Quito<- ->Rio de Janeiro

112 days - from $6495

Our South America Grand Tour commences in Quito, taking us deep into the Amazon for a stay in the jungle. We drive through the Ecuadorian Andes towards Peru, taking in the many highlights of this stunning country such as Machu Picchu or the mysterious Nazca Lines. Overlanding across the Altiplano to Bolivia we explore La Paz and traverse the Uyuni Salt Flats en route for Argentina, where we'll visit the wine regions and stay on an estancia. Once we cross into Chile we travel the length of this long, thin country all the way to Tierra del Fuego in the far south. We'll go hiking in the rugged Torres del Paine, explore Los Glaciares NP and then cross the continent to Argentina's Valdez Peninsula. From here we turn north to the capital Buenos Aires, then on through Brazil, visiting Iguazu Falls and the Pantanal before ending our epic journey in Rio de Janeiro.

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Itinerary:

This trans South America ‘Grand Tour’ takes in almost all of the continents’ rich and diverse countries, from Ecuador, through Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and Brazil, reaching the very southern tip at Ushuaia before heading up the eastern flank to Rio.The trip starts deep in the Amazon for a jungle stay before overlanding through the Ecuadorian Andes towards Peru, taking in the many highlights of this stunning country such as Machu Picchu or the mysterious Nazca Lines. Overlanding across the Altiplano to Bolivia, you’ll explore La Paz and traverse the Uyuni Salt Flats en route for Argentina, where there’s visits to the wine regions and a stay on an estancia, learning the ways of the ‘gauchos’, or ‘cowboys’.You’ll traverse the length of Chile all the way to Tierra del Fuego, ‘the Land of Fire’ in the far south, hiking in the rugged Torres del Paine, exploring Los Glaciares NP and the Moreno glacier before crossing the continent to Argentina's Valdez Peninsula. From here, it’s north to the capital Buenos Aires, then on through Brazil, visiting Iguazu Falls and the Pantanal before ending this journey in Rio de Janeiro.

Details:

Group Size: Approx. 24.
Notes: Which Inca Trail? When you book this trip, you will have a choice of either the Community Inca Trek or the Classic Inca Trail. The costs for each are included, but you must tell us which you would like to do when booking as permits have to be arranged far in advance. If you do not tell us which trek you would prefer you will automatically be booked onto the Community Inca Trek. If you would rather not trek at all, we can arrange a non-trekking package instead, including an overnight stay in the Sacred Valley and a whole day at Machu Picchu. Kitty does not cover food while staying in hotels and hostels. Because of its nature, this itinerary may vary: occasionally road conditions are too adverse during the rainy season (Jan. & Feb.) to make the crossing from Uyuni to Argentina and we may have to change the route

Trip Reference: JQR