Quito to Rio

An epic overland trip through the heart of South America

This incomparable trip takes you right the way across South America from Quito to Rio, from steaming jungle to icy mountain passes, from sparkling salt flats to Brazil's beautiful beaches.

Starting in Ecuador's capital we overland through the Andes then down Peru's Pacific Coast, visiting Arequipa and the dramatic Colca Canyon before heading inland to Machu Picchu.

Crossing the Altiplano we make for Bolivia, through the surreal Uyuni Salt Flats, and crossing into Argentina's Lake District.

There's a chance to ride out with some gauchos as we stay on a working estancia and overland across the pampas to Buenos Aires.

Going north we stop at Iguassu Falls, crossing into Brazil and exploring the beaches of the Emerald Coast before ending our trip in the vibrant city of Rio.

NB: This Overland Expedition itinerary below displays 'Days' by default. The actual itinerary is listed weekly alongside the 'Day number'.

Kitty Payment

This is an Overland trip and has a Kitty Payment, which is paid locally in US$.

The kitty covers accommodation, meals while camping, and entry fees and excursions where the whole group participates. It is administered by a member of the group, and if there’s any left over at the end of the trip, it is refunded.

The kitty rate is from US$2720, please call for final kitty price.

Please note, as prices fluctuate considerably in many of the countries we travel through, the kitty amount is not finally specified until two weeks before departure

Itinerary

[detailed itinerary...]

Countries visited: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru

Day 1

Start Quito, visit Amazon jungle in east of Ecuador.

Day 2

Drive through Ecuadorian Andes to Cuenca and on to the coast of Peru. Explore ruins of Chan Chan.

Day 3

Into the stunning Cordillera Blanca to Huaraz, then Lima and the marine wildlife at Paracas.

Day 4

The mysterious Nazca Lines, the beautiful city of Arequipa and condor-spotting at the dramatic Colca Canyon.

Day 5

Into the Andes to the Inca capital of Cuzco. Tour of the Sacred Valley and take either the community trek or the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu.

Day 6

Across the Altiplano to Lake Titicaca, into Bolivia and La Paz, highest capital city in the world.

Day 7

Historic Potosi and the incredible salt flats of Uyuni. Cross into Argentina.

Day 8

Along the Andes through stunning landscapes to Salta, followed by a three-day stay at an Estancia.

Day 9

Across the Pampas to Cordoba and the coolest city in South America - Buenos Aires.

Day 10

Explore the majestic Iguassu Falls from both Argentina and Brazil, hen on to Bonito, Brazil's ecotourism capital.

Day 11

Into the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, the largest wetland in the world. Two-night wildlife safari.

Day 12

The beautiful Costa Verde, and finally to incomparable Rio.

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Images from QUITO TO RIO

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Moon Valley in Atacama desert near San Pedro de Atacama

Skyline of Arequipa and El Misti Volcano

Uros Indians, Lake Titicaca

Kitty Payment

Itinerary

Images from QUITO TO RIO