Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with this 38-day journey through five incredible South American countries — a dream for history buffs, nature enthusiasts, and nightlife seekers alike. Ride the rails through Peru’s stunning Urubamba Valley to the iconic Machu Picchu, dive into the vibrant culture of Lake Titicaca, and marvel at the surreal landscapes of Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni and Chile’s Valley of the Moon in the Atacama Desert. Explore colorful Valparaíso, find thrills in the adventure haven of Pucón, and relax in the lakeside charm of Bariloche. From the tango halls of Buenos Aires to the samba beats of Rio de Janeiro, and the thundering majesty of Iguassu Falls, every moment of this trip will leave you in awe and hungry for more.
35 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
Allow USD1230-1600 for meals not included.
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Lima: Arrive at any time.
Lima/Cusco: Hop a flight to Cusco. Enjoy a free day for shopping and exploring the city. Choose to pre-book an optional Cusco Cooking Class. Opt for a city tour.
Cusco: Spend a full day enjoying optional activities in the area.
Cusco/Ollantaytambo: Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).
Ollantaytambo/Aguas Calientes: Catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. Opt to visit the local hot springs or shop in the local market.
Aguas Calientes/Cusco: Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco in the evening.
Cusco: Use a free day to explore more of Cusco or relax.
Cusco/Puno: Travel day by bus from Cusco to Puno. Spend some time on arrival wandering the small city.
Puno: Enjoy a guided tour of Lake Titicaca including a visit to Uros and Taquile islands.
Puno/La Paz: Travel by bus and cross the border into Bolivia, arriving in La Paz.
La Paz: Enjoy a free day in La Paz. Opt to visit the Witches' Market, the city's museums or the Valley of the Moon.
La Paz/Sucre: Fly to Sucre and explore this beautiful colonial city.
Sucre: Free time to explore the city, the former capital of Bolivia. For more active options opt to go hiking in the surrounding area or mountain biking.
Sucre/Potos?: Travel by bus to Potos? and get a view of the mountain Cerro Rico looming over the city.
Potos?/Uyuni: Travel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni, the jumping off point for the three day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni.
Uyuni/Salt Flats and Desert Crossing: Enjoy a three-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. Today you will be heading into the Salar de Uyuni. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.
Salt Flats and Desert Crossing: Explore the desert altiplano on a 4x4 excursion. Admire the spectacular scenery while passing red and blue lagoons and interesting rock formations along the route. Spot wild llamas, alpacas and even flamingos deep within the desert.
Salt Flats and Desert Crossing/San Pedro de Atacama: Rise early to cover more ground of the unique landscape of the Salar de Uyuni. Continue to see incredible scenery, including volcanoes, salt lakes and geysers. Travel to the border and descend by bus to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. It's a long but scenic drive.
San Pedro de Atacama: Enjoy an Included excursion to the Valley of the Moon. In San Pedro, opt to go sandboarding or mountain biking.
San Pedro de Atacama/Santiago: Drive to Calama and fly to Santiago, a vibrant capital city.
Santiago: With a free day in Santiago, opt to visit nearby wineries.
Santiago/Valpara?so: Explore some of Santiago's neighbourhoods on a city tour, visit the Museum of Memory and try some local specialties. After, take a private bus to the seaside town of Valpara?so where brightly coloured houses perch on the hills.
Valparaiso/Santiago: Enjoy a free morning in Valparaiso to soak it all in. Later, head to the Casablanca Valley, stop at a winery to indulge in a wine tasting. After, head back to Santiago with free time before boarding an overnight bus to Pucon.
Puc?n: Enjoy free time in Pucon, try whitewater rafting or explore the area by foot.
Puc?n: Enjoy another free day to take part in the many activities on offer in Puc?n. Opt to hike Villarica volcano (it's active!) or soak in the nearby natural thermal pools.
Puc?n/San Carlos de Bariloche: Cross the Andes to Argentina. Travel by local bus to San Martin and take a private van the rest of the way to Bariloche in the Lake District with a local guide.
San Carlos de Bariloche: Transfer to a Gaucho Ranch just outside of Bariloche. Enjoy a barbecue for lunch and take to the saddle with a Gaucho by your side.
San Carlos de Bariloche: Enjoy a free day to explore the beautiful area in and around Bariloche. Take a hike in the countryside or wander the town, known for its shops and in particular, artisan chocolate.
San Carlos de Bariloche/Buenos Aires: Fly to Buenos Aires. Opt to enjoy a Tango show and dinner.
Buenos Aires: The day is yours to explore Buenos Aires. From bike tours to city walks and neighbourhood visits, there is plenty to see and do.
Buenos Aires/Foz do Igua?u: Fly to Iguassu (Argentinean Side) and cross the border into Brazil by private vehicle and witness amazing panoramic views of the falls. Spend the next two full days exploring the area around the falls.
Foz do Igua?u: Return to the Argentine side to explore the trails. Opt for a boat tour to get a close look at the falls. Return to the Brazilian side for one more night in town.
Foz do Igua?u/Paraty: Fly to S?o Paulo and continue by van to Paraty. Wander the cobblestoned streets and shops of this gorgeous coastal town and its historical centre, designated as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Paraty: Enjoy a free day to explore Paraty. Opt to visit the cacha?a distilleries or take a boat into the bay to explore the nearby islands and beaches.
Paraty/Ilha Grande: Continue by van up the coast and take a ferry to Ilha Grande. Opt to hike to remote beaches and enjoy free time to relax and explore the island.
Ilha Grande: Enjoy a free day in Ilha Grande. Optional activities include hiking Pico Do Papagaio or to Lopes Mendes, snorkelling or relaxing on the beach.
Ilha Grande/Rio de Janeiro: Carry on by ferry and van to Rio de Janeiro. With free time, explore the city on an optional city tour.
Rio de Janeiro: Depart at any time.