My Epic 2 Month Backpacking Trip in South America
I spent 60 days in South America, starting and finishing in Lima, Peru. During my 2 month backpacking trip in South America I visited Peru, Bolivia and Northern Chile and saw world wonders, such as Machu Picchu and the Uyuni Salt Flats.
My itinerary covers as many South America bucket list items as possible and it also involves a lot of hiking. In fact, I hiked the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon and Huayhuash trek in Peru, as well as Cerro Toco in Chile.
This South America backpacking trip was, and still is, one of the best trips of my life! So I wanted to share with others my itinerary, travel tips, the best things to see and do on a 2 month backpacking trip in South America.
Snapshot of 2 Month Backpacking Trip in South America
Why Go on a 2 Month Backpacking Trip in South America
Let me take you back to how it all started. I had long dreamed of living overseas for a couple of years. The choice came down to Australia or Canada. But after some careful consideration (and, to be honest, a few concerns about snakes and spiders in Australia) my partner and I decided to make Canada our destination. However, before we settled down for the big move, we decided to fulfill a lifelong travel dream by going on a 2 month backpacking trip in South America.
WHY SOUTH AMERICA? For one, it’s incredibly budget-friendly for backpackers. But beyond that, the continent offers diverse landscapes, from lush rainforests to the incredible Andes. Additionally, it offers some unique experiences, all while feeling relatively safe for travelers. The challenge, though, was figuring out where to start, what to see and how long to spend in each place.
How to Plan a 2 Month Backpacking Trip in South America
Planning a 2 month backpacking trip in South America can be both exiting and a little intimidating! I remember when I first had this idea and thought, “Where do I even begin?“. If you have an open schedule with no time constraints, you’ll have the flexibility to start your adventure anywhere. However, if you’re short on time (say, only 2 months) and want to hit as many bucket-list destinations as possible, planning can be a bit more challenging.
To help you out, I’ve put together a step-by-step guide to South America. Let’s dive in!
1. What Are Your Travel Goals?
How long will your trip to South America be? Will it be 3 weeks, 2 months or even 6 months? Knowing how much time you have is crucial. Not only will it hep you prioritize your destinations but also make the most out of your backpacking trip.
Once you’ve figured that out, ask yourself: What are you really interested in? Whether it’s hiking, history, beaches or wildlife, South America has something for everyone.
Lastly, consider your budget. In that case, a backpacking trip is undoubtedly one of the best and most affordable ways to explore the continent. However, keep in mind that some countries such as, Argentina and Chile, tend to be more expensive than others, such as Peru and Bolivia.
2. Where To Travel In South America?
This was our first time in South America. So, we were eager to visit the continent’s main highlights without constantly hopping on flights. On our 2 month backpacking trip in South America, we wanted to experience as much as possible while being time efficient.
The two must-see destinations in South America for us were Machu Picchu and the Salar de Uyuni. From there, we structured the rest of the backpacking itinerary around these travel spots.
To help you choose your destination, I’ve summarized below the HIGHLIGHTS of the main countries in South America.
3. Create a South America Itinerary
The first step was to understand which activities we wanted to experience on a 2 month backpacking trip in South America. Then, it was time to plan a general South America itinerary. Start by focusing on the main attractions and build the rest of the itinerary around it.
For most of your trip, I highly recommend using buses as your main means of transportation. South America not only has a reliable long-distance bus network, but it’s also the most affordable way to travel from place to place. Naturally, for longer distances, internal flights may be more efficient.
4. Book Flights and Accommodation
To get the best fare prices, aim to book your international flights well in advance. Many backpackers start their journey from a major city, such as Buenos Aires, Lima or Santiago. In fact, these cities offer numerous flight connections to other parts of South America.
When it comes to accommodation, South America has an abundance of incredible hostels and guesthouses. If you’re traveling solo, hostels are a great option. They’re perfect for meeting other travelers with similar interests and often offer friendly social settings.
For our 2 month backpacking trip in South America, we opted for a mix of hostels, Airbnbs and guesthouses. But we preferred to book private rooms for most of our stay. This offered a bit more comfort and privacy, ensuring we could relax after long days of exploring.
Things to Know Before a 2 Month Backpacking Trip in South America
Backpacking through South America is an incredible adventure but it requires some careful planning. Before your trip to South America, there are a couple of things you should know:
Backpacking South America on a Budget
If you want to travel to South America on a budget, backpacking might be the right choice for you. With the right planning and smart choices, you can stretch your dollars while experiencing the best this continent has to offer.
Read this general South America guide to help you make the right decisions:
The Best Time to go Backpacking in South America
The best time for a backpacking in South America depends on the countries you are traveling to.
ANDES AND HIGH ALTITUDE COUNTRIES – if you’re planning on traveling to Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile, the best time is between May and September. The dry season is the best time to visit destinations such as Machu Picchu, Cusco, lake Titicaca, Huaraz and the Atacama Desert. Especially if you’re planning on hiking, avoid the months between November and March. At this time, trails might be muddy or closed for maintenance.
PATAGONIA (ARGENTINA AND CHILE) – the best months to visit are between November and March, during the Southern Hemisphere summer. You will be able to enjoy outdoor activities, such as trekking in Torres del Paine National Park or Los Glaciares National Park.
AMAZON RAINFOREST – opt for the months between June and September to visit the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. At this time of the year, there are fewer mosquitoes and rivers are easier to navigate due to the dry season.
Top Things to do in Peru, Bolivia and Northern Chile
If it’s your first time visiting South America, you can’t go wrong with Peru, Bolivia or Northern Chile. These countries are home to some of most beautiful landscapes in South America. Here, I summarized all the best things to do in each of these countries.
The Best 8 Places to Visit in Peru
The Best 5 Places to Visit in Bolivia
5 Places to Visit in Northern Chile (Atacama Desert)
ITINERARY: 2 Month Backpacking Trip in South America
My 2 month backpacking trip in South America took me across some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Peru, Bolivia and Northern Chile. I started and finished the trip in Lima, Peru, which made it possible to plan a complete round trip. Below is my itinerary, which you can use to help plan your own unforgettable backpacking adventure.
PERU: Lima, Cusco, Lake Titicaca (2 WEEKS)
I started my 2 month backpacking trip in Lima, Peru. After spending 2 days here visiting the historic center and colorful neighborhoods, I flew to Cusco, where I spent another 10 days.
Then, after acclimatizing for a couple of days, I embarked on the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. This unforgettable journey of 5 days, leads through alpine lakes, snow-capped mountains and lush forests to the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu.
On my return to Cusco, I visited the Sacred Valley and its fertile grounds. To finish up, I went on another high altitude hike to the colorful Rainbow Mountain.
The trip continued to Puno and Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Here, I left civilization for a couple of days to dive deep into the Quechua culture and live with local people on these indigenous islands. From dancing in traditional dresses, to climbing its mountains for sunset, these floating islands have stolen my heart.
BOLIVIA: Copacabana, La Paz, Uyuni Salt Flats, Colored Lagoons (2 WEEKS)
From Puno I hopped on a bus to Copacabana, in Bolivia. After a relaxing day by the lake, the trip continued to the buzzing La Paz, the highest capital in the world.
After spending some days in La Paz, my 2 month backpacking trip led me to Uyuni. Here, I almost immediately booked a tour to visit the largest salt flats in the world, the Uyuni Salt Flats.
After crossing intrepid terrains and colored lagoons framed by a mountainous landscape, we finally arrived at the border with Chile.
NORTHERN CHILE: Atacama Desert and Arica (2 WEEKS)
The border between Bolivia and Chile is without any doubt one of the most scenic I’ve ever seen. In fact, from the high altitudes of Bolivia you descend into the lower floors of the Atacama Desert. The views are absolutely breathtaking, offering a glimpse of the incredible adventures you’re about to experience.
While we kept San Pedro de Atacama as our base, we visited the surrounding areas on multiple day trips. Some must-see destinations I would recommend you add to your itinerary are Valle de la Luna, Pietras Rojas and Laguna Altiplanicas, Laguna Cejar, as well as hiking Cerro Toco.
My 2 month backpacking trip continued towards Arica, where we spent most of the time relaxing and recovering from the packed itinerary in the Atacama Desert. Then, a bus later took us to Tacna, back in Peru.
PERU: Arequipa, Nazca, Huacachina, Paracas, Huaraz, Lima (3 WEEKS)
After changing buses in Tacna, we arrived in Arequipa, also known as the white city for its architectural style. Although you can alone spend a full week relaxing here, we decided to hike one of the deepest canyons in the world: the Colca Canyon.
Once back in Arequipa, we took a night bus to Nazca to soar above the mysterious geoglyphs printed on the arid desert floors of Peru.
From there, the trip continued to Huacachina, a lush oasis nested among towering sand dunes. From sandboarding to exploring the sand dunes on a buggy tour, we decided to spend some extra time relaxing here.
Then, from the sand dunes, we made our way to the coastal city of Paracas. The main highlight here is visiting the Ballestas Islands, where you can witness an impressive variety of marine life along its rugged cliffs.
To wrap up this 2 month backpacking trip in South America, we couldn’t have picked a better place than Huaraz. Known as the hiking capital of Peru, this city is the perfect gateway to numerous hiking trails and multi-day treks in the Andean mountains.
If you are a nature lover and well acclimatized, I highly recommend the 8 day Huayhuash Trek, which was the highlight of our trip.
Final Thoughts on my 2 Month Backpacking Trip in South America
These 2 months in South America truly changed my way of travel. You don’t need luxurious hotels or 5 star meals to experience the essence of Peru, Bolivia and Northern Chile. Some of my fondest memories are from sleeping under the stars, enjoying a simple bowl of rice and tuna atop a 5,000 m tall mountain and sharing the trip with like-minded people. It was the raw, authentic experiences that made this trip unforgettable!
If you were to ask me which country I enjoyed the most among Peru, Bolivia and Northern Chile, I would without any doubt say Peru. This country offers something for every avid traveler!
Bellissimo brava