South America Overland - La Paz to Rio

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive La Paz

Arrive in La Paz at any time.

Day 2-6 Uyuni/Salt Lakes Excursion (3B,3L,3D)

Journey through the piercing blue skies and white salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni. Spend three days exploring the remote flats and other-worldly landscapes - keep your camera handy!

Day 7 Potosí

A travel day north takes us to the UNESCO World Heritage site Potosí, the highest city of its size in the world and a silver mining centre during colonial times. Descend into the working mines for an eye-opening optional excursion.

Day 8-10 Sucre/Santa Fe (B,D)

Sucre is a lovely, historic town with museums and colonial buildings. The official Bolivian seat of government, Sucre, enjoys a milder climate than much of the country. Options here include mountain biking, museums or even a visit to see dinosaur tracks!

Day 11-12 Santa Cruz

Some spectacular views await us as we travel across the country, down out of the Andes and into the city of Santa Cruz. It is Bolivia's second-largest city, and has an entirely different feel than the Bolivian cities of the Andes.

Day 13 San José de Chiquitos (B,D)

Spend the night near the small town of San José de Chiquitos. A little more than half of the distance between Santa Cruz and the Brazilian border, this popular travel stop is known for its Jesuit Mission and as a gateway to the area's two National Parks.

Day 14-16 Pantanal (2B,3L,2D)

Venturing further east, cross the border into Brazil, our gateway into the world-famous and biologically diverse Pantanal. Spend two days in these immense wetlands, famed for their prolific wildlife. Marvel at macaws, Jabiru storks, giant otters, and caimans.

Day 17-18 Bonito

From the Pantanal, our overland truck takes us south to the town of Bonito, an outdoor lover's dream. Some of the many options here include snorkelling down the Rio de la Prata, swimming in crystal-clear lagoons or visiting macaw nesting spots.

Day 19-21 Iguassu Falls

A long journey south brings us into the Paraná province, and to the majestic Iguassu Falls area. Spend two full days experiencing the views and splendour of the falls from both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides.

Day 22-24 Curitiba/Paraty

Paraty is a colonial gem on the beautiful "Emerald Coast" of Brazil. Nestled at the foothills of lush green mountains, Paraty, a Brazilian National Heritage site, is great to explore on foot as the cobblestone streets in the historical centre are blocked from traffic. You may opt for an optional day trip to visit some of the islands and gorgeous beaches in the Paraty harbour.

Day 25 Rio de Janeiro

A short drive up the coast, Rio de Janeiro awaits and signals the end of our travels. Enjoy the numerous optional activities available, such as visiting one of the many attractions such as the Corcovado (now one of the new 7 wonders of the world), Sugarloaf, and fantastic beaches.