Days 1-2 QuitoArrive in Quito, Ecuador's multifaceted capital. Kick off the Latin American adventure exploring cobblestone streets in the Old Town or head to a funky bar in Quito's modern area. Days 3-4 Amazon JungleLearn the secrets of the Amazon rainforest and the medicinal uses of plants on a local-guided tour of the jungle. Days 5-7 BanosWith two free days in Banos, you might want to watch sunrise from the thermal springs or experience an adrenaline rush high in the Ecuadorian Andes - whitewater rafting, anyone? Banos has long been a favourite place to travel in Ecuador and it's not hard to see why. Days 8-9 CuencaWander cobblestone streets and admire the red-tiled roofs, flower markets and plazas of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Days 10-11 MancoraCross the border from Ecuador to Peru and spend a free day relaxing on Mancora beach, surfing or taking an optional boat tour through the mangrove swamps to search out local birdlife. Day 12-13 HuanchacoTravel through the Sechura Desert to see the 'surfing' fishermen of Huanchaco. Explore the historical city of Trujillo. Days 14-15 LimaWander the well-preserved historical centre of Peru's capital, Lima. Day 16 PiscoHead to the Plaza de Armas for some tasty local cuisine or a Pisco sour - Peru's national drink made from a type of brandy. Days 17-18 NazcaOpt to visit the Ballestas Islands, a famed wildlife haven, before heading to the Nazca lines to discover ancient mummies and mysterious colossal etchings. Days 19-22 Arequipa/Colca CanyonJourney to Arequipa and see why it's nicknamed the 'White City', then head deep into the Andes to witness the Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons. Days 23-24 Cuzco/Sacred Valley/OllantaytamboMake tracks to charismatic Cuzco, the gateway to adventure travel in Peru. Shop at the colourful San Pedro market in Cuzco, travel through the Sacred Valley and visit a local community - perhaps picking up some Quechua lingo. Stop in at Ollantaytambo, where houses have been built over an ancient Inca town. Days 25-28 Inca Trail/Machu Picchu/CuzcoWalk through dense cloud forests and past ancient ruins on an awe-inspiring Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. Day 29 CuzcoRelax in a cafe back in Cuzco or hit the mountain tracks on a daring bike ride. Days 30-32 Puno/Lake TiticacaStop in at Puno, the folklore capital of Peru. Take a boat tour of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, and experience local life at a homestay. Day 33 CopacabanaCross the border from Peru to Copacabana in Bolivia where you have the option to hire a pedal boat, visit the Island of the Sun or hike to the top of Cerro Calvario and watch the sunset over town. Days 34-36 La PazTravel to Bolivia's eclectic capital La Paz. Browse the Witches' Market for everything from woolly hats and alpaca gloves to potions and incantations to cure any ailment. Celebrate the end of the Peru and Ecuador Adventure with a night on the tiles.
|
