South America tour, coast to coast
Includes: • Tour leader • Internal flights • Transfers in Latin America on tour dates • Transport and accommodation • Meals and excursions as per tour profile
Description of South America tour, coast to coast
South America is a huge and diverse continent – and this South America coast to coast tour introduces you to its incredible variety of landscapes, cultures and experiences in just three weeks. Travelling from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, you’ll start out on laid-back, white-sand beaches and pass through dense forests before ascending into the Andes, where the bleakness of the Altiplano is breathtaking. The contrast between the tropical coast and the ice-capped Andean peaks is matched only by the contrast in cultures: cosmopolitan Rio, quaint colonial architecture, ancient Inca temples and modern Aymara markets spanning influences from Africa, Europe and the Andes.
This South America coast to coast tour starts in one of the world’s most dramatically situated cities: Rio de Janeiro, which faces onto Atlantic bays with a backdrop of steep, forested mountains. Ramshackle favelas cling to the hillsides; the beautiful people hang out on Copacabana Beach to see and be seen, and Christ the Redeemer surveys it all from on high. From Rio, you’ll fly up to Iguazu Falls, where 275 cataracts crash through the tropical vegetation of the surrounding wildlife-filled national park.
Crossing into the South American time warp that is Paraguay, you’ll visit the nostalgic and tranquil capital, Asuncion, before flying up to La Paz. At 3,500m above sea level (and the airport is even higher…) La Paz is literally breathtaking. Travel across the Andes to Lake Titicaca, which straddles the border between Bolivia and Peru – you’ll explore both sides of the lake, including the charming town of Copacabana, and the floating Uros Islands, made of totora reeds. Cusco is a day’s bus ride away and this ancient city, with its Inca-built stone walls, is the jumping-off point for one of the tour’s highlights: Machu Picchu, which we will reach by train and minibus. Your South America coast to coast tour ends on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, in Lima.
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Includes: • Tour leader • Internal flights • Transfers in Latin America on tour dates • Transport and accommodation • Meals and excursions as per tour profile
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Reviews
8 Reviews of South America tour, coast to coast
Reviewed on 08 Nov 2022 by Mike Bartlett
Everything was memorable - even the long coach journeys (very comfy and amazing scenery)… 10 out of 10 - an amazing holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Oct 2022 by J.O
Very well put together itinerary, fast pace & covers a lot of ground, includes many highlights. Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Nov 2018 by Edwina Whitwell
Most memorable: Visiting the Iguazi Falls absolutely stunning from both the Brazilian and Argentina sides. The ferry crossing on Lake Titicaca and of course Machu Picchu... Excellent. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Jul 2018 by Andy Goodenough
I have travelled quite extensively over the years, as a couple, in small and in larger groups and I would rate this trip as one of the best ever. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Jan 2018 by Hilary Proud
We saw some amazing places and scenery. We enjoyed the idiosyncrasies of South America -just everything really. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Feb 2016 by James Gray
La Paz was very exotic and unexpected but its hard to compare the wonder of Iguazu Falls with Machu Picchu or Rio. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Sep 2015 by Anne Marie Murray
Brilliant, amazing and so informative and well organised by our guide Etienne Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Feb 2014 by Michael North
For me it was a life long goal to see Machu Picchu, which no picture or video can replace the memories logged in my head of the sheer size and awe of this place. But also whilst travelling through other countries, the beautiful landscapes just amaze you. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
Planet
One of the major attractions of the tour is the visit to the Iguazú Falls. The falls lie in both Brazil and Argentina. UNESCO, in association with the WWF works to coordinate both the Brazilian and Argentine sides of the National Park, and make sure that all the money raised from entrance fees is properly distributed to the protection and development of the area.People
The trip covers some of the main tourist sites of South America, but additionally we try and visit places more off the beaten track to give an insight into other aspects of this fascinating continent, and provide much needed tourism to countries such as Paraguay that lie off the normal routes.The tour visits indigenous markets, such as in La Paz and the Sacred Valley, where local ‘Campesinos’ bring their goods to market. Here the local populations benefit greatly from the much needed economic boost that tourism brings to their towns. Local arts and crafts can be purchased, putting money back into the communities.
On this tour we work with small privately owned ground agents who live in the area, have established RT policies in place, and employ local guides and staff. A number of journeys on this tour use public transport, the hotels are small, individual properties often run by the owners and their families, we eat in local restaurants serving locally grown produce – our style of travel ensures that as many local people as possible benefit by our being there. This tour runs with a maximum of 16 people which helps to minimise the impact on delicate environments.
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