Basix
18 to 35s
Epic South America
39 Days | See the highlights, then delve a bit deeper, on this immersive journey across South America
5
Excellent
1 reviews
39 days
Start
Lima, Peru
Finish
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Trip Code
GGYPC
Min Age
18
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
33 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
Transport
4x4, Bus, Overnight bus, Plane, Taxi, Van, Boat
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Dormitory (2 nights), Amazon Lodge (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (26 nights), Overnight bus (2 nights), Estancia (multi-share) (2 nights)
From £5,434(39 days)
Trip Informations
Experience the full spectrum of South America on this epic 39-day adventure. Follow in the footsteps of ancient people on the Inca Trail in Peru, drive past volcanoes, lakes, llamas and flamingos in the Atacama Desert and marvel at the might of Iguazu Falls. Spend nights on a working estancia (farm) in Uruguay and at a homestay on Lake Titicaca, sample Argentinian barbecue in Buenos Aires and roam through the Amazon jungle. With like-minded travel companions and a local leader providing recommendations at every stop, this’ll be a South American expedition like no other.
Why you’ll love this trip
Head to a local community and rub shoulders with the inhabitants of the Sacred Valley – if you’re lucky, your travel day might even fall on market day where you can pick up some hand-painted beads or a warm poncho.
Roam the Amazon Jungle by boat at night (with an expert local) and float down the river, keeping an eye out for the glaring eyes of jaguars, anacondas and caimans.
Embark on a three-day adventure by 4WD across the rocky Atacama Desert in Salar de Uyuni and the largest salt lakes in the world. Pass cactus islands, train cemeteries and mineral lakes teeming with birdlife.
Spend two nights at a working estancia (farm) in Uruguay, where you can spend your time getting involved in farm work, learning about gauchos, riding horses or simply relaxing in the sun.
The mighty Iguazu Falls straddles the border between Argentina and Brazil, and you’ll cross the border to see its incredible cascades from both sides.
Is this trip right for you?
On this trip, you’ll be camping along the Inca Trail and spending the night in a homestay on Lake Titicaca. Bolivia is also the least developed and most challenging country you’ll travel around during this trip. Transportation can be slow and isn’t as easy as it might be in developed countries. Additionally, making your way across the Andean Desert involves long travel days spent in 4WDs on dusty and bumpy tracks. Temperatures in the area can be very cold, especially at night, so bring warm clothes. Meals are simple, toilet facilities are basic, showers can be cold, and the multi-share accommodation is dormitory style. This is all part of the adventure.
The Amazon Jungle can be very hot and humid. Light cotton clothing is the best way to tackle this. Also, don't forget tropical-strength insect repellent! It’s also important to wear sunscreen and always drink plenty of water.
This trip involves a lot of hiking and walking, so it does require a moderate level of fitness. There are a few different trail options to suit your interests and physical capabilities. Please bring durable footwear. See the ‘What to Take’ section of the Essential Trip information (ETI) for more information.
Due to the high altitude of many places, some people can suffer altitude sickness. Some people aren’t affected at all, but if you are, be sure to drink plenty of water and don’t push yourself too hard. If possible, arrive a few days early to allow yourself time to acclimatise. Please see the ‘Health’ section of the Essential Trip information (ETI) for more important information about altitude sickness.
Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means that you may not be able to have photos together overlooking Machu Picchu. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.
While at the estancia in Uruguay, you can choose to participate in the day-to-day activities of the farm as much or as little as you like. If you do choose to get involved, prepare for some early morning starts and to get your hands dirty when working directly with animals. The accommodation is multi-share and meals are served family style. Please inform your booking agent if you have any dietary requirements.
Itinerary
Inclusions
Meals
33 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
Transport
4x4, Bus, Overnight bus, Plane, Taxi, Van, Boat
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Dormitory (2 nights), Amazon Lodge (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (26 nights), Overnight bus (2 nights), Estancia (multi-share) (2 nights)
Activities
Lima - Leader Led orientation walk of Miraflores
Amazon Jungle - Jungle Lodge Stay and Activities
Cusco - Orientation Walk
Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters' support. Or guided Cusco stay (Machu Picchu by train)
Machu Picchu - Guided tour
Lake Titicaca - Boat tour & Homestay
La Paz - Visit to the 'Witches Market'
La Paz - Orientation Walk
Uyuni - Salt flats tour
Salt flats - Visit to 'Fish Island/Inca Wasi'
Uyuni - Orientation Walk
Uyuni - Colchani Salt Factory Visit
Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve - Altiplano tour including Laguna Colorada
Salta - Orientation walk
Buenos Aires - Leader-led orientation walk
Estancia Stay - 2-Nights on a Working Estancia
Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Argentinian side of the falls
Rio de Janeiro - Cinelandia
Rio de Janeiro - Selaron Stairs
Rio de Janeiro - Ruins Park
Rio de Janeiro - Orientation Walk of Santa Teresa via the Lapa Aqueduct
Add on activities
Lima - Archaeological Museum (entrance fee) - PEN15
Lima - Guided tour of San Francisco Monastery, including The Catacombs Admission Fee - PEN20
Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) - USD40
Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) - USD35
Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) - USD50
Lima - Bohemian Barranco (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
Lima - Lima Eat Street (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
Lima - Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures (Price based on 2 participants) - USD39
Lima - Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (Price based on 2 participants) - USD52
Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) - USD85
Lima - Museum of the Inquisition (entrance fee) - Free
Lima - Gold Museum (entrance fee) - PEN35
Lima - Museo de la Nacion (entrance fee) - PEN10
Lima - Banco Central de Reserva Museum (entrance fee) - PEN5
Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN15
Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
Sacred Valley - Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) - USD170
Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
La Paz - Guided City Tour - USD40
La Paz - Tiawanaku tour (min. 2 participants) - USD50
La Paz - City Tour & Moon Valley (min. 2 participants) - USD40
La Paz - Coca Museum - USD3
Bolivian Altiplano – Polques Thermal Baths - USD1
San Pedro de Atacama - Bike Rental - CLP10000
San Pedro de Atacama - Astronomic Tour - USD35
San Pedro de Atacama - Sandboarding - USD60
San Pedro de Atacama - Meteorito Museum - CLP5000
Salta - Archaeological Museum - USD2
Salta - Cerro San Bernardo Chairlift - USD3
Buenos Aires - Tango Show and Dinner - USD120
Buenos Aires - Football game (subject to availability) from - USD120
Buenos Aires - Polo day - USD185
Buenos Aires - Recoleta Cemetery - USD7
Buenos Aires - Ateneo Bookshop - Free
Buenos Aires - Caminito Street - Free
Buenos Aires - Recoleta Cemetry - USD5
Colonia - Lighthouse visit - UYU35
Iguazu Falls - Helicopter ride - BRL610
Iguazu Falls - Bird Park Entrance - BRL80
Iguazu Falls - Guarani community visit - USD15
Iguazu Falls - Zodiac ride up to the falls - USD90
Paraty – Bike Hire (3 hours) - BRL85
Paraty - Camino del Oro Trek (min. 4 participants) - BRL290
Ilha Grande - Boat trip to the Blue Lagoon - BRL220
Rio de Janeiro - Maracana football game (schedule dependent) - BRL400
Rio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car (entrance) - BRL160
Rio de Janeiro - Botanical Gardens admission fee - BRL67
Rio de Janeiro - Christ the Redeemer (entrance) - BRL82
Rio de Janeiro - Santa Teresa tramcar - BRL20
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Important notes
1. At the time of booking, please advise whether you would like to hike the classic Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trail or take the train. When available, the Inca Trail will be booked as the default option. Fees may apply to changes made after the time of booking, and availability on other options cannot be guaranteed.
2. While hiking the four-day Inca Trail or the three-day Inca Quarry trail portion of this trip you may be joined by other Tuuur travellers.Trail permits are sold on request basis only. Once deposit is paid and passport details provided, Tuuur will endeavour to secure a permit for you. If Inca Trail permits are unavailable by the time you book, you can opt to hike the Quarry Trail instead. The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. If the trek portion of your trip starts in February you will be automatically booked to hike the Inca Quarry Trail.
3. Nationals from the United States need a visa to enter Bolivia and you we highly recommend you obtain this visa in advance from your nearest Bolivian consulate or embassy. Not obtaining the visa in advance is likely to cause long delays at the border. Please see the 'Passport and Visas' section of the Essential Trip Information.
4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 2 and 3 (Amazon Jungle), Days 6, 7 and 8 (Camping), Day 12 (Lake Titicaca, Homestay), Days 17 and 18 (Dormitory), Day 22 (Overnight bus), and and Days 30 and 31 (Estancia Stay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5.Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for bus, train, or flights tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
6. As you can choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), there is a small chance you may be the only traveller on your selected option.
7. We highly recommend you take US Dollars with you to Argentina and change it locally. While ATMs are widely available, there is a daily limit for withdrawals and the exchange rate does fluctuate.
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