Eight whole weeks of unfolding drama, viewing rare wildlife in the Amazon jungle, exploring the deepest canyon in the world and relishing a wealth of natural wonders from active volcanoes to floating islands and remote sea lion sanctuaries. Hit the Inca Trail before taking a trip across the Altiplano to the shores of the sacred Lake Titicaca. Don’t forget that you are also going to enjoy the downtown delights of four Latin capitals. To maximise the benefit of your trip, Travel Amazing South America can arrange pre and post departure stay to give you more time in Santiago or Quito.

Otavalo, Mishualli and the Amazon Jungle. We leave Quito and head north across the Equator to the famous market town of Otavalo. Otavalo has one of the best textile markets in Ecuador. You can easily spend an afternoon shopping in the Plaza de Ponchos, buying hammocks, blankets and Alpaca jumpers. And if you are all shopped out, the surroundings of Otavalo are great for hikes and bike rides also.

We leave the Andes and journey down into the lush Amazon jungle. From here, the true adventure begins as we head further inland to the remote jungle town of Tena, the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon. This will be our starting point for our adventure into the heart of the Amazon.

We continue from Tena to Mishualli, where we board motorized dugout canoes to navigate down river to our lodge. We will enjoy a 3-day jungle trip, exploring the jungle vegetation and searching for the local wildlife. The terrain is rich and lush, and alive with hundreds of species of plant and trees. A shaman explains the many medicinal uses for these plants and trees, which are practiced by the local people, and talks about how he uses jungle plants to treat many of the rainforest illnesses. As well as hikes through the jungle and a visit to the Kichwa Indians, you will also have the opportunity to swim in a lagoon and spot wildlife – including early morning bird watching. We may even see some of the rarest birds of the Amazon, the “hoatzins” , a living fossil.

Leaving the jungle, we stay at Shangri-La lodge, just outside Tena, for a couple of days, where you can relax and soak up views over the rainforest of clouds snaking across the jungle and fabulous sunsets. For the energetic this is the chance to do a tubing excursion downriver or perhaps some white water rafting (optional).

Cuenca. Our next destination is Cuenca. Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador, and considered to be the most attractive. It has many fine colonial churches, a lovely plaza and cobbled streets. Cuenca is also home to the Panama Hat. We will visit the factory for a tour to see how they are made, and then you have the opportunity of buying one of these famous hats from the factory shop.

Sechura Desert - Huanchaco - Chan-Chan. From Punta Sal we then drive south
through the Sechura desert on our way to the Peruvian coastal resort of Huanchaco. The village is unique for its caballitos - “little horses”. These are strangely shaped canoes are lined up along the beach, and you will see the fishermen surf them onto the beach with their day’s catch. While we’re here we take a step back in time with a visit to the amazing archaeological site of Chan Chan. Chan Chan is the imperial city of the Chimu culture, and is the largest adobe city in the world, covering 28 square kilometres. The ruins contain the remains of palaces, temples, workshops, streets, houses, gardens and a canal. There are well preserved molded decorations showing small figures of fish, birds and geometric motifs. We take a guided tour of these fascinating ruins, as well as the huge pyramid Temple of the Moon built by the Moche tribe nearby. The Temple of the Moon has brightly coloured molded decorations found on interior walls.

Lima. Our next stop is Lima, the capital city of Peru. Lima is a huge, sprawling and very busy city with a population of 8 million people – one third of the population of Peru. After the conquest of the Incas, the leader of the Spanish Conquerors, Francisco Pizarro looked to establish a capital for the new Spanish colonies in South America. The Inca capital of Cuzco was not considered suitable as the Spanish were sea-faring people, and so Lima was founded in 1535. It was originally known as the City of Kings. Lima became the seat of the Spanish Viceroyalty of South America.

Lima has some great colonial architecture and some of the best museums in Peru. The Plaza de Armas has the main Cathedral, which houses the remains of Francisco Pizarro as well as many beautiful monuments. Also on the Plaza is the Presidential Palace, where each morning the palace guards perform a changing of the guard ceremony. The fabulous Gold Museum houses a private collection of gold and weapons, and the Museo de la Nacion houses many exhibits and artifacts from the ancient cultures of Peru.

Arequipa - Chivay. From the coast we journey up into the Andes to Arequipa. Peru’s second largest city, Arequipa is set in a spectacular backdrop of snowcapped peaks. 

Arequipa is a very attractive colonial city with beautiful plaza, cathedral and cobble stoned streets. Take a visit here to the once mysterious Monasterio de Santa Catalina. It was built in the 16th century and became a secret city within a city. Behind its walls up to 450 nuns and their servants lived lives that no one else knew about. It was opened to the public gaze in the 1970s, and you are now able to take a guided tour through its maze of alleyways and gardens.

Another interesting optional trip is to visit Juanita. Juanita is an Inca mummy,  sacrificed to the Inca gods over 500 years ago, and then found by a team of archaeologists at the top of the Volcano near Ambato, over 5000 metres high, in 1995. Many of the textiles and gold, which adorned the female mummy's body were very well preserved, and they continue to be well preserved, along with many other artifacts, at her home in the Universidad Catolica near the Santa Catalina monastery.

From Arequipa, we take an overnight excursion to Colca Canyon. Chivay is our base to do our trip to see the Condors in Colca Canyon nearby and is a very traditional mountain town with many of the locals dressed in traditional costume. 

Cuzco And The Inca Trail. After the canyon comes the beginning of your Inca
adventure. We leave Chivay and drive over two mountain passes at an altitude of
4,700m -and arrive into the beautiful city of Cuzco.

This was the capital of the Inca Empire. The word Cuzco actually derives from the word Qosqo (from the Inca language of Quechua), which means Navel of the World, for this city was the hub of a network extending to each of the 4 regions which formed the 4 parts of the world according to the Incas world view. This is where the Inca Emperors held their throne during the period of the Inca Empire in the 15th and early 16th centuries. The city is abundant with historical buildings, and still has original Inca built walls, as well as many colonial churches and houses. Cuzco has some stunning attractions. Take a look at the magnificent Plaza de Armas; the Cathedral is on one side and the La Compania de Jesus on the other. And there are many ancient Inca sites to visit in and around Cuzco. Most notable are those of Koricancha and Sacsayhuaman. Koricancha, or place of gold, was the Incas principal religious building, dedicated to the worship of the sun. Sacsayhuaman is situated on the outskirts of Cuzco overlooking the city. This spectacular fortress guarded the Inca Capital. The ruins are renowned for their enormous carved stones joined together with incredible precision. Cuzco has some great markets for souvenir hunting – good buys are jewellery, ceramics, and woodcarving, which you can get from workshops that are open to the public. And while you’re here you can eat to your hearts content for the trek ahead. Cuzco has lots of restaurants and bars. Peruvian food is good and hearty, featuring tamales filled with cheese or meat, soups and stews, kebabs and peppers. Don't forget to try the guinea pig. Cuzco is also renowned as a party town - with some of the best nightlife in Peru.

The trip now takes you to the Urumbamba Valley for a tour of what is known as the Sacred Valley. We visit the magnificent ruins of Pisac, set high in the walls of the valley, and then to the famous markets in the town of Pisac below the ruins. These markets offer a great selection of blankets, jumpers and other local handicrafts. From here we continue along the valley to Ollantaytambo, where we visit another Inca Ruin before staying here the night.

From Ollantaytambo we begin our four day hike to mythical Machu Picchu. The trek takes you in the footsteps of the ancient Incas along original pathways and past many ruins.

Day one of the trek includes approximately 6 hours walking, taking in some spectacular scenery and local life as we walk through a couple of villages. Day two is the tough one as we reach the highest point of the trail at Dead Women’s Pass with an altitude of just over 4200 metres above sea level. Day 3 requires a bit more uphill climbing before beginning the gradual descent down towards Machu Picchu. We rise very early on the morning of Day 4 so that you arrive at the Sun Gate for dawn on the final day. Providing the weather is clear, the view from the Sun Gate down to Machu Picchu is breathtaking and something you will never forget. Imagine what it was like for the explorer Hiram Bingham who discovered this long lost city back in 1911 and gave the world one of its most breathtaking ancient sites. The city, with its temples stairways and gabled dwellings is probably one of the most astounding engineering feats of the whole of the Ancient American civilisations. What you see is never to be forgotten - but have your camera ready as well, just for the record. Upon reaching the ruins, our experienced local guides will give you a tour of the ruins for approximately two hours and then the rest of the day is yours to explore the ruins. If you’re still feeling energetic you can climb the nearby Huayna Picchu Mountain and get some more great views of the city and some great pictures as well! That afternoon you can lie back and relax in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes before taking the train back to Cuzco.

La Paz. We follow the lakeshore and travel into Bolivia to La Paz the highest capital city in the world at 3700m. It was built in a canyon at the base of the Altiplano to keep it sheltered from the cold but over time it has grown and now spills up the canyon walls. It’s a stunning sight from the heights of the Altiplano. La Paz has buckets of charm, winding cobble stoned streets with lots of busy little markets. Visit the intriguing Witches Market where stall holders sell magical mixes of herbs plus some even weirder objects aimed at curing illness or keeping evil spirits at bay. La Paz is great to explore and while you are here there are optional trips to the highest ski resort in the world at Mount Chacaltaya, the Valley of the Moon and a hair raising downhill descent on a mountain bike in the area surrounding La Paz. And laze your evenings away in a colourful bar listening to local bands and their haunting music.

Uyuni, Salt Flats, Bolivian Altiplano, San Pedro. From the town of Uyuni, which lies on the edge of the salt flats, we start our 3-day voyage to San Pedro. During this part of your trip you will travel through some of the most unusual and exciting places in South America.

The first day begins with a crossing of the Salt Flats. Please note that at certain times of year it may be necessary to use jeeps to cross the Salt Flats, whereas at others we are able to cross with our Overland Truck. We drive across this vast expanse to Fish Island, an outcrop of rock covered in Cactus in the middle of this massive landscape. The island affords spectacular views over the salt plain and great photo opportunities. From here we continue a couple more hours to the other side of the salt flat before beginning our drive on the Altiplano.

The Bolivian Altiplano is vast and almost completely uninhabited, but it is like a dream landscape. There are lakes, geysers, thermal pools, magnificent rock formations and the chance to see flamingos. We stay in basic hostel accommodation in two small settlements on the Altiplano. Algae create beautiful colours in the lakes nearer the border with Chile. Laguna Colorado is a pinkish/red colour and the Laguna Verde, which is green and has the magnificent backdrop of the perfect volcanic cone of Mt Licancabur.

We cross into Chile and to another land of the extreme. Here we hit the world’s driest desert - the Atacama, and stay at the small oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. San Pedro is a pretty town with many nearby attractions including the bizarre rock configurations of the Valley of the Moon, or perhaps arrange a mountain biking excursion or horseriding trip (optional).

Santiago. Tour ends and the memories begin.

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible but please note that Latin America does not run like clockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents. Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when you will need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Conditions in South America can change rapidly and changes to the itinerary may be necessary.

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. We make a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment and repatriation. It is also very important that your insurance policy is relevant to our style of travel.

No client will be allowed on tours without suitable insurance. If you have already arranged insurance elsewhere, please be aware that many of the optional activities such as bungy jumping or water rafting may not be covered on your policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance.

At the start of your tour you will be asked to present your original policy document and complete an insurance information form. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original.

Please note: you will not be permitted to join a Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your South America trip. Country entry regulations change daily. Please consult your relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Please note that clients travelling on SA6 Buenos Aires to Rio tours should be aware that Brazilian visas (if required) were taking 3-4 working days to issue in 2005. We strongly advise that you arrive into Buenos Aires at least 4 working days before your trip starts in order to ensure that you have sufficient time to obtain your Brazilian visa.

We for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

If you are beginning your trip in one of the Andean countries (Peru, Ecuador or Bolivia) please be aware that you may be susceptible to some form of altitude sickness. If you are starting your trip in La Paz, allow 2 days to adapt to these conditions.

You may feel nauseous, overwhelmingly tired, short of breath or experience headaches. There are methods though of minimising the levels of altitude sickness that each person experiences.

• Taking the following steps will greatly help in minimising the level of altitude sickness, but please be aware that every individual reacts differently to it.
• Drink plenty of bottled water. At high altitude your breathing is rapid and shallow, causing you to dehydrate. 2 litres of water per day is the recommended amount.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Avoid smoking. If you are a heavy smoker they should either cut down or stop completely for their time in the altitude (although some smokers say they have an easier time because they are used to having less oxygen).

Taking the above measures will in most cases mean that within 2 days your body should adjust to taking less oxygen but each individual will be affected differently.

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!

In Patagonia temperatures can fall to below zero, even in the height of summer. Be prepared for very cold conditions. You should bring a warm jacket, gloves and woolly hat if you are doing a trip in Patagonia.

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.

We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where this is possible.

Personal Effects:
Camera & film, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Sewing kit, Sunhat/Sunglasses, Music cassettes /CDs, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, Contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen.

NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

Spanish is the language most widely spoken in the countries we visit in Latin America but English will be spoken in the larger cities. You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

We provide hearty meals, which are paid for through your Local Payment. This will be indicated on your travel voucher, which must be presented to your tour leader at the predeparture meeting on first day of the tour. The Local Payment covers most breakfasts, lunches and dinners while camping and lunches when travelling on the vehicle.

Most food substances are stored on the truck in bulk quantities including all types of condiments, pastas, rice etc. Markets in the countries through which we travel are always well stocked and we purchase as much fresh food as possible including fruit, vegetables and meats on the road. Those designated as cooks on the rotating roster system help in buying, preparing and cooking the food for the group under the guidance of your Tour Leader. The variety of food will differ, as you will be visiting a number of different countries. Everyone helps out with the cooking and all are encouraged to put their culinary skills (or lack there of!) to the test over the campfire! You will be surprised with what you can create over the campfire with a little imagination!

Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs or allergies can also be catered for however in some countries the type of food may be limited. Please let the Reservations team know your special requirements as soon as possible so we can do all possible to assist your needs. Please note we will attempt to provide for these special requests,
however they cannot be guaranteed - please ensure the tour leader is aware of any special requests.

When camping, we usually prepare and cook our own meals, at other times whilst staying in hotels it is more convenient to eat out. When staying in hotels, meals are the responsibility of each passenger. This allows you a
chance to try the local cuisine. The amount of time spent in hotels on each tour section is given in the brochure and in the itineraries. These are flexible and each tour will differ from the next.

Local Restaurants - Latin American food is delicious, nutritious and varied and local restaurants provide an important insight into local ways of life. There is always an excellent range of restaurants to choose from. An evening meal can range from US$1 up to US$20. Most travellers spend an average of US$5 to US$10 plus drinks. Local alcoholic drinks are generally inexpensive even in restaurants and bars.

Vegetarians are easily catered for.

All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting when you meet your tour leader, driver and fellow travellers. If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. On the last day of the tour we usually arrive at our final destination in the late afternoon, when the tour ends. If you would like to book accommodation for that night or even stay additional nights, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

Tipping porters and trekking crew is a tradition on the Inca Trail and Lares treks. However, tipping is at your discretion: please do not feel obliged to do so.

On the Inca Trail you will be expected to tip US$12-15 for general porters, cooks and trekking crew and a further US$5 for the porters who carried your personal allowance of 9kgs. These tips are shared out amongst the trekking crew on the 3rd night. It is also customary to voluntarily tip the guides after the Machu Picchu tour on the 4th day.

We endeavor to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. We cannot be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by third party.

Below is a list of optional excursions available at your expense on your tour. Please note that these are intended as a guide only and prices and availability cannot be guaranteed. Your tour leader will be able to organise any optional excursions on your behalf. The list below is by no means comprehensive. There will be many other optional activities available. All activities are undertaken at passenger’s own risk. All costs are in US$.

ECUADOR - Guided Hiking $15 - Hot Springs $8 - Horse Riding Baños $25 - Canyoning Baños $30 - Rafting Tena $50 - Rafting Baños $30 - Salsa Lessons Baños $5 per hour - Mountain Biking Baños $20 - Massage Baños $15 per hour - PERU - Salsa Lessons Punta Sal $5 - Fishing Boat Punta Sal $20/Hr – min 4 Hrs - San Francisco Catacombs $5 - Gold Museum Lima $8 - National History Museum Lima $2 - Nazca Lines Flight $45 - Santa Catalina Convent Arequipa $8 - Juanita Museum Arequipa $5 - Rafting Cuzco $30-50 - Horse Riding Cuzco $10 - Cuzco Museum Pass $12 - BOLIVIA - Tiahuanaco Ruins Day $28 - Valley of the Moon $8 - La Paz Prison Tour $10 - Downhill Bike Ride La Paz $50 - Silver Mine Tour Potosí $22 - CHILE - Horse Riding San Pedro $15 - Bike Hire San Pedro $15 per day - Observatory trip La Serena $20 - Winery Tour Santiago $30

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad. You can opt to use an International SIM Card.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers.

Blog – You can keep your friends and family updated by blogging about your adventures.

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!