South America Coast to Coast Including Inca Trail - Overland Trip

Itineraries

Arrival day.

A full free day to explore the city.

Fly from Lima to Cuzco and on to Puerto Maldonado. On arrival we transfer by motorised canoe to our remote jungle lodge. (LD)

A full day to explore the Amazon by foot and canoe, accompanied by a specialist wildlife guide. (BLD)

We fly to Cuzco and the rest of the day is free to explore this delightful old Incan City. (B)

A full free day in Cuzco. There is the option to visit the Sacred Valley, home to a number of impressive Inca ruins, bustling markets and friendly villages.

We start our hike through the mountains to Machu Picchu. The going can be tough at times but the views are spectacular and there are a number of impressive Inca sites that we pass on the way. On day 10 we rise very early for the last part of the hike, arriving just after sunrise. We spend the rest of the day exploring the ancient city before returning to Cuzco in the afternoon. (Day 7 - LD, Days 8-9 - BLD, Day 10 - B)

A second full day to explore Cuzco and recover from the hike. Wander the cobbled streets, see some of the old churches go shopping or perhaps ride horses to one of the many archaeological sites outside the city.

We take the bus to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

We head out onto the sparkling waters of the lake and visit the floating reed islands that have been made by the local Uros people. We spend the night with local families on one of the islands. (LD)

After saying farewell to our host families, we stop at Taquile Island before return by boat to Puno (B)

A full day’s drive along the edge of Lake Titicaca to La Paz, the Bolivian capital and highest capital city in the world.

A full free day in La Paz. In the evening we take an overnight bus to Potosi.

A full free day in Potosi. There is the chance to visit one of the silver mines that were the source of the city’s wealth and which are still used to this day.

We travel to the remote town of Uyuni, our base for exploring the salt flats of southern Bolivia.

Our trip in 4WD jeeps from Uyuni in Bolivia into Argentina following the footsteps of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid begins. Today we visit Salar de Uyuni, the largest and highest salt flat in the world - an awe-inspiring sight. In the evening we arrive at the town of Tupiza where we spent the night. (LD)

Early in the morning we head for the Bolivian- Argentinean border, then begin our tour in Argentinean territory. Our final destination is Purmamarca, a small pleasant village from the beginning of the 17th century, settled at the foot of the ‘Seven Colours Hill’. (BL)

We continue our journey through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Humahuaca Canyon. The canyon follows a major cultural route, the Inca Trail, along the spectacular valley of the Rio Grande. It features visible traces of prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities, of the Inca Empire and of the fight for independence in the 19th and 20th centuries. Making our way through several villages, native markets, and remains of pre-Columbian settlements, we continue to Salta. (B)

The Hispanic architecture of Salta stands out from the other cities in the country. The colonial spirit from the times of its foundation remains in its houses, streets, hundred-year-old monuments and narrow sidewalks surrounded by the mountains nearby. Depending on the time of year, you might have the chance to experience one of the three highest railway services in the world, ‘the train to the clouds’. Starting at Salta, at an altitude of 1187m, this breath-taking train journey takes you directly to the clouds during its 217 km itinerary, going via numerous tunnels, bridges and viaducts until it finally reaches 4230m.

Bus to Cafayate. This charming town is the perfect stop to immerse ourselves into the great Argentinean wine culture. Cafayate is well known for its famous Torrontes white wine, of sweet and deep fruit flavour, and considered the best of its kind in the entire world. Besides the delightful architecture of the city, you can visit the wine museums and cellars, where you can enjoy some wine tasting.

Situated in a deep valley, and surrounded by mountains, Tafi del Valle is a pleasant colonial village. A perfect combination of great scenery and perfect climate, there are excellent options for hiking, horse-riding and different excursions in the mountains and valleys.

After a free morning in Tafi we take a short bus ride to Tucuman.

An energetic city life, full with colonial and historical sites and beautiful landscapes best describe San Miguel de Tucumán, heart of the Tucumán Province and cradle of the Argentinean independence movement. A full free day to enjoy the city before boarding the overnight bus to Rosario, Che Guevara’s hometown.

Argentina’s third largest city is well known for its beautiful buildings, its important art and music scene and its vibrant nightlife. We have a full day to explore it all.

We take a bus to Buenos Aires, the city famous for its tango, football, European-style architecture, sophisticated shopping and some of the best and most varied cuisine in the whole continent.

Two full days to explore.

We take a ferry in the morning and cross the Rio de La Plata to the charming town of Colonia in Uruguay. A visit to historic Colonia del Sacramento is like a walk back in time. Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, this old colonial town is renowned for its cobbled, windy streets and colourful houses reminiscent of old Lisbon. We have time to explore before returning to Buenos Aires in the afternoon.

A full day to explore this city, famous for its tango, football, European-style architecture, sophisticated shopping and some of the best and most varied cuisine in the whole continent. In the evening we take an overnight bus to Posadas.

Today we have time to take a ferry across the Parana River into Paraguay, and visit the impressive ruins of the Jesuit mission of Trinidad, home of about 4000 Guarani Indians in the 18th century and listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

A short drive takes us to the little village of San Ignacio. Nearby we find the best preserved Jesuit mission in the area, San Ignacio Mini. There is plenty of time to explore among the old walls, the temples, the workshops and the family houses built centuries ago by the Guarani people under the guidance of the Jesuits.

We take a bus to Puerto Iguazu in the Argentinean side of the falls. The majestic Iguazu Falls, on the border between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, make for one of the most aweinspiring natural wonders in the world. Situated in the middle of the rainforest, some 275 individual cascades plummet over the cliffs and into the gorge below.

In the morning there is time to visit the falls. Later we cross the border into Brazil.

Optional excursion to the Brazilian side of the falls in the morning. We can also explore the National Park or take a boat ride right under the falls. In the evening we take an overnight bus to Curitiba.

Considered the city with the best lifestyle in Brazil, it has a clear European feel, as most of its population descend from European backgrounds. One of the most popular attractions in the area is the narrow-gauge train to Paranagua. Completed in 1880, it provides a breathtaking journey of three hours, travelling under 13 tunnels and over 67 bridges. The tracks cross the verdant Serra do Mar mountain ranges and traverse numerous canyons. Along the way you can see streams, waterfalls, and vibrant vegetation.

Today we take a bus to the colonial gem of Paraty, a charming town by the sea and the main port for exporting gold and coffee until the 19th century.

Plenty of time to enjoy this pleasant town and the natural wonders that surround it. Explore the delightful Portuguese architecture, or take a trip in a schooner around the bay stopping for swimming at beautiful beaches. You can also hike the Gold Trail, a partly cobbled trail through the mountains built by slaves in the 18th century to bring gold down to the port.

We head north by bus to Angra dos Reis, and from there a ferry takes us through the bay to the unspoiled paradise of Ilha Grande (Big Island). This mountainous island, covered by forest and surrounded by crystal clear green waters is our base for the next couple of days.

A full free day to enjoy the island. Among your choices are exploring the one hundred beaches around the island, sailing, seakayaking, snorkelling and diving, hiking or simply relaxing by the sea.

We take a ferry and then a bus heading for Rio de Janeiro, the beating heart of Brazil. Against a stunning backdrop of lush green mountains, spectacular beaches and turquoise sea, the city is awake 24 hours a day and the buzz is tangible. There are endless options - sunbathe on Copacabana beach, dance till dawn in one of the many nightclubs or visit two of the landmarks that have made this beautiful city  internationally famous: the enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer and the cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Tour ends.