Kingdoms and Carnivals: Lima to Rio

Explore the Inca Kingdoms in Peru, the remote Altiplano and Salt Flats of Bolivia, the mountains and glaciers in Patagonia and the largest party in the world at Rio's Carnival or New Year's Eve celebr

This extensive trip offers an overview of the most amazing and fascinating highlights of the South American continent.

Explore the Inca Kingdoms in Peru, the remote Altiplano and Salt Flats of Bolivia, the mountains and glaciers in Patagonia and the largest party in the world at Rio's Carnival or New Year's Eve celebrations.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Days 1 to 8
Peru

* Lima - the capital city with many plazas and museums and great local seafood (Ceviche).
* Ballestas Islands - a boat trip takes us up close to the Islands which are bursting with exotic & rare marine wildlife.
* Ica Desert & Oasis of Huacachina - visit a local winery & taste Pisco, the national drink.
* Dune Buggies & Sandboarding on the giant dunes out in the desert. BBQ and camp overnight under the stars.
* Nazca Lines - huge figures and shapes carved into the stony desert, best viewed from the air.
* Ascend the Andes mountain range and drive past grazing Llama, Alpaca and Vicuna
* Arequipa - a magnificent colonial city with authentic Peruvian nightlife.
* Colca Canyon - accompanied by a local guide, you have the opportunity to view the majestic condors, which can be seen circling lazily on the thermals rising from the canyon floor.

Days 9 to 15

* Traverse mountainous passes of nearly 5000m within sight of active volcanoes
* Cuzco (our base for the next week)
* Sacred Valley of the Incas
* Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu - 4 day hike on the Lares, Classic or Salkantay trail.
* Machu Picchu - finally on day 4 we reach the famous UNESCO World Heritage site - entrance and guide included.

Days 16 to 19

* Puno - Lake Titicaca - the world's highest navigable lake at 3800m.
* Floating reed islands - home to the Uros Indians - explore Titicaca by boat & spend a night with one of the local families.

Bolivia

* La Paz - highest capital city in the world, visit the colourful witches market!

Days 20 to 27

* Altiplano - drive across this wild and barren landscape.
* Potosi - Silver & Tin mines - the opportunity to enter a working mine where techniques have remained unchanged for centuries.
* Uyuni Salt Lake - take a 1 day excursion out onto the vast salt flats.
* Tupiza - follow in the steps of Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid.

Argentina

* Humahuaca Canyon and Purmamarca
* Salta - founded over 400 years ago and a great place for live music, mountain biking, mountain trekking, horse riding and river rafting.

Days 28 to 34

Oct to April trips (via Argentina)

* Cafayate and Mendoza, - wine growing region visiting wineries by bicycle or tandem paragliding from the Andes.

May to Sept trips (via Chile)

* Atacama Desert & San Pedro - experience this oasis town & beautiful barren moonscape & the option of astronomer guided stargazing.
* Valley of the Moon - salt lakes, volcanoes, as well as stone age dwellings.
* Pan American Highway and Pacific Ocean coastline with stunning beaches; and the famous 'Hand in the Sand' Sculpture.

Day 35

* Pacific Ocean - towns and stunning beaches
* Santiago - Chile's capital, a modern, organised city with great food and nightlife.

Day 36

* Free Day to explore Santiago.

Days 37 to 43
Chile

* Pucon - Chile's Lake District, our base for the next few days, from where it is possible to organise white water rafting, skiing, horse riding and hikes.
* Villarrica Volcano - there is the option to climb this active volcano.
* Andes mountain range

Argentina

* Bariloche - popular holiday destination for Argentineans and a top ski resort with great hiking trails and nightlife.

Days 44 to 50

* Camino Austral - (Open Jan & Feb) - incredible drive past spiralling volcanoes, glaciers & fjords.
* Los Glaciares Nat. Park - the largest glacier in the world and an option to take a guided glacier hike on one!
* Moreno Glacier - take a boat ride up close to this almost 200ft high glacier.
* Torres del Paine Nat. Park - another area of outstanding beauty where huge granite cliffs dominate the landscape.

Days 51 to 58

* Tierra del Fuego - an island on the southern tip of the continent - spectacular scenery and seagoing boat trips.
* Ushuaia - most southerly town on earth you are ever likely to travel to.
* Patagonia - vast, sparsely populated treeless plateau.
* Atlantic Marine sanctuaries - spot penguins, sea lions, sea elephants, birds & whales (season dependent).
* Puerto Madryn - landing place over a century ago for the first group of Welsh settlers.

Days 59 to 67

* Buenos Aires - a smart cosmopolitan city with plenty to do; museums, horse racing, football matches, shopping, tango dancing & restaurants that serve the best steaks in the world.

Uruguay

* Optional 2 hr ferry across the River Plate for a 1 or 2 day visit to the buzzing capital Montevideo & the quieter town of Colonia.

Days 68 to 72

* Iguazu Falls - optional activities include boat trips, helicopter flights and mountain biking - we visit the falls from both the Argentine & Brazilian sides.

Days 73 to 80

Brazil

* Bonito - swim & snorkel in crystal clear river and lakes as well as hike into lush forests to look for monkeys, alligators & anaconda.
* Pantanal - organise treks out into the vast wetlands, home to hundreds of species of birds & fish, including Piranha!

Days 81 to 87

* Parati - laid back historic coastal village, explore the secluded islands by taking a sailing trip in a traditional schooner.
* Rio de Janeiro - where folk are raring to party out of their minds and live purely for the moment - Carnival & New Years Eve celebrations are always chaotic, crowded and great fun

Other Details

Accommodation Details

A mixture of free camping, campsites and basic hotels/hostels