Itinerary
- Days 1 - 4
Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park's trails wind down to beaches hidden in deep bays with coconut palms for shade. You'll hike with your gear to reach hammock accommodations in the park itself. The Caribbean coastline here is relatively untouched and the whole setting feels remote and peaceful.
Included Activities
- Tayrona National Park entrance and trails
- Hammock accommodation in Tayrona
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling in park bays
- Scuba diving in park bays
Landmarks/POIs Tayrona National Park - Days 5 - 10
Tatacoa Desert
You'll explore the Tatacoa Desert with its strange eroded cliffs and distant peaks over 5000m high. The ecosystem here is totally unique. After hiking around, stay for the evening to do some serious stargazing, then sleep under the stars in camp. The dry, clear conditions make this one of the best spots for it.
Optional Activities
- Star gazing
- Desert exploration
Landmarks/POIs Tatacoa Desert - Days 11 - 13
Parque Purace to Popayan
You'll drive west toward Popayan, which locals call 'the white city' because of its chalk-white colonial facades. On the way there may be time to stop at San Agustin Archaeological Park to see ancient carved stone figures and tombs. From there it's into Popayan to explore the historic architecture.
Optional Activities
- Visit San Agustin Archaeological Park
Landmarks/POIs San Agustin Archaeological Park Popayan - Days 14 - 21
Quito
In Quito, you'll check out the colonial architecture and historic sites set in this mountain-ringed capital. The city is a base for hiking and mountain biking, and the vistas from around town are really nice.
Optional Activities
- Hiking around Quito
- Mountain biking near Quito
- Explore colonial architecture
Landmarks/POIs Quito - Days 22 - 29
Banos to Cuenca
Back on the road driving south along the Andes spine toward Peru. You'll pass through Cuenca, a notable highland city in Ecuador, on the way.
Included Activities
- Cuenca
Landmarks/POIs Cuenca - Days 30 - 38
Lima
Spend more time in Lima checking out the museums and monuments. The city's got great cultural attractions and the food scene is excellent. You'll see colonial architecture mixed with modern development.
Optional Activities
- Explore museums
- Visit historical monuments
- Explore colonial districts
Landmarks/POIs Lima - Days 39 - 46
Arequipa to Cusco
A couple of days of driving and a bush camp on the route bring you to Cusco, the gateway to the Sacred Valley and the Inca heritage sites.
Landmarks/POIs Cusco - Days 47 - 52
Cusco
You'll base yourself in Cusco for six days. This city is considered one of South America's most interesting places for travel. Walk through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and do various activities. You can visit Machu Picchu via an optional Inca Trail trek or train ride. Explore Cusco's unique architecture and colorful markets in the surrounding area.
- Meals
- Breakfast (All meals on Inca Trail trek), Lunch (All meals on Inca Trail trek), Dinner (All meals on Inca Trail trek)
Included Activities
- Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu - 4 days trek including all meals and Guide on Inca Trail
- Entrance to Machu Picchu - including guide
Optional Activities
- Classic Inca Trail trek
- Lares trek to Machu Picchu
- Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu
- Train to Machu Picchu
- Huayna Picchu summit ticket
- Explore Sacred Valley
- Visit local markets
- Explore Cusco architecture
Landmarks/POIs Cusco Machu Picchu Sacred Valley Huayna Picchu - Days 53 - 58
Lake Titicaca to La Paz
A day's drive brings you to La Paz, Bolivia's capital city perched at high altitude. Visit a peña club for Andean folk music, browse authentic markets like the famous witches market, and explore the city using cable cars.
Included Activities
- Boat tour and overnight stay with local family on Lake Titicaca
Optional Activities
- Visit peña club for Andean folk music
- Explore witches market
- Shop authentic markets
- Explore La Paz via cable car network
Landmarks/POIs La Paz - Days 59 - 64
Potosi to Uyuni
Leave the bleak Altiplano and travel toward the shimmering white Salt Flats of Uyuni. You'll settle into accommodation near the salt flats.
Optional Activities
- Optional jeep trip onto salt flats and salt lakes
Landmarks/POIs Uyuni Salt Flats - Days 65 - 68
Salta
Spend two nights in Salta to relax and see this beautiful colonial city. Sit at cafes around Plaza 9 de Julio, which is bordered by the neoclassical Salta Cathedral and the 18th century El Cabildo, a former town hall that's now a museum.
Optional Activities
- Explore Plaza 9 de Julio
- Visit Salta Cathedral
- Explore El Cabildo museum
Landmarks/POIs Salta Plaza 9 de Julio - Days 69 - 77
Santiago
Spend a few days in Santiago with free time to explore this cosmopolitan city. Head to famous Chilean steakhouses, visit the Casillero del Diablo winery, or if it's winter, enjoy skiing. The city has a European feel with a South American character.
Optional Activities
- Explore Santiago city
- Visit famous Chilean steakhouses
- Tour Casillero del Diablo winery
- Skiing (winter months)
Landmarks/POIs Santiago - Days 78 - 85
Hanging Glacier to El Chalten
Continue south from Hanging Glacier toward El Chalten, Argentina's trekking capital. The drive takes you through Patagonia's gorgeous landscapes.
Landmarks/POIs El Chalten - Days 86 - 91
El Calafate
Use El Calafate as a base for exploring Los Glaciares National Park. Take a boat right up to Perito Moreno Glacier, which is almost 200 ft/60m high. You can arrange guided walks with crampons on top of the glacier, mountain hikes, or horse rides at nearby Estancias.
Optional Activities
- Boat ride to Perito Moreno Glacier
- Guided walks with crampons on glacier
- Hikes in surrounding mountains
- Horse rides in Estancias
Landmarks/POIs Perito Moreno Glacier Los Glaciares National Park - Days 92 - 96
Torres del Paine National Park
Base yourself in Puerto Natales for several days exploring Torres del Paine. You can book the famous W-Trek (4 full days, limited spots available) or do shorter day hikes without advance booking. For non-hikers, take a boat to Magdalena Island to see over 150000 Magellanic Penguins and spot Austral Dolphins.
Included Activities
- Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee
Optional Activities
- W-Trek (4 full days bookable as add-on)
- Shorter day hikes in park
- Boat trip to Magdalena Island
- Penguin spotting
- Austral Dolphin and Tonina spotting
- Hiking in park
- Horseback riding in park
Landmarks/POIs Torres del Paine National Park Magdalena Island - Days 97 - 100
Ushuaia
Spend a few days in Ushuaia overlooking the Beagle Channel and snow-covered peaks. Take optional boat trips on the channel and to Penguin Island, or hike to Emerald Lagoon or Vinciguerra Glacier. For something more relaxed, ride the scenic vintage steam train on the Fuegian Railway into Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Optional Activities
- Boat trips on Beagle Channel
- Boat trip to Penguin Island
- Hiking to Emerald Lagoon
- Hiking to Vinciguerra Glacier
- Vintage steam train ride on Fuegian Railway
Landmarks/POIs Ushuaia Beagle Channel Penguin Island Emerald Lagoon Vinciguerra Glacier Tierra del Fuego National Park - Days 101 - 108
Buenos Aires
Spend a few days in Buenos Aires, South America's most sophisticated city. The city is famous for steaks, fine wines, tango dancing, ice cream and great nightlife. It has a European feel with distinct South American character.
Optional Activities
- Tango dancing
- Visit steakhouses
- Wine tasting
- Explore neighborhoods
- Visit museums
Landmarks/POIs Buenos Aires - Days 109 - 115
Punta del Este to Salto
Turn north heading back toward Argentina via the town of Salto, which is famous for hot springs and indoor and outdoor geothermal pools.
Optional Activities
- Visit geothermal pools
- Relax in hot springs
Landmarks/POIs Salto - Days 115 - 121
Asuncion to Brazil
Cross into Brazil, switching from Spanish to Portuguese. Get ready for the language change as you start exploring Brazil.
- Days 122 - 130
Pantanal
Spend a day in the Pantanal with included activities. Try piranha fishing or spot incredible wildlife including over 600 bird species and abundant reptiles and animals in this vast ecosystem.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Pantanal region activities
- Pantanal region meals
Optional Activities
- Piranha fishing
- Wildlife spotting
- Boat tours
Landmarks/POIs Pantanal - Days 131 - 135
Rio de Janeiro
Final day in Rio de Janeiro. Travelers finishing the tour depart from here. Those continuing will have accommodation included as part of their booking extension arrangements.
Landmarks/POIs Rio de Janeiro
