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Cartagena to Ushuaia Overview

    • 101
    • GDBIC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $6,400
      CAD $6,440
      AUD $6,225
      EUR €4,985
      GBP £3,880
      NZD $7,975
      ZAR R49,755
      CHF FR5,775
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $3,340
      ‡
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $9,740*
      CAD $9,683*
      AUD $9,421*
      EUR €7,316*
      GBP £5,917*
      NZD $11,983*
      ZAR R72,984*
      CHF FR8,416*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • 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

  • 2013-01-01 - 2013-12-31

Cross the Americas on an overland adventure from Anchorage, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina

As far as ultimate South American adventures go, this trip from Cartagena to Ushuaia ticks all the boxes. Spanning the length of the continent's west coast, the tour starts in Cartagena, Colombia, and ventures down through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and finally ends in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s southernmost city. Loaded with culture, history, architecture and bountiful nature, this incredible American adventure will leave you breathless. This exciting itinerary may be full of exploring vibrant cities, kayaking down emerald rivers, snorkelling over reefs and taking part in all manor of outdoor and cultural activities, but there is also a great balance of down time too, with beaches, forests and unspoilt nature to be enjoyed and relaxed in. So if you’re after a life-affirming, awe-inspiring and never-to-be-forgotten adventure, then this epic trip is it.

  • Sip local wine and go whitewater rafting in Argentina

Trip Map


Cartagena to Ushuaia Summary

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Days 1-2 Cartagena

Wander around beautiful Cartagena on a guided city tour. Discover Cartagena's old town, an exceptionally well preserved area full of cobblestone laneways, charming buildings and busy cafes. Experience the therapeutic effects of a mud bath on an optional visit to a bubbling mud volcano.

Days 3-4 Covenas/San Bernardo Islands

Head to the Morrosquillo Gulf and camp on the beaches of Covenas. Tour the free beaches of San Bernado Islands and lookout for the diverse range of wildlife from bright pink flamingos to multi-coloured crabs.

Days 5-6 Medellin

Travel to Columbia’s second largest city and get involved in the vibrant nightlife of Medellin. Perhaps take a day trip to the local markets and open central courtyard of Santa Fe de Antioquia.

Days 7-9 Guatapé

Stay lakeside, surrounded by the rolling countryside of Guatapé. Browse stalls on the board walk or climb the El Penon de Guatape, a 650 foot tall granite monolith that provides magnificent views over the water.

Days 10-11 Manizales

Head to Manizales for a three-night stay at a hacienda. Tour a coffee plantation and admire scenic mountain vistas on a trip to Los Nevados National Park.

Day 12 Los Nevados National Park

Explore the savage but beautiful landscape of Los Nevados National Park, home to a unique combination of wildlife and vegetation as well as a wild, contrasting landscape.

Days 13-14 Cali

Party the night away as you bar hop through Cali or relax in the bohemian cafes of the city’s San Antonio neighbourhood. Why not step out and take an optional salsa class.

Day 15 Popayan

Discover the old town of Popayan and take a day trip to admire the spectacular volcanic landscapes of the Purace National Park.

Day 16 Ipiales

Drive to the Ecuadorian border and explore the town of Ipiales. Perhaps take time to visit the area's prime attraction, Santuario de Las Lajas - believed to be the site of many miracles and apparitions. Set dramatically amid impressive mountain scenery, Las Lajas is a hidden highlight of Colombia.

Day 17 Otavalo

Farewell Colombia and travel across the border into Ecuador. Browse through the array of bright textiles and colourful crafts available at the famous markets of Otavalo.

Days 18-19 Quito

Enjoy free time in captivating Quito, Ecuador's enthralling capital. Visit ornate churches in the Old Town for a dose of architecture and history. Sample local cuisine in one of the many cafes that line the cobblestone streets.

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. A relaxed and spectacular alternate to the classic Inca Trail trek, the Quecha Community Trek traverses Inca ruins, glacial lakes, lush valleys, waterfalls, soaring peaks and overnights in local villages.

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.
View full itinerary

What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Cartagena, Colombia

  • Finish:

    Ushuaia, Argentina

  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 22

  • Ages:

    Min 18

  • Meals:

    All meals when camping

  • Accommodation:

    Bush camp (no facilities) (6 nts), Camping (with facilities) (42 nts), Guesthouse (4 nts), Homestay (1 nt), Hostel (7 nts), Hotel (35 nts), Lodge (3 nts), Overnight ferry (1 nt)

  • Transport:

    Boat, Ferry, 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, Colgante Glacier, Cueva de las Manos, El Penon de Guatape, Guided tour of Cartagena, Isla del Sol boat trip, Jeep tour of Uyuni Salt Flats, Lord of Sipan Museum, Los Glaciaries National Park, Machu Picchu guided tour, Mitad del Mundo, Moreno Glacier, Paracas National Park, Pyramids of Sun and Moon, Quilmes Ruins, Raqchi Artisan Centre and ruins, Sillustani Ruins and Museum w/Guide, Thermal baths, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Torres del Paine National Park, 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, Vineyard Tour, Visit to Banos, Visit to Santuario la Lajas, Wine tasting

  • 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 $6,400
    CAD $6,440
    AUD $6,225
    EUR €4,985
    GBP £3,880
    NZD $7,975
    ZAR R49,755
    CHF FR5,775
    Price information
  • +

    Kitty

    USD $3,340
    ‡ Price information

  • Total price from

    USD $9,740*
    CAD $9,683*
    AUD $9,421*
    EUR €7,316*
    GBP £5,917*
    NZD $11,983*
    ZAR R72,984*
    CHF FR8,416*
    *     Price information
  • * Refer to booking conditions
  • ‡ 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 $96
    CAD $95
    AUD $93
    EUR €72
    GBP £58
    NZD $118
    ZAR R722
    CHF FR83
Book

About Argentina , Bolivia , Chile , Colombia , Ecuador , Peru

    • 101
    • GDBIC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $6,400
      CAD $6,440
      AUD $6,225
      EUR €4,985
      GBP £3,880
      NZD $7,975
      ZAR R49,755
      CHF FR5,775
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $3,340
      ‡
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $9,740*
      CAD $9,683*
      AUD $9,421*
      EUR €7,316*
      GBP £5,917*
      NZD $11,983*
      ZAR R72,984*
      CHF FR8,416*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • 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.

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Check Inca Trail Permit Status

You must check that permits are available for the date you start the Inca Trail. For example, if your trip starts on July 11, and the Inca Trail starts on day 4, you will need your permit on July 14.

This information should be used as a guide only as availability may change by the time we receive your request.

  • Date

  • Availability

Inca Trail Availability

Available

Inca Trail permits are available. You can book your trip for this date.

Contact us

Inca Trail permits may still be available, please contact us so we can check the current availability and make arrangements for you.

Alternative Routes

Inca Trail permits are now sold out. However, you can opt to hike the Inca Quarry Trail - with spectacular and diverse sceneries this trek is an exceptional alternative to the very busy Inca Trail. Alternatively, travel by train through the picturesque Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes. Both options include a visit to Machu Picchu! Please contact us to arrange the one that suits you best!