Be awed by Iguassu Falls, Spend 3 days crossing by 4x4 into Bolivia, See traditional life on Lake Titicaca, Conquer the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Spot condors at Colca Canyon, Mingle with the locals at a homestay in the Amazon.
Spanning 7 countries, this 82-day tour is part of the Great South American Journey and is made up of In Search of Iguassu (JRB), Southern Sojourn (JBS), The Atacama Crossing (JSL) and Andean Empire (JLQ) tours. Visit Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador on this true adventure. Highlights include the Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, the Bolivian Salt Flats of Uyuni and Iguassu Falls.
What's Included
- Entrance and visit to Iguassu Falls, Uyuni Salt Flats Excursion (Chile/Bolivia), Lake Titicaca excursion, 4-day Inca Trail hike with a local guide and cook, Guided tour of Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon excursion, Pachamanca Ceremony in Nazca, Amazon Jungle excursion from Quito.
- 8 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners. (Allow USD1425-1875 for meals not included.)
- Simple hotels (65 nts), Buses (9 nts), Camping (3 nts), Jungle lodge (3 nts), Homestay (1 nt). Note: Accommodation can be quite basic/multi-share at times.
- Public bus. Train, Hiking, Ferry, 4X4.
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
- Small group experience; Max 16, avg 10.
Places Visited
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Ecuador
- Inca Trail
- Machu Picchu
- Peru
- Uruguay
Reverse Itinerary
This trip also runs in reverse - see trip code JQR.
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 Rio de Janeiro
Arrive at any time.
Day 2-10 Ilha Grande/Paraty/Iguassu Falls
Short bus ride and ferry to Ilha Grande. Free time for hikes and walks around the island to explore the beaches or take an optional boat tour. Continue by ferry and bus to colonial city of Paraty. Optional cachaça distillery visit or boat tour of the bay and nearby beaches. Travel by overnight bus to the Iguassu Falls area. Explore both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the falls, with and optional boat ride near the base of the falls or visit the nearby bird park.
Day 11-15 Salto/Montevideo/Colonia
Travel by overnight bus to Salto, Uruguay. Optional visit to nearby hot springs. Bus journey to Montevideo. Optional City Tour, visit the Carnival museum or eat at the Port Market. Continue by bus to Colonia. Free time to explore the area and relax at a streetside cafe.
Day 15-17 Buenos Aires
Short ferry to Buenos Aires. Optional city tour or free time to explore the many attractions and museums. Optional tango show and dinner.
Day 18-21 Nightbus/Bariloche
Overnight bus to Bariloche. Optional activities include biking, rafting or hiking, or free time to explore the city and sample the local artisan chocolate.
Day 22-23 Puerto Montt/Puerto Varas
Travel by bus across the Andes to Puerto Varas, Chile. Optional boat tours on the lake, day-trips to Chiloé Island or free time to enjoy the scenery and explore.
Day 24-26 Pucón
Bus journey to Pucón. Optional activities include rafting, hiking, hot springs or a climb up the nearby Villarica Volcano.
Day 27-28 Nightbus/Santiago
Travel by overnight bus to Santiago.
Day 29-30 Santiago
Free time for individual exploration, optional winery visits, city tour or day trips to Valparaíso or Viña del Mar.
Day 31-32 La Serena
Travel by bus to La Serena. Enjoy the beach or optional excursions to the Elquí Valley and vinyars or visit a nearby astronomical observatory.
Day 33-35 Night bus/San Pedro de Atacama
Overnight bus to San Pedro de Atacama. Optional excursions to nearby ruins, mountain biking, or a visit to the Valley of the Moon.
Day 36-38 4x4 Atacama Desert Crossing Excursion/Uyuni (2B,3L,2D)
Ascend by bus into the mountains and cross into Bolivia. Three day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery.
Day 39-40 Potosí
Travel by bus to Potosí. Optional tour to a working mine, or explore the city and visit the Casa de la Moneda museum.
Day 41-43 Sucre
Bus trip to Sucre. Optional excursion to nearby dinosaur tracks, explore the city or optional hiking or mountain biking.
Day 44 Sucre/Night bus
Free day in Sucre before boarding an overnight bus to La Paz.
Day 45-47 La Paz
Free time in La Paz. Optional excursion to the Valley of the Moon or explore the city's winding streets and lively markets.
Day 48-50 Puno
Travel by bus across the border to Puno, Peru. Visit the floating Islands of Uros and take a guided tour of Lake Titicaca with a homestay in a small village. Optional visit to Sillustani burial site.
Day 51-58 Cuzco/Ollantaytambo/Inca Trail (3B,3L,3D)
Travel by bus to Cuzco. Free time to explore. Active options include whitewater rafting, horseback riding and mountain biking. Travel to Ollantaytambo through the Sacred Valley. Optional Sacred Valley Tour. 4-Day, guided Inca Trail hike with visit to Machu Picchu. Optional visit to the Inca Bridge before returning to Cuzco. Travel by overnight bus to Arequipa on day 58.
Day 59-63 Arequipa/Colca Canyon
Free time for individual exploration of the city or an optional Visit of the Catalina Convent. Guided tour to Colca Canyon to spot condors. Optional visit to local hot springs. Return to Arequipa on day 17 before taking the night bus to Nazca.
Day 64-65 Nazca/Pisco (1D)
Optional flight over the Nazca Lines. In the evening take part in a traditional Pachamanca meal. Travel to Pisco by bus. Stop at a winery en route as well as at the Oasis of Huacachina. Optional Sandboarding.
Day 66-68 Lima
Optional visit to Ballestas Islands before travelling to Lima. Free day to explore the city. Enjoy the museums, downtown or paragliding over the sea front. On the evening of day 68, take a night bus to Huanchaco.
Day 69-72 Huanchaco/Mancora
Optional activities in Huanchaco include a visit pre-inca sites such as Huaca de la Luna and Chan Chan, visit nearby Trujillo, surf lessons or relax on the beach. Continue by overnight bus further north to Mancora for some optional surfing, horseback riding or relaxing on the beach.
Day 73-74 Cuenca
Travel by bus and cross the border into Ecuador, arriving at Cuenca. Optional day trips to Cajas National Park or to the Inca ruins of Ingapirca.
Day 75-76 Baños
Continue by bus to Baños. Numerous outdoor optional activities available like hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, or soak in the nearby hot springs.
Day 77-81 Quito/Amazon Jungle Homestay (3B,3L,3D)
Travel by bus to the jungle city of Tena, then continue by truck and motorized canoe to a local community in the jungle. 3 days of guided nature walks to spot wildlife and to learn about the traditions of life in the jungle while staying in a homestay. Carry on by bus to Quito on day 81.
Day 82 Quito
Depart at any time.
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