Highlights of South America

Arrive at any time today before the welcome meeting, where you'll get to know your group and trip leader for the first time. This evening, you'll have the chance to explore the vibrant Barranco neighbourhood and cheers to your future adventures over some local craft beer.

Today we'll travel down Lima's stunningly rugged coastline and make our way to Huacachina: in the heart of Peru's desert. This enchanted oasis is unbelievably beautiful, and what better way to take all the scenery in than by sandboarding? Afterwards, get ready for a stunning sunset.

This morning is all yours to explore Huacachina. Later, we'll travel to Nazca via a private vehicle, stopping at a winery in Pisco along the way. Here you can sample Peru's national drink and soak in the breathtaking scenery of grape vines against the backdrop of blue-tinted valleys.

Today you can freely explore, or join some optional extra excursions like visiting the Nazca Desert Cemetery and a pottery studio, or taking a pre-bookable scenic flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines. Enjoy a traditional lunch, where we'll experience Pachamanca: a Peruvian ceremonial cooking practice where delicious food is slow-cooked over hot rocks. An overnight bus is included tonight to Arequipa.

Nicknamed Peru's 'White City', Arequipa is famed for its beautiful architecture carved from volcanic stone. Whether you want to try mouthwatering food at a picanteria (traditional restaurant specialising in spice), kick back at a cafe or dive into the local history, today's activities are your call.

Peru's Colca Canyon is a trekking paradise, and nothing can prepare you for how extraordinary the views are here - especially since it's the second deepest canyon in the world! Today we'll explore the wild nature trails, keeping an eye out for Andean condors soaring through the skies.

It's an early rise this morning as we head to a condor viewpoint for more wildlife spotting. Relax on our journey back to Arequipa via a private vehicle, stopping at a few rural villages along the way. This evening, we'll head out for a drink in the Calle Zela club: Arequipa's restaurant and nightlife hub.

Enjoy a free day to chill out in Arequipa, get to know the city better on an optional guided tour, or explore the incredible variety of museums. An overnight bus is included this evening to Cusco.

Today is all yours to freely explore Cusco. As you wander along the cobblestone streets, you can feel a sense of living history inside this ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Some optional extra activities like a half-day city tour and an afternoon cooking class are available.

Another day of adventure awaits you in Cusco. Whether you're interested in taking on the iconic Rainbow Mountain trek, trying some mountain biking or staying local, today's activities are all yours to choose. Please reach out to a travel advisor if you are interested in the Rainbow Mountain trek.

Today we'll venture deeper into the Sacred Valley and visit the Ccaccaccollo community project, which supports the livelihoods of the local women and continues the Peruvian legacy of traditional textiles. Later, we'll visit a local brewery famed for its award-winning brews, kicking back over some drinks and enjoying the mountain views.

This experience starts with a drive to km 82 for our first hike. Joining you on this journey of a lifetime is an amazing crew of local porters, cooks and guides who will handle all the essentials.

Important note regarding Inca Trail permits: Please note Inca Trail permits are limited and are subject to availability, permits often sell out many months in advance. In the event that Inca Trail permits are unavailable for your chosen departure date, an alternative trek will be offered. Please contact us for further information. 

It's an early rise this morning as we climb high to reach the famous "Dead Woman's Pass", nicknamed after the mountains' unique silhouette. The hike ahead is steep as we reach a jaw-dropping altitude of 4,198m - but there's no feeling quite like making it to the top and looking out onto the world below you! Enjoy a relaxed evening at camp.

Another day trekking through the Sacred Valley awaits. Today we'll step into a cloud forest, taking in the breathtaking ambience and marvelling at the unbelievably green landscapes. This evening, we'll camp right by some ancient ruins.

Our journey starts very early this morning to reach Machu Picchu's Sun Gate in time for one of the most beautiful sunrises of your life. Catching that first glimpse of Machu Picchu in the morning is one of those once-in-a-lifetime travel moments you'll hold onto forever! Afterwards, we'll head down to the ruins and take a guided tour, learning more about all of the mysteries surrounding Machu Picchu. Later, we'll take a scenic train back into Cusco. Enjoy some chill time to rest and refresh post-trek, before getting ready for a big night out celebrating our adventures!

Enjoy a free day to continue exploring Cusco and tick any more adventures off your Peru bucket list - whether you're in the mood for adrenaline activities, exploring the Inka Museum or taking some time to chill at a local cafe.

Say goodbye to Cusco as our journey continues to the city of Puno, situated on the rich blue shores of Lake Titicaca: South America's biggest lake, and the highest navigable body of water in the entire world. Enjoy a chilled evening soaking in the local atmosphere and staring out onto the stunning vistas, spotting the traditional boats and some islands in the distance.

This morning we'll float out onto Lake Titicaca, sailing over to Taquile Island and visiting the village. Later, we'll get to know what life is like on Lake Titicaca at our homestay: enjoying a traditional dinner with our welcoming hosts and experiencing the culture first-hand.

We'll spend the morning with our homestay families before exchanging farewells and making our way back to Puno, stopping at Uros Islands along the way. Here you can optionally go kayaking on the glistening waters of Lake Titicaca, or take a guided tour around the Sillustani burial towers.

Today we'll drive along the lake and cross the border into Bolivia, our next destination in South America. Enjoy a relaxed evening exploring Sopocachi: a vibrant city district in La Paz, bursting with nightlife hotspots, amazing restaurants and colourful street art.

Enjoy a free day to explore La Paz at your leisure. From spells and potions to having your coca leaves read, the Witches' Market is simply unmissable. Today there are some optional extra activities available, like a trip to Bolivia's own Valley of the Moon.

When there's so much to see and do in La Paz, today is another opportunity for you to freely explore - with the same optional activities also available. Tonight, we'll board a night bus to Sucre: Bolivia's "White City".

Enjoy a free day to explore Sucre, one of the most stunning cities in South America, at your own pace. From local markets, museums and delicious food spots to the variety of hiking trails right outside the city, you're spoiled for choice inside this World Heritage city. Optional extra activities include a day trip to the Dinosaur Tracks, or a guided mountain biking excursion.

Since Sucre has so much to offer, today is another free day for you to continue exploring this gorgeous city and its surrounding area.

Today we'll travel through the southern highlands to reach Potosí, one of the highest cities in the world sitting at an impressive altitude of 4,090m. The rest of today is all yours to relax and start exploring the city, including its authentic food spots and watching the sunset from the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Today is a free day for you to explore Potosí at your own pace. From traditional markets and rooftop cafes to local museums and galleries, Potosí is the perfect place to unwind and take in the world around you. One of the most popular activities here which is available as an optional extra is to visit the working silver mine located inside Cerro Rico: Potosí's famous mountain.

Our journey continues today to Uyuni, so kick back on the private vehicle and enjoy the beautiful views as we reach our final location in Bolivia... the iconic Salar de Uyuni salt flats.

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as we discover Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on Earth. The views here are truly unlike anywhere else in the world! To make your experience here even more memorable, we'll spend the night at an Indigenous-led community lodge - taking a guided walk to the sacred mountain top, and enjoying a traditional dinner.

Today is packed with even more enchanting scenery and wildlife-spotting opportunities, from colourful red and blue salt lagoons to wild alpacas and flamingos. While ticking the Bolivian salt flats off your South America bucket list, the memories made will stay with you for life.

It's an early rise this morning as we cover even more terrain, driving past ancient volcanoes, secluded salt lakes and awe-inspiring stretches of salt flats. Later, we'll say goodbye to Bolivia and cross the border into Chile. It's one stunning destination to the next on this trip - as next up, we have a colourful desert region called San Pedro de Atacama!

San Pedro de Atacama is waiting to be explored on your free day, and there are so many different activities that you can get up to here. From unwinding in hot springs to sandboarding in the desert, discovering Chile's own Valley of the Moon at sunset to stargazing on a night observatory tour... today is all about choosing your own adventure.

Today we'll cross the border into Argentina, arriving at the gorgeous city of Salta in the evening. Famed for inventing one of Argentina's most popular dishes, the empanada, tonight is all yours to explore the incredible variety of delicious food spots. If you're in the mood for dinner, drinks and dancing the night away to live music, as an optional extra, you can attend a traditional Peña show.

Enjoy a free day to freely explore Salta, whether you feel like unwinding in the city, hiking through the breathtaking red valleys nearby, or partaking in a variety of optional excursions. From visiting the iconic landscapes and vineyards of Cafayate. Today's all about choosing your adventure.

Today we'll take an included flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina's sensational capital and one of the most electrifying cities in South America. Enjoy a free afternoon here to explore at your own pace. As our adventure comes to an end, there's no better way to celebrate than with some legendary Buenos Aires nightlife!

What a journey of a lifetime it's been! Our adventure finishes here and travellers are welcome to depart at any time. For assistance in arranging onward travel plans or return airport transfers, our trip leader is happy to help you out.

Everyone's dream trip looks a little different, and this group tour is your chance to explore South America on a budget. Whilst we take care of the accommodation, transport, guide and must-do activities, this trip is designed with maximum flexibility in mind to give you control over the itinerary. You'll have plenty of free time and freedom to shape your own adventures with a wide variety of optional activities available to book during your trip, so you can choose experiences around your preferences and budget.

Whether you're after an action-packed itinerary or want to explore at a relaxed pace, this trip is your chance to do so. This style of trips are some of the most budget-friendly options we offer, making them accessible to a wide range of different travellers.