Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago

Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago 53 Days

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Trip URL: www.adventurelink.com/

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Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago
Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago
Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago
Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago
Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago
Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago
Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago
Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago
Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago
Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago
Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago
Andes & Amazon (53 Days) Quito to Santiago

Overview
Itinerary
Nuts & Bolts
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Operator
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 53 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 80.0%
Trip ID: 37042
Start Location: Alfaro, Ecuador
End Location: Apoquindo, Chile

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Primary Activities: Historical Sites, Amazon, Urban Exploration, Walking Tour
Other Activities: Hiking, Canyoning, Zip Line, Waterfalls, whitewater rafting, biking, Swimming, Volcanoes, wine tour, Machu Picchu, museums, boating, Camping, Horse Riding
Activity Level: Intermediate

Explore the dense Amazon Jungle and follow the footsteps of the Incas to the mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu. Stay overnight with a local family on Lake Titicaca and experience the vastness of the uninhabited Salt Flats of Uyuni. An unforgettable and action packed adventure through some of the most diverse landscapes in South America.

Countries Visited: Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile

NOTE: Trips include local excursion add-ons, with separate payments.

Please note that our itineraries are not set in stone and can be subject to change.

Itinerary

Days 1 to 6: Arrive in Quito: Starting our South America tour in Quito we cross the Equator on our way to the town of Otavalo famous for its colourful craft market. Heading east on narrow, tortuous roads to the steamy edge of the Amazon basin the town of Tena is our gateway into the Amazon jungle. Here accompanied by experienced guides, we explore on foot this exotic environment.
Days 7 to 12: Banos Tour: Further south, perched high in the mountains of Ecuador, lies the outdoors mecca of Banos. This spa town, where Ecuadorians go to relax in the thermal baths is ideal to hike or mountain bike the various trails to one of the surrounding waterfalls or the impressive nearby rocky canyon, is a favourite amongst those who have undertaken South America travel. We hit the road again and drive south along the spine of the Andes towards Peru visiting Cuenca on the way.
Days 13 to 18: Visit Chan Chan ruins: A days drive on the Pan-American highway brings us to the border with Peru. You will notice an amazing transition in one day, from the good farming country of highland Ecuador, through sub-tropical forest and immense banana plantations, to dry barren desert in Peru.

We are rewarded with a couple of days camping on the beach. Our next stops on our South America travel experience are the Chan Chan ruins, imperial citadel of the pre-Inca Chimu kings which the Incas later conquered. It claims to be the largest mud brick city in the world. Continuing with the Andes close to our left and the sea on our right, the capital city of Lima will be our next stop on the Andes & Amazon South America tour.

Here you'll encounter both abundant wealth and grinding poverty, modern skyscrapers next to some of the finest museums and historical monuments in Latin America.
Days 19 to 25: Our next stop is the Ballestas Islands in the Paracas National Reserve: Departing Lima our next stop is the Ballestas Islands in the Paracas National Reserve. By boat we visit the rare and exotic sea birds and mammals that inhabit these islands. We now make our way to one of the world's great archaeological mysteries The Nazca Lines. These huge figures and shapes, carved into the desert floor are best viewed from the air - South America travel is not complete until you have seen these unbelievable ancient mysteries.

Still heading south we visit Chauchilla Cemetry with its well-preserved mummies, on our way to Puerto Inca, at this ancient Inca harbour we camp at the beach and enjoy our last night at sea level before beginning our climb back into the towering Andes. The next two nights are spent in Arequipa at 2325m, giving us time to acclimatise, and enjoy this beautiful colonial city with its impressive El Misti Volcano in the background. Arequipa is also the gateway to one of the deepest canyons in the world. Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon is an awesome sight. Here, if you get up early, Condors can be seen circling lazily on the thermals rising from the canyon floor.
Days 26 to 32: Arrive at Cuzco: We now have to face one of the most arduous and punishing dirt roads on the tour, although we soon arrive at Cuzco. Widely considered to be the most interesting city for South America travel, Cuzco is surrounded by the Sacred Valley of the Incas and offers a wide range of activities to explore the region. We will base ourselves here for 6 days giving us enough time for the Inca Trail trip, which is regarded by many to be the highlight of their South America tour.

When permits are still available, we will organise the Classic Trail trek, but great alternative treks can be arranged when the Classic is not available or by your choice (must be pre-arranged at time of booking). These alternatives mean that you still get to visit Machu Picchu. Tours to Machu Picchu are absolutely unbelievable; a trip to this City in the Clouds is an ancient and awe-inspiring part of our South America travel tour. Besides seeing Machu Picchu, you're able to enjoy the architectural uniqueness of Cuzco and explore some of the colourful surrounding markets.

Please note that for all those vistsing Machu Picchu there is now the option to buy a ticket to go up the summit next to Machu Picchu, Huanapichu. Tickets for this must be requested at the time of your booking with us, and payment made in advance in the UK. Please see the section 'Volunteer Projects and trip Add-Ons' from the 'Overland Trips' tab on our homepage for more details. You will have the option to add the tickets to go up Huanapicchu when you make your booking online, be sure to add them if you would like them.
Days 33 to 37: Drive to the capital of Bolivia - La Paz: Bordering Peru and Bolivia at 3800m lies Lake Titicaca, the home of the Uros Indians who have made their dwellings on floating reed islands. By boat we visit the floating islands during the day and then we go that one step beyond the average tourist and spend the night with one of the Indian families on the lesser known islands Isla Amantani or Taquile.

Spending some time during South America travel in these local communities will provide a unique opportunity to learn more about the traditional lifestyle of the Andean people and their customs. From here it is a days drive to the capital of Bolivia - La Paz. This is a great place to visit a 'pena' club, dedicated to Andean folk music, and perhaps buy some souvenirs in one of the authentic markets such as the witches market.
Days 38 to 43: Potosi Tour: Leaving La Paz we enter real Bolivia, where the Aymara and Quechua Indians scrape a living from their small plots of land in the harsh climate and paved roads are virtually non-existent. A days drive brings us to Potosi. At over 4000m it is the highest city of its size in the world and 400 years ago it was the largest city in all the Americas.

Vast amounts of silver were extracted from Potosi and shipped to Spain in years gone by. The adventurous who have undertaken South American travel will appreciate the opportunity to go down one of these mines where mining techniques have remained unchanged for centuries. Visiting the ancient mint or having a tour around the Casa Nacional de Moneda (National Money House) also provides a good look into Potosi's and Bolivia's past. Leaving the bleak Altiplano we arrive at the shimmering white Salt Flats of Uyuni.
Days 44 to 47: We cross into Argentina towards the colonial city of Salta: It is possible to venture out into the salt lakes for a 1 day excursion. With no roads and only vague tracks to follow it makes for an unforgettable experience. Our descent through the Andean passes is spectacular as we cross into Argentina towards the colonial city of Salta where we have a couple of free days.
Days 48 to 53: Departure: APRIL TO OCTOBER - We cross the mighty Andes again towards the Atacama Desert in Chile. The oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama is our next destination. Surrounded by the Valley of the Moon, salt lakes, volcanoes, geysers as well as stoneage dwellings, its a great place to explore. Continuing south we rejoin the Pacific Ocean and the Pan American Highway. We camp on deserted beaches for a couple of days before our drive to Chiles capital, Santiago, which is a very modern, well-run city and quite a change to what we have been used to.

NOVEMBER TO MARCH - After Salta, we head south winding around lakes and weaving through baked cliffs until we reach Cafayate, the first wine region of Argentina. Famous for its white wines, you can explore some of the wineries on foot or by bicycle. Continuing south we join the route 40, the longest route in Argentina, to Mendoza, the biggest wine region in Argentina. Here you can indulge in more wine and good steak! From here we head for Chile as we cross the Andes past the Inca Bridge and San Martin's pass and into the modern capital, Santiago.

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

3 night Jungle Trip (accommodation and meals)
Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu (4 days trek including all meals & guide)
Entrance to Machu Picchu (including guide)
Boat Tour on Lake Titicaca
Overnight stay with local family on Lake Titicaca
Valley of the Moon Atacama Desert *
All accommodation fees (approx 50% camping & 50% simple hotels & hostels)
Meals prepared by group or provided (approx 50%)
All transport on Oasis Expedition Truck
Camping and cooking equipment
Services of 2 Oasis Crew

Trip Excludes

Visas US$0 - US$135 (depending on nationality most can be obtained en route)
Optional Excursions as listed in the pre-departure information
Internaional flights
Airport Taxes and Transfers
Meals while in hotels
Travel Insurance
Flights
Drinks
Tips

Trip ID#: 37042

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Operator

For the specifics on this tour operator, please contact AdventureLink directly.

Reviews (1)

Catherine

Dear Oasis Team, I meant to send this email in the middle of December after I finished my two month trip with Andy, Mel and Frieda from Quito to Santiago but I have been caught up in travelling further on my own. I would like you to know, although I\'m sure that you already do, what a wonderful team Mel and Andy make. The countries we visited are beautiful and amazing and the itinerary made sure we saw the best bits but the two of them really made the truck trip work. Mel\'s organisation is second to none and the effort put into the meal plans was incredible and very much appreciated. You could see the envy on the faces of the passengers on the other trucks. Their enthusiasm was infectious and having tour guided before myself I know how tiring it can be but they seemed to have boundless amounts of energy all the time. Having done a bit of independent travel before I was nervous about going on such an organised trip but they made sure it was the perfect start to my 8 months of travelling. So, thank you to your team in London and especially to Mel and Andy.
- Overall Rating
  80%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  90%
- Itinerary Rating
  90%
- Accomodation Rating
  70%

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