7-Week South America Itinerary - Feedback welcome

7 Week South America Itinerary - June and July 2025 - Feedback Welcome!

I will be travelling with my girlfriend to South America for 7 weeks starting in mid-June 2025 as part of a gap year. We're both 21, and are looking for an itinerary that is realistic based on transport links within the region, and not too strenuous while still being quite ambitious. We'd like the trip to include a real mix of experiences, including nature, culture, activities and also some relaxation. We'll be on a moderate budget, staying in budget double accommodation where possible and not splashing out - but with room to spend on activities/trips that really interest us.

The proposed itinerary (which admittedly has changed a lot during planning) is as follows:

Arrive in Lima from San Jose

3 nights in Lima (possibly 1 in Huacachina)

-> Flight to Puerto Maldonado

2 nights in Puerto Maldonado

3 nights in an Amazon lodge

-> Flight to Cusco

6 nights in Cusco

-> Night bus to Puno

2 nights in Puno

-> Bus to La Paz

5 nights in La Paz

-> Flight to Uyuni

2 nights in Uyuni

-> Bus to San Pedro de Atacama

5 nights in San Pedro de Atacama

-> Bus to Salta

5 nights in Salta

-> Flight to Buenos Aires

6 nights in Buenos Aires

-> Flight to Iguazu

2 nights Iguazu Falls

-> Flight to Rio

6 nights Rio de Janeiro

-> Fly home to UK

Within the places where we'll be staying longer will of course be room to go on a few day trips to areas of interest.

I know that it is ambitious, but we've experienced travelling on a more intense schedule than this before (although that was in Europe) and I think that 5-6 nights in a lot of these places will be more than enough. It is always our intention to go back to the places that we like best, and we will be looking to do a more substantial visit to Brazil, Chile and Argentina in the future (not necessarily at the same time!) - this is not intended to be our one and only experience of each of these places. On the other hand, if we were never able to go back for whatever reason, then we will know that we saw as much as possible without rushing it *too* much.

Based on this I'd be very grateful to receive any feedback at all - good or bad - particularly if anyone has had experience with visiting any of these places/travelling any of these routes. Any any general tips would also be gratefully received.

Thank you!

Few initial thoughts. Nights in Uyuni - you'll be taking a salt flats tour which will be 2 nights plus one in Uyuni as pre-booking salt flats then arriving from La Paz early am to depart that day in high risk (delayed bus) and you might want to go round different tour companies to chose one (some are pretty bad, some good).

If you don't do a 3 day (2 night) salt flats tour you'll never forgive yourself (it will include train graveyard which doesn't take long).

Overnight bus La Paz to Uyuni is very easy and a lot cheaper.

I'd suggest getting the tour company to drop you off at the Chile border and get a bus into San Pedro de Atacama (all you'll miss is a dull ride back to Uyuni).

Uyuni salt flats will include a fair number of lagunas (flamingos, etc.) and Bolivian ones are said to be better than the Chilean ones (so no point in wasting time visiting those in Chile).

San Pedro de Atacama is OK but few amazing maybe a day. eg Valle del Arcoiris in the morning, Valle de la Luna afternoon/early evening then astronomy late night. Another day for ALMA if that interests you though normally booked up months in advance.

For me that's it, not 5 days.

ps I've deliberately not posted links to photos of these places on my website as half the amazement is arriving there and ... "Oh my G0d ...". They are to me the most amazing places on the planet so better to arrive without expectations.

Ian

[ Edit: Edited on 30 Sep 2024, 21:55 GMT by Psamathe ]

Unrelated to days in places, I feel you are racing through too many places to fast and will be missing loads. If you have only 7 weeks just do Peru and Bolivia. You can then visit the other countries when you have a free 7 weeks next year (or year later).

Ian

Quoting obp502

3 nights in Lima (possibly 1 in Huacachina)

-> Flight to Puerto Maldonado

2 nights in Puerto Maldonado

3 nights in an Amazon lodge

-> Flight to Cusco

6 nights in Cusco

Read up on altitude acclimatization and altitude sickness. You're going straight from 250 meter altitude (Puerto Maldonado) to 3300 meter (Cuzco). Might be that you're lucky and will be okay with that, but age and fitness has very little correlation to suffering altitude sickness, so a couple of nights at a halfway stop wrt altitude is strongly recommended. Personally I'm fond of Arequipa (2350 meter) as a destination before heading to Cuzco and beyond; that's a really lovely city, with some amazing restaurants. I'd recommend only staying in Lima for a single night, if that (it's an okay city, but barely that, and literally every touristy destination in Peru is nicer).

Given the 6 nights in Cuzco, are you thinking about hiking the Inca Trail? If so, what I said above goes even stronger, since that'll go up to 4200 meter before descending. Also, that'd leave you very little time of seeing Cuzco and surrounding itself, so I'd add a couple of days for exploring the rest of the Sacred Valley. and Cuzco itself Also also, June/July is high season, so don't wait too long with booking.

If you're not thinking about that, then for altitude you could see if you can manage to somehow head straight to Aguas Calientes upon arriving in Cuzco (not staying the night in Cuzco), since that's only 2400 meter, and staying there for 2 nights will give you a really complete day in Machu Picchu without needing to worry about catching the train. I'm doubtful if this is actually doable, though; depends on flights and when the last train in the direction of Aguas Calientes leaves.

For Buenos Aires, 6 nights feels like a lot. As a city, it's much nicer than Lima, but still just a city. 3-4 nights should suffice unless you already know you have a particular interest in something there.

[ Edit: Edited on 1 Oct 2024, 07:12 GMT by Sander ]

Quoting Sander

...
Read up on altitude acclimatization and altitude sickness. You're going straight from 250 meter altitude (Puerto Maldonado) to 3300 meter (Cuzco). Might be that you're lucky and will be okay with that, but age and fitness has very little correlation to suffering altitude sickness, so a couple of nights at a halfway stop wrt altitude is strongly recommended. Personally I'm fond of Arequipa (2350 meter) as a destination before heading to Cuzco and beyond; that's a really lovely city, with some amazing restaurants. I'd recommend only staying in Lima for a single night, if that (it's an okay city, but barely that, and literally every touristy destination in Peru is nicer).....

When you've seen people suffering altitude sickness you don't underestimate it. I was in Huancayo and 2 of a group of 4 20-something Peruvians from Lima suffered and it was terrible. Staggering around, throwing-up all the time, unable to make progress. And even if you've been high before and not suffered doesn't mean you wont suffer next trip high. Also, with two people twice as likely at least one person will suffer.

I'd agree a couple of days in Arequipa - ideal stop to acclimatise.

But as I commented the trip is a real mad rush missing so much eg Nazca & Palaap lines? plus some other amazing stuff in Nazca itself eg Acueductos de Cantayoc. There is a massive amount to see around Cuzco eg Ollantaytambo, Moray, Maras, Sacsayhuamán, Pisac, several days in Cuzco (nearby ruins) plus Palccoyo (an absolute don't miss but it's high, far better than Rainbow Mountain with it's crowds), etc.

And where does Machu Picchu fit into the schedule ('cos 6 days isn't enough to see around Cuzco area let alone Machu Picchu)? I've no idea about the current time window restrictions but I visited independently (purchased ticked from Ministry of Culture? in Cuzco) got to the entrance at 06:00am when it was far fewer people and ended up staying most of the day. Do a day trip any you'll be rushed round with all the crowds. Go with a tour group and will they give you time to see the Sun Gate or Inca bridge (a walk from the main site)? Again, there are more limitations on visiting these days so check what can be done.

Ian

Hi - thank you so much for the responses!

Quoting Psamathe

Few initial thoughts. Nights in Uyuni - you'll be taking a salt flats tour which will be 2 nights plus one in Uyuni as pre-booking salt flats then arriving from La Paz early am to depart that day in high risk (delayed bus) and you might want to go round different tour companies to chose one (some are pretty bad, some good).

If you don't do a 3 day (2 night) salt flats tour you'll never forgive yourself (it will include train graveyard which doesn't take long).

Overnight bus La Paz to Uyuni is very easy and a lot cheaper.

I'd suggest getting the tour company to drop you off at the Chile border and get a bus into San Pedro de Atacama (all you'll miss is a dull ride back to Uyuni).

I've heard that there are 2-night tours from Uyuni that end in San Pedro - is this something you've heard about? And would you recommend booking tours when actually there rather than online?

Quoting Sander

Personally I'm fond of Arequipa (2350 meter) as a destination before heading to Cuzco

I take both your points about stopping in Arequipa before heading to Cuzco - I think this is definitely something I'll try and work into the itinerary.

Quoting Psamathe

And where does Machu Picchu fit into the schedule

Machu Picchu is something that I think we'll save for another trip - I know there's a lot more to Peru than what we're going to see, so partly so we can see as much as possible of the rest of the area around Cuzco and partly due to budgetary reasons, we'll be skipping it this time.

Quoting Sander

Given the 6 nights in Cuzco, are you thinking about hiking the Inca Trail?

I think not for this time - instead we'd be looking to explore the rest of the Sacred Valley + Cuzco itself plus the surrounding area.

Quoting Psamathe

If you have only 7 weeks just do Peru and Bolivia.

Beyond a few nights in La Paz and the Uyuni tour is there much that you'd recommend in Bolivia? Otherwise I feel like if we remove a few nights from San Pedro etc. we'll be able to add a few more to Peru to see some other areas - perhaps heading to Cuzco via Ica, Nazca and Arequipa - I've seen that Peru Hop do a bus this whole route with stops in various locations... could be good at least as a taster.

We're considering ending the trip in Buenos Aires and saving Brazil completely for next time even if it would be amazing to go to Rio. If we wanted, it is possible to fly to Iguazu and back from Buenos Aires - or we just save that for next time too - so that would free up an extra week to do Peru, Bolivia and northern Argentina (skirting through Chile). This could be what we end up doing to make the itinerary more realistic.

Quoting Sander

For Buenos Aires, 6 nights feels like a lot.

I think the 6 nights was just to add a little bit of a break, but also to leave open the possibility of a day trip to Uruguay. But that was probably the thing most subject to change so I could add more days elsewhere.

Thank you again for your responses. I'll have a look at rejigging the itinerary a bit - I'd like to have a balance of seeing as much as possible, while also doing places justice and not just rushing through (and therefore allowing some time to rest!).

Quoting obp502

Hi - thank you so much for the responses!

Quoting Psamathe

Few initial thoughts. Nights in Uyuni - you'll be taking a salt flats tour which will be 2 nights plus one in Uyuni as pre-booking salt flats then arriving from La Paz early am to depart that day in high risk (delayed bus) and you might want to go round different tour companies to chose one (some are pretty bad, some good).

If you don't do a 3 day (2 night) salt flats tour you'll never forgive yourself (it will include train graveyard which doesn't take long).

Overnight bus La Paz to Uyuni is very easy and a lot cheaper.

I'd suggest getting the tour company to drop you off at the Chile border and get a bus into San Pedro de Atacama (all you'll miss is a dull ride back to Uyuni).

I've heard that there are 2-night tours from Uyuni that end in San Pedro - is this something you've heard about? And would you recommend booking tours when actually there rather than online?

It's probably the most amazing place on Earth. Shorter tour (less than 3 days) will cut stuff out. I did 3 day tour with one of the better Uyuni tour companies (it's worth paying for a better company). 1st day is across the salt flats and depending on time of year Isla Incahuasi (a coral island). In wet season salt flats get covered with shallow layer of water. I wanted to see it dry to see the amazing hexagonal patterns. Some people prefer to see it wet where you lose the horizon. 2nd day was travelling south stopping at the lagunas (again amazing places) loads of flamingos, deserts, etc. and Sol de Mañana (a volcanic area with loads of large pools of boiling mud cakes with sulphur Geyser Field (not to be missed) 3rd day some fabulous lagunas . Much of last day is a drive back to Uyuni which I skipped as I asked to be dropped off at the Chilean border which is close to Laguna Blanca & Laguna Verde which are worth seeing. Shorter trip must cut bits out which to me makes no sense in the most amazing place on earth.

Quoting obp502

Hi - thank you so much for the responses!
....

Quoting Psamathe

If you have only 7 weeks just do Peru and Bolivia.

Beyond a few nights in La Paz and the Uyuni tour is there much that you'd recommend in Bolivia? Otherwise I feel like if we remove a few nights from San Pedro etc. we'll be able to add a few more to Peru to see some other areas - perhaps heading to Cuzco via Ica, Nazca and Arequipa - I've seen that Peru Hop do a bus this whole route with stops in various locations... could be good at least as a taster. ...

What to do in La Paz depends on your interests. It's a fantastic city but for me:

WMDR: (Yungas Road North otherwise known as "The World's Most Dangerous Road"). You hire a mountain bike in La Paz (quite a few companies, chose a good one as you want a safe bike). They take you as a group to the top of the road (4000+m) and you cycle down (40'ish miles and drop of 4000'ish m). Takes all day but is great fun https://psamathe.net/yungas-rd-aka/.

Valle de la Luna Take the cable car out there and walk the last part. Weird place https://psamathe.net/valle-de-la-luna-la-paz/

There is a lot to see just wandering round the city eg Witches Market. But just wandering round the shops I found fascinating.

I didn't bother but some head-up to El Alto to watch Bolivian Cholita Wrestling

Re: Peru/Bolivia Hop: Overpriced operator catering for scared westerners. Local buses are far cheaper, far more extensive and you get to appreciate the local culture. Weird but one thing I still remember very clearly is being crushed in the back of a bus and Chicolita (bowler hat and all) dozed off leaning her head on my shoulder. Chatting to locals and appreciating the way countries work is what travel is all about (for me) not isolating oneself on a western service designed for westerners isolating themselves from teh world around them.

Re: Machu Picchu I can appreciate your thoughts as it is expensive. I purchased my ticket direct from the Ministry in Cuzco and train ticket from the train operator but it is a tourist train (tourists not allowed on the cheaper locals train). I head on travels without much planning and on the flight Europe to Peru I thought "Machu Picchu - tourist trap" but then fortunately got my common sense back and went and it was very worthwhile. However the regime for visits has changed since I went (much more restrictive now). You can reduce costs by avoiding operators (buy ticket from Ministry, buy train ticket direct). Avoid taking a guide as they are a apparently waste of time and once you've engaged one their priority is to rush you round so they can get back to the entrance and get another tour (maximise their income). But still not cheap but worthwhile and that is a balance only you can decide.

But there are other amazing places eg Salineras de Maras (weird place very worth a visit - combine with Moray). You can reduce costs by doing more independently eg take a collective from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo (best to stay there and visit main ruins early in morning before coaches arrive and next day walk to store houses (can be dangerously windy in afternoon sometimes)., etc.

Ian

Based on your and others comments, I think we will actually do MP - just a (full) day trip, taking the train to get there. We've also found a few more days for the trip, so we've been able to add a bit more of Peru to the itinerary. We're not sure if we'll end up going to Rio - we may fly back from Buenos Aires, but we are keen on going to the Iguazu falls. Assuming we do go to Rio, this would be our itinerary:

2 nights (1 day) in Lima

->Flight to Puerto Maldonado

1 night in PM and 3 nights in Amazon Lodge

-> Flight to Lima

1 night in Lima

-> Bus to Paracas

1 night in Paracas (1 full day)

-> Bus to Ica (Huacachina)

1 night in Ica (1.5 days - possible day trip to see Nazca)

-> Night bus to Arequipa

2 nights in Arequipa

-> Flight to Cusco

2 nights in Cusco

-> Taxi to Ollantaytambo

2 nights in Ollantaytambo, including train to Machu Picchu and back

-> Taxi to Cusco

3 nights in Cusco - including Sacred Valley tours/Pisac

-> Night bus to Puno

1 night in Puno (Titicaca homestay/tour)

-> Bus to Copacabana

2 nights in Copacabana

->Bus to La Paz

4 nights in La Paz

3 day Uyuni tour - starting in La Paz and ending in San Pedro

3 nights in San Pedro de Atacama

-> Bus to Salta

5 nights in Salta - including day trips/nights in Cafayate, surrounding area

-> Flight to Buenos Aires

6 nights in Buenos Aires - including day trips to Tigre Delta; Uruguay

->Flight to Iguazu Falls

2 nights in Iguazu

->Flight to Rio de Janeiro

6 nights in Rio de Janeiro

-> Fly home to the UK

A bit more going on, but definitely including more especially in Peru/Bolivia. What are your thoughts on this?

Just lost a long post so I'll doit in se eral posts!

Paracas: Only Islas Ballestas. Either morning or afternoon depart. Lots of boats but all depart same'ish time one morning one afternoon time. Morning better as not so much wind and sea calmer (you don't land, all from boat). Can't remember times but morning depart is fairly prompt.

Nazca: Only way to see the lines is a light aircraft trip. Small airport close in city. Quite a few companies. Go to airport, walk round desks and negotiate price. You won't see much from viewing tower. But I'd recommend including the Palpa lines - different culture, different era. A longer flight and more expensive but you'll only visit once. Only some companies will do the Palpa lines as well but negotiate as prices are not fixed. mb don't let the airport stamp your passport as they often want to and it technically invalidates your passport

Don't miss Acueductos de Cantayoc. I walked there and back from city. Interesting underground water course and it's the access that very interesting. Deserted when I visited. Free

Also some Inca ruins in edge if town. Main interest is different construction from other Inca sites

Ian