Description

Discover the heart and soul of Andean South America on this adventure tour that takes you from the cobblestone streets of Quito to the dizzying altitude of La Paz. Discover the extraordinary history of the Inca as you trek through misty cloud forests along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Fall asleep to the sounds of the wild in the lush rainforest of the Amazon, meet the locals on glistening Lake Titicaca and spot condors in the Colca Canyon. With lots of flexibility, the Peru and Ecuador Adventure is ideal for those with a thirst for discovery.

Highlights

• Discover a culture clash in Quito.
• Travel through the Amazon Jungle with a local guide.
• See Huanchaco's surfing fishermen.
• Unravel the mysteries of the Nazca lines.
• Hike the Inca Trail through cloud forests to Machu Picchu.
• Explore Cuzco's colourful San Pedro market.
• Pick up some Quechua lingo in the Sacred Valley.
• Visit a community on Lake Titicaca's 'floating islands'.
• Watch spectacular sunset in Copacabana.
• Stock up on woollies at La Paz's markets.

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Quito

Quito is a cultured city with a wonderous Old Town, a dynamic nightlife and atmospheric streets showcasing Ecuadorian life in all its splendour.

Days 3-5 Amazon Jungle

The two rivers of Tena and Pano meet in Tena, a small, lively city and a gateway to the amazing Amazon Jungle.

Days 6-8 Banos

Green hills, warm waters, adventure activities, a chilled town atmosphere and good food are all found in Banos, a town popular with locals and travellers.

Days 9-10 Cuenca

With roots tracing back to 8000BC, Cuenca is a fascinating and beautiful city, and World Heritage-listed due to its wonderfully preserved heritage buildings.

Days 11-13 Mancora

Long stretches of beach, great seafood, excellent cafes and a vibrant nightlife make Mancora a very popular beachside resort in northern Peru.

Day 14 Trujillo

Travel through the Sechura Desert to see the 'surfing' fishermen of Huanchaco. Explore the historical city of Trujillo.

Days 15-16 Lima

Lima is a large, fascinating hotchpotch of architectural styles, coastal scenes, world cuisines, impressive museums, traditional culture and modern arts and nightlife.

Day 17 Pisco

While Pisco may have lent its name to Peru's most famous drink, this seaside city is also known for being the gateway to the Ballestas Islands.

Day 18 Nazca

Rebuilt completely after a devastating earthquake in 1996, Nazca is home to the mysterious Nazca Lines and a city of colourful houses with a pretty main square.

Days 19-20 Arequipa

The beautiful 'White City' of Arequipa is surrounded by volcanoes, is rich in Spanish colonial architecture and abounds with local culture and cuisine.

Days 21-22 Colca Canyon/Arequipa

Over twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and with Andean Condors soaring high above, the Colca Canyon commands reverie. Standing at the foot of El Misti Volcano and oozing colonial charm, Arequipa vies with Cuzco for the title of Peru's most attractive city.

Days 23-24 Arequipa/Cuzco

Cuzco is the gateway to Machu Picchu and a city with majestic architecture, impressive ruins, a lively town centre and cultural significance around every cobblestone corner.

Day 25 Sacred Valley/Ollantaytambo

The Sacred Valley was once the heartland of the Inca Empire and now contains picturesque villages and impressive archeological sites. Located in the Urubamba Valley, the city of Ollantaytambo is an incredible archeological site and the starting point of the classic Inca Trail trek.

Days 26-29 Inca Trail/Machu Picchu/Cuzco

Winding around mountains, through valleys and up steep slopes, the iconic Inca Trail is a series of beautiful vistas and challenging hikes all the way to Machu Picchu. Built sometime in the 15th century and rediscovered in 1911, the staggering ruins of Machu Picchu were thought to be an estate for the Incan emperor, Pachacuti.

Day 30 Cuzco

A World Heritage site set amongst red-green hills with ruins scattered close by, Cuzco is impressive in every way - be it history, culture, nightlife or architecture.

Days 31-33 Puno/Lake Titicaca

Puno is a colourful town on the Peruvian shores of Lake Titicaca, expect to see traditionally dressed locals, chaotic markets and, if lucky enough, even dancing in the streets. Crossing the border of Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America and has some fascinating islands and hefty-sized frogs living within its waters.

Days 34-36 La Paz

Built in a canyon, the unique and bewtiching city of La Paz is filled with steep, cobbled streets, fascinating markets, evident tradition and captivating sights.

Group Size

Maximum of 16 travellers per group

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities), Homestay, Hotel, Overnight bus

Transport

Boat, Bus, Canoe, Overnight bus, Van

Important notes

Inca Trail permits are sold on request basis only. Once deposit is paid and passport details provided, Intrepid will endeavour to secure a permit for you. If Inca Trail permits are unavailable by the time you book, you can opt to hike the Inca Quarry Trail instead. The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. If the trek portion of your trip starts in February you will be automatically booked to hike the Inca Quarry Trail. Should you choose not to hike at all, please let us know in writing at the time of booking so alternative arrangements can be made. Without this prior warning, local fees may apply. Important information regarding new regulations and booking procedures for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.