35 Days | Inca sites, salt flats and highland cities on a South American odyssey
Follow the path of the Andes in South America on a 35-day adventure that hits both modern cities and ancient worlds. Spot birdlife circling canyons and search for signs of life in vast salt flats and lunar deserts scapes. Get acquainted with the local cultures at La Paz’s markets and the homes on the floating islands of Lake Titicaca. Learn the mysteries of the Nazca lines, wander the streets of Cusco and trek to the mighty Machu Picchu. With stops at Lima, Cusco and vibrant Buenos Aires and a local to lead the way, your South American adventure is jam-packed with fascinating experiences and plenty of space for independent travel.
Trip overview
- Start
- Lima, Peru
- Finish
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Argentina, Peru, Bolivia
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Basix
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- GGBNC
- Take an unforgettable 4WD adventure across the Salar de Uyuni – some of the largest salt lakes in the world. Pass cactus islands, train cemeteries and mineral lakes teeming with flamingos.
- A trip through Peru wouldn't be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. With three different options to choose from, how you experience this lost Inca citadel is up to you.
- Get under the skin of Buenos Aires with plenty of time to explore. With its eclectic neighbourhoods, emphasis on food and wine and huge theatre scene, it’s the perfect place to travel independently.
- Wake early and observe Andean condors taking to the sky during their morning routine as the sun rises in the spectacular Colca Canyon.
- Experience a memorable night with a local family on Lake Titicaca, taking you right to the heart of island traditions.
- At Intrepid we’ve always been about balancing profit and purpose and as the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all – join us and help make the world a better place.
- There are some long travel days and two overnight bus journeys on this trip. Although the buses feature comfortable reclining seats, they are not beds. There’s also usually a toilet on-board, and some of the buses make toilet stops. These trips can be tiresome, but an adventure trip around South America wouldn’t be complete without an overnight bus journey.
- You’ll be staying in some very basic group accommodation with shared facilities, especially along the Inca Trail and on Lake Titicaca (where there are drop toilets and no showers). This is all part of the adventure of being among nature.
- There will be a lot of hiking and walking on this trip (especially on the Inca Trail which can be quite challenging), so this requires a moderate level of fitness. There are a few different trail options to suit your interests and physical capabilities. Please bring durable footwear suitable to hiking. We’ll be experiencing a mix of hot and cold climates, so pack accordingly and bring layers. See the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
- Due to the high altitude of many of places we visit, the air is thinner and some people can suffer altitude sickness. Some people aren’t affected at all, but if you are, be sure to drink plenty of water and don’t push yourself too hard. If possible, arrive into Lima a few days early to allow yourself time to acclimatise. The sun is also unusually strong and it’s easy to get burnt, especially when out on the water in Lake Titicaca. It’s important to wear sunscreen and other sun protection, and always drink plenty of water. Please see the important ‘Medical and health information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
- Making your way across the Andean Desert and Salar de Uyuni isn’t exactly luxurious. There will be long travel days on dusty and bumpy tracks. Temperatures in the area can be very cold, especially at night, so bring warm clothes with you. Meals are simple, toilet facilities are basic, showers can be cold and accommodation is multi-share dormitory-style. This is all part of the adventure. Without a doubt, this amazing experience will be one of the highlights of your trip to South America.
- Bolivia is the least developed and most challenging country you’ll travel around during this trip. Facilities are basic and food might be simpler than what you’re used to. Transportation between different locations can be slow and isn’t as easy as it might be in developed countries. Yet this is all part of the adventure that makes Bolivia such a great place to visit.
- Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means that you may not be able to have photos together, overlooking Machu Picchu. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Inclusions
31 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
4x4, Bus, Coach, Minibus, Overnight bus, Plane, Taxi, Van
Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Dormitory (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (26 nights), Overnight bus (2 nights)
- Lima - Leader-led walking tour
- Colca Canyon - Guided tour
- Colca Canyon Condor Visit
- Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
- 3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters' support. Or guided Cusco stay (Machu Picchu by train)
- Machu Picchu - Entrance & Guided visit
- Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
- Lake Titicaca - Boat tour & Homestay
- Salt flats - Visit to 'Fish Island/Inca Wasi'
- Uyuni - Colchani Salt Factory Visit
- Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve - Altiplano tour including Laguna Colorada
- Lima - Archaeological Museum (entrance fee) - PEN15
- Lima - Museo de la Nacion (entrance fee) - PEN10
- Lima - Banco Central de Reserva Museum (entrance fee) - PEN5
- Lima - Museum of the Inquisition - Free
- Lima - Gold Museum Entrance Fee - PEN35
- Lima - Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (Price based on 2 participants) - USD52
- Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) - USD85
- Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) - USD40
- Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) - USD35
- Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) - USD50
- Lima - Bohemian Barranco (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
- Lima - Lima Eat Street (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
- Lima - Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures (Price based on 2 participants) - USD39
- Lima - Guided tour of San Francisco Monastery, including The Catacombs Admission Fee - PEN20
- Paracas - National Reserve guided tour - PEN97
- Ballestas Islands - Guided tour - PEN97
- Nazca - Scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (excluding 77 PEN Taxes at Nazca Airport) - USD100
- Arequipa - Juanita Museum Admission Fee - PEN20
- Arequipa - Santa Catalina Monastery Admission Fee - PEN45
- Colca Canyon - La Calera hot springs - PEN15
- Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
- Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
- Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN15
- Cusco - Half Boleto Turistico Pass (access to selected archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN75
- Cusco - City tour and 4 Ruins (min 4 people) - USD40
- Cusco - Pre-Colombian Museum - PEN20
- Cusco - Inca Museum (entrance fee) - PEN10
- Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
- Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
- Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site - PEN70
- Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
- Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
- Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
- Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
- Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
- Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) - USD170
- La Paz - Visit to the 'Witches Market' - Free
- La Paz - Coca Museum - BOB15
- La Paz - Tiawanaku Tour - USD50
- La Paz City Tour & Moon Valley - USD40
- Museo de la Recoleta - BOB15
- Sucre - Dinosaur footprints at Cal Orcko (Admission Fee) - BOB70
- Sucre - Casa de la Libertad - BOB28
- Potosi - Santa Teresa Convent Museum - BOB33
- Potosi - National Mint of Bolivia - BOB60
- Potosi - Cerro Rico mine tour - BOB150
- Quebrada de Humahuaca - Free
- Purmamarca Town - Free
- Garganta del diablo (Devil's Throat Waterfall) - Free
- Quebrada de las Señoritas & Hornocal Hill - USD45
- Buenos Aires - Polo day - USD185
- Buenos Aires - Ateneo Bookshop - Free
- Buenos Aires - Tango Show and Dinner - USD120
- Buenos Aires - Recoleta Cemetry - USD5
- Buenos Aires - Football game (subject to availability) from - USD120
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Inca Trail permits are sold on request basis only. Once deposit is paid and passport details provided, Intrepid will endeavour to secure a permit for you.
If Inca Trail permits are unavailable by the time you book, you can opt to hike the Inca Quarry Trail instead https://www.intrepidtravel.com/machu-picchu-peru/quarry-trail
The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. If the trek portion of your trip starts in February you will be automatically booked to hike the Inca Quarry Trail.
2. Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres / 9200 feet where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary!
Please read the following document carefully and, during your trip, utilise the table on the back daily to record your own perspective of your general health and any symptoms you may experience:
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/altitude-sickness
3. This trip is a combination of three of our most popular departures. As such the make up of your group and your tour leader may change on Day 21.
4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 9, 22 (Overnight bus), Days 11, 12, 13 (Camping), Day 18 (Homestay) and Days 27, 28 (Dormitory) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. Nationals from the United States need a visa to enter Bolivia and you we highly recommend you obtain this visa in advance from your nearest Bolivian consulate or Embassy. Not obtaining the visa in advance is likely to cause long delays at the border. Please see the visa information in the Essential Trip Information for more details.
6. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase Entrance fees to certain sites. Additionally on certain trips it's needed to book bus, train or flight tickets. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
7. While hiking the 4 Day Inca Trail or the 3 Day Inca Quarry trail portion of this trip you may be joined by other Intrepid and/or non-Intrepid travellers.
8. This trip includes one visit to Machu Picchu. According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only, and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Please refer to the itinerary for details.
9. As you can choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), there is a small chance you may be the only traveller on your selected option.
10. At the time of booking, please advise whether you would like to hike the classic Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trail or take the train. When available, the Inca Trail will be booked as the default option. Fees may apply to changes made after the time of booking, and availability on other options cannot be guaranteed.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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