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Highlights

  • Discover Medellín’s street art, cable cars & urban culture in Comuna 13
  • Kayak & climb El Peñol in colorful Guatapé
  • Trek through Colombia’s Cocora Valley & tour a traditional coffee farm
  • Learn salsa in Cali – Colombia’s vibrant dance capital
  • Visit Sacred Valley ruins & explore Machu Picchu by scenic train
  • Hike Rainbow Mountain & experience Peru’s high-altitude landscapes
  • Cruise Lake Titicaca & meet local island communities

Buenos Aires, Argentina

From Medellín’s vibrant neighborhoods to the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu, this South America group tour is packed with once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Trek scenic Andean mountain trails, salsa dance your way through Cali, kayak across the turquoise waters of Guatapé, and explore the iconic Lake Titicaca by boat. Whether you’re craving high-energy adventure, rich cultural immersion, or a bit of both – this itinerary delivers the ultimate bucket-list travel experience.

Absolutely! Most of our travellers join solo, and this tour is a fantastic way to meet new friends from around the world.

Accommodation is clean, social, and budget-friendly — perfect for young adventurers. You’ll stay in shared hostels and guesthouses with dorm or twin rooms in cities, enjoy basic hotels in smaller towns, camp during treks like the Inca Trail, and may experience a traditional homestay at Lake Titicaca. Private room upgrades are often available on request.

Inca Trail vs Salkantay Trek
The 4-day trek to Machu Picchu typically follows the iconic Inca Trail. However, permits are very limited and sell out 4–6 months in advance. If these are unavailable, the Salkantay Trek is offered as an equally rewarding alternative. Both routes are 4 days long, but Salkantay includes one hotel night in Aguas Calientes instead of camping all nights.

Permit Requirements & Group Logistics
Permits for all treks and Machu Picchu entry are non-refundable, non-transferable, and require valid passport details at the time of booking. Entry times and circuits within Machu Picchu are assigned by the local authorities, meaning group members may visit at different times or be split into different viewing routes. All routes offer spectacular experiences and equal access to the site’s main highlights.

Local Support & Guides
Treks are operated in partnership with local providers and may include travelers from other groups. Local guides will be present throughout the trek, though for logistical reasons, they may not accompany every traveler inside the site itself. A full briefing will always be provided before entry.

If trekking isn’t your thing or permits aren’t available, a non-trekking option is offered. Instead of hiking, you’ll stay two extra nights in Cusco, followed by a comfortable 2-day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour (with hotel accommodation). The Cusco portion is unguided, but optional activities like walking tours, cooking classes, or chocolate-making can be added.

Good to know: Cusco is a welcoming city, ideal for self-guided exploration. You’ll have remote support available and suggestions for local experiences to enjoy at your own pace.

This tour involves active days including walking tours, light hikes, kayaking, and optional high-altitude trekking. No extreme training is needed, but being comfortable with walking long distances, climbing stairs, and being on your feet most of the day will make the experience much more enjoyable.

While we get a huge range of people on our tours, we tend to see that our adventure tours are most popular with people in their mid-20s to late 30s. The maximum group size is 20 people.

Yes! We can arrange for transfers to pick you up and drop you off at the airport.

Why should I do this?

  • Two iconic countries in one unforgettable journey – Discover the vibrant streets of Colombia and the ancient wonders of Peru in a single, action-packed itinerary – perfect for those short on time but big on adventure.

  • Machu Picchu made easy – Whether you hike the famous Inca Trail, explore the scenic Salkantay route, or opt for a non-trekking alternative, this tour guarantees you a front-row seat to one of the world’s most breathtaking wonders.

  • Epic mix of culture, nature & nightlife – From salsa dancing in Cali and kayaking in Guatapé to high-altitude hikes and exploring colorful local markets, you’ll experience the full spectrum of South American life.

  • Perfect for social, adventurous travelers –With small-group travel, local guides, and shared accommodation, it’s ideal for solo travelers and sociable backpackers in their 20s and 30s looking to meet like-minded people.

  • Stress-free, fully supported experience – All logistics, transport, and activities are taken care of – so you can focus on enjoying the adventure, not planning it.

  • Bucket-list experiences, real local insight – Trek through the Andes, visit Lake Titicaca’s island communities, explore Cusco and Medellín, and see South America beyond the tourist trail – with local guides by your side.

Travel arrangements

This tour starts in Medellín (Colombia) and ends in Puno (Peru).

Throughout, all your local travel is included, excluding airport transfers.

Included

  • Access to your own personal ‘My Oyster’ account – our online portal where you can find out much more about the program and manage your booking
  • Dedicated contact time with an experienced destination manager to discuss the project, answer any of your questions and for us to find out more about you
  • Help and advice from our UK office before arrival and whilst you are away
  • Pre-departure information covering medical, safety and project advice
  • Gold level, 24/7 Pharos crisis management and incident support cover
  • Financial protection: ATOL (if we book your flights).
  • Thorough orientation on arrival
  • In-country support
  • Accommodation (see the ‘accommodation’ section above for details)
  • Advice on visa requirements
  • Oyster plants a tree in Africa with TreeAid to help reduce the impact of global carbon emissions

Not Included

  • Flights – as an ATOL bonded company, Oyster can book flights for you
  • You need a valid passport that meets the requirements of the country you will be travelling to
  • Insurance (covering your time with Oyster and any planned independent travel)
  • Any costs associated with changing your return flight date if you need to
  • Independent travel costs
  • Home country travel costs
  • Spending money for additional trips, food and entertainment

More Information

  • Comuna 13 guided walk (Medellin) 
  • Spanish lesson (Medellin)
  • Walking tour of Medellin (Medellin) 
  • Day trip to Guatape incl. El Peñón de Guatapé hike, and kayaking on the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir (Guatape) 
  • Tango class (Medellin) 
  • Finca el Ocaso Coffee Farm (Salento) 
  • Walking tour of Cali incl. Plaza de Caycedo and the Catedral Metropolitana (Cali) 
  • Cycle tour (Bogotá) 
  • Graffiti art experience Bogotá (Bogotá) 
  • Monserrate mountain incl. Cable car and/or vunicular (Bogotá) 
  • Guided tour through Cusco’s historic downtown (Cusco) 
  • 4-day/3-nights Andean hike incl. Machu Picchu – on the Inca and Salkantay treks, meals are included as part of the trek (Cusco) 
  • Sacsayhuamán visit (Cusco) 
  • Route of the Sun (Cusco to Puno) 
  • Rainbow Mountain visit (Cusco to Puno)  
  • Boat ride on Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Plus:

  • All local transport throughout your tour
  • Local bi-lingual Adventure Leaders throughout your tour
  • Accommodation (hostel) throughout your tour
  • Any activities during free time in Medellin  
  • Paraglide flight (Medellin) 
  • Local soccer game at Estadio Atanasio Giradot (Medellin) 
  • Tejo game (Medellin) 
  • Any activities in free time in Salento 
  • Any activities during free time in Cali 
  • Any activities during free time in Bogotá  
  • Any activities during free time in Cusco  
  • Any activities during free time in Puno 
  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Spending money

Got a question or want to chat to Project Manager Sami who has first-hand experience of the project? Call  +44 (0) 1892 770 771or email: – [email protected].

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