Alaska to Panama
A SOUTH AMERICAN ADVENTURE FROM THE STEAMY AMAZON JUNGLE TO THE ICY ANTARCTIC OCEAN TO THE WORLD’S BIGGEST PARTY – RIO CARNIVAL!
20.5 WEEKS = £2245 + £745 Local Payment (LP)
Expedition start and end dates
Start Cartagena 29 Sep 2008 - End Rio
de Janeiro 20 Feb 2009
Start Rio de Janeiro 27 Feb 2009 - End Cartagena
17 Jul 2009
Overview
COLOMBIA - ECUADOR - PERU - BOLIVIA - CHILE - ARGENTINA - URUGUAY - PARAGUAY - BRAZIL
If you have a love of the outdoors and a passion for culture then this is definitely the expedition for you!
From cycling the cobbled streets of Cartagena to trekking through the steamy Amazon jungle, from the magnificence of Machu Pichu to the cultural capital of Buenos Aires and from the glacier-filled waters of Patagonia to the greatest show on earth at Rio Carnaval, this is the trip that goes in depth into South America!
Click here to see a detailed route map with highlights
You can also download the route map as a PDF
Highlights
- Cartagena
- Amazon Jungle
- Machu Picchu
- Atacama Desert
- Carretera Austral
- Moreno Glacier
- Ushuaia
- Valdes Peninsula
- Foz do Iguacu
- Pantanal
- Rio Carnival
What's Included (and What's Not)
We of course realise that not everyone is going to visit every ruin, raft every river and hike every trail along the way so we have left most of these activities as optional and therefore kept the expedition payment to a minimum.
Included
- Services of your expedition leader/ driver
- Use of expedition vehicle and equipment
- Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to our truck
- An average of two meals a day while camping (usually breakfast and dinner)
- All camping and hotel costs
- Compulsory ferry tickets
- All entry fees to National Parks that we visit in the truck as a group
Not Included
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal spending money
- Visas
- Border taxes
- Lunch
- Meals while in hotels
- Entrance fees to optional sites and parks
- Any optional activities
- Any unforseen contingency route expenses
- Any flights
- Tents
Optional Extras
Proposed Itinerary
Our proposed itinerary is here to give you a rough idea of where we will be going and what we will be doing during our expedition. This itinerary is the ideal route we would like to take providing all political and environmental situations are acceptable during the time of our travels. Obviously things can change and we may have to take an alternative route at some stage which is easily achieved in South America.
For those of you travelling from Brazil to Colombia the following itinerary will be the same but in reverse.
Week 1 & 2 Colombia
We meet our truck at the port of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast.
Legendary for both it's outstanding beauty and fascinating history,
this town really is a living museum of colonial Spanish architecture
and is well worth a few days exploration.
We now move South to the vibrant and modern city of Medellin where
we have the chance to mingle with the friendly locals and enjoy the
magnificent nightlife.
Further south we reach Cali, also a wonderful city and the launch pad
for anyone wanting to visit the enchanting island of Gorgona, a unique
natural wonder which is home to some diverse wildlife found nowhere
else on earth.
A spectacular and challenging road now leads us on to a perfectly preserved
pearl of colonial architecture known as the White City, Popayan. This
is a laid-back town where kicking back in a sidewalk café or
trekking to the thermal hot springs is a great way to pass the day.
A twisting turning road now takes us south to Ecuador.
Week 3 & 4 Ecuador
Slightly north of the equator our first stop in Ecuador is the colourful
market town of Otavalo where traders flock to from as far away as Colombia
to ware their goods. Everything and anything can be found here including
wonderful traditional crafts.
The lively city of Quito is next offering us sumptuous cuisine and
great nightlife.
Dropping out of the Andes we enter pristine Amazon jungle where you
have the option to partake in an Amazon Jungle excursion. Those who
opt for the jungle trip will be staying at the beautiful Shangri-la
Lodge with commanding views of the rainforests and river systems. Tubing,
bat-caving and waterfall climbing are interesting day outings from
here or just lazing in a hammock enjoying the view is acceptable. Those
who opt not to take the jungle excursion can enjoy the regions activities
such as kayaking and hiking from our base in the small jungle town
of Tena.
Further up the road we reach Banos, a great little town alive with
adventurous excursions. Horse riding, canyoning, mountain biking, rafting
and kicking back in the hot springs are all on offer here. You also
have the option to ride atop the famous train that takes you through
the spectacular switchbacks of the Devils Nose.
The colonial air of the town Cuenca is our well preserved last stop
in Ecuador. Try the succulent Cuy (roasted guinea pig), it's fantastic!
Week 5, 6 & 7 Peru
The northern beaches of Peru are our first stop with great fishing
and wonderful water sports.
Continuing south we camp in the desert on our way to the famous Peruvian
Chan Chan ruins. These vast and unusually decorated crumbling ruins
of the imperial city of the Chimu domains make it the largest adobe
city in the world. This area also boasts fascinating pyramids and temples
well worth a day's exploration.
We continue on to Lima for a taste of bustling city life and a look
into Peru's history in the fabulous museums.
A little further south we visit the National Marine Reserve of Paracas.
From here you can boat out to the Ballestas Islands which are home
to thousands of seabirds and hundreds of sea-lions.
The mysterious Nasca Lines are our next attraction where an exhilarating
flight reveals pictures of whales, monkeys, spiders and even spacemen.
Made by stones laid out on the desert floor these pictures still baffle
archaeologists as to how they were made without having the benefit
of aerial supervision.
The mummified remains of ancient tribesmen also litter the area and
back down on the coast we visit Cusco's pre-Columbian port, Puerto
Inca. This excellent site is in good condition and the beach camping
is great.
We now climb up into the Andes and spend a couple of days in the charming
city of Arequipa (2500m). Besides giving ourselves time to acclimatise
the town boasts beautiful churches and plazas, mouth-watering cuisine
and lively markets.
Continuing upwards into the heart of the Andes we reach the small town
of Chivay, where you have the option to go Condor viewing in one of
the deepest canyons in the world. Condors ride the early morning thermals
and fly by at eye level giving us great photo opportunities. For those
of you who do not visit the condors you have the option to relax in
Chivay's therapeutic hotsprings.
A rough track now takes us through tiny villages and awesome high altitude
scenery before we emerge into the ancient Inca capital of Cusco. This
tourist Mecca is abuzz with energy and it's beautiful squares, plentiful
nightlife and wonderful restaurants make it a great place to explore
and live it up a little!
It is also from here that you will start one of your greatest optional
excursions, the Inca Trail. This exhilarating 4 day walk lives up to
it's reputation and ends at one of the world's most beautiful sites,
Machu Pichu.
Our final stop in Peru is at the sacred Lake Titicaca. This is the
world's highest navigable body of water and the lakes islands offer
overnight stays with the native islanders where it is possible to catch
a glimpse of their traditional lifestyle.
Week 8 & 9 Bolivia And A Taste Of Argentina
A short drive across the border brings us to the attractive town of
Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This town is an intriguing
first stop in Bolivia with lively markets selling cheap wares.
La Paz, the highest capital city in the world, is our next impressive
stop lying at the bottom of a huge canyon and surrounded by mountains.
The city also boasts the worlds highest golf course and ski slopes
for the sporty ones to have a go at. The city itself is a lively place
with nearly every inch of street space taken up by native women in
bowler hats and voluminous skirts squatted down selling everything
from fake designer labels to coca leaves. There is even a witches market
where you can find dried llama fetuses for fertility spells, magical
love potions and an array of other weird and wonderful stuff. This
city will leave you reeling!
Moving on, the colonial masterpiece that is Sucre is a great place
to wander around and soak up the lively student town atmosphere.
A little further on is another gem of a town named Potosi. This is
the highest city in the world at over 4000m, and was once the wealthiest
city in the world due to it's prolific silver mines. The mines still
operate and you can take a tour into their depths through a series
of tunnels and shafts. At the end of the tour you can even buy dynamite
and have a go at your own excavation.
We continue on to Uyuni where you have the option to visit the areas
large salt flats in a 4x4 jeep.
Travelling on we reach Tupiza. The drive through flowing river beds
and deep red canyons gives the area a distinctly wild-west feel where
horse riding, mountain biking and hiking are popular day trips.
Argentina
Crossing into Argentina we drop out of the altitude and reach the
town of Salta. This welcome taste of civilisation gives you the opportunity
to sample a world famous Argentinian steak as well as a fine red wine.
The more adventurous have the chance to go rafting or horse riding
on an Argentinian Estancia. Dirt tracks skirting salt flats and volcanoes
now lead us over the Andes and into Chile.
Week 10 & 11 Chile
We drop steeply out of the Andes into our first Chilean town of San
Pedro de Atacama, located in the world's driest desert. This dusty
frontier town is straight out of a spaghetti western and the relatively
low altitude brings a welcome change in weather.
Desert meets ocean and we follow a coastal route taking in magnificent
scenery with great beach camps. Here we can buy seafood straight from
the fishing boats and enjoy the stunning beaches of Pan de Azucar N.P.
from where boat trips are on offer to explore the rich sea-life of
otters, seals, sea lions and birds.
The Atacama Desert is said to have the clearest skies in the world
and a night of star gazing here is definately in order.
The lively modern beach town of La Serena is a pleasant stop en-route
to the capital, Santiago. The city's tree lined streets and wonderful
architecture create a serene atmosphere but dig a little deeper and
you discover a vibrant social scene. Huge coffee bars, tiny rock bars,
sumptuous cuisine at restaurants like the 'Fat Cow' and streets crammed
full with late night dance clubs all make Santiago unforgettable.
A days drive away we find the Swiss-style town of Pucon located on
the beautiful Lake Villarica amongst pine clad valleys. The town is
an absolute treat with plenty of water sports, horse riding and volcano
treks on offer.
Heading west we cross over mountains covered with Monkey Puzzle Trees
into Argentina.
Week 12 Argentina
This area is a particularly scenic part of the country and your journey
to the ski town of Bariloche will be enjoyed admiring the wild countryside
of pine forests, turquoise lakes and bubbling brooks.
In Bariloche itself we have a day or so to wander the streets of this
quaint town and sample the famous chocolate.
We venture south to Los Alerces NP and enjoy the striking beauty of
the region by camping near a lakes edge. Hikers - this is paradise!
Week 13 Chile
We now cross back into Chile and start the beginning of an awesome
journey along the Camino Austral, an area likened to Alaska and New
Zealand's south island. Futaleufu is our first stop here and is a world-class
destination for fishing, kayaking and white-water rafting and actually
boasts having the world's most dangerous river.
Our route south is a wild domain of steep-sided fjords, rushing rivers,
evergreen forests, creeping glaciers and high volcanic peaks. The town
of Coihaque is our friendly base for a couple of days allowing time
to explore the areas attractions, including the amazing San Rafael
Glacier reached only by boat or airplane.
Settlements now become few and far apart as we bush camp our way south,
around the gorgeous shores of Lago General Carrera and back into Argentina.
Week 14, 15 & 16 Argentina And Chile
We are now in Patagonia, land of the raging winds. Our next stop is
at the Los Glaciares N.P., an area famous for it's incredible hiking
trails around Mt.Fitz Roy, glacier trekking on Perito Moreno and breathtaking
boat excursions through the glacial waterways. Nestled into these extreme
landscapes are the small villages of El Chalten and El Calafate, both
great places to relax and enjoy a hot meal.
Across the border again we visit Chile's Torres del Payne N.P. Our
idyllic campsite next to a turquoise glacial lake affords us great
views of the jagged mountain peaks towering skywards. The hiking is
once again stunning and a great way to see guanaco up close.
We now cross the Magellan Strait and enter Tierra del Fuego, largely
a land of windswept bleakness but harbouring some fantastic little
treasures. The charming town of Ushuaia, dramatically located between
huge mountains and the icy Beagle Channel, is our base for exploring
the regions trekking, kayaking, fishing, boat cruising and of course,
great bars and restaurants. This is also the closest land point to
Antarctica and is commonly referred to as The End Of The World.
Back on the mainland we now start our journey north through the most
barren and windswept landscape that you will probably ever encounter.
Good river and surf fishing abounds but that is about all until we
reach the Valdes Peninsula, one of the planets most significant marine
reserves. This area is home to thousands upon thousands of sea lions,
elephant seals and penguins. Preying upon all these are the magnificent
orcas and their beach attacks are a spectacle not to be missed.
Hugging the Atlantic coastline we continue north up to the Argentinian
capital, Buenos Aires. If you are not a city person, this is probably
the city that will change your mind. Glorious architecture, wide tree-lined
streets and open-air Tango shows are but a few of the city's attributes.
Culturally, this is the place to be with exquisite restaurants, interesting
museums and fabulous music concerts. Whatever your heart desires you
will find it in Buenos Aires!
Week 17 Uruguay
We now cross into a country that is one of South Americas best kept
secrets, Uruguay. The broad cobbled streets of the historic Colonia
del Sacramento is a world away from the busy streets of Buenos Aires
and is a relaxing first stop here.
Further east we reach the capital Montevideo, a pleasant city with
a great food market where you can enjoy all the South American seafood
and meats prepared by butchers and fishermen in the heart of a market
frenzy.
The beaches of Punta del Este are our next stop and are amongst the
best on the continent.
The thermal pools of Salto are our final destination here before returning
to Argentina.
Week 18 & 19 Argentina, Brazil And Paraguay
We now enter a vast system of wetlands known as the Esteros del Ibera
where we get to experience close-up observation of wildlife such as
caiman, capybara, marsh deer, howler monkeys, boas, the rare maned
wolf and over 300 species of birds.
The road north takes us close to the Rio Parana and scattered Jesuit
Mission ruins which we can explore at our leisure.
Our next stop is at the Argentinian side of the Foz do Iguacu where
you can explore the famous and powerful waterfalls. They are one of
the world's natural wonders, more than 3 km wide and 80m high with
275 falls plunging and crashing off a series of tiers, making them
the most beautiful falls in the world. Power boating around the falls
is a must if you don't mind getting wet.
Just across the border we now visit the Brazilian side of Foz do Iguacu,
from here you can get a completely different perspective of the waterfalls
and where a helicopter ride can give you an amazing birds eye view.
We also get our first taste of Brazilian food and dancing here before
crossing the border into Paraguay.
We move eastwards through lush scenery to reach the lively capital
of Asuncion, blissfully located on the banks of the Rio Paraguay. The
city is full of bustling markets selling everything from cheap electronic
equipment to ladies underwear and also boasts some wonderful museums
and intricate architecture.
From here we continue north via lazy river towns and impressive geological
formations to reach the towns of Concepcion and Pedro Juan Caballero
from where we have the opportunity to visit Cerro Cora N.P. This park
protects dry tropical forest and savanna grasslands in a landscape
of steep, isolated hills rising above the central plateau and offers
superb walks.
We now return to Brazil.
Week 20 & 21 Brazil
Continuing north we reach the eco-tourism boom town of Bonito situated
on the edge of the Pantanal. From here we can snorkel down one of the
world's clearest rivers coming face to face with numerous large fish
species and even caiman. Subterranean cave diving is also a popular
activity in this area.
From Bonito you now have the option of visiting the Pantanal in 4x4
jeeps. This is a region of plentiful wildlife, few people and no towns.
Days are easily whiled away game viewing and piranha fishing, and occasional
confrontations with anaconda and caiman will keep the adrenalin pumping.
We now head back to the coast, by-pass Sao Paulo and arrive at the
colonial village of Parati. Here the steep jungled mountains seem to
leap into a sea filled with hundreds of islands and jutting peninsulas.
Mobile one-man bars wander the cobbled streets mixing up caipirinhas
to cool down weary travellers returning from the islands. The place
is quite simply idyllic!
A couple of days relaxing in Parati puts us in good stead for the non-stop
party we are about to attend in Rio de Janeiro. The city is absolutely
effervescent and the atmosphere is contagious. Days can be enjoyed
on the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana and wild nights are spent
dancing away at the Sambodrome.
Pao de Acucar and Cristo Redentor offer unparalleled views of what
is known locally as the Marvellous City and makes a fitting final destination
for an incredible journey from Mexico to Rio!
