Basix
Explorer
South America Highlights
44 days • 3
3
Good
2 reviews
44 days
Start
Lima, Peru
Finish
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Trip Code
GGBZC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
38 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 9 dinners
Transport
4x4, Bus, Coach, Ferry, Minibus, Overnight bus, Plane, Taxi, Van
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Dormitory (2 nights), Estancia (3 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (31 nights), Overnight bus (3 nights)
From £5,135(44 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Whether you trek the classic Inca Trail, the Inca Quarry Trail or take the scenic train route, the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu are a majestic destination, no matter how you get there.
The floating islands of Uros on Lake Titicaca are a marvel of concept, construction and history. Take a boat tour on the lake and spend the night with a local family in a traditional island community.
Salar de Uyuni's desert landscapes are so unique they’re almost extra-terrestrial. Embark on a three-day adventure via 4WD passing cactus islands, train cemeteries and mineral lakes teeming with flamingos.
Harness your inner gaucho during a three-day stay at a working estancia in Uruguay. Whether it’s getting involved in daily farm chores, working with livestock or simply relaxing, experience a unique way of life and Uruguayan hospitality at its best.
The mighty Iguazu Falls straddle the border between Argentina and Brazil, and you’ll be able to see it from both sides with your small group.
Is this trip right for you?
There are some long travel days and five overnight bus journeys on this trip. Although the buses feature comfortable reclining seats, they are not beds. There’s also usually a toilet on-board, and some of the buses make toilet stops. These trips can be tiresome, but an adventure trip around South America wouldn’t be complete without an overnight bus journey.
You’ll be staying in some very basic group accommodation with shared facilities, especially along the Inca Trail and on Lake Titicaca (where there are drop toilets and no showers). This is all part of the adventure of being among nature.
There will be a lot of hiking and walking on this trip (especially on the Inca Trail which can be quite challenging), so this requires a moderate level of fitness. There are a few different trail options to suit your interests and physical capabilities. Please bring durable footwear suitable to hiking. See the ‘What to Take’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Medical and Health Information’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
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.
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.
Making your way across the Salar de Uyuni isn’t exactly luxurious. There will be long travel days spent in 4WDs which will likely have all seats occupied travelling on dusty and bumpy tracks. Temperatures in the area can be very cold, especially at night, so bring warm clothes with you. 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. Without a doubt, this amazing experience will be one of the highlights of your trip to South America.
According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations all visitors to Machu Picchu must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. We will do all that is possible to get everyone traveling in a group on the same route, but be aware that it is possible that members of the same group might be visiting Machu Picchu on a different circuit and not be together during this visit. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted.
Itinerary
A cultural fiesta to remember, from Lima to Rio
There’s times when it’s appropriate to dip a toe in, and there’s times when it’s best to dive in head first. Get ready to jump straight into the action on this trip from Lima to Rio, with plenty of time for independent exploring and taking things at your own pace. This trip takes in the very best of the centre of South America – from trekking the Inca Trail to Macchu Pichu to partying in Rio de Janiero. Visit Iguaza Falls, stroll the barrios of Buenos Aires, snap pictures at the incredible Uyuni Salt Flats, look out over the Nazca Lines and explore the histories and cultures of this incredible part of the world at a pace that allows you to do as much as you want.
Inclusions
Meals
38 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 9 dinners
Transport
4x4, Bus, Coach, Ferry, Minibus, Overnight bus, Plane, Taxi, Van
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Dormitory (2 nights), Estancia (3 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (31 nights), Overnight bus (3 nights)
Included activities
Lima - Leader-led walking tour
Colca Canyon - Guided tour
Colca Canyon Condor Visit
Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
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 - Entrance & Guided visit
Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
Lake Titicaca - Boat tour & Homestay
Salt flats - Visit to 'Fish Island/Inca Wasi'
Uyuni - Colchani Salt Factory Visit
Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve - Altiplano tour including Laguna Colorada
Buenos Aires - Leader-led orientation walk
Tacuarembo - 3-Night Stay on a Working Estancia
Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Argentinian side of the falls
Optional activities
Lima - Archaeological Museum (entrance fee) - PEN15
Lima - Museo de la Nacion (entrance fee) - PEN10
Lima - Banco Central de Reserva Museum (entrance fee) - PEN5
Lima - Museum of the Inquisition - Free
Lima - Gold Museum Entrance Fee - PEN35
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 - 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 - Guided tour of San Francisco Monastery, including The Catacombs Admission Fee - PEN20
Paracas - National Reserve guided tour - PEN97
Ballestas Islands - Guided tour - PEN97
Nazca - Scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (excluding 77 PEN Taxes at Nazca Airport) - USD100
Arequipa - Juanita Museum Admission Fee - PEN20
Arequipa - Santa Catalina Monastery Admission Fee - PEN45
Colca Canyon - La Calera hot springs - PEN15
Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN15
Cusco - Half Boleto Turistico Pass (access to selected archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN75
Cusco - City tour and 4 Ruins (min 4 people) - USD40
Cusco - Pre-Colombian Museum - PEN20
Cusco - Inca Museum (entrance fee) - PEN10
Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site - PEN70
Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
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
La Paz - Visit to the 'Witches Market' - Free
La Paz - Coca Museum - BOB15
La Paz - Tiawanaku Tour - USD50
La Paz City Tour & Moon Valley - USD40
Museo de la Recoleta - BOB15
Sucre - Dinosaur footprints at Cal Orcko (Admission Fee) - BOB70
Sucre - Casa de la Libertad - BOB30
Potosi - Santa Teresa Convent Museum - BOB33
Potosi - National Mint of Bolivia - BOB60
Potosi - Cerro Rico mine tour - BOB150
Quebrada de Humahuaca - Free
Purmamarca Town - Free
Garganta del diablo (Devil's Throat Waterfall) - Free
Quebrada de las Señoritas & Hornocal Hill - USD45
Buenos Aires - Polo day - USD185
Buenos Aires - Ateneo Bookshop - Free
Buenos Aires - Tango Show and Dinner - USD120
Buenos Aires - Recoleta Cemetry - USD5
Buenos Aires - Football game (subject to availability) from - USD120
Colonia - Lighthouse visit - UYU35
Estancia - Horse riding - Free
Iguazu Falls - Bird Park - BRL160
Iguazu Falls - Helicopter ride - BRL610
Iguazu Falls - Zodiac ride up to the falls - USD90
Rio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf Mountain 3 (Admission Fee) - BRL160
Rio de Janeiro - Maracana football game (schedule dependent) - BRL400
Rio de Janeiro - Botanical Gardens admission fee - BRL67
Rio de Janeiro - Santa Teresa tramcar - BRL20
Rio de Janeiro - Christ the Redeemer (entrance) - BRL82
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. Inca 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 Inca 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.
2. Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres (9200 feet) where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude – regardless of your age, gender and fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary! Please read further about altitude sickness on the link provided in the Essential Trip Information.
3. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you are unable to find a suitable flight it is possible to book additional nights at the joining accommodation.
4. There are no activities on the final day and you are free to depart anytime.
5. This trip is a combination of three of our most popular departures. As such the make up of the group and the tour leader may change on Days 21 & 34
6. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 9, 22, 40 (Overnight bus), Days 11, 12, 13 (Camping), Days 18 (Homestay), Days 27, 28 (Dormitory) and Days 37, 38, 39 (Estancia) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
7. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase Entrance fees to certain sites. Additionally on certain trips it's needed to book bus, train or flight tickets. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
8. Please be aware that while hiking the Inca trek or the Quarry trek that you may be joined by passengers from other Tuuur groups.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. This trip includes a domestic flight within Argentina. The luggage allowance is 15kg for check in luggage. Should you wish to bring heavier luggage it is possible to increase your allowance by paying a fee at check in.
13. According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations all visitors to Machu Picchu must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. For travellers who opted for the Quarry Trail and Train options we will do all that is possible to get everyone traveling in a group on the same circuit. Regardless of the circuit you will enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the site. Travellers completing the 4 day, 3 night Inca Trail will enter Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate with a guided tour of Machu Picchu taking place on circuit 5.
Reviews (2)
5 stars
1
1 star
1
Timothy
Sep 25, 2022
Maryam
Oct 07, 2024
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