Backbone of the Inca Empire

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
4.5 Based on 2 Reviews
  • duration 79 days
  • tour type Group
  • age requirement 18-99 yrs
  • max group size 26
  • guiding method Fully guided
  • Tour Code BM-28442
  • Footprint Carbonneutral CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
  • Operated in English
  • Starts/Ends Cartagena, Colombia/ Santiago, Chile
HIGHLIGHTS
  • 2 nights in vibrant Cartagena
  • 2 Nights in the stunning Caribbean beach national park of Tayrona
  • 3 nights to explore the infamous streets of Medellin
  • Explore the region of Salento and visit a coffee finca
  • Guided trek through spectacular Cocora Valley
  • 2 night stay in the historic colonial city of Popayan
  • Photograph the iconic church bridge of Ipiales
  • Visit the equator monument en-route to Quito
  • Full day coffee experience and plantation tour
  • 3 night stay in a community run eco lodge to explore the Amazon Jungle
  • Show more
The Backbone of the Inca Empire tour starts in Cartagena and ends in Santiago. The Backbone of the Inca Empire is an adventure tour that takes 79 days taking you from Cartagena to Santiago and through other destinations in South America.

This 79 day trip is the true Andean experience, as it journeys the length of the Andes, with the magnificent high plateau of Bolivia, the Altiplano. Along the way will be plenty of opportunity for trekking, either with other travellers along the Inca Trail, or away from the hordes on our Wild Andes Trek. Further north around the town of Huaraz, is the Cordillera Blanca, with some of Peru's most spectacular trekking trails, and in Ecuador we have some wonderful trails around spectacular lakes.


But there is more to this trip than mountains and walking, and we head into the Ecuadorian Amazon Jungle as well as to some beautiful tropical landscapes on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Perhaps Colombia is the jewel of the whole trip, with its beautiful ancient colonial cities, towns and churches and its charming people.


It contrasts the historic cities of La Paz and Salta with the cosmopolitan centres of Mendoza and Santiago, capital of Chile. It offers a wonderful insight into the life and culture of the Argentinean Gauchos as we spend a couple of days exploring the cordilleras with gauchos on their horses at a working Estancia.

ITINERARY Expand All
Select Tour Version:
  • Day 1: Day 1: Cartagena
  • Day 2: Day 2: Cartagena
  • Day 3: Day 3: Tayrona NP
  • Day 4: Day 4: Tayrona NP
  • Day 5: Day 5: Lorica
  • Day 6: Day 6: Lorica
  • Day 7: Day 7: Medellin
  • Day 8: Day 8: Medellin
  • Day 9: Day 9: Medellin
  • Day 10: Day 10: Manizales
  • Day 11: Day 11: Salento
  • Day 12: Day 12: Salento
  • Day 13: Day 13: Salento
  • Day 14: Day 14: Popayan
  • Day 15: Day 15: Popayan
  • Day 16: Day 16: Ipiales
  • Day 17: Day 17: Otavalo
  • Day 18: Day 18: Quito
  • Day 19: Day 19: Quito
  • Day 20: Day 20: Ecuadorian Amazon
  • Day 21: Day 21: Ecuadorian Amazon
  • Day 22: Day 22: Ecuadorian Amazon
  • Day 23: Day 23: Rio Verde
  • Day 24: Day 24: Rio Verde
  • Day 25: Day 25: Rio Verde
  • Day 26: Day 26: Chugchilán
  • Day 27: Day 27: Chugchilán
  • Day 28: Day 28: Cuenca
  • Day 29: Day 29: Cuenca
  • Day 30: Day 30: Punta Sal
  • Day 31: Day 31: Punta Sal
  • Day 32: Day 32: Huanchaco
  • Day 33: Day 33: Huanchaco
  • Day 34: Day 34: Huaraz
  • Day 35: Day 35: Huaraz
  • Day 36: Day 36: Huaraz
  • Day 37: Day 37: Lima
  • Day 38: Day 38: Lima
  • Day 39: Day 39: Huacachina
  • Day 40: Day 40: Nazca
  • Day 41: Day 41: Puerto Inca
  • Day 42: Day 42: Arequipa
  • Day 43: Day 43: Arequipa
  • Day 44: Day 44: Chivay
  • Day 45: Day 45: Chivay
  • Day 46: Day 46: Raqchi
  • Day 47: Day 47: Cuzco
  • Day 48: Day 48: Cuzco
  • Day 49: Day 49: Inca Trail
  • Day 50: Day 50: Inca Trail
  • Day 51: Day 51: Inca Trail
  • Day 52: Day 52: Inca Trail
  • Day 53: Day 53: Cuzco
  • Day 54: Day 54: Cuzco
  • Day 55: Day 55: Puno
  • Day 56: Day 56: Isla del Sol
  • Day 57: Day 57: Copacabana
  • Day 58: Day 58: La Paz
  • Day 59: Day 59: La Paz
  • Day 60: Day 60: La Paz
  • Day 61: Day 61: Uyuni
  • Day 62: Day 62: Uyuni
  • Day 63: Day 63: Altiplano
  • Day 64: Day 64: San Pedro de Atacama
  • Day 65: Day 65: San Pedro de Atacama
  • Day 66: Day 66: Salta
  • Day 67: Day 67: Salta
  • Day 68: Day 68: Cafayate
  • Day 69: Day 69: Cafayate
  • Day 70: Day 70: Recreo
  • Day 71: Day 71: Estancia
  • Day 72: Day 72: Estancia
  • Day 73: Day 73: Estancia
  • Day 74: Day 74: Cordoba
  • Day 75: Day 75: Mendoza
  • Day 76: Day 76: Mendoza
  • Day 77: Day 77: Santiago
  • Day 78: Day 78: Santiago
  • Day 79: Day 79: Santiago
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Transport
  • Overland Expedition Vehicle, Jeep, Boat, Private Bus, Train
Guide
  • Two Dragoman Crew Members, Local Guides where necessary
Accommodation
  • Comfortable Hotel 15 nights
  • Hammocks 2 nights
  • Basic Hotel 19 nights
  • Multishare Hostel 18 nights
  • Camping 16 nights
  • Guesthouse 2 nights
  • Homestay 1 night
  • Wild Camp 5 nights
Meals
  • 148 Breakfasts
  • 68 Lunches
  • 58 Dinners
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Any international flights to Cartagena and from Santiago are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
  • Travel insurance is not included in this Backbone of the Inca Empire tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. World Nomads' travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.5 - Excellent
Based on 2 reviews
  • Jonathan P
  • On Apr 29 2019
5 - Excellent
Excellent
A really great trip with an excellent leader and driver.
  • Rania Kouatli H
  • On Apr 29 2019
4 - Very Good
Very Good
I loved the tour , the places we wisited also the accommodations.
Why Book with Bookmundi
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
Excellent
4.65 Average 674 Reviews
GOOD TO KNOW
CANCELLATION

1

Local Payment The local payment is a group fund, paid separately from the trip price on the first day of the tour. It covers everything that the group does together on the ground. This is primarily hotel accommodation and campsite fees, meals whilst camping (but not while eating in restaurants), and included activities and puts money directly back to the local community. The local payment, or kitty system, is unique to overlanding tours and provides maximum flexibility and best value on the road - you can see exactly what is being paid for, you get everything at cost price, it keeps costs competitive by leveraging group expenses and saves on administrative costs. The fund is run by the tour guide, and any excess left over at the end is returned equally to the group. Local prices are estimated in USD when we print the brochure then reviewed monthly as local costs and exchange rates vary throughout the year. It's therefore important once you book your trip to check the website regularly and just before departure for any changes to the amount.

NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
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