55 days from £17,800 pp Rain forest, Incas, Ice, trekking, wine and wildlife. Remote luxury to bustling cities
Ultimate South America Sabbatical
Day 1 – 4 Arrive into Lima; the foodie capital. Rest and relax in a boutique hotel before meeting your private guide to explore this beautiful colonial city. Witness Barranco street art, museums, night visit to Huaca Pucclana, take a gastronomy tour and build in time to wonder on foot to soak up the city. Eat at the world’s number 1 restaurant.
Day 5-8 The Amazon. For nature and wildlife lovers the Amazon is paradise. Stay in eco wildlife lodges and spend days wildlife spotting on walks and boat trips looking out for Caiman, howler monkeys, red bellied Macaws, Anacondas, Turtles and rare birds. Have an expert guide throughout.
Days 9- 14 A change of scenery, get your trekking boots on for incredible outdoor activities. Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, a region of Inca cultures and ancient archaeological sites. See the Mara Salt mines, the Moray site, traditional Misminay communities and learn about traditional Andean life and customs. See the Ollantaytambo ruins, enjoy cooking and tasting a traditional Pachamanca lunch and of course soak up every minute of Machu Picchu. We suggest doing it differently, away from the crowds taking a point to point trek and experiencing more serene views.
Days 15 – 18 A couple of days at Lake Titicaca with its vibrant blues and colourful cultures before our first border crossing to Bolivia. La Paz is a perfect place to start your Bolivia adventure, with no need to rush your guide will show you the real city. Cable cars, markets, mountain views, churches… do things better and slower.
Days 19 – 22 Experience stark and beautiful Bolivia in Uyuni and the Salt Flats. Giant Cactus, breathtaking sunsets, Volcanoes…this is the Boliva you have travelled this far to see. Away from the masses, take in the vast bright white salt flats like nowhere else on earth.
Days 23 – 27 A stunning road crossing into Chile for your next country adventure. Spend quality time in the Atacama Desert at a slower pace taking in the highlights and hidden secrets. Flamingo Lagoons, Volcanoes, Moon Valley on bike or horseback, strange salt formations and bright red rocks surround you. Have remote picnic lunches and wine at the top of lakes, enjoy star gazing and hiking, and make sure to include sunbathing downtime in one of our favourite boutique hotels.
Day 28 – 31 The ultimate trip of contrasts, leave the red rocks and dry heat and head to the lush green beautify of the Lake District, Chile. Your guide will take you to rapids, waterfalls, try fishing, cycling, gentle or challenging walks – your days here are all bespoke.
Days 32 – 34 A cultural highlight; explore Chiloe Island, full of myths, legends and amazing people. Brightly coloured houses pepper the shore and mix in some wildlife time visiting a penguin colony where you may spot Cormorants and Sea Otters.
Days 35 – 42 Now Patagonia awaits, the land of ice and beauty. Your days in this stunning part of Chile include boat trips to Glaciers in Balmaceda and Serrano, epic hikes in Torres Del Paine (ranging in lengths and difficulty, bespoke to your fitness levels) the awe inspiring Perito Morena Glacier for ice trekking and wildlife spotting. Slow down your pace, enjoying gourmet food, fine wines and downtime in eco yurts or luxury lodges. Ushuaia and Tierra Del Fuego National Park wait for us, avoiding the crowds in this untouched wilderness. Choose kayaking, forest trails, and visit a traditional estancia ranch.
Days 43 – 46 We reach Argentina’s capital, the vibrant and addictive Buenos Airies. Get under the skin with and without your guide, explore local markets, street food, tango shows, local art, fashionable Palermo, elegant Recoleta and the parts of the city you’d otherwise miss. Be sure to try a delicious steak with Malbec.
Days 47 – 50 Thunderous Mother Nature at her best; Iguazu Falls. We cover both the Argentina and then Brazil side of the falls, getting as close as you can to hear and feel the mighty water. Opt to upgrade for some luxury at The Belmond where you have private access to the falls away from the coaches, for a truly memorable peaceful unique experience.
Days 51 – 55 Your epic South America sabbatical comes to a close in style, in Rio De Janeiro. Time on the beach, city tours with your guide, a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain and of course Christ the Redeemer. No need to rush your time here; try street foodie highlights, fine dining restaurants, nearby hidden beaches…soak up the atmosphere and culture of the amazing city.