South America overland expedition, Andino
| country: | Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru |
| location: | Andes |
| departures: | 2008: 13 Sep, 27 Sep, 15 Nov 2009: 6 Jun |
| price: | From £1530 (8 weeks) excluding flights, plus local payment US $1200 |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
An incredible journey that includes visiting the remains of ancient empires, arid deserts and fine beaches. All this in the comfort of our Expedition Vehicle, specially designed for the South American terrain.
This trip shows you the best of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile. We travel at a fairly easy pace allowing time to relax and discover many amazing sights.
On other occasions the trip can be very action packed and there are a few long travelling days, as distances can be lengthy at times. Our tour starts in Quito, the world's second highest capital city from where we head down into the rainforest of the Amazon Basin.
Back up into the Andes we follow this phenomenal mountain range until Argentina when we turn west into the driest desert on earth and down Chile's wonderful coast.
This trip shows you the best of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile. We travel at a fairly easy pace allowing time to relax and discover many amazing sights.
On other occasions the trip can be very action packed and there are a few long travelling days, as distances can be lengthy at times. Our tour starts in Quito, the world's second highest capital city from where we head down into the rainforest of the Amazon Basin.
Back up into the Andes we follow this phenomenal mountain range until Argentina when we turn west into the driest desert on earth and down Chile's wonderful coast.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Quito Your tour starts in Quito, the capital of Ecuador and the world's second highest capital. Make sure you visit Panecillo Hill for fantastic views of the city - a world cultural heritage site. |
| Day 2 - 4: | Misahualli - Amazon Rainforest Heading south, you have the opportunity to visit the Amazon Rainforest. Travel by dugout canoe to our traditional Jungle Huts, made of bamboo and reeds |
| Day 5 - 9: | Baños - Ingaprica - Cuenca. The city is famous for it's hot thermal springs, take dip and relax. Our next stop is at Ingapirca, home of Ecuador's most famous ruins, see the lunar platform and fine Inca masonry. Onto Cuenca, the third largest city in Ecuador founded in 1557 on the site of an old Inca settlement. |
| Day 10 - 16: | Punta Sal - Brüning Museum - Huanchaco - Sechin After crossing the border we head for the beach. Onto Brüning Archeaological Museum at Lambayeque, which has an exceptional collection of Lambayeque, Mochica, Sicán and Chimú culture’s antiquities many of which have been excavated from the Sipán Ruins. At Huanchaco, visit the nearby mud city of Chan Chán and the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. |
| Day 17 - 19: | Lima - Paracas - Ballestas Islands - Huacachina Oasis - Nazca Three nights are spent in the capitol of Peru. Onto Paracas, where an included excursion takes us to the Ballestas Islands. We board a speed boat to get a closer look at the amazing sea lions, penguins and many bird species. Back ashore; we now head deep into the desert towards the Huacachina oasis. |
| Day 20 - 26: | Puerto Inca - Arequipa - Colca Canyon The eerie mummies lying exposed at the Chauchilla Cemetery are viewed on the way to the ruins of an ancient Inca port, Puerto Inca situated on a spectacular beach. We now climb into the Andes to Arequipa, a colonial city overlooked by the active volcano, El Misti. |
| Day 27 - 34: | Cuzco - Ollantaytambo - Macchu Picchu Cuzco,visit many ruins around the 'Sacred Valley'. There is an option to do the 4-day trek and follow in the footsteps of the ancient Incas to the lost city of Machu Picchu or take a train ride to Aguas Calientes and then a local bus. |
| Day 35 - 42: | Puno - Lake Titicaca - La Paz Across the high Altiplano to Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, where we visit the Uros floating reed Islands and stay overnight in the homes of local Indians on Amantani Island. We return back to Puno before visiting the pre-Inca ruins at Tiahuanaco in Bolivia. |
| Day 43 - 47: | Potosi - Uyuni - Humahuaca Canyon - Salta Potosí, dominated by Cerro Rico Mountain. The city of Potosi is like stepping back in time; we visit the mines. Uyuni is our base for visiting the world's largest salt lake, the Salar de Uyuni. Then into Argentina and down the colourful Humahuaca Canyon passing giant cacti and rock formations on the way to Salta, situated in the Lerma Valley, a strikingly beautiful district. |
| Day 48 - 52: | San Pedro de Atacama - Calama - Tropic of Capricorn - Bahia Ingles Climbing high into the desolate Andes, we cross into Chile and descend to the Atacama Desert, the world's driest. We swim in cool spring water at San Pedro de Atacama and visit the incredible Valley of the Moon on the way to the mining town of Calama. |
| Day 53 - 56: | La Serena - Santiago Reaching the Pacific coast again, we travel south to Pan de Azucar National Park then through many oasis farming towns to Bahia Inglesa, a beach resort on a beautiful bay. Further south is La Serena resort before driving through many vineyards to Santiago, the capital. |
travellers' tales
Uyuni Salt Flats as it was amazing and of course Machu Pichu... despite climbing and barely seeing it from the Sun Gate, the clouds eventually lifted. I also loved the town of Cuzco and Punta Sal in Peru. (more)
small group adventure holiday
Whether you are travelling alone or with friends/family its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
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The Andino Overland Expedition offers a variety of excursions and experiences to cater to all the needs of clients in regard to history, nature, culture and the mystery of this vast continent.
Accessing the rainforest via motorised canoe in the Ecuadorian Amazon basin is one excursion not to be missed. These canoes are non - invasive and offer an ideal way of reaching the heart of the Amazon jungle without leaving a damaging impression on the physical environment. Local guides will ensure you gain the most out of your Amazon experience as you drift through this magnificent ecosystem. Furthermore, through joining a tour which employs local operators, you will be doing your bit to ensure money generated in the region is absorbed straight back into the community. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |