Inca Empire
Overview
Highlights
- Stroll through Quito's quaint streets
- Experience the wilds of the Amazon Jungle
- Try the range of adventure sports in Banos
- Discover the colonial charm of Lima
- Camp out on the challenging Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Go wild in the markets of La Paz
- Travel through the scenic Salar de Uyuni
- Quaff Malbec in a Mendoza vineyard
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Trip includes
- Included activities are listed in the day-to-day itinerary
- all other activities are optional and at your own expense
- If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary
- the cost will not be refunded
Popular Trips
Itinerary
Kick off this Latin American adventure exploring the Old Town’s cobblestone streets or head to a funky bar in Quito's modern New Town.
Learn the secrets of the Amazon rainforest and the medicinal uses of plants on a local-guided tour of the jungle.
With 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.
Wander cobblestone streets and admire the red-tiled roofs, flower markets and plazas of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Cross the border into Peru and spend a free day relaxing on Zorritos beach, surfing or taking an optional boat tour through the mangrove swamps.
Visit the colorful local market of Chiclayo or perhaps visit the Sipan museum, a very informative piece on what's been called the most important recent achaeological discovery in Peru.
Explore the historic city of Trujillo.
Wander the well-preserved historical centre of Peru's capital, Lima.
Head to the Plaza de Armas for some tasty local cuisine or a Pisco sour - Peru's national drink made from a type of brandy.
Opt to visit the Ballestas Islands, a famed wildlife haven, before heading to the Nazca lines to discover ancient mummies and mysterious colossal etchings.
Journey to Arequipa and see why it's nicknamed the 'White City'.
Enjoy a free day in Arequipa before taking an overnight bus to Cusco.
Founded by the Incas then taken by the Spaniards, Cuzco is the South American continent's oldest continuously inhabited city. Get a feel for this city, arguably one of the most attractive in Peru, on a guided orientation walk through its winding lane ways. In spare ti...
Explore the terraced Sacred Valley filled with Inca ruins, colourful markets and scenic villages.
Walk through dense cloud forests and past ancient ruins on an awe-inspiring Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu.
Relax in a cafe back in Cuzco or hit the mountain tracks on a daring bike ride.
Stop 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.
Travel 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.
Start the Latin American adventure in sky-high La Paz. Look for magic potions in the Witches' Market or head to the Coca Museum to learn about the plant that is still an essential part of life in Bolivia.
Travel from La Paz to Sucre and peruse a bejewelled painting at the Museo de la Catedral, compare footprints with those of a dinosaur at Cal Orck'o or head to Recoleta, an old convent at the top of a hill from where you will be able to see why Sucre is regarded as Bolivia's most beautiful city.
Learn about the bleak past of what was once the world's richest city.
Discover the gleaming salt flats, cactus-studded islands, multicoloured lakes and abundant wildlife of the surreal Salar de Uyuni.
Leave behind the mesmerising salt flats of Uyuni and make tracks to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. Located in the Atacama Desert, this oasis town has low-lying adobe buildings lining narrow streets. It's a charming town, to say the least, and a great place see mummies and various Indian artefacts.
Cross the border between Bolivia and Argentina and delve into the pre-Columbian and colonial history of one of Argentina's most splendid towns, Salta. Need a thrill? Optional bungee jumping and horseriding can be easily arranged. After a few days here, you'll have no doubt why the Argentineans affectionately call this city 'Salta the Pretty'.
Visit bountiful, sun-kissed vineyards and lock lips with some Malbec - Mendoza's premier wine. Winter travellers will delight in the nearby ski resorts, though Mendoza is a treat all year round. To give a little back, choose to visit Brazos Abiertos, a community project that supports local underprivileged children and mothers.
Travel across the spectacular Andes and arrive in the bustling capital of Chile, Santiago. At the centre is the Plaza de Armas, home to the cathedral. For a serene look at Chilean life, visit Barrio Bella Vista - a cluster of cafes and galleries affectionately referred to as the 'Paris Quarter'. It is here that the Bolivia and Argentina exploration comes to an end.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.
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.
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Meals
17 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 7 Dinners
Style descriptions
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.
Alternate Finish point
- For trips departing on the following dates, use this finish point.
- 06 Nov 2015 (GGRGC1511062), 20 Nov 2015 (GGRGC1511202), 04 Dec 2015 (GGRGC1512042)
- Happy House Hostel
- Moneda 1829
- Barrio Brasil
- Santiago
- CHILE
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