Quito To La Paz

29 days - from $3060

A 6000km overland adventure! Leaving Ecuador’s mountain capital of Quito we travel first to the jungles around the Amazon, before heading southward down the Pan American Highway to the Peruvian capital of Lima. We then turn east and climb back up into the Andes on our way to the Inca stronghold of Cusco, magnificent Lake Titicaca and La Paz, the world’s highest capital city.

Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cuenca
• Eat llama in La Paz
• The potions of 'Witches’ Market'
• La Paz - the world's highest 'unofficial' capital city
• Cotopaxi - the highest active snow-capped volcano in the world
• Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca
• The panorama from Basilica del Voto Naciona
• Andean town of Banos
• The Amazon Basin
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Colonial Quito
• Eat Cuy in Cusco
• Puno - a town four kilometres above sea-level
• Surf’s up in Huanchaco
• Swig Inca Kola
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre of the Peruvian capital Lima
• Warminwanusca - 'Dead Woman’s Pass' on the Inca Trail
• The 'Lost City of the Incas' - UNESCO World Heritage-listed Machu Picchu
• 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 ancient Inca capital of Cusco

Itinerary:

Day 1: Quito2: Quito3: Amazon Jungle4: Amazon Jungle5-6: Banos /// Puyo (alternative itinerary)7: Riobamba8: Devil's Nose Railway - Cuenca9: Cuenca10-12: Sechura Desert - Trujillo13-14: Chan Chan - Lima15-16: Lima17-18: Cusco19-22: Important Note19: Inca Trail to Yuncachimpa (13km)20: Inca Trail to Pacaymayo (11 km)21: Inca Trail to Winaywayna (15 km)22: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (5 km) - Cusco23: Cusco24: Cusco - Puno25: Lake Titicaca (Amantani Island Homestay)26: Puno27: Puno - Copacabana - La Paz28-29: 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.