Quito to Santiago overland tour
| country: | Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2009: 18 Dec 2010: 8 Jan, 22 Jan, 5 Feb, 5 Mar, 12 Mar, 2 Apr, 23 Apr, 7 May, 21 May, 28 May, 11 Jun, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 6 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 10 Sep, 24 Sep, 8 Oct, 22 Oct, 5 Nov, 26 Nov, 3 Dec, 17 Dec 2011: 7 Jan, 14 Jan, 21 Jan |
| price: | From £1995 (55 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
This epic journey takes in the sights and delights of South America, covering four countries with distinct cultures, customs and landscapes. Travel overland from Quito to Santiago, enjoying highlights such as an Amazon Jungle adventure and the challenging Inca Trail trek. Get off the beaten track with visits to an outdoor sports mecca in Ecuador, the rural villages of Peru, an underground mine in Bolivia and a desert town in Chile. Cap it all off with stops in vibrant cities and several chances to relax by idyllic beaches - this cross-continent adventure really does have it all.
day-by-day itinerary
| Days 1-2: | Quito. Discover the charm of the Old Town's colonial centre. |
| Days 3-4: | Amazon Jungle. Explore the Amazon and learn about the unique way of life in the jungle as you walk with a knowledgeable local guide. |
| Days 5-7: | Banos. Try mountain biking, rafting or soak in the thermal springs. |
| Days 8-9: | Cuenca. Admire the colonial architecture and colourful flower markets in Cuenca. |
| Days 10-13: | Mancora/Trujillo. Chill-out on some of Peru's best beaches. |
| Days 14-15: | Lima. Try out the nightlife in the neighbourhood Barrancos or head to the coast for a seafood meal. |
| Day 16: | Pisco. Relax in the central plaza or take an optional trip to the Ballestas Islands to admire the wealth of wildlife. |
| Days 17-18: | Nazca. Take on an optional trip to admire the Nazca Lines from the sky. |
| Days 19-21: | Arequipa/Colca Canyon. Explore the canyon and its many villages. |
| Days 22-24: | Cuzco/Ollantaytambo. Explore the ruins scattered throughout the Sacred Valley. |
| Days 25-29: | Inca Trail/Cuzco. Camp out on this challenging hike to Machu Picchu. |
| Days 30-32: | Puno/Lake Titicaca. Discover folklore and cruise the lake. |
| Day 33: | Copacabana. |
| Days 34-37: | La Paz. Wander through the Witches Market, admiring piles of herbs and bottles of potions. |
| Days 38-39: | Sucre. Admire the whitewashed architecture in this scenic capital. |
| Days 40-41: | Potosi. Visit a working mine and perhaps take tour deep underground. |
| Days 42-46: | Salar de Uyuni/Tupiza. The volcanoes and salt plains are sure to impress. |
| Days 47-50: | Salta. |
| Days 51-53: | Mendoza. |
| Days 54-55: | Santiago. Parks, museums, shops, markets and a hectic party scene await in bustling Santiago. |
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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We just can't get enough of the Amazon, not only as a jaw-dropping travel destination but also as a global treasure and this trip will help to ensure that the incredible Amazon rainforest is here for us to enjoy for generations to come! Our travellers have raised a whopping AU$137,985.23 for our Foundation's Amazon Fund last year. Our Amazon Fund will help support on the ground projects run by our foundation's long time partners Greenpeace and WWF. These projects focus on forest management and indigenous lands, supporting reforestation initiatives in indigenous territories.
This trip gives you plenty of opportunities to get to know the culture and vibrant history of Latin America. There are numerous chances for local interaction as we cover so much ground using all means of public transport. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn from a friendly local who strikes up a conversation during your journey. Your leader and the occasional local guide will be able to direct you to many local eateries throughout the trip, helping you discover real local fare at real local prices (and probably helping you learn some Spanish at the same time). All travellers are encouraged to explore with the group and on their own, learn a few words of the language and interact with the locals as much as possible. Our local guide in the Amazon will join us through these 2 unforgettable days and help us understand the importance of preserving this delicate and complex ecosystem. When hiking, we always ensure that travellers stick to marked trails, take all their rubbish with them and follow a set of hiking guidelines for the protection of the environment 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. |
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. |