Cartagena to Cuzco
Overview
Highlights
- Spot penguins and boobies on the Ballestas Islands
- Spot Andean condors in the Colca Canyon
- Travel to Medellin and learn about Colombia's chequered past
- Walk through colourful textile markets
- Wander the cobbled streets of Ecuador's colourful Quito
- Discover the origins of the Panama hat
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Itinerary
Wander Cartagena's Old Town expecting to get lost. After all, the city was designed to outwit marauding pirates. With a labyrinthine of cobblestone alleyways and gorgeous colonial dwellings draped in bougainvillea, never before has getting lost been so pleasant.
Take a ferry across the Rio Magdalena to the historic town of Mompos.
Travel back across Rio Magdalena to Lorica.
Travel to Medellin, a city on the upswing, and make yourself at home among the myriad museums and vibrant local nightlife on offer. Perhaps venture out to the charming markets and quaint plazas of provincial Santa Fe de Antioquia.
Surrounded by rolling hills and a winding river network, the town of Guatape makes for a peaceful and scenic waterside retreat. Browse the stalls on the board walk, or climb the granite monolith of El Penon de Guatape for commanding views across the countryside.
Journey into the heart of Colombia's coffee country for a three-night stay at a traditional hacienda. Learn about the coffee making process on a plantation tour before sampling the region's famous beans at a city cafe.
Welcome to Cali – Colombia's unabashed party capital. Salsa the night away on a bar-hopping adventure through the city's hippest clubs, or relax plaza-side at one of the cafes of the bohemian San Antonio neighbourhood. If you'd like to brush up on your salsa sass, this is the place for a lesson.
Discover the whitewashed buildings and cordial vibe of Popayan's Old Town. Perhaps head out on a day trip to the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Purace National Park.
Explore the town of Ipiales and its impressive Santuario de Las Lajas – an ornate cathedral snuggled into a tight river gorge. Upheld as the site of many miracles and apparitions, its a hidden highlight of this magical country.
Journey across the spectacular high plateaus and deep ravines that characterise Colombia's border country into Otavalo, Ecuador. Peruse the array of bright textiles and colourful crafts on display at the town's famous indigenous markets.
Enjoy some free time in Ecuador's enthralling capital, Quito. Pop into the ornate churches of the Old Town for a dose of history, and dine out at one of the local eateries lining the plaza.
Enjoy some time exploring the upper Amazon Basin, one of the world's foremost hot spots of biological diversity. Trek deep into the jungle, witness caiman lounging on the shores and fall asleep to the nocturnal stirrings of the forest.
Camp in the lush Tungurahua Province and explore nearby Banos, famous for its hot springs and mountainous surrounds. In this stunning environment, optional activities abound - from horse riding to mountain biking and even whitewater rafting.
Witness spectacular views while driving along the winding Quilotoa Loop. Stretch the legs on a guided trek through stunning wilderness, before bunking down at the town of Chugchilan.
Travel to the beautifully preserved colonial city of Cuenca. Perhaps pick up an original version of the Panama hat on a visit to the local factory or just meander about the Old Town, admiring its quaint streets and shady plazas.
Nestled in a long bay on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Punta Sal is a haven of sun, surf and sand. Why not try your hand at some deep-sea fishing, saddle-up for a horse ride or book in for a salsa lesson.
Visit the Royal Tombs Museum to discover the amazing artefacts from the nearby archaeological site at Sipan. Pitch a tent at Huanchaco, home to the surfing fishermen, and watch these skilfull men bobbing among the waves while balancing on their narrow reed canoes. Spe...
Discover the colonial heart of downtown Lima or perhaps head to scenic Miraflores for a walk along the seafront boardwalks.
Leave the city behind and travel south along the coast of Peru. Pitch a tent in Paracas, which spans over 335,000 hectares and is one of the world's most important marine reserves. Take a walk along the coastline and spot the vibrant birdlife Paracas is famous for.
Spot penguins, sea lions and boobies during a boat tour through the Ballestas Islands. Learn about the mysterious sand images on a Nazca Lines tour and perhaps take an overhead flight to fully appreciate the scale of this puzzling creation.
The windswept graves at the Chauchilla Cemetery display the eerie skeletons and mummified bodies of the Nazca people, some of which date from 1,000 AD. Camp overnight near Puerto Inca.
Explore the scenic city of Arequipa and perhaps stop by the Museo Santury to view Juanita, the ice princess. The body of this frozen Inca maiden is thought to be more than 500 years old, and was found at a sacrificial site on the summit of Nevado Ampato.
Try to spot the mighty Andean condors as they silently take to the sky thousands of metres above the floor of the breathtaking Colca Canyon.
Get to know a local family as guests at a homestay in Raqchi. Spend the evening huddled around a crackling fire, sharing a meal, and discovering traditional Peruvian song and dance.
Arrive in the city set high city in the mountains of Peru, Cuzco. Wander through cobblestone streets lined with massive Inca stone walls and Spanish-colonial architecture. Perhaps enjoy a traditional dance performance or sign up for one of the many adventure activities on offer in Cuzco, including quad-biking and whitewater rafting.
Follow in the footsteps of the Incas on an alternate Inca trail trek through the Andes. Go trekking through the snow-capped Cordillera Urubamba mountains, along winding mountain paths, past herds of grazing llamas. Meet local Quechua communities during the four-day hike before descending into the Sacred Valley to explore the massive Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo.
Explore the crumbling ruins of Peru's most frequented attraction, Machu Picchu, the 'lost Inca city'. Why not find a spot near the Sun Gate to sit back and soak up the magical atmosphere.
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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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If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.
Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.
Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.
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Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.
Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.
Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.
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Our Basix style trips are designed for travellers who want exceptional value, plenty of free time and having the flexibility to choose where and how their time and money is spent. By working plenty of free time into the itineraries and keeping many of the activities optional, we aim to make travel possible for those on even the most slender of budgets. After all, why pay for an activity or excursion you wouldn’t otherwise be interested in? Or a level of comfort you don’t require? As a wise person probably once said, a bed's just a bed when there's exploring to be done.
Finish point
- Hotel Cahuide
- Saphi 845
- Cuzco
- PERU
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