Transcontinental Breakfast
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Overview
Gisele Bundchen, Ronaldo and Adriana Lima are all Brazilian. Hence why we burn off all those calories on the Inca Trek and spend a few days working on our tan in Honey Island beforehand.
(Was South America Coast to Coast)
Itinerary
Day 1-2 - Lima
Culture vultures, check out Museo de la Nacion and Museo Rafael Larco Harrera. Then all of you get down on the Barranco Quarter for some Creole food and dancing.
- Enjoy free time 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 3-4 - Cusco
Cusco, Cuzco, it's all the same to us. More than just the final stop on the way to the Inca Trail, this is a charmer of a town. Try the chuta bread, it's huge.
- 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 5-9 - Inca Trail Trek - Cusco
Your porters will be stuffing you full of sugary drinks, lollies and fruit faster than you can say "I'm starting to feel slightly grumpy and low on energy".
Day 5
- 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 6
- 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 7
- 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 8
- 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 9
- Relax and unwind or spend free time exploring Cusco's many markets, museums, eateries and local sights
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10-12 - Puno - Lake Titicaca
When you're on the shores of Lake Titicaca, you're actually higher than Western Europe's highest mountain, so take a chill pill and don't overdo it - altitude sickness is a bastard.
Day 10
- Catch a bus to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca
- Drive through magnificent mountains and local scenery
Day 11
- Take a boat across Lake Titicaca to the Uros' floating reed islands
- Enjoy a homestay on Amantani Island
Day 12
- Indulge in a breakfast with your host family
- Board an afternoon boat back to Puno
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13-15 - La Paz
The view as you come into La Paz is pretty unbelievable. Check out the markets and cafes, watch your step on cobblestone streets and enjoy the sight of many tiny women wearing tiny bowler hats.
- 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
BreakfastDay 16-18 - Potosi - Sucre
The words 'colonial history' probably don't mean much by now, but trust us, these are two of the prettiest towns you'll ever see.
Day 16
- Enjoy a guided tour of many of Potosi's highlights
- Spend time making your own discoveries during a free afternoon
- Why not visit the cooperative mines indulge in a thermal bath
Days 17-18
- Journey through the temperate valleys of Chuquisacra to Sucre
- Take a guided tour of the old part of town, and see the Recoleta Church and Monastery, the chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the cathedral and museum of La Casa de la Libertad
- Spend an entire free day exploring Sucre under your own steam
BreakfastDay 19-20 - Santa Cruz
When Santa Cruz was founded in 1561 is was 220km east of where it is now, but that spot was deemed too prone to getting attacked, so they moved it. Things were so much easier back in the day.
Days 19-20
- Explore Santa Cruz' main plaza, huge cathedral and colonial buildings
- Board the overnight train to Puerto Suarez, located on the border with Brazil
BreakfastDay 21-22 - The Pantanal
Fun bits: horse riding through a wildlife reserve, taking a jungle walk and hopefully spotting your first toucan that's not on a box of cereal.
Days 21-22
- Head to a lodge located in the heart of the vast wetlands of the Pantanal
- Take a trip by boat along the Miranda and Red Rivers
- Perhaps encounter wildlife including caiman, capybara, jabiru stork, giant otter, toucan, blue macaw and marsh deer
- Enjoy optional activities such as a horse ride through the wetlands, a forest walk and even piranha fishing
BreakfastDay 23-24 - Bonito - Dourados
Look up: "natural beauty" in the dictionary, and there might be a picture of Bonito. Forests, waterfalls, caves and rivers. Then again, there might just be a picture of Ryan Gosling.
Days 23-24
- Head to Bonito in the Serre da Bodoquena, a nature lover's paradise
- Relax and soak up the atmosphere of the area
- Take advantage of some of optional activities such as rappelling, snorkelling, cave exploring, and trekking to waterfalls
BreakfastDay 25-26 - Iguazu Falls
Fact: Iguazu Falls are 20m higher than Niagara Falls, with 275 separate waterfalls stretching across a 2.5km semi-circle. Fiction: everyone looks cool in a yellow poncho.
Days 25-26
- Visit the thundering Iguazu Falls
- Take in panoramic views of the falls from the Argentine and Brazilian sides
- Set off on an overnight bus ride to Curitiba
BreakfastDay 27 - Atlantic Rainforest
"Serra Verde Express" would make a cool band name. Until then, it's simply the train that takes us from Curitiba to Marumbi State Park.
- Board the Serra Verde Express for an incredible ride through the Atlantic Rainforest
- Trek along the Itupava Colonial Rainforest Trail to Rochedinho Peak and Marumbinistas Waterfall
- Stay overnight in a jungle lodge
- Spend time relaxing, swimming or perhaps embark on further exploration of the rainforest
Day 28-29 - Paranagua - Honey Island
The Brazilian name is Ilha do Mel but we think Honey Island is much nicer. It's shaped like a whale and has no cars, roads or power lines. Brahma beer and an impromptu game of beach soccer are inevitable.
- Board a boat in Paranagua to explore some of the island that make up the Superagui National Park
- Keep eyes peeled for local wildlife
- Stop at Pescas Island for a lunch prepared by local villagers
- Take a walking tour around the village with a local site guide and visit Dolphin Bay
- Perhaps relax with a spot of fishing
- Spend two nights on the idyllic Honey Island
- Visit the historical fortress and the Enchanted Grotto
BreakfastDay 30-33 - Rio de Janeiro
Let it all hang out on the beaches in Rio - the only place in the world where budgie smugglers make you look overdressed.
Day 30
- Make the most of the last morning on Honey Island
- Board an overnight bus bound for Rio de Janeiro
Days 31-33
- Ascend Corcovado Mountain and visit Christ The Redeemer
- Enjoy plenty of free time to hit the beach, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants and get to grips to local life
- Perhaps visit the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches or take in Sugarloaf Mountain
Breakfast -
What to Know
What's Included
An experienced local leader in Peru, Bolivia and in Brazil, and 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, entrance to Sugarloaf, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price 11 Aug 2013 - 12 Sep 2013 4 Available US $6,795 Book Now 03 Nov 2013 - 05 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $6,795On Sale Sale: US $5,197 Book Now 15 Dec 2013 - 16 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 05 Jan 2014 - 06 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 26 Jan 2014 - 27 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 16 Feb 2014 - 20 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $6,030 Book Now 09 Mar 2014 - 10 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $6,030 Book Now 30 Mar 2014 - 01 May 2014 7+ Available US $6,030 Book Now 20 Apr 2014 - 22 May 2014 7+ Available US $6,030 Book Now 04 May 2014 - 05 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 29 Jun 2014 - 31 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 20 Jul 2014 - 21 Aug 2014 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 10 Aug 2014 - 11 Sep 2014 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 31 Aug 2014 - 02 Oct 2014 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 21 Sep 2014 - 23 Oct 2014 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 12 Oct 2014 - 13 Nov 2014 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 02 Nov 2014 - 04 Dec 2014 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 23 Nov 2014 - 25 Dec 2014 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 14 Dec 2014 - 15 Jan 2015 7+ Available US $6,795 Book Now 04 Jan 2015 - 05 Feb 2015 7+ Available US $6,795 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.