Conquistador

35 days - from $3145

This is the ultimate overland journey – a trip that gives you the very best that South America has to offer. This is also an adventure that will stay in your mind long after you’ve returned home. Starting in Quito, second of the Inca capitals, we head eastward for a brief excursion into the great Amazon River basin. After spending time in the Andes, we descend into the Sechura Desert on our way to Lima. Continuing our journey in Peru, we stop in Nazca and Arequipa, before arriving at the Inca heartland of Cusco. We explore this amazing Inca city before taking to the mountains on a trek along Inca trails to Machu Picchu. Next stop is an island homestay on fabled Lake Titicaca before we complete our journey in La Paz, commercial capital of modern Bolivia.

Highlights

• Ballestas Islands
• The Amazon Basin
• The potions of 'Witches’ Market'
• La Paz - the world's highest 'unofficial' capital city
• Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca
• Eat llama in La Paz
• Andean town of Banos
• Cotopaxi - the highest active snow-capped volcano in the world
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Colonial Quito
• Indian market town of Otavalo
• The panorama from Basilica del Voto Naciona
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cuenca
• Devil’s Nose Railway
• Eat Cuy in Cusco
• Zorritos
• The condors of one of the deepest canyons in the world - Colca Canyon
• Swig Inca Kola
• The 'Lost City of the Incas' - UNESCO World Heritage-listed Machu Picchu
• Puno - a town four kilometres above sea-level
• Surf’s up in Huanchaco
• The floating reed islands of the Uros people on the highest navigable lake in the world - Lake Titicaca
• The perfect pisco sour?
• Warminwanusca - 'Dead Woman’s Pass' on the Inca Trail
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre of the Peruvian capital Lima
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nazca Lines - gigantic lines, symbols and animal images etched into the ground
• The white volcanic 'sillar' architecture and Cathedral of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Arequipa
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient Inca capital of Cusco

Itinerary:

Day 1: Quito2: Quito3: Amazon Jungle4: Amazon Jungle5-6: Banos /// Puyo (alternative itinerary)7: Riobamba8: Riobamba rail journey - Cuenca9: Cuenca10-12: Sechura Desert - Trujillo13-14: Chan Chan - Lima15-16: Lima - Paracas17: Ballestas Islands - Nazca18: Nazca - overnight bus19-21: Arequipa22-23: Cusco24-27: Important note24: Inca Trail to Yuncachimpa (13km)25: Inca Trail to Pacaymayo (11km)26: Inca Trail to Winaywayna (15km)27: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (5 km) - Cusco28: Cusco29: Cusco - Puno30: Lake Titicaca (Amantani Island Homestay)31: Puno32: Puno - Copacabana33-34: La Paz35: La Paz

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:

Experienced local tour guides plus 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, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.