Overland Cartagena and Cusco (JTC)

Cartagena 19 Jun 2013

Border Information: If joining in Cartagena, enter Colombia at Cartagena airport.

Free time to explore Cartagena with a group meeting day at 18:00hrs. We stay in a comfortable hotel in central Cartagena

Hotel for the night: Villa Colonial

Cartagena 20 Jun 2013

A full day in the beautiful city of Cartagena. In the morning we will have a walking tour of the city and then the rest of the time is free for you to enjoy the many optional activities on offer. We stay in the same centrally located hotel.

San Bernardo Islands, Covenas 21 Jun to 22 Jun 2013

We drive 150kms to Covenas on the Morrosquillo gulf and camp in the grounds of a local hotel for 2 nights near the beach with free time to relax. On the second day we will take a guided day tour out to the idyllic San Bernardo islands.

Medellin 23 Jun to 24 Jun 2013

A 525kms drive takes us to Colombia’s second city, Medellin where stay in dorm accommodation in a centrally located hostel allowing you to enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

Guatapé 25 Jun to 27 Jun 2013

We make a short drive this morning of a couple of hours to the small town of Guatapé which is beautifully located aside a lake in rolling countryside. The town is famous for the towering El Peñón de Guatapé which will will visit before enjoying 3 days of camping by the lake for various activities in the local area.

Manizales 28 Jun to 30 Jun 2013

We head 185kms to Manizales where we stay for 3 nights on a coffee plantation, camping in the grounds of a traditional finca. During the next few days we will enjoy a night of music and dancing, a city tour of Manizales and a coffee plantation tour. Will will also visit a local childrens's charity which we support.

Cali 01 Jul to 02 Jul 2013

Today we head out early overlanding to Cali, Colombia’s most lively city. In the evening there may be the chance to head out for a tour of the city in a traditional chiva bus and there is the chance for optional salsa classes. During the day time there are lots of attractions to keep you entertained.

Popayan 03 Jul 2013

A short 140kms drive brings us to the beautiful town of Popayan where we stay for the night in dorm accommodation in a hostel.

Ipiales 04 Jul 2013

Today we drive the 315km to the border town of Ipiales. We stay the night in a local hotel.

Otavalo 05 Jul 2013

Border information: Exit Colombia at Ipiales. Enter Ecuador at Ipiales

We cross the border into Ecuador and head to the Indian market town of Otavalo where we stay in a friendly hotel.

Quito 06 Jul 2013

120kms drive to the capital, Quito arriving in the afternoon where we stay in a local friendly hotel. En route we will stop at the Equator for the must have photo ops.

Quito 07 Jul 2013

Border information: If you are starting at Quito, enter Ecuador at Quito airport.

Day to explore Quito with a group meeting at 18.00hrs.  We stay in a local, friendly hotel in the city.

Hotel for the night: Alston Inn Hotel

Coca 08 Jul 2013

Today we will drive around 350 km into the heart of the Amazon to Coca (Puerto Francisco de Orellana). This is where we will set off from tomorrow for our Jungle Expedition.

Panachoca Amazon Experience 09 Jul to 11 Jul 2013

We will set off in the morning on a motorised canoe and leave civilization behind. for the enxt 4 days will be all about the jungle.

During your 3 nights here you will take trips out into the rainforest on foot and by boat to explore for wildlife.

Rio Verde 12 Jul 2013

An early boat ride brings us back along the Rio Napo to Coca from where we rejoin our overland vehicle and drive 300kms to the beautiful town of Rio Verde. We stay at a campsite with great facilities

Banos, Rio Verde 13 Jul to 14 Jul 2013

These are non-driving days with free time for a range of adrenalin activities or a possible visit to nearby Banos. We stay at the same campsite

Chugchilan, Lake Quilotoa 15 Jul 2013

An hour’s drive brings us to the town of Quilotoa to see the stunning Crater Lake and begin one of Ecuador’s best day hikes back to Chugchilán. We will trek with a local guide and the mostly downhill trek takes between 4-6 hours. There is however a section towards the end of the trek with a steep incline which you will need to be physically fit for.

Chugchilan 16 Jul 2013

An early morning starts a 300kms drive on the northern section of the spectacular Quilotoa Loop to the town of Chugchilán. We stay the night in a fantastic hostel.

Riobamba, Chugchilan 17 Jul 2013

This morning we will drive the southern section of the Quilotoa Loop and then head to the Riobamba area where we probably will stay in a hotel for the night but may push on and find somewhere to camp. We will cover approximately 320kms today.

Cuenca 18 Jul to 19 Jul 2013

A 250kms drive will take us to to Cuenca with a chance to explore the town and possibly visit it’s famous Panama Hat factory.

We spend the next 2 nights in a guesthouse

Punta Sal 20 Jul 2013

Border information: Exit Ecuador at Tumbes. Enter Peru at Tumbes.

A 285kms drive takes us across the Peruvian border to Punta Sal, on the shore of the Pacific Ocean where we camp at a hostel

Punta Sal 21 Jul to 22 Jul 2013

2 days with free time to enjoy the beach and activities at Punta Sal. Second and 3rd night camping at the same hostel.

Lambayeque, Huanchaco 23 Jul 2013

610kms drive to Huanchaco, visiting Lambayeque for the Lord of Sipan Museum visit enroute. On arrival in Huanchaco we will be camping at a site with good facilities

Huanchaco 24 Jul 2013

Visit to numerous ruins in and around Huanchaco, the enormous ruins of Chan Chan, and the world famous pyramids of Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna. We stay at the same campsite.

Lima 25 Jul 2013

A full drive day of 530kms brings us to the country’s capital, Lima, arriving late in the afternoon. We stay in a comfortable hotel in the city centre

Lima 26 Jul 2013

Border information: If you are starting in Lima, enter Peru at Lima Airport.

Day free to explore Lima, with a group meeting at 18:00 hrs. We stay in a good quality hotel in the centre of the city.

Hotel for the night: Hostal Bonbini

Paracas, Ballestas Islands, Huacachina 27 Jul 2013

We have a very early start and head south and out of Lima to begin a 270kms drive to Paracas. There we board a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands to view wildlife before returning to Paracas to explore the national park. We will bush camp either in Paracas National Park or in Huacachina for optional sand boarding and dune buggying

Huacachina, Nazca 28 Jul 2013

In the morning we will have a chance to stock up on supplies before driving approximately 200kms to Nazca where we camp. En route we have the chance to glimpse the Nazca lines from a viewing platform

Nazca, Puerto Inca 29 Jul 2013

In the morning there is an optional flight over the mysterious Nazca lines and an included visit to Chauchilla cemetery. In the afternoon there is a 270kms drive to Puerto Inca for an overnight stay at a beach camp site

Arequipa 30 Jul 2013

380kms drive day takes us to altitude and to the ‘white city’ of Arequipa where we overnight in a good quality hotel

Arequipa 31 Jul 2013

Free day to explore the colonial city of Arequipa

Chivay and Colca Canyon, Chivay 01 Aug 2013

Time in Arequipa to explore further in the morning. Then drive 150 km drive to Chivay with an optional visit to thermal springs. Overnight in a hotel at Chivay.

Chivay and Colca Canyon, Chivay 02 Aug 2013

Short driving day to visit the spectacular Colca Canyon to view condors and also local communities. Overnight in the same hotel at Chivay.

Raqchi 03 Aug 2013

Drive day to Raqchi and stay overnight in local homestay. We stay in traditional family houses with clean but basic facilities. Whilst we are there we enjoy some of the ceremonial aspects of village life as well as much singing and dancing. This is a great local experience.

Cusco 04 Aug 2013

In the morning we visit the ruins at Raqchi and also a local artisan centre. In the afternoon we drive 160kms drive to Cusco. Overnight in a lovely colonial hotel

Cusco 05 Aug 2013

Non-driving day with free time to explore the wonderful city of Cusco, the capital of the Inca kingdom. There will be a trekking briefing today and we stay in the same colonial hotel

Inca Trail , Sacred Valley, Cusco 06 Aug to 09 Aug 2013

Trekking in the Andes - We will have a tour of the sacred valley and either begin the community trek or the classic trek to the world heritage site of Machu Picchu. The nights are spent camping. 

Machu Picchu 10 Aug 2013

Visit to Machu Picchu one of the world's most iconic sights. We'll have a guided tour with a local expert and plenty of time on site before catching the train back to Cusco.

Cusco 11 Aug 2013

Free day to explore the city or do activities such as white water rafting.

Border information: If you are leaving in Cusco, exit Peru at Cusco Airport.