Southern Cross

From$5999USD
45 days,Lima to Rio de Janeiro
Trip Code: SXMR

Spotting condors at Colca Canyon, conquering the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, settling in with the locals at a homestay on Lake Titicaca, exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats and Andean wilderness by 4x4, spotting wildlife in the Brazilian Pantanal, standing in awe of Iguassu Falls.

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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.

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From the Nazca Lines and the heights of Incan archaeology to the beach at Ipanema, this 45-day long tour provides limitless opportunities for adventure. Explore the wetlands of the Pantanal, thundering Iguassu Falls and the bizarre landscape of the Uyuni Salt Flats. In the thin air of the Andes, trek the challenging Inca Trail to legendary Machu Picchu—we run our own treks and ensure quality food and equipment, leaving you to focus on your next exhilarating step forward. With local transportation and authentic accommodation, this trip offers an intense blend of included activities and free time to explore on your own. This trip has it all!

What's Included

  • Day tour Nazca Cemetery and potter's workshop, Guided tour of Colca Canyon and surroundings (overnight), Guided tour of the Sacred Valley, 4-day hike on the Inca Trail with local guide, cook and porters, Guided tour of Machu Picchu, Guided tour of Taquile and Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca, 3-day 4x4 drive excursion to the Salar de Uyuni, 2-day wildlife excursion to the Pantanal, Visit to Iguassu Falls.
  • 8 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 8 Dinners. (Allow USD570-750 for meals not included.)
  • Hotels (33 nts), overnight buses (2 nts), overnight train (1 nt), camping (3 nts), homestay (1 nt), very basic hostels on Uyuni Salt Flats excursion (2 nts, multi-share), tented room with hammocks in the Pantanal (2 nts, multi-share).
  • Public bus, plane, ferry, train, van, boat, hiking, 4x4 vehicle.
  • Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout (except on the local flight from Sucre to Santa Cruz), specialist Inca Trail CEO on hike, local guides.
  • Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12
Map of the route for Southern Cross Click to enlarge
Places Visited
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Inca Trail
  • Machu Picchu
  • Peru
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 Lima

Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Pisco

Explore Lima before catching a bus to Pisco, renowned for its local drink, the Pisco Sour. Enjoy Peruvian cuisine.

Days 3-4 Nazca

Optional visit to Ballestas Islands before travelling to Nazca. Guided tour of Nazca desert cemetery and potter's studio. Optional flight over the Nazca Lines before the night bus to Arequipa.

Days 5-7 Arequipa/Chivay/Colca Canyon

Free day in Arequipa. Optional visit to the Catalina Convent, while in Chivay choose to spend time in local hot springs. On Day 7 enjoy a guided tour of Colca Canyon to spot condors, return to Arequipa for the night.

Day 8 Cuzco

Fly to Cuzco. Free afternoon to explore.

Day 9 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 10-13 Inca Trail to 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.

Days 14-16 Cuzco

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

Day 17 Puno

Travel day by bus from Cuzco to Puno.

Days 18-19 Lake Titicaca (1B,1L,1D)

Visit to the floating Islands of Uros and guided tour of Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca. Optional visit to Sillustani burial site.

Days 20-21 La Paz

Travel by bus and cross the border into Bolivia, arriving to La Paz. Optional excursion to the Valley of the Moon or explore the city's winding streets and lively markets.

Day 22 Uyuni

Travel by train and bus to the town of Uyuni.

Days 23-25 Uyuni/Salt Flats Excursion (2B,3L,2D)

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

Day 26 Potosí

Bus journey from Uyuni to Potosí. Optional excursion to a working silver mine or free time to explore the city.

Days 27-29 Sucre

Continue by bus to Sucre. Optional visit to the nearby dinosaur tracks, or explore the beautiful colonial city.

Days 30-31 Santa Cruz/Puerto Suarez

Fly to Santa Cruz. Travel by overnight train to the Brazilian border at Puerto Suarez.

Days 32-34 Corumbá/Pantanal (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.

Days 35-38 Bonito/Iguassu Falls

Travel by van to Bonito. Optional snorkelling excursions in the crystal clear rivers. Continue by overnight bus to Iguassu Falls, for two full days of exploration from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides. Optional boat ride at the base of the falls or visit a nearby bird park. **See 'Visas' section of Trip Details for information on the Argentine Reciprocity Fee.

Days 39-44 Paraty/Ilha Grande/Rio de Janeiro

Fly to Sao Paulo and continue by van to Paraty. Optional cachaça distillery visits or take a boat excursion in the bay to some of the nearby islands and beaches. Continue by bus up the coast and take a ferry to Ilha Grande. Optional hikes and beach time. Carry on by ferry and public bus for free time to explore the city using our centrally located hotel in Copacabana as a base. Optional city tour.

Day 45 Rio de Janeiro

Depart at any time.

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