The Great South American Journey: La Paz to Caracas (Counter-clockwise)

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive La Paz

Arrive in La Paz at anytime.

Day 2-8 Bolivia

The highest capital in the world, La Paz is the perfect city to explore on foot…once you adjust to the altitude! With streets lined with market stalls and vendors, experiencing the pace on the street and the vibrant atmosphere of La Paz is incredible. Travel south to Cochabamba, renowned for its spring-like climate. Explore the city then take a night bus to Sucre. Beautiful architecture and good museums are complimented by optional activities such as a visit to see 60 million year old dinosaur footprints. The highest city of its size in the world, UNESCO declared Potosí a World Heritage Site in recognition of its splendid but tragic history in the mining of silver during the time of Spanish colonization.

Day 9-27 Chile

A surreal landscape awaits between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert (Chile), the driest in the world. Travel by 4X4 and marvel at the contrast of piercing blue skies and blinding white salt on the flat lakebed. Descending almost 3000 metres, we arrive at the small desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. Optional excursions include biking, exploring nearby ruins, horseback riding, or a tour of the Valley of the Moon. Travel south along the coast to the beachside city of La Serena. Relax for the night before heading to Santiago, known equally for its museums and parks and its vineyards and ski resorts. Take a night bus bound for Pucón in Chile's Lake District. Climb a volcano, hike in the mountains, go rafting or skiing (in season), or just relax and enjoy Pucón's stunning backdrop. A trip further south brings us to the city of Puerto Montt, the gateway for explorers going into the Patagonian wilderness.

Day 28-39 Argentina and Uruguay

Journey through the mountains of upper Patagonia into Argentina and arrive at Bariloche, a popular resort town for Argentines. Then continue by bus to the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. Known as the ‘Paris of the Americas,’ Buenos Aires is a vibrant city full of life. Cross the Rio de la Plata by ferry to reach Uruguay. Colonia features a unique culture, rich history and captivating architecture that make the cobblestone streets come alive. A night in the nation's capital, Montevideo, prepares us for the following day’s journey through picturesque settlements and pastures before arriving in Salto where you can relax in the thermal baths.

Day 40-78 Brazil

Our visit to Brazil begins with the magnificent Iguassu Falls, bordering Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Admire colonial architecture of the seaside town of Paraty before relaxing on the beaches of Ilha Grande with a cool Caipirinha - or try surfing... Heading north along the Atlantic coast, we arrive at Brazil's ocean-side jewel, Rio de Janeiro. Take a short flight to the state of Bahía, the epicentre of Afro-Brazilian culture. Head north to the colonial town of Olinda with its beautiful architecture, artwork and festivals. Our next stop is Praia da Pipa near Natal, a great place for dolphin spotting. Visit secluded oases, mangrove-clad rivers and beautiful remote beaches, where small fishing villages are hidden among huge sand dunes that provide chances for horseback riding and sand boarding. Travel to Sao Luis, a historic city covered in hand-painted Portuguese tiles. Take a 4 to 5-day Amazon River trip from the city of Belem near the Amazon Delta to the depths of the Amazon jungle. Enjoy a relaxing, scenic cruise on the great river that carries 20% of earth's fresh water while getting to know the warmth of northeastern Brazilian culture. Our river trip ends in Manaus, an important trading city of the northern Amazon region. Take a 3-day optional excursion into the depths of the rainforest for a true jungle adventure, filled with unique tropical wildlife and encounters with local indigenous groups.

Day 79-88 Venezuela

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 snorkelling in Mochima National Park before heading to Caracas.