Cartagena to La Paz

    • 59
    • GDOWC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $3,820
      CAD $3,845
      AUD $3,715
      EUR €2,975
      GBP £2,315
      NZD $4,760
      ZAR R30,800
      CHF FR3,485
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $2,050
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $5,870*
      CAD $5,835*
      AUD $5,676*
      EUR €4,405*
      GBP £3,565*
      NZD $7,220*
      ZAR R45,057*
      CHF FR5,106*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Overland
    • Basix
Book
‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

Trip Validity

  • 2011-01-01 - 2013-12-31

Make tracks from Colombia through Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.

Soak up some of the very best of South America on this exciting Overland holiday. Travel through the Colombian countryside and discover quaint cities, coffee plantations, sleepy seaside towns and grand volcanic landscapes. Continue on to explore colourful markets in Ecuador and to hike Inca trails in Peru, before finishing up in the dizzying heights of La Paz. Taking in the best spots and attractions of these fascinating countries, this journey provides a unique insight into nations that are rapidly evolving. Come and be moved by their authenticity and beauty.

  • Be blown away by Machu Picchu
  • Discover Lima's beautiful Miraflores district
  • Get a caffeine-fix at a coffee plantation
  • Join the cafe culture of Quito
  • Journey into the Amazon
  • Relax on the beach in tranquil Tolu
  • Sail on Lake Titicaca
  • View dramatic volcanic landscapes

Trip Map


Cartagena to La Paz Summary

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Days 1-2 Cartagena

Legendary both for its history and beauty, the colonial architecture and huge city walls of Cartagena's picturesque old town perch alongside the sparkling Caribbean.

Days 3-4 Covenas/San Bernardo Islands

Located on the Gulf of Morrosquillo, Covenas is our base for exploring the spectacular San Bernardo islands - a beautiful archipelago with fine beaches and diverse wildlife.

Days 5-6 Medellin

Blessed with a perfect climate and a wealth of culture, Medellin has turned itself around to become one of the most exciting cities in South America.

Days 7-9 Guatapé

Beautifully located beside a lake in rolling countryside, Guatapé is famous for the towering El Peñón de Guatapé, a granite monolith that offers amazing views from the top.

Days 10-11 Manizales

Manizales is a relaxed and friendly city right in the heart of Colombia's coffee region with a comfortable climate and plenty to see and do.

Day 12 Los Nevados National Park

Home to some of Colombia's finest trekking scenery, Los Nevados National Park's unique combination of snow, sand, wildlife and vegetation form a landscape of unending contrasts.

Days 13-14 Cali

The salsa capital of Colombia, Cali is a big and bustling city with a warm climate and a lively social scene in its many fashionable bars and restaurants.

Day 15 Popayan

Nicknamed the White City, Popayan is a beautiful colonial town of whitewashed houses and grand churches encircled by rolling green hills.

Day 16 Ipiales

Set on the Colombian side of the Colombia/Ecuador frontier, Ipiales has some pleasant plazas and the sight of locals using a horse and cart gives it a quaint, countryside feel.

Day 17 Otavalo

Otavalo is a small town famous for its market - villagers from the surrounding countryside descend on the town once a week to sell everything from handmade goods to livestock.

Days 18-19 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 20-22 Amazon Jungle

The Amazon Rainforest, over 1.7 billion acres in size and spilling over into 8 countries, is a wondrous place with a bounty of plantlife, animals and fascinating communities.

Days 23-25 Rio Verde

Rio Verde is a beautiful little town set in a valley with great hiking and close to several lovely waterfalls, including the San Miguels falls.

Days 26-27 Chugchilan/Quilotoa Loop

Nestled in amongst the Andes, Chugchilan is a picturesque village with amazing mountain scenery, wonderful hiking trails and is a perfect base to explore the area. The Quilotoa Loop starts in Latacunga and journeys through local villages, stunning mountain vistas, cloud forests and valleys, and to the beautiful Laguna Quilotoa.

Day 28 Riobamba

Ecuador's mountain-climbing and trekking capital, Riobamba is a lovely city at the starting point of the Nariz del Diablo (Devil's Nose) train ride.

Day 29 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 30-31 Punta Sal

Gorgeous secluded beaches, blue skies and a relaxed pace of life are on offer in Punta Sal, a lovely beachside town in the very north of Peru.

Days 32-33 Huanchaco

Famed for its 'surfing' fishermen, Huanchaco was once a small fishing village but is now a relaxed beach haven for travellers keen on seeing the nearby ruins.

Days 34-36 Huaraz

Set amid the dramatic Callejon de Huaylas Valley and known for its excellent trekking, Huaraz has a lovely Plaza de Armas and good markets.

Days 37-38 Lima

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

Day 39 Paracas/Ballestas Islands

Home to a large number of birds and wildlife species, Paracas National Reserve helps preserve Peru's marine ecosystem and the cultural heritage of the Paracas people. With birds circling ahead, a dramatic coastline with stone arches and caves, and animals galore lazing on rocks and beaches, the Ballestas Islands are a visual feast.

Day 40 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.

Day 41 Puerto Inca

Puerto Inca is a tiny, sandy place with an abundance of ruins and beautiful coastal scenery to enjoy.

Days 42-43 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 44-45 Chivay/Colca Canyon

Known for its love of karaoke, Chivay is a small town located near the Colca Canyon with an interesting market and some relaxing hot springs close by. Over twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and with Andean Condors soaring high above, the Colca Canyon commands reverie.

Day 46 Raqchi Homestay

Traditional houses, customs and handicrafts are a signature part of Raqchi, a small village just outside of Cuzco.

Days 47-48 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.

Days 49-52 Classic Inca Trail/Quechua Community Trek/Ollantaytambo

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.

Days 53-54 Machu Picchu/Cuzco

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. 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.

Day 55 Puno

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.

What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Cartagena, Colombia
  • Finish:

    La Paz, Bolivia
  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 22
  • Ages:

    Min 12
  • Meals:

    All meals when camping
  • Accommodation:

    Camping (with facilities) (23 nts), Guesthouse (4 nts), Homestay (1 nt), Hostel (4 nts), Hotel (22 nts), Lodge (3 nts)
  • Transport:

    Boat, Overland vehicle, Train
  • Included activities:

    3 night/3 day Amazon Adventure, Alternative Inca Trail and Quechua Community trek, Ballestas Island entrance fee, Chan Chan Archaeological Site, Chauchilla cemetery, City tour, Coffee Plantation Tour, Manizales, El Penon de Guatape, Guided tour of Cartagena, Isla del Sol boat trip, Lord of Sipan Museum, Machu Picchu guided tour, Mitad del Mundo, Paracas National Park, Pyramids of Sun and Moon, Raqchi Artisan Centre and ruins, Sillustani Ruins and Museum w/Guide, Thermal baths, Tour of the Sacred Valley, Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo, Trek from Quilotoa to Chugchilan, Trekking, Trip to Los Nevados National Park, Uros Island boat trip on Lake Titicaca, Visit to Banos, Visit to Santuario la Lajas

  • Carbon emissions offset:

    1673kg pp per trip
  • Notes:

    Please note that this trip requires minimum numbers to depart, and may be cancelled up until 56 days prior to departure. The places showing on the dates and availability page are an indication only so please contact Intrepid to check if your preferred date will depart before making any final arrangements, such as booking non-changeable flights.

  • Trip price from

    USD $3,820
    CAD $3,845
    AUD $3,715
    EUR €2,975
    GBP £2,315
    NZD $4,760
    ZAR R30,800
    CHF FR3,485
    Price information
  • +

    Kitty

    USD $2,050
    Price information
  • Total price from

    USD $5,870*
    CAD $5,835*
    AUD $5,676*
    EUR €4,405*
    GBP £3,565*
    NZD $7,220*
    ZAR R45,057*
    CHF FR5,106*
    *
    Price information
  • ‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.
  • Per day from:

    USD $99
    CAD $98
    AUD $96
    EUR €74
    GBP £60
    NZD $122
    ZAR R763
    CHF FR86
Book

About Bolivia , Colombia , Ecuador , Peru

    • 59
    • GDOWC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $3,820
      CAD $3,845
      AUD $3,715
      EUR €2,975
      GBP £2,315
      NZD $4,760
      ZAR R30,800
      CHF FR3,485
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $2,050
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $5,870*
      CAD $5,835*
      AUD $5,676*
      EUR €4,405*
      GBP £3,565*
      NZD $7,220*
      ZAR R45,057*
      CHF FR5,106*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Overland
    • Basix
Book
‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.