Andes and Amazon: Quito to Santiago

An unforgettable and action packed overland adventure through some of the most diverse landscapes in South America.

Explore the dense Amazon Jungle, follow the footsteps of the Incas to the mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu. Stay overnight with a local family on Lake Titicaca and experience the vastness of the uninhabited Salt Flats of Uyuni.

This trip also runs in reverse from Santiago to Quito

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Itinerary / Highlights

Please note that our itineraries are not set in stone and can be subject to change.

Days 1 to 8
Ecuador
• Depart Quito, the capital & cross the Equator.
• Otavalo - a small market town famous for its colourful arts & crafts.
• Tena - jungle town and where we can go white water rafting on Upper Napo River.
• Rio Napo - gateway into the steamy Amazon Jungle - by motorised canoe we access our jungle camp where we spend two or three nights to view the exotic wildlife - our guide will show us examples of medicinal, edible and hallucinogenic plants.

Days 9 to 18
• Banos - a spa town where Ecuadorians go to relax in the thermal baths and hike the various mountain trails by foot or horseback plus the opportunity to go canyoning!
• Cuenca - UNESCO World Heritage site.

Peru
• Punta Sal & Pacific Ocean coast - camp on sandy deserted beaches play volleyball and have a BBQ.
• Chan Chan & Temple of Sun and Moon - built by the pre-Inca Chimu Kings, the largest mud brick city in the world.
• Lima - the capital city with many plazas, museums and great local seafood (Ceviche).

Days 19 to 26
Peru
• Ballestas Islands - a boat trip takes us close to the Islands which are bursting with exotic & rare marine wildlife.
• Ica Desert & Oasis of Huacachina - visit a local winery & taste Pisco, the national drink.
• Dune Buggies & Sandboarding on the giant dunes out in the desert. BBQ and camp overnight under the stars.
• Nazca Lines - huge figures and shapes carved into the stony desert, best viewed from the air.
• Chauchilla Cemetry - ancient eerie tombs.
• Ascend the Andes mountain range and drive past grazing Llama, Alpaca and Vicuna
• Arequipa - a magnificent colonial city with authentic Peruvian nightlife.
• Colca Canyon - accompanied by a local guide, you have the opportunity to view the majestic condors, which can be seen circling lazily on the thermals rising from the canyon floor.

Days 27 to 33
• Traverse mountainous passes of nearly 5000m within sight of active volcanoes
• Cuzco (our base for the next week)
• Sacred Valley of the Incas
• Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu - 4 day hike on the Lares, Classic or Salkantay trail.
• Machu Picchu - finally on day 4 we reach the famous UNESCO World Heritage site - entrance and guide included.

Days 34 to 37
• Puno - Lake Titicaca - the world's highest navigable lake at 3800 metres.
• Floating reed islands - home to the Uros Indians - explore Titicaca by boat & spend a night with one of the local families.

Bolivia
• La Paz - highest capital city in the world, visit the colourful witches market!

Days 38 to 45
• Altiplano - drive across this wild and barren landscape.
• Potosi - the opportunity to enter a working silver & tin mine where techniques have remained unchanged for centuries.
• Uyuni Salt Lake - take a 1 day excursion out onto the vast salt flats.
• Tupiza - follow in the steps of Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid.

Argentina
• Humahuaca Canyon and Purmamarca
• Salta - founded over 400 years ago and a great place for live music, mountain biking, mountain trekking, horse riding and river rafting.

Days 46 to 52
Oct to April (via Argentina)
• Cafayate and Mendoza, - wine growing region visiting wineries by bicycle in the Andes.
May to Sept (via Chile)
• Atacama Desert & San Pedro - experience this oasis town & beautiful barren moonscape high in the Andes, plus the option of astronomer guided stargazing.
• Valley of the Moon - salt lakes, volcanoes, as well as stone age dwellings.
• Pan American Highway and Pacific Ocean coastline with stunning beaches; and the famous 'Hand in the Sand' Sculpture.

Day 53
• Pacific Ocean - towns and stunning beaches
• Santiago - Chile's capital, a modern, organised city with great food and nightlife.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Camping and budget hotels/hostels