South America Trip | Logistics + Cost Breakdown

As mentioned in the very first South America post, here is how we were able to afford two weeks in Peru and Ecuador thanks to miles, points, and budget-friendly hostels.

Peru | Machu Picchu
Peru | Getting to Machu Picchu + Aguas Calientes
Peru | Ollantaytambo
Peru | Cusco
Ecuador | Quito
Ecuador | Shell
Ecuador | Getting to the Galapagos
Galapagos Islands | Lodging + Eating
Galapagos Islands | Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands | Bartolome
Galapagos Islands | North Seymour

We dragged our feet to book flights, so it was not the most ideal or cost effective, but it worked.

Flight(s) Overview
13 flights (and technically two more flights because of a free one way added on for January 2015)
5 airlines
Used 93,512 miles/kilometers per person
Paid $335.27 per person for taxes and points purchased to book the LIM - CUZ flight
*The actual value for the same flights for dates in 2015 is $2,097-$2,204 per person, not including the free one way in January that is currently retailing at $682 per person.
Also, received +$260 in cash from LAN for the flight issues.

Flight(s) Breakdown
MSP - MCI - DAL: Southwest 5,023 Rapid Rewards + Companion Pass + $2.50
MSP - DFW - LIM: American 15,000 miles + $20
LIM - CUZ: LAN paid $161.37 for points to book the flight
LIM - GYE - UIO: Avianca 27,000 miles + $37.42
UIO - GYE - GPS - GYE: LAN 29,000 km + $50.07
GYE - MIA - + free one way this winter: American 17,500 miles + $58.91
MIA - ATL - MSP: Southwest 5,023 Rapid Rewards + Companion Pass + $2.50

Although it would have been nice to use hotel points on the trip, the reality is that properties are few and far between here and require a lot of points. We would rather save those points for some lower redemption properties on other trips, so we opted for hostels which were plentiful.

Lodging Overview
Paid $212.25 per person for 14 nights

Lodging Breakdown
Dallas Springhill Suites by Marriott: 10,000 points
A night in the Lima Airport: Free
Aguas Calientes Ecopackers: $16.25 per person
Ollantaytambo Janaxpacha Backpackers: $17.50 per person
Cusco Hostal Corihuasi: $20 per person
Quito HCJB Guesthouse: $11 per person
Shell 2 nights with Family: Free
Quito Hosteria San Carlos Tababela: $22.50 per person
Puerto Ayora AirBnB Casito Muyoyo: $75.50 per person for three nights + $50 per person for last night
Red-eye Overnight Flight: Free

A night booked on points at Dallas SpringHill Suites

Other than the flights and lodging accommodation costs listed above, the other main costs were for food, Machu Picchu transportation and tickets, and the entrance fee and day trips cost in the Galapagos Islands. Overall, the grand total for the trip was ~$2,000 out-of-pocket (for two people, including the flight and lodging costs listed above).