Itinerary
- Days 1 - 8
Quito to Cuenca
Starting in Quito, you'll drive east through winding mountain roads toward the Amazon basin. Once at the forest lodge, local guides take you out on foot trails to explore the rainforest and spot wildlife. After a couple of days there, the route heads south to Banos, a mountain town where you can try rafting or hike to waterfalls if you're interested in those activities. From there, continue south along the Andes toward Cuenca, the historic colonial city that wraps up this portion of the journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Amazon jungle exploration on foot with experienced guides at forest lodge
- 3 night jungle trip with accommodation and meals
Optional Activities
- Bridge Swing - from US$25
- Canyoning/Rappelling/Abseiling - from US$60
- Entrance to Del Diablo waterfall in Banos - US$5
- Hot Springs in Banos - from US$5
- Jungle Activity Package - from US$30
- Massages in Banos - from US$20
- Whitewater Rafting in Banos Grade 4/5 - US$75
Landmarks/POIs Banos Cuenca - Days 9 - 17
Ecuador-Peru Border to Lima
This leg involves a full day's drive and an overnight bush camp as you cross from Ecuador into Peru. The landscape shifts dramatically from highland farmland through subtropical forest and banana plantations into Peru's coastal desert region. You'll have beach time at Punta Sal and Mancora, then check out the Chan Chan ruins, an ancient mud brick complex built by the Chimu people. After that, follow the Andes spine south with ocean views on your right until you reach Lima's mix of colonial and modern architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Chan Chan Ruins - entrance and guided tour
Optional Activities
- Horse Riding - from US$20
- Sun & Moon Temple entrance - US$5
- Thermal Mud Pools - US$12
- Mountain Biking in Mancora - from US$10
Landmarks/POIs Chan Chan Ruins Punta Sal Mancora Lima - Days 18 - 25
Lima to Arequipa
From Lima, take a boat out to the Ballestas Islands in Paracas National Reserve to see sea birds and marine mammals up close. An hour inland sits the Huacachina Oasis in the Ica Desert where dune buggy adventures and sandboarding are options, followed by a campfire dinner and sleeping under stars if you're up for it. Visit the Nazca Lines from the air (optional flight) and walk through Chauchilla Cemetery where mummies are on display. After camping at Puerto Inca beach, drive into the Andes and spend two nights in Arequipa to adjust to the altitude before heading to Colca Canyon.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner cooked by guides at campfire near Huacachina Oasis)
Included Activities
- Ballestas Island boat tour
Optional Activities
- Ballestas Island Boat Trip - US$15
- Dune Buggies & Sandboarding (combo) - US$65
- Nazca Lines Flight (weather permitting) - from US$100
- Colca Canyon - National Park entrance fee and guided overnight tour - from US$65
Landmarks/POIs Ballestas Islands Paracas National Reserve Huacachina Oasis Nazca Lines Chauchilla Cemetery Puerto Inca Arequipa El Misti Volcano Colca Canyon - Days 26 - 31
Cusco and Machu Picchu
You'll base yourself in Cusco for six days with the Sacred Valley accessible for day trips. Browse the colorful markets and wander the historic streets. The main draw is Machu Picchu, reached either by trekking the Inca Trail (permits arranged when available) or taking the train instead. Alternative treks like Lares or Salkantay can be set up but need to be booked ahead. If hiking isn't your choice, you'll have free days in Cusco or can take the train option to Machu Picchu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Inca Trail Trek - Classic, Lares, or Salkantay routes (must be pre-arranged at time of booking)
- Machu Picchu by train (must be booked and paid for in advance)
- Huayna Picchu summit ticket next to Machu Picchu (must be requested at time of booking with advance payment)
- Guide & Staff Tips - Inca Trail treks - US$50
- Porter on Inca Trail to carry up to 5kg of belongings (recommended) - US$30
- Cusco City Tour - US$10
- Cusco Museum Day Pass - US$35
- Mountain Biking in Cusco - from US$10
- Sacred Valley Tour - from US$80
Landmarks/POIs Cusco Sacred Valley of the Incas Machu Picchu - Days 32 - 37
Lake Titicaca to La Paz
At 3800m elevation, Lake Titicaca is home to the Uros people who live on floating reed islands. Spend the day on a boat tour, then overnight with a local family on Isla Amantani or Taquile to learn about Andean traditions and daily life. Later, a day's drive brings you to La Paz where you can ride the cable car network, catch Andean folk music at peña clubs, and shop at local markets including the Witches Market with its unusual goods.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat tour on Lake Titicaca
- Overnight stay with local family on Lake Titicaca
Optional Activities
- La Paz City tours - from US$15
- Gravity Assisted Mountain Biking - from US$125
Landmarks/POIs Lake Titicaca Isla Amantani Taquile La Paz - Days 38 - 43
La Paz to Uyuni Salt Flats
Leaving La Paz behind, you'll enter remote rural Bolivia where roads are mostly unpaved and local Aymara and Quechua communities farm small plots. After driving a couple of days with an overnight bush camp stop, reach Sucre, called the '4 Names City' for its historical significance, known for warmer weather and colonial buildings. Check out Cretaceous Park to see dinosaur footprints left by Titanosaurs. Continue to Potosi, over 4000m high and once the largest city in the Americas, where adventurous travelers can visit the historic mines before heading to the striking white Salt Flats of Uyuni for an optional jeep tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Potosi Guided Mine Visit - US$20
- Uyuni Salt Lake - 1 Day Tour inc. Lunch - US$55
Landmarks/POIs Sucre Cretaceous Park Potosi Uyuni Salt Flats - Days 44 - 47
Uyuni to Salta
Heading down from Bolivia into Argentina, you'll see incredible Andean scenery and pass through the Tupiza River Valley with its red rock formations and Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of 7 Colors). After a couple of nights in Salta, a colonial city, hang out at cafes around Plaza 9 de Julio where the neoclassical Salta Cathedral and the 18th-century El Cabildo, now a museum, frame the plaza nicely.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Canopy Zip Line in Salta - US$50
- Horse Riding Salta - Incl. Transfers and Lunch - US$60
- Whitewater Rafting in Salta - US$45
Landmarks/POIs Tupiza River Valley Cerro de los Siete Colores Salta Salta Cathedral El Cabildo Plaza 9 de Julio - Days 48 - 56
Salta to Santiago
From Salta, wind around lakes and weave through rugged cliffs to reach Cafayate, Argentina's first wine region known for white wines. Walk or bike around local wineries to taste and learn about production. Then head south on Route 40, Argentina's longest highway, toward Mendoza, the country's main wine region where you can sample more wines and try Argentine steaks. Cross the Andes using the Inca Bridge and San Martin's Pass into Chile, arriving in Santiago where you'll have free time to explore the capital's steakhouses, wineries, and nearby ski areas.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cafayate Bike Hire & Wine Tastings - US$20
- Mendoza Wine Tour - US$25
Landmarks/POIs Cafayate Mendoza Inca Bridge San Martin's Pass Santiago Casillero del Diablo Winery
