Imagine an entire month (30 days, to be exact) to explore the very best highlights and cultures of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Visit the ancient site of Machu Picchu, learn from locals at Lake Titicaca, drive across the white desert in Bolivia, get active in Pucón, and experience life at a genuine gaucho ranch in Bariloche. Don't just see a part of South America; cover a massive and adventurous portion of it over a month that'll change your life.
Experience the wonder of Machu Picchu, Explore local markets in Bolivia, Cross the Salar de Uyuni and mountain wilderness by 4x4, Hit the Chilean coast and explore Valparaiso, Live like a gaucho at a ranch in Argentina, Enjoy the food and energy of Buenos Aires
Hotels/guesthouses (26 nts), overnight bus (1 nt), G Adventures-supported lodge/basic hotels on Salar de Uyuni excursion (2 nts, multi-share).
Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo
Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, Lamay
Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Discover Moment: Cusco
Your Discover Moment: Sucre
Your Foodie Moment: Santiago Region Winery Tour, Santiago
Your Discover Moment: Pucón. Sacred Valley guided tour. Pottery making demonstration. Train to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu guided tour. Floating islands of Uros visit. Lake Titicaca guided tour. 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni (3 days), tour of Valley of the Moon (San Pedro de Atacama). City tour of Santiago. Driving tour through the Seven Lakes district. Estancia visit and barbecue lunch (full-day). Local flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Aguas Calientes (Peru)
Aguas Calientes (Peru)
Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu pueblo, and is located four miles away from Machu Picchu. The city was founded in 1901 as the railroad between Cuzco and Santa Ana was being built, in result, Aguas Calientes became a hub for the railroad’s machinery and home for those who worked it. Today, many people visit the city for its hot springs, or as a great starting point for those headed up to Machu Picchu.
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Potosi
Potosi
The 16th-century silver-mining town of Potosi claims to be the world's highest city (15,380 ft/4,690 m). It merits at least a 24-hour stay. Visit the Casa Nacional de Moneda, or mint. Take a look at the jarring entryway carving of a grinning Bacchus—which must be seen to be believed. Take note of the way the mint itself was constructed—some of its beams, made of a hardwood called quebracha, were hand-carried from the Gran Chaco region, more than 250 mi/400 km away. Allow time to walk the narrow, winding streets and look at the beautiful colonial buildings. You can take a bus trip to the San Ildefonso Lake (an artificial lake built for silver mining) or to one of the nearby mines. You can even try your luck at the once-fabulous Cerro Rico, the largest silver mine in the world—nearly the entire mountain was found to be pure silver—and responsible for much of colonial-era Spain's enormous wealth. But take note: The cooperative-run mines are squalid Dickensian nightmares—miners work in dank, muddy corridors filled with noxious gases. Wear your worst clothes for the trip and bring a small something for the workers who toil there.
Tours can be arranged from Potosi to the Uyuni salt pans. 50 mi/80 km southwest of Sucre.
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Destination Guide
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Uyuni Salt Flats
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Uyuni
Uyuni
In an isolated corner of southwestern Bolivia sits the desert-like landscape of Uyuni. It was founded in 1889 by Bolivian president Anicento Arce who operates a military base outside of the town. Uyuni's economy has blossomed from the many visits to the world's largest salt flats.
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Calama
Calama
The largest of northern Chile's oasis towns, Calama is the clean, orderly service city for the immense copper mine at Chuquicamata. Many trips to the Atacama Desert, the Rio Loa, and the Altiplano begin or pass through Calama.
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Destination Guide
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Santiago (Valparaiso)
Santiago (Valparaiso)
Santiago, with over four million people, is the fifth-largest city in South America. Standing in a wide plain 1,800 feet above sea level, Santiago boasts a beautiful setting. Snow-capped peaks of the Andes chain provide a dramatic backdrop. Tastefully laid-out public gardens contribute to the beauty of the city. However, Santiago also suffers from horrendous traffic and a high percentage of pollution. The heart of Santiago is the Plaza de Armas, flanked by the cathedral, the archbishop’s palace, the National History Museum and fine arcaded buildings lined with shops. The two-mile-long Avenida O’Higgins is the major thoroughfare, commonly known as the Alameda. There is a splendid view over the city from San Cristobal Hill, crowned by the statue of the Virgin Mary.
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Destination Guide
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Santiago
Santiago
Santiago is a huge city of nearly five million inhabitants surrounded by immense Andean peaks creating a spectacular backdrop. The city centre is quite manageable with a collection of wide avenues, squares and parks all laid out in a grid pattern.
Chile has a distinctly European flavour and Santiago will bring this home to you as you visit the churches, monuments and museums all designed in a certain familiar style.
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Destination Guide
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Pucon
Pucon
At the foot of Chile's most active volcano, 490 mi/789 km southeast of Santiago, Pucon is the lakes district's main adventure travel destination. You can go hiking at Huerquehue National Park, raft and kayak on the Trancura River, and climb the snowy slopes of Villarrica Volcano for a view of its smoking crater. Huerquehue and Villarrica national parks are the southernmost outposts of the Araucaria, or monkey puzzle, tree. There are also numerous hot springs in the area.
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Destination Guide
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Bariloche
Bariloche
San Carlos de Bariloche is situated on the southern shore of lake Nahuel Huapi, within the Nahuel Huapi National Park. It is the second most populated city of Río Negro province and is one of the most important tourist centers of Argentina. Bariloche has a wide variety of activities to offer, for relaxation or recreation. The traditional tourist circuits of Circuito Chico, Isla Victoria and the Arrayán Forest, Puerto Blest, Cerro Catedral and Otto have a variety of new interesting circuits, sporting events and other annual events as well as an active night life. Bariloche is known as the "capital of the lakes".
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Destination Guide
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Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Dynamic and bustling, a city which seems never to sleep, Buenos Aires is one of the most exciting cities in Latin America. Tango was born here, restaurants serve an all manner of world cuisine, bars play the latest music, cafés spill on to the streets and nightclubs allow dancing throughout the night. Cultural hub of a society which traces its roots to European immigration, it is famous throughout South America for its theatres, museums and galleries. Gucci, Armani, Prada, to name a few, line the boulevards catering for the fashion conscious porteños, their offerings as stylish as anything found in the cities in Europe or North America.
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Destination Guide
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San Carlos de Bariloche
San Carlos de Bariloche
San Carlos de Bariloche is situated on the southern shore of lake Nahuel Huapi, within the Nahuel Huapi National Park. It is the second most populated city of Río Negro province and one of the most important tourist centres of Argentina. Bariloche has a wide variety of activities to offer for relaxation or recreation. The traditional tourist circuits Circuito Chico, Isla Victoria and the Arrayán Forest, Puerto Blest, Cerro Catedral and Otto has a variety of new interesting circuits, sporting events and other annual events as well as an active night life.
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San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama
The charming village of San Pedro de Atacama, located at 2,450 meters above sea level, is one of the places in Chile which offers the widest number of attractions. The village is located in one of the many oases originated by the ‘Bolivian winter’, in the driest desert of the world: the Atacama Desert - an incredible place with exuberating vegetation. In the plains, covered by a green color that seems to come from more rainy areas, agriculture is practiced from ancient times, maintaining the same cultivation methods used thousands of years ago. The native inhabitants thank nature for this miracle through different religious festivities and ceremonies, mixing Catholicism and ancient beliefs into one of the most characteristic cultural manifestations of northern Chile. Walking around the farming lands and watching the traditional design houses, built in adobe, makes visitors feel transported into another age.
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Destination Guide
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Sucre
Sucre
The country's constitutional capital, Sucre is located in a scenic valley at an elevation of 8,900 ft/2,700 m. It is home to the Supreme Court of Bolivia and three universities. Sucre is one of the most relaxing and pleasant cities in Bolivia—the architecture has a European flavor, and the region has a delightful climate. It offers several interesting sights, among them the Cathedral and Chapel of Guadalupe, the Casa de la Libertad (colonial artifacts related to Bolivian independence), university museums and Immaculada Convent (shop there for handicrafts). In fact, the entire city is eye candy: By law, all of the houses and structures in the central area must be painted solid white, and the contrast of colorfully clad native peoples against a pure white backdrop is a sight to be seen. Also see the ruins of Calle-Calle in the Zudanez neighborhood. But the real highlight is a day trip to nearby Tarabuco for the colorful Sunday carnival. Amerindians from throughout the area go to town to dance and have a good time. The clothing and singing are fabulous. Sucre is 260 mi/420 km southeast of La Paz.
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Destination Guide
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La Paz, Bolivia
La Paz, Bolivia
Built in the canyon created by the Choqueyapu River, La Paz is the seat of the Bolivian government as well as one most important cultural centers in the country. Travelers to La Paz should make sure to visit one of the surviving colonial cathedrals such as the San Francisco and Metropolitan Cathedrals. The city is also home to a plethora of museums including Museo Nacional de Arqueología (National Museum of Archeology), Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) as well as the Pedro Domingo Murillo house museum. Plan a trip at the beginning of the year to experience Alasita, a 3-week long fair praising Ekeko, the Andean god of abundance.
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Destination Guide
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Puno
Puno
Puno lies on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This area is the cradle of the Aymara civilization and the birthplace of the Inca Empire.
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Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo
History buffs will get a real kick out of Ollantaytambo, a pretty town about 26 mi/42 km northwest of Cusco. Before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, Ollantaytambo served as the royal estate and ceremonial center of the Inca ruler Pachacuti, who had previously conquered this region. The town itself still serves as a living example of Inca urban planning, while the surrounding Inca terraces and Temple Hill provide more fine examples of Inca architecture. Ollantaytambo played an important role during the Spanish Conquest. It was here that Manco Inca Yupanqui successfully defended the Inca position against a Spanish expedition following the fall of Cusco, but later retreated to the greater security of Vilcabamba. Visitors can easily spend a couple of days exploring the nearby archaeological sites and strolling around the town. The higher sites offer spectacular views of the mountains and valleys, while the streets of Ollantaytambo are home to pre-Columbian and colonial architecture, traditional markets and plenty of Andean character.
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Destination Guide
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Cuzco
Cuzco
The Cuzco (Cusco) region of Peru combines Inca legacy with Spanish colonial architecture in an atmosphere at once provincial and sublime. The chaotic marketplaces where campesinos barter grain or potatoes for multi-colored fabric belie the mute spirituality of the Lost Cities, where Inca stonework conveys order and balance. Such diversity enhances this inspiring nine-day adventure. The blue sky radiates with an intensity achieved only at high altitudes (the city of Cuzco lies 11,150 feet above sea level), while the landscape offers its unique pattern of exacting agricultural grids and tangled jungle masses.
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Destination Guide
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Lima
Lima
Lima, "the City of the Kings," became the effective capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, established 1560. Today, a visit to Lima may serve as a unique Peruvian experience that offers a glimpse into the Andean world, Spanish tradition and the country's modern aspect. Visit handsome old buildings and baroque churches that testify to the city's religious background and the Plaza de Armas, shared by the realms of the Catholic church, municipality and national government. The pre-Inca ruins of Pachacamac lie a short distance south of the city. Once a ceremonial site, Pachacamac has been the most important religious center of the Andean world since before the age of Christ. Stop and admire The Temple of the Sun and the Moon, Lima's outstanding museums, and Machu Picchu - a "Jewel in the Mist."
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Destination Guide
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