Quito to Rio via Ushuaia
Overview
Highlights
- Visit Ecuador and admire the ornate buildings of Quito's Old Town
- Explore South America's lush Amazon jungle
- Cruise around Peru's Ballestas Islands
- Experience a Peruvian homestay near the Colca Canyon
- Reach dizzying heights on the Inca Trail
- Travel to Bolivia and marvel at Uyuni's vast salt flats
- Sip on some of Chile's fine wines
- Go trekking in the Torres del Paine National Park
- Be awed by the might of the Iguazu Falls
- Venture through the world's largest wetlands in Brazil
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Itinerary
Border Information: if joining in Quito, you will most likely enter Ecuador at Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport. There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader wit...
Today our journey begins with a drive to the edge of the Amazon basin near the town of Tena, where we head to our jungle lodge for an incredible 3-night stay. In the Amazon Jungle we will stay in a comfortable rainforest lodge with meals included. Estimated Drive Ti...
( Day 3 to 4 ) Over the next two days we will head into the Amazon jungle, enjoying rain forest treks exploring the nearby waterfalls and caves, and trips down the Napo River in motorised dugout canoes, hopefully spotting plenty of wildlife on the way. We will also see some ancient fossils and petroglyphs, and visit a local Quichua community.
( Day 3 to 4 ) Over the next two days we will head into the Amazon jungle, enjoying rain forest treks exploring the nearby waterfalls and caves, and trips down the Napo River in motorised dugout canoes, hopefully spotting plenty of wildlife on the way. We will also see some ancient fossils and petroglyphs, and visit a local Quichua community.
Today we will drive back into the highlands of Ecuador, arriving in Rio Verde near the famous Tungurahua volcano. In Rio Verde we will stay at a well-equipped campsite with great facilities. Estimated Drive Time - 4 hours About Rio Verde: A few kilometres from the ...
( Day 6 to 7 ) Today we will drive to the remote village of Chugchilán, via the spectacular highland scenery along the road of the 'Quilotoa Loop'. In Chugchilán we will stay in a fantastic local hostel where breakfast and dinner are included, giving you a chance to...
( Day 6 to 7 ) We will have two full days of free time for a range of activities in Rio Verde, such as white-water rafting, trekking, canyoning, cycling, and other options. We will also have the opportuinty to visit the nearby town of Banos and its popular volcanic ...
Today we will drive to the remote village of Chugchilán, via the spectacular highland scenery along the road of the 'Quilotoa Loop'. In Chugchilán we will stay in a fantastic local hostel where breakfast and dinner are included, giving you a chance to enjoy tradition...
Today we will transfer to the village of Quilotoa to see its stunning crater lake, and take an included day trek back to Chugchilán through the local villages, canyons, and beautiful scenery. This walk is widely considered one of the best day treks in Ecuador! The mo...
Today we will drive along the remainder of the Quilotoa Loop and then head south to the beautiful colonial town of Cuenca. We will pass through the stunning landscape of the Cajas National Park en route. In Cuenca we will stay in a centrally-located hotel. Estimated...
Today we will have a free day to explore the colonial city of Cuenca. The town is the birthplace of the famous Panama Hat, and we will have the opportunity today to visit one of the factories to learn about the manufacturing process.
Border information: Exit Ecuador at Huaquillas, enter Peru at Tumbes. Today we will have a long drive day south, crossing the border into northern Peru. We will stay at a friendly local campsite just outside of Punta Sal, on a beautiful and serene beach on the shore...
Today we have a full day to relax on the beach and enjoy some activities in and around the stunning coastal area of Punta Sal.
Today we will have a full day's drive to Huanchaco, near the city of Trujillo. We will have an included visit to the phenomenal Lord of Sipan museum in Lambayeque, home of an incredible collection of Chimu-era treasures (please note that this museum is closed on Monda...
Today we will have an included guided trip to explore the enormous adobe ruins of Chan Chan and the world-famous Moche archaeological site of Huaca de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon).
Today we will have a spectacular drive up the winding roads of the 'Casma Route' into the Cordillera Blanca section of the high Andes, reaching the mountain town of Huaraz. In Huaraz we will stay in a local hostel in either dorm accommodation or private rooms dependi...
( Day 17 to 18 ) We have two days in the spectacular area of the Cordillera Blanca for exploration and optional activities such as visiting the incredible pre-Inca ruins of Chavín de Huantar or trekking and climbing to the nearby lakes and glaciers.
( Day 17 to 18 ) We have two days in the spectacular area of the Cordillera Blanca for exploration and optional activities such as visiting the incredible pre-Inca ruins of Chavín de Huantar or trekking and climbing to the nearby lakes and glaciers.
Today we will have another full day's drive back to the coast via the 'Paramonga Route' and then on to the enormous Peruvian capital of Lima. In Lima we will stay in a comfortable hotel in the city's historical centre. Estimated Drive Time - 10 hours. About Lima: L...
Border information: if joining in Lima, you will most likely enter Peru at Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport. There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more ...
Today we will have a very early start to leave Lima before the rush hour, and drive 270kms south to Paracas. There we will board one of the local boats for an included trip to the Ballestas Islands to view its incredible array of resident wildlife and birds. After lu...
Today we continue south to the world-famous village of Nazca, the location of the mysterious Nazca Lines. On the drive, we will stop at a viewing platform to get a glimpse of some of these lines. The Nazca Lines are a series of figures, lines, and geometric shapes tha...
This morning we head south of Nazca, and have an included visit to the nearby ancient sites of the Chauchilla Cemetery and the Cahuachi Pyramid, thought to have once been the religious centre of the Nazca civilisation. In the afternoon we will continue our drive to t...
Today we will start our drive inland, and head uphill to the beautiful ‘White City’ of Arequipa. In Arequipa we will stay in a good local hotel. Estimated Drive Time - 8 hours. About Arequipa: Situated on the Peruvian Altiplano, Arequipa sits at almost 3,500m above...
Today we will have a free day to explore the colonial city of Arequipa, or for some optional activities in and around the city.
We will have some more free time to explore Arequipa this morning, before continuing our drive to the highland town of Chivay after lunch. In Chivay we will stay in a local hotel. Estimated Drive Time - 4 hours. About Chivay: The rural town of Chivay is the gateway...
This morning we will head out on a short drive to some of the best viewpoints along the spectacular Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world! The canyon is famous for its resident condors, and we will spend a good amount of time at the viewpoints to give ...
Today we will drive through the stunning landscapes of the Peruvian highlands to the small village of Raqchi. Here we will stay at a homestay as guests of the local villagers in their traditional family homes. The houses are very clean and have basic facilities. This...
This morning we will visit the Inca ruins of the Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi, and then see a pottery demonstration at a local artisan centre. In the afternoon we will drive to the incredible historical city of Cuzco, the former Inca capital. In Cuzco we will stay ...
A Note on Altitude: If you are joining in Cuzco, we strongly recommend arriving at least 24 hours before the trip begins to allow additional time to acclimatise. A Note on our Community Trek: From July 2016, we have renamed our flagship Community Trek, The Wild Andes...
These four days will be spent either trekking in the Andes, on our pioneering Wild Andes Trek, on the Classic Inca Trek or for those not wishing to hike, free time to explore and a guided tour of the Sacred Valley on our Train package. Option 1 - Wild Andes Trek Lea...
Option 1 - Wild Andes Trek Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu – Cuzco Today we will have an early start to catch the train to the small town of Aguas Calientes. From there, we will take a bus up the winding mountainside to the legendary ruined city of Machu Picchu - one o...
Take part in a Peruvian cooking class in Cuzco, learning how to make a variety of local dishes USD 79 Take a Spanish class in the beautiful city of Cuzco (suitable for all levels) PEN 20 Today we will leave Cuzco and head through the highlands of Peru to the town of ...
Border information: Exit Peru at Yunguyo, enter Bolivia at Kasani. This morning we will cross into Bolivia and head to the lakeside town of Copacabana, before boarding a boat to the stunning island of Isla del Sol. In Isla del Sol we will stay in a basic local hotel...
Today we will take an included day trip across Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca, one of the holiest sites in ancient Inca mythology and supposedly the birthplace of the Sun God Inti. We will take a 14km walk across the length of the island, taking in the incredible and s...
Today we will drive to the famous city of La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of government and the highest administrative capital in the world! On arrival we will have free time to explore the city. In La Paz we will stay in a good hotel in the historical centre. Estimated Driv...
( Day 41 to 42 ) Border information: if you are joining in La Paz, you will most likely enter Bolivia at La Paz El Alto International Airport (IATA code: LPB). Welcome to La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of government and the highest administrative capital in the world! There...
( Day 41 to 42 ) Border information: if you are joining in La Paz, you will most likely enter Bolivia at La Paz El Alto International Airport (IATA code: LPB). Welcome to La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of government and the highest administrative capital in the world! Ther...
Take a guided tour of the main sights and viewpoints around La Paz BOB 60 Discover Bolivia's history, art, and culture in some of La Paz's many museums such as the San Francisco Museum and the Museum of Ethnography BOB 20 Today we will leave La Paz and head to Ojo de...
Today we will head to the colonial mining town of Potosí, the highest town in the world, and once famous for the area's abundance of silver! We will have free time to explore Potosí, and there will be a chance to visit the infamous silver mines of Cerro Rico near to t...
Today we will drive south to Uyuni, the gateway to the incredible salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni. In Uyuni we will stay in a friendly hotel, famous for serving the highest pizzas in the world! Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours. About Uyuni: Arriving in Uyuni feels...
Today we will venture out onto the salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni, spending a full day exploring this phenomenal location by jeep and on foot. En route we will explore the nearby train graveyard and the cactus-filled 'Fish Island', and take all the time we need to g...
Today we will head off across the wilds of the Bolivian altiplano, a surreal and desolate desert landscape that stretches all the way to the Chilean border. We will visit the spectacular coloured lakes of Laguna Colorado and Laguna Verde en route. In the Bolivian Alt...
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