Southern Cross (Rio to Lima)
45 days. £1365
Travel through the heart of South America; Visit Iguassu Falls and relax on Copacabana Beach in Rio. Spend two days marvelling at macaws, Jaribu storks and giant otters at the Pantanal wetlands.
Explore the glaringly white Salt Flats. Stay with a local family on Lake Titicaca. Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
- Challenge:
- Adventure
- Destination:
- Peru
- Duration:
- 7 weeks
Dates:
Weekly
- Cost:
- £ 1365
- Kitty:
- USD 500
|
Day 1 Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 2-5 Ilha Grande / Curitiba Leaving Rio, head south to one of the picturesque, laid back coastal islands and on to Curitiba. |
| Day 6-11 Iguassu Falls / Bonito Head inland to magnificent Iguassu Falls. CROSS through the vast cattle ranches of Mato Grosso do Sul en route to Bonito. Snorkel in crystal clear rivers or visiting spectacular caves and waterfalls. |
| Day 12-15 Corumbá / Pantanal / Santa Cruz (2B,2L,2D) Join a 2-day excursion to the immense Pantanal wetlands. Marvel at macaws, giant otters and caimans. CROSS into Bolivia and head to Puerto Suarez for our overnight train to Santa Cruz. Fly to Sucre. |
| Day 16-18 Sucre / Potosí Historic Sucre is filled with museums and colonial buildings. The highest city of its size in the world, World Heritage Potosí was a silver mining capital during colonial times. Descend into the working mines of Potosí on an optional excursion. |
| Day 19-25 Uyuni / Salt Lakes Excursion (3B, 3L, 3D) / La Paz Spend three days exploring the blinding white salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni by 4x4. Head to La Paz on night bus/train, and wander the streets of the world’s highest capital. |
| Day 26-28 Puno / Lake Titicaca (B, L, D) Travel around Lake Titicaca to Puno. Take a boat trip to the Uros, Amantani and Taquile islands, and immerse yourself in Peruvian rural life with a homestay in a small village. |
| Day 29-33 Cuzco / Ollantaytambo Enjoy spectacular views on a travel day through the high Altiplano to colonial Cuzco, with its cobblestone streets, markets and churches. Travel through the Sacred Valley to Pisac and the picturesque town and Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. |
| Day 34-37 Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (3B,3L,3D) Begin a once in a lifetime journey on the ancient trail of the Incas. Ruins and spectacular mountain scenery fill each day. On the final day watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Return to Cuzco in the evening. |
| Day 38-40 Arequipa / Colca Canyon Fly from Cuzco to Arequipa. Spend two days exploring the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world and home to the majestic Andean Condor. Return to Arequipa for one more night on the town. |
| Day 41-43 Nazca / Pisco Take an optional flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines then visit a fascinating Pre-Inca cemetery. Catch a bus to Pisco and enjoy the city's renowned local cocktail, the Pisco Sour. |
| Day 44, 45 Lima Visit the Ballestas Islands this morning on an optional trip. Arrive in Lima by late afternoon. Depart Lima on Day 45. 
Culture Shock Rating  • Day tour Nazca Cemetery and potter's workshop • Guided tour of Colca Canyon (overnight) • Guided tour of the Sacred Valley • Four-day hike on the Inca Trail with local guide, cook and porters • Guided tour of Machu Picchu • Guided tour of Taquile and Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca • Three-day 4 wheel drive excursion to the Salar de Uyuni • Two-day wildlife excursion to the Pantanal • Visit to Iguassu Falls Max 15, Avg 10 Tour leader throughout, local guides in the Nazca cemetery, Colca Canyon, the Sacred Valley, on the Inca Trai, on Lake Titicaca, and while in the Pantanal. Simple hotels (34-35 nts), buses (3-4 nts), camping (5 nts), homestay (1 nt). Public bus, local flight, train, boat, hiking, 4WD truck. All meals while hiking the Inca Trail and during homestay and while visiting Uyuni Salt Flats and in the Pantanal. Allow USD600 for meals not included. For additional expenses, see dossier. |