Quito to La Paz overland tour
| country: | Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru |
| location: | Andes |
| departures: | Departs 1 - 3 Fridays a month throughout the year |
| price: | From £1400 (5 weeks) plus local payment US $600, excluding flights. Flights can be arranged from the UK. Price includes all meals while at the jungle lodge, when hiking the Inca Trail and at homestay in Lake Titicaca. All departure dates are guaranteed |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Discover the heart and soul of the Incan Empire. From the lush Amazonian jungle to the laid-back beaches of Peru, across vast altiplano and soaring mountains, uncover local indigenous cultures and discover the Inca's extraordinary past.
Highlights include a jungle stay in Ecuador, trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, soaking up the colonial vibe in Quito, going wildlife spotting in the Amazon and seeing the surfing fishermen of Huanchaco. You will also get to see mummified bodies at an ancient Nazcan cemetery and experience a homestay in Colca Canyon. With lots of flexibility, this trip is ideal for those with a sense of adventure and a thirst for discovery.
Highlights include a jungle stay in Ecuador, trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, soaking up the colonial vibe in Quito, going wildlife spotting in the Amazon and seeing the surfing fishermen of Huanchaco. You will also get to see mummified bodies at an ancient Nazcan cemetery and experience a homestay in 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
| Day 1-2: | Quito. Soak up the rich colonial atmosphere and explore narrow cobblestone streets filled with colourful markets. |
| Day 3-4: | Amazon Jungle. From an eco-lodge base deep in the heart of the jungle, keep an eye out for colourful birds. |
| Day 5-7: | Banos. High in the Ecuadorian Andes, this small town is an ideal place for a spot of outdoor adventuring. |
| Day 8-9: | Cuenca. Visit the ruins of the Inca's second capital, Ingapirca. |
| Day 10-14: | Mancora/Trujillo. Chill-out on Peru's best beaches and see the 'surfing' fishermen of Huanchaco. |
| Day 15-16: | Lima. Check out the museums, explore the colonial streets and head out in the evening to experience the exciting nightlife of Peru's largest city. |
| Day 17: | Pisco. Leave behind the sights of Lima and head to the Ballestas Islands off Pisco, famed as a wildlife haven. |
| Day 18-19: | Nazca. Discover the mystery of the Nazca Desert, perhaps taking an optional flight over the famous Lines. |
| Day 20-22: | Arequipa/Colca Canyon. Take an excursion to one of the world's deepest canyons. |
| Day 23-25: | Cuzco/Ollantaytambo. Discover the beautiful colonial city of Cuzco and travel through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. |
| Day 26-29: | Inca Trail. It's tough to decide which is better: amazing Machu Picchu itself, or the trekking trip to get there. |
| Day 30: | Cuzco. Relax or enjoy adventure sports. |
| Day 31-33: | Puno/Lake Titicaca. The world's highest navigable lake. |
| Day 34-36: | La Paz. If multi-coloured scarves, hats with flaps, alpaca gloves and woven bags are on the shopping list, then La Paz is paradise. |
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
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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. |