Southern Cross Westbound - Rio to Lima

From$5199USD
39 days,Rio de Janeiro to Lima
Trip Code: SZRM

Be awed by Iguassu Falls, Search for wildlife in the Brazilian Pantanal, Spend 3 days exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats and high mountain wilderness by 4x4, Settle in with the locals at a homestay on Lake Titicaca, Conquer the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu,

BOOK AIR, SAVE A BUNDLE

|  SAVE $100 when you book your airfare with us

Use promo code: G13PLUSAIR100

+see offer terms and conditions

That's right. Book your airfare when you book your G Adventures trip and we'll slice $100 off the price for you. Simply enter promo code G13PLUSAIR100 when prompted and we'll do the rest.

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.

View all departures and prices

From the sands of Ipanema to the heights of the Bolivian Andes, this incredible 25-day journey will introduce you to the diverse landscape and people of South America. Explore the wetlands of the Pantanal, the bizarre landscape of the Uyuni Salt Flats and revel in the mists of thundering Iguassu Falls. Gain greater insight into the culture on the region’s public buses and meet locals from the rural towns along the way for an immersive experience that few travellers get to know. Get off the beaten path and experience Brazil and Bolivia —a vibrant cross-section of South America.

What's Included

  • 3-day 4x4 excursion to the Uyuni Salt Flats, 2-day wildlife excursion to the Pantanal, Visit to Iguassu Falls. Guided tour of Sacred Valley, 4-day Inca Trail hike with local guide, cook and porters, Guided tour of Machu Picchu, Guided tour of Taquile and the Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca, Guided tour of Tiahuanaco Archaeological site.
  • 8 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 8 Dinners. (Allow USD550-650 for meals not included.)
  • Hotels (26 nts), night buses (2 nts), trains (2 nts), camping (3 nts), homestay (1 nt), very basic hostels on Uyuni Salt Flats excursion (2 nts, multi-share), multi-share tented room with hammocks in the Pantanal (2 nts).
  • Public bus, plane, 4x4 vehicle, train, walking, optional hiking.
  • Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
  • Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 10
Map of the route for Southern Cross Westbound - Rio to Lima
Places Visited
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
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.

Days 2-6 Ilha Grande/Paraty

Bus and ferry to Ilha Grande. Free time for hikes and walks around the island to explore the beaches. Continue by bus to the colonial city of Paraty. Optional cachaça distillery visit or boat tour of the bay and nearby beaches.

Days 7-11 Iguassu Falls/Bonito

Transfer to Sao Paulo and then fly to the Iguassu Falls area. Explore both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides of the falls, with an optional boat ride near the base of the falls. Continue by overnight bus to Bonito for optional activities like snorkelling in the crystal clear rivers or exploring the nearby caves and waterfalls. **See 'Visas' section of Trip Details for information on the Argentine Reciprocity Fee.

Days 12-15 Pantanal/Corumbá/Santa Cruz (2B,2L,2D)

2-day excursion into the wetlands of the Pantanal with a local guide. Opportunities to spot wildlife such as monkeys, macaws, giant otters and caiman. Continue by overnight train into Bolivia to Santa Cruz.

Days 16-18 Sucre

Fly to Sucre. Optional visit to the nearby dinosaur tracks, or explore the beautiful colonial city.

Day 19 Potosí

Travel by bus to Potosí. Optional excursion to a working silver mine or free time to explore the city.

Days 20-23 Uyuni/Salt Flats Excursion (2B,3L,2D)

Bus trip to Uyuni. 3-day 4x4 excursion to the Uyuni Salt Flats and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. On Day 23 travel to La Paz by overnight train.

Days 24-25 La Paz

Arrive in La Paz. Optional city tour and free time to explore the markets and winding streets.

Day 26 La Paz/Tiahuanaco

Included visit of the pre-Incan ruins of Tiahuanaco.

Day 27 Puno

Travel by bus through the altiplano, crossing the border, to the Peruvian city of Puno on the shore of Lake Titicaca.

Days 28-29 Lake Titicaca/Taquile Island (1B,1L,1D)

Visit to the floating Islands of Uros and guided tour of Lake Titicaca with a homestay in a small village. Optional visit to Sillustani burial site.

Days 30-31 Cuzco

Travel to Cuzco. The next day is free to enjoy the city's museums and local markets. Optional city tour.

Day 32 Sacred Valley/Ollantaytambo

Full day guided tour of the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo ruins along with a visit to a Planeterra weaving project in a local community. Shopping opportunities at a local market.

Days 33-36 Inca Trail/Machu Picchu (3B,3L,3D)

4-day guided Inca Trail hike with visit to Machu Picchu. Optional visit to the Inca Bridge before returning to Cuzco.

Day 37 Cuzco

Free day to explore Cuzco or relax. Active options include whitewater rafting, horseback riding and mountain biking.

Day 38 Lima

Fly to Lima. Optional city tour or free time to explore.

Day 39 Lima

Depart at any time.

Find dates, prices, and more trip options.

Book Now