My Epic 2 Month Backpacking Trip in South America

There’s no better place for a first-time backpacking adventure than South America. This incredible continent offers some of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet. It also features ancient ruins, world wonders, unique off-the-beaten-path experiences, and epic hiking trails. My 2 month backpacking trip in South America truly changed my life. It’s also still one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had.

In this article, I will run you through my entire backpacking experience and share essential travel tips. I’ll cover everything you need to know before traveling to South America. Also I’ll provide a detailed itinerary perfect for first-time backpackers, and much more!

Overview: 2 Month Backpacking Trip in South America

• Which countries: Peru, Bolivia and Northern Chile
• Duration: 2 months
• When: end of August – beginning of October
• Starting Point: Lima, Peru
• Ending Point: Lima, Peru
• Transportation: mainly local buses, we only took an internal flight from Lima to Cusco

Why Going 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 towering Andes. Additionally, it boasts once in a lifetime experiences, all while feeling relatively safe for travelers. The challenge, though, was figuring our 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 though, “Where do I even begin?“. If you’re lucky enough to have an open schedule with no time constraints, then you 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 ensure you experience the best South America has to offer. Let’s dive in!

Step 1. Define Your Travel Goals

How long will your trip 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 offers 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 like, Argentina and Chile, tend to be more expensive than others, like Peru and Bolivia.

Step 2. Choose Your Destination

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 we absolutely had to visit were Machu Picchu and the Salar de Uyuni – the largest salt flats in the world, located in Bolivia. From there, we molded the rest of our itinerary around these iconic spots.

To help you choose your destination(s), I’ve summarized below the highlights of the major countries in South America.

• Peru: Machu Picchu, Nazca Lines, Sacred Valley, Cusco
• Bolivia: Salar de Uyuni, La Paz
• Chile: Atacama Desert, Santiago, Torres del Paine National Park
• Argentina: Buenos Aires, Patagonia
• Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls
• Ecuador: Galapagos Islands, Quito, Amazon rainforest
• Colombia: Medellin, Bogota, Cartagena

Step 3. Create a Rough 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 the general route. I recommend focusing on the must-see destinations, but leave some room for spontaneity. After all, part of the joy of backpacking is making last minute decisions.

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 explore the continent. Naturally, for longer distances, internal flights may be more efficient.

Step 4. Book Flights and Accommodations

To get the best fare prices, aim to book your flights well in advance. Many backpackers start their journey from a major city, like Buenos Aires, Lima or Santiago. In fact, these hubs 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 fellow 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 visiting this beautiful continent there are a couple of things you should know:

1. Distance: traveling between different countries can take longer than expected, even a couple of hours of flight.
2. Vaccinations: some countries may require vaccinations, especially if you plan to visit the Amazon areas.
3. Travel Insurance: have a travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, as you want to avoid any issues during your trip. We chose True Traveller for our insurance due to their simple and transparent process.
4. Safety Considerations: some countries may experience occasional political unrest, such as Bolivia, Chile or Venezuela. Check the local news before traveling to any of these countries.
5. Language: having some knowledge of Spanish will be a big advantage. While you don’t need to be fluent, learning a few key phrases can go a long way.
6. ATMs and Cash: before leaving your home country, check with your bank to verify any exchange or withdrawal fees abroad. It’s a good idea to have at least a second credit or debit card as a backup in case your primary one doesn’t work. In our case, for example, an ATM unexpectedly swallowed our card and we had to block it. Fortunately, we were able to rely on our backup card for the rest of the trip.
7. Altitude: many popular backpacking destinations, such as Cusco or the Andes, are located at high altitudes. If you’re traveling to these areas, make sure you plan some extra time to properly acclimatize and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
8. SIM Cards: buy a local SIM card as soon as you land. They’re not only very affordable but also wildly available. Having one will help with navigation, booking accommodations and staying connected with loved ones.

Backpacking South America on a Budget

If you want to travel to South America on a budget, backpacking might be the right decision 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 comprehensive guide to help you make the right decisions:

1. Start by choosing budget friendly destinations, such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, or Peru.
2. When traveling to another city or country, opt for long-distance night buses. Not only are buses affordable but they’re also comfortable and connect nearly every major city in South America.
3. Instead of staying at luxurious hotels, look for hostels with kitchen facilities where you can cook your own meals to reduce costs. Additionally, if you’re going on a multi-day hike, camping is a very low-cost option. Luckily, many popular destinations like Salkantay Trek offer campsites that you can book for a low fee.
4. Unless you have a sensitive stomach, don’t miss on the street food for some traditional local dishes. Also, many local restaurant offer a menu of the day, which typically includes a full meal at a very low price.
5. Go on a free walking tour in major cities to experience the culture and history of the place. At the end of the tour you can decide how much you want to pay for the service received.
6. Avoid traveling during the peak months and you’ll experience fewer tourists, better deals and more authentic adventures.

The Best Time to go Backpacking in South America

The best time to go backpacking in South America largely depends on the countries you are traveling to.

If you’re planning on spending time in the Andes and high altitude countries, such as 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 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.

For 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 like trekking in Torres del Paine National Park or Los Glaciares National Park.

For the best experience in the Amazon Rainforest, which you can visit in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, opt for the months between June and September. This is the dry season and is the best time to visit this area as rivers are lower, making it easier to navigate, and there are fewer mosquitoes.

Ultimately, the best time for your backpacking trip depends on your interests and the regions you want to explore. If you can avoid peak tourist times, accommodation prices will be lower and you’ll also steer clear of the crowds. But, some areas might either be harder to reach or even closed. Therefore, try to find the right balance of your interests and right time of the year to visit.

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 South America’s most unique landscapes, rich ancient history and once in a lifetime experiences. Here, I compiled a list with the top things to do in each of these countries.

8 Must-See Places to Visit in Peru

1. Machu Picchu, Cusco: visit the must-see iconic ancient Incan city by either taking the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek routes.
2. Sacred Valley, Cusco: explore the lush valley dotted with Inca ruins like Ollantaytambo, Pisac and the terraces of Moray.
3. Lake Titicaca, Puno: visit the floating reed islands on Lake Titicaca and get to know the local traditions and culture of the Uros people.
4. Colca Canyon, Arequipa: hike down one of the deepest canyons in the world and watch the Andean condors soar overhead. Just imagine that the Colca Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.
5. Nazca Lines: take a flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines and spot the different shapes outlined on the arid desert floors.
6. Arequipa: known as the “white city” for its distinctive white volcanic stone buildings, is a must-visit destination on your itinerary.
7. Amazon Rainforest: experience the Peruvian Amazon in places like Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado and try spotting the diverse wildlife around the area.
8. Huaraz: often nicknamed the hiking capital of Peru, this city is the starting point to many incredible hikes in the Andean mountains, such as the Huayhuash trek.

5 Best Places to Visit in Bolivia

1. Salar de Uyuni: the largest salt flats in the world, the Uyuni salt flats transforms itself in a giant mirror during the rainy season.
2. La Paz: this is the highest capital city in the world, connected through a system of cable cars that offer fantastic panoramic views.
3. Lake Titicaca: on the border with Peru and the highest navigable lake in the world.
4. Sucre: Bolivia’s constitutional capital and also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
5. Potosi: renowned for its silver mining heritage, offers the opportunity to explore the nearby mines and learn about the town’s complex past.

5 Places to Visit in the Atacama Desert, in Northern Chile

1. San Pedro de Atacama: the getaway to the Atacama Desert and nearby attractions.
2. Valle de la Luna: the moon valley is one of the driest places in the world and offers otherworldly sceneries.
3. El Tatio Geysers: visit at sunrise for impressive geothermal activity.
4. Laguna Cejar: while you can float in its highly saline waters, be prepared for the lake’s freezing temperatures.
5. Laguna Miscanti and Laguna Miniques: located at high altitudes, these lakes are framed by impressive mountains.

Itinerary of my 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.

Week 1-2: Peru (Lima – Cusco – Lake Titicaca)

If you want to experience Peru’s cultural heritage, celebrate its textured landscapes and enjoy its delicious cuisine, you should add this itinerary to your bucket list. 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 spend approx. 10 days. Then, after acclimatizing for a couple of days, I embarked on the Salkantay trek to reach Machu Picchu. This unforgettable journey of 5 days, leads through alpine lakes, snow-capped mountains and lush forests to the renowned 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.

You may find this article helpful: From Lima Peru to the World’s Highest Navigable Lake

Week 3-4: Bolivia (Copacabana – La Paz – Uyuni Salt Flats – Colored Lagoons)

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, I continued my 2 month backpacking trip by driving 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.

You may find this article helpful: The Best of Bolivia: Highest Country in South America

Week 4-5: Northern Chile (Atacama Desert – Arica)

The border between Bolivia and Chile is without any doubt one of the most scenic I’ve ever seen. 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 and hiking Cerro Toco.

My 2 month backpacking trip continued towards Arica, where a bus later took us to Tacna, back in Peru.

You may find this article helpful: Ultimate 10 Day Atacama Desert Itinerary in the Northern Chile

Week 6-8: Peru (Arequipa – Nazca – Huacachina – Paracas – Huaraz – Lima)

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 etched into the vast, arid desert 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, this destination is a once in a lifetime experience.

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 getaway 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.

You may find this article helpful: How to Spend 3 Weeks in Peru: From Arequipa to Huaraz

Final Thoughts on my 2 Month Backpacking Trip in South America

These 2 months in South America truly changed my perspective on 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 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!