Buenos Aires to Machu Picchu overland
Photo: Mx._Granger, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
If you find yourself in Buenos Aires and want to do some overland travel in South America, why not make your way north, through northern Argentina and Bolivia all the way to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. This journey from Buenos Aires to Machu Picchu overland takes you through small towns and big cities, staggering mountains and stark deserts.
UnderstandThis trip, a version of a route that's popular with backpackers, makes a great ending to a program of work or study in or near Buenos Aires, or an adventure on its own.
PrepareIf you don't speak Spanish, it's a good idea to bring a Spanish phrasebook.
Get inBuenos Aires is a huge city with many international connections. Fly into Ezeiza International Airport, take the ferry from neighboring Uruguay, or take the bus from elsewhere in Argentina.
GoThe first step is to get from Buenos Aires to the northern Argentinian city of Salta.
Alternative routeIf you'd rather skip Bolivia, it's also possible to do the itinerary going via the Atacama Desert in Chile.
Stay safeTheft and robbery are risks on parts of the itinerary. In particular, be careful in the big cities of Buenos Aires and La Paz, and watch out for pickpockets anywhere where tourists congregate.
Go nextOnce you reach Machu Picchu, the only way out is to go down to Aguas Calientes (on foot or by bus), and then take the train to Ollantaytambo (an Inca town surrounded by mountains dotted with ruins, definitely worth…
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Buenos Aires to Machu Picchu overland" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Mx._Granger, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons