›You are here

Home›Destinations›South America›Peru›Rio to Quito Overview

Rio to Quito Overview

    • 79
    • GDORC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $4,750
      CAD $4,780
      AUD $4,620
      EUR €3,700
      GBP £2,880
      NZD $5,920
      ZAR R36,935
      CHF FR4,285
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $3,110
      ‡
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $7,860*
      CAD $7,799*
      AUD $7,596*
      EUR €5,870*
      GBP £4,777*
      NZD $9,652*
      ZAR R58,565*
      CHF FR6,745*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • 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

Enjoy a South American adventure from Brazil to Ecuador.

Are you ready for the ultimate South American adventure? Then strap yourself in for an incredible Overland tour from rambunctious Rio de Janeiro to quirky Quito! Make your way down ancient Inca pathways to jaw-dropping Machu Picchu, take a boat tour to the amazing Lake Titicaca islands, get lost in labyrinthine La Paz and relish the pulsating energy of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires. Visit the abundant Amazon, the endless Bolivian Salt Flats, the Andean mountains and the thriving Brazilian forests. Along the way, mingle with friendly locals and discover the rich cultures of these truly captivating South American nations. What are you waiting for?

  • Celebrate in Rio
  • Experience life on Lake Titicaca
  • Explore the verdant Pantanal wetlands
  • Immerse yourself in the colour of La Paz
  • Marvel at the mysterious Nazca Lines
  • Savour the aromas of an Argentine barbecue
  • Travel through the surreal landscapes of the Bolivian Salt Flats
  • Watch the sun rise over Machu Picchu

Trip Map


Rio to Quito Summary

Add to Shortlist

Day 1 Rio de Janeiro

Bigger than life and beautiful to boot, Rio de Janeiro sits resplendent among mountains, rainforest and sea, and emits an energy that is irresistible to everyone who visits.

Days 2-4 Paraty

Step back in time in gorgeous Paraty, where Portuguese colonial buildings, cobblestone streets and horse and cart are set against a verdant backdrop of misty hills.

Days 5-6 Brotas

A tiny place that has a big name for eco-tourism, Brotas offers hiking, kayaking, rafting and other sports in a pristine jungle environment.

Day 7 Campo Grande

Surrounded by picturesque farming country, Campo Grande is a large, multicultural city which is the main gateway to the Pantanal.

Days 8-10 Pantanal

The Pantanal is the largest wetlands in the world and is home to thousands of species of animals and plants, and its 210,00 sq km spreads through Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia.

Days 11-12 Bonito

Beautiful by name, beautiful by nature, Bonito is a small town set amongst a gorgeous landscape of emerald jungle and glassy, blue rivers simply teeming with life.

Day 13-15 Iguazu Falls

An Argentinean town close to the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, Puerto Iguazu is a relaxed, friendly place to rest after a day enjoying the splendour of the falls.

Day 16 San Ignacio Mini

Founded in 1632 and now well-preserved ruins, San Ignacio Mini is an old Jesuit mission that was destroyed in 1817 and rediscovered amongst the jungle the late 1800s.

Days 17-20 Bush Camp/Buenos Aires

Cosmopolitan, cultured and chic, Buenos Aires has European sensibilities with a fiery Latin heart. Discover colonial architecture, funky neighbourhoods, exceptional cuisine and a thriving nightlife.

Day 21 Cordoba

A thriving university city, Cordoba is brimming with culture, beautiful scenery, an eclectic arts scene, fascinating museums and lovely colonial buildings.

Days 22-24 Estancia Stay

Unleash that inner gaucho while staying on a working cattle ranch. Explore the vast Pampas on horseback and enjoy the succulent flavours of a traditional Argentine barbecue.

Day 25 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.

Day 26 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.

Days 27-29 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.

Days 30-31 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.

Day 32 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 33-34 Uyuni/Salar de Uyuni

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.

Days 35-36 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.

Day 37 Livichuco

A tiny village in the beautiful Altiplano of Bolivia, Livichuco lives very traditionally - theirs is the Qaqachaqa culture - and almost feels like stepping back in time.

Days 38-39 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 40-41 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.

Day 42 Lake Titicaca/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 43-44 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 45-48 Inca Trail/Quecha Community Trek

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.

Day 49 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.

Day 50 Cuzco

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 51 Raqchi

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

Days 52-53 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. Chivay has a number of pubs, restaurants and hotels to relax in in-between hikes or visits to the Colca Canyon.

Days 54-55 Arequipa

The beautiful 'White City' of Arequipa is surrounded by volcanoes, is rich in Spanish colonial architecture and abounds with local culture and cuisine.

Day 56 Puerto Inca

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

What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • Finish:

    Quito, Ecuador

  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 22

  • Ages:

    Min 18

  • Meals:

    All meals when camping

  • Accommodation:

    Bush camp (no facilities) (3 nts), Camping (with facilities) (32 nts), Guesthouse (1 nt), Hacienda (2 nts), Homestay (2 nts), Hostel (3 nts), Hotel (31 nts), Lodge (3 nts)

  • Transport:

    Boat, Jeep, Overland vehicle, Train

  • Included activities:

    3 night/3 day Amazon Adventure, Alternative Inca Trail and Quechua Community trek, Ballestas Islands boat trip, Boat trip, Chan Chan Archaeological Site, Chauchilla cemetery, Cuzco Visitor Ticket, Hat Factory Tour, Isla del Sol boat trip, Jeep tour of Uyuni Salt Flats, Jesuit Mission ruins and museum, San Ignacio de Mini, 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, Two night Pantanal adventure, Uros Island boat trip on Lake Titicaca, Valle de la Luna Excursion, Vineyard Tour, Visit Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls (entrance fee included), Visit Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls (entrance fee included)

  • Carbon emissions offset:

    2279kg pp per trip

  • Notes:

    1. 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.

    2. 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 $4,750
    CAD $4,780
    AUD $4,620
    EUR €3,700
    GBP £2,880
    NZD $5,920
    ZAR R36,935
    CHF FR4,285
    Price information
  • +

    Kitty

    USD $3,110
    ‡ Price information

  • Total price from

    USD $7,860*
    CAD $7,799*
    AUD $7,596*
    EUR €5,870*
    GBP £4,777*
    NZD $9,652*
    ZAR R58,565*
    CHF FR6,745*
    *     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 $99
    CAD $98
    AUD $96
    EUR €74
    GBP £60
    NZD $122
    ZAR R741
    CHF FR85
Book

About Argentina , Bolivia , Brazil , Chile , Ecuador , Peru

    • 79
    • GDORC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $4,750
      CAD $4,780
      AUD $4,620
      EUR €3,700
      GBP £2,880
      NZD $5,920
      ZAR R36,935
      CHF FR4,285
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $3,110
      ‡
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $7,860*
      CAD $7,799*
      AUD $7,596*
      EUR €5,870*
      GBP £4,777*
      NZD $9,652*
      ZAR R58,565*
      CHF FR6,745*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • 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.

Shortlist

No trips.
Trip Map

Recently Viewed

Clear list

intrepid meet up

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!