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South American

country:Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile
trip type: A small group adventure
departures:2009: 12 Dec
2010: 13 Feb, 27 Mar
price:From £1699 - £1739 (25 days) excluding flights. Local payment approx US $300. Price includes English/Spanish/Portuguese speaking tour leader, all land transportation, 21 nights hotel/lodge/hostel accommodation and admission to all National Parks as per itinerary
vouchers:Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
read 1 travellers review
the amazing things you'll be doing
South America - a land to be explored...

Discover the continent's highlights on this journey throughout Chile, Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina. Enjoy guided hikes in San Pedro de Atacama and Uyuni, soak in natural hot springs, snorkel in Bonito's clear rivers, boat alongside the spectacular Iguazu Falls, and sleep in hammocks deep within the Pantanal. With local culture and adventure filled days, the South American Adventure shows you the best of the real South America!
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:Arrive Santiago, Chile. Arrive into Santiago and transfer (not included) to our gateway hotel at your leisure. Rest of day to relax and prepare for your adventure. Accommodation: Hotel included
Day 2:San Pedro, Chile. Upon meeting the group in the morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Northern Chile and the Atacama Desert. The guide will greet the group upon arrival and we will tour the town of San Pedro de Atacama and explore its surroundings while getting to know one another better. In the afternoon, we will visit Moon Valley and Death Valley and then enjoy a fantastic sunset. Accommodation: Hostel included
Day 3-4:San Pedro, Chile. We set out to the El Tatio geysers, the world's highest geyser basin at 4321 meters above sea level. One of the continents great natural spectacles, watching the geysers fuming set against the fantastic altiplano scenery is fantastic. We can also enjoy the nearby thermal waters. After the visit to the Geysers, we visit some altiplano old towns and head back to San Pedro. Accommodation: Hostel included
Day 5:Laguna Colorado, Chile. Today we set off towards the Bolivian border. Our first stop in the eerie terrain is the windswept, blue green waters of Laguna Verde. The waters of this lake contain high concentrations of lead, arsenic, calcium carbonates, and sulphur giving it an amazing jade colour set off by the nearby 6000 meter Volcano Licancabur; a fantastic spot in the high desert. Continuing on through this surreal landscape we then stop at 60 sq km Laguna Colorada whose waters are a flaming red ringed by the white borax and salt that encrust its shores. This is one of South America's more remote and isolated marvels. Accommodation: Hostel included
Day 6:Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia. We continue our trip along the Bolivian altiplano and through some bizarre landscape to arrive in front of the Uyuni Salt Flats. The incredible geography of southern Bolivia and the huge salt flats of Uyuni are impressive. With the largest at over 12,000 sq kms and highest point at over 3600 meters above sea level, these salt flats compose of over 10 billion tons of salt. Accommodation: Hostel included
Day 7:Uyuni & Potosi, Bolivia. We cross this amazing salt flat, that will leave no doubt in your mind, that it is the biggest of the world, and then we have lunch at Isla del Pescado. This is an oasis full of cactus in the middle of the salt flat. Early afternoon, we will then briefly visit the city of Uyuni, and then continue our way north to Potosi. Accommodation: Hotel included
Day 8:Potosi, Bolivia. Once one of the continent's largest and wealthiest cities, Potosi is now a shell of its former self. However, the town itself has plenty to see, including the Royal Mint with its fantastic history and splendor, the ornate churches, monuments and the other remnants of this grand colonial city. It sits at 4070 meters and is the highest city of its size in the world. The silver mines nearby have been depleted, but iron ore has taken its place and a visit to these mines can be arranged in the afternoon. We will tour the city in the morning and the afternoon will be at leisure. Accommodation: Hotel included
Day 9-10:Sucre, Bolivia. In the morning, we continue on to Sucre with more colonial architecture ahead as we visit Bolivia's most beautiful city. Declared a world heritage site in 1991, the atmosphere here is distinctly Spanish Colonial and we will have a chance to take in all the city's beautiful attractions including Casa de la Libertad, Museo textileetnografico, Museo de la Recoleta, the bustling market, to name a few. Accommodation: Hotel included
Day 11-12:Samaipata, Bolivia. Our route now takes us eastward down the slopes of the Andes where we will pass through high cloud forest and the lush fertile terrain that makes up these eastern valleys. Driving along the foothills of the Cordillera Oriental, the views are beautiful and very far removed from the arid altiplano. Our next stop is down at 1650 meters above sea level at the tranquil town of Samaipata. We will make an evening visit to the pre-incan ceremonial site of El Fuerte. Accommodation: Hotel included
Day 13:Santa Cruz, Bolivia. We continue on to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia's second largest city. Relax in the central park beneath the cathedral and explore the city at your leisure. Accommodation: Hotel included
Day 14:Night Train into Brazil. Morning at leisure as we prepare to cross the international border. In the afternoon, we will board the train that will take us to the border with Brazil. This train is very comfortable (according to the South American standards ) and the trip is really nice. We spend the night in the train and arrive to Brazil in the morning. Accommodation: Overnight Train included
Day 15-16:Pantanal, Brazil. Upon our arrival to Brazil, we will meet our Brazilian partners that will take us into the heart of the Pantanal. The Pantanal is a vast wetland covering some 225,000 square kilometers and home of the greatest concentration of fauna in the new world. With fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities around every corner our next days will be centered on finding the creatures that inhabit these marshlands. Tapir, anacondas, sloth, anteaters, jacares, and over 300 species of birds roam this beautiful part of Brazil and we will make camp on a remote farm that is home to many of the fascinating animals. On day 13 we will enjoy a full day of included activities - horse back riding , trekking and piranha fishing. Accommodation: Guest house hammocks included
Day 17:Pantanal & Bonito Lodge, Brazil . Day in the Pantanal for optional tours, wildlife viewing and fun activities. In the evening we will go to Bonito. Accommodation: Hostel included
Day 18-19:Bonito Lodge, Brazil. The highlights here are swimming, beautiful waterfalls, subterranean caves and snorkeling down incredibly clear rivers while gazing face to face with hundreds of fish. All this is set amongst the lush forests and granite and marble hills of the Serra do Bodoquena. We will spend the afternoon relaxing in the natural swimming park of Balneario do Sol. The next day is at leisure for optional excursions, one of our favourites is a snorkeling trip to Rio da Prata. Accommodation: Lodge included
Day 20:Iguacu Falls, Brazil. Heading south once again, we journey to the world famous Iguacu Falls where the river Iguacu sweeps through immense lush forest and plunges over 270 falls as high as 80 meters and up to 3 km wide. Iguacu is wider than Victoria falls, higher than Niagara, and more beautiful than both. We will arrive late in the day to relax at our comfortable hotel in Iguacu. Accommodation: Hotel included
Day 21-22:Iguacu Falls, Brazil & Argentina. On our first full day here we will visit the Brazilian side of the falls to take in the big panoramas and maybe even an optional helicopter flights over the falls. We then go to the Argentine side in the afternoon. The next day we have a full day excursion to the Argentine side of the falls, we will appreciate the difference in perspective. Count the innumerable butterflies and rainbows while walking beside the falls. Accommodation: Hostel included
Day 23:Uguacu Falls & Buenos Aires, Argentina. With the morning at leisure to further explore these majestic falls and the local area, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires. Arriving to South America's most cosmopolitan (and European) city, we will transfer to the hotel to freshen up, before touring the city in the afternoon and then going out in the evening. Accommodation: Hotel included
Day 24-25:Buenos Aires, Argentina. Enjoy the next day at leisure to explore this fantastic city. Try one of the many restaurants serving up world famous Argentine beef and fantastic seafood. Choose a full day optional tour to visit the pampas and gauchos (cowboys) or visit to Delta del Tigre's riverfront and markets. Choose to experience a tango performance or take a tango lesson. This city has everything to offer! Accomodation: Hotel included Tour ends in Buenos Aires in the morning of day 25.
travellers' tales
10 out of 10. Amazing trip across a continent, 4 countries in 24 days, fantastic sights and sounds to live in the memory forever. (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends 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
This trip is designed for those who enjoy walking/hiking, want to explore South America’s natural beauty and discover why visitors are so passionate about this beautiful region. We travel in small, intimate groups (maximum of 13 passengers) and have the benefit of a professionally trained local guide who knows the best places in the national parks, national monuments and wilderness areas to respectfully observe wildlife, to enjoy fun, adventurous activities and appreciate the flavours of the local culture.

This tour is lodging based and we will overnight in locally owned 3 star hotels and lodges. We also spend 2 nights in communal hammocks whilst in Brazil’s Pantanal including some meals. Otherwise, when lodging we eat our meals in locally owned restaurants, and throughout the trip we utilize established local suppliers for activities that help support local business and keep money in the community.

We have over 35 years of experience operating small-group adventure tours (13 client maximum) throughout North/Central/South America that foster understanding, appreciation and conservation of the cultures and environments we visit. We are committed to working with our clients and the peoples of our host destinations to ensure direct economic benefits at a community level. We aim to operate beyond best practice guidelines and to provide a tour programme that creates a positive impact on the lands that we visit and a lasting impression for those who travel with us.

The tour is led by one of our fully trained local guides. Prior to leading our groups, guides must successfully complete our pre-season intensive training programme. During this time we support the guides with accommodation, activities and supplemental salary.

We utilize private vehicle and local suppliers for accommodation and activities throughout to ensure the economic benefit stays in the local community. This includes working with local operators and lodging in locally owned hotels/lodges whenever possible. Also, we include guided hiking in the national parks, horseback riding, piranha fishing, and more on this incredible journey.

When staying in hotels/lodges en route, we endeavor to eat our meals in locally owned, family run restaurants which supports local business, as well as allows passengers to experience local flavour and mix with local people when appropriate.

On this tour, we also include visits and entry admission to all national parks and monuments listed in the itinerary. Fees support park upkeep and conservation projects, and we encourage our clients to visit the visitor centres for additional information about the region.

Our published traveller’s code of conduct is further promoted by our leaders throughout the tour, and particularly in the first night’s orientation talk. Our RT policy or traveller’s code of conduct is made available to all travellers prior to departure.

This includes policies on the following: • Established policy to support recycling (and to educate our clients on recycling) on all of our tours in North/Central/South America. We aim to utilize properties that recycle glass and plastics. When this service is not available, we will pack and store recycling in our own containers and drive them to a suitable facility • Leave No Trace is a national and international campaign designed to assist outdoor enthusiasts about how to reduce their impacts when enjoying the outdoors. Because this trip spends much time exploring the National Parks and "wilderness" areas, familiarizing clients with the "Leave No Trace" ethic will help minimize the impact on the natural environment.

100% of our UK corporate headquarters’ power is green (renewable). We contribute to local charities and projects such as “Tourism Cares for America” (of which we are a founding member), “Friends of Big Bend” and the “Mojave Desert Land Trust”- organizations dedicated to improving and/or expanding national parks.

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