Self-Launched South American Explorer with Inca Trail Trek

Arrive in Cusco (fly into CUZ). Spend the day acclimatising — altitude sickness is real at 3,400m, so take it easy. Wander the cobblestone streets around Plaza de Armas, explore San Pedro Market, and sip coca leaf tea (the local remedy for altitude). Browse artisan jewellery and woodwork stalls. Book your Inca Trail or Short Inca Trail permit in advance online via the Peruvian government portal (permits sell out months ahead).

🚌Airport to city centre: taxi ~£5–8 or shared colectivo ~£1

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco (dorm ~£10–14/night, private ~£25–35/night)

• →Wander Plaza de Armas and Cathedral for free
• →Explore San Pedro Market — try cacao buds and coca leaf tea (~£2)
• →Browse artisan jewellery and woodwork stalls
• →Book Inca Trail permit in advance at rezervas.cultura.gob.pe (~£50 included in Day 3)

Take a shared minibus or colectivo from Cusco to the Sacred Valley (~1.5–2hrs, £3–5). Visit the Pisac ruins and market independently (entry ~£15 with boleto turístico), then continue to Ollantaytambo ruins (~£10 or included in boleto). Seek out a local llama and alpaca farm — many are free or donation-based. Ask locals about tasting chicha de jora (traditional fermented maize beer) at a chichería (look for a red bag or flag above the door). Overnight in Ollantaytambo to be ready for the trail.

🚌Shared colectivo Cusco to Pisac ~£3, Pisac to Ollantaytambo ~£2–3

🛏KB Tambo Hotel or El Albergue Ollantaytambo (budget guesthouse ~£15–20/night)

• →Shared colectivo Cusco to Pisac (~£3–5)
• →Pisac ruins and market — entry included in boleto turístico (~£15 multi-site pass)
• →Ollantaytambo ruins (~included in boleto)
• →Visit a local llama/alpaca farm (donation-based)
• →Sample chicha de jora at a local chichería (~£1)
• →Learn about Incan weaving at Chinchero weaving cooperative (~£3)

Take the PeruRail or Inca Rail train from Ollantaytambo to KM104 (the start of the Short Inca Trail, ~£25–35). This half-day trek (~12km) passes Wiñay Wayna ruins and arrives at the Sun Gate with dramatic views of Machu Picchu below, before descending to Aguas Calientes. Book the Short Inca Trail via a licensed local agency in Cusco (required — you can't do this trail without a guide and permit). Cost including train, guide, permit and packed lunch: ~£80–110pp. Overnight in Aguas Calientes to be first at the gate.

🚌Train Ollantaytambo to KM104 included in trek package

🛏Hostal Machu Picchu or La Cabaña Hostel Aguas Calientes (~£15–22/night)

• →Train Ollantaytambo to KM104 (PeruRail/Inca Rail ~£25–35)
• →Short Inca Trail guided trek to Sun Gate (~£80–110 all-in via local agency)
• →View Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu from Sun Gate
• →Arrive Aguas Calientes — explore the town and hot springs (~£5)

Rise early and take the bus up to Machu Picchu (£12 return, or hike up the steps in ~1hr for free). Entry ticket ~£35, bookable in advance online — essential as daily visitor numbers are capped. Explore independently or join a small-group guided tour on GetYourGuide (~£15–20). See the Temple of the Three Windows, Intihuatana stone, and classic viewpoints. If you booked Huayna Picchu separately (~£15 extra, very limited slots), enjoy the climb. Take the afternoon PeruRail train back to Cusco (~£30–45). Evening: try cuy (guinea pig) or lomo saltado in Cusco.

🚌Train Aguas Calientes to Cusco ~£30–45

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco (~£10–14 dorm / £25–35 private)

• →Bus Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu gate (~£12 return) or hike for free
• →Machu Picchu entry ticket (~£35 — book well in advance)
• →Self-guided exploration with UNESCO site map
• →Optional: Huayna Picchu additional ticket (~£15)
• →Temple of the Three Windows, Intihuatana, Sun Temple
• →Train Aguas Calientes to Cusco (PeruRail ~£30–45)
• →Evening: try cuy or lomo saltado in San Blas neighbourhood (~£8–12)

A free day to recover and explore Cusco at your own pace. Wander the bohemian San Blas neighbourhood, visit the Cusco Cathedral on Plaza de Armas (entry ~£10), and browse the artisan markets. The Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) is worth a visit (~£5). Head up to Sacsayhuamán fortress for panoramic city views — it's a short hike or taxi ride from the centre (~£10 entry or free after 6pm). Pick up alpaca souvenirs and restock for the Amazon leg.

🚌Walking or taxi within Cusco ~£2–4

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco (~£10–14 dorm / £25–35 private)

• →San Blas neighbourhood walk — free
• →Cusco Cathedral (~£10)
• →Qorikancha Temple of the Sun (~£5)
• →Sacsayhuamán fortress (~£10 or free after 6pm)
• →San Pedro and Pisac artisan markets for souvenirs
• →Coffee and cake in a café on Plaza de Armas (~£4)

Fly from Cusco (CUZ) to Puerto Maldonado (PEM) — a short ~45min flight bookable via LATAM or Sky Airline (~£50–80). On arrival, arrange a transfer to your jungle lodge. Most budget lodges on the Tambopata River include a boat transfer. Take a guided hike to a canopy tower for treetop views, then an evening caiman-spotting canoe trip along the river. Dinner is typically included at jungle lodges. Book a 2-night budget eco-lodge package directly (e.g. Tambopata Research-adjacent budget lodges ~£40–60/night including meals and some activities).

🚌Flight Cusco to Puerto Maldonado ~£50–80; boat transfer ~£10–15

🛏Tambopata Hostel or budget eco-lodge on Tambopata River (~£40–60/night including meals)

• →Fly Cusco to Puerto Maldonado (LATAM/Sky ~£50–80)
• →Motorboat transfer to jungle lodge (~£10–15, often included)
• →Guided hike to canopy tower
• →Evening caiman spotting canoe excursion
• →Home-cooked jungle dinner at lodge (often included)

Morning canoe cruise on Sandoval Lake — one of the Amazon's best wildlife-watching spots. Keep an eye out for giant river otters, hoatzin birds, black caimans, capybaras and monkeys. Most budget lodges include this excursion or it can be booked through a local operator in Puerto Maldonado town for ~£15–25pp. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge, kayaking on the Tambopata River (~£10 extra), or taking an optional canopy climbing experience (~£10–15).

🚌Canoe/motorboat transfers included in lodge or ~£10

🛏Tambopata budget eco-lodge (as Day 6, meals included)

• →Morning canoe cruise on Sandoval Lake (~£15–25 if not lodge-included)
• →Wildlife spotting: giant river otters, hoatzin birds, caimans
• →Optional kayaking on Tambopata River (~£10)
• →Optional canopy climbing (~£10–15)
• →Relax at jungle lodge

Fly from Puerto Maldonado (PEM) to Lima (LIM) via Cusco — typically ~2–3hrs with a connection, bookable via LATAM (~£60–100). Arrive in Lima and head to the upmarket Miraflores district where most budget travellers base themselves. Check in to a hostel, then explore on foot: Parque Kennedy (famous for its resident cats), the clifftop Malecón promenade, and Larcomar shopping centre at sunset. Try Lima's legendary ceviche for dinner at a local cevichería (budget ~£8–12) and order a pisco sour (~£4–6).

🚌Lima airport to Miraflores: taxi ~£8–12 or airport bus ~£2–3

🛏Kokopelli Hostel Miraflores or Hitchhikers Backpackers Lima (dorm ~£12–16 / private ~£30–40)

• →Fly Puerto Maldonado to Lima via Cusco (~£60–100)
• →Explore Miraflores district on foot — free
• →Parque Kennedy (free)
• →Malecón clifftop promenade walk (free)
• →Ceviche dinner at a local cevichería (~£8–12)
• →Pisco sour at a bar (~£4–6)

Spend a full day in Lima before flying to Buenos Aires. Head to the bohemian Barranco neighbourhood — stroll across the Bridge of Sighs, visit street art murals, and browse the Barranco market. The Larco Museum (~£10) is one of Latin America's finest pre-Columbian collections. For lunch, try a menú del día (set lunch) at a local restaurant for ~£4–6 — incredible value and quality. In the evening, head to the Huaca Pucllana ruins (~£8) lit up at night.

🚌Taxi or bus within Lima ~£2–5

🛏Kokopelli Hostel Miraflores or Hitchhikers Backpackers (~£12–16 dorm / £30–40 private)

• →Barranco neighbourhood walk — Bridge of Sighs, street art (free)
• →Larco Museum (~£10)
• →Menú del día lunch at a local restaurant (~£4–6)
• →Huaca Pucllana illuminated ruins (~£8)
• →Browse Miraflores market for last-minute Peru souvenirs

Fly from Lima (LIM) to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) — typically ~4–5hrs, bookable via LATAM, Aerolíneas Argentinas or Sky Airline (~£80–140). Arrive and transfer to your hostel in Palermo or San Telmo. Spend the afternoon exploring your neighbourhood, then head to La Boca in the late afternoon to see the colourful Caminito street. In the evening, find a milonga (tango venue) for a live show — many offer beginner lessons before the main show (~£10–15 entry with a drink).

🚌Ezeiza airport to centre: Tienda León bus ~£5 or taxi ~£15–20

🛏Ostinatto Hostel (San Telmo) or Palermo Soho Hostel (dorm ~£12–18 / private ~£35–50)

• →Fly Lima to Buenos Aires (~£80–140)
• →La Boca neighbourhood and Caminito street (free to walk)
• →Beginner tango lesson and milonga show (~£10–15)
• →Dinner: traditional Argentine steak at a parrilla (~£12–18)

A full day exploring Buenos Aires. Start with the iconic Recoleta Cemetery (~£5 entry) — Eva Perón's tomb is here. Wander through Recoleta's grand European-style boulevards and browse its Sunday antiques market. Head to Palermo for boutique shopping, world-class restaurants, and café culture. Explore the MALBA art museum (~£8) for Latin American modern art. In the evening, join a free walking tour of San Telmo (tip-based, ~£5–10 tip expected) and explore its antiques market.

🚌Subte (metro) or buses within BA ~£1–2 per journey

🛏Ostinatto Hostel or Palermo Soho Hostel (dorm ~£12–18 / private ~£35–50)

• →Recoleta Cemetery (~£5)
• →Recoleta antiques market (free)
• →MALBA Museum (~£8)
• →Palermo Soho boutique browsing (free)
• →Free walking tour of San Telmo (~£5–10 tip)
• →Craft beer at a Palermo bar (~£4–6)

Choose your own adventure: take the Tren de la Costa to Tigre (~£3 return) and explore the Paraná Delta by kayak or local boat (~£10–15) — a unique patchwork of waterways, riverside restaurants and islands. Or catch the Buquebus ferry to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay (~£35–45 return including day pass), a UNESCO-listed colonial town just 1hr away. Explore cobblestone streets, lighthouse views, and have lunch before returning to BA in the evening.

🚌Tren de la Costa or Buquebus ferry as above

🛏Ostinatto Hostel or Palermo Soho Hostel (dorm ~£12–18 / private ~£35–50)

• →Option A: Tren de la Costa to Tigre (~£3) + kayak or boat tour (~£10–15)
• →Option B: Buquebus ferry to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay (~£35–45 return)
• →Colonia: UNESCO old town walk, lighthouse climb (~£2), riverside lunch (~£8–10)
• →Tigre: Paraná Delta boat ride, swimming, riverside lunch (~£10)

A free day to explore Buenos Aires at your own pace. The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is free. Spend the morning in a historic café like Café Tortoni (order a cortado and medialunas, ~£4). Visit the San Telmo Sunday market if it's the weekend, or browse Puerto Madero's waterfront. In the evening, splurge on an all-you-can-eat parrilla (Argentine BBQ) — several offer unlimited meat, salad and wine for ~£18–22pp. Book a tango show at a milonga in San Telmo (~£12–18).

🚌Subte/bus within BA ~£2

🛏Ostinatto Hostel or Palermo Soho Hostel (dorm ~£12–18 / private ~£35–50)

• →Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (free)
• →Café Tortoni coffee and medialunas (~£4)
• →San Telmo market (free to browse)
• →Puerto Madero waterfront walk (free)
• →All-you-can-eat parrilla dinner (~£18–22)
• →Optional: second tango milonga (~£12–18)

Fly from Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) to Puerto Iguazú (IGR) — ~2hrs, bookable via Aerolíneas Argentinas or LATAM (~£60–90). Check in to your hostel, then head straight to Parque Nacional Iguazú on the Argentine side in the afternoon (~£15–18 entry). Hike the Lower Circuit and Upper Circuit trails through the jungle to Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo) — the most dramatic viewpoint of the falls. The park has excellent free shuttle trains between circuits. Optional: book the Gran Aventura speedboat ride through the mist (~£18).

🚌Airport to town: taxi ~£8–10; town to park: local bus ~£2

🛏Hostel Inn Iguazú or Marco Polo Inn Puerto Iguazú (dorm ~£12–16 / private ~£28–40)

• →Fly Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazú (~£60–90)
• →Parque Nacional Iguazú Argentine side entry (~£15–18)
• →Hike Lower and Upper Circuits to Devil's Throat (free with entry)
• →Free jungle train between circuits
• →Optional Gran Aventura speedboat (~£18)

Cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge into Brazil (shared taxi or local bus ~£3–5, bring your passport). Parque Nacional do Iguaçu on the Brazilian side offers a different perspective — a panoramic walkway right along the edge of the falls with sweeping views. Entry ~£12–15. The famous Macuco Safari boat ride (~£20) is the Brazilian equivalent of the Gran Aventura. In the evening, try an authentic Brazilian churrascaria (BBQ) — many offer rodízio (all-you-can-eat) for ~£12–18. Optional: book a helicopter flight over the falls (~£80–100).

🚌Local bus or shared taxi between towns ~£3–5

🛏Tetris Container Hostel or Natura Inn Hostel Foz do Iguaçu (dorm ~£10–14 / private ~£25–35)

• →Cross to Brazil by shared taxi/bus (~£3–5)
• →Parque Nacional do Iguaçu Brazilian side entry (~£12–15)
• →Panoramic walkway along the falls (included with entry)
• →Optional Macuco Safari boat ride (~£20)
• →Optional helicopter flight over falls (~£80–100)
• →Brazilian churrascaria rodízio dinner (~£12–18)

Fly from Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG or SDU) — ~2.5hrs, bookable via LATAM or Gol (~£50–80). Arrive in Rio and transfer to Copacabana or Botafogo. Check in and head to Copacabana Beach for a late afternoon swim. Watch the sunset from the promenade over a caipirinha (~£3–5 from a beach vendor). For the evening, take an orientation walk along the Copacabana beachfront and grab dinner at a local self-service kilo restaurant (~£7–10).

🚌Airport to Copacabana: metered taxi ~£15–20 or bus ~£1.50

🛏Mango Tree Hostel, El Misti Copacabana or Che Lagarto Ipanema (dorm ~£14–20 / private ~£35–50)

• →Fly Foz do Iguaçu to Rio de Janeiro (~£50–80)
• →Copacabana Beach afternoon swim (free)
• →Sunset on the promenade with caipirinha (~£3–5)
• →Kilo restaurant dinner (~£7–10)

Start early to beat the crowds at Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) — take the Cosme Velho cog train (~£18 return including entry, or van via Corcovado). Then head to Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car (~£18–20) for panoramic views of Guanabara Bay. In the afternoon, explore the colourful Santa Teresa neighbourhood by tram or on foot. For a truly unforgettable experience, book a tandem hang glide from Pedra Bonita over Rio (~£85–100 via GetYourGuide). End the night in the historic Lapa neighbourhood with live samba music at a bar (~£3–5 entry).

🚌Metro and buses within Rio ~£1.50 per journey

🛏Mango Tree Hostel, El Misti Copacabana or Che Lagarto Ipanema (dorm ~£14–20 / private ~£35–50)

• →Cristo Redentor via Cosme Velho cog train (~£18 return inc. entry)
• →Sugarloaf Mountain cable car (~£18–20)
• →Santa Teresa neighbourhood walk (free)
• →Optional tandem hang glide over Rio (~£85–100 via GetYourGuide)
• →Live samba in Lapa (~£3–5 entry)

Your final day in Rio. Spend the morning on Ipanema Beach — arguably even more beautiful than Copacabana. Browse the Hippie Fair market at Praça General Osório on Sundays (~free). If there's a match on, check tickets for Maracanã stadium (~£10–20 via official site). Visit Parque Lage for free — a beautiful neo-classical mansion surrounded by Atlantic Forest with free-roaming peacocks. Have a final caipirinha and Brazilian BBQ before heading to the airport.

🚌Bus or metro to airport ~£1.50–3

🛏Check out — airport transfer or onward journey

• →Ipanema Beach morning swim (free)
• →Sunday Hippie Fair at Praça General Osório (free)
• →Optional: Maracanã stadium tour or match (~£10–20)
• →Parque Lage and Atlantic Forest walk (free)
• →Final caipirinha and churrasco farewell dinner (~£12–15)