Quito to Buenos Aires

41 days - from $4995

An epic adventure that crosses South America, from west to east. The highlights come thick and fast as we journey from Ecuador, through Peru and Bolivia, to Argentina. Along the way we experience many of the great regions, sights and sounds that this colourful and lively continent has to offer!

Highlights

• The Amazon Basin
• La Paz - the world's highest 'unofficial' capital city
• Colourful La Boca
• Recoleta Cemetery and Eva Peron’s tomb
• The colonial city of Salta
• Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca
• Argentina's capital Buenos Aires
• The 1500AD 'Llullaillaco Children'
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed colonial city of Sucre
• Andean town of Banos
• The potions of 'Witches’ Market'
• Eat llama in La Paz
• Cotopaxi - the highest active snow-capped volcano in the world
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cuenca
• Devil’s Nose Railway
• Indian market town of Otavalo
• The panorama from Basilica del Voto Naciona
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Colonial Quito
• Eat Cuy in Cusco
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient Inca capital of Cusco
• Zorritos
• 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
• Swig Inca Kola
• The 'Lost City of the Incas' - UNESCO World Heritage-listed Machu Picchu
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre of the Peruvian capital Lima
• The perfect pisco sour?

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 (11km)21: Inca Trail to Winaywayna (15km)22: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (5km) - Cusco23: Cusco24: Cusco - Puno25: Lake Titicaca (Amantani Island Homestay)26: Puno27: Puno - Copacabana - La Paz28-29: La Paz - overnight bus30-31: Sucre32: Potosi33-34: Potosi - Uyuni (Great Salt Desert) - overnight train35: Villazón – Humahuaca Gorge – Maimará36: Pumamarca - Salta37-38: Salta - overnight bus39-40: Buenos Aires41: Buenos Aires

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 Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and in Argentina, 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, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.