Peru, Bolivia, Argentina & Brazil Highlights — Self-Launched
18 days · Peru, Bolivia, Argentina & Brazil
SKR Reisen charges £5,500
No-markup version: ~£2,380 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 18-day route from Lima to Rio covering the same headline experiences as SKR Reisen's group tour — Lima's colonial centre, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol, La Paz, Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls from both sides, and Rio's Sugar Loaf and Christ the Redeemer — but booked yourself using local buses, shared taxis, domestic flights and self-bookable tours. Costs here exclude long-haul flights from Europe (the operator price includes a Frankfurt return flight); budget roughly £700–1,000 extra for a return London–Lima / Rio–London open-jaw ticket with a stopover. All figures are approximate per-person estimates.
Day-by-day
Arrive Lima — Miraflores
Lima, Peru
Land at Jorge Chávez International Airport and take an official taxi or Airport Express Lima bus (£6–12) to Miraflores. Settle into a hostel or budget hotel, then walk the clifftop Malecón at sunset and eat ceviche at a local cevichería (£5–8).
🚌Airport Express Lima bus ~£6 or official taxi ~£12
🛏Hostel private room or budget hotel, Miraflores (£18–28)
- →Airport transfer to Miraflores
- →Malecón sunset walk
- →Ceviche dinner
Lima historic centre & San Isidro
Lima, Peru
Free walking tour of the historic centre around Plaza de Armas (tip-based, £5–8 tip), then entry to Lima Cathedral (~£2) and the San Francisco Monastery and catacombs (~£3). Afternoon: ride the Metropolitano bus to San Isidro's Huaca Huallamarca or Parque Kennedy, back via Miraflores.
🚌Metropolitano bus card + rides ~£3
🛏Hostel private room or budget hotel, Miraflores (£18–28)
- →Free walking tour of Plaza de Armas
- →Lima Cathedral entry
- →San Francisco Monastery & catacombs
- →Metropolitano bus to San Isidro
Fly to Cusco & on to the Sacred Valley
Ollantaytambo, Peru
Morning flight Lima–Cusco (~£45–70 one-way with Sky or LATAM, booked ahead). Take a colectivo or shared van from Cusco to Pisac (£2) to browse the Inca market, then continue to Ollantaytambo (£3) and explore the Inca terraces and fortress (£4 entry). Sleep in Ollantaytambo to acclimatise lower and catch the early train.
🚌Flight ~£55; colectivos ~£6
🛏Guesthouse in Ollantaytambo (£15–25)
- →Lima–Cusco flight
- →Pisac Inca market
- →Ollantaytambo ruins
- →Colectivo travel through the valley
Maras salt pans & Moray terraces
Ollantaytambo / Aguas Calientes, Peru
Book a shared day tour or hire a local colectivo to the Maras salt pans (~£3 entry) and the Moray circular terraces (~£4 entry); many hostels run shared vans for ~£10–15. Return to Ollantaytambo and take the evening PeruRail or Inca Rail panoramic train to Aguas Calientes (~£40–55 booked in advance).
🚌Shared van ~£12; train ~£48
🛏Budget guesthouse, Aguas Calientes (£20–30)
- →Maras salt pans
- →Moray terraces
- →Panoramic train to Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu / Cusco, Peru
Buy your Machu Picchu ticket online in advance (£35–42, plus £10 bus up/down or walk the steps). Enter at opening for the classic sunrise view, then take the bus down and the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo/Cusco (~£48). Optional Huayna Picchu or Montaña permit is limited and bookable weeks ahead (~£15–20 supplement).
🚌Consettur bus £10; return train ~£48; taxi to Cusco ~£8
🛏Hostel in Cusco historic centre (£14–24)
- →Machu Picchu entry and circuit
- →Optional Huayna Picchu climb
- →Return train to Cusco
Cusco — Qorikancha, San Blas & San Pedro
Cusco, Peru
Self-guided morning: Plaza de Armas, Cusco Cathedral (£4), Qorikancha Temple of the Sun (£4), then wander the San Blas artists' quarter. Afternoon at San Pedro market for cheap menús (£3–4) and fruit juice. Buy a Boleto Turístico only if you plan several sites.
🚌Walking; local taxis ~£2
🛏Hostel in Cusco historic centre (£14–24)
- →Cusco Cathedral
- →Qorikancha
- →San Blas walking
- →San Pedro market lunch
Cusco to Puno via Raqchi & Andahuaylillas
Puno, Peru
Take the tourist bus Cusco–Puno (~£18–25 with Inka Express or Turismo Mer, departs morning, includes stops at Andahuaylillas church and Raqchi). Alternatively the cheap local bus (~£8) runs without the stops. Arrive Puno in the late afternoon; overnight near the plaza.
🚌Tourist bus ~£22
🛏Hostel or guesthouse, Puno (£12–20)
- →Andahuaylillas colonial church
- →Raqchi Inca ruins
- →Lake Titicaca town of Puno
Puno to Copacabana, Bolivia
Copacabana, Bolivia
Cross the border by bus from Puno to Copacabana (~£8–12, 3–4 hrs, with a border stop at Kasani). In town visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, climb the Calvario viewpoint for lake views, and eat grilled trucha by the shore.
🚌Cross-border bus ~£10
🛏Guesthouse in Copacabana (£10–18)
- →Puno–Copacabana bus
- →Basilica of the Black Madonna
- →Calvario viewpoint
- →Lakeside trout dinner
Isla del Sol & boat to La Paz
La Paz, Bolivia
Morning boat to Isla del Sol (~£6–10 return) and walk between Challapampa and the Pilcocaina ruins (~£2 entry). Return to Copacabana in the afternoon and take the bus to La Paz (~£6–9, ferry crossing at Tiquina included). Watch the city light up from El Alto as you arrive.
🚌Boat ~£8; bus ~£8
🛏Hostel in Sopocachi or central La Paz (£10–18)
- →Boat to Isla del Sol
- →Pilcocaina ruins
- →Bus to La Paz
La Paz — Witches' Market & Moon Valley
La Paz, Bolivia
Explore the Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas) and San Francisco church area on foot, ride the Mi Teleférico cable car network (~£0.60 per line — the best-value city view in South America), then take a micro or taxi to Valle de la Luna (£3 entry) for a short marked walk. Evening food at a mercado or salteñería (£4–6).
🚌Cable car + taxi ~£4
🛏Hostel in Sopocachi or central La Paz (£10–18)
- →Witches' Market
- →Mi Teleférico cable car
- →Valle de la Luna
- →Mercado lunch
Fly to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Morning flight La Paz–Buenos Aires via Lima or Santa Cruz (~£130–180 one-way, book ahead; some routes need an overnight so check connections). Arrive, check into a hostel or budget hotel in San Telmo or Palermo, then take an evening stroll through the city and share a parrilla dinner (£8–12).
🚌Flight ~£150; airport bus ~£2
🛏Hostel private room or budget hotel, San Telmo (£20–32)
- →La Paz–Buenos Aires flight
- →Evening walk in central BA
- →Parrilla dinner
Buenos Aires — Plaza de Mayo to La Boca
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Free walking tour of the centre (£5 tip): Casa Rosada, Avenida de Mayo, the Obelisk and Avenida 9 de Julio. Afternoon bus to La Boca's Caminito (stay on the tourist streets), then Recoleta cemetery (free) and San Telmo's Sunday antiques if the timing works. Optional tango show in San Telmo ~£40–60, or a free milonga for the budget version.
🚌Subte/bus day ~£2
🛏Hostel private room or budget hotel, San Telmo (£20–32)
- →Free city walking tour
- →Casa Rosada & Plaza de Mayo
- →Caminito, La Boca
- →Recoleta Cemetery
- →Optional tango show
Fly to Puerto Iguazú — Brazilian side of the falls
Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Morning flight Buenos Aires–Puerto Iguazú or Foz do Iguaçu (~£80–120). Cross to the Brazilian side and take the park bus route along the canyon for the panoramic view and the Devil's Throat walkway (~£18 entry). Optional bird park next to the Brazilian park entrance (~£10).
🚌Flight ~£95; local bus ~£2
🛏Hostel or pousada, Foz do Iguaçu or Puerto Iguazú (£15–25)
- →Flight to Iguazú
- →Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls
- →Devil's Throat walkway
- →Bird park
Iguazú National Park — Argentine side
Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Full day in the Argentine park (~£25 entry plus ~£2 eco-train): Upper and Lower Circuits and the Garganta del Diablo boardwalk. Optional Gran Aventura boat ride (~£55–70 booked on site or via GetYourGuide). Cheap local buses run from town to the park gate every 20–30 minutes.
🚌Local bus ~£2
🛏Hostel or pousada, Puerto Iguazú (£15–25)
- →Argentine side of the falls
- →Garganta del Diablo
- →Optional boat ride
Fly to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fly Foz do Iguaçu–Rio (~£80–120). Settle into a hostel in Botafogo, Flamengo or Ipanema, then spend the late afternoon and sunset on Copacabana beach with an açaí or a beer from a beach kiosk.
🚌Flight ~£100; airport bus ~£3
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse, Botafogo/Ipanema (£20–35)
- →Flight to Rio
- →Copacabana Beach sunset
Rio — Sugar Loaf & Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Morning walking tour of the centre: Catedral Metropolitana, the Theatro Municipal and Carioca Square, then bus past Flamengo Park. Afternoon: cable car up Sugar Loaf (~£16) and/or the Corcovado cogwheel train to Christ the Redeemer (~£20, or a Kombi van from Cosme Velho). Book Christ the Redeemer online to skip queues. Evening caipirinhas and a farewell dinner in Botafogo.
🚌Buses + metro ~£4
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse, Botafogo/Ipanema (£20–35)
- →Centro walking tour
- →Sugar Loaf cable car
- →Christ the Redeemer by cogwheel train
- →Botafogo farewell dinner
Rio — free day & Ipanema
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Spare day built in for flight delays and Rio itself: Ipanema and Leblon beaches, a favela social-project tour or the Escadaria Selarón and Lapa steps (free), or a day trip to Niterói's contemporary art museum by ferry (~£3).
🚌Ferry/metro ~£4
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse, Botafogo/Ipanema (£20–35)
- →Ipanema & Leblon
- →Selarón Steps & Lapa
- →Optional Niterói ferry
Depart Rio
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Last morning for the beach or a market, then the Airport Bus (Real Auto Ônibus, ~£3) or an app taxi (~£12) to Galeão for your return flight.
🚌Airport bus ~£3
🛏—
- →Beach morning
- →Transfer to Galeão Airport
Self-launched vs. SKR Reisen
| This itinerary (self-launched) | SKR Reisen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£2,380 | £5,500 |
| Duration | 18 days | 18 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £3,120 per person (57%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more SKR Reisen-style trips? Check them out here.~£2,380
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 Peru, Bolivia, Argentina & Brazil Highlights — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £2,380 per person for 18 days in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina & Brazil. 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 SKR Reisen?+
Yes — SKR Reisen charges around £5,500 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £2,380 — a saving of roughly £3,120 (57%) per person.
How long is the Peru, Bolivia, Argentina & Brazil trip?+
This itinerary runs 18 days, covering 18 day-by-day stops through Peru, Bolivia, Argentina & Brazil.
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 Peru, Bolivia, Argentina & Brazil, 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?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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