Andes, Altiplano & Brazil

Location: Belem

<p>Welcome to Belem! Today there is an important group meeting at 18:00hrs please meet at the Hotel reception. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Belem.<p><strong>Border information</strong>: If you are starting your trip in Belem, enter Brazil at Val De Cans Air port (IATA code BEL)</p><p><br/></p></p>

Location: Belem

<p><p>Today is yours to enjoy the port town of Belem, one of the first Portuguese settlements. Explore the historic centre which houses various museums and cathedrals and be sure to visit the Ver-o-Paso Market, considered the largest in South America, with its stalls scattered with Amazonian fish, baskets of Acai, herbs and crafts.</p></p>

Location: Sao Luis

<p>Our first drive brings us to the UNESCO world heritage site of Sao Luis, the only city of Brazil to be founded by the French. Depending upon the ferry we may choose instead to spend the night in neighbouring Alc&#226;ntara.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Sao Luis

<p>Sao Luis is full of interesting museums, the historic centre houses beautiful, pastel coloured colonial mansions. You can take a boat trip to the more laid back town of Alc&#226;ntara, you may spot the Scarlet ibis, or guarás on your way.</p>

Location: Barreirinhas

<p>Today we will drive to the town of Barreirinhas, gateway to the Lencois Maranhenses National Park.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Barreirinhas

<p>Today we will head out in motor boats through the Preguica River, to the protected area of Pequenos Lencois, along the way, we will visit a small fishing village, take a short walk &amp; enjoy the views of the dunes and the Preguicas River.</p>

Location: Barreirinhas

<p>Today we will enjoy another day in the Lencois Maranhenses NP. Seen from the sky, the meeting point of the Rio Parnaiba and the Atlantic Ocean looks like a giant puzzle, made up of 85 tiny islands. <p><br/></p></p>

Location: Jericoacoara

<p>Today we drive to the laid back beach town of Jericoacoara, or 'Jeri' as it's affectionately known. Access to Jericoacoara is only by 4WD through unpaved tracks through the dunes, making it a wonderfully hard to reach place. <p><br/></p></p>

Location: Jericoacoara

<p>Jericoacoara is a magical place to spend some time; wander the sandy lanes, enjoy the sunset with a caipirinha on the dunes whilst the locals practise their Capoeira, head out on a quad bike adventure to remote lagoons where you can take a dip, laze in a hammock and enjoy a seafood lunch. Jeri is also one of the prime spots for surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing! </p>

Location: Canoa Quebrada

<p>Drive day to the pretty seaside town of Canoa Quebrada.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Canoa Quebrada

<p><p>Huge pinkish sand dunes dominate the area of Canoa Quebrada, it's a fantastic spot to kick back and relax or for the more energetic, take an evening horseback ride along the beach or head out on a beach buggy. There's a laid back small town to explore too with lots of great cafes and bars.</p></p>

Location: Praia da Pipa

<p>Today we'll head south the the cool seaside town of Praia da Pipa.</p>

Location: Olinda

<p>We have a full day drive to the stunning colonial gem of Olinda, considered one of Brazil's most important historic sites. <p><br/></p></p>

Location: Olinda

<p>Explore the beautiful town of Olinda, once known as 'small Lisbon' and the richest town in Brazil. Enjoy wandering the cobblestone streets, check out some of the exquisite churches and definitely make time for lunch at Alto de Se, to enjoy the views!</p>

Location: Aracaju

<p>Today we head south along the coast, into the state of Bahia and to the town of Aracaju, where we can chill out in one of the town's seafront eateries, listen to some traditional forr&oacute; music and enjoy the fresh crabs that the town is known for. <p><br/></p></p>

Location: Salvador

<p><p>Today we complete the journey to the vibrant city of Salvador, known around the world for its Carnival festivities. Salvador is home to over 300 churches, the historic centre is recognised by UNESCO and full of interesting architecture, brightly coloured buildings and cobblestone streets. It's an excellent place to witness the African culture in music and dance and enjoy some delicious street food.</p></p>

Location: Salvador

<p>Welcome to Salvador! Today there is an important&nbsp;group meeting at 18:00hrs please meet at the Hotel reception. &nbsp;The rest of the day is yours to enjoy&nbsp;Salvador.</p><p><strong>Border information</strong><strong>:</strong> If you are joining your trip in Salvador, enter Brazil at Deputado Lu&iacute;s Eduardo Magalh&atilde;es International Airport&nbsp;(<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Air_Transport_Association_airport_code" title="International Air Transport Association airport code">IATA</a>:&nbsp;SSA)</p><p>We stay just by the old centre of Pelourinho in a lovely hotel.</p>

Location: Salvador

<p class="Body">Explore the energetic and vibrant city of Salvador, known around the world for its Carnival festivities.&nbsp;Salvador is home to over 300 churches, the historic centre is recognised by UNESCO and full of interesting architecture, brightly coloured buildings and cobblestone streets. It&#39;s an excellent place to witness the African culture in music and dance and enjoy some delicious street food.</p>

Location: Itacare

<p>We head south the beautiful beach town of Itacare, with its stunning Atlantic rainforest, laid back eco-friendly cafes and bars, and the opportunity to surf, relax and explore. This is our last view of the ocean before we head inland for the National Parks!<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Itacare

<p>Today we have a free day to explore the area, enjoy the beach, take part in some of the many adventure activities available here, or visit the stunning Peninsula de Marau, stopping off at Praia Taipus de Fora and Lagoa Azul.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Lencois

<p>Today we head to the fantastic town of Lencois, the gateway to Chapada da Diamantina National Park. We camp in Lencois giving you the opportunity to enjoy a variety of treks into the stunning scenery of the national park.<p>Approximate Driving Time - 9hrs / 515km</p></p>

Location: Lencois

<p>Today we can enjoy the Chapada Diamantina National Park; this is a real adventurer's paradise. It's possible to go hiking, stopping along the way for a dip in the river by waterfalls and rapids, go horse riding, kayaking or maybe mountain biking. There are even cave systems to explore. The Chapada is full of towering rock formations and vast plains, making it perfect for landscape photography.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Lencois

<p>We have two full days to enjoy the Chapada Diamantina National Park; this is a real&nbsp;adventurer&rsquo;s paradise. &nbsp;It&#39;s possible to go hiking, stopping along the way for a dip in the river by waterfalls and rapids, go horse riding, kayaking or maybe mountain biking. There are even cave systems to explore. The Chapada is full of towering rock formations and vast plains, making it perfect for landscape photography.</p>

Location: Central Brazil

<p>Over the next two days we will travel overland across the central Brazilian countryside, towards the town of Alto Paraiso and the stunning Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, bush camping en route. </p>

Location: Alto Paraiso

<p>Today we complete our journey to the laid back town of Alto Paraiso, our base for exploring the Chapada Dos Veadeiros National Park.</p>

Location: Alto Paraiso

<p>We will have an included visit to the Vale da Lua or the Valley of the Moon, so called due to the rock formations giving it an appearance similar to the moon.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Alto Paraiso

<p>This area is perfect for hiking, horse and bike riding and of course swimming in natural pools and soaking up the parks atmosphere. It is said that due to the high amount of quartz in the ground, that this Chapada is glows from space!</p>

Location: Brasilia

<p>Today we arrive in the futuristic capital of Brasilia. We will enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating city, which was designed and built to be the Brazilian Government's headquarters in 1960. The city is designed to resemble a plane, and is a UNESCO heritage site, housing some incredible, futuristic style Cathedrals and Monuments.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Tres Marias

<p>We have a full day drive through the Brazilian countryside. We will find a nice spot and camp for the night near Tres Marias.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Ouro Preto

<p>Today is a full day drive to the beautiful colonial mining town of Ouro Preto where we will stay at a local Guesthouse. Ouro Preto is considered Brazil's most important historic site.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Ouro Preto

<p>Today we will have a half day guided tour of Ouro Preto, well known for its colonial architecture and the first Brazilian town to be considered a UNESCO world heritage site. In the afternoon enjoy some free time to explore the town, visit the museum or some of the stunning baroque churches. There are some fantastic cafes and restaurants in Ouro Preto. Don't forget your camera today, Ouro Preto is one of the most picturesque towns on our itinerary!</p>

Location: Rio de Janeiro

<p>Today we drive to the vibrant city of Rio de Janiero, a highlight of any trip to Brazil!<p>Along the way we will stop at Petropolis, the cool hill-side hideaway for local Cariocas escaping the heat of Rio. We will have 2 hours to explore the Museu Imperial, the former Imperial Museum, wander the town or visit the Palacio de Cristal, the site where the last slaves of Petropolis were released.</p><p><br/></p></p>

Location: Rio de Janeiro

<p><strong>Border information:</strong>&nbsp;if you are joining in Rio de Janeiro, you will most likely&nbsp;enter&nbsp;Brazil at Rio de Janeiro Gale&atilde;o International Airport (IATA code: RIO/GIG).</p><p>Welcome to the iconic Brazilian city of&nbsp;Rio de Janeiro! There will be an important&nbsp;group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.</p><p>Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Rio de Janeiro&nbsp;before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Rio de Janeiro.</p><p>In Rio de Janeiro we will stay in a great hotel in the Flamengo district, close to the beach and the metro station.</p>

Location: Paraty

<p>Today our journey begins with a short drive to the colonial town of Paraty on the Emerald Coast of the Atlantic!<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Paraty

<p>Today we will have an included boat trip around the incredible islands and beaches off the emerald coast.</p>

Location: Paraty

Today we will have free time to explore the town, take a historical tour, walk along the stunning scenery of the coastline, head out snorkelling or diving, or simply relax on the idyllic beaches.

Location: Brotas

<p>Today we will drive to the remote town of Brotas in southeastern Brazil. From our campsite here it's possible to take part in a whole host of water activities such as rafting.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Brotas

<p>Today we will have a&nbsp;free day to take part in&nbsp;adventure activities such as white water rafting and canyoning, or maybe just to relax&nbsp;by the pool.</p>

Location: Campo Grande

<p>Today we will start driving west towards the Southern Pantanal, and stay in a local Pousada close to the city of Campo Grande.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Pantanal

<p>Today we have an early start to meet our guide in Campo Grande, and then drive on to Brazil's amazing Southern Pantanal region, where we have a visit a local eco-tourism ranch (or 'fazenda'). <p><br/></p></p>

Location: Pantanal

<p>At the Fazenda we have a wonderful package of included activities such as exploring the beautiful surrounding countryside on horseback, trips down the wildlife-abundant rivers in boats and canoes, and safaris on the ranch's trucks and on foot where we hope to spot capybaras, caimans, and (if we are very lucky) jaguars and ocelots. Our stay here is an incredible highlight!<p><p>In the Southern Pantanal we will stay in dorm accommodation in a well equipped lodge with all the meals and activities included.</p></p></p>

Location: Bonito

<p>After our morning activities and one final lunch in our beautiful ranch, it is time to leave the Pantanal and drive to the Brazilian eco-tourism capital of Bonito.<p>In Bonito we will camp in the grounds of an excellent hostel with a pool and good facilities.</p><p><br/></p></p>

Location: Bonito

<p>Take part in a plethora of incredible optional activities here. You could go out on a world-class snorkelling trip, explore the nearby caves, or go abseiling down some of the largest waterfalls in the area, among many other possibilities!</p>

Location: Bonito

<p>Enjoy another day in Bonito to relax or take part in activities. </p>

Location: Foz do Iguacu

<p>Today we have a full drive day south to the city of Foz do Iguacu.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Foz do Iguacu

<p>Today we will visit the Brazilian side of Iguacu Falls, to get some incredible panoramic vistas of the mighty waterfalls. There is also time to visit the bird park, take a helicopter ride over the falls, see the incredible Itaipu Dam, or quickly stop into Paraguay to pick up some bargains in the nearby Ciudad del Este.</p>

Location: Foz do Iguacu

<p>Today we will take a day trip back into Argentina to see the incredible Iguazu Falls from the other side. This is well worth doing as the views are even more spectacular, and you&#39;ll be able to look right down into the mighty Garganta del Diablo&nbsp;(the largest waterfall here) from a gantry walkway viewing point). We will have a full day at the Argentine side of the falls, allowing us lots of time to freely explore the site, hike some nature trails, or perhaps take an exhilarating (and very wet) boat ride!</p><p>We will return to our base in Foz do Iguacu tonight.</p>

Location: Yapeyu

<p><strong>Border information: </strong>Exit Brazil at Tancredo Neves, enter Argentina at Tancredo Neves.<p>Today we cross the border into Argentina, and aim to reach the beautiful village of Yapey&uacute; on the banks of the River Uruguay. Yapey&uacute; is very famous amongst Argentines for being the birthplace of their national hero General Jose de San Martin, one of the liberators of South America from Spanish colonial rule.</p><p><br/></p></p>

Location: Buenos Aires

<p>Today we have a full day drive north though the provinces of Corrientes and Entre Rios to Buenos Aires, the wonderful capital of Argentina!<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Buenos Aires

<p>Today will be a free day to explore the incredible city, soak up the atmosphere of its streets, and discover its amazing culture, art, and music.</p>

Location: Buenos Aires

<p><strong>Border information:</strong> if you are joining in Buenos Aires, you will most likely enter Argentina at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport, also commonly known as Ezeiza Airport (IATA code: BUE/EZE).<p>Welcome to Buenos Aires, the wonderful capital of Argentina! There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.</p><p>Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Buenos Aires before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Buenos Aires.</p></p>

Location: Buenos Aires

<p>Today we have a free day to enjoy the sights of Buenos Aires, soak up the&nbsp;atmosphere of its streets, and discover its amazing culture, art, and music.</p>

Location: Cordoba

<p>Today we will have a full day drive to the lively university city of C&oacute;rdoba.</p>

Location: Estancia

<p>Today we will have a free morning to explore C&oacute;rdoba, before driving to a unique Anglo-Argentine Estancia after lunch, where we will stay for 3 nights.<p>During our time at the Estancia, we will head out horseback riding, taste the excellent wines produced by their vineyards, be entertained by a local musician, learn some of the skills of the gauchos, and enjoy a traditional asado (Argentine BBQ). This is a magical experience in a beautiful and atmospheric location, and many people's highlight of the trip!</p><p><em>Please note that some of these activities are subject to weather conditions. Please also note that there is a strict weight limit of 15 stone (210lbs) or 95kg to partake in the horse riding - if you should weigh more than this, then unfortunately you will not be able to participate in the horseback riding.</em></p><p>At the Estancia we will camp with facilities in the grounds near the main house.</p></p>

Location: Estancia

Full day at the Estancia.

Location: Estancia

Full day at the Estancia.

Location: Tafi Del Valle

<p>Today we will drive north across the lush flat pampas and start climbing into the drier mountains, stopping near the town of Taf&iacute; del Valle, near the ancient ruins of the indigenous city of Quilmes. </p>

Location: Cafayate

<p>Today we will have an included visit to the Quilmes Ruins en route, then arrive in the serene town of Cafayate. This small, unassuming town is the centre of one of Argentina's principal wine producing regions, famous for the quality of its Torrentes and Tannat wines! We will have the opportunity to go to a few of the vineyards nearby to see how the wine is made, and of course to try them!</p>

Location: Cafayate

<p>Today we will drive through the spectacular rock formations of the Quebrada de las Conchas, and reach our campsite in Cabra Corral, a small village south of Salta where we have the opportunity to go rafting or zip-lining!</p>

Location: Salta

<p>Today we will have a short drive to the beautiful town of Salta, with a free afternoon to explore upon arrival.</p>

Location: Salta

<p>Today we will have a free day to explore the town of Salta, visit its many museums, or explore the beautiful surrounding hills on foot or by mountain bike. We will also have the chance to take the cable car to the viewpoint on San Bernardo Hill overlooking the town.<br/></p>

Location: Purmamarca

<p>Today we will have some more free time in Salta before heading up to the small village of Purmamarca, at the base of the aptly-named &#39;Hill of the Seven Colours&#39;</p><p>In Purmamarca we will camp at a local campsite.</p><p>Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours.</p>

Location: San Pedro de Atacama

<p><strong>Border information:</strong> Exit Argentina and enter Chile at Paso Jama.<p>Today we will have a long drive day to cross the mighty Andes, cross the border into Chile, and then descend all the way into the Atacama desert.</p></p>

Location: San Pedro de Atacama

Today we have a free day to explore the incredible highlights of the Atacama desert surrounding San Pedro. In the evening we will take an included trip out to the extraordinary Moon Valley, where we will hopefully see an incredible sunset. At night we will also have the chance to&nbsp;go stargazing, in one of the world&#39;s premier regions for astronomy&nbsp;(please note that this is only possible when there is not a full moon).

Location: Altiplano

<p>We will depart San Pedro de Atacama early today to drive to the world's highest Geyser field, at 4300m above sea level, the El Tatio Geysers are an impressive sight first thing in the morning. After time to explore, we will continue our journey into the Reserva Nacional Alto Loa, we will have plenty of opportunities for photographs along the way on this scenic drive.<p>Please note: The weather in this region can be unpredictable and has been known to close the road to the border. On these occasions we will take an alternate route across the Altiplano, crossing into either Chile or Argentina at a different border point. Your Tour Leaders will keep you informed of any changes that may be necessary</p></p>

Location: Uyuni

<p>Border information: Exit Chile and enter Bolivia at Ollague<p>After breakfast we will break camp and cross the border into Bolivia. We will take our time to enjoy the views on the way to the town of Uyuni, the gateway to the incredible salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni.</p></p>

Location: Uyuni

<p>Today we will&nbsp;venture out onto the salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni, spending a full day exploring this phenomenal location by jeep and on foot.&nbsp;En route we will explore the nearby train graveyard and&nbsp;the cactus-filled &#39;Fish Island&#39;,&nbsp;and take all the time we need to get plenty of&nbsp;perspective-bending photographs!</p>

Location: Potosi

<p>Today we will head to the colonial mining town of Potos&iacute;, the highest town in the world, and once famous for the area's abundance of silver!<p>This afternoon there will be a chance to visit the infamous silver mines of Cerro Rico near to the town.</p></p>

Location: La Paz

<p>Today we will drive north to La Paz, Bolivia's seat of government and the highest administrative capital in the world!<p>On the following day we will have a free day to independently explore the fascinating city and take part in some optional activities.</p></p>

Location: La Paz

Today we have a free day to independently&nbsp;explore the fascinating city and take part in some optional activities

Location: La Paz

<p><strong>Border information:</strong> if you are joining in La Paz, you will most likely enter Bolivia at La Paz El Alto International Airport (IATA code: LPB).<p>Welcome to La Paz, Bolivia's seat of government and the highest administrative capital in the world! There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.</p><p>Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in La Paz before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring La Paz.</p><p><strong>A note on altitude</strong>: If you are joining in La Paz, we strongly recommend arriving at least 24 hours before the trip begins to allow additional time to acclimatise.</p><p><br/></p></p>

Location: Copacabana

<p>Today we will head to the beautiful town of Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca, where we will have some time to explore.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Isla del Sol

<p>Today we will take an included day trip to Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca, one of the holiest sites in ancient Inca mythology and supposedly the birthplace of the Sun God Inti. We will take a 14km walk across the length of the island, taking in the incredible and serene scenery and soaking up the calm atmosphere of the island (this walk can be skipped by anybody who does not want to do it).<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Puno

<p><strong>Border information:</strong> exit Bolivia at Kasani, enter Peru at Yunguyo.<p>Today we will take a boat back to Copacabana, and then cross the border into Peru and head to the lakeside town of Puno. </p><p><br/></p></p>

Location: Cuzco

<p>Today we will leave Puno and head through the highlands of Peru to the former Inca capital of Cuzco. <p><br/></p></p>

Location: Cuzco

<p><strong>Border information: </strong>if you are joining in Cuzco, you will most likely enter Peru at Cuzco Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (IATA code: CUZ).<p>There will be an important group meeting at 10:00am at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting. There will be a further meeting this evening for our Wild Andes and Classic Inca Trails, where we will have a full detailed briefing from our local trekking guides about the next few days!</p><p>The rest of today will be free to explore the wonderful city of Cuzco, discover its many historical gems, or to take part in number of optional activities near the city.</p><p><strong>A note on altitude:</strong> if you are joining in Cuzco, we strongly recommend arriving at least 24 hours before the trip begins to allow additional time to acclimatise.</p></p>

Location: Inca Trail

<p>These&nbsp;four days will be spent either trekking&nbsp;in the Andes,&nbsp;on our pioneering Wild Andes Trek,&nbsp;on the Classic Inca Trek&nbsp;or for those not wishing to hike, free time to explore and a guided tour of the Sacred Valley on our Train package.</p><p><strong>Option 1 - Wild Andes Trek</strong></p><p>Leaving Cuzco early in the morning, we visit the ruined temples of&nbsp;Sacsayhuaman for a fascinating&nbsp;tour of the site.&nbsp;We then head on to Chinchero, a small Quechua-speaking&nbsp;village in the Sacred Valley.&nbsp;Here we will see a traditional weaving demonstration that has been unchanged for a thousand years,&nbsp;and explore&nbsp;their beautiful&nbsp;archaeological ruins.&nbsp;We will drive to a stunning viewpoint for a&nbsp;picnic lunch, and then visit the&nbsp;Quillarumiyoc temple (the Temple of the Moon).</p><p>We will start our trek from here in the afternoon, heading by foot&nbsp;to Zurite where we&nbsp;have a picturesque stay in a colonial house. Tonight&nbsp;we will enjoy a traditional&nbsp;dinner and get a taste of the local village&nbsp;lifestyle.</p><p>Approximate walking distance: 8km, Estimated time: 4hrs, Meals provided: Lunch and Dinner&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Option 2 - Classic Inca Trek</strong></p><p>This morning we go for a guided tour of the Sacred Valley, followed by a visit to the market town of&nbsp;Pisac, where we will have a lunch. &nbsp;We then head to Ollantaytambo, where we have free time to explore the impressive&nbsp;archeological site. Tonight&nbsp;we stay in a comfortable hotel. &nbsp;</p><p>Please note that we have the evening to ourselves in Ollantaytambo, our Guide will meet us in the morning.</p><p>No Meals are included in Ollantaytambo.</p><p>There is no trekking today.</p><p><strong>Option 3 - Train Package</strong></p><p>You will leave Cuzco with your fellow passengers who will be trekking the Wild Andes Trek.&nbsp;You will visit the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, followed by a beautiful scenic drive over mountains and through valleys, via the ancient city of Pisac and on to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After lunch you will head back to Cuzco where you will stay at our nice, centrally located hotel for a further 3 nights.</p><p>Meals included: Lunch</p>

Location: Inca Trail

<p><strong>Option 1 - Wild Andes Trek</strong></p><p><strong>Zurite to Amaruwatana</strong></p><p>After a hearty breakfast we leave Zurite and head towards Amaruwatana camp. The walk will take us through Qenteqentiyoc (the Hummingbird Temple), where we will visit and admire this Inca archaeological&nbsp;site.&nbsp;We will then follow&nbsp;the ancient path all the way to the top of our first pass at 4,400m, where we will have a dramatic view of both the&nbsp;Vilcabamba and Vilcanota&nbsp;mountain ranges.&nbsp;From here we start walking down on the way to our first camp in the Sambor Valley where we will spend the night camping.</p><p>Approximate walking time: 8hrs,&nbsp;Distance: 13kms,&nbsp;Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner</p><p><strong>Option 2 - Classic Inca Trek</strong></p><p><strong>Ollantaytambo to Wayllabamba</strong></p><p>After breakfast, we catch a bus to Piscaycuscho and the start of the Classic Inca Trek - the railroad KM82 marker (at 2,700m altitude). Here we&nbsp;are joined by our&nbsp;crew of local porters and&nbsp;cooks. We will cross the bridge over the River Urubamba&nbsp;and following a trail along the left-hand shore of the river,&nbsp;enjoying stunning views of the snow-capped Mount Veronica (5,830m) and the Incan archaeological remains at Llactapata. Continuing through lush farmland and woodland, we gradually climb for approximately 5 hours to our first campsite at Wayllabamba (3,000m).</p><p>Approximate trekking time: 5-6hrs, Distance: 12kms,&nbsp;Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks</p><p><strong>Option 3 - Train Package</strong></p><p>Today is a free day&nbsp;to&nbsp;enjoy Cuzco, with its museums, churches, incredible colonial architecture,&nbsp;beautiful restaurants and a vast array of shops, selling textiles and&nbsp;handicrafts.</p>

Location: Inca Trail

<p><strong>Option 1 - Wild Andes Trek</strong></p><p><strong>Amaruwatana to Ancascocha</strong></p><p>We have an early start this morning, trekking for approximately 2 hours to reach the top of our second pass at 4,700m. From here we have fantastic views of the rock formations below us, and if we&#39;re lucky we may spot Andean ibises, caracaras, eagles or foxes up here!</p><p>After descending for approximatley&nbsp;2 hours, we arrive at a stunning&nbsp;highland valley with a glacial river&nbsp;named Kenqo Mayu (meaning &quot;Zig-zag River&quot;)&nbsp;flowing down it - which makes an idyllic stop for lunch!</p><p>After lunch we will continue trekking downhill&nbsp;following the ancient trail, which leads&nbsp;us to our campsite in the&nbsp;Ancascocha area.</p><p>Approximate trekking time: 6-7hrs, Distance: 10kms,&nbsp;Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner</p><p><strong>Option 2 - Classic Trek</strong></p><p><strong>Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo</strong></p><p>This is the most challenging day of the trek as we ascend a long steep path (approximately 4 hours) through Andean cloud forest and highland puna&nbsp;to reach the highest point of our trek, Warmiwa&ntilde;usca (meaning &quot;Dead Woman&#39;s Pass&quot;)&nbsp;at a height of 4,200m.&nbsp;During our ascent, we can appreciate the wide variety of plant, flower and bird species supported by this unique eco-climate.&nbsp;On reaching the pass, our challenge is rewarded by an astonishing panoramic view of the Vilcanota and Vilcabamba mountain ranges.&nbsp;From here we descend for 2 hours into the Pacaymayo Valley (3,650m altitude) and to our second campsite.</p><p>Approximate trekking time: 6-7hrs, Distance: 11kms,&nbsp;Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks</p><p><strong>Option 3 - Train Package</strong><br />Today is a free day for you to enjoy Cuzco, with its museums, churches, incredible colonial architecture, beautiful restaurants and a vast array of shops selling textiles and handicrafts.</p>

Location: Inca Trail

<p><strong>Option 1 - Wild Andes Trek</strong></p><p><strong>Ancascocha to Ollantaytambo</strong></p><p>Today we will descend the narrow&nbsp;Silque Canyon, allowing us to&nbsp;observe its tall granite walls which are&nbsp;populated by a large variety of orchids and bromeliads, filling the environment with magnificent colours when they bloom. After crossing many little bridges&nbsp;we will reach the&nbsp;Camicancha area,&nbsp;where we stop at a magnificent&nbsp;volcanic&nbsp;viewpoint looking towards the snow-capped Mt. Veronica.</p><p>From here&nbsp;it is only a short trek to Chilca, where our&nbsp;trail ends.&nbsp;We&#39;ll be picked up by our vehicle and head to&nbsp;Ollantaytambo, taking a well-earned shower and rest at our hotel.</p><p>In the afternoon we will have an included guided tour around the incredible archaeological site of Ollantaytambo and its world-famous&nbsp;Temple of the Sun.&nbsp;</p><p>Please note that we have the evening to ourselves in Ollantaytambo, our Guide will meet us in the morning.&nbsp;No Meals are included in Ollantaytambo.</p><p><strong>Option 2 - Classic Inca Trek</strong></p><p><strong>Pacaymayo to Wi&ntilde;ay Wayna</strong></p><p>Today we follow ancient stone paths and steps to ascend the well-preserved Inca remains of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Phuyupatamarca (the &quot;Town above the Clouds&quot;)&nbsp;where we can appreciate the Incas&rsquo; complex architectural style and reverence of natural geography and beauty.&nbsp;Heading down the&nbsp;Andean slope, we reach our final night&#39;s camp by the Wi&ntilde;ay Wayna (meaning &quot;Forever Young&quot;)&nbsp;ruins, with panoramic views of the valley below.</p><p>Approximate walking time: 8hrs, Distance: 16kms,&nbsp;Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks</p><p><strong>Option 3 - Train Package</strong></p><p>After being picked up from your hotel in the morning you will be driven to the fortress city of Ollantaytambo and our hotel for the night, the Tunupa Lodge. Here you will rejoin the Wild Andes Trekkers and your tour leader who will be arriving from their trek this afternoon.</p>

Location: Cuzco

<p><strong>Option 1 - Wild Andes Trek</strong></p><p><strong>Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu – Cuzco</strong></p><p>Today we will have&nbsp;an early start to&nbsp;catch the train to the small town of Aguas Calientes. From there, we will take a bus up the winding mountainside to the legendary ruined city of&nbsp;Machu Picchu - one of the world's most iconic sights!&nbsp;We&nbsp;have a guided tour with our expert local guide and there will be plenty of free time to&nbsp;explore this magical place.&nbsp;</p><p>In the afternoon we will head back to Ollantaytambo and then on to Cuzco, where we return to our joining hotel at the end of a long but phenomenal day!</p><p>Meals provided: Breakfast</p><p><strong>Option 2 - Classic Trek</strong></p><p><strong>Wiñ</strong><strong>ay Wayna to Machupicchu</strong></p><p>Leaving Wiñay Wayna, we descend gradually further through the highland jungle to our destination -&nbsp;Intupunku (the "Sun Gate") leading into Machu Picchu. Arriving at daybreak, we catch our first breathtaking view of this historical wonder. As with the Wild Andes Trek, our local guide will show us the most important constructions as well as explain the history and the mythology of this magnificent place. There is also some free time to explore the ruins further at your own pace or just chill out and watch the hummingbirds or vizcachua. In the afternoon we head back down to Aguas Calientes and take the train back to Ollantaytambo and return to Cuzco for a well-deserved rest.</p><p>Approximate walking time: 2hrs, Distance: 4kms,&nbsp;Meals provided: Breakfast, Snacks</p><p><strong>Option 3 - Train Package</strong></p><p>After an early breakfast and walk to the train station, your stunning 2 hour train ride to Aguas Calientes begins. The journey takes you through several different micro-climates, past Inca terraces, lookout posts, ancient river bank reinforcements and small towns. You will get a glimpse of different temples and the beautiful Mount Veronica (5,750m). Passing through 8 tunnels, the train journey finally comes to an end in the busy pueblo, Aguas Calientes. From here you take a local bus that winds up the mountainside for about 30 minutes until you arrive at the entrance to Machu Picchu (2,400m), the awe inspiring 'Lost City of the Incas'. The guide will take you around the immense, mystical ruins for about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes, explaining the rich history of the ancient site. Afterwards, you will have time to explore on your own before returning down the mountain to Aguas Calientes.</p><p>In the afternoon you will catch a train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and a private transfer will take you back to your hotel in Cuzco.</p><p>Meals provided: Breakfast</p>

Location: Cuzco

<p>Today is a free day to relax after the treks, further explore the historical city of Cuzco, and take part in some&nbsp;optional activities around the city.</p>

Location: Raqchi

<p>Today we will drive south to the small village of Raqchi. Here we will stay at a homestay as guests of the local villagers in their traditional family homes. The houses are very clean and have basic facilities.<p>This afternoon we will visit the Inca ruins of the Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi, and then see a pottery demonstration at a local artisan centre. This evening the villagers will invite us to take part in a traditional Quechua religious ceremony, and we'll have some lively music from some of the village's musicians.</p></p>

Location: Chivay

<p>Today we will drive through the stunning landscapes of the Peruvian highlands to the small town of Chivay, where we can have an optional trip to the nearby hot springs in the evening.</p>

Location: Arequipa

<p>This morning we will head out on a short drive to some of the best viewpoints along the spectacular Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world! The canyon is famous for its resident condors, and we will spend a good amount of time at the viewpoints to give ourselves the best chance of spotting them. We will also visit a couple of local communities on the way back to Chivay.<p>After lunch in Chivay, we will drive to the beautiful 'White City' of Arequipa.</p></p>

Location: Arequipa

<p>For the next two days we will enjoy free time to independently explore the colonial city of&nbsp;Arequipa, or to take part in&nbsp;some optional activities in and around the city.</p>

Location: Arequipa

Second free day to explore Arequipa.

Location: Puerto Inca

<p>Today we will continue our drive and head all the way downhill to the Pacific coastal resort of Puerto Inca.</p>

Location: Nazca

<p>This morning we head north to the world-famous village of Nazca, the location of the mysterious Nazca Lines. We will have an included visit to the nearby ancient sites of the Chauchilla Cemetery and the Cahuachi Pyramid, thought to have once been the religious centre of the Nazca civilisation.<p>In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to take an optional 30-minute flight over the Nazca Lines in a small aircraft - this is by far the best way of seeing the figures, and we use a local operator with an excellent safety record. The Nazca Lines are a series of figures, lines, and geometric shapes that were etched into the ground of the desert plateau over a thousand years ago by the ancient Nazca culture, and their purpose is still unknown to this day.</p></p>

Location: Huacachina

<p>Today we continue north, stopping at a viewing platform to get a glimpse of some of the Nazca Lines. <p>We will arrive at the stunning desert oasis town of Huacachina, where we have the option to head out for an evening of sand boarding and dune buggying.</p></p>

Location: Lima

<p>Today we will drive the short distance to Paracas and board one of the local boats for an included trip to the Ballestas Islands to view its incredible array of resident wildlife and birds.<p>After lunch, we will continue north to arrive at the chaotic Peruvian capital of Lima.</p></p>

Location: Lima

<p><strong>Border information:</strong> if joining in Lima, you will most likely enter Peru at Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport (IATA code: LIM).<p>There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.</p><p>Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Lima before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Lima.</p></p>

Location: Huaraz

<p>Today we will have a spectacular drive up the winding roads of the 'Paramonga Route' into the Cordillera Blanca section of the high Andes, reaching the mountain town of Huaraz.</p>

Location: Huaraz

<p>We have two days in the spectacular area of the Cordillera Blanca for exploration and optional activities such as visiting the&nbsp;incredible pre-Inca ruins of Chav&iacute;n de Hu&aacute;ntar or trekking and climbing to the nearby lakes and&nbsp;glaciers.</p>

Location: Huaraz

Second free day for optional activities and exploration in Huaraz.

Location: Huanchaco

<p>Today we will have a full day's drive down the stunning 'Casma Route' to the Pacific coast and on to Huanchaco, near the city of Trujillo.</p>

Location: Huanchaco

<p>Today we will have an included guided trip to explore the enormous adobe ruins of Chan Chan and the world-famous Moche archaeological site of Huaca de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon).</p>

Location: Punta Sal

<p>Today we will have a full day's drive along the coast of northern Peru. <p>We will stay at a friendly local campsite just outside of Punta Sal, on a beautiful and serene beach on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. </p></p>

Location: Punta Sal

<p>Today we have a full day&nbsp;to relax on the beach and enjoy some activities in and around the stunning coastal area of Punta Sal.</p>

Location: Cuenca

<p><strong>Border information: </strong>Exit Peru at Tumbes, enter Ecuador at Huaquillas.<p>Today we will have a long drive day north, crossing the border into southern Ecuador and arriving at the beautiful colonial town of Cuenca.</p></p>

Location: Cuenca

<p>Today we will have a free day to explore the colonial city of&nbsp;Cuenca. The town&nbsp;is the birthplace of the famous Panama Hat, and we will have the opportunity today to&nbsp;visit one of the factories to learn about the manufacturing process.</p>

Location: Chugchilán

<p>Today we will drive to the remote village of Chugchilán, via the stunning landscape of the Cajas National Park en route and the spectacular highland scenery along the road of the 'Quilotoa Loop'.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Chugchilán

<p>Today is a free day to enjoy optional activities such as mountain biking and horseback riding.</p>

Location: Rio Verde

<p>Today we will drive along the remainder of the Quilotoa Loop and head north to the village of Rio Verde near the famous Tungurahua volcano.</p>

Location: Rio Verde

<p>We will have two full days of free time for a range of&nbsp;activities in Rio Verde, such as white-water rafting, trekking, canyoning, cycling, and other options. We will also have the opportuinty to visit the nearby town of&nbsp;Ba&ntilde;os and its&nbsp;popular volcanic thermal springs.</p>

Location: Rio Verde

Second free day for optional activities.

Location: Ecuadorian Amazon

<p>Today our journey begins with a drive to a village on the edge of the Amazon basin, near the town of Tena, where we head to our lodge for an incredible 3-night stay.<p>Our lodge is a great example of eco-tourism, built and run by the local community and volunteers, who work to re-forest the reserve land at the lodge with native trees and medicinal plants. The lodge is set in secondary and primary rainsforest, an area at risk of deforestation. </p></p>

Location: Ecuadorian Amazon

<p>Over the next two days we will head into the&nbsp;Amazon jungle, enjoying rainforest treks exploring the nearby waterfalls and caves, and trips down the Napo River in&nbsp;motorised&nbsp;dugout canoes, hopefully spotting plenty of wildlife on the way. We will also see some ancient fossils and petroglyphs, and visit a local Quichua community.&nbsp;</p>

Location: Ecuadorian Amazon

Second full day in the rainforest.

Location: Quito

<p>Today we will drive back up into the highlands and arrive at the Ecuadorian capital, Quito.</p>

Location: Quito

<p><strong>Border Information:</strong> if joining in Quito, you will most likely enter Ecuador at Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (IATA code: UIO).<p>There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.</p><p>Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Quito before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Quito.</p><p><strong>A note on altitude</strong>: If you are joining in Quito, we strongly recommend arriving at least 24 hours before the trip begins to allow additional time to acclimatise.</p><p><br/></p></p>

Location: Otavalo

<p>Today our journey begins with a short drive to Mitad del Mundo, the monument that marks the Equator. After this we will continue north to the charming town of Otavlo.<p><br/></p><p><br/></p></p>

Location: Ipiales

<p>Today we will leave Ecuador behind and travel into Colombia. We will have an included visit to the Santuario de las Lajas en route to our hotel in Ipiales.<p>Border information: Exit Ecuador at Ipiales, enter Colombia at Ipiales.</p><p><br/></p></p>

Location: Popayan

<p>Today we will drive to the beautiful town and former colonial capital of Popayán.<p>On the following day we will have a free day to explore Popayán or take part in some excellent treks or other optional activities in the surrounding area.</p><p><br/></p></p>

Location: Popayan

<p>Today we will have a free day to explore Popayán or take part in some excellent treks or other optional activities in the surrounding area.</p>

Location: Salento

<p>Today we will continue our journey north to the small town of Salento, the gateway to the spectacular Valle de Cocora.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Salento

<p>Today we will have a guided trek through the Cocora Valley to see the Quindio wax palm trees, the largest palms in the world and the national tree of Colombia.</p>

Location: Salento

<p>Today we will have a tour of the coffee plantation and learn about the cultivation of coffee.</p>

Location: Manizales

<p>Today we have a short drive to our Hacienda in the heart of the coffee region. <p><br/></p></p>

Location: Medellin

<p>Today we will drive to the vibrant city of Medellin, where we will spend 3 nights.<p>On our first full day in Medelli&shy;n we will have a guided walking tour of the city, and our second day will be free time to independently explore the town, its parks, churches, and museums.</p></p>

Location: Medellin

Today we will have a guided tour of the city.

Location: Medellin

Today is free time to independently&nbsp;explore the town, its parks, churches, and museums.

Location: Lorica

<p>Today we have a drive north to the beautiful, colonial town of Santa Cruz de Lorica.<p>The following day we have a free day to explore the historic centre, learn about the traditional hates that are made in the region or head to the coast for a final beach sunset at San Bernardo del Viento.</p><p><br/></p></p>

Location: Northern Colombia

<p>Today we will start the journey north towards Tayrona National Park, staying en route in a local Guesthouse.</p>

Location: Tayrona NP

<p>Today we arrive in Tayrona, one of the most popular National Parks in Colombia. Leaving our main luggage stored on the truck, we take a day-pack/night-bag and go on a moderate walk in to the park to where we will stay. Mules to carry your luggage can be hired at an extra cost.<p><br/></p></p>

Location: Tayrona NP

<p>Today we will go for a guided trek in the National park and in the afternoon there is time to do some snorkelling or just relax on the beautiful beaches.</p>

Location: Cartagena

<p>We will have some more free time in Tayrona National Park in the morning, before we walk back to the park entrance and complete our epic journey with a drive to the beautiful coastal colonial city of Cartagena.<p>In Cartagena we will stay in a comfortable hotel just outside the historical centre.</p></p>

Location: Cartagena

<p>Today we will have an included walking tour of the city, and then the afternoon will be free to explore the city further, enjoy the many optional activities on offer, or simply relax on the beach.</p>

Location: Cartagena

<p><strong>Border information:</strong> if you are finishing in Cartagena, you will most likely exit Colombia at Cartagena Rafael N&uacute;&ntilde;ez International Airport (IATA code: CTG).<p>Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Cartagena. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact your sales agent if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.</p><p>If you are continuing on to Panama then your leader will assist you with airport transfers for your included flight. You will stay tonight in a comfortable hotel in either Panama City or Cartagena (depending on the flight times and availability).</p></p>