Tour overview

This 26-day small-group adventure is designed for travellers aged 18 to 35, following the Andes from the Peruvian coast across Bolivia and Chile to Argentina. Groups have up to 16 travellers with a leader throughout. You travel by plane, motorised canoe, local and overnight bus and 4×4, and stay 16 nights in hotels, two nights at an Amazon lodge, three nights camping on the Inca Trail with basic facilities, a night with a family on Lake Titicaca, two nights in dormitory lodgings on the Altiplano and a night on an overnight bus. Twenty-four breakfasts, nine lunches and eight dinners are included, with flights to the Amazon and Cusco and from Salta to Buenos Aires.

After a welcome meeting in Lima, you fly to Puerto Maldonado for two nights at a jungle lodge, exploring the Madre de Dios area with local guides. In Cusco you acclimatise to the altitude before travelling through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo and walking the classic Inca Trail, over Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 metres, to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu. Travellers who prefer can take the Quarry Trail or the train.

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Next you take a bus across the Altiplano to Puno, the folklore capital of Peru, and spend a night with a local family on Amantaní Island in Lake Titicaca. Crossing into Bolivia, you have three days in La Paz, the highest capital in the world, with its Witches' Market, before an overnight bus to Uyuni and three days by 4×4 across the Salar de Uyuni and the Altiplano's volcanoes and coloured lagoons.

You enter Chile at San Pedro de Atacama for two days in the desert, then cross the Andes to Salta in northern Argentina, with time to climb Cerro San Bernardo. A flight takes you to Buenos Aires, where your leader takes you to the San Telmo market for empanadas and dulce de leche ice cream.

The physical rating is medium, with a challenging trek, high altitude and long travel days. This trip suits young, adventurous travellers on a budget who want a sociable group and plenty of variety. Most travellers join on their own.

Trip highlights

  • Two nights at an Amazon lodge (Days 2–3)
  • The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Days 6–9)
  • A homestay on Amantaní Island, Lake Titicaca (Day 12)
  • La Paz and the Witches' Market (Days 14–16)
  • The Salar de Uyuni by 4x4 (Days 17–18)
  • San Pedro de Atacama, Salta and Buenos Aires (Days 19–25)

Your route

16 stops from Lima to Buenos Aires

26-day route: Lima – Amazon – Cusco – Inca Trail – Puno – La Paz – Uyuni – San Pedro – Salta – Buenos Aires
  1. Lima Day 1
  2. Puerto Maldonado Days 2 & 4
  3. Amazon Jungle Days 2–3
  4. Cusco Days 4 & 9–10
  5. Ollantaytambo Day 5
  6. Inca Trail (camping) Days 6–8
  7. Machu Picchu Day 9
  8. Puno Days 11 & 13
  9. Uros Floating Islands Day 12
  10. Llachon (homestay) Day 12
  11. La Paz Days 14–16
  12. Uyuni Day 17
  13. Laguna Colorada Day 18
  14. San Pedro de Atacama Days 19–20
  15. Salta Days 21–22
  16. Buenos Aires Days 23–26

Why choose this tour

A sociable trip for 18 to 35-year-olds across four countries, with the logistics handled. The Amazon, the Inca Trail and the Salar de Uyuni in one journey.

Best suited to

  • Travellers aged 18 to 35 only
  • Solo travellers looking for a sociable group
  • Budget-minded adventurers
  • Gap-year and career-break travellers
Inca walls at Machu Picchu

Day-by-day itinerary

26 days from Lima, Peru to Buenos Aires, Argentina

  1. Day 1 · Lima Arrive in Lima

    A welcome meeting at 2pm, then an orientation walk with your leader.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Puerto Maldonado, Amazon Into the Amazon

    Fly to Puerto Maldonado and travel to a jungle lodge.

    Hotel
    Jungle lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Amazon Madre de Dios

    A full day of guided excursions in the rainforest.

    Hotel
    Jungle lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Cusco Fly to Cusco

    Fly to Cusco and acclimatise to the altitude.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley

    Drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Inca Trail Inca Trail

    Begin the four-day Inca Trail.

    Hotel
    Camping with basic facilities
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Warmiwañusca Dead Woman's Pass

    Climb to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 metres.

    Hotel
    Camping with basic facilities
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Runkurakay Inca ruins

    Cross Runkurakay Pass and walk past Inca ruins.

    Hotel
    Camping with basic facilities
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Machu Picchu, Cusco Machu Picchu

    Reach Machu Picchu at sunrise, then return to Cusco.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Cusco Cusco

    A free day in Cusco.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Puno To Puno

    Travel by bus across the Altiplano to Puno.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Lake Titicaca, Amantaní Amantaní homestay

    Tour Lake Titicaca by boat and stay with a family on Amantaní.

    Hotel
    Homestay
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  13. Day 13 · Amantaní, Puno Back to Puno

    Breakfast with your hosts, then return to Puno.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · La Paz To La Paz

    Cross into Bolivia by bus to La Paz.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · La Paz La Paz

    A free day to explore the highest capital in the world.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  16. Day 16 · Witches' Market La Paz

    A guided walk including the Witches' Market, then an overnight bus to Uyuni.

    Hotel
    Overnight bus
    Meals
    Breakfast
  17. Day 17 · Uyuni, Salar de Uyuni Uyuni

    Set off by 4x4 across the salt flats.

    Hotel
    Dormitory
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  18. Day 18 · Laguna Colorada The Altiplano

    Drive past volcanoes and coloured lagoons with flamingos.

    Hotel
    Dormitory
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  19. Day 19 · San Pedro de Atacama To San Pedro de Atacama

    An optional thermal-pool soak, then cross into Chile.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  20. Day 20 · Atacama Desert San Pedro de Atacama

    A free day in the desert.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  21. Day 21 · Salta To Salta

    Cross the Andes into Argentina.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  22. Day 22 · Salta Salta

    Explore Salta's colonial centre.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  23. Day 23 · Cerro San Bernardo Salta

    A free day, perhaps climbing Cerro San Bernardo.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  24. Day 24 · Buenos Aires Fly to Buenos Aires

    Fly to Buenos Aires.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  25. Day 25 · San Telmo Buenos Aires

    Visit San Telmo market for empanadas and ice cream.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  26. Day 26 · Buenos Aires Trip ends in Buenos Aires

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
An island on Lake Titicaca

Where you stay

  • Lima (1 night) Hotel
  • Amazon (2 nights) Jungle lodge
  • Cusco and Ollantaytambo (2 nights) Hotel
  • Inca Trail (3 nights) Camping with basic facilities
  • Cusco (2 nights) Hotel
  • Puno (1 night) Hotel
  • Amantaní, Lake Titicaca (1 night) Homestay
  • Puno (1 night) Hotel
  • La Paz (2 nights) Hotel
  • La Paz to Uyuni (1 night) Overnight bus
  • Salar de Uyuni and Altiplano (2 nights) Dormitory
  • San Pedro de Atacama (2 nights) Hotel
  • Salta (3 nights) Hotel
  • Buenos Aires (2 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 16 nights in hotels, 2 at a jungle lodge, 3 camping, a homestay, 2 in dormitories and 1 on an overnight bus
  • Meals 24 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 8 dinners
  • Flights Lima–Puerto Maldonado, Puerto Maldonado–Cusco and Salta–Buenos Aires
  • Amazon excursions with local guides
  • Inca Trail trek with porters, or the Quarry Trail or train alternative
  • Lake Titicaca boat tour and homestay
  • 4x4 crossing of the Salar de Uyuni and the Altiplano
  • Leader throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Sleeping bag
  • Meals not listed
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Dunes and mountains in the Atacama Desert

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You are under 18 or over 35 — this trip is for 18 to 35-year-olds
  • You want hotels every night — there are camping, dormitory, homestay and overnight bus nights
  • You are not used to altitude or hiking
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Argentina · UK FCDO travel advice for Bolivia · UK FCDO travel advice for Chile · UK FCDO travel advice for Peru
The salt patterns of the Salar de Uyuni

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £3,110 per person, twin share, tour only. 50 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Who can join this trip?

Only travellers aged 18 to 35. Many join on their own, making it an easy way to meet other travellers.

What is the camping like?

Three nights on the Inca Trail with basic facilities, in tents set up by porters. Bring your own sleeping bag.

What are the dormitory nights like?

Two nights in simple shared lodgings on the remote Altiplano, where facilities are basic.

Will the altitude affect me?

Much of the trip is above 3,500 metres. Take it easy and seek medical advice before travel.

Do I need visas?

UK visitors do not need visas for Peru, Bolivia, Chile or Argentina for tourist stays.

How many people travel together?

Up to 16 travellers aged 18 to 35, with a leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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