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Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1, Arrive Rio de Janeiro

The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre tour accommodation. On arrival please ask at the reception for information on when the pre departure meeting will be held.

Rio de Janeiro, or more commonly known as Rio, is the second largest city in Brazil and arguably one of the most beautiful cities of the world. In the late 17th century the Portuguese found gold and diamonds in the nearby state of Minas Gerais and thus Rio became the main port for exporting the new found wealth. During the colonial Portuguese period of 1763-1815, Rio was the capital of Brazil.

Visit Rio's stunning beaches, such as Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon. There are excursions up Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) and Corcovado with its famous 'Cristo Redentor' (Christ the Redeemer) statue and great city views. Another interesting excursion is on the old tram system across the viaduct into the cobble-stoned neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. A walking tour of Rio's historic buildings is also a lovely way to pass an afternoon, or you may like to visit the Botanical Gardens.

Day 2 - 6, Parati – Bertioga – Curitiba

Following the stunning coastline along the Costa Verde where we arrive at Parati, which is a preserved Portuguese colonial town (1500-1822), with streets made of stone slabs designed to let the tide wash over and clean them. The town is renowned for its historical centre, the coast and mountains in the region. Parati was also a major port for the exportation of gold and coffee during the 17th and 19th centuries respectively. You have an option to go on a full-day boat cruise around the bay with plenty of time for swimming in the turquoise waters and eating the fresh seafood. We have plenty of time to relax and soak up the coastal atmosphere.

Further down the coast we stop at Bertioga, which has a beautiful long beach just perfect for swimming and sports. Heading into the high central plateau, driving through rich farmlands, we spend one night near the city of Curitiba, one of the most prosperous cities of southern Brazil.

Day 7 - 14, Foz do Iguaçu – Asunción – Trinidad – En route

We come to Foz do Iguaçu, home of over 275 separate waterfalls that cascade over a two-and-a-half-kilometre-wide cliff face. There is also an excellent bird park which we will visit near the entrance to the falls. The falls straddle the border between Argentina and Brazil and we visit both sides of the falls. From the Brazilian side there are panoramic views of the numerous falls and if you feel like a cooling-down, take a zodiac boat ride up the river and under the falls - a fun way to get a different perspective of these impressive falls. From the Argentine side, you can walk through rainforest along catwalks directly above the falls and the "Devil's Throat" (optional). For a bird's eye view take the optional helicopter ride.

You may like to take the option to visit the world's largest hydroelectric dam at Itaipu where videos show the environmental planning behind the dam project.

We cross over the Rio Paraná to Paraguay and head to the capital, Asunción, a pleasant city with a hot and humid climate. Built on the banks of the Paraguay River, the streets are laid out in the Spanish grid pattern and lined with beautiful trees. Asunción is a good place to stock up on cameras and other electronic items as it's a duty free port. Along the riverfront are the Government and Municipal Palaces, the cathedral and a shantytown. There are a few markets where you can buy local handicrafts.

Moving south through fertile countryside we camp at Parque Manantial with its surrounding farmland and pristine refreshing swimming pool. Continuing south we stop at the nearby Jesuit ruins of Trinidad. The Jesuits came to Paraguay in the 16th century and built magnificent missions to convert the indigenous Guarani population to Catholicism. The buildings fell into ruin with the expulsion of the Jesuits from South America in 1767. We cross the Rio Paraná again, this time over the new International Bridge at Encarnacion into Argentina. Our journey takes us through Posadas into the Department of Mesopotamia, hopefully seeing some gauchos (typical cowboys) and rheas (South American emus) on the way. We make our way into the thorny scrublands of the Gran Chaco. This is where the Quebracho tree grows, supplying much of the world with tannin.

We will camp en route with travelling times determining our location.

Day 15 - 22, Salta – Tupiza – Uyuní – Potosí

Our next stop is the attractive city of Salta in the Lerma Valley, established in 1582. Salta has many old colonial buildings, a Cathedral with ancient statues of Cristo del Milagro (Miracle of Christ) and the Virgin Mary, which were brought over from Spain in 1592. You will also find pavement plaques, which will guide you on an interesting walking tour of the city. During our time here a great optional excursion you may like to take is a day trip to Cafayate, one of Argentina's great wine regions.

We leave the arid desert to cross the mighty Andes. We drive by way of salt lakes and volcanoes and, if we're lucky, we may see pink flamingos and a variety of other wildlife. We arrive at Tupiza where we will take respite from the arid surrounds and dusty road. Legend has it that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid met their end at the hands of the Bolivian army near Tupiza, concluding their notorious string of bank robbery raids.

We travel north to the desolate town of Uyuni in the south of Bolivia. From here we visit what is claimed to be the largest salt flat in the world, the brilliant white vast Salar de Uyuni, which covers some 10,500 square kilometres and is estimated to contain 10 billion tons of salt. A four-wheel-drive excursion across the lake takes us to a hotel made entirely of salt and then surrounds you with a world of white and blue. Fish Island offers stunning views of the lake which can prove quite otherworldly as giant cacti and wandering llama punctuate the scene and provide perfect photo opportunities. The fantastic contrast of the brilliant blue sky (weather permitting of course) and the pure white of the salt flats is surreal.

We now travel across the Altiplano to Potosí, the highest city of its size on Earth at 4,070 metres, with a population of 110,000 people. The history of Potosí, its fame and splendour, as well as its tragedy and horror, is closely linked to silver. The city was founded in 1545 soon after the discovery of silver in a nearby hill, the Cerro Rico (or Rich Hill). The veins proved to be so prolific that they quickly became known as the world's richest source of the precious metal. Silver from Potosí underwrote the Spanish economy, particularly its monarchy's extravagance, for over two centuries. Millions of indigenous people, and later, African slaves, were made to work in the mines where conditions were so appalling and dangerous that miners died in horrific numbers, either in accidents or from silicosis pneumonia. During the three centuries of colonial rule, it is estimated that eight million Africans and locals died in the Potosí mines. Reminders of the grand colonial city are still evident in the narrow streets, formal balconied mansions and ornate churches. We offer you the opportunity to visit one of the mines (optional) where you will learn from first-hand experience some of the hardship that miners still suffer. You soon realise that the mines are worked today in much the same way as they were under Spanish rule.

Day 23 - 28, La Paz – Puno – Lake Titicaca – Puno

La Paz, at 3,636 metres above sea level is the highest capital city in the world. Just about every building is built on some sort of hill, so sightseeing will literally take your breath away! Our hotel is close to the fascinating indigenous markets. One is called the 'witches market' because the bowler-hat-wearing women here sell dead cats, llama foetuses (these are placed under the buildings to keep evil spirits away) and other strange potions. The main square is the Plaza Murillo, where a president of the republic was once lynched from a lamppost. One of the evenings here can be spent at a peña listening to locals playing "Andino" music on zampoñas and charangos. Nearby are a variety of optional excursions including the Moon Valley with its strange rock formations shaped by the weather and Mount Chacaltaya, the world's highest ski resort, which is certainly worth a visit - At 5,221 metres the views alone are incredible. Another exciting option is the trip to the gateway of the Bolivian Amazon, Coroico, where you can climb a 5,000-metre-high pass before descending down to 1,300 metres, passing sheer drops of more than 1,000 metres on narrow, single-lane mountain roads. The excursion to Coroico can also be done by mountain bike, as it is downhill nearly all the way and very exhilarating, but beware, colloquially known as 'Death Road', it is not at all for the fainthearted and great care must be taken! While in Coroico you can have lunch by a swimming pool and admire the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

We are now destined for the town of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The journey takes us alongside majestic snow-capped mountains before reaching the La Raya pass at 4,321 metres. There is a research station, which studies high altitude animals such as llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. From Puno we visit the astounding floating reed Islands of the Uros Indians and see their way of life. We will have the option to take a ride in a traditional reed boat made of totora plants, which also form a staple part of the local people's diet and medicine. We then make our way to Amantani Island to spend the night in the homes of local families. This beautiful, traditional island is home to Aymara people and is situated in the centre of Lake Titicaca. The following morning we'll stopover at Taquile, where the men stand, knitting typical woollen hats, while the women tend the fields. We return to Puno in time to do more shopping, Puno is one of the best places to bargain for alpaca sweaters.

Day 29 - 30, Cuzco – Ollantaytambo

The oldest continuously inhabited city in South America, Cuzco was the hub of the Inca Empire and features a population of around 300,000, most of who are indigenous. This marvellous colonial city is situated 3,310 metres above sea level and has numerous churches, some of which were built using recycled Inca masonry, as were many other buildings in Cuzco. The main square is called the Plaza de Armas, which has the beautiful cathedral on one side, which took a century to build, and the Church of La Compañia de Jesus on the other. The colonial arcades, which occupy the remainder of the plaza, are full of restaurants and shops. Enjoy a cup of coca tea at one of the local cafés and take time to acclimatise to the altitude. There are also many fascinating markets in Cuzco, the most well-known being San Pedro where all kinds of textiles and artisan merchandise are sold. Enjoy wandering the streets, visit the many markets and soak up the friendly atmosphere. If you're in the mood for a cultural experience, take a peek inside the 14th-century Inca palace which was later converted into the city's Museo de Arte Religioso (Museum of Religious Art). Well worth exploring during your time here is the ancient archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman, which has the largest and most impressive Inca stonework of all. It is also well worth your time to visit some of the nearby Inca ruins: Kenko, Tambomachay and Puka Pukara.

On our full day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas we will visit the isolated Pisac ruins perched on a hill high in the mountains and visit the famous Indian market of the same name in the valley below. This is a great place to buy textiles, pottery and jewellery and a great place to admire the fantastic view. After some time at both the ruins and the markets, we move down the valley to the temple fortress of Ollantaytambo, with its enormous terraces climbing up the hillside. For those trekking the Inca trail, you will spend the night here in Ollantaytambo for your early start in the morning.

For those who have chosen not to trek the trail, you will continue back to Cuzco where you will have some time to further explore Cuzco before your trip to Machu Picchu by train. There are plenty of other optional excursions available, including white water rafting down the Urubamba River, horse riding through native villages and Inca ruins.

Day 31 - 37, Inca Trail Trek (or free time) – Cuzco

Please see the brochure or the 'Useful Information' section of our website for important booking regulations and prices. You may not be able to complete the trek if you have not read this information. For more details about the trail facilities, equipment, preparation etc. please ask your agent for an 'Inca Trail Info Sheet'. If you are trekking the alternative Lares Trek you should ask for a 'Lares Trek Info Sheet'. Both documents are available to download from our website.

You will have a briefing to prepare for the trek by your local guide. They will cover ideal things to take, what the porters will assist you with and what you can expect from the trek each day. This briefing will take place during your initial days in Cuzco.

If you have chosen to hike the Inca Trail you will cross spectacular passes and visit more Inca ruins en route to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. A local guide will lead this expedition and there will be cooks and porters to carry the main equipment, leaving you with just a small daypack. The trek begins after a short bus journey and the first day is a relatively easy four-and-a-half hour, 13-kilometre-walk, which will get you limbered up for the highest pass at Warmiwañusca (4,200 metres) which you will reach before lunchtime on the second day (Warmiwañusca translates as 'Dead Woman's Pass'). During the second day you will cover approximately nine kilometres in about five to seven hours and after the high pass it's all downhill as the trail winds its way down old Inca-built stairs to our campsite. On the third day we pass the ruins of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca, walking approximately 15 kilometres in seven hours. The last morning, after an overnight stop at Wiñay-Wayna, you will rise early for the final walk to Machu Picchu and greet daybreak over the famous "Sun Gate". There will then be time to explore on your own or simply take in the magnificence of the place after your guided tour.

The Lost City of Machu Picchu was originally completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs. Located high above the fast flowing Urubamba River, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation that will simply take your breath away.

The ruins were only uncovered by the outside world in 1911, when American explorer Hiram Bingham found them while looking for another 'lost city' called Vilcabamba. Due to their isolation many of the buildings are still relatively intact and you can't help but admire Huayna Picchu or 'Young Mountain' (Machu Picchu means 'Old Mountain'), which towers above the ruins. It is a hard climb to the top of the mountain (it takes about 50 minutes) but you are rewarded with spectacular views over the whole site. After spending most of the day at Machu Picchu you have the chance to soak your tired muscles in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes or meander through the markets before returning to Cuzco by train.

After the Inca Trail (or free time) we have some more time in Cuzco where you can spend your time exploring this wonderful artistic town. Of course there is much to see during the daylight hours but once the sun goes down, the lights of Cuzco come up and around the plaza the nightlife is spectacular with bars, nightclubs and every type of restaurant imaginable.

Day 38 - 40, Colca Canyon – Arequipa

Our next destination is the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world. The drive takes us through a high Andean desert, with amazing scenery all the way. We pass ghost towns destroyed by earthquakes and with luck we will see a condor or two soaring out of the canyon from our vantage point, 1,200 metres above the canyon floor. In the evening we have time to soak in the thermal springs near Chivay, where we spend the night.

We wind our way into the foothills of the Andes and the stunning colonial city of Arequipa, overlooked by the massive volcano "El Misti". This city has some of the best examples of colonial architecture and the main plaza is quite magnificent, decorated with archways and dominated by the splendid cathedral, which was completed in 1612. Although an earthquake in 2001 damaged the cathedral, it has not diminished any of the splendour of this charming square. One of the 'must see' attractions here is the vast Santa Catalina Convent (optional), a maze of cobbled streets, cloisters and other decorative buildings, it has only been open to the public since 1970 and it is certainly well worth the visit.

Another popular attraction is the acclaimed 'Museo Santary', which highlights well preserved mummies including the famous 'Ice Princess Juanita' - a young Inca maiden who was sacrificed some 500 years ago atop the Nevado Ampato volcano. You can enjoy a free day in Arequipa to explore these sights and more, at your own leisure.

Day 41 - 47, Puerto Inca – Nazca – Pisco – Lima

We leave the height of the Andes to the rugged desert coast to Puerto Inca, the Inca port which connected the coast with Cuzco in the mountains. Just five minutes walk away are the preserved ruins, which once stored sea produce for trading with wares brought down from the Andes. In Inca times, messages and fresh sea fish were sent 240 kilometres to Cuzco using a series of relay runners each doing 7 kilometres, taking 24 hours to complete the journey.

On our way into Nazca, we visit the incredible Chauchilla Cemetery. The sites have been excavated so you can see ancient mummies with skin and hair still intact.

Nazca, an oasis town, is renowned for its mysterious parallel lines and geometrical figures etched onto the desert floor. Although there is a viewing tower, these giant designs can only be fully appreciated from the air. You can take a fascinating flight (optional) over the enormous lines and shapes, which include a monkey, hummingbird, condor, spider and even a spaceman. The designs are thought to have been made by three different groups of people: the Paracas (900-200 BC), the Nazca (200BC-600AD) and then new migrants from Ayacucho around 630AD. Other attractions around Nazca include watching workers extracting gold and a visit to ceramic workshops where you will receive a demonstration of their art.

Heading north, we'll head deep into the desert towards the stunning Huacachina oasis where you have the chance to try your hand 'sandboarding' or take an exhilarating ride in a dune buggy down the enormous dunes. The brave can go for a dip in the murky lagoon, which is said to have therapeutic properties. Next we arrive at Pisco. Peru's national drink, the 'pisco sour', was named after this town. We spend the night in Pisco where you will have the opportunity to try some wonderful local seafood and perhaps sample one (or two) of the finest pisco sours to be found in Peru.

In neighbouring Paracas, we will travel by boat to the Ballestas Islands the following morning - sometimes known as the 'poor man's Galapagos' because of the excellent opportunities to view wildlife such as boobies, pelicans and penguins so near to the mainland. The trip takes us past the giant "Candelabra" figure etched onto the side of a mountain. After our visit to the colonies of seabirds and sea lions basking on the rocks we will continue our way to Peru's capital, Lima.

Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and called La Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of the Kings). It was the capital of the Spanish conquistadors until its independence in the early 19th century. Here you will find some of the finest museums in South America, such as the Gold Museum and the Museum of the Inquisition, to name but a few (optional). Our hotel is in close proximity to the main Plaza de Armas, where you'll discover fine old buildings with intricately carved wooden balconies and ceilings, a marvellous place for the culture vultures among us. The Government Palace facing the Plaza de Armas is beautifully built in white marble, as is La Cathedral, built in 1555, which also faces this square. You'll see an elegant bronze fountain at the centre of the square and standing tall behind the palace is the Cerro San Christobal Mountain, which offers great views of the city and the sea. San Francisco Monastery is a must see with its splendid interior, fine and detailed mosaics covering the walls, and the stunningly macabre catacombs with their thousands of bones - this display is certainly not for the faint hearted! With an estimated population of 8 million inhabitants, Lima is a melting pot of Peruvians, so you'll see a good cross section of the population. Lima has an array of churches, markets and other grand plazas plus an assortment of modern suburbs to visit.

Day 48 - 52, Huanchaco – Punta Sal

Leaving Lima, our first stop will be at Paramonga, a well preserved temple by the side of the highway. After some time here we will continue on, making another stop over at Sechín Alto, another important ruin with temples dating back to 1500 BC, with over 500 carvings gruesomely depicting warriors and their captives.

We continue on to the small coastal town of Huanchaco, where the fishermen still ride the surf in traditional reed boats. You too will be provided the opportunity to rent one of these reed boats for a paddle or race through the waves!

It is from Huanchaco that we visit the largest mud-city in the world at Chan Chán. Featuring ten walled citadels covering 26 square kilometres, the city is decorated by 'realistic' representations of marine life. Built by Chimú Kings, Chan Chán once housed 30,000 people and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While here, we take the opportunity to visit the Moche built pyramids known as Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna (temples of the sun and moon). There is also an excellent museum in Trujillo (optional); the Cassinelli Museum which houses one of the best private collections of pottery (including erotic pottery), as well as a mummified baby in a bell jar. We enjoy another free day in Huanchaco where you can take another opportunity to go surfing.

We will stop off en route at the Lambayeque Museum, one of Peru's finest museums, that displays artefacts found at the tomb of the Lord of Sipan, one of the richest archaeological finds of the 20th century. We then spend three nights camping at Punta Sal, a semi-circular beach fringed by sand dunes and groves of carob trees.

Day 53 - 57, Cuenca – Baños

We continue into Ecuador where the desert soon gives way to banana plantations and tropical lowlands. We head to the old colonial market town of Cuenca, Ecuador's third largest city, which was founded in 1557. Cuenca is where the Panama hat originates, so why not visit a factory where you can see the entire hat-making process? It is also the place to buy cheap, high quality gold and silver.

Moving north we visit the Inca and Cañari ruins at Ingapirca, the country's most important archaeological site. The fortress complex has a central platform where the Incas worshipped the sun. The Cañari people built the original structures and you can still see the place where these pre-Inca people worshipped the moon at their temple observatory Cashaloma, which means 'place where the stars pour from the heavens.'

Baños is a health resort town renowned for its hot thermal springs. Before soaking in the hot pools, there are paths where you can walk or ride horses into the hills, or for the more athletic, there is the opportunity to go bridge swinging, canyoning, white water rafting & mountain biking (optional).

If you're more interested in chilling out you can spend your time laid back in cafés or buying souvenirs, have a relaxing massage or even try your hand at salsa dancing. This is also the best place to buy beautifully painted balsa wood animals.

Day 58 - 62, Misahualli (optional Amazon Jungle excursion) – Otavalo – Quito

We drive into the humid Amazon Basin on the banks of the Rio Napo to our destination of Misahualli. There is an optional excursion from the town Misahuallí where we take motorised dugout canoes downriver before entering the jungle by foot, led by our local guide who provides a detailed account of the plants, creatures and people of the region. They will also teach us age-old methods of finding food and water hidden in trees; and even introduces us to the local monkeys!

We stay overnight in rustic huts made of bamboo and leaves. If you choose not to take part in the excursion into the jungle you can head on to Otavalo, where you will have some free time.

Our next stop is Otavalo, the famous market town. The local population is made up of a mixture of European descendents, mestizos (people of mixed descent) and indigenous people known as indígenas, who mainly wear traditional dress. The men keep their hair in long braids down their backs and wear calf length white trousers, blue ponchos, dark felt hats and sandals, while the women traditionally wear white frilly blouses with flared lace sleeves, black skirts with layers of gold, and coral necklaces twirled around their necks. Every Wednesday and Saturday you can visit one of the best markets to be found anywhere in South America. People come from remote villages to sell their livestock, produce and colourful textiles. The market offers a wide variety of wool handicrafts and high-quality wood carvings as well as polished leather products made by artisans from nearby villages. And whatever the wares you can be sure of fantastic photo opportunities.

Day 63, Depart Quito

Quito, Ecuador is the second-highest capital city in the world at 2,850 metres above sea level. It was founded in 1534 by the Spanish prior to which it was an Inca stronghold. It is situated in a hollow at the base of the live volcano Pichincha and the whole length of the city can be seen from atop Panecillo hill where the enormous statue of the Virgin of Quito stands. The city has two main sections, the old and the new city. The latter is the main commercial area and has all the good restaurants and bars, whereas the old city is the colonial sector with steep calles, busy plazas and local markets.

UNESCO has listed Quito as having the largest best-preserved, and least-altered historic centre in Latin America. Along with Krakow, Quito was the first city inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1978. Some churches you might like to visit are the Cathedral of Quito, Church of the Society of Jesus (La Compañía), Church and Convent of St. Francis (San Francisco) and Basílica del Voto Nacional.

Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today, please confirm with the reception the check out time. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.