SANTIAGO to QUITO (56 days) Andes & Amazon

DAY 1-11: SANTIAGO TO UYUNI
From Santiago, we travel north and head inland, climbing up to 2407 metres to reach the small town of San Pedro de Atacama. Here you can take a trip out to the Valley of the Moon to see it’s lunar-like landscapes or spend the evening stargazing in the desert.

Next, we leave Chile and cross into Bolivia, driving through the remote and incredible scenery of the Altiplano. This plateau is a vast area of salt flats, mountains, volcanos, lagoons and geysers at an average altitude of 3750 metres. Vicunas and flamingos can be spotted against the backdrop of stark peaks and brightly coloured lagoons. Our journey brings us to the shimmering white Uyuni Salt Lake, where it is possible to venture out onto the vast salt pan on a 1 day excursion. With no roads and only vague tracks to follow it makes for an unforgettable overland experience.

DAY 12-17: UYUNI TO LA PAZ
In many places in Bolivia you will notice differences to its neighbouring countries to the south, as paved roads become much rarer and many locals still follow tradition, wearing bright woollen clothes and bowler hats.

Continuing northeast we arrive in Potosi which at over 4000m is the highest city of its size in the world and 400 years ago it was the largest city in all the Americas. Vast amounts of silver were extracted from Potosi and shipped to Spain in years gone by. Some adventurous travellers choose to go down into one of these mines where mining techniques have remained unchanged for centuries, though if you are interested you should read up on safety concerns first. Visiting the ancient mint or having a tour around the Casa Nacional de Moneda (National Money House) also provides a good look into Potosi's and Bolivia's past.

A short drive then bring us to one of Bolivia’s most beautiful cities, Sucre. Known as the ‘4 Names City’ because of its long and varied history, the city is at a lower altitude than Potosi and enjoys a warmer and greener climate. The Cretaceous Park is well worth a visit, as you can see and learn about the thousands of remarkable dinosaur footprints discovered here, including the largest ever found, from a Titanosaur weighing over 70 tonnes!

We have a couple of day’s driving and an overnight bush camp across the barren landscape, where the Aymara and Quechua Indians scrape a living from their small plots of land in the harsh climate and paved roads are virtually non-existent. Finally we reach La Paz, the highest capital city in the world built on a steep slope that falls away from the Altiplano. It's a great place to visit a 'pena' club, where live bands entertain us with Andean folk music and perhaps buy some souvenirs in one of the authentic markets such as the witches market. It’s also well worth while exploring the city using the network of cable cars stretching up the hillsides.

DAY 18-22: LA PAZ TO LAKE TITICACA
Leaving La Paz we head to the shores of Lake Titicaca, crossing the border to Peru and heading to the town of Puno. a friendly, well-kept place and much calmer than the hustle and bustle of La Paz. Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake at 3800m and it is also the original home of the Uros Indians. By boat we visit floating reed islands during the day and then we go that one step beyond the average and spend the night with one of the Indian families on the lesser known islands Isla Amantani or Taquile. Spending some time in these local communities on a Peru tour will provide a unique opportunity to learn more about the traditional lifestyle of the Andean people and their customs.

DAY 23-29: CUSCO, INCA TRAIL & MACHU PICCHU
Widely considered to be one of the most interesting cities for South America travel, our next stop Cusco is surrounded by the Sacred Valley of the Incas and offers a wide range of activities to explore the region. We will base ourselves here for 6 days giving us enough time for the Inca Trail trip and to visit Machu Picchu, which is regarded by many to be the highlight of their South America tour. There are several treks which you can take to Machu Picchu. These are all available as Optional Add Ons which you can add to your booking. When permits are still available, we will organise the Classic Trail trek for those booking the trek option, but great alternative Inca Trail treks, like the Lares or Salkantay can be arranged when the Classic is not available or by your choice (must be pre-arranged at time of booking). These alternatives mean that you still get to visit Machu Picchu.

If you do not want to trek, then you can remain in Cusco for a couple more free days, and then we offer an option to visit Machu Picchu by train instead. This must also be booked and paid for in advance. Tours to Machu Picchu are absolutely unbelievable; a trip to this City in the Clouds is an ancient and awe-inspiring part of our South America travel tour. Besides seeing Machu Picchu, you are able to enjoy the architectural uniqueness of Cusco and explore some of the colourful surrounding markets. Please note that for all those visiting Machu Picchu there is now the option to buy a ticket to go up the summit next to Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu. Tickets for this must be requested at the time of your booking with us, and payment made in advance in the UK.

DAY 30-32: CUSCO TO AREQUIPA
Leaving Cusco, we have a high altitude drive as we continue west on our Peru tour, passing herds of llama, alpacas and unspoilt Andean villages. We begin dropping down out of the Andes and arrive in Arequipa, a beautiful colonial city set at the foot of the impressive El Misti Volcano. While we are in Arequipa you have the option of a one day excursion to one of the world's deepest canyons. Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon is an awesome spectacle. Here, if you get up early, Condors can be seen circling lazily on the thermals rising from the canyon floor.

DAY 33-38: AREQUIPA TO LIMA
We then camp on our way to one of the world's great archaeological mysteries and a Peru tour highlight, the Nazca Lines, with it's huge figures and shapes carved into the stony desert. We also visit Chauchilla Cemetery containing well-preserved mummies and ancient artefacts. Stopping in the Oasis town of Huacachina, there is the option for the adreneline rush of a dung-buggy ride across the enormous sand dunes! You can also try your hand at sandboarding down them, before a barbecue and night out under the stars in the desert. Following the Coastal Highway, the Ballestas Islands in the Paracas National Reserve is our next stop. Here you can take a boat trip to view this important marine reserve with one of the highest concentrations of rare and exotic sea birds and sea mammals.

Further up the coast is Peru's capital city, Lima. Here you will encounter both abundant wealth and grinding poverty and modern skyscrapers next to some of the finest museums and historical monuments in Latin America.

DAY 39-45: LIMA TO PUNTA SAL
From Lima, we journey north along the coast towards Huanchaco and reach the Chan Chan ruins & the Temple of Sun and Moon. This is the imperial citadel of the pre-Inca Chimu Kings which the Incas later conquered - claimed to be the largest mud brick city in the world. Nearing the border with Ecuador we have a couple of relaxing days chilling by the beach at Punta Sal or Mancora before our tour of Peru comes to an end and we enter Ecuador.

DAY 46-51: PUNTA SAL TO BANOS
You will see an almost immediate change from the dry, barren desert of Peru through sub-tropical forest to the fertile farming country of highland Ecuador. We will visit Cuenca on our way to the outdoors mecca of Banos, a spa town nestled at the foot of a volcano, where Ecuadorians go to relax in the thermal baths. On this stop of our overland Amazon trip you can hike, mountain bike or horse-ride to one of the surrounding waterfalls including El Pailon del Diablo. For the more adventurous there is the option to go canyoning down one of the many rivers in the area.

DAY 52-56: BANOS, AMAZON EXCURSION AND ON TO QUITO
We descend to the lowlands and the steamy edge of the Amazon basin to the town of Tena, gateway to the Amazon jungle. Here, accompanied by experienced guides, we explore on foot and by motorised canoes this exotic environment for two days. There may also be the chance to go whitewater rafting on the rapids of the Rio Napo (time permitting).

We drive north and return to higher altitudes as we arrive in Ecuador’s richly historical capital, Quito. Here we have some free time to explore Quito’s old town, take a ride on the cable car for an awesome view or enjoy the city’s café culture

DAY 1-11: SANTIAGO TO UYUNI
From Santiago, we travel north and head inland, climbing up to 2407 metres to reach the small town of San Pedro de Atacama. Here you can take a trip out to the Valley of the Moon to see it’s lunar-like landscapes or spend the evening stargazing in the desert.

Next, we leave Chile and cross into Bolivia, driving through the remote and incredible scenery of the Altiplano. This plateau is a vast area of salt flats, mountains, volcanos, lagoons and geysers at an average altitude of 3750 metres. Vicunas and flamingos can be spotted against the backdrop of stark peaks and brightly coloured lagoons. Our journey brings us to the shimmering white Uyuni Salt Lake, where it is possible to venture out onto the vast salt pan on a 1 day excursion. With no roads and only vague tracks to follow it makes for an unforgettable overland experience.

DAY 12-17: UYUNI TO LA PAZ
In many places in Bolivia you will notice differences to its neighbouring countries to the south, as paved roads become much rarer and many locals still follow tradition, wearing bright woollen clothes and bowler hats.

Continuing northeast we arrive in Potosi which at over 4000m is the highest city of its size in the world and 400 years ago it was the largest city in all the Americas. Vast amounts of silver were extracted from Potosi and shipped to Spain in years gone by. Some adventurous travellers choose to go down into one of these mines where mining techniques have remained unchanged for centuries, though if you are interested you should read up on safety concerns first. Visiting the ancient mint or having a tour around the Casa Nacional de Moneda (National Money House) also provides a good look into Potosi's and Bolivia's past.

A short drive then bring us to one of Bolivia’s most beautiful cities, Sucre. Known as the ‘4 Names City’ because of its long and varied history, the city is at a lower altitude than Potosi and enjoys a warmer and greener climate. The Cretaceous Park is well worth a visit, as you can see and learn about the thousands of remarkable dinosaur footprints discovered here, including the largest ever found, from a Titanosaur weighing over 70 tonnes!

We have a couple of day’s driving and an overnight bush camp across the barren landscape, where the Aymara and Quechua Indians scrape a living from their small plots of land in the harsh climate and paved roads are virtually non-existent. Finally we reach La Paz, the highest capital city in the world built on a steep slope that falls away from the Altiplano. It's a great place to visit a 'pena' club, where live bands entertain us with Andean folk music and perhaps buy some souvenirs in one of the authentic markets such as the witches market. It’s also well worth while exploring the city using the network of cable cars stretching up the hillsides.

DAY 18-22: LA PAZ TO LAKE TITICACA
Leaving La Paz we head to the shores of Lake Titicaca, crossing the border to Peru and heading to the town of Puno. a friendly, well-kept place and much calmer than the hustle and bustle of La Paz. Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake at 3800m and it is also the original home of the Uros Indians. By boat we visit floating reed islands during the day and then we go that one step beyond the average and spend the night with one of the Indian families on the lesser known islands Isla Amantani or Taquile. Spending some time in these local communities on a Peru tour will provide a unique opportunity to learn more about the traditional lifestyle of the Andean people and their customs.

DAY 23-29: CUSCO, INCA TRAIL & MACHU PICCHU
Widely considered to be one of the most interesting cities for South America travel, our next stop Cusco is surrounded by the Sacred Valley of the Incas and offers a wide range of activities to explore the region. We will base ourselves here for 6 days giving us enough time for the Inca Trail trip and to visit Machu Picchu, which is regarded by many to be the highlight of their South America tour. There are several treks which you can take to Machu Picchu. These are all available as Optional Add Ons which you can add to your booking. When permits are still available, we will organise the Classic Trail trek for those booking the trek option, but great alternative Inca Trail treks, like the Lares or Salkantay can be arranged when the Classic is not available or by your choice (must be pre-arranged at time of booking). These alternatives mean that you still get to visit Machu Picchu.

If you do not want to trek, then you can remain in Cusco for a couple more free days, and then we offer an option to visit Machu Picchu by train instead. This must also be booked and paid for in advance. Tours to Machu Picchu are absolutely unbelievable; a trip to this City in the Clouds is an ancient and awe-inspiring part of our South America travel tour. Besides seeing Machu Picchu, you are able to enjoy the architectural uniqueness of Cusco and explore some of the colourful surrounding markets. Please note that for all those visiting Machu Picchu there is now the option to buy a ticket to go up the summit next to Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu. Tickets for this must be requested at the time of your booking with us, and payment made in advance in the UK.

DAY 30-32: CUSCO TO AREQUIPA
Leaving Cusco, we have a high altitude drive as we continue west on our Peru tour, passing herds of llama, alpacas and unspoilt Andean villages. We begin dropping down out of the Andes and arrive in Arequipa, a beautiful colonial city set at the foot of the impressive El Misti Volcano. While we are in Arequipa you have the option of a one day excursion to one of the world's deepest canyons. Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon is an awesome spectacle. Here, if you get up early, Condors can be seen circling lazily on the thermals rising from the canyon floor.

DAY 33-38: AREQUIPA TO LIMA
We then camp on our way to one of the world's great archaeological mysteries and a Peru tour highlight, the Nazca Lines, with it's huge figures and shapes carved into the stony desert. We also visit Chauchilla Cemetery containing well-preserved mummies and ancient artefacts. Stopping in the Oasis town of Huacachina, there is the option for the adreneline rush of a dung-buggy ride across the enormous sand dunes! You can also try your hand at sandboarding down them, before a barbecue and night out under the stars in the desert. Following the Coastal Highway, the Ballestas Islands in the Paracas National Reserve is our next stop. Here you can take a boat trip to view this important marine reserve with one of the highest concentrations of rare and exotic sea birds and sea mammals.

Further up the coast is Peru's capital city, Lima. Here you will encounter both abundant wealth and grinding poverty and modern skyscrapers next to some of the finest museums and historical monuments in Latin America.

DAY 39-45: LIMA TO PUNTA SAL
From Lima, we journey north along the coast towards Huanchaco and reach the Chan Chan ruins & the Temple of Sun and Moon. This is the imperial citadel of the pre-Inca Chimu Kings which the Incas later conquered - claimed to be the largest mud brick city in the world. Nearing the border with Ecuador we have a couple of relaxing days chilling by the beach at Punta Sal or Mancora before our tour of Peru comes to an end and we enter Ecuador.

DAY 46-51: PUNTA SAL TO BANOS
You will see an almost immediate change from the dry, barren desert of Peru through sub-tropical forest to the fertile farming country of highland Ecuador. We will visit Cuenca on our way to the outdoors mecca of Banos, a spa town nestled at the foot of a volcano, where Ecuadorians go to relax in the thermal baths. On this stop of our overland Amazon trip you can hike, mountain bike or horse-ride to one of the surrounding waterfalls including El Pailon del Diablo. For the more adventurous there is the option to go canyoning down one of the many rivers in the area.

DAY 52-56: BANOS, AMAZON EXCURSION AND ON TO QUITO
We descend to the lowlands and the steamy edge of the Amazon basin to the town of Tena, gateway to the Amazon jungle. Here, accompanied by experienced guides, we explore on foot and by motorised canoes this exotic environment for two days. There may also be the chance to go whitewater rafting on the rapids of the Rio Napo (time permitting).

We drive north and return to higher altitudes as we arrive in Ecuador’s richly historical capital, Quito. Here we have some free time to explore Quito’s old town, take a ride on the cable car for an awesome view or enjoy the city’s café culture