Great South American Journey - Quito to Caracas

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Quito

Arrive in Quito at any time.

Day 2 Quito

Ecuador's capital city has a rich colonial past and is a perfect spot to start your journey and adjust to life travelling in South America. Optional activities include a trip to the Andean highlands for a cultural experience in Otavalo.

Day 3-5 Amazon Jungle Lodge (3B, 3L, 3D)

Today we fly to Coca, located on the edge of the Amazon. Travel by motorized dugout canoe to our Amazon lodge - your home in the rainforest. Our lodge provides comfort in the jungle with private bathrooms, hot and cold running water and screened jungle-view rooms. Climb a tower 43m (141 ft) tall to view the canopy and choose from various guided jungle walks, bird watching and wildlife spotting activities.

Day 6-7 Baños

Baños means 'baths' and this area is well known for its thermal springs at the base of Tungurahua Volcano. The town is the perfect setting for outdoor pursuits, including horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and climbing.

Day 8-9 Cuenca

Ecuador's third largest town, Cuenca retains a pleasant provincial air with its colonial architecture, art galleries, and museums. The surrounding countryside is an outdoor playground with National Parks, country walks and Ecuador’s only Inca ruin site.

Day 10-14 Mancora / Trujillo / Huanchaco

Travel through the busy border town of Huaquillas, and across the border into Mancora. Enjoy the relaxing beach atmosphere then head south along the coast to Trujillo, the largest city in northern Peru. It is known for its beautiful colonial structures, nearby Chan-Chan ruins and the resort town of Huanchaco.

Day 15-17 Lima

The City of Kings beckons visitors with its historical buildings, museums and districts of Miraflores and Barranco, which offer good nightlife and cafés where you can relax and watch the world go by.

Day 18-19 Pisco / Nazca

Pisco is an oasis in a barren land, deriving its name from the white grape brandy produced in the region. Optional excursions to the bird and sea lion colonies of the nearby Ballestas Islands. Visit Nazca, and take an optional flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines.

Day 20-24 Arequipa / Colca Canyon

Arequipa is a beautiful colonial city surrounded by spectacular mountains. It is also the starting point for an excursion to view one of the deepest canyons in the world, Colca Canyon. Spot some majestic Andean condors soaring and nesting in the Colca Canyon area.

Day 25-31 Cuzco / Ollantaytambo / Inca Trail (3B,3L,3D)

Enjoy spectacular views of the countryside travelling from Puno to Cuzco through the high Altiplano region. With a friendly, colonial atmosphere, Cuzco offers nearby Inca ruins, cobblestone streets, museums, markets and churches. Ollantaytambo is a major Inca ruin site and your first taste of what lies ahead on the Inca Trail. It is also a picturesque little town where we can catch our breath and prepare for the hike ahead.A morning trip to km 82 from Ollantaytambo begins a once in a lifetime journey on the ancient trail of the Incas. Local porters and guides ensure that the trip is worry-free. Fascinating ruins and spectacular mountain scenery fill every day of the hike. On the final day, climb the steps to Intipunku, the 'Sun Gate', to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Return to Cuzco by train in the afternoon.

Day 32-34 Puno / Lake Titicaca

Travel through the high Altiplano region to get from Cuzco to Puno, on Lake Titicaca. Overnight excursion to the Taquile and Amantani Islands on Lake Titicaca. This includes a visit to the Uros floating islands, and an overnight stay with a family on one of the islands. Return to Puno in the late afternoon.

Day 35-37 La Paz

More impressive scenery as we travel around Lake Titicaca to La Paz, Bolivia. A great city to explore on foot, La Paz offers museums, shopping, excursions to the Tiahuanaco ruins, a tour of the Valley of the Moon, or a visit to Chacaltaya, the highest ski resort in the world.

Day 38-39 Cochabamba / Nightbus

Travel south in the highlands to the city of Cochabamba, famous for its spring-like climate and "chicha". Explore the city and its museums before climbing aboard a nightbus headed for Sucre.

Day 40-42 Sucre

Sucre is often referred to as Bolivia’s White City and is the governmental capital of Bolivia. With beautiful architecture and plenty of good museums, the city has much to offer you during your visit. Optional activities include a visit to dinosaur footprints, an old tin baron’s mansion, a textile cooperative, mountain biking and hiking.

Day 43 Potosí

Potosí is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the highest city of its size in the world. The city has a tumultuous history from the mining of silver during the time of Spanish colonization. Optional tour to the working mines of the Mountain of Silver, an eye-opening excursion.

Day 44-46 Uyuni / 4x4 Desert Crossing Excursion (2B,2L,2D)

We spend three days in the stunning landscapes between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert (Chile), exploring by four-wheel-drive vehicles. This surreal environment is unlike anywhere else on earth, with contrasting bright blue skies and blinding white salt on the flat lake bed. The unusual landscapes of mountains, active volcanoes, and geysers, as well as interesting wildlife will surprise you.

Day 47-49 San Pedro de Atacama

Descend almost 3000 metres to the edge of the Atacama Desert, and to the small desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. There are plenty of optional excursions here, like biking, exploring nearby ruins, horseback riding, and a tour of the Valley of the Moon.

Day 50-52 Nightbus / La Serena

Take a bus down Chile’s northern regions to the beachside city of La Serena. The city has an attractive, colonial feel. Take a tour to the Elqui Valley and visit a Pisco factory, or maybe stop by one of the numerous international astronomical observatories scattered throughout the valley.

Day 53-55 Santiago

Santiago is Chile’s largest city, with great vineyards and Andean ski resorts very close by. Explore the many museums and parks, and visit the vibrant neighborhood of Bellavista to see some handicrafts and visit trendy cafés. Day-trip options include a trip to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, Chile’s premier beach resort, and to Isla Negra, Pablo Neruda’s seaside home.

Day 56-59 Nightbus / Pucon

Board a nightbus bound for Pucon, in the Lake District. This is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, with unlimited adventure activities. Be active and climb a volcano, hike in one of the many national parks, go rafting, mountain biking or skiing/snowboarding (in season).

Day 60-61 Puerto Montt/ Puerto Varas

Travel south to the city of Puerto Montt. This is the gateway for explorers going further south into Patagonia. Take a day trip to the island of Chiloé and sample the seafood!

Day 62-64 Bariloche

A scenic journey through the mountains of Patagonia before crossing into Argentina and arriving at Bariloche. The spectacular resort town of Bariloche offers loads of outdoor options, like hiking, biking, parapenting, lake tours, and skiing/snowboarding (in season). Bariloche is also famous for its great chocolate. Wander around the city, enjoy the landscapes and eat chocolate!

Day 65 Nightbus

Travel by bus to the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires.

Day 66-67 Buenos Aires

Known as the ’Paris of the Americas,’ Buenos Aires is a vibrant city full of life. Visit the districts of La Boca, Recoleta, and San Telmo or catch a tango show at one of the many famous tanguerías. Whatever you do, Buenos Aires is sure to leave lasting memories.

Day 68-73 Colonia / Montevideo / Salto

Cross the Rio de la Plata by ferry to reach the shores of Uruguay. Explore Colonia’s unique culture, rich history and captivating architecture. Visit the nation’s capital of Montevideo before travelling by day to Salto, famous for its thermal baths.

Day 74-81 Iguassu Falls / Paraty /Ilha Grande

Our visit to Brazil begins with the magnificent Iguassu waterfalls. Experience an exhilarating optional boat tour at the falls or simply marvel at nature’s breadth and the roar of the falls. Next stop is Paraty, our kick-off point for the trip to Ilha Grande. Relax and enjoy a cool Caipirinha on the beach, or try the surf. Head north to Rio!

Day 82-83 Rio de Janeiro

Heading north along the Atlantic coast, we arrive at Brazil’s ocean-side jewel, Rio de Janeiro. Few cities enjoy such a dramatic setting as Rio, whose images of the Corcovado and Pao de Acucar are synonymous with Carnival and the joie de vivre embodied by the Cariocas. Head to some of the famous beaches like Ipanema or Copacabana, and enjoy some excellent nightlife.

Day 84-87 Salvador

Fly to Bahía – the Brazilian state known for its music and folklore. Besides stunning colonial architecture, Salvador has a fascinating history and a culture heavily influenced by the African slaves brought to South America by the Portuguese. Enjoy the exotic Samba rhythms as you explore the charming city streets, markets and historical buildings, or take an optional excursion to the sea turtle sanctuary.

Day 88-91 Bahía / Pernambuco

Continue moving north to the colonial town of Olinda, famous for its cultural traditions, beautiful architecture, folk artwork and festivals. Travel to Praia da Pipa, great for dolphin spotting.

Day 92-103 Ceará, Piaui, Maranhão

Enjoy coastal oases, mangrove clad rivers, and beautiful remote beaches with small fishing villages hidden amongst huge sand dunes. Go horse riding and sand boarding then head to Sao Luis, a historic city covered in hand-painted Portuguese tiles.

Day 104-108 Pará (Amazon River) (4B,3L,3D)

A 4-day river trip takes us from the Atlantic Ocean, and the city of Belém near the Amazon Delta, to the depths of the Amazon. Soak up the scenery and liveliness of local people as you cruise along the river that carries 20 per cent of the world’s fresh water.

Day 109-113 Amazonas / Manaus

Arrive in Manaus, within the lush Amazon Basin. This is an important trading city of the northern Amazon region, and also has some interesting markets, museums and parks. A 3-day optional excursion into the depths of the rainforest promises unique tropical wildlife and unforgettable encounters with indigenous groups.

Day 114-123 Sta Elena / Mochima / Canaima National Park

Head north by bus into Venezuela. Visit Santa Elena and the Gran Sabana for spectacular views and waterfalls. Continue to Ciudad Bolivar, where we can take an optional excursion into Canaima National Park, and an optional flight over Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world. In the wet season (July to January), an optional three-day boat and hiking excursion to the falls is possible. Continue on to Puerto de la Cruz on the Caribbean coast to enjoy the beautiful beaches and snorkeling in Mochima National Park before heading to Caracas.