Uruguay

Ditch the group tour premium and do South America on your own terms. This self-launched equivalent follows the same epic route — Buenos Aires → Uruguay (Colonia, Montevideo, estancia) → Puerto Iguazú → Brazil's Green Coast (Paraty, Ilha Grande) → Rio de Janeiro — using local buses, ferries, budget hostels and self-bookable activities. Expect the same jaw-dropping waterfalls, gaucho culture, tropical beaches and Rio nightlife at a fraction of the operator price. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£1,090

An epic 51-day self-launched adventure through six South American countries — from Lima's buzzing streets to Rio's iconic beaches. Hit all the major highlights: the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the Uyuni Salt Flats, Atacama Desert, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Iguassu Falls and more. By swapping the guided group tour for independent travel — local buses, hostels, and self-booked activities — you can have the same incredible experience for a fraction of the price. All cost estimates are approximate and per person.

Travel Crew

~£2,150

A 31-day independent version of G Adventures' La Paz-to-Rio backpacker route through five countries: the high-altitude markets of La Paz, colonial Sucre and silver-mining Potosí, the surreal Salar de Uyuni and Altiplano lagoons by shared 4x4, Chile's Atacama Desert, Salta in northern Argentina, tango-fuelled Buenos Aires, a working estancia in Uruguay, Iguazú Falls, and the colonial coast and islands of Brazil finishing in Rio. Everything is bookable yourself: overnight buses and regional flights replace the group vehicle, day tours replace guides, and hostel dorms and budget guesthouses replace simple group hotels. Costs below are approximate budget-traveller estimates in GBP.

Travel Crew

~£1,777

A 39-day self-launched backpacker version of Intrepid's "18 to 35s Epic South America" — covering Lima, the Amazon jungle, Cusco, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, La Paz, the Uyuni Salt Flats, San Pedro de Atacama, Salta, Buenos Aires, Colonia and Montevideo, a Uruguayan estancia, Iguazu Falls, Paraty, Ilha Grande and Rio de Janeiro. Everything is bookable independently via hostel dorms, local buses, regional flights, shared 4x4 tours and GetYourGuide/Klook day trips. Costs are rough per-person estimates in GBP and can shift with exchange rates, season and how far ahead you book.

Travel Crew

~£3,480

A self-launched 17-day run from Buenos Aires through Uruguay's colonial Colonia and a working estancia, up to the thundering Iguazu Falls, then down Brazil's Costa Verde to Rio via Paraty and car-free Ilha Grande. You book the same buses, ferries and day tours yourself — Buquebus catamaran across the Rio de la Plata, long-distance semi-cama buses, local waterfall buses — staying in hostels, guesthouses and pousadas instead of Intrepid's group hotels. Costed for a solo backpacker moving on local transport, with GetYourGuide/Klook-style bookable options for the waterfalls and a shared ranch stay. Estimates are approximate and based on 2026 budget-traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£937

Explore Uruguay's best highlights independently — from the atmospheric streets of Montevideo and the UNESCO-listed cobblestones of Colonia del Sacramento to the glamorous beaches of Punta del Este and rolling wine country. This self-launched itinerary replicates the Aborigen Tours group experience at a fraction of the cost, using local buses, self-booked city tours, and budget-to-mid-range hotels. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£400

Follow the same epic 39-day South American route as Intrepid's group tour — from Lima through the Amazon, the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the Atacama, Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and Rio — but do it independently at a fraction of the cost. Swap group-tour accommodation for quality hostels and budget hotels, book activities directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook, and use local buses, shared taxis and overnight coaches instead of private transfers. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£2,050

Follow the same epic South American route from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro — independently. This 14-day self-guided adventure takes you through Argentine culture, charming Uruguayan colonial towns, a genuine estancia stay, the thundering majesty of Iguazu Falls from both sides, the idyllic island escape of Ilha Grande, and finally the electric streets of Rio de Janeiro. By booking your own transport, accommodation, and activities, you'll save a significant chunk vs. the Intrepid group tour price — while gaining total freedom over your schedule. All transport options use public or shared services, and accommodation is booked via Hostelworld, Booking.com, or direct. Cost estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£888

Follow the same epic 39-day South American route as Intrepid's group tour — from Lima through the Amazon, the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the Atacama, Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and Rio — but do it independently at a fraction of the cost. Swap group-tour accommodation for quality hostels and budget hotels, book activities directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook, and use local buses, shared taxis and overnight coaches instead of private transfers. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£2,050

Follow the same epic South American route from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro — independently. This 14-day self-launched adventure takes you through Argentine culture, charming Uruguayan colonial towns, a genuine estancia stay, the thundering majesty of Iguazu Falls from both sides, the idyllic island escape of Ilha Grande, and finally the electric streets of Rio de Janeiro. By booking your own transport, accommodation, and activities, you'll save a significant chunk vs. the Intrepid group tour price — while gaining total freedom over your schedule. All transport options use public or shared services, and accommodation is booked via Hostelworld, Booking.com, or direct. Cost estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£888