Great South American Journey - Lima to Santiago

Itinerary

Day 1-3 Arrive Lima

Lima's museums are filled with cultural treasures, reflecting a long and varied history. The ‘City of Kings,’ Lima is filled with colonial buildings, and boasts excellent cafes and great nightlife.

Day 4-5 Pisco / Nazca

Nazca is best known for the mysterious Nazca Lines, where an optional flight is the best way to get a bird’s eye view. Pisco, famous for the drink of the same name, is the starting point for excursions to the Ballestas Islands.

Day 6-10 Arequipa / Colca Canyon

The beautiful colonial city of Arequipa is the departure point for our excursions to the Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest. Watch for Andean condors soaring and nesting against the towering canyon walls.

Day 11-17 Cuzco / Ollantaytambo /Inca Trail (3B,3L,3D)

Fly to Cuzco and explore the colonial centre and ancient Incan capital before heading out on the Inca Trail. Ollantaytambo is a major Inca ruin site and the starting point for this once in a lifetime journey. Local porters and guides ensure that the trip is worry free, and days are filled with fascinating ruins and spectacular mountain scenery. On the final day watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu and the surrounding Andean mountain peaks from the Sun Gate.

Day 18-20 Puno / Lake Titicaca

An unforgettable journey through the high Altiplano region from Cuzco to Puno ends at the highest navigable lake in the world. Stay with a family on Amantani Island on our overnight excursion and visit the Uros floating islands.

Day 21-22 La Paz

An impressive journey along the shores of Lake Titicaca ends at the highest capital city in the world: La Paz, Bolivia. La Paz is a fascinating city with deep indigenous roots; optional activities include excursions to Tiahuanaco ruins or the Valley of the Moon.

Day 23-27 Cochabamba / Sucre

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.

Day 28-29 Potosí

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 30-32 Uyuni / 4x4 Desert Crossing Excursion (2B,3L,2D)

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.

Day 33-35 San Pedro de Atacama

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.

Day 36-39 La Serena / Santiago

Travel south along the coast to the beachside city of La Serena. Relax for the night before heading to Santiago on Day 18. Santiago is known equally for its museums and parks and its vineyards and ski resorts. Visit the vibrant Bellavista neighbourhood or go exploring.