South America Coast To Coast - Reverse

33 days - from $5105

What a journey this is! A trans-continental adventure, starting on the Atlantic coast in Rio de Janeiro after the world-famous Rio Carnivale and ending 5000 kilometres away, in Lima on the Pacific coast. Our overland adventure begins in Rio de Janeiro and heads southward to Curitiba where we take a train trip through the superb Atlantic rainforest and enjoy a beautiful, short trek along the Colonial Itupava Trail and visit World Heritage-listed Superagui National Park. We then relax on beautiful Honey Island before our next stop - the mighty Iguazu Falls. Twenty metres higher than we visit the beautiful town of Bonito, set in a pristine environment of rivers, forests and caves. We explore the vast wetlands that are the Pantanal, which is habitat to numerous wildlife. We cross the Bolivian frontier at Corumba and take the train to Santa Cruz. The colonial atmosphere of old Sucre makes for a relaxing stop before we continue to Potosi and La Paz. The next stage of our journey takes us to Peru and to Lake Titicaca, where we stay overnight on Amantani Island with a local Indian family before heading to the Inca stronghold of Cusco. We explore this wonderful city and then trek off along the spectacular mountain trails to the amazing ruins at Machu Picchu. Our cross-continent adventure ends with a short flight across the mountains to the thriving city of Lima, capital of modern day Peru.

Highlights

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

Itinerary:

Day 1: Rio de Janeiro2-3: Rio de Janeiro - overnight bus4: Atlantic Rainforest5-6: Paranagua - Honey Island7: Honey Island - Curitiba - overnight bus8-9: Iguazu Falls - Dourados10: Bonito11-12: The Pantanal13: Corumba - overnight train14: Santa Cruz15-16: Sucre17-18: Potosi19-20: La Paz21: La Paz - Copacabana - Puno22: Lake Titicaca (Amantani Island Homestay)23: Puno24: Puno - Cusco25: Cusco26-29: Important Note26: Inca Trail to Yuncachimpa (13km)27: Inca Trail to Pacaymayo (11km)28: Inca Trail to Winaywayna (15km)29: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (5km) - Cusco30: Cusco31-32: Lima33: Lima

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 Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, and there will be the services of local site 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.

Home stay accommodation on Lake Titicaca is in simple local houses.

A reasonable level of fitness is beneficial for this holiday and you should be in good health. The trek along the Itupava Colonial Trail in Brazil is not particularly difficult however; you will be required to carry sufficient clothing and personal effects for three days until returning to Curitiba. A reasonable level of fitness is advisable for the Inca Trail in Peru and any physical preparation will be a definite advantage.