South America Coast To Coast

33 days - from $5105

What a journey this is! 5000 kilometres from Lima on the Pacific coast to the stunning beaches of Rio de Janeiro on the Atlantic coast. Our adventure begins in Lima, the capital of modern-day Peru. From here it is a short flight across the mountains to the former Inca stronghold of Cusco. We explore this wonderful city before heading off along the mountain trails to the amazing Machu Picchu. Further on we come to Lake Titicaca, where we stay overnight on Amantani Island with a local Indian family before heading across the Altiplano to the highest city in the world, La Paz. The second stage of our South America adventure takes us to Potosi and Sucre. After soaking up the colonial atmosphere of these charming towns, we make our way to Santa Cruz and the Brazilian frontier. We explore the vast wildlife paradise that is the Pantanal and then move on to the picturesque town of Bonito, set in a pristine environment of rivers, forests and caves. Next stop are the mighty Iguazu Falls. Twenty metres higher than the Niagara Falls, this spectacular example of nature will be a real highlight of our adventure. We take a train trip through the superb Atlantic rainforest and enjoy a beautiful short trek along the Colonial Itupava Trail, visiting World Heritage-listed Superagui National Park and Honey Island. Of course no trip to this part of the world would be complete without time in famous Rio de Janeiro, so we’ve included this too. A couple of days to explore all that this city is famous for is the perfect way to finish our overland journey from one side of this diverse continent to the other!

Highlights

• Christ the Redeemer
• The potions of 'Witches’ Market'
• Rio de Janeiro
• La Paz - the world's highest 'unofficial' capital city
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed colonial city of Sucre
• Honey Island's ecological paradise
• Choose your adventure in Bonito
• The Serra Verde Express
• The floating reed islands of the Uros people on the highest navigable lake in the world - Lake Titicaca
• Puno - a town four kilometres above sea-level
• Warminwanusca - 'Dead Woman’s Pass' on the Inca Trail
• Eat Cuy in Cusco
• Swig Inca Kola
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre of the Peruvian capital Lima
• The 'Lost City of the Incas' - UNESCO World Heritage-listed Machu Picchu

Itinerary:

Day 1: Lima2: Lima3-4: Cusco5-8: Important Note5: Inca Trail to Yuncachimpa (13km)6: Inca Trail to Pacaymayo (11km)7: Inca Trail to Winaywayna (15km)8: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (5km) - Cusco9: Cusco10: Cusco - Puno11: Lake Titicaca (Amantani Island Homestay)12: Puno13: Puno - Copacabana - La Paz14-15: La Paz - overnight bus16: Potosi17-18: Sucre19-20: Santa Cruz - overnight train21-22: Corumba - The Pantanal23-24: Bonito - Dourados25-26: Iguazu Falls - overnight bus27: Curitiba - Atlantic Rainforest28-29: Paranagua - Honey Island30: Honey Island - Curitiba - overnight bus31-32: Rio de Janeiro33: Rio de Janeiro

What's It Like?

Gecko's adventures offer authentic experiences and a genuine alternative to backpacking. Our trips are designed for younger travelers on a budget but do include the entrance fees to the ‘must see’ sights while not wasting your money on unnecessary frills. Itineraries utilize public transport and basic twin share accommodations in small locally owned hotels, the occasional multi-share, or simply floor space in a jungle or village hut. Many trips involve some physical activity, the occasional long traveling day and you will need to carry your own bags. On camping trips, meals are freshly prepared by our camp cook, but expect to put up and take down your tent, and assist with camp chores. On all trips we only use local tour leaders who are passionate about their homeland. This is travel, grassroots style - basic but rewarding.

Included:

An experienced local tour guide in Peru, Bolivia and in Brazil, and there will be the services of local guides at some sites. All transportation, accommodation, sightseeing and meals as indicated.

International flights, arrival and departure transfers, departure and airport taxes, visas, all other meals, entrance to Sugarloaf, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.