Rio to Lima Adventure

If you have the time and can’t decide between Peru and Brazil, then see them both and pretty much everything in between on this 51-day extravaganza.

Trek the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, cross the Bolivian Salt Flats, sip wine in Argentina and hit the beach in Brazil. You’ll get plenty of energetic culture, the great outdoors, and the company of other young travellers to keep you moving. There’s time later to slow down, take the long road, and have an adventure while you can.

Itinerary

Day 1 Rio de Janeiro
Arrive at any time.

Day 2-6 Ilha Grande/Paraty
Free time for hiking, an optional cachaça distillery visit or a boat tour.

Day 7-9 Iguassu Falls
Skip a long overnight bus and travel to Sao Paulo, for a flight to Iguassu. Explore both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides of the falls with an optional boat ride near the base of the falls, or visit the nearby bird park. Overnight bus to rural Uruguay.

Day 10-11 Estancia Stay
Dive into Uruguayan rural life, getting dirty at a working ranch. Head out for some hikes and indulge in local BBQs and wine.

Day 12-14 Montevideo/Colonia
In Uruguay's capital, visit the carnival museum, and grab a snack at the local Port Market. Explore the cobblestone streets of Colonia, and relax at a streetside cafe.

Day 15-17 Buenos Aires
Cross the Rio Plata, and explore the many attractions. Check out a football game, a tango show, or the famous city's nightlife.

Day 18-19 Salta
Skip a long bus ride with an included flight. Opt to check out the scenic Quebrada de las Conchas to Cafayate, the High Mountain Arqueological museum, and enjoy local cuisine.

Day 20-21 San Pedro de Atacama
Opt to visit nearby ruins, go mountain biking, or visit the Valley of the Moon.

Day 22-24 Salt Flats/Uyuni
Ascend by bus into the mountains and cross into Bolivia. Enjoy a 3-day 4x4 excursion to the Uyuni Salt Flats and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. Stay in simple hotels upgraded with solar panels to provide electricity and hot water.

Day 25-29 Potosí/Sucre
Take an optional excursion to nearby dinosaur tracks, explore the cities, go hiking or mountain biking, or check out a working silver mine. Overnight bus to La Paz.

Day 30-34 La Paz/Puno/Lake Titicaca
Optional visit to Valley of the Moon or explore the winding streets and lively markets of La Paz. Oxygen bar anyone? Cross into Peru, visit the floating Islands of Uros, and take a guided tour of Lake Titicaca with a homestay in a local village.

Day 35-43 Cusco/Ollantaytambo/Inca Trail
Explore Cusco with free time to take an optional city tour, go whitewater rafting, horseback riding or mountain biking. En route to Ollantaytambo, opt to visit the Sacred Valley with a stop at a Planeterra-supported women's weaving co-op. Take in Inca culture, history, and great views on a 4-day guided Inca Trail hike with a guided visit to Machu Picchu. Planeterra-supported handmade biodegradable soap products for use on the Inca Trail provided. Travel by overnight bus to Arequipa.

Day 44-47 Arequipa/Colca Canyon
Optional visit of the Catalina Convent, or visit a local hot springs. Spot condors on a guided tour to Colca Canyon. Overnight bus to Nazca.

Day 48-49 Nazca/Huacachina/Paracas
Travel to the desert city of Nazca. Opt take a flight over the Nazca Lines or go sandboarding. Stop at a winery en route at the Oasis of Huacachina. Indulge in a traditional Pachamanca meal.

Day 50 Lima
Optional visit to Ballestas Islands before travelling to Lima for a final night - be sure to try some pisco sours and the ceviche.

Day 51 Lima
Depart at any time.

What's Included

Entrance and visit to Iguassu Falls
Uyuni Salt Flats excursion
Lake Titicaca excursion
Guided tour of Machu Picchu
4-day Inca Trail hike with a local guide and cook
Planeterra-supported handmade biodegradable soap products for use on the Inca Trail
Colca Canyon excursion
Pachamanca ceremony (Nazca)
Transportation between destinations and included activities
Internal flights
30 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners. (Allow USD1065-1400 for meals not included.)
Public bus, plane, train, hiking, ferry, 4X4.
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, specialist Inca Trail CEO on the hike, local guides.
Small group experience; Max 18, avg 14.
Simple hotels (37 nts), overnight buses (4 nts), camping (3 nts), estancia/ranch (2 nts, multi-share), homestay (1 nt), hostel (1 nt), very basic hotels on Uyuni Salt Flats crossing (2 nts, multi-share).