Gran Aventura in Reverse

47 days - from $6485

This is without doubt our most adventurous journey in South America. It contains all the ingredients for a fantastic holiday and by the time we arrive in mountainous Quito we can be sure to have experienced all the major highlights of this vast continent. Our overland adventure begins in Rio de Janeiro, just after the world famous Rio Carnivale, 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 Niagara Falls, this spectacular natural wonder is sure to be a real highlight of our adventure. Next 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. After a short flight across the mountains to the thriving city of Lima, capital of modern day Peru, travel across the dry Sechura Desert on to the Amazon Jungle, before ending our epic journey in Quito, Ecuador.

Highlights

• Surf’s up in Huanchaco
• Eat Cuy in Cusco
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Colonial Quito
• Devil’s Nose Railway
• The panorama from Basilica del Voto Naciona
• Swig Inca Kola
• The 'Lost City of the Incas' - UNESCO World Heritage-listed Machu Picchu
• Warminwanusca - 'Dead Woman’s Pass' on the Inca Trail
• Zorritos
• Puno - a town four kilometres above sea-level
• 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
• The perfect pisco sour?
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cuenca
• Cotopaxi - the highest active snow-capped volcano in the world
• Choose your adventure in Bonito
• Honey Island's ecological paradise
• The Serra Verde Express
• La Paz - the world's highest 'unofficial' capital city
• The potions of 'Witches’ Market'
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed colonial city of Sucre
• Spot jaguars in the Pantanal
• Christ the Redeemer
• The Amazon Basin
• Andean town of Banos
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Iguaçu Falls
• Rio de Janeiro
• Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca
• Eat llama in La Paz

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: Cusco31-33: Lima34-35: Trujillo - Chan Chan36-37: Chiclayo - Zorritos38-39: Cuenca40: Riobamba41-42: Devil's Nose Railway - Baños43: Amazon Jungle44: Amazon Jungle45-46: Quito47: Quito

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 tour guide in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and in Ecuador, and there will be the services of local site guides at some sites. All transportation, sightseeing, accommodation 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.