Santiago to Cusco Overlander - 32 Days

32 days
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Kicking off in Santiago, this epic South American overland adventure takes you to the surreal Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats, the desert landscapes of the Atacama and the islands of Lake Titicaca, before ending with trekking options to visit the spectacular citadel of Machu Picchu.
$3,537
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Overview

Trip type
Operator does not provide
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Cusco and the Sacred Valley – explore the enchanting Inca capital and discover the Inca ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo
    • Machu Picchu - trek the classic Inca Trail, the Wild Andes Trek or take the train to this spectacular Inca citadel
    • Lake Titicaca - visit the floating islands of Uros and spend a night on Isla del Sol with a scenic trek across the island
    • La Paz - sightsee in the highest administrative capital in the world
    • Uyuni - explore the incredible salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni
    • Altiplano - take an unforgettable journey across the wilds of the Altiplano, a spectacular desolate desert landscape dotted vividly coloured lakes
    • Atacama desert - marvel at the famous El Tatio Geysers, visit the Valley of the Moon at sunset and go stargazing
    • Salta - independently explore this charming town in the foothills of the Andes
    • Estancia stay - spend three nights at a unique cattle ranch in Argentina, learn all about being a gaucho and go horseriding
    • Mendoza - visit Argentina's wine capital at the foot of the Andes mountains and opt to explore vineyards in the region

What's this trip about?

    Kicking off in Santiago, this epic South American overland adventure takes you to the surreal Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats, the desert landscapes of the Atacama and the islands of Lake Titicaca, before ending with trekking options to visit the spectacular citadel of Machu Picchu.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Destinations

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Trip includes

    • Choice of the unique Wild Andes Trek, the classic Inca Trail Trek or the train journey to visit Machu Picchu.
    • Option 1 - Wild Andes Trek - 31 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 11 dinners. 15 nights simple hotels & 9 nights camping (including 4 nights wild camping) and 7 nights multishare hostels
    • Option 2 - Inca Trail Trek - 31 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 11 dinners. 14 nights simple hotels & 10 nights camping (including 5 nights wild camping) and 7 nights multishare hostels
    • Option 3 - Machu Picchu by Train - 31 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 7 dinners. 17 nights simple hotels, 7 nights multishare hostels and 7 nights camping (including 2 nights wild camping)
    • Lake Titicaca - Boat trip to the Uros Floating Islands and boat trip to Isla Del Sol with a hike across the island
    • Guided tour of the Sacred Valley
    • Guided tour of Machu Picchu
    • All camping fees and appropriate equipment.
    • Services of 2 crew (Drivers/Tour Leaders) and local guides along the way.
    • Spend 3 nights at a traditional estancia (ranch) with gauchos
    • Visit the impressive rock formations of 'El Amphiteatro' and 'La Garganta del Diablo'.
    • Visit the ancient ruins of the indigenous city of Quilmes en route.
    • Visit the incredible Moon Valley and the El tatio geysers in the mountains above the Atacama desert
    • Day trip on the surreal Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats including the Uyuni train graveyard
    • Transportation in an overland expedition vehicle, in addition to 4x4, private bus and train

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Itinerary

Day : 1-2 Santiago

Welcome to Chile! Make your own way to our centrally located joining hostel. Tonight at 6pm we have an important group meeting where you will get the chance to meet others in your group and the crew. Day 2 is free to explore this fascinating city and partake in the optional activities available.

Day : 3-4 Mendoza

Santiago - Mendoza (Argentina). Heading into Argentina on day 3 we pass Aconcagua (highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere) and across the Cristo Redentor pass up in the high Andes as we head to Mendoza, Argentina's wine capital. Day 4 is free for us to explore the region at leisure. Our accommodation in Mendoza is a centrally located hostel.

Day : 5 Cordoba

Mendoza - Cordoba. This morning we have an early start and after breakfast continue our drive to the lively university city of Cordoba, located at the heart of the Argentinian sierras. This evening is free to explore and soak up Cordoba's vibrant atmosphere or enjoy its excellent nightlife.

Day : 6-8 Gaucho Ranch

Cordoba - Estancia. We drive to a unique Anglo-Argentine Estancia, or cattle ranch on day 6, where we stay for the next three nights at a camp near the main house. This Estancia is a working ranch farming prized Argentinian Aberdeen Angus cattle and has been in the sa...

Day : 9 Tafi del Valle

Estancia - Tafi del Valle. Today we will drive north across the lush flat pampas and start climbing into the drier mountains and onto Tafi del Valle, nestled in the valleys of the Sierra del Aconquija. We'll set up camp in a basic campsite for the night.

Day : 10-11 Cafayate

Tafi del Valle - Cafayate. Today we will have an included visit to the ancient ruins of the indigenous city of Quilmes en route, then arrive in the serene town of Cafayate. This small unassuming town is the centre of one of Argentina's principal wine producing regions...

Day : 12-13 Salta

Cafayate - Salta. Departing Cafayate we drive through the incredible rock formations of the Quebrada de las Conchas en route to Salta on day 12. Day 13 is at leisure to explore Salta. Salta has a number of interesting museums and stunning surrounding hills which are g...

Day : 14-15 San Pedro de Atacama

Salta - San Pedro de Atacama (Chile). It is a long drive day across the mighty Andes as we depart Argentina at the Paso Jamo border and cross into Chile on day 14 towards our destination for the evening - San Pedro de Atacama.

Day : 16 The Altiplano

San Pedro de Atacama - Altiplano. In the morning we depart our hostel and continue our journey to the desert oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. We make our first stop for plenty of photographs and enjoy lunch at the famous El Tatio Geysers, which are the world’s high...

Day : 17 Uyuni / Salar De Uyuni Region

Altiplano - Uyuni. Today we drive south to Uyuni, the gateway to the incredible salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni. We spend the night in a friendly hotel, famous for serving the highest pizzas in the world!

Day : 18 Uyuni / Salar De Uyuni Region

Today we spend a full day exploring the incredible landscape of the Salar de Uyuni by jeep and on foot. Stretching for 12,000 square kilometres, the blinding white crystals of the salt flats reflect the sky perfectly, making the horizon disappear. We visit the nearby ...

Day : 19-21 La Paz

Uyuni - La Paz. Today we will leave Cochabamba and drive north to La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of government and the highest administrative capital in the world. The next two days are free to explore the city or take part in optional activities. Why not explore the famous ...

Day : 22 Copacabana

La Paz - Copacabana (Lake Titicaca). Today we will head to the picturesque town of Copacabana, which is set on the shores of Lake Titicaca and has a small whitewashed square which is home to a pleasant Moorish-style cathedral. At sunset there is no better place to be than sat at one of the many simple local fish restaurants on the shoreline, watching the sun slip down behind the horizon.

Day : 23 Isla del Sol

Copacabana - Isla del Sol. This morning we take a boat out to the stunning island of Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca, where we spend the night at a basic local hotel. Isla del Sol is one of the holiest sites in ancient Inca mythology and supposedly the birthplace of the...

Day : 24 Lake Titicaca (Peru)

Copacabana - Puno (Peru). Today we will take a boat back to Copacabana, and then cross the border into Peru and head to the lakeside town of Puno. Located on the shores of Lake Titicaca in the south eastern region of Peru the small town of Puno is a melting pot of Aym...

Day : 25-26 Cusco

Puno - Cusco. On day 25 we leave Puno and head through the highlands of Peru to the former Inca capital of Cusco. The following day is free to explore Cusco, discover its many historical gems, or take part in a number of optional activities near the city. A good p...

Day : 27 Sacred Valley

The next four days will be spent either trekking in the Andes, on our pioneering Wild Andes Trek, on the Classic Inca Trail Trek or for those not wishing to hike, free time to explore and a guided tour of the Sacred Valley on our Train package. For more information pl...

Day : 28 Wild Andes / Inca Trail

Option 1 - Wild Andes Trek Zurite - Amaruwatana. After breakfast we start trekking towards Qenteqentiyoc (the Hummingbird Temple), then continue along an ancient path to the top of our first pass at 4,400 metres, where we enjoy amazing views of the Vilcabamba and Vil...

Day : 29 Wild Andes / Inca Trail

Option 1 - Wild Andes Trek Amaruwatana - Ancascocha. We have an early start to trek for 2 hours to the top of our second pass at 4,700 metres, where we have fantastic views of the surrounding rock formations and the chance to spot Andean wildlife such as eagles, cara...

Day : 30 Wild Andes / Inca Trail

Option 1 - Wild Andes Trek Ancascocha - Ollantaytambo. Descending through the Silque Canyon, we reach the Camicancha area and stop at a magnificent viewpoint looking towards snow-capped Mount Veronica. From here it’s only a short trek to Chilca, where our trail ends,...

Day : 31 Machu Picchu

Option 1 - Wild Andes Trek & Option 3 - Train Package Ollantyatambo - Machu Picchu - Cusco. Today we take an incredibly scenic train journey to the town of Aguas Calientes. From here we board a local bus that winds up the mountainside to Machu Picchu, the awe ins...

Day : 32 Cusco

Arrangements end after breakfast and hotel check out today.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,620
Price per day$82
Last Updated: 6/24/2020

This trip operates in reverse. Please refer to the Trip Notes below the tour dates for details. Departure dates noted with a 'G' are guaranteed to operate. All other departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. Prices shown above are per person travelling. These overland trips are designed for shared accommodation, whether camping or staying in hotels or hostels, and therefore do not involve a single supplement. Hostels are nearly always multi-share and may be mixed gender and many hotel rooms in South America are triple/quad-share. Whilst the crew will do their best to accommodate couples travelling together in twin rooms, all our travellers should expect to stay in multi-share accommodation when staying in hostels.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with On The Go Tours.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Items of a personal nature, additional meals and drinks
    • International flights and visas
    • Tipping – an entirely personal gesture
    • Sleeping bag and roll mat - please bring your own for camping
    • Local payment - $1880pp, paid in USD

Accommodation

Simple hotels, camping and multishare hostels
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Minimum age 12, no maximum. Anyone 70 and over to complete our Tour Suitability Form
Additional Information
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Trip ID
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