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Quito to Santiago Overview

    • 61
    • GDOAC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $3,665
      CAD $3,685
      AUD $3,560
      EUR €2,855
      GBP £2,220
      NZD $4,565
      ZAR R28,470
      CHF FR3,305
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $2,300
      ‡
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $5,965*
      CAD $5,918*
      AUD $5,761*
      EUR €4,460*
      GBP £3,623*
      NZD $7,325*
      ZAR R44,466*
      CHF FR5,124*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • 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

  • 2012-01-01 - 2013-12-31

Tour Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile from Quito to Santiago.

Adventure through South America on a tour encapsulating Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. Travelling from Quito to Santiago, journey along the spine of the Andes from the heights of Quito to cosmopolitan Santiago. Venture into landscapes of breathtaking beauty and marvel at ancient mysteries as you travel through five counties over 61 unforgettable days. Discover the colonial charm and lush jungles of Ecuador, visit remote Quechua communities while trekking through the Andes, gaze in awe at ancient ruins in Peru, survey vast natural wonders in Bolivia and savour the mouth-watering aromas of a traditional barbecue while staying on an Argentine estancia. This unbelievable Overland adventure will leave you humbled and amazed by the breadth of culture in this spectacular continent.

  • Journey into the depths of the Amazon Jungle
  • Relax on tropical beaches
  • Visit the ancient Temples of the Sun and Moon
  • Delight in Peru's colonial charm in Arequipa
  • Sample traditional Peruvian delicacies in Cuzco
  • Visit Bolivia and explore the desolate landscape of Salar de Uyuni
  • Travel to Argentina and enjoy a night out in lively Salta
  • Channel that inner cowboy on a ranch stay

Trip Map


Quito to Santiago Summary

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Day 1 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 2-4 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 5-7 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 8-9 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 10 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 11 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 12-13 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 14-15 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 16-18 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 19-20 Lima

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

Day 21 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 22 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 23 Puerto Inca

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

Days 24-25 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 26-27 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 28 Raqchi Homestay

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

Days 29-30 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 31-34 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 35-36 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 37 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.

Days 38-39 Lake Titicaca/Copacabana

A lovely little town situated between two hills and looking out over Lake Titicaca, Copacabana has beautiful scenery and coastline, great eateries and a fascinating religious culture.

Days 40-42 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.

Days 43-44 Potosi

The loveliness of Potosi - one of the highest and more fascinating cities in the world - is mirrored by the harshness of its mines and mining history.

Days 45-46 Salar de Uyuni

Popular due to its proximity to the Salar de Uyuni, the town of Uyuni is small and charming, and feels very remote, especially at the photogenic train cemetery. The world's largest salt flat, the Salar de Uyuni, is a spectacular sight - whether reflecting like a mirror in the wet or cracking during the dry.

Day 47 Bolivian Altiplano

A true wilderness featuring volcanoes, salt pans and colourful lakes, the Bolivian Altiplano stretches out from Lake Titicaca to the borders of Argentina and Chile.

Days 48-49 San Pedro de Atacama

Gorgeous desert landscapes, atmospheric, whitewashed adobe houses and a lively town centre has made San Pedro de Atacama one of Chile's most popular travel destinations.

Days 50-51 Salta

With its well-preserved colonial buildings, candle-lit cafes, fine museums and surrounding natural beauty, Salta is one of Argentina's most charming cities.

Day 52 Cafayate

Vineyards, wineries and artisans dominate the picturesque town of Cafayate and its surrounds, the perfect place to sample some world-class wine, food and scenery.

Day 53 Quilmes

The ruined citadel of the Quilmes - a local people displaced in the 17th century by the Spanish - is a fascinating site located in Argentina's Calchaqui Valley.

Days 54-56 Estancia stay

Set in the picturesque landscape around Rio Ceballos, this traditional Argentine estancia offers the opportunity to live like a gaucho with horse-riding, hiking and sampling an asado (barbecue).
View full itinerary

What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Quito, Ecuador

  • Finish:

    Santiago, Chile

  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 22

  • Ages:

    Min 18

  • Meals:

    All meals when camping

  • Accommodation:

    Bush camp (no facilities) (2 nts), Camping (with facilities) (20 nts), Guesthouse (4 nts), Homestay (1 nt), Hostel (4 nts), Hotel (25 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, Isla del Sol boat trip, Jeep tour of Uyuni Salt Flats, Lord of Sipan Museum, Machu Picchu guided tour, Paracas National Park, Pyramids of Sun and Moon, Quilmes Ruins, Raqchi Artisan Centre and ruins, Sillustani Ruins and Museum w/Guide, Tour of the Sacred Valley, Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo, Trek from Quilotoa to Chugchilan, Trekking, Uros Island boat trip on Lake Titicaca, Vineyard Tour, Visit to Banos

  • Carbon emissions offset:

    1760kg pp per trip

  • Notes:

    You need to choose whether you wish to hike the Classic Inca Trail or the <a href="http://www.intrepidtravel.com/pdf/inca-advisory/Community_Trek_Peru.pdf&quot;&gt; Quechua Community Trek </a> at the time of booking. If you do not indicate a preference, the <a href="http://www.intrepidtravel.com/pdf/inca-advisory/Community_Trek_Peru.pdf&quot;&gt; Quechua Community Trek </a> will be confirmed automatically.

    Classic Inca Trail permits are sold on a request basis only. Once deposit is paid and passport details provided, Intrepid will endeavour to secure a permit for you. If Classic Inca Trail permits are unavailable by the time you book, you will be booked on the <a href="http://www.intrepidtravel.com/pdf/inca-advisory/Community_Trek_Peru.pdf&quot;&gt; Quechua Community Trek </a> instead.

    The Classic 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 <a href="http://www.intrepidtravel.com/pdf/inca-advisory/Community_Trek_Peru.pdf&quot;&gt; Quechua Community Trek </a>.

    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.

  • Trip price from

    USD $3,665
    CAD $3,685
    AUD $3,560
    EUR €2,855
    GBP £2,220
    NZD $4,565
    ZAR R28,470
    CHF FR3,305
    Price information
  • +

    Kitty

    USD $2,300
    ‡ Price information

  • Total price from

    USD $5,965*
    CAD $5,918*
    AUD $5,761*
    EUR €4,460*
    GBP £3,623*
    NZD $7,325*
    ZAR R44,466*
    CHF FR5,124*
    *     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 $97
    CAD $97
    AUD $94
    EUR €73
    GBP £59
    NZD $120
    ZAR R728
    CHF FR84
Book

About Argentina , Bolivia , Chile , Ecuador , Peru

    • 61
    • GDOAC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $3,665
      CAD $3,685
      AUD $3,560
      EUR €2,855
      GBP £2,220
      NZD $4,565
      ZAR R28,470
      CHF FR3,305
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $2,300
      ‡
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $5,965*
      CAD $5,918*
      AUD $5,761*
      EUR €4,460*
      GBP £3,623*
      NZD $7,325*
      ZAR R44,466*
      CHF FR5,124*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • 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!