Lima on LATAM). Budget ~£200-260 for this leg booked in advance. This is the least solo-friendly part of the route; if it's a hassle, consider flying La Paz to Foz do Iguaçu via São Paulo instead and skipping Paraguay.
🚌Flight La Paz–Santa Cruz–Asunción ~£230
🛏Hostel in Asunción (or in transit)
- →Valle de la Luna option
- →Cholitas wrestling option
- →Flight to Asunción via Santa Cruz
Asunción: slow day in a quiet capital
Asunción, Paraguay
Asunción is a cheap, unpolished city with few tourists. Walk the Costanera riverside, the Palacio de López, and the Panteón Nacional de los Héroes. Stop at the 1950s-era Lido Bar for a sopa paraguaya. Carry your yellow fever certificate — it's genuinely checked at some crossings. Don't over-plan: one night is plenty.
🚌Walking + local bus ~£1
🛏Budget hotel in Asunción centre
- →Costanera riverside walk
- →Lido Bar
- →Panteón Nacional de los Héroes
Asunción to Puerto Iguazú (Argentina side of the falls)
Asunción to Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Take the overnight or daytime bus Asunción–Ciudad del Este (~£10) then a local bus across the border to Foz do Iguaçu and on to Puerto Iguazú (~£4, straightforward if you have your yellow fever certificate). Check into a hostel in Puerto Iguazú. Afternoon: explore the town, swim, and buy your Iguazú National Park ticket online (~£28 for foreigners).
🚌Buses ~£14 total
🛏Hostel in Puerto Iguazú
- →Bus journey through Paraguay to Argentina
- →Puerto Iguazú town at leisure
Iguazú Falls — Argentine side: Garganta del Diablo
Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Full day in Iguazú National Park (Argentina). Entry ~£28, plus the Ecologico train and the upper/lower circuit walkways. Walk the catwalk out to the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) — genuinely one of the best natural sights in South America. Book the Nautical Adventure boat to the base of the falls (~£25) via GetYourGuide — you will get soaked, so bring a dry bag and spare clothes. Bring water and snacks; park food is pricey.
🚌Local bus to park ~£3
🛏Hostel in Puerto Iguazú
- →Devil's Throat catwalk
- →Upper and lower circuits
- →Nautical Adventure boat ride
Brazilian side of Iguazú, then fly to Rio
Foz do Iguaçu to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Morning: cross to the Brazilian side (bus ~£2) and enter Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (~£18). The Brazilian side is one panoramic viewpoint — quicker and more crowded, but worth the photos and one good waterfall walk. Afternoon: fly Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) to Rio Galeão or Santos Dumont on GOL/Azul/LATAM (~£70-100 booked ahead). Evening: walk Copacabana Beach and grab dinner in a kilo buffet.
🚌Buses ~£4; flight IGU–Rio ~£85
🛏Hostel in Botafogo or Copacabana, Rio
- →Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls
- →Evening on Copacabana Beach
Rio: Sugarloaf Mountain & Urca
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Morning: join a free walking tour of Centro Rio (~£5 tip) to get your bearings, or head straight to Urca. Take the cable car up Sugarloaf (~£22 return; book via GetYourGuide to skip the queue). Walk the Pão de Açúcar trail at the base if you'd rather hike (free, ~1hr). Evening: beers in Urca's little bars — the safest way to enjoy a Rio evening.
🚌Metro/Uber ~£6
🛏Hostel in Rio
- →Sugarloaf Mountain cable car
- →Urca neighbourhood walk
- →Optional Centro walking tour
Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer & Santa Teresa
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Take the Trem do Corcovado rack railway through Tijuca National Park to the Christ the Redeemer statue (~£25-30 return including park entry — book timed tickets online in advance, midday slots fill fast). Alternative: van from Cosme Velho (~£15). Afternoon: wander Santa Teresa's hillside streets and the Selarón Steps, then the Avenue of the Royal Palms in the Botanical Garden (~£5).
🚌Metro/Van ~£5
🛏Hostel in Rio
- →Corcovado rack railway
- →Christ the Redeemer
- →Santa Teresa and Selarón Steps
- →Botanical Garden
Depart Rio (or extend)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Departure day. Take the metro plus the airport bus or an Uber to Galeão (~£5-12). If you can, add a day or two — most travellers on this route wish they'd had longer in Rio. Food, weather, and Rio's beaches deserve it.
🚌Uber/metro to airport ~£8
🛏—
- →Airport transfer
- →Optional extension in Rio
Self-launched vs. On The Go Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | On The Go Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£2,540 | £5,440 |
| Duration | 19 days | 19 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,900 per person (53%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more On The Go Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£2,540
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 Self-Launched Journey Across South America: Lima to Rio in 19 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £2,540 per person for 19 days in Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina & Brazil. 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 On The Go Tours?+
Yes — On The Go Tours charges around £5,440 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £2,540 — a saving of roughly £2,900 (53%) per person.
How long is the Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina & Brazil trip?+
This itinerary runs 19 days, covering 19 day-by-day stops through Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina & Brazil.
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 Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina & Brazil, 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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