Circuito 2 (Santiago to La Paz)

Day 1 to 1

Arrive Santiago

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. Our tour begins in Santiago. Pedro de Valdivia established Santiago in 1541 but not much remains of its original glory. At Santa Lucia Hill where the original fortress was constructed, there are excellent views of the city below. However, for even better photo opportunities, take a funicular railway to the top of San Cristobal where the Statue of the Virgin overlooks the capital and the distant Andes. At this very pleasant viewing area you’ll find wine-tasting facilities and a couple of beautifully situated swimming pools. Santiago is a very clean modern city with fountains, parks and imposing buildings. In the Plaza Constitución at the Palacio de la Moneda you can see the changing of the guard on most days or you can take an optional excursion to the port of Valparaiso and the resort of Viña del Mar.

Day 2 to 7

Santiago - Pucon -Bariloche - Perito Moreno

Heading south through vast vineyards, farmlands and pine-forests we come to Salto del Laja, the waterfalls which drop an impressive 47 metres to the rocks below. We continue to the Lake District of Chile and the picturesque town of Pucon, a small resort on Lake Villarrica below the perfect cone-shaped Villarrica Volcano. The whole area is surrounded by lakes, mountains, forests, rivers and waterfalls and offers many exciting optional activities such as trekking to the top of the active volcano, white water rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking and water sports on the lake. We have a free day to allow time to take advantage of some of the great activities on offer or simply relax. Across the Andes and down into Argentina we make our way through the stunning scenery of the Argentine lake district passing Lago Espejo (Mirror Lake). Further south is the resort town of San Carlos de Bariloche on the shores of Lake Nahuel Haupi. This town is a famous winter ski resort, but it also has a great deal to offer during other seasons. Built by Swiss and German immigrants in the Alpine style, here you will find Swiss-style chalets, numerous chocolate shops and even St. Bernard dogs with brandy barrels around their necks! There are excellent opportunities to take in the breathtaking views from the cable car, also the chance for some hiking or cycling.

Day 8 to 13

El Calafate -Torres del Paine National Park

We now enter Patagonia, a dry windswept expanse stretching to the southern tip of the continent. Travelling along the barren windswept roads towards our destination of El Calafate, a town on the edge of Lake Argentino. This will be our base to visit the Ventisquero Moreno Glacier. With a height of around 60 metres and a width of five kilometres at the front, it is an incredible sight. You will have the chance to walk around some paths and terraces where we get some great views of the glacier. We can also go on a boat cruise taking us almost the full width of the glacier for amazingly close-up views. The glacier is constantly ‘calving’, so it’s not possible to get too close!  On entering Chile again we visit Torres del Paine National Park named after the massive granite towers that rise above the earth. The scenery is stunning with snow-capped peaks, glaciers, beautiful lakes and valleys. The park is also home to interesting native flora and fauna. Some of the varied and amazing creatures you might spot include Andean condors, guanacos (a relative of the llama) and rhea (a type of emu) to name but a few. We have plenty of opportunity to trek the many trails in the park. Some of the walks are quite demanding, but there is a good range for all grades of walkers. Note: No food is allowed to be taken into Chile so please ensure you have eaten or dispose of any snacks you may have with you before we cross the border.

Day 14 to 18

Punta Arenas -Ushuaia - enroute

Leaving Torres del Paine behind we head further south and come to Punta Arenas, a duty free port and early frontier town. There is time to visit Zona Franca, the duty free district. Leaving the next day we cross the Straits of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) and re-enter Argentina, travelling to the town of Rio Grande which used to be an airbase during the Falklands war. From here it’s only a short drive to the most southerly town in the world, Ushuaia. People come from far and wide to base themselves here and visit the surrounding wonderland. You can take an optional excursion on the Beagle Channel and visit the Isla de los Lobos (Island of Wolves) where you can see colonies of sea lions. You can visit the nearby Lapataia National Park where the Pan-American Highway ends. This park covers 63,000 hectares of mountains, lakes, deep valleys and rivers. You can trek along various trails through the beautiful beech forests, spotting wildlife along the way. There are also some interesting museums in Ushuaia, such as the Maritime Museum & Museum at the End of the world if you want a bit more walking, the Martial Glacier can be climbed, which towers high above the town of Ushuaia. Those interested in steam trains might like to go for a train ride on the ‘Train at the End of the World’. Northbound we follow the Atlantic coast passing thousands of kilometres of virtually uninhabited wide open spaces with a couple of overnight stops along the way.

Day 19 to 27

Puerto Madryn -Piramides - Buenos Aires

After crossing the Colorado River, we leave Patagonia and we drive across the windswept pampa where cattle graze as far as the eye can see. There are also enormous fields of sunflowers; their oil is a large export for Argentina. Our next destination is the capital, Buenos Aires. This beautiful city is known as the "Paris of South America" due to its lovely green parks, plazas and wide boulevards. From the balcony of the Presidential Palace (Casa Rosada), Eva Peron made many of her speeches. It's also the place where Madonna sang, “Don’t cry for me Argentina” in the film Evita. Across the Plaza de Mayo you will also find the Cabildo (Old Town Hall), the Municipalidad (City Hall) and the Cathedral. Every Thursday afternoon in this plaza the "Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo" march in remembrance of their family members who disappeared in the 1970s when the country was under military rule. There are many excellent restaurants in the Puerto Madera area it is well worth a visit to the port of La Boca with its colourful buildings. In nearby San Telmo, the Bohemian area, there is a fascinating antique market every Sunday. The Recoleta Cemetery, almost like a separate city, is where Eva Peron and many other rich and famous Argentines are buried. The reputation of Buenos Aires' nightlife is not exaggerated, as there are many nightclubs, bars, restaurants and cinemas open until all hours. For a great evening out, you may want to see a tango show in the city where the dance originated, and you shouldn't leave Buenos Aires before trying one of the best beefsteaks in the world!

Day 28 to 35

Trinidad -Asuncion - Iguazu Falls

We drive through the area known as Mesopotamia on our way north, through a swampy region used mainly for cattle grazing. We enter Paraguay and visit the Jesuit ruins of Trinidad. The Jesuits came to Paraguay in the 16th century and built these magnificent missions to convert the Guarani Indians to Catholicism. The buildings fell into ruin with the expulsion of the Jesuits from South America in 1767. We camp at Mantanial Park with its surrounding farmland and pristine swimming pool. A great place to relax, with optional horse riding available. We make our way to the capital, Asunción, a pleasant city with a hot and humid climate. Built on the banks of the Paraguay River, the streets are laid out in the Spanish grid pattern and lined with beautiful trees. Asunción is a good place to stock up on electricals, as well as copies of designer watches and clothing, as it’s another duty free port! Along the riverfront are the Government and Municipal Palaces, the cathedral and a shantytown. There are a few markets where you can buy local handicrafts. We cross into Brazil at Foz do Iguaçu, home of over 275 waterfalls cascading over a frontage two and a half kilometres wide. There is also an excellent bird park, which you can visit near the entrance to the falls. We visit both sides; from the Brazilian side there are panoramic views of the numerous falls and from the Argentine, you can walk through rainforest along catwalks directly above the falls and the "Devil's Throat" (optional). For a bird’s eye view take the optional helicopter ride.

Day 36 to 46

Bertioga -Parati - Rio de Janeiro

We spend one night near the city of Curitiba, one of the most prosperous cities of Southern Brazil. Driving through rich farmlands before dropping from the high central plateau to the Atlantic we stop at the coastal town of Bertioga, which has a beautiful long beach just perfect for swimming and sports. Following the stunning coastline north, we come to colonial Parati, an old pirate town with streets made of stone slabs designed to let the tide wash over and clean them. You have an option to go on a full day boat cruise around the bay with plenty of time for swimming in the turquoise waters and eating the fresh seafood. A short drive brings us to fantastic Rio de Janeiro, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Here the many optional excursions on offer include Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado with its famous Statue of Christ – both offering great city views, a visit to the Botanical Gardens and the famous beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. Plus you should get ready for the world’s biggest party, THE RIO CARNIVAL! Please note that the 4 nights during Rio Carnival are not included in the tour price and it is essential to pre-book accommodation during this time.

Day 47 to 51

Ouro Preto -Porto Seguro

We depart the fantastic city of Rio along the main autopista heading north into the interior destined for Ouro Prêto. The whole area was once a mining region and this celebrated town was founded in 1711 and is a national historic monument. This quaint municipality has much colonial architecture, which gives an aura of times past. We camp en route as we make our way towards the beautiful coastal town of Porto Seguro. It has miles of palm-fringed beaches and bars, which are great places to sample delicious fresh fruit juices, or the Brazilian national cocktail of caiparinha (be careful of this one though). Just north of here is where the Portuguese, led by Pedro Alvares Cabral, first landed in 1500 and a cross marks the site. There is plenty of typical Bahian food available in Porto Seguro and you may want to try the delicious moqueca, a hot spicy seafood casserole. A great chance to top up the holiday tan or to experience some of the local nightlife.

Day 52 to 62

Salvador - Maceio -Olinda/Recife - Canoa Quebrada

Continuing up the coast we head for Salvador, we enter the city by ferry over the bay of all saints to the capital city of the state of Bahia. The centre of Salvador has many historic colonial buildings and dates back to 1549; it was the original Brazilian capital until 1763. It is situated on the bay of Todos os Santos, is the largest bay on the Brazilian coast and has 38 islands, some of which can be visited by ferry on an optional excursion. There are also enormous elevators going from the upper to the lower city, where the docks are situated. It is in this area, just outside Mercado Modelo, where we can find the Bahians practising the foot fighting sport of Capoeira, which was originally brought to Brazil by black Angolan slaves. Another key feature of Bahian life is the Afro-Brazilian religion of candomblé and you may be able to see one of their amazing ceremonies (please check locally for schedules of these optional tours), alternatively, we can enjoy the traditional music of the area with a strong emphasis towards drums in the evening. Our next stop is Maceio, where you have the opportunity to hire jangadas, typical Brazilian sailing boats. The boatmen can take you out to a natural reef swimming pool about two kilometres from the shore, where you can order cocktails and crayfish from the surrounding boats. Following the coast northwards our next exciting destination is the old colonial town of Olinda, which has a variety of historic churches, convents and monasteries, dating back to 1537. Nearby is Recife, a city built on three islands and joined by a series of bridges. Here an old prison has been converted into a cultural centre, which is not only impressive and interesting, but also houses some unique shops. If you want to see how the other half live in Brazil, then you can visit the rich suburb of Boa Viagem. Continuing our journey north we enter the State of Rio Grande do Norte, which is famous for its beautiful beaches. We have some short drives as we work our way up the coast with a stopover in Praia Pipa where we spend a couple of days enjoying the beach. With opportunities to either take a boat trip to see dolphins or maybe a dune buggy trip in the nearby sand dunes (Optional). Continuing our travels, we carry on to Canoa Quebrada, a fishing village built on a sand dune with long deserted beaches ideal for relaxation and swimming. For the more active there are two exciting optional activities: sandboarding down the dunes or horse riding along them.

Day 63 to 68

Ubajara National Park -Sete Cidades National Park - Belem

Leaving the coast behind we head inland to our next stop at Ubajara National Park famous for its caves, pretty forest scenery and waterfalls. Here you can take a cable-car ride down into the caves, which also accords great views of the Sertâo, scenery. About ½ a day’s drive brings us to the Sete Cidades National Park, which contains strange 190 million year old rock formations, caverns and natural swimming pools. Sete Cidades Park was named after the ‘seven cities’ its rock formations are said to resemble. From here we travel along the rough roads of Brasil’s northern region to Bom Jardin and further to the mouth of the mighty Amazon River, to the port of Belém.

Day 69 to 75

Belem -Amazon Cruise - Manaus

Belèm has fascinating waterfront markets, the Theatre of Peace (one of the largest theatres in Brazil), the excellent Goeldi Museum which houses a zoo, and there are many stalls in the markets for cheap and tasty meals. Another interesting spot to visit is the Bosque Rodrigo Alves, a public garden with many species of native flora as well as a small collection of animals. From Belém we cruise up the world’s longest river, the Amazon, which flows for 6,200 kilometres. We travel by riverboat for 1,368 kilometres into the jungle. At the start of this adventure the river is narrow as we travel through one of the hundreds of estuaries in the delta but then it widens to in excess of 10 kilometres and it is still around 8 kilometres wide at our destination, the city of Manaus. As we are going upriver, the boat stays mostly close to the shoreline to avoid the stronger currents coming downstream in the centre of the river. Accommodation on the riverboat is in hammocks (purchased locally for approx. US$20 to US$50) for 5 nights (depending on the river current) and usually, each boat has a bar on board plus all meals are included. A stop is generally made at the port city of Santarem. On board the river ferry is a great opportunity to relax, read books and enjoy incredible sunsets, keep an eye out for the pink dolphins on the first couple of days. Before eventually arriving in Manaus with new Brazilian friends and fond memories of the mighty Amazon.

Day 76 to 81

Manaus -Amazon River & Jungle

The jungle city of Manaus used to be the world’s largest suppliers of rubber. During that heady era the famous Teatro Amazonas (Opera House) was built and completed in 1896. Manaus is our base for the opportunity to join an exciting optional excursion deep into the jungle by boat or dugout canoe in search of caiman, fresh water dolphins, jaguar and many other creatures of this threatened rainforest. The local guide on this trip will give you an in-depth view of the past and present day lives of the Amazonian Indians. He or she will also explain the importance of manioc (a root vegetable which must be processed to remove the cyanide) to the Indian economy and diet as well as explaining the uses of numerous other jungle plants. You will also go to the meeting point: where the black waters of the Rio Negro and the yellow-brown waters of the Solimões River run side by side for several kilometers, providing an excellent photo opportunity. We return to Manaus where we highly recommend a visit to the fascinating waterside markets.

Day 82 to 85

Boa Vista - La Gran Sabana -Santa Elena - Ciudad Bolivar - Canaima - Angel Falls - Caracas

Rejoining our expedition vehicle we drive due north through the jungle with a photo stop at the Equator Monument. We gradually leave the jungle behind, as we reach the drier climate near the city of Boa Vista. Continuing north, we cross into Venezuela, a country renowned for its large oil reserves. This is savannah country, dotted with hundreds of mountains and the whole region is known as La Gran Sabana. This area was totally inaccessible until the 1970’s when a road was built. It was finally completed in 1990 and is now one of the best roads in the country. Santa Elena is our next stop. Travelling through the Gran Sabana region, which has an abundance of delightful waterfalls, lagoons and flat-topped mountains called tepuyes. You can see many local Pemòn Indian settlements in this sparsely populated land, which covers an area of 30,000 square kilometres. You will never forget the beauty of this “lost world” region. After passing through this beautiful area we arrive to Ciudad Bolivar on the Orinoco River; this town was once called Angostura and is where Angostura Bitters originate. It is also where Simón Bolívar was declared President of Gran Colombia. This interesting little colonial town is our base for the optional excursion to the Angel Falls. From Ciudad Bolivar we fly south to the small village of Canaima where there are many interesting waterfalls flowing into a black lagoon - the colour emanating from the tannin of the local vegetation. From here you can fly over the world’s highest waterfall, Angel Falls. The falls, named after an American pilot, Jimmy Angel, who discovered them in 1937, drop nearly 1,000 metres from the flat-topped mountain called Auyan-Tepuy to the jungle floor below. From here we return to Ciudad Bolivar before heading north again where we climb the steep highway into Venezuela’s capital city, Caracas, which is 960 metres above sea level and has one of South America's most pleasant climates. It is a very modern city with an efficient metro system, which goes from our hotel area into the city centre in minutes. Caracas has many lovely plazas, parks, museums and impressive buildings and was the birthplace of the Liberator, Simón Bolívar, whose presence is still seen everywhere. Because of the climate, there are many outdoor cafés and restaurants where you can sit and watch the world go by.

Day 86 to 93

Merida -Los Llanos

We leave Caracas and travel to the city of Mérida, surrounded by beautiful mountains. Founded in 1558 the city still retains many interesting colonial buildings. In the nearby Sierra Nevada National Park there is the chance to take a 2 or 3 day hike through breathtaking scenery culminating in an exciting cable car ride back to the city. This cable car was built by the French in 1958 and is the longest and highest aerial cableway in the world. With a few days to explore Merida, you will have plenty of time to get to know this beautiful city. Our next destination is the flatlands of Los Llanos, a vast tropical grassland plains area which harbours abundant wildlife including a vast variety of birds, capybaras, caimans, anacondas, pumas, monkeys and freshwater dolphins. It is also in this area where most of the country’s cattle graze, they are mostly the Zebu variety, which comes from Brazil and India.

Day 94 to 102

Cucuta - Bucaramanga- Santa Marta - Tairona National Park - Cartagena

Leaving the plains behind we head across the border to the pleasant frontier town of Cúcuta in Colombia, where we spend the night before moving on to Bucaramanga known as ‘City of Parks. We then continue on to the slightly touristier port town of Santa Marta, Colombia's first town, founded on the Caribbean coast in 1525. It was here that ‘The Liberator’ Simón Bolivar came to die in 1830 and you can visit the lush gardens around the hacienda where he spent his final days. The Gold Museum houses a superb collection of pre-Columbian gold and Indian artefacts or you can take time out in one of the scenic open-air waterfront bars. Our next stop is the Tairona National Park, known for its tranquil beaches and pre-Colombian ruins. Here we have plenty of free time to explore the beautiful, unspoilt beachside woodland where you may see iguanas, small lizards, snakes and the occasional monkey. There is also the chance to trek to the small ruins of El Pueblito, left by the original Taironian people. We continue to the historic city of Cartagena, one of the most interesting colonial towns on the continent and where the film “Romancing the Stone” was made. Enjoy a walk along the city walls or wander through the fascinating narrow streets adorned with wooden balconies and hanging plants. There are several interesting optional excursions on offer such as a visit to Castillo San Felipe and the fortress on San Lazaro Hill. Beneath this fortress is a maze of tunnels and there are still cannons in place along the battlements. Also worthwhile is a trip up La Popa Hill to visit the colourful convent with great views over the city. The Bocagrande area of Cartagena is where Colombians come for their beach holidays and it is full of shops, nightclubs and bars. For an excellent evening out you could take a tour around the city by night in a chiva (also known by some as a “booze bus”). Frequent stops are made to see local street performers en route to a local disco. Another optional excursion that can be arranged here is a boat ride to the beautiful Islas del Rosario where it is also possible to go snorkelling or scuba diving around the islands. Near Cartagena is the Volcán de Lodo El Totumo, a mud volcano where you can relax and wallow in the mud, which is believed to be a good treatment for the skin.

Day 103 to 127

Bucaramanga - Villa de Leiva - Bogota - Zona Cafeteria - Cali - Popayan - Valle de Chota - Otavalo - Quito

We return briefly to Bucaramanga for one last glimpse of this pretty historic town and a perhaps try its famous cigars and sample some hormiga culona, a dish made of large fried ants! We then continue on to Villa de Leiva, an attractive colonial town founded in 1572 which has been preserved, with virtually no modern architectural influences at all, as a national monument by the Colombian government. You’ll have time to enjoy its incredible colonial plaza, quaint cobblestoned streets, red-tiled roofs, white-washed walls, beautiful balconies and private courtyards. This is also a popular area for hiking and mountain biking options. We head to Santa Fe de Bogotá, the capital of Colombia with a population of 6 million. The main square - Plaza Bolívar, the Cathedral, Simón Bolívar’s house and the colonial area of Candelaria are all within walking distance of our hotel. You may like to take the funicular to Monserrate for the incredible city views, or visit the world famous gold museum. Finally, a trip to Bogotá would not be complete without an evening out, dancing the night away to salsa and merengue music at one of the city’s pulsating nightclubs. Next we visit the terraced slopes of the Zona Cafeteria (Colombia’s coffee zone) which produces almost half of the country’s coffee. This area is particularly scenic with green valleys surrounded by imposing snow-capped peaks. The area was only settled by the Spanish in the 1800s. You will have plenty of time to explore this area which offers a range of activities such as a butterfly park, botanical gardens and Parque del Café and Panaca, an agricultural park. Ask your tour leader about some of the more adventurous activities available. Next we head on to the bustling city of Cali, the home of salsa dancing and in the Juanchito district you can dance until dawn any night of the week. Next we reach Popayán for our last overnight stop in Colombia. Known as the ‘White City’ because of the colour of the houses which are painted during the commemoration of Christ´s passion and resurrection, this is a stunning colonial city second only to Cartagena for beauty. On the way to the border with Ecuador we will visit the famous Las Lajas Cathedral, a spectacular Neo-Gothic church, built on the bridge spanning the river gorge to commemorate the appearance of the Virgin Mary. Legend has it that her image appeared on an enormous vertical rock 45m above the river. As you walk down the hill you will notice the plaques along the cliff wall placed there by pilgrims. Our next stop is an overnight stay in the dry Valle de Chota. Many of the local people here are of Afro Caribbean decent, with their own traditions and heritage dating back to the colonial period. Leaving the dusty valley we continue to Otavalo. The local population is made up of a mixture of European descent, mestizos and people of indigenous descent, known as indígenas, who dress mainly in traditional attire. The men keep their hair in long braids down their backs and wear calf length white trousers, blue ponchos, dark felt hats and sandals while the women traditionally wear white frilly blouses with flared lace sleeves and black skirts with layers of gold and coral necklaces twirled around their necks. Every Wednesday and Saturday you can visit one of the best markets to be found anywhere in South America. People come from remote villages to sell their livestock, produce and textiles. The market offers fantastic photo opportunities and wool handicrafts, and you may also find good quality wood carvings and leather products made by artisans from nearby villages. The next leg of our journey takes us across the equator on our way to the colonial capital of Quito, the first city to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. Here you can explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical centre in the Americas. Visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compania (Society of Jesus Church) and iconic San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage.  We take a break in the itinerary in Quito for 12 days / 11 nights to allow you time to visit the Galápagos Islands or to attend a local Spanish language school. Services during this period are not included in the tour cost. Talk to us about how you can add a Galápagos Expedition Cruise or language school to your booking

Day 128 to 134

Otavalo - Misahualli - Amazon Basin -Banos - Ingapirca

Our first stop is Otavalo, the famous market town. The local population is made up of a mixture of European descent, mestizos and people of indigenous descent, known as indígenas, who dress mainly in traditional clothes. The men keep their hair in long braids down their backs and wear calf length white trousers, blue ponchos, dark felt hats and sandals while the women traditionally wear white frilly blouses with flared lace sleeves and black skirts with layers of gold and coral necklaces twirled around their necks. Every Wednesday and Saturday you can visit one of the best markets to be found anywhere in South America. People come from remote villages to sell their livestock, produce and colourful textiles. The market offers fantastic photo opportunities and wool handicrafts, and you may also find good quality wood carvings, polished leather products made by artisans from nearby villages. We drive over the Eastern Cordillera to descend into the humid Amazon Basin on the banks of the Rio Napo, our final destination being Misahualli. There is an optional excursion from Misahuallí where we take motorised dugout canoes downriver to enter the jungle by foot, led by our local guide who gives details about the plants, creatures and people of the region. He will also show us how to find hidden food and water in trees; learn about the medicinal plants and even get introduced to the local monkeys! We stay overnight in rustic huts made of bamboo and leaves before travelling on from the jungle towards Baños. Along the edge of the rainforest we ascend back into the Andes along a spectacular route to Baños, a health resort renowned for its hot thermal springs. Besides soaking in the hot pools, there are paths where you can walk or ride horses into the hills, or for the more athletic, there is the opportunity to go bridge swinging, canyoning, white water rafting & mountain biking. (optional). The less energetic can possibly spend their time relaxing in cafés or buying souvenirs or perhaps a massage or try your hand at salsa dancing. This is the best place to buy beautifully painted balsa wood animals. Moving southward, we visit the Inca and Cañari ruins at Ingapirca, the country's most important archaeological site. The fortress complex has a central platform where the Incas worshipped the sun. The Cañari people built the original structures and you can still see the place where these pre-Inca people worshipped the moon.

Day 135 to 142

Cuenca - Punta Sal - LambayequeHuanchaco - Chan Chan - Lima

We continue on to the old colonial market town of Cuenca, Ecuador's third largest, which was founded in 1557. Cuenca is where the Panama hat originates so why not visit a factory where you can see the entire hat-making process? It is also the place to buy cheap, high quality gold and silver. After the banana plantations in the tropical lowlands, we cross into Peru and quickly the landscape changes to arid desert where vegetation is sparse. We pass through villages with fishermen working with their small hand nets, and onwards through the oil region of the derricks pumping out 'black gold'. We camp at the beach of Punta Sal for three nights before entering the Sechura Desert, where the barren land is irrigated creating fertile fields of rice, sugarcane and other cereal crops. Today we stop off en route at the Lambayeque museum; one of Peru's finest museums; displaying artefacts found at the tomb of the Lord of Sipan, one of the richest Archaeological finds of the 20th century. Before continuing on to the small coastal town of Huanchaco; where the fishermen still ride the surf in reed boats is where you have the opportunity to rent one of these reed boats for a paddle or race through the waves! It is from here, Huanchaco that we visit the largest mud-city in the world at Chan Chan, covering 26 square kilometres, and built by Chimu Kings. While here, we take the opportunity to visit the Moche built pyramids known as Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna (temples of the sun and moon). There is also an excellent museum in Trujillo; the Cassinelli Museum (optional) which houses one of the best private collections of pottery (including erotic pottery), as well as a mummified baby in a bell jar! We enjoy another free day in Huanchaco before making our way to the capital, stopping over at Sechin, another important ruin with temples dating back to 1500 BC, with over 500 carvings gruesomely depicting warriors and their captives, then again at Paramonga, a well preserved temple by the side of the highway. From the Paramonga ruins we continue travelling to Lima, the capital of Peru.

Day 143 to 150

Lima - Pisco - Paracas -Ballestas Islands - Huacachina - Nazca - Puerto Inca

We enjoy two free days in the busy city of Lima which was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and was the capital of the conquistadors until its independence in the early 19th century. Here you will find some of the finest museums in South America; the Gold Museum and the Museum of the Inquisition, to name but a few (optional). Our hotel is in close proximity to the main Plaza de Armas where you’ll discover fine old buildings with intricately carved wooden balconies and ceilings; a marvellous place for the culture vultures among us. Lima has an array of churches, markets and other grand plazas plus an assortment of modern suburbs to visit. Continuing south we arrive at Pisco. Peru’s national drink, the ‘pisco sour’, was named after this town. We spend the night in Pisco where you will have the opportunity to try some wonderful local seafood.  In neighbouring Paracas, we will travel by boat to the Ballestas Islands the following morning. The trip takes us past the giant “Candelabra” figure engraved on the side of a mountain. After our visit to the colonies of seabirds and sea lions basking on the rocks, we have time to sample one (or two) of the finest pisco sours to be found in Peru. We now head deep into the desert towards the Huacachina oasis where you have the chance to try your hand sand-boarding or a ride in a dune buggy down the enormous dunes, which is a lot of fun. The brave can go for a dip in the murky lagoon (said to contain therapeutic properties). In the afternoon, we continue on to Nazca, which is legendary for its parallel lines and geometrical figures etched into the desert floor thousands of years ago. The unexplained Nazca Lines include illustrations of a dog, a monkey, a hummingbird, a condor, a spider and even what looks to be a spaceman! Although there is a viewing tower nearby the best way to see the lines clearly is from the air, as they are enormous. Other attractions around Nazca include a visit to a gold extraction and ceramic workshops where you will receive a demonstration of their art. On our way out of town, towards Puerto Inca, we visit the incredible Chauchilla cemetery. The sites have been excavated so you can see ancient mummies with skin and hair still intact. We travel along the rugged coastline to Puerto Inca, the Inca port which connected the coast with Cuzco in the mountains. Just five minutes walk away are the preserved ruins, which once stored sea produce for trading with wares brought down from the Andes. In Inca times, messages and fresh sea fish were sent 240 kilometres to Cuzco using a series of runners each doing 7 kilometres, taking 24 hours to complete the journey.

Day 151 to 153

Arequipa -Colca Canyon - Cuzco

We wind our way into the foothills of the Andes to the stunning colonial city of Arequipa, overshadowed by the massive volcano "El Misti". This city has some of the best examples of colonial architecture and the main plaza is quite magnificent, decorated with archways and dominated by the splendid cathedral, which was completed in 1612. Although an earthquake in 2001 damaged the cathedral, it has not diminished any of the splendour of this charming square. The other main attraction here is the vast Santa Catalina Convent (optional), a maze of cobbled streets, cloisters and other decorative buildings, it has only been open to the public since 1970 and it is certainly well worth visiting. Enjoy a free day in Arequipa to explore at our own leisure. Our next destination is the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world. The drive takes us through a high Andean desert, with amazing scenery all the way. We pass ghost towns destroyed by earthquakes and, with luck, we will see a condor or two soaring out of the canyon from our vantage point, 1,200m above the canyon floor! In the evening we have time to soak in the thermal springs near Chivay, where we spend the night. A lengthy drive crossing the Andean flats takes us to the fabled old Inca capital of Cuzco. This marvellous colonial city is situated at 3,310 metres with a population of around 300,000, mostly Indians. It has numerous churches, some of which were built on old Inca stonework, as were many other buildings in Cuzco. The main square is called the Plaza de Armas, which has the cathedral on one side and the church of La Compañia de Jesus on the other. The colonial arcades, which occupy the remainder of the plaza, are full of restaurants and shops. There are also many fascinating markets in Cuzco, the most famous being San Pedro where they sell all kinds of textiles and artisan merchandise. Enjoy a day to yourself, wander the streets, visit the many markets and soak up the friendly atmosphere.

Day 154 to 155

Sacred Valley

On our full day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas; we take a trip up to a hill overlooking Cuzco which is where we will explore the ancient archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman, which has the largest and most impressive Inca stonework of all. We continue onto visit the Pisac ruins perched on a hill high in the mountains and the famous Indian market of the same name, in the valley below. A great place to buy textiles, pottery and jewellery and a great place to admire the fantastic view. After some time at both the ruins and the markets, we move down the valley to the temple fortress of Ollantaytambo, with its enormous terraces climbing up the hillside. Here we will spend the night and those who are trekking the Inca Trail will have a briefing to prepare for the next few days and their will be an early departure the following morning. For those who have chosen not to trek the trail a trip to Machu Picchu by train is included. The 3 other days are spent in Cuzco where you have free time to enjoy this great city. There are plenty of other optional excursions available including white water rafting down the Urubamba River, horse riding through native villages.

Day 155 to 158

Inca Trail (or free time) -Machu Picchu

Please ask your agent or download our ‘Inca Trail Information Sheet’ or ‘Lares Trek Sheet’ for a day to day itinerary of your trek. The Lost City of Machu Picchu was originally completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs. Located high above the fast flowing Urubamba River, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation that will simply take your breath away. 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 (permit required).

Day 158 to 160

Cuzco -After the Inca Trail

We have two free days in Cuzco where you can spend your time exploring this wonderful town. Of course there is much to see during the daylight hours but once the sun goes down, Cuzco’s lights come on and around the plaza the nightlife is spectacular with bars, nightclubs and every type of restaurant imaginable.

Day 161 to 164

Puno - Lake Titicaca -Uros, Amantani & Taquile Islands - La Paz

Time to leave the excitement of Cuzco with an early start, destined for the little town of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The journey takes us alongside majestic snow-capped mountains before reaching the La Raya pass at 4,321 metres. Here is a research station, which studies high altitude animals such as llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. From Puno we visit the floating reed Islands of the Uros Indians, as we make our way to Amantani Island, to spend the night in the home of native families. This beautiful traditional island is home to Aymara Indians and is situated in the centre of Lake Titicaca. The following morning we’ll stopover at Taquile, where the men walk around knitting typical woollen hats, while the women tend the fields. We return to Puno in time to do more shopping.  We cross into Bolivia, the highest capital city in the world, La Paz, at 3,636 metres. Just about every building is built on some sort of hill, so sightseeing will literally take your breath away! Our hotel is close by the fascinating Indian markets. One is called the ‘witches market’ because the bowler-hatted women sell dead cats, llama foetuses (these are placed under the buildings to keep evil spirits away) and other strange potions. The main square is the Plaza Murillo, where a president of the Republic was once lynched from a lamppost. One of the evenings here can be spent at a peña listening to locals playing “Andino” music on zampoñas and charangos. Nearby are a variety of non included options: the Moon Valley with its strange rock formations shaped by the weather. Mount Chacaltaya, the world's highest ski resort is certainly worth a visit at 5,221 metres, the views are incredible! Another exciting option is the trip to the gateway of the Bolivian Amazon, Coroico, where you will climb over a 5,000 meter high pass before descending down to 1,300 metres, passing sheer drops of more than 1,000 metres in narrow one lane mountain roads. This is not for the faint-hearted!! While in Coroico you can have lunch and admire the snow-capped mountains in the distance. This option can also be done by mountain bike.

Day 165 to 165

Depart La Paz

Our tour concludes on day 165.