




Discover all the highlights and a few secrets along the way on an epic trip across South America

- Start
- Lima, Peru
- End
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Meals
- 24 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners
- Transport
- 4x4, Bus, Overnight bus, Plane, Van
- Accommodation
- Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights), Dormitory (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (16 nights), Overnight bus (1 night)
- Days
- 26
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Ages
- Min 18- Max 35
- ThemeOur themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- 18 to 35s
- StyleBasix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders - Basix
- Physical ratingIndicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Float down the Amazon River through the jungle at night, keeping an out for the glaring eyes of jaguars, anacondas and caimans. Don’t worry, you’ll be accompanied by a local expert!
- Stay with the locals during a homestay on Lake Titicaca, on the colourful floating islands of Uros that look like they come straight out of a Pixar movie.
- Walk on water (sort of) at the sprawling salt lakes of Bolivia – the largest salt flats in the world, Salar de Uyuni is amid the Andes and serves up some pretty epic photos ops.
- See how spicy Latin America mixes with the best architectural styles of Europe in the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires – maybe take a tango class and head out to bust your moves in the vibrant nightlife hotspot.
- Whether you trek the Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trail or take the scenic train route, you'll be travelling responsibly with a company that cares about balancing profit and purpose. Intrepid is the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail and we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all.
Itinerary
Inclusions and activities
24 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners
4x4, Bus, Overnight bus, Plane, Van
Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights), Dormitory (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (16 nights), Overnight bus (1 night)
Is this trip right for you?
- Due to the high altitude of many of the places you’ll visit, some people can suffer altitude sickness. If possible, arrive a few days early to allow yourself time to acclimatise. Please see the ‘Medical and Health Information’ section of the Essential Trip Information for details.
- Making your way across the Andean Desert involves long travel days spent in 4WDs on dusty and bumpy tracks. Temperatures in the area can be very cold, especially at night, so bring warm clothes. Meals are simple, toilet facilities are basic, showers can be cold, and the multi-share accommodation is dormitory style. This is all part of the adventure. Undoubtedly, this amazing experience will be one of the highlights of your trip to South America.
- This trip involves a lot of hiking and walking, so it does require a moderate level of fitness. There are a few different trail options to suit your interests and physical capabilities. Please bring durable footwear. See the ‘What to Take’ section of the Essential Trip information (ETI) for more information.
- 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.
- According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations all visitors to Machu Picchu must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. We will do all that is possible to get everyone traveling in a group on the same route, but be aware that it is possible that members of the same group might be visiting Machu Picchu on a different circuit and not be together during this visit. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted.
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Inca Trail permits are sold on a request basis only. Once a deposit is paid and passport details are provided, Intrepid will endeavour to secure a permit for you. If Inca Trail permits are unavailable, you can opt to hike the Quarry Trail instead https://www.intrepidtravel.com/peru/machu-picchu/quarry-trail or travel to Machu Picchu by train.
2. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. These details must match the passport you will travel on. Mismatched details can lead to refusal of entry by the Inca authorities. Delays in providing this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
3. We will request an Inca Trail permit for you unless, at time of booking, you advise us that you wish to hike the Quarry Trail or take the train. Fees may apply to changes made after the time of booking, and availability on other options cannot be guaranteed.
4. 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 'Passport and Visas' section of the Essential Trip Information.
5. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 2 and 3 (Amazon Jungle), Days 6, 7 and 8 (Camping), Day 12 (Lake Titicaca, Homestay), Days 17 and 18 (Dormitory), and Day 22 (Overnight bus) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
6. 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 Quarry Trail.
7. According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations all visitors must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. For travellers who opted for the Quarry Trail and Train options we will endeavour to get everyone traveling in a group on the same circuit. Regardless of the circuit you will enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the site. Travellers completing the Inca Trail will enter Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate with a guided tour taking place on circuit 5.
8. As you can choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), you may be joined by other Intrepid and/or non-Intrepid travellers. There is also a small chance you may be the only traveller from your group on your selected option.
9. We highly recommend you take US Dollars with you to Argentina and change it locally. While ATMs are widely available, there is a daily limit for withdrawals and the exchange rate does fluctuate.
10. This trip includes a domestic flight within Argentina. The luggage allowance is 15kg for check in luggage. Should you wish to bring heavier luggage it is possible to increase your allowance by paying a fee at check in.
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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