42 Day itinerary in Peru, South America
Embark on the ultimate South American adventure with Bamba’s epic journey from Peru to Argentina. Traverse iconic landscapes, from the Andean peaks to the lush Pantanal wetlands, and experience vibrant cultures in cities like Lima, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro. Highlights include Machu Picchu, t... Read More
By Bamba Travel Inc
Physical Difficulty
Recommended Age
Operated in
GUIDANCE
starting point
trip type
trip attributes
Top Travel Passes
Backpacking
Classic Sights
Start
Night
End
Discover the capital cities of La Paz and Lima on a guided tour
Stay with an indigenous family on Lake Titicaca's floating islands
Trek the awe-inspiring Colca Canyon on a 3-day tour
Sail to the Ballestas Islands on a guided boat tour
Discover the capital cities of La Paz and Lima on a guided tour
Stay with an indigenous family on Lake Titicaca's floating islands
Trek the awe-inspiring Colca Canyon on a 3-day tour
Sail to the Ballestas Islands on a guided boat tour
Accommodation Categories
Day 1: Lima, Peru
Lima with a Local on a Bike
Departure Time: 10:00, 15:00 hrs
Duration: 3 hrs
We will meet three blocks away from Kennedy Park, where we will cover safety instructions and information about the amazing places we'll visit. Our tour will cover top sights around Miraflores and Barranco, including the Kennedy Park, Huaca Pucllana, Park of love, Larcomar, Bridge of Sights and Plaza Barranco. As you ride, you will enjoy an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean and street art, learn stories and fun facts about the neighborhoods and our culture. Along this tour we will talk about Peruvian food, spots, culture, local history and anything you'll like. When arriving Barranco feel free to ask your guide for a free beer!
Day 2: Paracas, Peru
Lima to Paracas
Type: Bus
Times: 05:15, 07:15, 07:45, 13:30
Duration: 3.5 hours
Transfer from Lima to Paracas
Day 3: Paracas, Peru
Ballestas Islands Sightseeing Boat Ride (from Paracas)
Departure Time: 08:00, 10:00 hrs
Duration: 2 hrs
As you cruise west from the tiny beach town of Paracas, you won't be able to miss the Candelabra geoglyph, a 150m high and 50m wide figure of a candlestick etched into the mountain, rumored to have been an ancient guide for sailors or a connection to the Nazca lines. A short description and time for photos is given before cruising on to the famous Ballestas Islands.
Ballestas islands is an excellent opportunity to see large families of over 100 sea lions sleeping on the shores, basking in the sun on the rocks or some barking loudly in efforts to protect their territory. Spot cormorants, the Peruvian booby and Peruvian pelican as well as other impressive varieties of sea bird species and Humboldt penguins nesting together in small groups. Feeling lucky? Watch the waters for dolphins.
Apart from the abundant marine and bird life found here, the Ballestas Islands are also very well known for the guano (seabird droppings) deposited on the island over thousands of years which creates a natural reserve of nitrogen-rich fertilizer over 50 meters deep in some areas. The guano came to be Peru's #1 export in the mid-19th century however today the extraction of guano has been regulated to every 10 years.
The return trip to Paracas is a quick, very windy, direct boat ride to the dock. You should have some time to take photos of the friendly pelicans that hang out on the shore line beside the dock, do some souvenir shopping or grab a snack before heading on to your next destination.
Day 4: Ica, Peru
Paracas to Ica
Type: Bus
Times: 08:40, 10:40
Duration: 1.5 hours
Transfer from Paracas to Ica
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Ica.
Day 5: Huacachina, Peru
Huacachina Sand-Buggy & Sand-Boarding
Departure Time: 15:15 hrs
Duration: 2 hrs
Welcome to the quaint, quiet and cute oasis of Huacachina with its tranquil lagoon and backdrop of amazing sand dunes anywhere you turn to look. Get ready to cruise to the tops of 500 meter high sand dunes and go rocketing down the slopes in the sand buggy. A roller coaster ride of 360's, sharp turns and steep hills will get your adrenaline pumping before you take your first shot at sand boarding. Strap yourself in tightly, throw your hands in the air and scream away as you are carried over sand dunes in the middle of the expansive desert.
You will have the opportunity to sandboard on 3-4 different dunes so you can try your luck. You will take thrilling rides on a basic sandboard by laying face first on the board and letting yourself fly down the dune to see how far (and fast) you can go. Cheer on your mates and don't let anyone shy away from this unforgettable experience. Lastly, you will admire the breathtaking sunset over the vast desert landscape and have the chance to take photos in the golden twilight before racing back to Huacachina.
Day 6: Nazca, Peru
Ica to Nazca
Type: Bus
Times: 10.:20, 12:20, 13:05, 19:00, 20:30, 21:30
Duration: 2.5 hours
Transfer from Ica to Nazca
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Nazca.
Day 7: Arequipa, Peru
Nazca to Arequipa
Type: Bus (Overnight)
Times: 22:20, 23:15
Duration: 10.5 hours
Transfer from Nazca to Arequipa
Day 8: Colca Canyon, Peru
Colca Canyon Trekking 2D/1N - Day 1 of 2
Departure Time: 03:00 hrs
Duration: 2 days
Arequipa - Colca Canyon Trekking (B/L/D)
We will pick you up from your downtown accommodation between 3:00 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. and transfer you to Chivay town in the heart of the Colca Canyon. We'll have breakfast and then go directly to “Cruz Del Condor viewpoint” where we will see the flight of the condors. From here, we will make our way to the Mirador De San Miguel, the starting point of our trekking route. We will begin our hike towards the Colca Canyon at around 10:00 am by walking down to San Juan De Chucchu Village (3 ½ hours walking), where we will have lunch. Afterward, we will hike back uphill through Cosnirgua and Malata villages arriving in Sangalle by the end of the day where you will have the opportunity to relax in the swimming pool (3 hours walking). Overnight in rustic bungalows.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Day 9: Arequipa, Peru
Colca Canyon Trekking 2D/1N - Day 2 of 2
Colca Canyon trekking - Arequipa (B)
Today, we will get an early start and begin trekking up to Cabanaconde town at around 05:00 am where we will have breakfast (3 hours steep uphill hike). From Cabanaconde, we will take our bus to Chivay Village making a few short stops along the way in Maca town and tourist viewpoints. Upon arrival to Chivay, we will visit the relaxing hot springs in town (30-40 minutes), the perfect remedy for our tired muscles and have lunch. On our way back to Arequipa we will stop to see the National Park and get beautiful views of the volcanoes (weather permitting) and to see native animals such as alpacas and vicuñas. Relax and enjoy the scenic ride back to Arequipa arriving around 6.00 pm.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Arequipa, Peru
Free Day
Day 11: Cuzco, Peru
Arequipa to Cuzco
Type: Bus (Overnight)
Times: 19:00, 20:00
Duration: 10 hours
Transfer from Arequipa to Cuzco
Day 12: Cuzco, Peru
Free Day
Enjoy a free day to experience on your own
Day 13: Cuzco, Peru
Market & Cooking Class with a Local
Departure Time: 9:00, 15:00 hrs
Duration: 4 hrs
Our Cusco Culinary cooking experience starts at San Pedro Market (at door number 1), with a visit to this historical and traditional local market. We will try some of the most exotic fruits of Peru, the best chocolate, local cheeses, and traditional bread. After that, we will walk to our cooking studio, a traditional house from 1922, that is part of the world heritage Cusco center. We will start our cooking classes preparing the national drink of Peru, passion fruit Pisco sour. Then, we will prepare three traditional Peruvian exquisite dishes and a delicious dessert. Our class is full hands on, and you will take part in all the preparation. After we finish we will enjoy all the food, and you will have a great Peruvian meal. After the class we will also send you the recipes, so then you can share your new talent, as a Peruvian chef, with your family and friends.
NOTE: To know your food requirements is very important. Our dishes are easy to be converted into vegetarian, so if you are vegetarian or Vegan this is the perfect class for you. This experience includes alcohol. Only guests who meet the legal drinking age will be served alcoholic beverages.
Meals: Lunch
Day 14: Puno, Peru
Cuzco to Puno
Type: Bus (Overnight)
Times: 22:15
Duration: 7 hours
Transfer from Cuzco to Puno
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 15: Luquina, Peru
Lake Titicaca & Luquina Homestay 2D/1N - Day 1 of 2
Departure Time: 07:10 hrs
Duration: 2 days
Depart Puno for the Uros Floating Islands, Taquile Island & Luquina Homestay (L/D)
You will be picked up from your hostel between around 7:10 am and transferred to the port of Puno, where you will meet your guide and board the motorboat. The first stop will be the Uros Floating Islands, where you will spend about one hour. There are more than 90 floating islands and you will get the chance to visit two of them. On the first floating island, your guide will explain to you about the people who live on the floating islands. Then you will have some free time to walk around, visit the small huts made from reeds, take some pictures and buy a souvenir to support the people of these islands if you wish.
After this visit, you will continue on with a boat ride to Taquile Island. The people who live on this island are very famous because they are considered “the best weavers of Peru”. There, you will go on a beautiful hike for about one and a half hours to admire the panoramic of the lake. On your way, you will get the chance to visit a local family home where you will learn more about the famous textile from the island. You will then head towards the town square of Taquile and visit the handicraft shops to see the typical weaving. The square is also the highest point of the hike (3950 m or 12960 feet). You will finish the hike going to the second part of the island and take off in a boat (35 minutes of navigation) that will lead you to the Luquina community where you will overnight. Your host families will wait for you at the port of Luquina and will take you to their house. You will enjoy a delicious dinner with the local family before going to bed.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Day 16: Puno, Peru
Lake Titicaca & Luquina Homestay 2D/1N - Day 2 of 2
Luquina community & Return to Puno (B/L)
Start the day quite early with a tasty breakfast with the family before getting the opportunity to participate in their daily activities such as sheep grazing, working in the crops, or even learning how to milk a cow. You will then enjoy a delicious lunch before saying goodbye to the family and leave the community. You will take the motorboat back to Puno, finishing the tour around 3:45 pm.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 17: Copacabana, Bolivia
Puno to Copacabana
Type: Bus
Times: 06:00, 07:30, 13:30
Duration: 5 hours
Transfer from Puno to Copacabana
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Copacabana.
Day 18: La Paz, Bolivia
Copacabana to La Paz
Type: Bus
Times: 13:30, 18:30
Duration: 4 hours
Transfer from Copacabana to La Paz
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to La Paz.
Day 19: La Paz, Bolivia
La Paz Local Explorer
Departure Time: 14:00 hrs
Duration: 3 hrs
One of the best ways to see this offbeat and colorful city is in the sky! This adventure will show you the real La Paz exploring the amazing cable cars, the fascinating cemetery, local shamans and the pulsating city of El Alto with an amazing guide. This is one of the most stunning city tours in the world! Not only do you get to take in the magnificent views of La Paz and the surrounding mountains, but you also explore some of the most off the beaten path spots in the city! Take local transport up to the cemetery where we explore the open air street art museum and learn about the fascinating culture and traditions that can only be found here, then up to El Alto in the world’s most scenic form of transport, the teleferico (cable car). In El Alto we visit a local shaman and have the opportunity to get our fortunes read before exploring the city further and then taking 2 more telefericos back to the city center. Get a chance to see the real La Paz!
Day 20: Uyuni, Bolivia
La Paz to Uyuni
Type: Cama* Bus (Overnight) [*subject to availability]
Times: 21:00
Duration: 10 hours
Transfer from La Paz to Uyuni
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Uyuni.
Day 21: Villa Candelaria, Bolivia
Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 3D/2N (Uyuni to Uyuni) - Day 1 of 3
Departure Time: 10:00 hrs
Duration: 3 days
Uyuni - Colchani - Incahuasi Island - Pia Pia Island - Candelaria (L/D)
We will begin our journey at 10:00 AM with a departure from our starting location. At 10:30 AM, we will start the tour by visiting the Cementerio de trenes (Train Cemetery) which is a unique and interesting train graveyard located in the middle of the Uyuni Salt Flat. Then, we will continue to El proceso de sal en Colchani (The Salt Production Process in Colchani) to see how salt is extracted and processed. After that, we will visit the Artesanías de sal (Salt crafts) to see the various ways in which salt is used to create beautiful and unique crafts. We will also visit the Montones de sal (Salt piles) to see the vast expanse of salt flats, and the Ojos de sal (Salt Eyes) which are small pools of water that are surrounded by salt flats. Lastly, we will visit Isla Incahuasi (Incahuasi Island), which is a small island located in the middle of the salt flats and is home to cacti and other unique plants. Then, we will check-in to the Hotel de Sal, which is built entirely out of salt bricks and provides guests with an opportunity to experience what it's like to sleep on a bed of salt.
8:00 PM we check-in to the first night's accommodation at the Hotel de Sal, (shared bathroom) and we will enjoy dinner together.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Day 22: Polques, Bolivia
Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 3D/2N (Uyuni to Uyuni) - Day 2 of 3
Chiguana Desert - Lagoons - Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve - Red Lagoon Sol de Mañana Geyser (B/L/D)
We will start the day with a 7:30 AM breakfast before departing at 8:00 AM. We will visit Volcán Ollague which is an active volcano, as well as Lagunas con Flamencos (Cañapa Hedionda - Honda), which are saltwater lagoons that are home to thousands of flamingos. We will also visit Desierto de Siloli (Siloli Desert) which is a desert that is located in the Andes Mountains and is known for its unique rock formations. After lunch, we will visit Montañas de 7colores (7-Colored Mountains), El árbol de Piedra (The Stone Tree) and Laguna Colorada (Huayllajara) which is a red-colored lagoon that is home to thousands of flamingos. We will spend our second night at the Albergue Laguna Colorada (shared bathroom)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Day 23: Uyuni, Bolivia
Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 3D/2N (Uyuni to Uyuni) - Day 3 of 3
Dali Desert - Green Lagoon – Uyuni (B/L)
We will start the day early with a 5:00 AM departure. We will visit the Geiseres, which are geysers that spout hot water and steam and the Aguas Termales (Thermal Waters) where people can relax and enjoy the natural hot water. After breakfast, we will visit Rocas de Dalí (Dali's Rocks) which is a unique rock formation that was named after Salvador Dalí, as well as Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) and Laguna Blanca (White Lagoon) which are both known for their vibrant and stunning colors. We will also visit Valle de Rocas (Valley of Rocks) and finish the tour visiting Culplina and San Cristobal. We will be back at Uyuni by 5:00 PM.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 24: Potosi, Bolivia
Uyuni to Potosi
Type: Bus
Times: 10:00,16:00
Transfer from Uyuni to Potosi
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Potosi.
Day 25: Potosi, Bolivia
Free Day
Enjoy a free day to experience on your own
Day 26: Sucre, Bolivia
Potosi to Sucre
Type: Bus
Times: 07:00, 10:00, 13:00, 17:00
Duration: 3 hours
Transfer from Potosi to Sucre
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Sucre.
Day 27: Sucre, Bolivia
Sucre Cooking Class & Cocktail Making with a Local
Departure Time: 11:00, 17:00 hrs
Duration: 3 hrs
Bolivia is fast becoming a gastronomic hot-spot with its abundance of local Bolivian dishes and their distinct flavours which sets it apart from the rest of the world. In this interactive half day cookery class, our local chef will teach you the art of preparing a delicious 3-course meal and a Bolivian hot sauce whilst learning about local ingredients and traditional cooking methods such as the Batan. Shake up your very own cocktail using Bolivian spirits and seasonal fruits as demonstrated by the chef. Under 18s and non-drinkers make a mocktail. Finish off the experience by dining together in the company of the chef and receive a recipe of the main dish to recreate it for friends and family! We are passionate about the Bolivian food scene and want to share our passion for Bolivian food with like-minded travellers.
Sample Menu:
NOTE: With prior notice we can adapt certain recipes to accommodate dietary requirements including vegetarian and vegan. Example main dishes include Picante de Pollo, Cazuela de Maní, Papas Rellenas or Mondongo Chuquisaqueño.
Meals: Lunch
Day 28: Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Sucre to Santa Cruz
Type: Flight
Times: Check availability
Transfer from Sucre to Santa Cruz
You will be transferred to Sucre airport in time for your flight to Santa Cruz.
Day 29: Puerto Quijarro, Bolivia
Santa Cruz to Puerto Quijarro
Type: Train
Times: Check availability
Transfer from Santa Cruz to Puerto Quijarro
Please make your own way to the train station to catch your train to Puerto Quijarro.
Day 30: Corumba, Brazil
Puerto Quijarro to Corumba
Type: Travel this bus section on your own
Times: Anytime
Transfer from Puerto Quijarro to Corumba
Day 31: Corumba, Brazil
Pantanal Adventure 4D/3N (Corumba to Bonito) - Day 1 of 4
Departure Time: 10:00, 12:00, 15:00 hrs
Duration: 4 days
Corumba Departure to the Pantanal (L/D)
Please make your way to Corumba bus station for your transfer to Pantanal. You will be taken to your wetland lodge accommodation. After a warm welcome by the friendly staff, get settled and check out the list of activities you can do over the next few days.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Day 32: Pantanal, Brazil
Pantanal Adventure 4D/3N (Corumba to Bonito) - Day 2 of 4
Pantanal Activities (B/L/D)
Throughout your stay in Pantanal, you will enjoy meals as you join in a variety of activities. There will be boat trips along the river, night safari by boat, horseback riding, fishing for Piranha, walking tours, jeep safaris, alligator spotting and canoeing. No matter what you do you are sure to have fun! Make sure you are camera-ready as during your excursions within this large freshwater floodplain, you will get plentiful opportunities to observe native wildlife such as alligators, capybaras, armadillos, jaguars and a wide variety of birds.
*Note: Your guide will help you organise the activities you participate in and they are subject to availability and weather conditions.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Day 33: Pantanal, Brazil
Pantanal Adventure 4D/3N (Corumba to Bonito) - Day 3 of 4
Pantanal Activities (B/L/D)
Continue with the variety of activities that this place has to offer to you. Don´t forget to take a lot of pictures to show your friends and family what you have been up to!
*Note: Your guide will help you organise the activities you participate in and they are subject to availability and weather conditions.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Day 34: Bonito, Brazil
Pantanal Adventure 4D/3N (Corumba to Bonito) - Day 4 of 4
Transfer Pantanal to Bonito (B)
Say goodbye to the Pantanal, your head full of wonderful memories, and return by shuttle at 13:30 hrs to Bonito arriving between 17:30-18:00 hrs. On the way back, admire your beautiful pictures and get ready to brag to your friends about this once-in-a-lifetime adventure! If you are planning a flight today, please make sure you book it after 19:00 hrs so you have plenty of time to connect. Otherwise, stay overnight and depart the following day at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 35: Bonito, Brazil
Free Day
Enjoy a free day to experience on your own
Day 36: Campo Grande, Brazil
Bonito to Campo Grande
Type: Shuttle
Duration: 4.5 hours
Transfer from Bonito to Campo Grande
You will be picked up at your accommodation/meeting point for your shuttle transfer to Campo Grande, where you’ll be dropped off at your next accommodation/meeting point.
Day 37: Foz do Iguacu, Brazil
Campo Grande to Foz do Iguacu
Type: Bus (Overnight)
Times: 20:00
Duration: 14 hours
Transfer from Campo Grande to Foz do Iguacu
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Foz da Iguacu.
Day 38: Foz do Iguacu, Brazil
Free Day
Enjoy a free day to experience on your own
Day 39: Foz do Iguacu, Brazil
Argentina Iguazu Falls Day Trip (Bra to Arg)
Departure Time: 07:20 hrs
Duration: 10 hrs
A visit to the Argentinean side of Iguazu Falls is a completely different experience than the Brazilian and deserves a whole day's worth of your time. Walk along the man-made platforms and bridges that follow the contours of the river taking you right up next to hundreds of waterfalls covering a 4 kilometer stretch.
Iguazu falls were created approximately 200 thousand years ago by ageological fault where the Iguazu and Parana Rivers come together creating an 80-meter high cascade named "Garganta del Diablo" or Devil's Throat. The falls stretch over 3 kilometers wide making them taller than Niagara Falls in North America and wider than Victoria Falls in Africa. The average flow of water passing over the falls is 1500 cubic meters per second and depending on the water levels you can observe anywhere from 160 - 260 falls. The intensity of the fallsproduces a permanent fog, where sunbeams form multiple rainbows of incredible beauty.
Start off by walking down around the Circuito Inferior where several bridges take you right up next to the falls where you can stand and be soaked by the spray in seconds. Take the train to the "Devil's Throat" main falls where a man-made walkway leads you out over the river to experience the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of looking down into the Devil's Throat itself, a 90-meter-high cascade over which 13,000 cubic meters plunge per second.
Taking an optional boat trip (you may purchase this additional activity upon arrival), rafting or hiking in the park is another way to enjoy the day in nature and appreciate the falls from a different perspective. Don't forget to take your camera, rain gear and sunblock. Bring your own snacks and water to avoid paying high prices in the park.
If time allows on your way back to Puerto Iguazu, you may have a chance to stop at the 3 frontiers overlook point where you can see Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil at the convergence of the Iguazu and Parana Rivers. A blue, green and yellow obelisk represents the national colors of all 3 countries. This is also a great place to grab some last minute souvenirs from Iguazu Falls.
Day 40: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Puerto Iguazu to Buenos Aires
Type: Bus (Overnight)
Times: 13:00, 14:00, 14:30, 14:50, 15:00
Duration: 18 hours
Transfer from Puerto Iguazu to Buenos Aires
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Buenos Aires.
Day 41: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Free Day
Enjoy a free day to experience on your own
Day 42: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tango, Wine & Empanadas Experience
Departure Time: 14:00 hrs
Duration: 2 hrs
We will enjoy this activity in a studio in the Abasto area where we will start the experience knowing the history of the neighborhood and tango. Then, we will have a tango class of one hour, where you will learn the first steps, or you can add more knowledge to your dance. We will finish with a wine tasting accompanied by empanadas. A typical combination of Buenos Aires gastronomy. We can enjoy a moment of conversation, to get to know each other and give you advice to continue getting to know this wonderful city: Buenos Aires.
You will learn about tango and wines, and you will be able to try some delicious empanadas. You will take a souvenir bag with a surprise!
NOTE: This experience includes alcohol. Only guests who meet the legal drinking age will be served alcoholic beverages.
Other things to note: We prepare the empanadas to taste. If you are vegetarian, let us know!
Meals: Snacks
Accommodation
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