Quito to La Paz overland tour
| country: | Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru |
| location: | Andes |
| departures: | Departs 1 - 3 Fridays a month throughout the year |
| price: | From £1470 (36 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Discover the heart and soul of Andean South America on this adventure from the height of Quito to the soaring altitude of La Paz. From the lush Amazonian jungle to the laid-back beaches of Peru, across the vast altiplano and soaring mountains, uncover indigenous cultures and discover the extraordinary history of the Inca. Fall asleep to the sounds of the wild in an Amazon Jungle eco lodge, trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, meet the locals on glistening Lake Titicaca and spot condors in the Colca Canyon. With lots of flexibility, this trip is ideal for those with a sense of adventure and a thirst for discovery.
day-by-day itinerary
| Days 1-2: | Quito. Explore cobblestone streets lined with colourful markets. |
| Days 3-4: | Amazon Jungle. Learn the secrets of the Amazon and the medicinal uses of plants on a local-guided tour of the jungle. |
| Days 5-7: | Banos. Experience an adrenaline rush high in the Ecuadorian Andes - white-water rafting, anyone? |
| Days 8-9: | Cuenca. Visit the ruins of the Inca's second capital, Ingapirca. |
| Days 10-13: | Mancora/Trujillo. See the surfing fishermen of Huanchaco. |
| Days 14-15: | Lima. Experience the exciting nightlife of Peru's capital. |
| Day 16: | Pisco. Opt to visit the Ballestas Islands, a famed wildlife haven. |
| Days 17-18: | Nazca. From ancient mummies to colossal etchings, discover the mysteries of the desert. |
| Days 19-21: | Arequipa/Colca Canyon. Conquer one of the world's deepest canyons. The following day rise early to search out elusive condors. |
| Days 22-24: | Cuzco/Sacred Valley/Ollantaytambo. Visit the colourful San Pedro market. Travel through the Sacred Valley and visit a local community - perhaps pick up some Quechua lingo. |
| Days 25-28: | Inca Trail. Trek through cloud forests on the Inca Trail to awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. |
| Day 29: | Cuzco. Relax in a cafe or hit the mountain tracks on a daring bike ride. |
| Days 30-32: | Puno/Lake Titicaca. Cruise the world's highest navigable lake and experience local life at a homestay. |
| Day 33: | Copacabana. Feast on fresh trout at one of the town's atmospheric restaurants. |
| Days 34-36: | La Paz. If woolly hats and alpaca gloves are on the shopping list, then hitting La Paz's markets is a must-do. |
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's 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 people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
how this holiday makes a difference
|
The aim of this trip is to make you forget that you are a visitor and feel like one of the local community. To achieve this you will travel in a small group and joined by a local leader, you will travel exclusively by public transport and have the opportunity to visit a number of local communities.
We visit Trujillo, where locals take you to the sea to fish in their traditional tortora reeds boats. We'll have a chance to try their fresh catch of the day, fused with the “criolla” culinary dishes, traditional to the area. In Ballestas Islands, besides learning about the wildlife such as sea lions, dolphins, penguins and variety of bird species, take a walk along the town's lively peatonal and find a cafe to sample the famed Pisco Sour, or for some local food specialties head to the Plaza de Armas where the locals hang out and munch on tejas. These activities ensure we contribute to the local economy of the Pisco region, which has been recently devastated by an earthquake from which the people are still struggling to recover. In Colca Canyon, you will spend one night at a home stay, where you will experience first hand the rigorous way of life in the Andes, just as it was on the Inca's times. Cusco, where you will visit the Yanapay community project which aids disadvantaged children. In Amantani Island (lake Titicaca), you'll spend another night with a local family and sample the amazing generosity and hospitality of its people. |
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. |