Jacana: Crossing the continent
19 days from £4,583
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
Those passengers arriving on an international flight will be met by the Journey Latin America tour leader or a local representative at the airport and escorted to the group hotel.
The City of Kings was once the capital of Spanish America, and the remnants of its glorious past can still be seen in the faded grandeur of the colonial churches and splendid, traditional wooden balconies in the city centre. The explosive growth of the last 50 years, so typical of capital cities in the developing world, has transformed Lima into a bustling and chaotic low-rise city of over 10 million people. Away from the busy centre, there are some superb traditional restaurants as well as archaeological museums filled to the rafters with pre-Columbian treasures. In crowded streets, throngs of traffic race out towards Miraflores, on the coast, a modern middle-class suburb where your hotel is located. There will be a walking tour of the colonial centre with your tour leader the following morning.
The modern and welcoming small El Tambo Hotel is in the attractive district of Miraflores; the oceanfront residential and commercial centre of Lima. It has the advantage of being in a quiet central location yet close to the city’s seaside promenade, the Malecón, and within easy walking distance of many of the city’s best restaurants and bars.
There is nothing especially Peruvian about the contemporary décor but the guestrooms are spacious, bright and decorated with local handicrafts and pictures. The hotel has some pleasant outdoor areas including an attractive front garden with a lawn. There’s a restaurant and bar, and a good range of services and facilities.
A short 90 minute flight takes you into the Andes and the famous city of Cusco. The name Cusco derives from the Quechua word for navel, indicating its location at the centre of the Inca Empire. Its many impressive, original Inca walls display extraordinary craftsmanship, and the squares are dotted with ornate colonial churches. It’s a vibrant, lively city, where shoeshine boys and postcard sellers jostle for your attention on cobbled streets lined with handicraft shops and cafés. In the evening, the town centre fills with people flocking to the many restaurants, bars and clubs.
The mid-range, independently run Hotel Ruinas is situated just three blocks from Cusco’s central Plaza de Armas. You can easily walk to the main attractions and to and from the city’s bars and restaurants, making it a very convenient base.
The hotel’s wooden balconies, interior courtyard and cool marble flooring create a colonial effect belying its 20-odd years. Contemporary touches are also thrown into the mix, resulting in an attractive blend.
Rooms are simply decorated; some have small balconies and fireplace. We recommend the rooms with a window facing the street, as there are some great views. The hotel also has its own bar and restaurant, and you’ll get a warm welcome from the enthusiastic staff.
An experienced guide gives you a detailed tour of Cusco, which includes a visit to several nearby Inca ruins. You visit Q’oricancha, once the principal Inca Sun Temple, with extraordinarily intricate stonework, and then explore the colossal zigzag walls of Sacsayhuamán, brooding on a hillside above Cusco. In 1536 a desperate and defining 3 day battle was fought between the Spaniards and the Incas around this fortress; the first conquistadors to see it were overawed and centuries later it is still an extraordinary and imposing sight.
The mid-range, independently run Hotel Ruinas is situated just three blocks from Cusco’s central Plaza de Armas. You can easily walk to the main attractions and to and from the city’s bars and restaurants, making it a very convenient base.
The hotel’s wooden balconies, interior courtyard and cool marble flooring create a colonial effect belying its 20-odd years. Contemporary touches are also thrown into the mix, resulting in an attractive blend.
Rooms are simply decorated; some have small balconies and fireplace. We recommend the rooms with a window facing the street, as there are some great views. The hotel also has its own bar and restaurant, and you’ll get a warm welcome from the enthusiastic staff.
This full-day adventure visits several of the villages and archaeological sites which pepper the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Pisac complex, set high above the eponymous village, is composed of steep terraces; their engineering and preservation are unrivalled, and you can clamber among the ancient walls and explore the ruins of temples, residences and storehouses. It takes about an hour and a half to explore the site, after which you stop off in the village below where an arts and crafts market spills across the main square, stalls laden with tapestries and weavings crafted in the surrounding villages.
Continue along this picturesque, patchwork valley to Ollantaytambo, the snow-capped Andean cordillera forming a stunning backdrop. The Inca fortress towering above the adobe village is well preserved and there are wonderful views down over the gentle sloping hillsides and into the fertile valley. You spend the night in the Sacred Valley.
A dramatic 2hr train journey from Ollantaytambo delivers you to the ruins of Machu Picchu. As the river Urubamba enters its narrow gorge between thickly-forested granite hills, there is room only for a single rail track, which hugs the right bank and passes through hamlets which are no more than a collection of shacks. The citadel is then reached by minibus up a sinuous road.
In 1911 the American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered the ruins buried beneath tropical cloud forest. It is the city’s location which most captures the imagination, on a ridge spur amid forested peaks and above a roaring river canyon. Following a guided tour of the ruins you spend the night at the spa village of Machu Picchu, a couple of kilometres upstream.
Fancy hiking some of the Inca Trail without interrupting your tour? We can organise for you to walk the mini Inca Trail on this day, but still, have a guided tour of the ruins and stay with the group in the evening. Please ask us for more details.
You have the optional opportunity to revisit the ruins, rail schedules permitting. There is also the chance for the more challenging hike to Huayna Picchu, the conical peak which juts out behind the ruins for wonderful views over the site. If you think you’d like to re-visit the site or climb Huayna Picchu please enquire with the office, as spaces are limited and it’s necessary to pre-book
You may prefer to relax and wander the narrow vehicle-free streets of Machu Picchu village, lined with souvenir shops and cafés. You return to Cusco on the afternoon train, arriving in the early evening.
The mid-range, independently run Hotel Ruinas is situated just three blocks from Cusco’s central Plaza de Armas. You can easily walk to the main attractions and to and from the city’s bars and restaurants, making it a very convenient base.
The hotel’s wooden balconies, interior courtyard and cool marble flooring create a colonial effect belying its 20-odd years. Contemporary touches are also thrown into the mix, resulting in an attractive blend.
Rooms are simply decorated; some have small balconies and fireplace. We recommend the rooms with a window facing the street, as there are some great views. The hotel also has its own bar and restaurant, and you’ll get a warm welcome from the enthusiastic staff.
There are a number of optional excursions in the surrounding region. About an hour’s drive from Cusco is Moray, where ancient agricultural irrigation paths form circular depressions in the earth, and there are wonderful views into the Sacred Valley and of the snowy peak of Mount Veronica. From here it is a short walk to the salt pans at Maras, circular pans of glistening white carved into the mountain side. Ask your tour leader for more optional excursions into the region, including horse riding and white water rafting on the Urubamba river.
The mid-range, independently run Hotel Ruinas is situated just three blocks from Cusco’s central Plaza de Armas. You can easily walk to the main attractions and to and from the city’s bars and restaurants, making it a very convenient base.
The hotel’s wooden balconies, interior courtyard and cool marble flooring create a colonial effect belying its 20-odd years. Contemporary touches are also thrown into the mix, resulting in an attractive blend.
Rooms are simply decorated; some have small balconies and fireplace. We recommend the rooms with a window facing the street, as there are some great views. The hotel also has its own bar and restaurant, and you’ll get a warm welcome from the enthusiastic staff.
A scenic day-long bus ride takes you from Cusco to Puno (7 hours). The drive begins by climbing up through the fertile fields of corn and potatoes to the roads highest pass at la Raya (4,200m). After this you travel across the altiplano, a large, windswept plain, punctuated by occasional market towns, where bowler-hatted indigenous women tend herds of llamas and alpacas. You arrive into Puno in the early evening.
There is a morning excursion to the famous Uros Islands. You alight on a floating island, made entirely of tortora reeds – the same material used to build their canoes and even their homes. The inhabitants earn their living mainly through selling handicrafts to tourists and, while this is a unique experience, it has the air of a visit to a living museum.
Later continue across the Bolivian border to the small lakeside town of Copacabana. This pretty little town is a religious sanctuary (it gave Rio’s famous beach its name), and its whitewashed buildings and Moorish-style basilica are striking against a clear blue Andean sky. The Basilica is frequented by pilgrims to the miraculous 16th-century Dark Virgin of the Lake, and they bring their rickety cars to the forecourt, bedecked in flowers, to be blessed by her. If you have the energy in this rarefied air, climb the stations of the cross for views out over the lake and the snow-capped cordillera in the distance.
The stylish Rosario del Lago is a small and charming hotel with a matchless location on the shores of Lake Titicaca, just a few minutes’ walk from Copacabana’s central square.
The 3-storey ochre building was built in a colonial style complete with arches and towers, and has only 21 rooms, each bright and fresh with furnishings inspired by the local area. Many have superb views over the lake, as does the restaurant, which specialises in fresh fish dishes and international cuisine. When weather conditions are appropriate, a grill operates on the sun terrace.
From Copacabana there is an included boat trip to Isla del Sol (Sun Island). Legend has it that this mystical spot marked the beginning of Inca civilisation. The children of the sun god sprung from the lake’s depths to found the mighty empire in Cusco, and a rock at the northern end of the island was their birthplace.
Later in the day we will drive across the altiplano’s windswept plains to La Paz (4hrs). At over 3,500m, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world. It is a glittering mosaic of tin, slate and tile roofs, interspersed with a line of skyscrapers that march down the valley. Beyond, keeping an eye on it all, is the colossal snow-capped Mount Illimani. This busy, commercial city has a 60% indigenous population; women dress in voluminous multi-coloured skirts, bowler hats and have centre-partings, as decreed by the Spanish monarch 3 centuries ago.
The Hotel Rosario is a popular and well-established colonial hotel near La Paz’s indigenous markets, sights and restaurants. It’s a clean, quiet, well-decorated guesthouse with a pleasant jumble of flowery courtyards, always buzzing and lively with guests.
The small and neat guestrooms are cheerily decorated with bright textiles and furnishings. There are two restaurants and a more informal café, and the top floor has been converted into an internet café which also serves snacks and Mexican dishes. There’s also a well-respected travel agency on the ground floor, which can arrange any off-the-cuff tour or day trip you’d like to make.
On your full day in the city, there will be a guided tour, beginning in the historic centre with its quaint Spanish colonial buildings, from the Governmental Palace to the cathedral. Another highlight in the heart of the city is the famous Witches’ Market, brimming with potions, amulets and ritual offerings including gruesome dried llama fetuses. We’ll jump on some public buses to get a real feel for the city, and then we’ll take to the skies on board the cablecars that zigzag the city, all the way up to El Alto for magnificent views of the city.
The Hotel Rosario is a popular and well-established colonial hotel near La Paz’s indigenous markets, sights and restaurants. It’s a clean, quiet, well-decorated guesthouse with a pleasant jumble of flowery courtyards, always buzzing and lively with guests.
The small and neat guestrooms are cheerily decorated with bright textiles and furnishings. There are two restaurants and a more informal café, and the top floor has been converted into an internet café which also serves snacks and Mexican dishes. There’s also a well-respected travel agency on the ground floor, which can arrange any off-the-cuff tour or day trip you’d like to make.
Depart for the airport in El Alto and board a flight (normally via Santa Cruz – 3.5hrs) to Asuncion. This rather old world, eclectic city is located on the shores of the Río Paraguay, and an air of nostalgia permeates its busy streets. Paraguay feels caught in a time warp, the legacy of years of isolation from the outside world under the rule of a series of dictators. The wide, tree-lined avenues, parks and stately buildings are impressive, and you will explore them on your walking tour of the capital.
The adventure continues with a road journey (7 hours) across the Argentinean border to the town of Puerto Iguazu. The Iguazú Falls are unquestionably one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in the world. A total of 275 falls thunder through dense forest over a 2.5km stretch. The u-shaped Devil’s Throat is the main gorge, where the frothy water of the Iguazú River crashes over a 1.5km-wide precipice and columns of vapour are thrown skyward. Elsewhere the river flows decorously through the rainforest breaking up into dozens of smaller falls. You might spot toucans with their outsized bright orange beaks perched in the foliage above the tumultuous waters.
On your full day based here there is an expedition to the Argentine side of the falls with your tour leader. From the National Park Visitor Centre, where there is a display that illustrates the biodiversity of the region’s tropical rainforest, a little natural-gas-powered train transfers you to Cataratas Station where the Upper Walk begins. This sequence of causeways and passarelles links dozens of tiny basalt islands at the top of a sheer rock face and the walkways cross the myriad streams of the River Iguazú as they cascade over the lip of the precipice. Your breath is quite literally taken away as the water thunders on to the rocks below.
The train continues to Devil’s Throat Station where a 1km-long walkway leads across the river to the thunderous Garganta del Diablo, The Devil’s Throat. From this vantage point you can feel the incredible power of the water, and the flow is mesmeric as it plummets into the vortex below.
Mercure Iguazú Iru is an excellent base for visiting the Iguazú Falls, enveloped by the tropical rainforest of the Iryapú jungle, creating the feeling that you are staying in a remote natural wilderness.
This property offers a peaceful stay accompanied by birdsong, even though you are not far from the town of Puerto Iguazú and the airports on both the Argentinian and the Brazilian sides of the border.
To take advantage of forest views, all the guest rooms have wall-sized picture windows and balconies, surrounded by tropical plants. The buildings, linked by wooden walkways, are low-rise and use of stone, wood and foliage-studded décor blends the property with the environment, while the style is strikingly contemporary with rustic touches.
There’s a smart restaurant, woodland-fringed pool and fitness centre with whirlpool to relax after exploring the Falls.
In the morning you’ll head out to the Brazilian side of the falls, from where there is a broad panorama of these magnificent cataracts, and there are some excellent opportunities to photograph the full sweep of the cascades. Continue onto Foz do Iguaçú airport and fly to Rio de Janeiro (2 hours).
Rio de Janeiro is the most romantic, intriguing and beautiful city on the continent. Sumptuous apartments overlook sparkling bays against a backdrop of half-built slum dwellings, favelas, which cling precariously to the hillsides. Rio has an awesome bay-side location among near-vertical granite mountains.
Here, tropical foliage swoops down to white-to-toffee coloured sandy beaches in turn battered by the huge waves of Atlantic surf. The drive into the city gives a fleeting glimpse of the docks and commercial centre as you head towards the magnificent stretch of sand at Copacabana beach; your hotel is close by.
Today there is a tour to familiarise yourself with this most iconic of cities. As part of this we also include a trip to Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain). Ride the cable-car up the twin granite mountains protruding from the ocean and enjoy the magnificent views back over the beaches, Botafogo Bay with its bobbing yachts and into the mountains beyond. Theres a lovely (and safe) nature walk round the foot of the mountain, or you could pop for a beer into the nearby villagey quarter of Urca, leafy home of artists and TV stars.
In the morning you’ll board a steep rack-and-pinion railway which glides up through tropical Tijuca National Park, the largest urban forest in the world dripping with fruit and flowers, to reach the summit of Corcovado Mountain. Here the famous 40m art deco Christ the Redeemer statue soars above the city, arms outspread benevolently. On a clear day, the views over the city and out across the ocean and outlying islands are stupendous.
The afternoon is at leisure. A popular optional excursion is a visit to the exotic Botanical Gardens. Walk along the splendid Avenue of the Royal Palms, and see if you can catch a glimpse of the toucans and marmosets that frequent the park, attracted by thousands of species of tropical and subtropical plants. There are also glass houses sheltering bromeliads, and a research institute here.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
Peru - Lima
Peru’s capital doesn’t get the credit it deserves. In Lima, colonial grandeur, world-class gastronomy and Pacific Ocean views combine to make it one of South America’s most exciting cities. Known as the City of Kings, Lima blends rich colonial heritage with contemporary culture, outstanding museums and some of the best food on the continent.
Peru - Cusco
Surrounded by the Andean mountains, the former capital of the Inca Empire boasts intricate temples and golden-hued colonial architecture. Explore rugged landscapes and fascinating architecture with a Cusco holiday from Journey Latin America.
Peru - Sacred Valley of the Incas
We think of the Sacred Valley as the heartland of the Inca Empire – fertile valleys, snow-capped mountains and ancient stone fortresses make it one of Peru’s most captivating landscapes. Stretching between Cusco and Machu Picchu, it’s home to colourful markets, traditional villages, remarkable archaeological sites and some of the country’s most spectacular scenery.
Peru - Machu Picchu
Few archaeological sites in the world compare to Machu Picchu, where ancient Inca stonework clings to a mountain ridge high above a jungle-clad valley. Nestled among cloud-wreathed Andean peaks at 2,430m, this corner of Machu Picchu Peru combines spectacular scenery, remarkable architecture and fascinating history to create one of South America’s most unforgettable travel experiences.
Peru - Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side
Deep blue waters stretch towards snow-capped mountains at one of Latin America’s most iconic destinations, where traditional island communities preserve centuries-old ways of life. Straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake and one of the Andes’ most remarkable cultural landscapes.
Bolivia - Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side
Watch a priest bless flower-decked cars outside Copacabana’s white basilica, sail across the cobalt water to Isla del Sol, and walk island trails with the snow-capped Cordillera Real on the horizon. On Bolivia’s shore of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake feels quieter, more sacred and closer to its Andean roots.
Bolivia - La Paz and the altiplano
At a dizzying 3,632m, La Paz is the world’s highest capital, its colourful, closely-packed buildings tumbling down a canyon beneath the ice-jacketed peak of Illimani. Beyond the city, the vast altiplano unfolds into windswept plains, ancient ruins and indigenous communities that have shaped this corner of the Andes for centuries.
Paraguay - Asuncion and the heartland
Asunción holidays combine graceful colonial architecture, a riverside setting and a growing cultural scene in the heart of Paraguay. Once little more than a stopover, the capital has been revitalised by renewed public spaces, creative energy and a newfound confidence that makes it well worth exploring.
Argentina - Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side
Walk the spray-soaked catwalks that carry you out over the falls, take the ecological train through the jungle to the Devil’s Throat and ride a speedboat into the base of the cascades. The Argentinian side of Iguazú puts you closer to the water than anywhere else, deep inside the national park and its wildlife-rich forest.
Brazil - Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side
Experience one of South America’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders, where immense waterfalls plunge through subtropical rainforest alive with birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls offers sweeping panoramic views, exhilarating adventures and an unforgettable perspective on this extraordinary landscape.
Brazil - Rio de Janeiro
Waking up to your first view of Copacabana Beach is one of Brazil’s great travel moments, and Rio only builds from there. Granite peaks, rainforest-covered hills and golden sand meet a city that never quite sits still: samba spilling out of bars, football on the beach, Carnival taking over the streets once a year.
An epic journey that traverses this diverse continent from the Pacific to the Atlantic in just under three exhilarating weeks. Landscapes of infinite variety unfold before you; The dramatic peaks of the Andes, and the shimmering lakes and bleak beauty of the altiplano eventually give way to sultry forests and wide, white-sand beaches. The human story is no less captivating; histories are preserved in the magnificent Inca temples and glorious colonial architecture, and the bustling villages and markets offer an insight into contemporary ways of life. The trip begins in Lima and quickly moves onto Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire, and a visit to the awe inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu. Cross the saphire waters of Lake Titicaca into Bolivia, before venturing into little known, atmospheric Paraguay. You continue onto the thundering Iguazú Falls, and the trip finishes in Rio de Janeiro, a spellbinding city in a peerless location, sandwiched between steep forested mountains and the Atlantic.
Laura Rendell-Dunn
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- About Our Group Tours
To find out more about how our group tours including group sizes, solo travellers and why to choose us. Please click here.
- Tour Leader
On this tour, you’ll be accompanied from start to finish by one of our exceptional Journey Latin America tour leaders. From the moment you land in Latin America until the day the tour ends they will deal with all the practicalities, expertly adapting to the circumstances and individual needs of the group. Rather than different guides in different cities, your leader will get to know the group and keep you informed and entertained as you go.
- Summary of Nights
19 days, 18 nights: Lima 1; Cusco 2; Sacred Valley 1; Machu Picchu 1; Cusco 2; Puno 1; Copacabana 1; La Paz 2; Asunción 2; Puerto Iguazu 2; Rio de Janeiro 3.
- Accommodation
For our Discovery Journeys we aim to use good quality, value-for-money accommodation, in a mix of larger more modern and smaller family run hotels. All the properties we use are well maintained and rooms will have a private bathroom with hot water.
The focus of these trips is on getting outside, seeing the sights, and experiencing local restaurants and cafes, therefore a few hotels may not have evening dining facilities. If you prefer more luxurious accommodation, please see the Hummingbird Tour which follows a very similar route.
Examples of hotels include:
Lima: Hotel El Tambo
Cusco: Hotel Ruinas
Sacred Valley: Tunupa Lodge
Machu Picchu: Hatun Inti Classic
Puno: Hotel Intiqa
Copacabana (Lake Titicaca): Rosario del Lago
La Paz: Hotel Rosario
Asunción: Hotel Palmaroga
Puerto Iguazu: Mercure
Rio de Janeiro: Windsor Copa HotelOn very rare occasions these hotels can change, however please speak to one of our consultants who can provide full details for each departure if you have any doubts. Address and contact details will be sent out with your final documents.
- Transport
3 flights, 2 train journeys (2 and 3.5 hours), 4 road journeys (longest 7 hours). The only journeys using a public vehicle is Puno to Cusco. The rest will be done using private vehicles for the group.
- Meals
Breakfast daily.
- Optional Excursions
On this tour the price includes excursions in all the places you visit as per the itinerary. There will however likely be some free time when you may choose to take part in an optional excursion. These are booked locally through your tour leader once you are in Latin America, however we are more than happy to advise you of what is on offer in advance of your holiday so you can best plan the excursions that suit you.
On all tours that visit Cusco we offer the chance to hike the mini Inca Trail as well as revisit Machu Picchu on the morning after the first visit. Time permitting, we may also be able to offer the climb up Huayna Picchu. If you are interested in any of these optional excursions, please speak to your travel expert in advance to arrange.
- Travelling Alone
There is no extra cost for single travellers who are willing to share a room. You will be accommodated with another same-sex member of the group who is also travelling solo. For single travellers who wish to have their own room there are a limited number of single rooms available, which carry a surcharge.
- Trip Suitability
The pace of this trip is fast; there are some early mornings and long days spent travelling (albeit with frequent stops and fantastic scenery). The streets in Cusco and La Paz are cobbled and steep and you must be cautious at altitude. You should consult your tour leader to make sure your chosen optional excursions are suitable for you.
- Climate
The rainy season in the Andes runs between November and April when there are showers most afternoons. At altitude the sun can be strong in the day but temperature can drop significantly at night. As a broad overview Brazil and Argentina have the opposite seasons to the UK, meaning November to February tend to be the warmest summer months and it can be especially warm in tropical Iguazú. We run this tour year round.
A comprehensive overview of the weather in all the regions you are visiting can be found in our Destination pages. Our Travel Experts can answer your questions on climate and further details will be sent with your confirmation documents.
- Altitude
Some of the excursions in and around La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Cusco and the Sacred Valley are at high altitude (over 3,000m). Symptoms of altitude sickness vary; most common are mild headaches, slight nausea and breathlessness. Most people are unaffected and if you drink plenty of water and allow your body to acclimatise (don’t exert yourself or drink alcohol) in the first couple of days after arrival, you will minimise your chances of suffering any symptoms. Please refer to our Briefing Dossier for further information.
- Clothing, Equipment and Luggage
For day-to-day wear you should go prepared to encounter all seasons. Both warm clothing and a sun hat are essential at altitude; a light fleece jacket and a Gore-Tex outer shell makes a good combination. Trousers or shorts made from light, quick-drying synthetic materials also work well. It can get very cold at altitude, particularly after sundown and so warm clothes are essential as is a good waterproof jacket. Strong, comfortable footwear is essential and you should bring insect repellent, sun block and sunglasses.
Due to luggage restrictions on the train to Machu Picchu, you will leave the bulk of your baggage in the Cusco hotel, which will be waiting for you on your return. You can take up to 5kgs per person on the train. An overnight holdall/rucksack is recommended to separate your luggage for the time spent away.
- Money
Please see the Country Info tab on this holiday for our latest currency information and advice about how to take your spending money. Tipping in Latin America is almost always done using cash. It is customary to tip tour leaders, local guides, drivers, boat crews and other service providers such as restaurant staff and porters. Full tipping guidelines are sent with your confirmation documents as is advice on local costs.
- Health, Entry Requirements and Insurance
For health information on travelling to Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil including recommended vaccinations, please see https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
A Yellow Fever certificate is required for passengers under the age of 60 for entry into Paraguay. An exemption certificate is available from travel clinics in the UK if you’re unable to have the vaccine for medical reasons.
All Latin American countries have specific entry regulations related to Covid 19. Please also check our Travel Hub for further information.
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports should be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Other nationalities should enquire with us or check with the consulates.
Travel insurance is essential. Details of our recommended policy can be found on the Travel insurance website.
- Do I need a visa to visit Peru?
Holders of a full British passport don’t need a visa for visits of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive, and you may be asked to show proof of onward travel. If you’re travelling via the US, you’ll also need an ESTA. For the latest entry requirements, check the FCDO travel pages or contact us.
- How do I get to Peru from the UK?
There are no direct flights from the UK to Peru. Most routes connect through a European or US hub – common connections include Madrid, Amsterdam and Miami. Flights land at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, around 45 minutes from the city centre.
Flight time is typically 12 to 15 hours depending on routing. We’re happy to quote international flights separately based on your dates and preferences.
- How do I get around Peru?
Distances are large, so domestic flights are the most practical way to move between regions. The flight from Lima to Cusco takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.
From Cusco, we arrange private transfers to the Sacred Valley and train connections to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu. Cusco to Puno, for Lake Titicaca, is around six to seven hours by road across the high Altiplano, or you can take the scenic PeruRail Titicaca train.
Reaching the Amazon means a short flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado or from Lima to Iquitos.
- What currency is used in Peru?
Peru uses the Peruvian sol (PEN). ATMs are widely available in cities and larger towns, and credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants.
US dollars are accepted in many tourist areas, but you’ll get a better deal paying in sol. Carry cash for markets, smaller restaurants and remote areas. Peru is five hours behind GMT.
- How long should I spend in Peru?
Two weeks is ideal for a full tour covering Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and either Colca Canyon or the Amazon. Ten days comfortably cover the main highlights.
With three weeks, you can add the Amazon, the Nazca Lines, or a crossing into Bolivia. Peru also combines well with Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, or with Argentina and Patagonia as part of a wider trip.
- What’s the best time of year to visit Peru?
The dry season from May to October is best for the Andes, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca – warm days, cold nights and clear skies. The Inca Trail closes in February.
Lima’s coast is warmest from December to April, and the Amazon can be visited year-round, with different advantages in each season. We can advise on the best timing for your itinerary.
- What countries combine well with Peru?
Peru pairs naturally with Bolivia – many of our holidays cross from Lake Titicaca into La Paz and the Uyuni salt flats. Ecuador is a short flight from Lima, and a Peru–Ecuador–Galápagos Islands itinerary is one of our most popular.
For a broader South America trip, you can add Argentina and Buenos Aires, Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, Chile or Colombia. Our Travel Experts can design a multi-country tour around you.
- What vaccinations do I need for Peru?
Please check current health recommendations for Peru before you travel. A yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you’re visiting the Amazon, and you may need a certificate if travelling on to certain other countries.
Altitude sickness is a consideration in Cusco (3,400m) and at Lake Titicaca (3,812m) – we build acclimatisation time into all our itineraries. For up-to-date advice, check the FCDO travel pages or contact us.
- Is Peru safe to visit?
The main tourist areas – Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon lodges – are well visited and generally safe.
As anywhere, take sensible precautions, particularly in Lima and Cusco. We plan every itinerary carefully using trusted local partners and established routes. Check the FCDO travel pages for current government advice, and our Travel Experts will flag anything relevant to your trip.
- What is the food like in Peru?
The food is one of the highlights of any trip. Lima ranks among South America’s best places to eat – ceviche made with fresh fish cured in lime juice, lomo saltado (a stir-fried beef dish with Chinese-Peruvian roots), and ají de gallina (shredded chicken in a creamy, mildly spiced sauce).
Try a pisco sour, Peru’s national cocktail, in a rooftop bar overlooking the Pacific. In the Andes, the traditional dishes include hearty soups, roasted guinea pig (cuy), and quinoa; in the Amazon, freshwater fish and tropical fruit. Wherever you go, our local restaurants of choice are ones we’ll happily point you to.
- When is the best time to go to Paraguay?
The climate of this low-lying country is sub-tropical. Summer is extremely hot and humid, with average temperatures in Feb reaching 35°C. In winter temperatures are variable and it can be very cold at night. Most precipitation falls Oct- Apr but it can rain at any time of the year.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What is the official language of Paraguay?
The official languages of Paraguay are Spanish and Guaraní.
- What is the official currency of Paraguay?
The official currency of Paraguay is Guaraní. Notes can be withdrawn from the many ATMs in Asunción using a UK credit or debit card. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. There are also many exchange houses in the capital and on the border where you can exchange US dollars and South American currencies cash.
- What is the time difference between Paraguay and the UK?
The time difference between the UK and Paraguay is GMT-4 hours.
- Do I need a visa for Paraguay?
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate. If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
- What vaccinations do I need for Paraguay?
Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.
- Which countries combine well with Paraguay?
Argentina combines well with Paraguay, accessing Puerto Iguazú (close to the Falls) by road via the frontier at Ciudad del Este; Iguazú Falls, Brazil, crossing over the frontier via the Friendship Bridge from Ciudad del Este.
- Do I need a visa to visit Brazil?
British passport holders don’t need a visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the start of your trip. If you’re routing through the US, you’ll need an ESTA in advance. Always check the latest entry requirements before you travel, as rules can change.
- How do I get to Brazil from the UK?
British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to both Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, taking around 11.5 hours to Rio. There are also connecting routes via Lisbon, Madrid and other European hubs. We arrange all flights and transfers, and can quote them separately based on your dates.
- What’s the best way to travel around Brazil?
The country’s size makes domestic flights the most practical way to cover long distances, with most routes connecting through São Paulo or Rio. Within regions, we arrange private transfers and guided excursions. In the Pantanal, travel is by 4×4 and boat from your lodge, and in the Amazon, river transport is part of the experience.
- What currency does Brazil use?
The official currency is the Brazilian real. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, and ATMs are available in most towns, though some have withdrawal limits. Carry some cash for tips, smaller purchases and rural areas. We’ll advise on the latest currency situation before you travel.
- How long should I spend in Brazil?
Two weeks works well for a first trip, pairing Rio with Iguazú Falls and either the Amazon or the Pantanal. To go further and add Salvador, the northeast beaches or Fernando de Noronha, allow three weeks or more. We’ll help you build an itinerary that makes the most of your time.
- What language is spoken in Brazil?
Portuguese is the official language, and Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking country in South America. English is spoken in hotels and tourist areas, less so beyond them, so a few words of Portuguese go a long way and are always warmly received.
- Is Brazil safe for travellers?
The tourist areas of Brazil are generally safe and well visited. As in any large city, take sensible precautions in Rio and São Paulo, keeping an eye on your surroundings, avoiding flashy valuables and using licensed taxis or ride apps. We plan every itinerary carefully with trusted local partners, and our Travel Experts will advise on anything specific to your route.
- What countries can I combine with Brazil?
Brazil pairs naturally with Argentina, taking in both sides of Iguazú Falls and adding Buenos Aires or Patagonia. Peru combines well for a broader South America itinerary, and Uruguay is an easy connection from the south. Our Travel Experts can design a multi-country trip around you.
- When's the best time to visit Bolivia?
The weather can be a critical factor: the altiplano highlands look their best in the sunlight Apr-Oct, in Dec-Jan it can be dull and chilly at this altitude (3,500-3,800m). The lowlands of the east are hot and humid all year around.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What's the official language of Bolivia?
Spanish is the official language of Bolivia.
- What is the national currency of Bolivia?
Peso Boliviano is the national currency of Bolivia. Notes in local currency (and in some cases US dollars), can be withdrawn from ubiquitous ATMs in principal cities and some smaller towns; there are many money exchanges (casas de cambio) and banks which exchange US dollars (a few accept euros or sterling but the rate may be poor).
When withdrawing money from an ATM using a debit card, you are offered a choice of account type from which to make your withdrawal: select ‘Credit Card’ (ie NOT Current account or Savings Account options).
- What's the time difference between Bolivia and UK?
The time difference between Bolivia and the UK is GMT -4 hrs.
- Do I need a visa for Bolivia?
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application. - What vaccinations do I need for Bolivia?
Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.
- What countries combine well with Bolivia?
If you’re planning a trip to South America there are some perfect destinations to combine with a holiday in Bolivia. Try a visit to Peru via Lake Titicaca, 122 km and a couple of hours’ drive from La Paz; or even a holiday in Chile, entering the country via the dazzling salt lakes of Uyuni.
- What are the festivals, cultural and sporting events in Bolivia?
The key festivals and cultural events in Bolivia are:
Gran Poder: La Paz, Late May/early Jun annually: processions of groups of indigenous dancers in costume, with historical and cultural themes.
Carnival: Oruro, La Diablada, Feb-Mar: One of the most eye-catching on the continent, with parades of people in elaborate costumes. - How do I adapt to the altitude in Bolivia?
Much of Bolivia is occupied by stunning high Andean terrain, with La Paz at 3,500m.
Travel to high altitude can cause mountain sickness and even if you feel fighting fit it’s important to take things easy and stay hydrated (drink plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and caffeine) as you get used to the thin, dry air.You may initially notice a headache, dizziness or breathlessness and this usually improves with acclimatisation. If you are pregnant or taking the contraceptive pill, have a medical condition such as heart or lung condition, anaemia, asthma, high blood pressure you should seek the advice of your GP before booking.
We also recommend you check your travel insurance covers travel to high altitude. If you’re taking the family, remember small children may be less capable of communicating altitude-related symptoms effectively: keep an eye on them too. Rest assured we will plan your itinerary carefully, taking into account any time spent at altitude. If you have any questions or concerns about altitude please speak to your travel expert.
Further advice on travel to altitude is available on www.travelhealthpro.org.uk.
If you still have questions, please contact us and one of our Travel Experts will be happy to help.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Explore Lima on foot to uncover pre-Inca temples, colonial plazas and sweeping Pacific views.
Explore the world-famous Lost City of the Incas: the undisputed jewel in Peru’s crown.
Take a guided stroll through the historic Inca capital with its extraordinary mix of ancient stonework and colonial architecture.
Visit the floating reed islands of the Uros Uruitos and the Islands of the Moon and Sun with their Inca ruins and fascinating cultures.
Take a guided tour of the world’s highest capital city, visiting the notorious Witches’ Market. Some excursions include a visit to the contorted rocks of the Valley of the Moon.
Visit on foot the highlights of colonial and contemporary Asuncion.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you will relax in utter comfort
Welcoming modern hotel in a quiet yet central location, offering a good range of services and facilities.
Independent mid-range hotel with a convenient location, mixing colonial and contemporary style.
A good base for guided tours of Lake Titicaca in the centre of Puno, this simple budget property has friendly staff and comfortable rooms.
If there’s somewhere you particularly want to go that isn’t included in this tour, we can add on an extension to take you there.
Nazca Lines + Paracas
Travel to the Paracas Peninsula and explore the bird-smothered Ballestas Islands by boat. Fly over the Nazca Lines for a bird’s eye view of the giant symbols and lines carved into skeletal desert rock by the pre-Columbian Nazca people. Day 1: From Lima, travel by public coach south to Paracas (3.5hrs) on the Panamerican Highway,…
Ilha Grande
A couple of hours’ drive from Rio de Janeiro along the Atlantic shoreline, the hills and cliffs become cloaked in velvety green tropical forest. Opposite this verdant landscape is the island called Ilha Grande, formerly housing a notorious prison and even now only lightly touched by tourism. It is a gorgeous, car-free place, where the…
Buzios
Head along the Atlantic coast from Rio, passing lagoons and wild, surf-lashed beaches to the chic beach village of Búzios. The low-key, but upmarket, European-style resort is renowned for art shops and fine dining. Here a peninsula of cliffs and low hills is dimpled with little coves and speckled with boutique-style hotels. Day 1: Transfer…
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Papagaio
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
Featured Articles
To round the corner of a mountain and see the lost citadel of Machu Picchu unfold beneath you remains one of the most awe-inspiring experiences in Latin America, one of those dreamlike experiences that makes travelling here truly extraordinary.
The Pantanal wetlands cover an area almost the size of the British Isles and offers better wildlife opportunities than the Amazon. Writer and photographer Alex Bellos discovers them.
Small, breathtakingly beautiful Costa Rica is a treasure trove for the nature lover. Trees laden with orchids are home to quetzals and hummingbirds, while the Caribbean shore hosts volcanic beaches and palm-sheltered coves.
