Latin America · Peru & Chile / Argentina

Peru &
Patagonia

22 Curated Trips
Best: Apr – Oct (south)
Andes & Southern Patagonia

Destination Overview

Andes, Cloud Forest
& Ice

Machu Picchu needs no introduction — but Peru is also coastal deserts, Amazon canopy, and cuisine that rewrote the global fine-dining map. Further south, Patagonia's granite towers and turquoise lakes reward those who go the distance.

We sequence Cusco's acclimatisation, Sacred Valley villages, and private guides at the citadel so you avoid the rush. Train upgrades, helicopter weather windows, and expert Quechua-speaking hosts are all on the menu.

Combine with Torres del Paine or Los Glaciares — trekking base camps, estancia life, and puma tracking with conservationists who know every ridge.

Bytrip handles permits, domestic flights, and bilingual guides across borders so South America's scale feels intimate, not overwhelming.

Machu Picchu Sacred Valley Amazon Patagonia Trekking Wildlife Gastronomy Photography Estancias
Patagonia mountains

Destination at a Glance

Country & Region
Peru · Chile / Argentina (Patagonia)
Main Gateway
Lima (LIM) · Cusco (CUZ) · Punta Arenas / El Calafate
Time Zone
Peru PET · Chile CLT / Argentina ART
Currency
Sol (PEN) · Peso (CLP/ARS) in Patagonia
Languages
Spanish · English with Bytrip guides
Climate
Altitude in Andes · cool windy Patagonia
4.94
· 142 Bytrip travellers

Why This Destination

What Makes Peru & Patagonia Unforgettable

Ancient stone cities, living Indigenous culture, and some of Earth's most dramatic mountain and ice landscapes — in one extraordinary arc.

Machu Picchu & Inca Roads

Whether you arrive by Vistadome train or trek the Inca Trail with private camps — sunrise over the citadel is a life-list moment we choreograph around weather and crowds.

Torres del Paine W Trek

Granite spires, electric-blue ice, and guanacos on the ridge — refugios or luxury domes, porter support available on request.

Light & Landscape

Patagonian wind sculpts lenticular clouds; the Andes deliver sharp alpenglow. Our photography guides know every viewpoint and safe drone zone.

Lima to Cusco on a Plate

From ceviche at the pier to tasting menus in Cusco — Peru's gastronomy is a journey of its own. We reserve the tables worth the detour.

Glaciers & Fjords

Kayak beneath Perito Moreno's face, cruise Chilean fjords, or Zodiac past blue bergs — cold beauty at the bottom of the world.

Guanacos & Pumas

Track puma with researchers in Torres del Paine, or watch condors ride thermals — always with ethical distance and local experts.

When to Visit

Best Time for Peru & Patagonia

Dry season in the Andes overlaps with Patagonian summer — plan altitude first, then southern trekking windows.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak Season — best wildlife & weather
Good Season — fewer crowds, good value
Green Season — lush scenery, heavy rains
May – September
Andean Dry Season
Clearest skies for Cusco and Machu Picchu; book Inca Trail permits months ahead for June–August.
Peak Season
November – March
Patagonian Summer
Long daylight for trekking in Chile & Argentina — wind is constant; layers and good guides essential.
Peak Season
April – October
Shoulder Windows
Fewer crowds in Sacred Valley; Patagonia quiets in April–May with stunning autumn colour in southern beech forests.
Good Season
Jan – Feb
Coastal Peru
Lima's summer sun — pair with Nazca flyovers or Paracas before heading to the mountains.
Good Season

Signature Experiences

Moments That Stay Forever

Sacred Valley
02
Culture

Sacred Valley Communities

Weaving co-ops, salt pans at Maras, and a home-cooked pachamanca — respectful encounters with Quechua hosts.

  • Private transport & translator
  • Market shopping with chef
Patagonia trek
03
Trekking

Base Las Torres Hike

Full-day push to the towers — or split across two days with photography stops and refugio lunch.

  • Certified trekking guide
  • Poles & gaiters supplied
Glacier
04
Ice

Perito Moreno Boardwalks

Private vehicle from El Calafate — timed for calving thunder and fewer crowds.

Lima food
05
Culinary

Lima Chef's Table

Counter seats at a Central or Maido-style tasting — paired wines, dietary notes honoured.

Amazon
06
Amazon

Rainforest & River

Add Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos — canopy walks, river dolphins, and eco-lodges.

Travel Essentials

Practical Information

Entry Requirements
Peru: Passport validity rules · reciprocity fee varies by nationality
Chile / Argentina: Check visa-free entry for your passport
Yellow Fever: May be required for Amazon extensions
Bytrip: Border crossing assistance for Patagonia loops
Health & Vaccinations
Altitude: Acclimatise in Sacred Valley before Cusco
Coca tea & meds: Discuss with your doctor
Patagonia: Windproof layers, SPF, hydration
Insurance: Trekking & helicopter evacuation cover
Packing Essentials
Layers: Four-season shell for Patagonia
Footwear: Broken-in boots + camp shoes
Electrical: Type C & L plugs (Peru)
Camera: Wide + tele for landscapes & wildlife
Getting There
Peru: Lima (LIM) → Cusco (CUZ) domestic
Patagonia: Punta Arenas, El Calafate, Puerto Natales
Ground: Private 4×4 & bilingual drivers
Bytrip: Luggage forwarding between regions

Traveler Stories

Words from Our Guests

4.94
Overall Rating
Based on 142 verified reviews

Rating Breakdown

Guides
4.95
Trekking & Logistics
4.93
Accommodation
4.94
Cuisine
4.96
Value
4.90
Organisation
4.95
Sarah M.
Sarah M.
Cusco & Machu Picchu · August 2025

Oxygen at the hotel, coca tea on schedule — I felt fine at altitude. Sunrise at Machu Picchu with almost nobody there. Unreal.

August 2025
James T.
James T.
Torres del Paine W Trek · March 2025

Windy, wild, wonderful — our guide adjusted the route when weather closed the pass. Hot soup at the refugio never tasted so good.

March 2025
Elena K.
Elena K.
Lima Food & Sacred Valley · June 2024

Twelve courses in Lima, then quinoa fields in the valley — Bytrip made Peru taste as good as it looks.

June 2024
Daniel R.
Daniel R.
Patagonia Loop Chile–Argentina · January 2024

Border crossings were seamless — bags moved, drivers waiting. Ice calving at Perito Moreno was the highlight of my year.

January 2024