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- Day 1 - 5 Leaving the old colonial city of Quito, just 22 km south of the equator, we drive east on narrow and tortuous roads over the cordilleras and down to the steamy edge of the Amazon Basin. Passing through lush tropical forest we reach El Coca on the Rio Napo. From here we take a boat to a jungle lodge, where for the next three days we take treks into the jungle accompanied by experienced guides. You can also try your hand at fishing for Piranha and finding the target with a blowpipe.
- Day 6 - 10 Leaving El Coca we continue along the Amazon Basin and then finally climbing up to Baños. Perched high above the western limit of the Amazon basin, Baños is a spa town where the Ecuadorians go to relax in the thermal baths. You can also ride the white water rapids and hike and mountain bike the various mountain trails to two nearby waterfalls and an impressive rocky canyon.
After two nights in Baños we hit the road again and drive south along the spine of the Andes towards Cuenca. On the way, at the town of Alausi, we have the opportunity to take the hair-raising ride down to the 'Devils Nose' by train before continuing on the truck to Cuenca.
Cuenca is a quaint town with many good examples of colonial architecture using locally quarried marble. We have a free day here.
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Day 11 - 12 A long days drive on the Pan American Highway brings us to the border with Peru. You will notice an amazing transition in one day, from the good farming country of highland Ecuador, through subtropical forest and immense banana plantations, to the dry barren desert in Peru. Passing through small oasis towns we follow the Pacific coast south and camp on the beach.
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Day 13 - 21 Our next stop is Chan Chan, the imperial citadel of the pre-Inca Chimu kings which the Incas later conquered. It claims to be the largest mud brick city in the world. We also visit the nearby Moche Temples of The Sun and The Moon.
Continuing with the Andes close to the left and the sea near on our right, we may have to drive through shifting sand dunes, on our way to Lima. It is not necessary to spend much time in Lima as we pass through on our way to Paracas National Reserve on the Peruvian Coast, where there is the opportunity to take a boat to the Ballestas Islands, with its high concentration of seabirds and sea lions.
Next is one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries, the Nazca Lines. These huge figures and shapes, carved into the stony desert are best viewed from the air. Thought to have been made from three different groups of people going back more than two thousand years, there are many different theories and books about what they signify and why they are there.
Still heading south on the Pan America Highway we pass Peurta Inca. This was the port for Cuzco. The site is in excellent condition and you can also make out the 240 kilometre Inca Road that went from the coast to Cuzco. We will camp on the beach here and relax for a day or two. A short walk from the camp is an old burial ground where you can still view human remains. Soon after this we leave the coastal highway and begin climbing back into the towering Andes.
We spend a day or two in Arequipa allowing time to wander around its "Plaza De Armas". On the north side is the Cathedral, now missing a spire since the recent earthquake. Of particular interest is the Juanita museum housing the remarkably preserved body, of a girl sacrificed on a nearby mountain and discovered intact after several hundred years being frozen in the ice. Our next night is spent camping at Chivay hot springs. An early start the next morning ensures our arrival at Colca Canyon, arguably the deepest in the world, for a chance to see the condors soaring lazily on the thermals rising from the canyon floor. In the background is the huge smoking mass of one of the world's most active volcanoes.
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Day 22 - 30 We now have to face some arduous climbs and punishing dirt roads, freezing cold at nights but with clear sunny days, we bounce along for two days passing herds of llama and alpaca and unspoilt Andean villages with ancient terraced fields on our way to Cuzco.
Widely considered to be the most interesting city in South America, Cuzco also has the sacred valley of the Inca a few miles away. We will spend about a week here. This will allow time for the four day hike along the Inca Trail to the lost city of Machu Picchu. For the less energetic there is a train which snakes its way up to this highlight.
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Day 31 - 35 Bordering Peru and Bolivia is lake Titicaca. The world's highest navigable lake at 3820 metres it is also home to the Uros Indians who have built their homes on reed islands. We will have the chance to cross the lake to visit them.
A drive around the lake brings us to Bolivia, where the first town we visit is Copacabana. Nestling on the shores of Titicaca, it is a friendly place and much calmer than the hustle and bustle of Peru. From here we can visit the islands of the sun and the moon, where legend has it that the Incas were created.
From Copacabana it is only a short drive to La Paz, the highest capital city in the world. Built on a steep slope, which falls away from the Altiplano, the top of the city is about 2000 feet above the bottom part. Unusually, all the rich suburbs are at the bottom. This is because the air is thicker with oxygen lower down. La Paz is a great place to visit a 'pena', clubs dedicated to live Andean folk music.
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Day 36 - 38 Leaving La Paz we cross the Altiplano. It seems unnatural to have such a vast expanse of flatness so high up. Here the Aymara and Quechua Indians scrape a living from their small plots of land in the harsh climate. One of the common crops grown is the potato, which originates on this continent. The women retain their original bright costume and many wear bowler hats.
Our next stop is Potosi. At over 4000 metres it is the highest city in the world and 400 years ago it was the richest city in all of the Americas. Vast amounts of silver were extracted from Potosi and shipped to Spain. We will tour one of the mines and it is still clear to see that unfortunately, working conditions here have hardly improved over the centuries. In the local markets you can buy sticks of dynamite along with coca leaves and sweets! The history and past colonial splendour make Potosi a fascinating place to visit. A visit to Casa National de Monda (National Money House and ancient mint) provides a good look into Potosi's and Bolivia's past.
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Day 39 - 44 Leaving the bleak Altiplano we cross the shimmering white Uyuni Salt Lake. With no roads and only vague tracks to follow on the salt, we drive towards Chile. Surrounded by dozens of volcanic peaks we pass through the most spectacular scenery Bolivia has to offer. Crossing the roughest terrain we have yet encountered, we visit remote lakes, home to the rare Jame's flamingo, including Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde situated at over 5000m above sea level. Along the way is a geyser field with mud pots bubbling up through the earth's crust.
Finally the rough track ends and we turn onto a smooth tarmac road. We have crossed into Chile. Descending over 2500m in 40km we arrive at the immigration post at San Pedro de Atacama and spend some days exploring this interesting village, including the near by Valley of the Moon.
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Day 45 - 56 Leaving San Pedro, we now enter the Atacama Desert. We can stop at Calama to visit the vast open cast copper mine with its equally vast machinery.
Heading south through the desert that may only see rain once in a hundred years, we rejoin the Pan American Highway following the Pacific coast stopping at some beach resorts including La Serena, one of Chile's most fashionable resorts.
After a few days relaxing here, a day's drive brings us to Santiago and a chance to go to the cinema amongst other city life activities.
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Day 57 - 61 Heading south from Santiago, passing through Chile's wine growing region, we reach Pucon in the Chilean Lake District. Here we can climb the Villarrica Volcano which threatens to obliterate the town below with its next major eruption. An exhausting steep climb to the top allows you to peer down into the core and see the mass of activity of the bubbling hot lava below. The hike back down is fun filled with the use of 'snow slides' for a quicker journey to the bottom. In Pucon, there is also the opportunity to go white water rafting, cycling or horse riding.
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Day 62 - 64 From Pucon we go further south through the Chilean lakes district stopping either at Lake Puyahue or some hot springs nearer to the border of Argentina. We then cross into Argentina and drive on to our destination Bariloche. This is South America's premier ski resort reminiscent of Switzerland with prices to match! Among the temptations on offer include succulent steaks and luxury chocolates. Day 65 - 68 Reluctantly leaving Bariloche we continue through the Lake District Region with its spectacular National Parks, until we arrive in Esquel, which is the last major town before isolated Patagonia. Some long drives are required to cross the vastness of Patagonia, sparsely populated, and home to the tough Goucho cowboys. Our reward is the parque nacional los glaciares with the incredible Moreno Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers left in the world. This breathtaking site stands 60 metres high and six kilometers wide, creaking and groaning as it moves forward, huge slabs of ice tear away to crash into the water below. This massive wall of ice divides an arm of the Lago Argentino effectively damming it. Every few years the ice dam can no longer support the rising water, explodes under the pressure and collapses.
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Day 69 - 73 A short drive takes us back into Chile where our next destination is the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park. We have 4 or 5 days to take some treks around the park, visit the grey Glacier, or try some Horse-riding.
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Day 74 - 82 A ferry ride is needed to take us to the furthest point south on the continent to Tierra Del Fuego, or the land of fire. There is a boat ride in the Beagle Channel we can take and a visit to the nearby Ushuaia national park
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Day 83 - 91 We have now traversed Patagonia to the South Atlantic coast where we visit some marine wildlife reserves including the Valdes Peninsula. These are breeding grounds for sea mammals including Killer-whales, sea lions and Elephant seals.
Heading north we continue to Buenos Airies the lively cosmopolitan capital of Argentina. We have some free time here where you could possibly take a boat across to Uruguay, or just sit back and enjoy a drink with live tango dancing and street performers to entertain you.
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Day 92 - 98 Continuing across the Pampas, Argentina's vast agricultural heartland, we take a detour to Carlos Pelegrine, a protected wetland area. A boat trip enables us to spot Cappiburras, giant guinea pigs, Caiman, a small alligator, and numerous species of birds. Continuing north we enter Paraguay, once notorious for harbouring some less salubrious immigrants after World War II. Hundreds of years earlier this was home to Jesuit missionaries whose buildings remain for us to visit, most notably in Trinidad. The pace of life is more laid back and takes the pressure off the budget after high living Argentina.
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Day 99 - 105 Crossing the Friendship Bridge to Brazil to the awesome Iguaza Falls, shared between Brazil and Argentina we can spend a few days here perhaps taking a helicopter flight over the worlds biggest waterfall. You can also return to Argentina for an alternative view of the falls.
Continuing through Brazil to the tropical coast we have time to relax on some beaches including Parati, an old pirate haunt and take a yacht cruise around the bay before our ultimate destination, the frenetic Rio for 'Carnaval'.
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Day 106 - 109 The next few days of this tour will be spent in Rio to sample the hedonistic delights of Carnival. The party goes on around the clock for 5 days, with local carnivals in the streets, and the main extravaganza at the sambadrome where the top samba schools compete to be champion. There are also the white sandy Copacabana and Ipanema beaches to relax on or a visit to Sugarloaf Mountain by cablecar to consider, and of course the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer towers over Rio giving the best vantagepoint to see the whole city beneath.
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Day 110 - 117 We head north from Rio, climbing steeply away from the coast, to Ouro Preto, a beautifully preserved colonial town with cobbled streets and many baroque churches. This was the Capital of the 18th century gold mining boom and still is an important centre for gemstones. There is a mining school and museum to visit and many examples of the work of Brazil's most famous sculptor, Aleijadinho, adorn the facades of the churches.
Descending to the coast again at Vitoria, we start to amble up the coastline visiting the beaches and port towns of Porto Seguro, llheus, and Itacare. The latter is a centre for water-based adventure sports such as rafting and canoeing.
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Day 118 - 120 Located on the mouth of the Bay of Todos os Santos, Salvador is in a magnificent setting with pristine sandy beaches stretching north and south. Founded in 1549, this was Portugal's first permanent foothold in Brazil and heavily influenced by African culture in it's music, religion, dance and cuisine because of imported slaves from other Portuguese colonies. Here you can observe a performance of the graceful Capoeira, a cross between martial arts and dancing, or you can go to a Candomble ceremony, which is a popular local religious cult. The nightlife is vibrant with samba bands roaming the cobbled streets and after a few Caipirinhas, Brazils national drink, you might like to join them.
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Day 121 - 126 The next few days are spent exploring Chapada Diamantina National Park from the small colonial town of Lencois. The area is a spectacular region of mountains, waterfalls, grottos and streams where you can hike to remote caves and swim in natural pools. Brazil's highest waterfall is here, the Cachoeira Glass, a small stream that tumbles 384 metres to become a fine mist resembling swirling smoke.
Brasilia, a world cultural heritage site is next. This was the 20th Centuries first newly built Capital City forged into the centre of Brazil from nothing and a monument to modern planning and architecture.
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Day 127 -133 After a drive through the Soya bean farm belt we arrive at a vast swamp bigger than France, The Pantanal. Here we can go horseriding or take boat trips through the swampland to view the wildlife including, Caiman, Anacondas, Iguanas, and Cappiburras, a giant guinea pig like creature. There are also cats such as, Ocelot, Jaguars, and Cougars. There are also over 250 species of birds including Macaws, Toucans, Parrots, Herons, and Storks.
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Day 134 - 140 A good road skirts the Amazon up to Porto Velho where the road runs out as the Trans Amazon Highway is no longer passable. We have to take a riverboat for several days up the Rio Madeira, a tributary of the Amazon River to our destination Manaus. This is no luxury cruise and we need to carry all our supplies and purchase a Hammock to sleep in on deck. Plenty of time to watch the Amazon Jungle drift by.
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Day 141 - 145 We disembark at Manaus, once the centre of the rubber boom with an Opera House to Symbolise its wealth. It is now an energetic Duty Free Zone manufacturing electronics and other consumer goodies. It is at the hub of the Amazon Tributaries and a starting point for Amazon jungle tours. There is the option to take a tour for 3 days into the jungle accompanied by local guides to explain the local fauna and flora, as well as fishing for Piranha.
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Day 146 -148 The next stage from Manaus could be the toughest, depending on how much rain there has been. Part of the way is dirt road, which can turn into mudholes and trenches, but there is no alternative but to battle through. This area up to Boa Vista and onwards to the Venezuelan border is the frontier of the struggle between progress, the destruction of the rainforest for timber, gold extraction, and the plight of the Yanomami Indians.
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Days 149 - 152 We leave Brazil now and cross the border into Venezuela at Santa Helena. We head through the Gran Sabana, surrounded by table topped mountains, one of which is Mount Roaima. This is the isolated setting for Conan Doyle's Lost World, and we have the freedom to camp at waterfalls with crystal clear streams as we traverse the unspoilt grasslands.
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Days 153 - 156 We arrive at Cuidad Bolivar, originally named Angostura, and where the Bitters originated. The name was changed to honour Simon Bolivar, the great liberator, who made his base here. It is a very pleasant city where there is a number of options to fly into Canaima National Park via the World Famous Angel Falls. American, Jimmy Angel discovered these Falls when he crash landed his plane at the top. Canaima National Park has a base set around a lagoon, into which nearby waterfalls cascade. Boat trips are available to cross the lagoon and visit or even climb behind the waterfalls.
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Day. 157 - 159 Tucupita is the next destination from where we can organise a 2 day trip into the Orinoco Delta by canoe. The Delta has been formed over millions of years as the Orinoco river spread it's silt into the sea. This action has formed a region of mangrove swamps, jungle and tropical forests covering 40,000 sq km. The Warao people live on the river in stilt houses following a traditional lifestyle. Canoes form the backbone of their society, and are their only means of transport and communication.
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Day 160 - 163 The warm emerald Caribbean sea beckons next, and we visit some of the best locations for snorkelling and scuba diving in Mochima National Park. Relaxing on the beach is the prime objective for most.
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Day 164 - 168 The immense Plains of Los Llanos covers nearly a third of the country and is its premier wildlife viewing experience. This is cowboy country with vast cattle ranches, but during the dry season a large variety of game can be spotted around the water holes.
We may have time to visit further beaches to the west of Caracas, for example, Henri Pittier National Park otherwise it is straight to the glass plate metropolis of Caracas which marks the end of the tour.
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