G Adventures
Save 20%Lima to Rio: Coast to Coast
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru · 51 days · Active
fromCAD 8,919
Next: 20 JunThe adventure
From the sands of Copacabana to the heights of the Bolivian Andes, this incredible 39-day journey will introduce you to the diverse landscape and people of South America. Explore the wetlands of the Pantanal and the bizarre landscape of Salar de Uyuni, and revel in the mists of thundering Iguassu Falls. Gain greater insight into the culture on the region’s public buses and meet locals from the rural towns along the way for an immersive experience that few travellers have. Get off the beaten path and experience Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia — a vibrant cross-section of South America.
At a glance
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
Argentina, Bolivia & 2 more countries
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalThere are no planned activities until the evening welcome meeting.
There are no planned activities until the evening welcome meeting.
Day 2In the morning
In the morning, explore the favela with a local resident on a G Adventures-supported tour to watch a drumming demonstration, get a Capoeira lesson, and sample craft beers with a new perspective of the city. Enjoy a free afternoon to discover all that Rio has to offer.
Day 3Take a bus and ferry to Ilha Grande
Take a bus and ferry to Ilha Grande. Enjoy free time to explore this picturesque, laid-back island, opt to go on a hike to a nearby swimming hole or explore the many beaches.
Day 4Ilha Grande is a car-free island surrounded by…
Ilha Grande is a car-free island surrounded by beautiful nature. Opt to go for a hike, swim, or sit at one of the beach bars.
Day 5Travel up the coast to Paraty and wander…
Travel up the coast to Paraty and wander the cobblestoned streets of this beautiful colonial town.
Day 6Enjoy a free day to explore Paraty
Enjoy a free day to explore Paraty. Optional activities include a Caipirinha boat trip, kayaking and horseback riding.
Day 7Continue to enjoy the slow pace of Paraty
Continue to enjoy the slow pace of Paraty, a colonial town with fantastic architecture, or opt to take a day trip to Trindade to surf and relax on the beach.
Day 8Take a flight to the famous Iguassu Falls
Take a flight to the famous Iguassu Falls. Skip the 19 hour journey by land and hop a flight to Iguassu from São Paulo. Visit the Brazilian side of the falls to get the best panoramic view.
Day 9Experience Iguassu in Argentina by exploring trails and catwalksExplore trails that will bring you directly over the falls of the Devil's Throat—the highest and deepest of the falls. Other trails allow access to the stretch of falls across the forest on the Argentine side. Opt to take an inflatable boat to the base of the thundering falls.
Explore trails that will bring you directly over the falls of the Devil's Throat—the highest and deepest of the falls. Other trails allow access to the stretch of falls across the forest on the Argentine side. Opt to take an inflatable boat to the base of the thundering falls.
Day 10Embark on the long travel journey to Bonito
Embark on the long travel journey to Bonito.
Day 11Spend time in Bonito with optional activities available…
Spend time in Bonito with optional activities available like snorkelling in the rivers or exploring the nearby caves and waterfalls.
Day 12Journey into the PantanalExperience the Pantanal, an immense wetland area famed for its profuse wildlife. A 2-day excursion allows visitors to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
Experience the Pantanal, an immense wetland area famed for its profuse wildlife. A 2-day excursion allows visitors to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
Day 13Full day of exploring the Pantanal
Full day of exploring the Pantanal. Try piranha fishing or horseback riding. Opportunities to spot wildlife such as monkeys, macaws, giant otters and caiman.
Day 14Leave the Pantanal and head for the borderFrom the frontier town of Corumbá, Brazil, cross into Bolivia. From here, an overnight bus heads to Santa Cruz.
From the frontier town of Corumbá, Brazil, cross into Bolivia. From here, an overnight bus heads to Santa Cruz.
Day 15Hop on a flight to Bolivia's colonial gem
Hop on a flight to Bolivia's colonial gem, Sucre. Enjoy a few days in the city to recover from the journey from Brazil, opt to go hiking or take it easy.
Day 16Spend a few days exploring all that Sucre has to offer
Spend a few days exploring all that Sucre has to offer.
Day 17Enjoy free time to explore all that Sucre has to offer
Enjoy free time to explore all that Sucre has to offer.
Day 18Enjoy free time to explore all that Sucre has to offer
Enjoy free time to explore all that Sucre has to offer.
Day 19Journey from Sucre to Potosí. Spend the afternoon exploring the city
Journey from Sucre to Potosí. Spend the afternoon exploring the city.
Day 20Head south to Uyuni, the starting point for the salt flats excursion
Head south to Uyuni, the starting point for the salt flats excursion.
Day 21Enjoy a 3-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar…LimaTravel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni. Despite its isolation and challenging climate (cold and blustery most of the year), the town of Uyuni has earned the nickname of Hija Predilecta de Bolivia (Bolivia’s Favourite Daughter). It is also the starting point for our 2-night excursion through the spectacular Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) in 4x4 vehicles. Settle in to your G Adventures-supported community salt-brick bungalow, complete with salt floors and furniture, after a guided walking tour up to the sacred Jukil mountaintop for sweeping valley views and a dinner of local ingredients prepared by ladies from the community.
LimaTravel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni. Despite its isolation and challenging climate (cold and blustery most of the year), the town of Uyuni has earned the nickname of Hija Predilecta de Bolivia (Bolivia’s Favourite Daughter). It is also the starting point for our 2-night excursion through the spectacular Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) in 4x4 vehicles. Settle in to your G Adventures-supported community salt-brick bungalow, complete with salt floors and furniture, after a guided walking tour up to the sacred Jukil mountaintop for sweeping valley views and a dinner of local ingredients prepared by ladies from the community.
Day 22Continue to discover the Salar de Uyuni…
Continue to discover the Salar de Uyuni on a 4x4 excursion. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.
Day 23Enjoy a final day of exploring the Salar…
Enjoy a final day of exploring the Salar de Uyuni before boarding an overnight bus back to La Paz .
Day 24Enjoy a free day in the capitalSpend the day exploring and shopping in the many markets of the city -- it is an especially good place to buy textiles and leatherwork. Visit the Witches' Market or take one of the several optional excursions available.
Spend the day exploring and shopping in the many markets of the city -- it is an especially good place to buy textiles and leatherwork. Visit the Witches' Market or take one of the several optional excursions available.
Day 25Enjoy another free day to explore La Paz
Enjoy another free day to explore La Paz. Opt to visit Iglesia de San Francisco, Chacaltaya, the Valley of the Moon or the Witches' Market.
Day 26Today, visit the pre-Incan ruins of TiahuanacoLittle is known about the Tiahuanaco people who constructed the great ceremonial centre on the southern shore of Lake Titicaca over 1000 years ago. Spend most of the day visiting these mysterious ruins—a cradle of Incan civilization—before returning to La Paz.
Little is known about the Tiahuanaco people who constructed the great ceremonial centre on the southern shore of Lake Titicaca over 1000 years ago. Spend most of the day visiting these mysterious ruins—a cradle of Incan civilization—before returning to La Paz.
Day 27Travel by bus through the altiplanoAmazonPeru is made up of three main geographical areas: the Andes, the Amazon, and the desert coastal area. Enjoy spectacular views of the countryside on a full day of travel from La Paz, around Lake Titicaca, and on to Puno.
AmazonPeru is made up of three main geographical areas: the Andes, the Amazon, and the desert coastal area. Enjoy spectacular views of the countryside on a full day of travel from La Paz, around Lake Titicaca, and on to Puno.
Day 28Enjoy a guided tour of Lake Titicaca…Head out by boat across Lake Titicaca. Visit the community on the Taquile Islands and stop at a restaurant and enjoy a local lunch with spectacular views. After, cruise to the another village (this can vary based on community availability) for an overnight homestay on the shores of the lake. This experience provides an opportunity to learn more about rural life in the Peruvian highlands and to participate in local traditions. Eat with the family, pick up some Quecha and Spanish language skills, try on traditional costumes, and help out with daily chores around the village.
Head out by boat across Lake Titicaca. Visit the community on the Taquile Islands and stop at a restaurant and enjoy a local lunch with spectacular views. After, cruise to the another village (this can vary based on community availability) for an overnight homestay on the shores of the lake. This experience provides an opportunity to learn more about rural life in the Peruvian highlands and to participate in local traditions. Eat with the family, pick up some Quecha and Spanish language skills, try on traditional costumes, and help out with daily chores around the village.
Day 29Visit the floating islands of Uros before returning…Leave the homestay families late in the morning and visit the Uros Islands on the way back to Puno. A popular optional activity in Puno is a visit to the spectacular chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani, a pre-Inca archaeological site only a short drive away. Opt to pre-book the Lake Titicaca Kayaking on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Leave the homestay families late in the morning and visit the Uros Islands on the way back to Puno. A popular optional activity in Puno is a visit to the spectacular chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani, a pre-Inca archaeological site only a short drive away. Opt to pre-book the Lake Titicaca Kayaking on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Day 30Hop on the bus for a full day's drive to CuscoThe bus trip from Puno to Cusco takes the better part of the day, with stark, beautiful scenery en route as you travel through the high Altiplano region. Check out a bit of Cusco, find a spot for dinner, or get prepared to head into the Sacred Valley.
CuscoThe bus trip from Puno to Cusco takes the better part of the day, with stark, beautiful scenery en route as you travel through the high Altiplano region. Check out a bit of Cusco, find a spot for dinner, or get prepared to head into the Sacred Valley.
Day 31Enjoy a free day to explore the city's…While most ruins are just outside of the city, the main ruin within is that of the Coricancha, once the Inca Empire's richest temple. It forms the base of the colonial church of Santo Domingo. There are several good museums in Cusco, including the Archaeological Museum, which also houses a small art museum, the Regional History Museum, and the Religious Art Museum. Opt to visit and hike the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
While most ruins are just outside of the city, the main ruin within is that of the Coricancha, once the Inca Empire's richest temple. It forms the base of the colonial church of Santo Domingo. There are several good museums in Cusco, including the Archaeological Museum, which also houses a small art museum, the Regional History Museum, and the Religious Art Museum. Opt to visit and hike the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Day 32Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred ValleyTravel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them. Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community.
Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them. Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community.
Day 33Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where…
Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where the Inca Trail begins. Ease into the adventure with a straightforward day of hiking the meandering streams, stunning Andean scenery, and ancient Incan ruins.
Day 34Start early to climb the long steep path…
Start early to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass. This is the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with ample time to rest and relax.
Day 35Cross two more passes and ruins on today's trek
Cross two more passes and ruins on today's trek. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, hikers can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through the cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley. At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins ("forever young") located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).
Day 36The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn…Machu Picchu
Machu PicchuThe final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down for a guided tour of the ruins, before your train back towards Cusco.
Day 37Enjoy a free day to explore Cusco or relax
Enjoy a free day to explore Cusco or relax. Active options include, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Day 38Fly to LimaTake a short flight to the coast and the capital city of Lima. This vibrant city has a fantastic main square, tons of shopping, and incredible eating. Opt to join the group for one final evening out.
LimaTake a short flight to the coast and the capital city of Lima. This vibrant city has a fantastic main square, tons of shopping, and incredible eating. Opt to join the group for one final evening out.
Day 39Departure dayDepartureDepart at any time.
Depart at any time.
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