Self-Launched Epic South America: Lima to Rio in 39 Days

Land in Lima and settle into a hostel in Miraflores or Barranco. Wander the clifftop Malecón at sunset, then eat ceviche and anticuchos at a local market. Sort your Peruvian SIM and cash before heading into the Amazon.

🚌Airport shuttle or taxi from Jorge Chávez Airport to Miraflores, ~£8

🛏Hostel dorm in Miraflores/Barranco (~£10)

• →Miraflores clifftop walk
• →Barranco street art and sunset
• →Ceviche dinner at a local market

Fly Lima to Puerto Maldonado, then take a shared boat downriver to a jungle lodge. Afternoon guided walk to spot monkeys, macaws and caiman, plus a night boat to see caiman eyes glowing on the riverbank.

🚌Flight Lima–Puerto Maldonado ~£65 (book LATAM/Sky ahead); lodge boat transfer included in package

🛏Amazon jungle lodge, dorm or shared cabaña (~£30)

• →Lima–Puerto Maldonado flight
• →Motorised canoe transfer to jungle lodge
• →Guided rainforest walk and night caiman spotting

Early-morning canopy walk or lake trip to see giant river otters and hoatzin birds. Afternoon piranha fishing and a visit to a local community. Keep an eye out for tarantulas on the lodge trails after dark.

🚌Guided boat trips included with lodge package

🛏Amazon jungle lodge (~£30)

• →Sunrise canopy/lake wildlife trip
• →Piranha fishing
• →Community visit and rainforest interpretation

Boat back to Puerto Maldonado and fly to Cusco. Take it easy on arrival — you're at 3,400m. Drink coca tea, rest and acclimatise. Evening stroll around Plaza de Armas.

🚌Flight Puerto Maldonado–Cusco ~£70

🛏Hostel dorm in Cusco centro (~£10)

• →Fly Puerto Maldonado–Cusco
• →Acclimatisation rest day
• →Plaza de Armas orientation walk

Take a colectivo or shared tour through the Sacred Valley — Pisac ruins and market, Urubamba for lunch, then Ollantaytambo's terraces. Overnight in Ollantaytambo to be close to the trailhead.

🚌Shared Sacred Valley tour or local colectivos, ~£12

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Ollantaytambo (~£12)

• →Pisac ruins and market
• →Urubamba valley stop
• →Ollantaytambo fortress

Start the classic 4-day Inca Trail (permits must be booked months ahead through an authorised operator). Today is an easy warm-up along the Urubamba, passing Llactapata ruins to your first campsite.

🚌Trailhead transfer included in Inca Trail permit/operator package

🛏Inca Trail camp (porters/operator package)

• →Inca Trail km 82 start
• →Llactapata ruins
• →First trail camp

The hardest day: climb to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215m, then descend to Pacaymayo. Steep, high and rewarding with the Andes panoramas.

🚌On foot — porter support included in trail package

🛏Inca Trail camp

• →Dead Woman's Pass (4,215m)
• →Runkurakay ruins
• →Andean mountain views

A gentler day over two smaller passes through cloud forest, past Phuyupatamarca and down to Winay Wayna's intricate terraces.

🚌On foot

🛏Inca Trail camp

• →Runkurakay and Sayacmarca ruins
• →Phuyupatamarca
• →Winay Wayna terraces

Pre-dawn start to reach the Sun Gate for sunrise over Machu Picchu, then a guided tour of the citadel. Bus or walk down to Aguas Calientes and take the train back toward Cusco.

🚌Train Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo/Cusco ~£60; return included in trail package

🛏Hostel dorm in Cusco (~£10)

• →Sun Gate sunrise
• →Guided Machu Picchu tour
• →Optional Huayna Picchu climb (book ahead)

Free day to explore Cusco — San Pedro market, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán. Optionally book a Rainbow Mountain hike (GetYourGuide, ~£30) or a cooking class.

🚌Walkable centro; taxis ~£2-3 per hop

🛏Hostel dorm in Cusco (~£10)

• →San Pedro market
• →Sacsayhuamán and Qorikancha
• →Optional Rainbow Mountain hike

Long scenic bus ride across the altiplano from Cusco to Puno on Lake Titicaca. Watch for vicuña and flamingos en route.

🚌Tourist bus Cusco–Puno ~£18 (8-10 hrs)

🛏Hostel in Puno (~£10)

• →Altiplano bus crossing
• →Lake Titicaca arrival

Boat out to the Uros floating reed islands, then continue to Amantaní or Taquile for a family homestay. Share dinner and learn about island life at 3,800m.

🚌Shared boat to islands and homestay, ~£20

🛏Family homestay on Lake Titicaca (~£15 including meals)

• →Uros floating islands
• →Community homestay
• →Taquile weaving and textiles

Boat back to Puno, afternoon free to visit the Dreyer Museum or relax by the lake. Prep for the border crossing to Bolivia.

🚌Boat back to Puno, included

🛏Hostel in Puno (~£10)

• →Island boat return
• →Free afternoon in Puno

Cross the border at Desaguadero or Kasani and continue to La Paz. Arrive into the world's highest capital and get your bearings in the witches' market and colonial centre.

🚌Bus Puno–La Paz ~£12-15 (via Desaguadero), border formalities on route

🛏Hostel dorm in La Paz (~£8)

• →Peru–Bolivia border crossing
• →Arrival in La Paz
• →Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas)

Ride the Mi Teleférico cable car network for city views, visit the Witches' Market and San Francisco church, and book onwards tours. Optional downhill Death Road mountain biking.

🚌Cable car and taxis ~£5

🛏Hostel dorm in La Paz (~£8)

• →Mi Teleférico cable car
• →San Francisco Church
• →Optional Death Road biking (GetYourGuide ~£45)

Free day — explore the Valley of the Moon, Museo Nacional de Arte, or take a day trip to Tiwanaku ruins. Evening food tour of local markets.

🚌Local transport and tours ~£10

🛏Hostel dorm in La Paz (~£8)

• →Valley of the Moon
• →Optional Tiwanaku ruins day trip
• →Market food tour

Day to rest and repack, then catch the overnight bus south to Uyuni, gateway to the salt flats. Alternatively fly La Paz–Uyuni if schedules allow.

🚌Overnight bus La Paz–Uyuni ~£15 (10-12 hrs)

🛏Overnight bus (or cheap hostel on arrival ~£8)

• →Transfer day
• →Overnight bus to Uyuni

Begin the classic 3-day shared 4x4 salt-flats tour: the blinding white Salar de Uyuni, Isla Incahuasi cactus island, then south into the altiplano past coloured lakes and geysers.

🚌Shared 4x4 salt flats tour ~£130 (3 days, includes food and basic lodging)

🛏Basic salt hotel / altiplano refugio (included in tour)

• →Salar de Uyuni
• →Isla Incahuasi
• →Coloured lagoons and geysers

Final day of the 4x4 tour through Laguna Colorada (red lagoon with flamingos) and the Sol de Mañana geysers, ending with a border crossing into Chile and drop-off in San Pedro de Atacama.

🚌4x4 tour drop-off at San Pedro de Atacama (included)

🛏Hostel in San Pedro de Atacama (~£14)

• →Laguna Colorada flamingos
• →Sol de Mañana geysers
• →Bolivia–Chile border crossing

Explore the driest desert on earth — Valle de la Luna for sunset, salt caves and sandboarding. Book tours locally or via GetYourGuide.

🚌Local tour transfers ~£10

🛏Hostel in San Pedro de Atacama (~£14)

• →Valle de la Luna sunset
• →Salt caves and Mirador de Kari
• →Optional sandboarding

Pre-dawn trip to El Tatio geysers (4,300m), soak in hot springs, then rest. Evening astronomical tour of the southern sky at one of the world's clearest observatories.

🚌Shared tour minibus ~£30 combined

🛏Hostel in San Pedro de Atacama (~£14)

• →El Tatio geysers sunrise tour
• →Hot springs
• →Astronomy/stargazing tour

Long travel day over the Andes into Argentina. Bus from San Pedro to Salta via the Paso de Jama (or connect via Jujuy). Arrive into colonial Salta.

🚌Bus San Pedro de Atacama–Salta ~£45 (11-13 hrs)

🛏Hostel dorm in Salta (~£9)

• →Andes border crossing
• →Arrival in Salta

Explore Salta's colonial centre, cable car to Cerro San Bernardo, and the MAAM high-altitude archaeology museum. Optional day trip to the Quebrada de Humahuaca's colourful hills.

🚌Cable car and local buses ~£5

🛏Hostel dorm in Salta (~£9)

• →Cerro San Bernardo cable car
• →MAAM museum
• →Optional Quebrada de Humahuaca trip

Fly south to Buenos Aires. Settle into a hostel in San Telmo or Palermo and head out for a parrilla steak dinner and tango in the streets of San Telmo.

🚌Flight Salta–Buenos Aires ~£60

🛏Hostel dorm in Buenos Aires (~£12)

• →Fly Salta–Buenos Aires
• →San Telmo orientation
• →Parrilla dinner

Full day in BA — Recoleta Cemetery, Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada, colourful La Boca, and Palermo's parks and markets. Evening tango show or a milonga class.

🚌Subte and buses ~£4

🛏Hostel dorm in Buenos Aires (~£12)

• →Recoleta Cemetery
• →Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada
• →La Boca and Caminito
• →Tango milonga (GetYourGuide ~£15)

Free day for a day trip to Tigre delta, a food and wine tour, or San Telmo market. Stock up before the Uruguay leg.

🚌Train to Tigre ~£3 return, or city transport ~£4

🛏Hostel dorm in Buenos Aires (~£12)

• →Optional Tigre delta day trip
• →San Telmo market
• →Mate and wine tasting

Take the Buquebus fast ferry across the Río de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento, wander its UNESCO cobbled old town, then bus on to Montevideo.

🚌Ferry Buenos Aires–Colonia ~£45; bus Colonia–Montevideo ~£12

🛏Hostel dorm in Montevideo (~£13)

• →Buquebus ferry to Colonia
• →Colonia old town (UNESCO)
• →Bus to Montevideo

Explore Montevideo's Ciudad Vieja, Mercado del Puerto for grilled meats, the Rambla waterfront and Pocitos beach. Relaxed, walkable and great value.

🚌Walkable plus local buses ~£4

🛏Hostel dorm in Montevideo (~£13)

• →Ciudad Vieja
• →Mercado del Puerto
• →Rambla and Pocitos beach

Travel to a working Uruguayan estancia for a rural farm stay — horseback riding, gaucho culture, asado and starry skies. Book via direct farmstay providers or Airbnb Experiences.

🚌Shared transfer from Montevideo ~£15

🛏Estancia farm stay (~£40 including meals)

• →Horse riding
• →Gaucho asado dinner
• →Farm and countryside walk

Full day at the estancia — more riding, cattle work, swimming and leisurely meals. A slow-travel highlight away from the backpacker trail.

🚌On the estancia

🛏Estancia farm stay (~£40 including meals)

• →Morning ride
• →Farm activities
• →Relaxed countryside day

Return to Montevideo or Salto and pick up the long overnight bus toward Puerto Iguazú via Argentina. A big travel day — pack snacks.

🚌Overnight bus toward Puerto Iguazú ~£50 (long haul, 20+ hrs with changes)

🛏Overnight bus

• →Transfer back to town
• →Overnight bus to Iguazu region

Arrive and cross to the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls for the panoramic viewpoint trail — the classic wide-angle view of the whole falls system. Evening at a hostel in Foz.

🚌Local bus to Brazilian park entrance ~£3; park entry ~£16

🛏Hostel dorm in Foz do Iguaçu (~£11)

• →Brazilian side panoramic trail
• →Devil's Throat viewpoint photo stop

Full day on the Argentinian side: upper and lower circuits, the San Martín island boat, and the train to the Devil's Throat walkway. Far more trails and up-close spray than the Brazilian side.

🚌Bus to Argentine park ~£3; park entry ~£30 (higher for foreigners)

🛏Hostel dorm in Puerto Iguazú (~£11)

• →Upper and lower circuits
• →Devil's Throat train and walkway
• →Optional boat ride into the falls

Fly from Foz do Iguaçu toward Rio and continue by bus to the colonial coastal town of Paraty. Cobbled streets, whitewash churches and a lively evening scene.

🚌Flight ~£80; bus Rio–Paraty ~£15

🛏Hostel dorm in Paraty (~£12)

• →Fly Foz do Iguaçu–Rio ~£80
• →Bus Rio–Paraty
• →Paraty colonial centre at dusk

Take a schooner boat trip around Paraty's bays and islands with snorkelling stops, or stay on land and hike to waterfalls. Return for caipirinhas by the harbour.

🚌Boat trip includes transport

🛏Hostel dorm in Paraty (~£12)

• →Schooner bay and island boat trip (~£25)
• →Swimming and snorkelling stops
• →Waterfall hike option

Bus back toward Angra dos Reis and take the ferry to car-free Ilha Grande. Settle into a beach town and swim at Lopes Mendes or Abraão beaches.

🚌Bus Paraty–Angra dos Reis ~£8; ferry to Ilha Grande ~£8

🛏Hostel or pousada dorm on Ilha Grande (~£14)

• →Ferry to Ilha Grande
• →Beach time and easy trails

Full day on the island — hike or boat to Lopes Mendes (one of Brazil's best beaches), snorkel at the Blue Lagoon, or join a full island boat tour.

🚌Trails on foot; optional boat tours

🛏Hostel or pousada dorm on Ilha Grande (~£14)

• →Lopes Mendes beach hike
• →Blue Lagoon snorkelling
• →Optional island boat tour (~£25)

Ferry and bus back to Rio de Janeiro. Settle into a hostel in Ipanema or Botafogo and take in a Rio sunset from Sugarloaf or Arpoador rock.

🚌Ferry ~£8; bus ~£15

🛏Hostel dorm in Rio (~£14)

• →Ferry and bus to Rio
• →Ipanema or Copacabana beach evening
• →Arpoador sunset

Final day: hike or jeep into Tijuca National Park, visit Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf, then finish with a farewell caipirinha on the beach. Trip ends in Rio.

🚌Local transport and tour transfers ~£10

🛏Hostel dorm in Rio (~£14)

• →Tijuca National Park hike/jeep tour
• →Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf (GetYourGuide combo ~£40)
• →Beach farewell drinks