Border information: if joining in Lima, you will most likely enter Peru at Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport. 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. In Lima we will stay in a comfortable hotel in the city's historical centre. Hotel for the night: Hotel Kamana Jr. Camaná 547 Lima (Downtown) Perú Phone: (+ 511) 426-7204 Fax: (+511) 426-0790 Activity Approximate Cost Visit Lima's famous Museo del Oro (Gold Museum), containing over 7000 pieces of gold, silver and gilded copper from a number of Peru's different pre-Columbian cultures PEN 33 Visit the beautiful Baroque cathedral of San Francisco in Lima's historical centre, and explore the morbidly fascinating catacom...

Today we will have a spectacular drive up the winding roads of the 'Paramonga Route' into the Cordillera Blanca section of the high Andes, reaching the mountain town of Huaraz. In Huaraz we will stay in a local hostel in either dorm accommodation or private rooms depending on availability. Estimated Drive Time - 10 hours (please note that all drive times given here are approximate estimates only and are given with the best intentions - however please be aware that the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!). About Huaraz: Huaraz is situated high up in the Andes, dominated by the highest, tropical mountain range in the world, the Cordillera Blanca, and Peru's highest peak, Huascaran. It offers great oppor...

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. Activity Approximate Cost Explore the incredible ancient ruins of Chavín de Huantar, the religious centre for the Chavín culture which flourished in the area from 1200BCE-500BCE PEN 100 Explore the remarkably well-presevered three-story mausoleum of Wilcahuaín near to Huaraz, built by the Wari civilisation that ruled the area between 600-900CE PEN 15 Learn all about the area's incredible pre-Inca civilisations at the Museo Regional de Ancash PEN 15 Take a horse riding trip from Huaraz to the incredible viewpoints of the Cordillera Blanca USD 27 Enjoy a half-day rock climbing excursion foll...

Today we will have a full day's drive down the stunning 'Casma Route' to the Pacific coast and on to Huanchaco, near the city of Trujillo. In Huanchaco we will camp in the grounds of a local hotel. Estimated Drive Time - 8-9 hours. About Huanchaco: Once the capital of the ancient Peruvian Moche civilisation, Huanchaco is a small town on the Peruvian coast that is rapidly acquiring a reputation for the quality of the surfing off its relaxed beaches. Wandering along the sea front you will come across the local fishermen's "caballitos de tortora", curved reed boats that they leave propped up in groups together on the sand. Huanchaco is an ideal location from which to explore the numerous archaeological ruins the surround nearby Trujillo, such as the enormous pre-columbian complex of Chan Chan, a vast adobe city constructed by the...

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). Activity Approximate Cost Head out on a guided tour of the colourful Moche Pyramids and the colossal Chimu adobe city of Chan Chan near the Peruvian city of Trujillo Included in Kitty Visit the fascinating Cassinelli Museum in Trujillo, a private collection of many exquisite examples of ancient pottery PEN 15

Today we will have a full day's drive along the coast of northern Peru. We will have an included visit to the phenomenal Lord of Sipan museum in Lambayeque, home of an incredible collection of Chimu-era treasures (please note that this museum is closed on Mondays, so we will be unable to visit if your trip passes through on a Monday). We will stay at a friendly local campsite just outside of Punta Sal, on a beautiful and serene beach on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. Estimated Drive Time - 10 hours (including approximately 1 hour 30 minutes at the Lord of Sipan museum) About Lambayeque: The small Peruvian town of Lambayeque is home to the impressive Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipan, a world-class museum that showcases the finest artefacts from the archaeological finds at nearby Sipan. This area on the northwest coast of Peru is we...

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. Activity Approximate Cost See a resident colony of Green Sea Turtles at El Nuri, near to Punta Sal PEN 5 Try your hand at surfing in the ideal waters of the Pacific Ocean near Punta Sal or Mancora USD 20 Rent a mountain bike to explore the coast of Punta Sal and the beautiful nearby areas of Canoas and Plateritos USD 20 Explore the coastlines of Punta Sal by foot, or head out trekking through the nearby hills and farms of Canoas USD Explore the beaches of northern Peru on quad bikes, or ride through the nearby inland forests USD 30 Take a beginner's belly-dancing class with ou...

Border information: Exit Peru at Tumbes, enter Ecuador at Huaquillas. Today we will have a long drive day north, crossing the border into southern Ecuador and arriving at the beautiful colonial town of Cuenca. In Cuenca we will stay in a centrally-located hotel. Estimated Drive Time - 10-11 hours. About Cuenca: Cuenca is Ecuador's third-largest city and it's small centre is home to some beautiful architecture. This small university town is a pleasure to wander around and explore, take to the streets and you'll discover impressive churches that date back to the 16th and 17th Centuries, attractive colonial buildings, tranquil plazas and lively markets. The Ecuadorians consider it the finest city in the country and many of its buildings are constructed from marble and decorated with stunning woodwork and ironwork. Cuenca is also ...

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. Activity Approximate Cost Freely explore the historic colonial city of Cuenca, and discover its cobblestone streets, old-world cathedrals,colonial parks, and buzzing markets USD Visit some of the volcanic thermal baths near to the colonial town of Cuenca USD 6 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 USD Head...

In the morning we drive the southern section of the Quilotoa loop before heading to the beautiful town of Rio Verde, where we stay at a campsite with great facilities. Situated in a valley of waterfalls and hot springs, the region around Rio Verde has year-round temperate weather, a small-town atmosphere and heaps of activities that can get you out and exploring the great Ecuadorian outdoors. Whilst staying here, you will have the opportunity to take part in optional adventure activities such as canyoning, mountain biking and rafting. We will also make the short trip into Banos where you can visit the thermal springs.

Today we will transfer to the village of Quilotoa to see its stunning crater lake, and take an included day trek back to Chugchilán through the local villages,canyons, and beautiful scenery. This walk is widely considered one of the best day treks in Ecuador! The mostly-downhill usually takes between 4-6 hours, but please be aware that there is a section towards the end of the trek with a steep incline which you will need to be physically fit for - although we thoroughly recommend the trek, it can be skipped by anyone if they prefer. Activity Approximate Cost Take a day-trek from the spectacular crater lake at Quilotoa to the Andean village of Chugchilan, through the incredible rural landscapes and canyons of the area Included in Kitty Head out on a horse riding trip through the stunning hills of Chugchilan (possible alterna...

Today we will drive along the remainder of the Quilotoa Loop and head north to the village of Rio Verde near the famous Tungurahua volcano. In Rio Verde we will stay at a well-equipped campsite with great facilities. Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours About Rio Verde: A few kilometres from Banos, is the small town of Rio Verde, named after the clear green water of the river that flows through the town. A number of waterfalls are found along its course, the most spectacular being The Devil’s Cauldron (‘El Pailon del Diablo’), a 20-minute walk out of town. Whilst staying here, you will have the opportunity to take part in optional adventure activities like as horse-riding, canyoning, mountain biking and rafting, as well as making the short trip into Banos to visit the thermal springs.

We will have two full days of free time for a range of activities in Rio Verde, such as white-water rafting, trekking, canyoning, cycling, and other options. We will also have the opportuinty to visit the nearby town of Banos and its popular volcanic thermal springs. Activity Approximate Cost Visit the volcanic thermal springs in the town of Banos, a very popular spot with the locals USD 3 Explore the stunning gorges, forests, and landscapes of the Banos area by foot, possibly trekking the Machay River trail or visiting the nearby waterfalls of Pailon del Diablo and Machay USD Take the famous zip-lining course through the Puntzan Canyon near Banos, flying through the forest canopy and past several waterfalls USD 20 Go out on a half day rock climbing trip to the walls of natural lava rock just outside Banos, which have route...

Today we drive to the edge of the Amazon basin near the town of Tena, where we head to our jungle lodge for an incredible 3-night stay. In the Amazon Jungle we will stay in a comfortable rainforest lodge with meals included. Estimated Drive Time - 4 hours

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. Activity Approximate Cost Spend 3 nights at our fantastic Ecuadorian rainforest lodge, taking in many activities such as boat trips on the Napo River, visits to local Quichua communities and treks through the jungle to some spectacular waterfalls and bat caves! Included in Kitty

Today we will drive back up into the highlands and arrive at the Ecuadorian capital, Quito. In Quito we will stay in a friendly local hotel in the 'New Town'. Estimated Drive Time - 4 hours. Activity Approximate Cost Visit the Museo Nacional del Banco Central, showcasing the country’s largest collection of Ecuadorian art and housing an impressive gold collection USD 2 About Quito: Quito has a more relaxed atmosphere than most Latin American capitals. Lying in a hollow at the base of Volcano Pichincha, the old town is a maze of steep, cobbled streets with intricately carved, overhanging balconies. Its mixture of old colonial and modern architecture and the mix of European and Indian cultures make this a really fascinating city. Wandering around, you will come across stalls displaying Indian textiles, colourful wall hangings,...

Border Information: if finishing in Quito, you will most likely exit Ecuador at Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport. Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Quito, and a free day to explore the city. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight. Activity Approximate Cost Visit one of the countless art galleries in Quito, such as the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana or the Museo Guayasamín USD 6 Visit the monument to mark the Equator at Mitad del Mundo USD 3 Take a trip on Quito's Telerifico to the top of the Cruz Loma mountain, getting breathtaking views over the city from a height of 4,270m USD 8.5 Visit the excellent Museo de la Ciudad, housed in Quito's oldest building, which explores the history of everyday life from pre-Colombian times all the way up until the present day US...