The Great South American Journey - Quito to Rio Adventure

From$7049USD
65 days,Quito to Rio de Janeiro
Trip Code: SEQR

Mingling with the locals at a homestay in the Amazon, spotting condors at Colca Canyon, conquering the Inca Trail on the way to Machu Picchu, experiencing traditional life on Lake Titicaca, crossing the Uyuni Salt Flats and surrounding desert altiplano on a 4x4 excursion, being awed by Iguassu Falls.

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Offer valid for new bookings only with international air travel originating in North America added to a land booking. Not valid with any other discount, offer or promotion. Subject to availability. Must book by May 31, 2013, for travel by February 1, 2014. Subject to airline regulations and restrictions.

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Sometimes the slow road is the way to go. Hit the road from Quito to Rio with other young travellers and experience pretty much everything you can imagine in between. Hike the Inca Trail and discover the thriving Inca culture, cross the salt flats of Bolivia, dance the tango in Buenos Aires, and hit the beach in Brazil. This trip offers up lively cities, stunning scenery, and tons of adventure. 65 days, 7 countries, 3 nights in the Amazon and 1 adventure you’ll remember forever.

What's Included

  • Amazon Jungle excursion from Quito, Pachamanca ceremony in Nazca, Colca Canyon excursion, Guided tour of Machu Picchu, 4-day Inca Trail hike with a local guide and cook, Lake Titicaca excursion, Uyuni Salt Flats Excursion (Chile/Bolivia), Entrance and visit to Iguassu Falls.
  • 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 12 dinners. (Allow USD1425-1875 for meals not included.)
  • Simple hotels (47 nts), jungle lodge (3 nts), overnight bus (6 nts), camping (3 nts), homestay (1 nt), very basic hostels on Uyuni Salt Flat excursion (2 its, multi-share), estancia/ranch (2 nts, some multi-share),
  • Public bus, boat, truck, motorized canoe, train, hiking, plane, 4x4 truck.
  • Chief Experience Officer (CEO), local guides.
  • Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12.
Map of the route for The Great South American Journey - Quito to Rio Adventure
Places Visited
  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Ecuador
  • Inca Trail
  • Machu Picchu
  • Peru
  • Uruguay
Inca Trail Advisory

Read our information page about the regulations and booking procedures for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or learn about the annual Inca Trail Closure in February. Are you hiking Lares? View the Lares Trek route information.

Day 1 Quito

Arrive at any time.

Day 2-4 Amazon Jungle Homestay (3B,3L,3D)

Travel to the jungle city of Tena, then continue by truck and motorized canoe to a jungle community. Spot wildlife on nature walks, learn about local traditions while overnighting in a homestay.

Day 5-8 Baños/Cuenca

Time to get active with outdoor optional activities such as hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, or opt to soak in the nearby hot springs. Explore historic Cuenca, head to Cajas National Park or check out the Inca ruins of Ingapirca.

Day 9-13 Mancora/Huanchaco

Head to the beach and enjoy optional activities like surfing or horseback riding. Continue by overnight bus on Day 11 to Huanchaco, where optional activities include visiting pre-Inca sites, the city of Trujillo, or more beach time. Overnight bus on Day 13 to Lima.

Day 14-18 Lima/Paracas/Nazca (1D)

Go paragliding, explore Peru's capital, and enjoy tasty ceviche and pisco sours. Optional visit to Ballestas Islands before travelling to Nazca. Stop at a winery en route at the Oasis of Huacachina. Indulge in a traditional Pachamanca meal. Optional sandboarding and flight over the Nazca Lines before an overnight bus on Day 18 to Arequipa.

Day 19-22 Arequipa/Colca Canyon

Optional visit to the Catalina Convent or a local hot spring. Spot condors on a guided tour to Colca Canyon. Overnight bus to Cuzco on Day 22.

Day 23-30 Cuzco/Ollantaytambo/Inca Trail (3B,3L,3D)

Free time to explore Cuzco or take an optional city tour, go whitewater rafting, horseback riding or mountain biking. Learn about the Sacred Valley en route to Ollantaytambo. Take in Inca culture, history, and great views on a 4-day guided Inca Trail hike with visit to Machu Picchu.

Day 31-33 Puno/Lake Titicaca (1B,1L,1D)

Visit the floating Islands of Uros and take a guided tour of Lake Titicaca with a homestay in a small village.

Day 34-36 La Paz

Explore the city's winding streets and lively markets and opt to visit the Valley of the Moon. Oxygen bar anyone? Overnight bus on Day 36 to Sucre.

Day 37-40 Sucre/Potosí

Opt to take an excursion to nearby dinosaur tracks, explore the cities, go hiking or mountain biking, or check out a working silver mine.

Day 41-43 Uyuni/Salt Flats (2B,2L,2D)

3-day 4x4 excursion to the Uyuni Salt Flats and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery.

Day 44-47 San Pedro de Atacama/Salta

Optional excursions in San Pedro to explore nearby ruins, go mountain biking, or visit the Valley of the Moon. In Salta, check out the scenic Quebrada de las Conchas to Cafayate, the High Mountain Arqueological museum, and enjoy local cuisine.

Day 48-50 Buenos Aires

Avoid the long bus journey with a quick flight to Buenos Aires. Explore the many attractions. Check out a football game, a tango show, or the city's famous nightlife.

Day 51-56 Colonia/Montevideo/Estancia (2B,2L,2D)

Free time to explore to get a flavour of Uruguay. Then leave the city and lights behind in favour of rural life—get dirty at a working ranch. Go for a hike or horseback ride, and be sure to indulge in a local barbeque with wine from the region. Overnight bus on Day 56.

Day 57-63 Iguassu Falls/Paraty/Ilha Grande

Explore both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the falls with an optional boat ride near the base of the falls, or visit the nearby bird park. Fly to the coast, and opt to go for hikes, relax on the beach, take a boat tripa, and try the local libations on the Brazilian coast.

Day 64 Rio de Janeiro

Explore the city using our centrally-located hotel in Copacabana as a base.

Day 65 Rio de Janeiro

Depart at any time.

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