Assuming you land early enough to get settled and reach the centre, start at Plaza Mayor de Lima. Give yourself about an hour to take in the cathedral, Government Palace and arcaded balconies; the square is free to visit, though individual attractions charge admission. From here, walk roughly 5–10 minutes to the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco for its baroque interiors and catacombs. Allow 1–1.5 hours and check the day’s guided-tour times before you go; admission is typically around S/20–25. The historic centre is best explored on foot, but stick to busy streets and keep valuables tucked away.
Take a taxi or ride-hail to Chifa Titi in San Isidro—allow around 25–45 minutes from the centre, depending on traffic. This is a good first taste of chifa, Lima’s Chinese-Peruvian cooking: order family-style and share a few dishes. Budget roughly S/70–130 per person; reserve ahead if you can, and check lunch hours for your date.
Continue by taxi or ride-hail to the Malecón de Miraflores (usually 15–30 minutes from San Isidro) and stroll the clifftop paths for about 1.5 hours. It’s an easy, breezy way to reset after the flight; time your walk for sunset, and bring a light layer—the Pacific air can feel cool. Finish at Panchita in Miraflores for classic Peruvian comfort food; allow 1.5–2 hours and budget about S/90–160 per person. It’s popular, so book ahead, especially for dinner.
Start at Huaca Pucllana, the striking adobe ceremonial complex tucked among Miraflores streets. Allow about 1½ hours for the guided visit; daytime hours are generally Tuesday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., but check the official schedule and reserve ahead. Admission is usually around S/15–20. From there, it’s a short taxi or rideshare to El Pan de la Chola for coffee and fresh bread—budget S/25–50 per person and give yourself a leisurely 45 minutes.
Take a taxi or rideshare to Museo Larco in Pueblo Libre (about 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic). Its beautifully set-out pre-Columbian collection merits a full two hours; it’s generally open daily, 9 a.m.–7 p.m., with admission around S/40–50. Continue by car to Astrid y Gastón in San Isidro, allowing roughly 25–40 minutes for the drive. Book lunch in advance, especially for a Friday, and expect a polished, unhurried meal; budget about S/150–300 per person, more if you choose a tasting menu.
Finish back in Miraflores at Parque Kennedy, an easy place to stroll, people-watch, and browse the surrounding streets for about an hour. The park is open and lively through the day; cafés and shops nearby make a good option if you’d rather linger over a drink than rush on. Traffic can build in the afternoon, so use a rideshare or taxi between neighborhoods and leave a little buffer between reservations.
This is a long, tightly connected travel day, so take the earliest workable Lima–Cusco flight and have your road transfer and train booked in advance. Allow around 1½ hours in the air, 2–2½ hours by road to Ollantaytambo, then about 1½ hours on the train to Aguas Calientes. Build in a generous buffer: traffic, flight delays, or a missed train can disrupt the connection. Keep water and a light snack handy, and take it easy on arrival—Cusco and the Sacred Valley sit at altitude.
After checking in, have an early lunch in Aguas Calientes; expect roughly S/35–80 per person. Use the hour to confirm tomorrow’s private Circuit 2 tour meeting point and timing, and make sure your Machu Picchu entry ticket and bus arrangements are in order. The village is compact, so you can do this on foot; save any strenuous walking for another day.
Take a gentle hour-long walk along the river in Machu Picchu Pueblo, then return to your hotel to rest and prepare for the early start. Have an early dinner at Indio Feliz (around S/60–120 per person); it’s popular, so reserve if you can. Set out what you need for the morning and turn in early—tomorrow’s private tour is best enjoyed with a clear head.
Meet your licensed private guide for your reserved Machu Picchu Circuit 2 entry. This classic route takes about 2½–3 hours, with the upper terraces’ sweeping views followed by the main citadel; your timed ticket and passport are essential, and Circuit 2 should be booked well ahead. Keep your pace steady and follow your guide’s instructions—re-entry is generally not allowed, so make any restroom stop before entering.
After the visit, browse the Aguas Calientes market by the train station for about 45 minutes. It’s handy for a simple lunch and last-minute handicrafts; budget around S/25–60 per person, and compare prices before buying. Then take your pre-booked train to Ollantaytambo and continue by arranged road transfer to Cusco Airport. This is a very tight travel day: allow roughly 1½ hours on the train and 2 hours on the road, but delays can eat into your flight buffer. Keep your flight details and tickets accessible, and confirm the transfer pickup point in advance.
After your Cusco–Lima flight, head to La Mar Cebichería in Miraflores for a celebratory seafood dinner, allowing about 1½ hours and roughly S/90–170 per person. It’s a popular spot, so check its current opening hours and whether a reservation is available; if your flight arrives late, call ahead rather than counting on the kitchen still serving. Given the tight connections earlier in the day, consider an overnight in Cusco instead if missing the Lima flight would disrupt your plans.
This is a long travel day, so treat the evening plans as flexible: after your flight and hotel check-in, head to Hito Tres Fronteras only if you arrive with daylight or a comfortable amount of evening left. The riverside viewpoint looks across the meeting of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay; allow about an hour, and check locally for current access hours and any light-and-water show schedule. A taxi or ride from central Puerto Iguazú takes roughly 10 minutes.
From the viewpoint, continue into downtown for Feirinha de Puerto Iguazú, a lively, informal market for regional snacks, olive oil, cheese, sweets and crafts. It’s generally an evening stop, but individual stalls and hours can vary; allow around 45 minutes and bring some Argentine pesos for small purchases. If your flight arrives late or you’re tired, skip the viewpoint rather than rush—there’ll be more time to enjoy the town during your stay.
For an unhurried dinner, walk or take a short taxi to La Rueda 1975 and try the local river fish. Budget around ARS 25,000–45,000 per person, though prices can change; confirm the current menu and reserve if arriving at peak dinner time. If your connection runs late, call ahead to check the kitchen’s hours before setting out.
Set out around 8:00 a.m. with your passport for the crossing into Brazil; border queues can add 30–60 minutes, so a pre-booked driver or organized transfer is easier than juggling taxis at the checkpoint. Check Brazil’s current entry requirements before travel, too. Start at Parque das Aves, next to the national park entrance, and allow 2–2½ hours for its shaded paths through large bird habitats. It generally opens around 8:30 a.m.; check its official hours and admission price before you go.
Continue to Iguazu National Park on the Brazilian side. The park shuttle connects the entrance with the falls trail; allow 1½–2 hours for the panoramic walk, which builds to a broad, close-up view of the cascades. Bring rain protection—the spray can soak you—and keep your park ticket handy. Have lunch at Porto Canoas, by the visitor area at the trail’s end; budget about R$60–120 per person and roughly an hour, especially if the restaurant is busy.
Head to Marco das Três Fronteiras in Foz do Iguaçu for the riverside outlook and cultural complex; allow 1–1½ hours, and check the day’s opening hours and any performance schedule before setting off. Then cross back into Argentina for dinner at Aqva Restaurant in Puerto Iguazú. It’s a good place to try regional fish or other local dishes; budget roughly ARS 25,000–50,000 per person, and reserve ahead if you can. Keep your passport accessible for the return crossing, and leave a generous buffer for the border queue.
After your flight and airport transfer, check in and head to Recoleta; if delays leave you short on time, keep the first stop flexible rather than rushing. Spend about an hour browsing El Ateneo Grand Splendid, the former theater with bookshelves where the stage once stood. It’s typically open daily, with longer hours on weekdays; check the current schedule before setting out.
Walk about 15 minutes to Recoleta Cemetery for a 1½-hour wander among its elaborate mausoleums and historic tombs. It generally opens Tuesday–Sunday, around 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; allow extra time for the entrance and bring a card or some pesos for admission, as ticket arrangements can change. Then settle in at La Biela, just outside the cemetery, for coffee and a breather—budget around ARS 8,000–15,000 per person.
Finish with dinner at El Sanjuanino, a short walk through the neighborhood. It’s a friendly, unfussy spot for empanadas and regional dishes; plan on about 1½ hours and ARS 20,000–40,000 per person. It can get busy at dinner, so arrive early or check whether reservations are available.
Start at Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, which usually opens at 11 a.m. on Thursdays; check its current hours before setting out. The permanent collection is free, and two hours gives you time for the Argentine artists as well as the European galleries. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Floralis Genérica in Plaza de las Naciones Unidas. Give the enormous steel flower 30–45 minutes, including a loop around the grounds for different views; its petals don’t reliably open and close, so enjoy it as a sculpture rather than timing your visit around that feature.
Walk about 15 minutes to Café La Biela for a light lunch and old-school Buenos Aires café atmosphere. Budget roughly ARS 12,000–25,000 per person, allowing for prices to change. Afterward, visit Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, beside Plaza Alvear. Set aside around 45 minutes to appreciate its colonial interior; it’s an active church, so keep voices low and check for services that may limit sightseeing.
Take a taxi or ride-hail—around 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic—to Parque Tres de Febrero. Spend the last hour and a half wandering the landscaped paths and lakes, or simply take a bench break after a museum-heavy morning. The park is open-air and free; late afternoon is a lovely time to linger, though bring a light layer if the breeze picks up.
For a morning Buquebus sailing, arrive at the Puerto Madero terminal about 90 minutes before departure for check-in and immigration. After the roughly 2½-hour crossing, allow time to clear the terminal and get into Ciudad Vieja—a taxi or rideshare is easiest with luggage; without bags, it’s a pleasant walk of around 20 minutes.
Head to Mercado del Puerto for lunch among the busy traditional parrillas. Choose a counter where the grill is in full view and settle in for about 1½ hours; budget roughly UYU 700–1,400 per person. It’s lively and touristy, but the old iron market hall and smoky parrillas make it a worthwhile first taste of Montevideo.
From the market, take a taxi or walk about 20 minutes toward Plaza Independencia, the city’s central meeting point, and spend around 45 minutes getting your bearings among its historic landmarks. Continue toward Teatro Solís in Ciudad Vieja; guided tours generally take about an hour, but departure times vary, so check the day’s schedule and buy tickets at the theater if a tour fits.
Finish at La Pasiva in Centro for a classic chivito or a quick local snack; expect roughly UYU 450–900 per person. It’s a casual, convenient choice after a travel day, and a short taxi ride back toward the old city or your hotel saves energy for tomorrow’s exploring.
Make this a pre-arranged winery day rather than trying to piece together taxis: Establecimiento Juanicó is roughly 40 km north of central Montevideo, and a private driver or small-group wine tour is the easiest way to connect the vineyards. Reserve your visit and tasting in advance, and confirm pickup time, what the tasting includes, and whether lunch is booked on-site. Allow 2–3 hours at the winery; tasting prices vary.
Stay for your reserved vineyard lunch at Establecimiento Juanicó—a leisurely 1½-hour meal is a good pace, with a rough budget of UYU 1,200–2,500 per person. Then continue by pre-arranged car to Bodega Pizzorno for a contrasting tasting; set aside 1½–2 hours and check the appointment time before you leave the first winery. Distances and road time vary by route, so ask your driver to build in a comfortable buffer.
Return to Montevideo for an easy 1½-hour walk along the Rambla de Montevideo in Pocitos; the broad waterfront promenade is especially pleasant as the light softens. Finish in Punta Carretas at La Perdiz, a popular choice for grilled meats and seafood. Dinner typically runs about UYU 900–1,700 per person; book ahead if you have a set arrival time, particularly after a full day out of town.
After the morning Buquebus crossing and port formalities, take a relaxed hour-long stroll along the Puerto Madero waterfront. It’s an easy place to stretch your legs after the ferry: follow the promenades beside the old brick warehouses, with plenty of cafés if you fancy a coffee or a pause. Keep your passport handy for arrival checks, and use a taxi or rideshare to get to your hotel and drop your bags before exploring.
Walk over to Puente de la Mujer, the neighborhood’s striking white pedestrian bridge, and spend around 30 minutes admiring its sail-like shape and views along the docks. It’s especially pleasant in daylight, and there’s no charge to cross. Take the rest of the afternoon at an unhurried pace; Villa Crespo is a short taxi or rideshare away for dinner.
Settle in for a generous dinner at Sarkis, a long-running favorite for Armenian and Middle Eastern food. Order a few dishes to share rather than one entrée each—the portions are substantial—and budget roughly ARS 25,000–50,000 per person, depending on drinks and what you order. Sunday evenings can be busy, so check current hours and consider arriving early or confirming whether reservations are accepted.
Start at Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) in Palermo Chico. Give the collection about two hours; it’s a thoughtful introduction to modern and contemporary Latin American art, with highlights that change as temporary exhibitions rotate. The museum typically opens at noon on Tuesdays, so check the current schedule and ticket prices before you go; allow roughly ARS 10,000–20,000 for admission. From central neighborhoods, a taxi or rideshare is usually simplest, or take the D subway to Scalabrini Ortiz and walk about 15 minutes.
Walk or take a short taxi to Jardín Japonés, a peaceful change of pace among koi ponds, bridges and carefully tended plantings. Allow an hour to an hour and a half; it generally opens daily from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., with an admission fee—check the official site for the latest rate. Then head to El Preferido de Palermo for a leisurely lunch of Argentine classics and house specialties. Reservations are wise, especially at weekends, and budget around ARS 30,000–60,000 per person before drinks and tip. The walk between the garden and restaurant is manageable, but a taxi saves time if you’re ready to sit down.
After lunch, unwind for about 45 minutes at Parque Las Heras. Find a bench, watch the neighborhood go by, and give yourself a little breathing room before dinner. Finish at Don Julio, one of Palermo’s best-known parrillas: reserve well ahead, arrive on time, and expect dinner to take about two hours. Plan on roughly ARS 70,000–140,000 per person before drinks and tip; a taxi or rideshare from the park is the easiest way to arrive relaxed.
Book an early guided tour at Palacio Barolo in Monserrat; the visit takes about 1½ hours and tours need to be reserved in advance. The building’s Dante-inspired details and rooftop views are best appreciated with a guide. Arrive a little early for check-in, and note that the tower’s stairs and narrow passages can make the tour a workout.
Walk to Café Tortoni for coffee and a traditional pastry—budget roughly ARS 10,000–20,000 per person, and allow extra time if there’s a queue. Then continue toward Plaza de Mayo to visit Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires; entry is free, though service times may limit sightseeing. Allow about 45 minutes for the cathedral.
The Casa Rosada Museum is beside the plaza, but there’s a scheduling snag: it has commonly been open Wednesday through Sunday and closed Tuesdays. Check its official schedule for October 13 before you go; if it’s closed, you’ll need to move this visit to another day rather than count on entry. When open, admission is generally free and 1–1½ hours is plenty. Finish at Los Galgos in San Nicolás, a restored historic café about a 15-minute walk away; reserve if possible, and budget roughly ARS 25,000–50,000 per person for dinner.
Start around Caminito and wander La Boca for about an hour, sticking to the busy, colorful streets around the main tourist area and keeping valuables tucked away. It’s a lively neighborhood, but there’s no need to roam far from the well-trafficked blocks. From there, walk to Fundación Proa on the waterfront; allow about 1½ hours for the contemporary-art exhibitions and the building’s river-facing views. It’s generally open Wednesday through Sunday, noon–7 p.m.; check the current exhibition and hours before you go.
Walk or take a short taxi to El Obrero for lunch. This old-school La Boca parrilla is popular, so reserve if possible and confirm its Wednesday lunch hours; budget roughly ARS 25,000–50,000 per person, depending on what you order. After lunch, take a taxi or rideshare to San Telmo Market—about 15–25 minutes depending on traffic—and give yourself around 1½ hours to browse the food stalls, antiques, and small shops. The market is typically open daily, roughly 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Finish at Plaza Dorrego, a short stroll from the market. Settle in for a drink as the square’s cafés and bars fill up; allow about an hour and budget ARS 10,000–20,000 per person. The market-to-plaza walk is easy, and this is a good point to linger rather than rush into another stop.
There’s an important timing clash: the itinerary has you flying from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazú today, but the Argentine side needs most of a day. If you’re flying today, don’t try to squeeze in the park—move the park visit to October 16. The route below works if you arrive the night before. Set out early for Parque Nacional Iguazú; the park generally opens at 8 a.m., and a taxi or pre-arranged transfer from town takes about 20–30 minutes. Check current hours and buy admission through the park’s official ticket channel before you go; allow roughly ARS 45,000–60,000 per adult, subject to change.
Inside the park, do Circuito Superior first, giving its elevated walkways around 1½–2 hours for broad views over the cascades. Then take the Circuito Inferior for about two hours; it’s a longer, more immersive walk, with stairs and some spray, so wear shoes with good grip and bring water. Follow the signs between trails, and leave a little breathing room for queues and a break in the park’s food court.
Finish at Garganta del Diablo: take the park train to the final station, then walk the boardwalk to the viewpoint. Budget 2–2½ hours, including the train and possible waits; boardwalk access and train service can be affected by water levels or maintenance, so check the park’s updates that morning. Keep your ticket handy and save some energy—the walk is flat but exposed, and the day adds up.
After the transfer back to Puerto Iguazú and a chance to freshen up, settle in for dinner at La Dama Juana. Expect around ARS 25,000–50,000 per person, depending on what you order; reserve if you’re arriving at a popular dinner hour. It’s a satisfying, unhurried finish after a full day outdoors.
Your travel from Puerto Iguazú is handled separately today, so keep the rest of the schedule intentionally light. After arriving, check in near Villa Los Coihues, on the southern shore of Lago Gutiérrez; staying here makes the waterfall an easy outing and sets you up for the two nights at the end of your trip.
If you have daylight and feel up to it, head to the Cascada de los Duendes trailhead for the short woodland walk to the falls. Wear shoes with grip: the path can be uneven or muddy, and the waterfall is modest rather than a grand cascade.
Take a breather beside Lago Gutiérrez, then choose a casual restaurant in Villa Los Coihues for dinner. Expect roughly ARS 15,000–30,000 per person, depending on your meal and drinks; prices in Argentina can shift, so check menus before ordering. Keep tonight close to your lodging and save a longer lakeside outing for tomorrow.
Make today the first full day of your two-night stay at Cascada de los Duendes. Head to Villa Los Coihues, on the southern side of Bariloche, and use it as your starting point for the short forest walk to Cascada de los Duendes. The route is generally gentle, but paths can be muddy after rain; sturdy shoes are a good idea.
After the waterfall, spend some unhurried time at Lago Gutiérrez. Bring water and a snack, since facilities around the trail and shore are limited. If you’re up for a longer outing, continue toward Playa Muñoz; otherwise, enjoy the lakeside and return at your own pace.
Have a relaxed meal at a neighborhood café or restaurant in Villa Los Coihues before returning to your accommodation. Budget roughly ARS 15,000–35,000 per person for a casual meal, depending on what you order. Keeping both nights here gives you tomorrow to rest or revisit the lake without packing up and moving on.
No packing list attached yet.