Tour Overview
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1, LIMAArrival day.
Day 2, LIMA
A full free day to explore the city.
Day 3, LIMA - AMAZON
Fly from Lima to Cuzco and on to Puerto Maldonado. On arrival we transfer by motorised canoe to our remote jungle lodge. (LD)
Day 4, AMAZON
A full day to explore the Amazon by foot and canoe, accompanied by a specialist wildlife guide. (BLD)
Day 5, AMAZON – CUZCO
We fly to Cuzco and the rest of the day is free to explore this delightful old Incan City. (B)
Day 6, CUZCO
A full free day in Cuzco. There is the option to visit the Sacred Valley, home to a number of impressive Inca ruins, bustling markets and friendly villages.
Days 7-10, MACHU PICCHU HIKE
We start our hike through the mountains to Machu Picchu. The going can be tough at times but the views are spectacular and there are a number of impressive Inca sites that we pass on the way. On day 10 we rise very early for the last part of the hike, arriving just after sunrise. We spend the rest of the day exploring the ancient city before returning to Cuzco in the afternoon. (Day 7 - LD, Days 8-9 - BLD, Day 10 - B)
Day 11, CUZCO
A second full day to explore Cuzco and recover from the hike. Wander the cobbled streets, see some of the old churches go shopping or perhaps ride horses to one of the many archaeological sites outside the city.
Day 12, CUZCO – PUNO
We take the bus to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Day 13, LAKE TITICACA
We head out onto the sparkling waters of the lake and visit the floating reed islands that have been made by the local Uros people. We spend the night with local families on one of the islands. (LD)
Day 14, LAKE TITICACA – PUNO
After saying farewell to our host families, we stop at Taquile Island before return by boat to Puno (B)
Day 15, PUNO - LA PAZ
A full day’s drive along the edge of Lake Titicaca to La Paz, the Bolivian capital and highest capital city in the world.
Day 16, LA PAZ
A full free day in La Paz. In the evening we take an overnight bus to Potosi.
Day 17, POTOSI
A full free day in Potosi. There is the chance to visit one of the silver mines that were the source of the city’s wealth and which are still used to this day.
Day 18, POTOSI – UYUNI
We travel to the remote town of Uyuni, our base for exploring the salt flats of southern Bolivia.
Day 19, SALT FLATS EXCURSION
Our trip in 4WD jeeps from Uyuni in Bolivia into Argentina following the footsteps of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid begins. Today we visit Salar de Uyuni, the largest and highest salt flat in the world - an awe-inspiring sight. In the evening we arrive at the town of Tupiza where we spent the night. (LD)
Day 20, TUPIZA – PURMAMARCA
Early in the morning we head for the Bolivian- Argentinean border, then begin our tour in Argentinean territory. Our final destination is Purmamarca, a small pleasant village from the beginning of the 17th century, settled at the foot of the ‘Seven Colours Hill’. (BL)
Day 21, HUMAHUACA – SALTA
We continue our journey through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Humahuaca Canyon. The canyon follows a major cultural route, the Inca Trail, along the spectacular valley of the Rio Grande. It features visible traces of prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities, of the Inca Empire and of the fight for independence in the 19th and 20th centuries. Making our way through several villages, native markets, and remains of pre-Columbian settlements, we continue to Salta. (B)
Day 22, SALTA
The Hispanic architecture of Salta stands out from the other cities in the country. The colonial spirit from the times of its foundation remains in its houses, streets, hundred-year-old monuments and narrow sidewalks surrounded by the mountains nearby. Depending on the time of year, you might have the chance to experience one of the three highest railway services in the world, ‘the train to the clouds’. Starting at Salta, at an altitude of 1187m, this breath-taking train journey takes you directly to the clouds during its 217 km itinerary, going via numerous tunnels, bridges and viaducts until it finally reaches 4230m.
Day 23, SALTA – CAFAYATE
Bus to Cafayate. This charming town is the perfect stop to immerse ourselves into the great Argentinean wine culture. Cafayate is well known for its famous Torrontes white wine, of sweet and deep fruit flavour, and considered the best of its kind in the entire world. Besides the delightful architecture of the city, you can visit the wine museums and cellars, where you can enjoy some wine tasting.
Day 24, CAFAYATE - TAFI DEL VALLE
Situated in a deep valley, and surrounded by mountains, Tafi del Valle is a pleasant colonial village. A perfect combination of great scenery and perfect climate, there are excellent options for hiking, horse-riding and different excursions in the mountains and valleys.
Day 25, TAFI DEL VALLE – TUCUMAN
After a free morning in Tafi we take a short bus ride to Tucuman.
Day 26, TUCUMAN
An energetic city life, full with colonial and historical sites and beautiful landscapes best describe San Miguel de Tucumán, heart of the Tucumán Province and cradle of the Argentinean independence movement. A full free day to enjoy the city before boarding the overnight bus to Rosario, Che Guevara’s hometown.
Day 27, ROSARIO
Argentina’s third largest city is well known for its beautiful buildings, its important art and music scene and its vibrant nightlife. We have a full day to explore it all.
Day 28, ROSARIO - BUENOS AIRES
We take a bus to Buenos Aires, the city famous for its tango, football, European-style architecture, sophisticated shopping and some of the best and most varied cuisine in the whole continent.
Day 29-30, BUENOS AIRES
Two full days to explore.
Day 31, COLONIA
We take a ferry in the morning and cross the Rio de La Plata to the charming town of Colonia in Uruguay. A visit to historic Colonia del Sacramento is like a walk back in time. Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, this old colonial town is renowned for its cobbled, windy streets and colourful houses reminiscent of old Lisbon. We have time to explore before returning to Buenos Aires in the afternoon.
Day 32, BUENOS AIRES – POSADAS
A full day to explore this city, famous for its tango, football, European-style architecture, sophisticated shopping and some of the best and most varied cuisine in the whole continent. In the evening we take an overnight bus to Posadas.
Day 33, POSADAS
Today we have time to take a ferry across the Parana River into Paraguay, and visit the impressive ruins of the Jesuit mission of Trinidad, home of about 4000 Guarani Indians in the 18th century and listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Day 34, SAN IGNACIO
A short drive takes us to the little village of San Ignacio. Nearby we find the best preserved Jesuit mission in the area, San Ignacio Mini. There is plenty of time to explore among the old walls, the temples, the workshops and the family houses built centuries ago by the Guarani people under the guidance of the Jesuits.
Day 35, SAN IGNACIO - IGUAZU FALLS
We take a bus to Puerto Iguazu in the Argentinean side of the falls. The majestic Iguazu Falls, on the border between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, make for one of the most aweinspiring natural wonders in the world. Situated in the middle of the rainforest, some 275 individual cascades plummet over the cliffs and into the gorge below.
Day 36, IGUAZU FALLS
In the morning there is time to visit the falls. Later we cross the border into Brazil.
Day 37, IGUAZU – CURITIBA
Optional excursion to the Brazilian side of the falls in the morning. We can also explore the National Park or take a boat ride right under the falls. In the evening we take an overnight bus to Curitiba.
Day 38, CURITIBA
Considered the city with the best lifestyle in Brazil, it has a clear European feel, as most of its population descend from European backgrounds. One of the most popular attractions in the area is the narrow-gauge train to Paranagua. Completed in 1880, it provides a breathtaking journey of three hours, travelling under 13 tunnels and over 67 bridges. The tracks cross the verdant Serra do Mar mountain ranges and traverse numerous canyons. Along the way you can see streams, waterfalls, and vibrant vegetation.
Day 39, CURITIBA – PARATY
Today we take a bus to the colonial gem of Paraty, a charming town by the sea and the main port for exporting gold and coffee until the 19th century.
Day 40, PARATY
Plenty of time to enjoy this pleasant town and the natural wonders that surround it. Explore the delightful Portuguese architecture, or take a trip in a schooner around the bay stopping for swimming at beautiful beaches. You can also hike the Gold Trail, a partly cobbled trail through the mountains built by slaves in the 18th century to bring gold down to the port.
Day 41, PARATY - ILHA GRANDE
We head north by bus to Angra dos Reis, and from there a ferry takes us through the bay to the unspoiled paradise of Ilha Grande (Big Island). This mountainous island, covered by forest and surrounded by crystal clear green waters is our base for the next couple of days.
Day 42, ILHA GRANDE
A full free day to enjoy the island. Among your choices are exploring the one hundred beaches around the island, sailing, seakayaking, snorkelling and diving, hiking or simply relaxing by the sea.
Day 43, ILHA GRANDE – RIO
We take a ferry and then a bus heading for Rio de Janeiro, the beating heart of Brazil. Against a stunning backdrop of lush green mountains, spectacular beaches and turquoise sea, the city is awake 24 hours a day and the buzz is tangible. There are endless options - sunbathe on Copacabana beach, dance till dawn in one of the many nightclubs or visit two of the landmarks that have made this beautiful city internationally famous: the enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer and the cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain.
Day 44, RIO
Tour ends.
Notes
INCA TRAIL ALTERNATIVE(S): It’s possible to spend more time in Cuzco rather than trekking the Inca Trail. See dossier for more details. If there are no permits left for the Inca Trail at the time of booking, we can arrange the alternative Lares Valley trek instead.
SALT FLATS: The itinerary on days 19-21 may change during the rainy season (January-March) due to high water levels in the Salt Flats.
