From the pristine peaks of the Andes to the world’s most famous beach city, and from one coast to another, this is an epic adventure if ever there was one! We’ll take you through the ancient Inca Empire, across the Chaco of northern Argentina, up to the Iguazu Falls and Pantanal wetlands, and then we’ll culminate on the coast of Brazil for the world’s best party. From the Pacific to the Atlantic, you’ll be immersed in the Latino way of life every step of the way.
Day 1 to 2 - Lima
Day 1 is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities, so you will have free time to relax and see some of the sights. Lima was founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, after he eradicated the Incas and made the city his capital. Lima has many fine colonial buildings and some of the best museums in South America including the Gold Museum, Museum of the Inquisition and the Catacombs below the San Francisco Church. Peru’s capital has heaps to offer and many of the sights, including the city’s two main squares the Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Martin, are within easy walking distance.
Day 3 to 4 - Paracas - Nazca
After a few days in Lima, a short drive along the Pacific coast brings us to Paracas where upon arrival we will have the option to go by speedboat to explore the Ballestas Islands, passing the unusual ‘Candelabra’, a giant design carved into a desert hill, along the way. On and around these celebrated islands you’ll see thousands of sea lions plus many varieties of aquatic birds. Continuing on, we stopover at Huacachina, a desert oasis surrounded by massive sand-dunes. You have the option to do an overnight excursion into the desert here sleeping under the stars this also incorporates the chance to take an awesome ride in dune-buggies or, for the even more courageous, sand boarding down the dunes is an unreal way to spend The afternoon and night, a good time for a Pisco Sour party!
Travelling further inland, we reach Nazca, famous for the strange parallel lines and geometrical figures etched into the desert floor. Here you can take a flight in a light aircraft to see the ‘monkey’, ‘hummingbird’, ‘condor’, ‘spider’ and even what appears to be a spaceman. There are many more designs to be seen on this 30 minute flight but to this day, no-one really knows why they are there! After a short drive we’ll stop at the bizarre Chauchilla Cemetery where you’ll see ancient mummies that still have skin and hair intact after thousands of years.
Day 5 to 8 - Puerto Inca Arequipa
Heading back along the coast our journey takes us to Puerto Inca, the Inca's original fishing port, which was only re-discovered in the 1950’s. Tonight we camp by the beach just down from the actual ruins.
Travelling back into the foothills of the Andes we reach the city of Arequipa, located 2,380 metres above sea level and dominated by the conical snow-capped El Misti Volcano. Here the attractions include the Plaza de Armas, one of South America’s most charming main squares and the Santa Catalina Convent, which is like a walled colonial town dating back more than 400 years. Shrouded with mystery, the convent’s 450 nuns lived in complete seclusion until 1970.
From Arequipa you have the option to visit the Colca Canyon, which is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, making it the world’s second deepest. From the lookout point at Cruz del Condor you can see the river flowing 1,200 metres below and you’ll have a very good chance of seeing condors as they soar out of the canyon on the hot thermal currents. Our base for visiting the canyon is the town of Chivay where we’ll also have time to soak in the nearby hot thermal pools.
Day 9 to 11 - Cuzco
The landscape gradually becomes greener as we get closer to the former Inca capital of Cuzco, which means ‘navel of the earth’ in the Inca language of Quechua. This enchanting city has a mostly indigenous population of around 275,000 and is centred around the Plaza de Armas, which is dominated by the Cathedral and La Compañia de Jesus Church. Nowadays Cuzco is also legendary for its party atmosphere and brilliant nightlife and is jam-packed with arcades housing many fine restaurants, bars and shops. For people wanting the challenge of the 4 day Inca Trail trek there will be a briefing in which your local guide will chat about the arrangements for the next few days.
We have a full day trip through the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Optional - at additional cost) and if you’ve purchased your full Cuzco visitor’s ticket previously then you’ll be able to visit Sacsayhuaman ruins with its huge stonework as well as the Pisac ruins perched on a hill high in the mountains and the famous Indian market of the same name, in the valley below (that’s free). This is a great place to buy textiles, pottery and jewellery, not to mention the delicious empanadas (pasties) at the famous bakery. After spending time at both, we move down the valley to the temple fortress of Ollantaytambo, with its enormous terraces climbing up the hillside (you’ll need your visitor’s ticket again). If you are trekking the Inca Trail you will spend the night here with a local family in preparation for the next four days.
Day 12 to 15 - Inca Trail or free time in Cuzco
THE INCA TRAIL
Please see the brochure or the ‘Useful Information’ section of our website for important booking regulations and prices. You may not be able to complete the trek if you do not read this information. For more details about the trail facilities, equipment, preparation etc. please ask your agent for an ‘Inca Trail Info Sheet’. If you are trekking the alternative Lares Trek you should ask for a ‘Lares Trek Info Sheet’. Both documents are available to download from our website.
If you are not hiking the Inca Trail, you will return to Cuzco where there are many other options available including an overnight trip by train to Machu Picchu, white water rafting, horse riding, mountain biking, jungle excursions, shopping (make sure you bargain!) and sightseeing etc.
If you have chosen to hike the Inca Trail you will cross spectacular passes and visit more Inca ruins en-route to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. A local guide will lead this expedition and there will be cooks and porters to carry the main equipment, leaving you with just a small daypack. The trek begins after a short bus journey and the first day is a relatively easy 4½ hour 13km walk which will get you limbered up for the highest pass at Warmiwañusca (4,200m) which you will reach before lunchtime on Day 2 (and which translates to “Dead Woman’s Pass”!). During Day 2 you will cover approximately 9km in about 5-7 hours and after the high pass it’s all down hill as the trail winds its way along old Inca stairs to our campsite. On Day 3 we pass the ruins of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca, walking approximately 15km in 7 hours. The last morning, after an overnight stop at Wiñay-Wayna, you will rise early for the final walk to Machu Picchu and greet daybreak over the famous “Sun Gate”. There will then be time to explore on your own or simply take in the magnificence of the place before your guided tour. The ruins were only discovered by the outside world in 1911, when American explorer Hiram Bingham found them while looking for another “lost city” called Vilcabamba. Due to their isolation many of the buildings are still quite intact and you can’t help but admire Huayna Picchu (“Young Mountain”), which towers above the ruins. It is a hard climb to the top of the mountain (it takes about 50 minutes) but you are rewarded with spectacular views over the whole site. After spending most of the day at Machu Picchu you have the chance to soak your tired muscles in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes or meander through the markets before returning to Cuzco by train.
Day 16 to 17 - Cuzco
Making the most of your last free time in Cuzco you can explore its amazing churches, colonial buildings and picturesque streets, most of which have Inca walls, arches and doorways. Leaving Cuzco, we drive along roads bordered by herds of llamas, alpacas and vicuñas before reaching the Altiplano (high plain). Our journey takes us past hot mineral pools, snow-capped mountains, through villages where the Indians sell food, fur hats and alpaca sweaters. And over the La Raya Pass at 4,321 metres before arriving at the Sillustani ruins. Here you will have the option to visit these ancient burial towers. Our final destination for today is Puno on the edge of Lake Titicaca. There is an opportunity to try some of the fresh fish from the lake in one of the restaurants in Puno tonight.
Day 18 to 20 - Puno
After a night in Puno, on the shores of lake Titicaca which at 3,855 metres, is the highest navigable lake in the world. From here you have the chance to take an excursion to the islands of Amantaní and Taquile. On Amantaní we arrange homestay accommodation with the native Quechua Indian families and you will have the chance to eat with the family, perhaps enjoy a party and dancing and maybe play soccer with the local children! The next morning you’ll visit Taquile Island where the people live in simple adobe huts and the men knit colourful hats. You will also visit the floating reed islands in the Bay of Puno, to see the Uros Indians’ way of life and ride in a traditional reed boat. Continuing back to Puno, you’ll arrive in time to visit the colourful markets.
Day 21 to 23 - La Paz (Bolivia)
We drive around Lake Titicaca to the border town of Desaguadero where we can change money before crossing into Bolivia. We pass adobe villages before reaching a highway which winds its way down the canyon into La Paz, the highest capital city in the world at 3,636 metres. La Paz is built in the basin of a spectacular ancient crater caused by a meteorite, with the snow-capped Mount Illimani in the background. The city has colourful Indian street markets including the ‘witches market’ where women in flared skirts sell, amongst other things, dead cats and llama foetuses which are placed under new buildings to keep evil spirits away. The main square, Plaza Murillo, is where many years ago a president of the republic was lynched from a lamppost. La Paz is one of the best places to see a traditional peña show of Andean music and dance where local musicians play their time-honoured instruments such as zampoñas (pipes) and charangos (ukulele).
There are heaps of optional excursions available in La Paz. Check out the Moon Valley with its strange rock formations shaped by the weather or take in the incredible views from Mount Chacaltaya and the world's highest ski resort at 5,221metres. Another fantastic excursion is to Coroico, the gateway to the Bolivian jungle region and a great place to see sub-tropical vegetation and plants. En-route you will cross a 5,000 metre high pass before descending to 1,300 metres on narrow mountain roads bordered by sheer drops. The excursion to Coroico can also be done by mountain bike, as it is downhill nearly all the way and very exhilarating, but not for the fainthearted!
Day 24 to 26 - Free camping – Potosi
From La Paz we travel across the Altiplano on our way to Potosí. At 4,070 metres, Potosi is the highest city of its size on earth with a population of 110,000. The city was established in 1545 soon after the discovery of a rich vein of silver in a nearby hill, the Cerro Rico (or “rich hill”). Silver from Potosí underwrote the Spanish economy, particularly the monarchy's extravagance, for over two centuries. Millions of Indians, and later, African slaves, worked in the mines where conditions were so appalling and dangerous that miners died in astronomical numbers, either in accidents or from silicosis pneumonia. You have the chance to visit one of the mines where you can see first hand how rough the working conditions were and still are!
Day 27 to 28 - Uyuni
Travelling on we head to the desolate town of Uyuni, in the south of Bolivia, to visit what is claimed to be the largest salt flat in the world, the brilliant white vast Salar de Uyuni. There is an opportunity to take an excursion to Fish Island where there are great views of the surrounding lake and giant cacti provide perfect photo opportunities. The fantastic contrast of the brilliant blue sky (weather permitting of course) and the pure white of the salt flats will take your breath away.
Day 29 to 31 - Free Camping – Salta (Argentina)
Winding our way along the dusty roads of Bolivia, which are some of the worst in South America, we head towards the Argentine border free camping enroute amidst the vividly coloured rock formations and giant cacti. We pass through Tupiza and Villazon before crossing into Northern Argentina where you will be amazed by the arid beauty of the Humahuaca Canyon. Next stop is the striking city of Salta in the Lerma Valley, established in 1582. Salta has many old colonial buildings, a cathedral with ancient statues of Cristo del Milagro (Miracle of Christ) and the Virgin Mary, which were brought over from Spain in 1592. A variety of excursions await you here including rafting, rappelling and many more.
Day 32 to 33 - Free Camping – San Ignacio
We travel through the Chaco, a mixture of savannah and marshlands teeming with wildlife. We will be free-camping along the way and will hopefully see lots of wildlife and the odd gaucho (Argentine cowboy) as we make our way to San Ignacio Mini to visit some of the best kept Jesuit ruins in the region.
Day 34 to 37 - Foz do Iguacu (Brazil)
We spend time in Puerto Iguazu so as to visit the Iguazu falls from the Argentinean side. Iguazu falls where some 275 waterfalls cascade over a two and a half kilometre wide cliff face. We then cross into Brazil to reach Foz do Iguaçu (Iguazu Falls), and visit these stunning falls from the Brazilian side, offering a contrast to the Argentine side. We spend several nights here and there is plenty to do; on the Brazilian side there are panoramic views of the numerous waterfalls and on the Argentine side you can walk through rainforest and along catwalks directly above the falls. On the Argentine side you’ll also find the famous "Devil's Throat" where fourteen falls drop with such force that there is always a massive cloud of spray overhead. For a bird’s eye view over the entire falls you can take an optional scenic helicopter ride. There is also an excellent bird park nearby and you can visit the world’s largest hydroelectric dam at Itaipu where videos show the environmental planning behind the dam project. If you want to do a bit of country counting, then you can pop into neighbouring Paraguay by public bus (you don’t even have to get your passport stamped) for a bit of shopping in Ciudad del Esté.
Day 38 to 40 - Free Camping – Bonito
Leaving Foz do Iguaçu we free camp on the way to Bonito where we have plenty of time to enjoy its waterfalls, caves and rivers. A variety of activities are available which include cave and river snorkelling, rafting, rainforest walks and wildlife spotting.
Day 41 to 43 - Pantanal
Our next stop is the Pantanal Wildlife Reserve, a massive wetland of 230,000 square kilometres. One of the unusual things about the Pantanal is that there are also many farms in the area and the animals from these farms live quite comfortably with the other wildlife in the region. Wild animals include approximately 650 species of birds, capybara, howler monkeys, pumas, jaguars, ocelots, coatis, yellow anacondas, marsh deer, caiman, tapir and many more. The Pantanal is excellent for wildlife spotting as the region is more open and flat than a jungle setting. Please note the Tucan Travel vehicle will go to the Pantanal, if you choose not to do this excursion then Tucan Travel will pay for your transport to the next destination, however accommodation and food will be at your own cost.
Day 44 to 47 - Campo Grande – Free Camping – Parati
Leaving the Pantanal, we make our way past the modern city of Campo Grande and across the rolling hills of Southern Brazil to Parati, free camping en route. Parati, our destination before Rio, is an awesome little colonial coastal town and we have several nights here. Vehicles are banned from entering the town centre leaving the cobbled streets traffic free and peaceful. Parati was a major port for the exportation of gold and coffee during the 17th and 19th centuries respectively and recommended excursions include a sailing schooner cruise around the bays, rainforest treks and walking the gold trail.
Day 48 to 49 - Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
We drive on to Rio de Janeiro, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are many things to see and do in Rio. You can take a trip up to Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado with its famous Statue of Christ – both of which offer great city views, visit to the Botanical Gardens or the famous beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. Our tour concludes after breakfast on day 49.
