Southern Cross & Amazon

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Rio de Janeiro

Arrive in Rio at any time.

Day 2-5 Ilha Grande / Paraty

Leaving the incomparable Rio de Janeiro we head out to Ilha Grande, a picturesque laid back coastal island. Cross to the mainland and spend the night in Paraty.

Day 6-11 Iguassu Falls / Bonito

Travel overnight and wake up in Foz de Iguaçu home of the Brazilian side of the magnificent Iguassu Falls. Next, cross through the vast cattle ranches of Mato Grosso do Sul en route to Western Brazil and outdoor playground of Bonito. Choose from various options including snorkeling in crystal clear rivers with brilliantly coloured fish or visiting spectacular caves and waterfalls.

Day 12-15 Pantanal / Corumbá/Santa Cruz (2B, 2L, 2D)

Join a 2-day excursion to the immense Pantanal wetlands, famed for its prolific wildlife. Marvel at macaws, Jabiru storks, giant otters, caimans and countless other species of fauna. Cross into Bolivia at Corumbá, with our first stop in Puerto Suarez. This is the gateway for our overnight train to Santa Cruz, Bolivia's second largest city. Once a backwater frontier town, it has now grown into Bolivia’s second largest city. Fly to Sucre.

Day 16-17 Sucre

This lovely, historic town is the former Bolivian capital and the seat of government. Explore Sucre’s museums, markets and colonial buildings. Optional trips include a visit to view dinosaur tracks!

Day 18 Potosí

The highest city of its size in the world, UNESCO World Heritage Potosí has had a tumultuous history as a silver mining capital during colonial times. Descend into the working mines of Potosí for a real eye-opening excursion.

Day 19-23 Uyuni / Salt Lakes Excursion (3B, 3L, 3D)

Embark on a journey through the impressive Salar de Uyuni. Spend three days exploring the piercing blue skies and blinding white salt flats by four-wheel-drive vehicles. Head to La Paz on night bus/train.

Day 24-25 La Paz

Although Sucre is the official capital, La Paz is the centre for commerce, finance and industry, and the de facto capital of Bolivia.

Day 26-28 Puno / Lake Titicaca (B, L, D)

Travel around Lake Titicaca to Puno. Take a boat trip to visit the Uros floating reed islands, explore the Amantani and Taquile Islands, and immerse yourself in Peruvian rural life with a homestay in a small village.

Day 29-32 Cuzco / Amazon Jungle (2B,2L,2D)

Enjoy spectacular views as we travel through the high Altiplano to colonial Cuzco. Fly to Puerto Maldonado. Travel by motorized canoe to the Tambopata Rainforest Area, and explore the jungle with our local guides. Return to Cuzco on day 18.

Day 33 Ollantaytambo

Travel through the Sacred Valley to Pisac and the picturesque town and Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo.

Day 34-37 Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (3B,3L,3D)

Begin a once in a lifetime journey on the ancient trail of the Incas. Porters and guides ensure that the trip is worry-free, and ruins and spectacular scenery fill each day. On the final day watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Return to Cuzco on the afternoon of day 37.

Day 38 Arequipa

Fly from Cuzco to Peru's second largest city. Colonial Arequipa is surrounded by the Andes and lies in the shadow of El Misti Volcano.

Day 39-41 Colca Canyon / Arequipa

Spend two days exploring the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world and home to the majestic Andean Condor. Return to Arequipa for an evening out before the night bus to Nazca.

Day 42-43 Nazca / Pisco

Take an optional flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines, then tour a Pre-Incan cemetery. Travel along the coast to Pisco, and enjoy the city's renowned local cocktail, the Pisco Sour.

Day 44 Lima

Take an optional excursion to the Ballestas Islands, site of a lively sea lion colony and a variety of bird life. Arrive in Lima by late afternoon.