Just Coasting
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Overview
Ceviche in Quito, pizza in Riobamba, arroz con pato in Chiclayo, chuta bread in Cusco and llama in La paz. How many can you do?
(Was Quito to La Paz)
Itinerary
Day 1-2 - Quito
Old Quito has spruced herself up over the past few years, and there are more characters here than a Marvel movie. Set yourself up at Manolo's Old Town, order a plate of ceviche with a side of popcorn and enjoy the show.
Day 1
- Tour briefing in the evening
- If arriving early, spend some time getting to know the city
Day 2
- Take a walking tour through the ‘Centro Historico’
- View the city and surrounding volvanoes from ‘El Panecillo’ (The Little Bread Loaf)
- Visit ‘La Mitad del Mundo’ (The Middle of the World)
- Enjoy a free evening and perhaps grab some dinner from a local restaurant
BreakfastDay 3-4 - Amazon Jungle
Plants from the Amazon are used to treat everything from anxiety, fatigue and coughs to malaria, cancer and heart disease. You're basically trekking through a giant pharmacy.
Day 3
- Travel into the jungle, heading to your rustic jungle lodge on the banks of the Napo River
Day 4
- Explore the jungle on river canoes with a guide
- Opportunity to visit a wildlife rehabilitation centre
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5-6 - Banos
Ridiculously pretty, especially when Tungurahua Volcano decides to put on a fireworks show. Bring your togs for a dip in the thermal baths.
- Leave the jungle and return to the mountains
- Discover Ecuadorian country life in Banos
- Explore the town or surrounding environment
- Perhaps go mountain bike riding, white-water rafting, hiking and horse riding, or simply relax in thermal baths
BreakfastDay 7-9 - Riobamba
Make a stop along the Avenue of Volcanoes then take the Devil's Nose railway down to Aiuso. Then it's a bus to pretty little Cuenca.
Day 7
- Catch a local bus bound for Riobamba
- Perhaps visit the markets and explore the town
Day 8
- Ride the Devil’s Nose Railway through the mountains
- Stop by the Museum Condor Pununa
- Grab some lunch in Alausi
Day 9
- Get acquainted with, Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Enjoy free time to relax or visit as many of the local sights as you can
BreakfastDay 10-14 - Zorritos Beach - Chiclayo - Trujillo
Find your favourite palm tree at Zorritos, get your fortune read by the Chiclayo witch doctors then hit the Chan Chan ruins at Trujillo.
Days 10-12
- Journey into Peru and through the Sechura Desert
- Spend the night in the fishing village of Zorritos
- Head further down the coast to Chiclayo
- Reach Trujillo, gateway to the Chan Chan ruins
Days 13-14
- Visit the magnificent ruins of Chan Chan - the imperial city of the Chimu Kingdom
- Perhaps take a short taxi ride to the surf village of Huanchaco
- Catch a bus to Lima, the Peruvian capital
BreakfastDay 15-16 - Lima
Our hotel is right near the main square, Plaza de Armas. Catch the changing of the guard at Government Palace each day at noon. It's not exactly Buckingham.
- Enjoy one-and-a-half free days to explore the capital of Peru
- View the architecture, visit museums, drop some coins in the shops and markets, or grab a refreshment in a bar, restaurant or cafe
BreakfastDay 17-18 - Cusco
The presentation leaves a lot to be desired - your dinner might be grinning at you with teeth bared or lying spreadeagled across your plate, but boy, guinea pig sure tastes good.
- Acclimatise in Cusco in preparation for the Inca trek
- Take a walking tour of central Cusco
- Explore Cusco and see the local sights - including Sacsayhuaman, Quenca and Tambo Machay - during free time
BreakfastDay 19-23 - Inca Trek
Yes, there are some hard bits, but you do walk through a cloud forest and journey along trails filled with butterflies. Disney, eat your heart out.
Day 19
- Gaze upon massive Inca fortifications in Ollantaytambo
- Begin the Inca trek
- Hike past the ancient hilltop fort of Huillca Raccay and the archaeological site of Llactapata
- Stunning views of snow-capped Veronica Peak
- Camp near the village of Wayllabamba
Day 20
- The most difficult part of the trek - Dead Woman’s Pass
- Panoramas of the Vilcanota and Vilcabama mountain ranges, and ruins in the valley below
- Camp with a view over the cloud forest
Day 21
- Climb up to the ruins of Runkuracay
- Continue up the Inca staircase
- Spectacular views of Pumasillo and the entire Vilcabamba range
- Enter the beautiful cloud forest
Day 22
- The final, and most spectacular, leg of the trek to Machu Picchu
- Arrive at Inti Punku, the Gateway of the Sun
- Experience a panoramic view of Machu Picchu at sunrise
- Explore Machu Picchu on a guided tour
- Return to Cusco by train
Day 23
- Relax and unwind or spend free time exploring Cusco's many markets, museums, eateries and local sights
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 24-26 - Lake Titicaca
How do you feel about dressing up in a colourful poncho and dancing in front of a bunch of strangers? That's what will happen on your overnight homestay. If like Peruvian idol - you'll love it.
Day 24
- Catch a bus to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca
- Drive through magnificent mountains and local scenery
Day 25
- Take a boat across Lake Titicaca to the Uros' floating reed islands
- Enjoy a homestay on Amantani Island
Day 26
- Indulge in a breakfast with your host family
- Board an afternoon boat back to Puno
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 27-29 - La Paz
Welcome to La Paz. Try the llama, it's delicious.
- Enjoy free time in La Paz to wander around the cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways that are features of this Andean city
- Perhaps explore the colourful markets, including the famous 'Witches Market', or simply relax in one of the many cafes
Breakfast -
What to Know
What's Included
Experienced local leaders plus there will be the services of local guides at some sites. All transportation, accommodation, sightseeing and meals as indicated.
Not Included
- International flights, arrival and departure transfers, departure and airport taxes, visas, all other meals, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.
Safety Information
Active Volcanoes
This tour passes through volcanic areas. In the instance a volcano becomes potentially dangerous and authorities declare nearby towns unsafe for travel, the itinerary will be re-routed. Where possible, Geckos will provide advance notice of such changes. At short notice, when this is not possible, your tour leader will provide up to date information on behalf of Geckos.
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price 23 Jun 2013 - 21 Jul 2013 4 Request US $4,250 Book Now 18 Aug 2013 - 15 Sep 2013 6 Available US $4,250 Book Now 01 Dec 2013 - 29 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 22 Dec 2013 - 19 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 12 Jan 2014 - 09 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 02 Feb 2014 - 02 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $3,780 Book Now 23 Feb 2014 - 23 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $3,780 Book Now 16 Mar 2014 - 13 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $3,780 Book Now 06 Apr 2014 - 04 May 2014 7+ Available US $3,780 Book Now 20 Apr 2014 - 18 May 2014 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 15 Jun 2014 - 13 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 06 Jul 2014 - 03 Aug 2014 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 27 Jul 2014 - 24 Aug 2014 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 17 Aug 2014 - 14 Sep 2014 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 07 Sep 2014 - 05 Oct 2014 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 28 Sep 2014 - 26 Oct 2014 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 19 Oct 2014 - 16 Nov 2014 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 09 Nov 2014 - 07 Dec 2014 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 30 Nov 2014 - 28 Dec 2014 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now 21 Dec 2014 - 18 Jan 2015 7+ Available US $4,250 Book Now -
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What to know
A good level of fitness and pre-trip training is essential for the Inca Trek. You will trek on hilly terrain or mountainous terrain at altitudes of up to 4200 metres, for up to 7 hours per day.