Santiago to Quito: Andes and Amazon:

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 Quito to Santiago

(+44) 01963 363400

Itinerary / Highlights

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

Day 1
Chile
• Pacific Ocean - towns and stunning beaches

Days 2 to 8
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.
Oct to April (via Argentina)
• Cafayate and Mendoza, - wine growing region visiting wineries by bicycle in the Andes.

Days 9 to 16
Argentina
• Salta - founded over 400 years ago and a great place for live music, mountain biking, mountain trekking, horse riding and river rafting.
• Humahuaca Canyon and Purmamarca

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

Days 17 to 19
• La Paz - highest capital city in the world, visit the colourful witches market!

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

Days 20 to 26
• 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 Salcantay trail.
• Machu Picchu - finally on day 4 we reach the famous UNESCO World Heritage site - entrance and guide included.
• Traverse mountainous passes of nearly 5000 mtrs within sight of active volcanoes

Days 27 to 35
• 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.
• Arequipa - a magnificent colonial city with authentic Peruvian nightlife.
• Ascend the Andes mountain range and drive past grazing Llama, Alpaca and Vicuna
• Chauchilla Cemetry - ancient eerie tombs.
• Nazca Lines - huge figures and shapes carved into the stony desert, best viewed from the air.
• Dune Buggies & Sandboarding on the giant dunes out in the desert. BBQ and camp overnight under the stars.
• Ica Desert & Oasis of Huacachina - visit a local winery & taste Pisco, the national drink.
• Ballestas Islands - a boat trip takes us close to the Islands which are bursting with exotic & rare marine wildlife.
• Lima - the capital city with many plazas and museums and great local seafood (Ceviche).

Days 36 to 44
• Chan Chan & Temple of Sun and Moon - built by the pre-Inca Chimu Kings, the largest mud brick city in the world.
• Punta Sal & Pacific Ocean coast - camp on sandy deserted beaches play volleyball and have a BBQ.

Ecuador
• Cuenca - UNESCO World Heritage site.
• 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!

Days 45 to 53
• 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.
• Tena - jungle town and where we can go white water rafting on Upper Napo River.
• Otavalo - a small market town famous for its colourful arts & crafts.
• Crossing the Equator we arrive into Quito, the capital.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Camping and budget hotels/hostels