Lima to Buenos Aires
Deserts & Dancing
G Adventures 18-to-Thirtysomethings
South America rewards those willing to explore. Consider this epic adventure: beginning in Lima and ending in Buenos Aires, it’s 35-full days of fun. You’ll hike the Inca Trail, cross the Salt Flats of Bolivia by 4×4, and feel like a sophisticate sipping wine in Argentina. Along the way, you’ll engage with local cultures with a small group of other young travellers to back you up. For those willing to invest their time, this trip offers big returns—in adventure.
Highlights
- Sandboard the desert dunes of Huacachina
- Spot condors at Colca Canyon
- Conquer the Inca Trail on the way to Machu Picchu
- Experience traditional life on Lake Titicaca
- Cross the Salar de Uyuni
- The world’s largest salt flat
- On a 4×4 excursion
- Stay overnight at a G Adventures-supported community lodge
Pricing
Small group tour starting at $6,049* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
35 Days – Buenos Aires to Lima
Travel Style: 18-to-Thirtysomethings
Fast, fresh, and fun adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travelers.
Service Level: Basic
Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.
Physical Rating: 4 – Demanding
Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travelers.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 18, Avg 14.
What’s Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women’s Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo
- Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products
- Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
- Your Foodie Moment: Huacachina Winery Visit, Huacachina
- Your Discover Moment: Cusco
- Your Foodie Moment: Sacred Valley Brewery, Ollantaytambo
- Your Big Night Out Moment: Cusco
- Your Local Living Moment: Lake Titicaca Homestay, Lake Titicaca
- Your Discover Moments: Sucre & Salta.
- Sunset sandboarding & dune buggies (Huacachina).
- Pachamanca-style dinner (Nazca).
- Colca Canyon excursion.
- Inca Trail hike with a local guide and cook (4 days).
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu.
- Lake Titicaca excursion.
- Salar de Uyuni and surrounding area excursion (3 days).
- Internal flight.
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
Lima
Meals
Description
Arrive at any time. Get to know your group tonight as you head out to one of the many bars and restaurants in the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco. Enjoy a local craft beer with your fellow travellers as you get excited for the adventure to come.
Accommodation: Hotel Gemina (or similar)
Day 2
Lima – Huacachina
Breakfast
Travel along Peru’s breathtaking coast to the oasis of Huacachina where you can sandboard on the desert dunes while watching the sun go down.
Accommodation: Hotel Curasi (or similar)
Day 3
Huacachina – Nazca
Dinner
Wake up and make the most of your time in Huacachina before your adventure continues on to Nazca. There is time in the morning for an optional excursion to the Ballestas Islands, home to a lively colony of sea lions, pelicans, and other varieties of birds. Later, catch a bus to Nazca. Stop along the way at a Pisco winery and try the country’s national drink!
Accommodation: San Marcelo Hotel (or similar)
Day 4
Nazca – Arequipa
Choose to soar over the iconic Nazca Lines today with a pre-bookable flight, or take a tour of the Nazca Desert Cemetery and Potter’s Studio. Tonight, catch some z’s on an overnight bus to Arequipa.
Accommodation: Overnight bus
Day 5
Arequipa
Welcome to Arequipa! Take the day to explore what is known as the ‘white city.’ If you’re into history and architecture, visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, where you’ll get a unique glimpse into a bygone way of life. For spicy food lovers, visiting one of the ‘picanterías’ is a must. Satisfy your craving with a variety of local regional foods: alpaca, shrimp, pork, lots of soups, and spicy sauces.
Accommodation: Hotel Arequipa Inn (or similar)
Day 6
Arequipa – Colca Canyon
Breakfast
Enjoy a full-day tour of the spectacular Colca Valley and venture to the impressive Colca Canyon — one of the deepest canyons in the world — on an overnight excursion. With a little luck, you’ll spot some unusual Andean animals such as vicuñas, and alpacas. Give your body some much needed relaxation by taking an optional dip in the the hot springs.
Accommodation: Casa de Lucila (or similar)
Day 7
Colca Canyon – Arequipa
Breakfast
Get an early start to be on the look out for condors. Travel from Chivay town to a condor viewpoint to get a glimpse of these magnificent birds in the air. On the way back, stop in local villages, and see old terraces. Later, head out for a drink in the Calle Zela area – restaurant, bar, or club, there’s something for everyone!
Accommodation: Hotel Arequipa Inn (or similar)
Day 8
Arequipa – Cusco
Breakfast
Explore Arequipa – take a city tour if you want or check out a monastery or museum. Later, sit back and relax on an overnight bus to Cusco.
Accommodation: Overnight bus
Day 9
Cusco
Explore the city on your own today or choose from a variety of activities that will help you discover the magic of Cusco. You can go horseback riding or whitewater rafting, or choose to take a half-day tour of the city. Or, pre-book the Cusco cooking class if you want to learn to prepare local specialties!
Accommodation: Milhouse Hostel Cusco (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 10
Cusco
Breakfast
Today is another free day to explore all that Cusco has to offer. Go horseback riding, mountain biking, or whitewater rafting. Too wiped out from the trek? Take it easy with a visit to the Inka Museum.
Day 11
Cusco – Ollantaytambo
Breakfast
Head into the Sacred Valley today to visit the G-Adventures supported women’s weaving co-op in the Ccaccaccollo community. Learn about weaving, and meet the adorable resident llamas. If you see a knitted item you like, buy it — a perfect keepsake from your journey. Stop and sample some craft beer at a brewery on your way to Ollantaytambo.
Accommodation: Las Orquideas Ollantaytambo (or similar)
Day 12
Ollantaytambo – Inca Trail
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where your trek begins. Hike through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons. You’ll see several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.
Accommodation: Camping along Inca Trail (3 nights)
Day 13
Inca Trail
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Get an early start today to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, known as Dead Woman’s Pass. This is the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with some much needed R&R.
Day 14
Inca Trail
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross two more passes and ruins along the way. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through cloud forest on the gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley.
At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the “town above the clouds.” Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins (“”forever young””) located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).
Day 15
Machu Picchu – Cusco
Breakfast
The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Wake up around 03:30 and walk to the checkpoint. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the site. Catch the bus to Aguas Calientes before your train back to Cusco in the afternoon. Tonight, dance the night away at a popular night club.
Accommodation: Milhouse Hostel Cusco (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 16
Cusco
Breakfast
Today is another free day to explore all that Cusco has to offer. Go horseback riding, mountain biking, or whitewater rafting. Too wiped out from the trek? Take it easy with a visit to the Inka Museum.
Day 17
Cusco – Puno
Breakfast
Sit back, relax, and soak in the impressive views as you travel by bus through the Altiplano on your way to Puno on Lake Titicaca.
Accommodation: Hostal Helena’s House (or similar)
Day 18
Puno – Lake Titicaca
Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, you will board a boat on Lake Titicaca and head to Taquile Island. Opt to have lunch in a local restaurant and shop in the afternoon at the local weaving cooperatives. Later, cruise to another village for an overnight homestay to live like a local on the shores of the lake. Learn more about rural life in the Peruvian highlands and create unforgettable memories with the family and fellow travellers.
Accommodation: Amantani Homestay (or similar)
Day 19
Lake Titicaca – Puno
Breakfast, Lunch
Say goodbye to your homestay family and stop at the Uros Islands on your way back to Puno. If you want, you can check out the spectacular chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani, a pre-Inca archaeological site. Or kayak on Lake Titicaca.
Accommodation: Hostal Helena’s House (or similar)
Day 20
Puno – La Paz
Breakfast
Today, enjoy a full-day drive around the picturesque lake and through the Altiplano to La Paz. Cross over into Bolivia and catch your breath before a night out in the highest city of the trip. Check out the area of Sopocachi for cool bohemian vibes.
Accommodation: Hotel Las Brisas (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 21
La Paz
Breakfast
If you didn’t have time yesterday to do everything you wanted in La Paz — no worries! Today is another day to explore the city as you wish. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, make sure to experience the Death Road Biking Adventure.
Day 22
La Paz – Sucre
Breakfast
Get to know La Paz with a free day to wander through the city’s winding streets and vibrant markets before boarding a night bus to Sucre.
Accommodation: Overnight bus
Day 23
Sucre
Discover the beauty of Sucre, known as Bolivia’s “White City” at your own pace with a free day to explore. Set in a valley surrounded by mountains, you can choose to go hiking or mountain biking to admire this city from a different point of view.
Accommodation: Hotel Independencia (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 24
Sucre
Breakfast
One day in Sucre isn’t enough, so take another free day to explore! Try optional activities such as hiking, mountain biking, a visit to the Textile Cooperative, or get up close and personal with real dinosaur tracks.
Day 25
Sucre – Potosi
Breakfast
Venture south to Potosí, the highest city of its size in the world.
Accommodation: Hotel Gran Libertador (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 26
Potosi
Breakfast
Wake up, get out, and explore Potosí. Meander the streets, stop at the market and meet some locals!
Day 27
Potosi – Uyuni
Breakfast
It’s off to Uyuni today. Breathe in the beautiful scenery while relaxing in a private vehicle. Take it easy today because your next adventure is right around the corner!
Accommodation: Hotel Samay Wasi (or similar)
Day 28
Uyuni – Salt Flats & Desert Crossing
Breakfast, Dinner
Embark on a three-day 4×4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni. Get your camera ready because the endless white of the salt flats creates the perfect backdrop for mindbending photo ops. Take a guided walking tour to the top of the sacred Jukil mountaintop for sweeping valley views and a dinner prepared with local ingredients by local ladies. Settle in to your G Adventures-supported community salt-brick bungalow — complete with salt floors and salt furniture.
Accommodation: Jukil Lodge (or similar)
Day 29
Salt Flats & Desert Crossing
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue crossing the desert today, admiring the scenery while passing red and blue lagoons and intriguing rock formations along the route. Keep an eye out and you might spot wild llamas, alpacas, and even flamingos deep within the desert.
Accommodation: Quetana (or similar)
Day 30
Salt Flats & Desert Crossing – San Pedro de Atacama
Breakfast, Lunch
Get a head start on your day by rising early to cover more ground on your journey through the unique landscape of the Salar de Uyuni. Soak in the views of unimaginable scenery including volcanoes and salt lakes. Travel to the border then kick back and relax on your descent by bus to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
Accommodation: Hostal Puritama (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 31
San Pedro de Atacama
Today is full of possibilities. Explore San Pedro de Atacama on a mountain bike, cruise down the dunes on a sandboard, or chill out in the hot springs. Or visit the Valley of the Moon, an area on Earth that resembles the moon’s surface. (How cool is that?)
Day 32
San Pedro de Atacama – Salta
Say “Adios!” to Chile because you’re heading to Argentina today. Relax on the bus en route to Salta, home to empanadas salteñas—and no visit to the town is complete without trying them! Unwind at the hotel or liven it up with a visit to a Peña Folklore show to dance the night away and sip delicious Argentine red wine.
Accommodation: La Candelaria Hotel (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 33
Salta
Breakfast
Tantalize your tastebuds with the local cuisine today as you explore freely. Choose to saddle up and admire the scenery on horseback. Or, if you’d prefer, take a visit to the town of Cafayate to roam vineyards and sample some of the white wine produced at insanely high altitudes.
Day 34
Salta – Buenos Aires
Breakfast
Skip the long bus journey with a quick flight to Buenos Aires. Spend the afternoon exploring the city. Cruise around on a bike with a local or dine on a traditional Argentine meal while experiencing the art of the tango.
Accommodation: Milhouse Avenue Hostal (or similar)
Day 35
Buenos Aires
Depart at any time.
*Hotel rooms are subject to availability and are confirmed by the supplier at time of booking; they may be replaced by other hotel rooms of similar category at the sole discretion of the supplier.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Lima to Buenos Aires” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
Let us work with you to tailor a journey based on your travel style and interests. We can use the existing itinerary above as a foundation, or build one from scratch to create your ideal vacation. Connect with us to start the conversation.
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.