Quito to Santiago overland tour
| country: | Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2009: 30 Jan, 27 Feb, 27 Mar, 24 Apr, 22 May |
| price: | From £1900 (8 weeks) excluding flights. Local payment US $1050. Price includes simple hotels (45 nts) some are multishare, overnight coach (3 nts), camping (3 nts), jungle lodge (2 nts), homestay (1 nt) & some meals. All departure dates are guaranteed |
| 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 Latin America, covering four countries with distinct cultures 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 path 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 the vibrant cities to soak up the Latin American party vibe and several chances to relax by the beach. This cross-continent adventure really does have it all.
Please note: We can arrange flights from the UK.
Please note: We can arrange flights from the UK.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-2: | Quito. Quito's charm lies in its colonial centre. |
| Day 3-4: | Amazon jungle. Stay in environmentally-friendly accommodation and explore the Amazon with knowledgeable local guides. |
| Day 5-7: | Banos. Try mountain biking or rafting. |
| Day 8-9: | Cuenca. Visit beautiful colonial buildings. |
| Day 10-14: | Mancora/Trujillo. Chill-out on some of Peru's best beaches. |
| Day 15-16: | Lima. Take in a museum or head to the coast for seafood. |
| Day 17: | Pisco. Stroll down the pedestrian avenue of Pisco, gateway to the Paracas National Reserve. |
| Day 18-19: | Nazca. Marvel at the Nazca Lines. |
| Day 20-22: | Arequipa/Colca Canyon. Explore this mammoth canyon and its villages. |
| Day 23-25: | Cuzco/Ollantaytambo. See ruins in the Sacred Valley town of Ollantaytambo. |
| Day 26-30: | Inca Trail/Cuzco. Camp out on this challenging hike to Machu Picchu. |
| Day 31-33: | Puno/Lake Titicaca. Discover folklore or cruise the lake. |
| Day 34-37: | La Paz. Hit the Witches' Market for herbs and potions. |
| Day 38-39: | Cochabamba. Take in views over the city and surrounding mountains. |
| Day 40-41: | Sucre. Explore this dazzling city. |
| Day 42-43: | Potosi. Visit a working mine. |
| Day 44-46: | Salar de Uyuni. The volcanoes and salt plains are sure to impress, as will llamas and flamingos. |
| Day 47-50: | San Pedro de Atacama. Check out the cactus roof on the Iglesia de San Pedro. |
| Day 51-52: | La Serena. Snooze, sunbathe or swim on the beaches of La Serena, one of Chile's oldest cities. |
| Day 53-55: | Santiago. Parks, museums, shops, markets and a hectic party scene await in the bustling city of 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. |