South America Highlights: Bolivia, Chile & Argentina — Self-Launched
20 days · Bolivia, Chile & Argentina
G Adventures charges £3,415
No-markup version: ~£1,495 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 20-day independent version of G Adventures' classic La Paz → Buenos Aires route. You'll tick off colonial Sucre and Potosí, ride a shared 4x4 across the Salar de Uyuni and the altiplano lagoons into Chile, explore the Atacama, hop down to Santiago and Valparaíso, head into the Lake District near Pucón, cross the Andes to Bariloche for a gaucho-style estancia day, and finish with tango in Buenos Aires. Swap the group CEO for local guides and GetYourGuide bookings, internal flights for local airlines, and hotels for hostels and guesthouses — same landscapes, roughly half the price. Costs are rough backpacker estimates in GBP; internal flights in South America are notoriously variable, so book early.
Day-by-day
Arrive La Paz — acclimatise at altitude
La Paz, Bolivia
Land at El Alto (4,000m) and take it easy — altitude is no joke. Taxi or shared minibus down into the valley (Bs 60-80 / ~£7 for a taxi). Check into a hostel in Sopocachi or the historic centre, drink coca tea, and do a gentle wander. If you're feeling fine, join an afternoon La Paz city tour or visit the Witches' Market and the Mirador Killi Killi for views of Mt Illimani.
🚌Airport taxi or shared minibus to centre (~£7)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Sopocachi/centro, private or dorm room
- →Witches' Market wander
- →Mirador Killi Killi viewpoint
- →Optional: guided city tour via GetYourGuide (~£25)
Fly to Sucre — Bolivia's whitewashed capital
Sucre, Bolivia
Take a morning flight or the comfortable overnight-style bus south to Sucre. Flights (BoA/EcoJet) are quick and cheap on local airlines; the bus is long but scenic. Sucre is low, sunny and relaxed — a perfect base. Spend the afternoon exploring Plaza 25 de Mayo, the Recoleta monastery and the Casa de la Libertad.
🚌Local flight La Paz–Sucre (~£45-60) or long-distance bus (~£12-18)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse near the centre
- →Plaza 25 de Mayo
- →Convento de la Recoleta
- →Casa de la Libertad
Sucre — free day for hiking or biking
Sucre, Bolivia
A full free day. Hike up to the Mirador de la Recoleta, take a shared taxi to the Cal Orck'o dinosaur trackway, or book a half-day mountain-bike ride into the surrounding valleys. Book your shared 4x4 Salar de Uyuni tour today if you haven't already — most Uyuni agencies sell 3-day/2-night tours that finish in San Pedro de Atacama.
🚌Local transport / shared taxi (~£3-5)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse near the centre
- →Cal Orck'o dinosaur tracks
- →Hiking the Sucre hills
- →Optional: mountain biking (~£25)
Bus to Potosí — Cerro Rico and the mines
Potosí, Bolivia
A 2-3 hour bus south through the altiplano to Potosí (4,090m), one of the highest cities in the world. Visit the Casa de la Moneda (the old mint) and, if you're up for it, take a guided cooperative mine tour — sobering but memorable. Bring warm layers; nights are cold.
🚌Local bus Sucre–Potosí (~£3-5, 2.5hrs)
🛏Guesthouse in Potosí centre
- →Casa de la Moneda
- →Optional: Cerro Rico mine tour (~£12)
- →Historic centre walk
Travel to Uyuni — jumping-off point
Uyuni, Bolivia
Bus or shared van from Potosí to Uyuni through dramatic altiplano — several hours with stops. Arrive in Uyuni, confirm your shared 4x4 tour for the morning, and stock up on snacks and water. Uyuni town itself is basic; the point is tomorrow's salt flats.
🚌Local bus Potosí–Uyuni (~£6-8, 5-6hrs)
🛏Basic guesthouse or hostel in Uyuni
- →Uyuni town
- →Gear up for the salt flats
Salar de Uyuni — into the white
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Depart early by shared 4x4 onto the world's largest salt flat. Take the obligatory perspective-bending photos, visit the train cemetery and Incahuasi cactus island. Overnight in a basic multi-share salt lodge near the edge of the flats in a small desert oasis community — bring a sleeping bag liner and expect no frills and no reliable hot water.
🚌Shared 4x4 (included in the 3-day tour, ~£90-120 total)
🛏Basic salt lodge, multi-share (part of 4x4 tour)
- →Salar de Uyuni
- →Train cemetery
- →Incahuasi Island
- →Salt-flat photo tricks
Altiplano lagoons and flamingos
Altiplano, Bolivia
Continue south by 4x4 through the altiplano — the flat is behind you now. Red Laguna Colorada, Laguna Hedionda, wild llamas, alpacas and flamingos, bizarre rock formations and the Siloli Desert. Nights are freezing at ~4,500m, so layer up.
🚌Shared 4x4
🛏Basic altiplano refuge/hostal, multi-share
- →Laguna Colorada
- →Laguna Hedionda
- →Siloli Desert rock formations
- →Wildlife spotting
Geysers and into San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
An early start to Sol de Mañana geysers and the hot springs at Termas de Polques, then the surreal Salvador Dalí Desert and Laguna Verde. Cross the border at Hito Cajón, where your driver hands you over, and take the onward minibus down to San Pedro de Atacama. Expect an exit fee (approx CLP 15,000 / ~£13).
🚌4x4 + border transfer minibus to San Pedro (~£15-20)
🛏Hostel with courtyard in San Pedro de Atacama
- →Sol de Mañana geysers
- →Termas de Polques hot springs
- →Dalí Desert
- →Border crossing at Hito Cajón
Valle de la Luna — and sandboarding
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Book the Valle de la Luna sunset tour (GetYourGuide or any local agency, ~CLP 15,000 / £13) and walk among salt caves, dunes and sculpted rock. In the afternoon, try sandboarding down the dunes (from ~CLP 20,000) or hire a mountain bike to the nearby ruins of Pukará de Quitor. Stargazing tours at night are excellent in the clearest desert on earth.
🚌Local tour van or bike rental
🛏Hostel in San Pedro de Atacama
- →Valle de la Luna tour
- →Optional: sandboarding
- →Optional: stargazing tour (~£25)
- →Pukará de Quitor by bike
Transfer to Santiago via Calama
Santiago, Chile
Shared van from San Pedro to Calama airport (~1.5 hrs, ~£10-15), then a domestic flight to Santiago (~£60-90). Arrive in the capital, check in to a hostel in Bellavista or Lastarria, and head out for dinner and a pisco sour.
🚌Shared van to Calama (~£12) + domestic flight to Santiago (~£75)
🛏Hostel in Bellavista or Lastarria
- →Bellavista neighbourhood
- →Pisco sour tasting
Santiago — free day in the capital
Santiago, Chile
A full free day. Take the funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal, wander the Mercado Central and La Vega markets, or day-trip to Valparaíso's painted hillsides by bus (~£8 return, 1.5 hrs) — the rainbow streets and funiculars of the city's Cerro Alegre are worth the day. Alternatively, book a horse-riding day trip into the Andes foothills.
🚌Metro (~£1-2 per ride) or bus to Valparaíso (~£8 return)
🛏Hostel in Bellavista or Lastarria
- →Cerro San Cristóbal funicular
- →Mercado Central
- →Optional: Valparaíso day trip
- →Optional: Andes horseback riding
Santiago — city tour and wine
Santiago, Chile
Join a free walking tour (tip-based) or a GetYourGuide city tour, visit the Museum of Memory & Human Rights (free), and take the metro to one of the country's wine regions — Concha y Toro or Santa Rita, both about an hour out, do half-day tours (~£30–45). Or just soak in a Santiago café and plan the Lake District leg.
🚌Metro/bus (~£3)
🛏Hostel in Bellavista or Lastarria
- →Free walking tour of Santiago
- →Museum of Memory & Human Rights
- →Optional: Concha y Toro wine tour (~£35)
Head south to Pucón — Lake District
Pucón, Chile
Overnight bus or short flight to Temuco, then local bus to Pucón (~£30 total by bus, or ~£60 flying). Pucón is the adventure hub of the Chilean Lake District — Volcán Villarrica above, Lake Villarrica below. Settle into a lakeside hostel and take an evening stroll along the beach.
🚌Overnight bus Santiago–Temuco + local bus (~£30)
🛏Lake District hostel or guesthouse
- →Lake Villarrica shoreline
- →Planning adventure day
Pucón — volcanoes, rafting or hot springs
Pucón, Chile
Pick your adventure: summit Volcán Villarrica with a guide (~CLP 100,000 / ~£85), whitewater raft on the Trancura (~CLP 30,000), hike in Huerquehue National Park (~CLP 55,000 incl. transport), or soak in the Termas de Huife hot pools (~CLP 40,000). Book directly through local outfitters or GetYourGuide the night before.
🚌Tour shuttle or local bus
🛏Lake District hostel or guesthouse
- →Volcán Villarrica hike
- →Trancura whitewater rafting
- →Huerquehue National Park
- →Hot springs
Cross the Andes to Bariloche
San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
Today a long but beautiful inter-Andean crossing: bus from Pucón to Osorno/Puerto Montt, then over the Cardenal Antonio Samoré pass to Bariloche (buses run daily, ~£30-40, 10-12 hrs total). The Lake District on both sides is spectacular. Arrive in Bariloche and find a hostel near Centro Cívico.
🚌Local bus + Andes crossing coach (~£35)
🛏Hostel near Centro Cívico, Bariloche
- →Andes crossing via Cardenal Samoré pass
- →Centro Cívico Bariloche
Seven Lakes and Circuito Chico
Bariloche, Argentina
Do the Circuito Chico loop — take bus 20 from the centre to Hotel Llao Llao and hike between viewpoints and the Cerro Campanario chairlift (one of the best views in Argentina). Or join the Seven Lakes day tour (Ruta de los Siete Lagos, ~£35-45). Evenings mean chocolate shops and Argentinian malbec by the lake.
🚌Local bus 20 (~£2) or Seven Lakes tour (~£40)
🛏Hostel in Bariloche
- →Circuito Chico
- →Cerro Campanario chairlift
- →Optional: Seven Lakes road tour
- →Llao Llao viewpoint
Estancia gaucho day — barbecue and horses
Bariloche hinterland, Argentina
Book a full-day gaucho experience at a working estancia outside Bariloche (GetYourGuide or direct, ~£65-80). Ride the pampas, watch sheepdogs work, and tuck into a proper asado with wine. Back to Bariloche in the evening.
🚌Estancia pickup and drop-off (included)
🛏Hostel in Bariloche
- →Horse riding
- →Asado lunch
- →Estancia visit
Fly to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Domestic flight Bariloche–Buenos Aires (~£70-100, 2 hrs). Check into a hostel in Palermo or San Telmo. Spend the afternoon wandering Palermo Soho's boutiques, street art and cafés, or get to know San Telmo's cobbled streets.
🚌Local flight (~£85) + taxi to hostel (~£10)
🛏Hostel in Palermo or San Telmo
- →Palermo Soho wander
- →San Telmo streets
- →Mate and medialunas
Buenos Aires — tango night
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Explore by day — Recoleta Cemetery, the Teatro Colón tour (~£20), La Boca's El Caminito, and the Sunday San Telmo market if it's that day. In the evening, book a tango dinner show in San Telmo or Puerto Madero (GetYourGuide, £60-85) or go to a milonga and learn to dance. Book the show in advance for good tables.
🚌Metro/SUBE card (~£2 total)
🛏Hostel in Palermo or San Telmo
- →Recoleta Cemetery
- →La Boca El Caminito
- →Teatro Colón tour
- →Tango dinner show
Buenos Aires — depart
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Anything you missed yesterday — a bike tour of the city (~£30), the MALBA art museum, or a final long brunch in Palermo. Head to Ezeiza for your flight home.
🚌Airport transfer (~£12 by taxi or airport bus)
🛏—
- →Optional: Buenos Aires bike tour
- →MALBA
- →Final brunch in Palermo
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,495 | £3,415 |
| Duration | 20 days | 20 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,920 per person (56%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,495
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does South America Highlights: Bolivia, Chile & Argentina — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,495 per person for 20 days in Bolivia, Chile & Argentina. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £3,415 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,495 — a saving of roughly £1,920 (56%) per person.
How long is the Bolivia, Chile & Argentina trip?+
This itinerary runs 20 days, covering 20 day-by-day stops through Bolivia, Chile & Argentina.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Bolivia, Chile & Argentina, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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