South America route: Machu Picchu to Buenos Aires and
A 6059 km route through South America that connects the main destinations of Peru, Argentina and Brazil. The route includes Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, the Iguazu Falls on the Argentine-Brazilian border, Buenos Aires and Valparaiso, showcasing the geographical and cultural diversity of the region.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Peru: breathing history
- End
- Valparaíso
- Stops
- 7
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Peru: breathing history — Andean nation where Inca ruins, colonial temples and ancestral cultures coexist in landscapes of mountains and tropical jungle.
- Camino Inca: multi-day trail alternative — Multi-day hiking trail through cloud forests and archaeological ruins until you reach Machu Picchu.
- Brazil and Iguazu Falls border — Trinational border where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay converge in the largest waterfalls in South America.
- Cataratas del Iguazú: 270+ water drops — System of more than 270 waterfalls that descend 80 meters above the subtropical jungle, creating an incomparable natural spectacle.
- Buenos Aires: European-influenced immigrant city — Capital of Buenos Aires with neoclassical architecture, tango tradition and cultural heritage of European immigrants.
- Aguas Calientes — Town at the base of Machu Picchu, accessed by train from Cusco
- Valparaíso
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- To get to Machu Picchu, the easiest option is to take the train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, which is quick and comfortable. Then you can go up by bus or on foot.
- Tip
- The Inca Trail is an alternative of several days in the mountains. It requires high-altitude hikes, but culminates in Machu Picchu at sunrise, making it worth the effort.
- Timing
- Arrive at Machu Picchu at sunrise when the first rays of sunlight touch the stone and the clouds open between the mountains for an unforgettable experience.
- Tip
- In Huacachina you can ride through the dunes in bugies at full speed or try sandboarding. The sunset from the top of a dune is especially magical.
- Timing
- Iguazu Falls are most impressive when sunlight pierces through the mist of the water, creating rainbows over the waterfalls.
- Transport
- In Valparaíso, the old funicular elevators continue to connect the plan with the upper neighborhoods. The streets become stairs as the structure of the place.
- Tip
- Guatapé offers a staircase embedded in the crack of the Rock (a monolith). Climbing it is almost a ritual that ends with panoramic views of lakes and islands.
- Timing
- Atacama at night offers one of the cleanest skies in the world for stargazing. In a few years the desert blooms with thousands of flowers.
- Transport
- The Marble Cathedral on Lake General Carrera is typically reached by boat or kayak, making for a more intimate experience.
- Tip
- Huacachina is located near the city of Ica and is one of the few natural oases in South America, surrounded by high golden dunes.
Video on this route
SOUTH AMERICA | The most incredible places in Peru, Argentina, Chile and more... | 4K Travel Guide