Buenos Aires to Lima: Sacred Valley & Salt Flats

South America rewards those willing to explore. Consider this epic adventure: beginning in Buenos Aires and ending in Lima, it's 35 full days of fun. You'll hike the Inca Trail, cross the Salt Flats of Bolivia by 4x4, 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.

Day 1 Buenos Aires
Arrive at any time. Soak in the energy of the bustling and trendy "Paris of the Americas" before mingling with your fellow travellers, and get excited for the adventures to come with a few drinks at the hostel.

Day 2 Buenos Aires/Salta
Skip a long bus ride and board a plane for a quick flight to Salta. 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. Remember, no visit to Salta is complete without trying the local specialty — empanadas salteñas.

Day 3 Salta
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 4 Salta/San Pedro de Atacama
Say "Adios!" to Argentina, because you're off to Chile today to a little town on the edge of the Atacama desert, the driest place on earth.

Day 5 San Pedro de Atacama
You will be amazed at everything you can do today. Explore San Pedro de Atacama on a mountain bike, cruise down the dunes on a sandboard, or chill out in the hot springs with your friends and fellow travel squad. Or visit the Valley of the Moon, an area on Earth that resembles the moon's surface. (How cool is that?)

Day 6 San Pedro de Atacama/ Salt Flats and Desert Crossing
Ascend by bus into the mountains and cross into Bolivia for a three-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. Today you will be crossing the varied landscape of the desert, stopping off at colourful lagoons along the way.

Day 7 Salt Flats and Desert Crossing
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. Arrive at your home for the night — a G Adventures-supported community lodge in the heart of a desert oasis.

Day 8 Salt Flats and Desert Crossing /Uyuni
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.

Day 9 Uyuni/Potosí
Travel north to visit one of the highest cities in the world. On arrival spot the looming mountain of Cerro Rico, a working silver mine.

Day 10 Potosí
Wake up, get out, and explore Potosí. Meander the streets, stop at the market and meet some locals!

Day 11 Potosí/Sucre
Venture north to the beautiful colonial city of Sucre.

Day 12 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.

Day 13 Sucre/La Paz
One day in Sucre isn't enough, so take another free day to explore before winding down on an overnight bus to La Paz.

Day 14 La Paz
Hope you got some rest on the bus because the vibrant city of La Paz awaits. After getting settled, head out to experience this high altitude city. Take a tour of the Valley of the Moon, check out the Witches' Market, or visit the nearby Tiahuanaco Ruins.

Day 15 La Paz
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 16 La Paz/Puno
Sit back, relax, and soak in the impressive views as you travel by bus through the Altiplano and cross the border into Peru. Arrive at Puno on the shores of stunning Lake Titicaca.

Day 17 Puno/Lake Titicaca
This morning, you will board a boat on Lake Titicaca and head to Taquile Island for lunch in a local restaurant. 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.

Day 18 Lake Titicaca/Puno
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.

Day 19 Puno/Cusco
Chill out on the bus as you cruise through the high, scenic Altiplano region. Settle in for the night and get some rest — there's lots to see and do in Cusco tomorrow.

Day 20 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!

Day 21 Cusco/Ollantaytambo
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.

Day 22 Inca Trail
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.

Day 23 Inca Trail
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 24 Inca Trail
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 25 Machu Picchu/Cusco
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.

Day 26 Cusco
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 27 Cusco/Arequipa
Do as much or as little as you want today but enjoy it — it's your last day in Cusco. Get cozy on a bus for the night as you head to Arequipa.

Day 28 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.

Day 29 Arequipa/Colca Canyon
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 Andean condors soaring over the majestic Andes. Keep a lookout for other unusual animals! Give your body some much needed relaxation by taking a dip in the the hot springs.

Day 30 Colca Canyon/Arequipa
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!

Day 31 Arequipa/Nazca
Discover Arequipa today with the option to take a city tour, or visit the Santa Catalina Monastery if you haven't already. Later, board an overnight bus to catch up on some sleep en route to your next destination.

Day 32 Nazca
Wake up in Nazca — famous for one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries, the Nazca Lines. Choose to take a flight for unparalleled views, or climb the viewing tower to get a glimpse if that's more your style. In the evening, enjoy a Pachamanca-style dinner with your fellow travellers.

Day 33 Nazca/Huacachina
Travel further north to the oasis of Huacachina, stop at a Pisco winery on the way. Sandboard on the dunes around the oasis for an unforgettable sunset.

Day 34 Huacachina/Lima
Travel back to Lima to enjoy your last night as a group. Celebrate and reminisce on your adventures together with some ceviche and a pisco sour.

Day 35 Lima
Depart at any time.