The Andes are the spine of South America, and run the length of the country from Colombia in the north through to Tierra Del Fuego in the South. This trip is designed to show the best of the northern Andes, through Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. We criss cross from the stunning beaches of the Caribbean to the depths of the Amazon Jungle and then into the dry deserts and ancient civilisations of Northern Peru.
It is a region that has been heavily influenced by pre-Colombian indigenous civilisations; not just the Incas. These earlier cultures were equally important as the Incas, whose influence was comparatively short lived.
The great cities of the region have a wealth of history and culture, and this trip takes you to some of the finest, including, Cartagena, Quito and Lima. Add to this a wealth of hidden gems in Colombia and Ecuador and some amazing trekking, hiking and horse riding and you have a journey that is well worth travelling for 38 days.
HIGHLIGHTS
2 nights in vibrant Cartagena
2 Nights in the stunning Caribbean beach national park of Tayrona
3 nights to explore the infamous streets of Medellin
Explore the region of Salento and visit a coffee finca
Guided trek through spectacular Cocora Valley
2 night stay in the historic colonial city of Popayan
Photograph the iconic church bridge of Ipiales
Visit the equator monument en-route to Quito
Full day coffee experience and plantation tour
WHAT TO EXPECT
A relatively easy journey, but with a few long days drives nicely balanced with 2 and 3 night stops. Expect some time at altitude, and a marked change in climate and temperature in the high mountains to the Caribbean and the Amazon. A good mix of hostels, hotels, home stays and camping.
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Explore Cartagena on a guided walking tour
Explore some of Tayrona National Park's scenic walking trails including a hike to the mysterious ancient ruins of Pueblito hidden in the jungles high above the coastline
Head out on a fascinating guided tour of Medellin and learn all about it's tumultuous past
Head out on a half-day guided trek through the spectacular Cocora Valley and see the incredible 50m-tall Quindio wax palms the tallest plam trees in the world!
Learn about Colombia Coffee and wander the plantation
Visit the jaw dropping Santuario Las Lajas on the outskirts of Ipiales
Visit the equator at Mitad del Mundo
Spend 3 nights at our fantastic Ecuadorian ecolodge taking in many activities such as boat trips on the Napo River visits to local communities and treks through the jungle to some spectacular waterfalls and bat caves!
Guided tour of Moche Pyramids and the Chimu city of Chan Chan
Border Information: if joining in Cartagena, you will most likely enter Colombia at Cartagena Rafael Núñez International Airport (IATA code: CTG).
There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.
Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Cartagena before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Cartagena.
If you are continuing on from Panama, then your leader will have assisted you with airport transfers for your included flight to arrive in time for the joining meeting.
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel
Day 2 - Cartagena (9th November 2020)
Today we will have a full day in the beautiful coastal colonial city of Cartagena.
In the morning we will have an included walking tour of the city, and then the afternoon will be free to explore the city further, enjoy the many optional activities on offer, or simply relax on the beach.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Explore Cartagena on a guided walking tour
Included
Optional Activities
Discover the brutal history of the Spanish Inquisition at their former headquarters in Cartagena the Palace of the Inquisition
Entrance: 15,000 COP
Guide: 10,000 COP
Days diving or snorkelling trip out to Islas del Rosario, Cartagena
Boat trip (speed boat): 70,000 COP
Learn all about Cartagena's naval tradition and history at the Naval Museum of the Caribbean
Entrance: 15,000 COP
Day 3 - Tayrona NP (10th November 2020)
Today we have a short drive to the stunning Tayrona National Park.
In Tayrona we will sleep in Hammocks, no food is provided, but there are restaurants and cafes nearby by. There is an hour walk from where we park our truck to our campsite.
Accommodation: Hammocks
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5
Day 4 - Tayrona NP (11th November 2020)
Today we have an included walk in the National Park.
Accommodation: Hammocks
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Explore some of Tayrona National Park's scenic walking trails including a hike to the mysterious ancient ruins of Pueblito hidden in the jungles high above the coastline
Included
Day 5 - Lorica (12th November 2020)
This morning we will walk back to our truck and leave Tayrona National park. We will head south for the pretty colonial town of Santa Cruz de Lorica on the Sinu River.
We will have a free day to relax and discover the historic centre, learn about the traditional Vueltiao hat or head to the coast and soak up the sun in San Bernardo del Viento.
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6
Day 6 - Lorica (13th November 2020)
We will have a free day to relax and discover the historic centre, learn about the traditional Vueltiao hat or head to the coast and soak up the sun in San Bernardo del Viento.
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Day 7 - Medellin (14th November 2020)
Today we have a full days drive to vibrant city of Medellin. the following morning we will have a guided walking tour of the city. We then have plenty of time to relax or take park in some of activities available here.
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10
Day 8 - Medellin (15th November 2020)
This morning we have an included half-day city tour of Medellin using our overlanding truck.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Head out on a fascinating guided tour of Medellin and learn all about it's tumultuous past
Included
Optional Activities
Take the pioneering Metroline cable car up to Santo Domingo to see a very different area of the city and the revitalising effect the Metroline has had on the communities there
Cabe car ride: 1,750 COP
Visit the colossal Catedral Metropolitana in the city centre built using over a million bricks between 1875 and 1931
Entrance: Free
Head out and discover some of Medellín\'s vibrant and unusual nightlife at the Dulce Jesus Mio club
Entrance: 10,000 COP
Day 9 - Medellin (16th November 2020)
Free day to explore Medellin.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Day 10 - Manizales (17th November 2020)
Today we will head into the heart of the coffee region to stay at a Hacienda near the town of Manizales.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7
Day 11 - Salento (18th November 2020)
Today we will continue our journey south to the small town of Salento, the gateway to the spectacular Valle de Cocora.
Salento will be our base to take a guided trek through the Cocora Valley to see the Quindio wax palm trees, the largest palms in the world and the national tree of Colombia and also to do a coffee plantation tour.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 2
Day 12 - Salento (19th November 2020)
Today we will take a guided trek through the Cocora Valley to see the Quindio wax palm trees, the largest palms in the world and the national tree of Colombia.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 2
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Head out on a half-day guided trek through the spectacular Cocora Valley and see the incredible 50m-tall Quindio wax palms the tallest plam trees in the world!
Included
Day 13 - Salento (20th November 2020)
Today we have time to explore the coffee plantation and learn about coffee.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Learn about Colombia Coffee and wander the plantation
Included
Day 14 - Popayan (21st November 2020)
Today we will drive to the beautiful town and former colonial capital of Popayán.
On the following day we will have a free day to explore Popayán or take part in some excellent treks or other optional activities in the surrounding area.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8
Day 15 - Popayan (22nd November 2020)
Today we will have a free day to explore Popayán or take part in some excellent treks or other optional activities in the surrounding area.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Daily Activities
Optional Activities
Relax in the volcanic thermal springs near the village of Coconuco dramatically set in a steep-sided valley
Thermal springs trip: 60,000 COP
Trek to the 4650m summit of the towering Puracé volcano near Popayán
Hike: 130,000 COP
Day 16 - Ipiales (23rd November 2020)
Today we will have a full day drive to the border town of Ipiales.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10
Day 17 - Otavalo (24th November 2020)
We will leave Colombia behind today and cross the border into Ecuador, we will have time for an included visit to the beautiful Santurio de las Lajas, before heading to Otavalo.
Border information: Exit Colombia at Ipiales, enter Ecuador at Ipiales.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Visit the jaw dropping Santuario Las Lajas on the outskirts of Ipiales
Included
Day 18 - Quito (25th November 2020)
We will head south for the final leg of our journey to the bustling captial, Quito. En route into the city we will have an included visit to Mitad del Mundo, the monument that marks the Equator.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Visit the equator at Mitad del Mundo
Included
Day 19 - Quito (26th November 2020)
Border Information: if joining in Quito, you will most likely enter Ecuador at Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (IATA code: UIO).
There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.
Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Quito before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Quito.
A note on altitude: If you are joining in Quito, we strongly recommend arriving at least 24 hours before the trip begins to allow additional time to acclimatise.
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel
Daily Activities
Optional Activities
Take a walk around Quito's incredible Botanical Gardens, which showcases all of Ecuador's various ecosystems and their flora
Entrance: 4 USD
Visit the Museo Mindalae, the extremely original project showcasing Ecuador\'s rich cultural diversity
Entrance: 3 USD
Visit the Museo Nacional del Banco Central showcasing the countrys largest collection of Ecuadorian art and housing an impressive gold collection
Entrance: 2 USD
Day 20 - Ecuadorian Amazon (27th November 2020)
Today our journey begins with a drive to a village on the edge of the Amazon basin, near the town of Tena, where we head to our lodge for an incredible 3-night stay.
Our lodge is a great example of eco-tourism, built and run by the local community and volunteers, who work to re-forest the reserve land at the lodge with native trees and medicinal plants. The lodge is set in secondary and primary rainsforest, an area at risk of deforestation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Spend 3 nights at our fantastic Ecuadorian ecolodge taking in many activities such as boat trips on the Napo River visits to local communities and treks through the jungle to some spectacular waterfalls and bat caves!
Included
Day 21 - Ecuadorian Amazon (28th November 2020)
Over the next two days we will head into the Amazon jungle, enjoying rainforest treks exploring the nearby waterfalls and caves, and trips down the Napo River in motorised dugout canoes, hopefully spotting plenty of wildlife on the way. We will also see some ancient fossils and petroglyphs, and visit a local Quichua community.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Day 22 - Ecuadorian Amazon (29th November 2020)
Second full day in the rainforest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Day 23 - Rio Verde (30th November 2020)
Today we will drive through the highlands of Ecuador, arriving in Rio Verde near the famous Tungurahua volcano.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 4
Day 24 - Rio Verde (1st December 2020)
We will have two full days of free time to take part in a range of optional activities in Rio Verde, such as white-water rafting, trekking, canyoning, cycling, and other options. We will also have the opportunity to visit the nearby town of Baños and its popular volcanic thermal springs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Daily Activities
Optional Activities
Head out for an exhilarating half-day canyoning trip through the gorges near Baños
Canyoning (half day): 25 USD
Take out some quad bikes on a tour around the winding trails near Baños
Quad biking: 36 USD
Go on an adrenaline-fuelled half-day rafting expedition on the Rio Pastaza near Banos one of the best rafting experiences in South America
Half day rafting: 25 USD
Go out on a half day rock climbing trip to the walls of natural lava rock just outside Banos
Half day rock climbing: 30 USD
Explore the stunning gorges forests and landscapes of the Baños area by foot
Machay waterfall entrance or Pailon del Diablo entrance: 2 USD
Take the famous zip-lining course through the Puntzan Canyon near Bañ
Zip line: 25 USD
Spend some time soaking in the hot springs
Entrance: 3 USD
Day 25 - Rio Verde (2nd December 2020)
Second free day for optional activities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Day 26 - Chugchilán (3rd December 2020)
Today we will drive to the remote village of Chugchilán, via the spectacular highland scenery along the road of the 'Quilotoa Loop'.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8
Day 27 - Chugchilán (4th December 2020)
Today is a free day to enjoy optional activities such as mountain biking or horseback riding.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 28 - Cuenca (5th December 2020)
Today we will drive along the remainder of the Quilotoa Loop and then head south to the beautiful colonial town of Cuenca. We will pass through the stunning landscape of the Cajas National Park en route.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10
Day 29 - Cuenca (6th December 2020)
Today we will have a free day to explore the colonial city of Cuenca. The town is the birthplace of the famous Panama Hat, and we will have the opportunity today to visit one of the factories to learn about the manufacturing process.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel
Daily Activities
Optional Activities
Visit some of the volcanic thermal baths near to the colonial town of Cuenca
Entrance: 20 USD
Take a day trip out of Cuenca to visit the site of the Ingapirca ruins the largest known Inca ruins in Ecuador
Day trip: 25 USD
Visit the Museo Pumapungo in Cuenca featuring an impressive range of artistic historical cultural and ethnological exhibits and most famously housing a collection of shrunken heads from the Shuar civilisation
Entrance: Free
Visit one of the many factories that produce the ever-stylish Panama Hats Cuenca's most famous export!
Entrance: Free
Day 30 - Punta Sal (7th December 2020)
Border information: Exit Ecuador at Huaquillas, enter Peru at Tumbes.
Today we will have a long drive day south, crossing the border into northern Peru.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 11
Day 31 - Punta Sal (8th December 2020)
Today we have a full day to relax on the beach and enjoy some activities in and around the stunning coastal area of Punta Sal.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Daily Activities
Optional Activities
Try your hand at surfing in the ideal waters of the Pacific Ocean near Punta Sal or Mancora
Surfing: 20 USD
Explore the coastlines of Punta Sal by foot or head out trekking through the nearby hills and farms of Canoas
Trekking: 10 USD
Day 32 - Huanchaco (9th December 2020)
Today we will have a full day's drive to Huanchaco, near the city of Trujillo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 11
Day 33 - Huanchaco (10th December 2020)
Today we will have an included guided trip to explore the enormous adobe ruins of Chan Chan and the world-famous Moche archaeological site of Huaca de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Guided tour of Moche Pyramids and the Chimu city of Chan Chan
Included
Optional Activities
Visit the fascinating Cassinelli Museum in Trujillo, a private collection of many exquisite examples of ancient pottery
Entrance: 15 PEN
Day 34 - Huaraz (11th December 2020)
Today we will have a spectacular drive up the winding roads of the 'Casma Route' into the Cordillera Blanca section of the high Andes, reaching the mountain town of Huaraz.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9
Day 35 - Huaraz (12th December 2020)
We have two days in the spectacular area of the Cordillera Blanca for exploration and optional activities such as visiting the incredible pre-Inca ruins of Chavín de Huantar or trekking and climbing to the nearby lakes and glaciers.
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Daily Activities
Optional Activities
Go canyoning in the waterfalls and gorges of the Huaraz region
Canyoning: 90 PEN
Explore the incredible ancient ruins of Chavín de Huantar the religious centre for the Chavín culture which flourished in the area from 1200BCE-500BCE
Tour, guide and entrance: 45 USD
Take a horse riding trip from Huaraz to the incredible viewpoints of the Cordillera Blanca
Horse riding: 27 USD
Trek out to the phenomenal turquoise glacier lake of Laguna 69 in the shadow of Huascaran Peru's highest mountain
Trekking: 45 USD
Learn all about the area's incredible pre-Inca civilisations at the Museo Regional de Ancash
Entrance: 15 PEN
Day 36 - Huaraz (13th December 2020)
Enjoy a second free day in Huaraz
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Day 37 - Lima (14th December 2020)
Today we will have another full day's drive back to the coast via the 'Paramonga Route' and then on to the enormous Peruvian capital of Lima.
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9
Day 38 - Lima (15th December 2020)
Border information: if you are finishing in Lima, you will most likely exit Peru at Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport (IATA code: LIM).
Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Lima. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact your sales agent if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.
Daily Activities
Optional Activities
Take a ceviche and pisco sour class at one of the top restaurants in Miraflores a lively district of Lima
Ceviche class: 40 USD
Explore the bohemian areas of Barranco and Miraflores on a cycling tour of Lima
Cycle tour: 50 USD
Visit the beautiful Baroque cathedral of San Francisco in Lima's historical centre and explore the morbidly fascinating catacombs underneath
Entrance: 15 PEN
See the incredible 'Magic Water Circuit' in Lima's Parque de la Reserva an astounding evening display of water music light images and laser effects across 13 huge water fountains
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