About this tour
Follow the path of the Andes in South America on a 35-day adventure that hits both modern cities and ancient worlds. Spot birdlife circling canyons and search for signs of life in vast salt flats and lunar deserts scapes. Get acquainted with the local cultures at La Paz’s markets and the homes on the floating islands of Lake Titicaca. Learn the mysteries of the Nazca lines, wander the streets of Cusco and trek to the mighty Machu Picchu. With stops at Lima, Cusco and vibrant Buenos Aires and a local to lead the way, your South American adventure is jam-packed with fascinating experiences and plenty of space for independent travel.There are some long travel days and two overnight bus journeys on this trip. Although the buses feature comfortable reclining seats, they are not beds. There’s also usually a toilet on-board, and some of the buses make toilet stops. These trips can be tiresome, but an adventure trip around South America wouldn’t be complete without an overnight bus journey.You’ll be staying in some very basic group accommodation with shared facilities, especially along the Inca Trail and on Lake Titicaca (where there are drop toilets and no showers). This is all part of the adventure of being among nature.There will be a lot of hiking and walking on this trip (especially on the Inca Trail which can be quite challenging), so this requires a moderate level of fitness. There are a few different trail options to suit your interests and physical capabilities. Please bring durable footwear suitable to hiking. We’ll be experiencing a mix of hot and cold climates, so pack accordingly and bring layers. See the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.Due to the high altitude of many of places we visit, the air is thinner and some people can suffer altitude sickness. Some people aren’t affected at all, but if you are, be sure to drink plenty of water and don’t push yourself too hard. If possible, arrive into Lima a few days early to allow yourself time to acclimatise. The sun is also unusually strong and it’s easy to get burnt, especially when out on the water in Lake Titicaca. It’s important to wear sunscreen and other sun protection, and always drink plenty of water. Please see the important ‘Medical and health information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.Making your way across the Andean Desert and Salar de Uyuni isn’t exactly luxurious. There will be long travel days on dusty and bumpy tracks. Temperatures in the area can be very cold, especially at night, so bring warm clothes with you. Meals are simple, toilet facilities are basic, showers can be cold and accommodation is multi-share dormitory-style. This is all part of the adventure. Without a doubt, this amazing experience will be one of the highlights of your trip to South America.Bolivia is the least developed and most challenging country you’ll travel around during this trip. Facilities are basic and food might be simpler than what you’re used to. Transportation between different locations can be slow and isn’t as easy as it might be in developed countries. Yet this is all part of the adventure that makes Bolivia such a great place to visit.Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means that you may not be able to have photos together, overlooking Machu Picchu. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.