RIO TO CARTAGENA (19 WEEKS) KINGDOMS & CARNIVALS

Rio de Janeiro, famous for its Carnival and ability to party at any time, is our starting point. Christ the Redeemer, landmark on the top of Corcovado Mountain has been named one of the 'Seven New Wonders of the World.' Nicknamed 'Cidade Maravilhosa', or the 'marvellous city' it lives up to its name on many levels. With over 50 kms of white and golden sand beaches and South America's largest urban forest and legalised 'street art' there is a lot to see.

Carnival celebrations are always chaotic, crowded and fun and a must during any stint of travel to Brazil! Our trips from Rio start after Carnival and we have accommodation packages available along with Sambadrome tickets if you would like to arrive early to take part in this epic event along with other people in your group.

Leaving Rio we head to the coastal village of Parati. This unspoilt and picturesque town has remained fundamentally unaltered for three centuries. Cars have been banned from its cobbled streets that run down to the seashore, instead mountain bikes are used and are a good way to get around. Another great way to explore the secluded islands of this pristine coastline is taking a sailing trip in one of the traditional schooners.

We then begin our travel through Brazil in earnest as we head inland and journey on to the Pantanal.

We have a couple of days in the Pantanal region, an immense wetland area, in fact the largest inland wetland in the world. Here we can organise guided treks and horse rides out into the grasslands and waterways which are home to over 600 species of birds and 350 kinds of fish, piranha being common, as well as an abundance of reptiles and animals.  Keep your eyes open for howler monkeys, giant otters, caiman, capybara and beautiful macaws. Try your hand at Piranha fishing too!

Next stop is Bonito, an ecotourism base for exploring the stunning surrounding forests, waterfalls, lakes and caves. The area is most well known for its exceptionally clear rivers and lakes and we have the opportunity to swim and snorkel amongst the fish life in these pristine waters. Look out for monkeys, alligators and anaconda on walks in the mountainous forests or explore sunlit sinkholes and caves dripping with stalagmites and stalactites.

We enjoy a wild camp on our way to the incredible Iguazu Falls which form the natural border between Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. Higher than Niagara and wider than Victoria Falls, they are an awe-inspiring place to spend the next three days. The lush tropical forest surrounding the falls has many walking trails leading to smaller hidden falls, ideal to refresh from the steaming heat and abounding with parrots, toucans, woodpeckers and colourful plants. Here you can also undertake a number of optional activities such as whitewater rafting, helicopter flights and mountain bike riding.

From here we travel west, crossing the border into Paraguay and journeying to the country's capital, Asuncion. Fewer tourists come here than Rio or Buenos Aires and the city is great to explore with plenty of bars, cafes, plazas, museums, art galleries and interesting architecture on offer.

Our next stop is Trinidad, home to two of the most well preserved Jesuit Missions in South America. Now UNESCO World Heritage sites, the missions here were founded in the 17th century with the aim of converting the local Guarani people to Catholicism. An optional excursion will take you out to one of the missions where you can explore the ruins and learn about their history and the relationship between the Jesuits and the Guaranis.

After crossing the border into  Uruguay, we visit the city of Salto and the nearby Termas del Dayman hot springs before returning to the coast at Punta del Este. Located on the tip of a peninsular, this modern city has some beautiful beaches, the famous ‘La Mano’ hand) sculpture and an interesting port to wander around with its fish market and cafes.

Montevideo is Uruguay’s capital and we have a couple of nights here to explore the colonial and art deco buildings of the old town, visit a theatre or an art museum or try some traditional Uruguayan dishes at the Mercado del Puerto.

Next stop is  Colonia del Sacramento, a small picturesque town on the banks of the Rio de la Plata founded in the 17th century. The historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a wealth of beautiful old buildings and cobblestone, tree-lined streets and plazas to explore with colonial houses, the Basilica del Santisimo Sacramento, the restored city gate and drawbridge and the more recent 19th century lighthouse with views over the old town.

Across the immense Rio de la Plata is  Argentina, our destination as we leave Uruguay and travel to Argentina’s famous capital, Buenos Aires.

Renowned for its steaks, fine wines, tango dancing, ice cream and great nightlife!  A few days in this smart cosmopolitan city and you could be forgiven for thinking you were back in Europe, albeit with a distinct South American feel.

Leaving the buzzing city of Buenos Aires, we head south to traverse the vast Pampas grasslands, South America's cowboy country, where gun-toting gauchos on horseback look after vast herds of cattle. Following the Atlantic coast of Patagonia, we stop in Puerto Madryn which was the landing place over a century ago for the first group of Welsh settlers that subsequently colonised and now farm the surrounding area. You have the option to visit one of the marine sanctuaries in this region where we might see Penguins, Sea Lions, Sea Elephants, Sea Birds and maybe even Whales.

We continue south towards the wild and hauntingly beautiful land at worlds end, the island of Tierra del Fuego. We cross by ferry and visit the most southerly town in the world Ushuaia, from where we can view the green waters of the Beagle Channel and the surrounding snow clad peaks.

We have a few days here, and boat trips on the Beagle Channel and to Penguin Island are available as well as hiking trips to the Emerald Lagoon or the Vinciguerra Glacier. For those not feeling so active, a fun and scenic vintage steam train ride is available on the Fuegian Railway into the Tierra del Fuego National Park.

Continuing our journey in Patagonia, we cross back into Chile and after passing Parque Pinguino Rey, we arrive at the coast at Puerto Natales. We base ourselves here for several days particularly for visits to Torres del Paine National Park, another area of outstanding beauty where huge granite cliffs dominate the landscape. A good way to explore the area is either hiking or by horseback. Here there is also the option to complete the famous W-Trek as an Add on), and we allow 4 full days for people to complete this trek. Please note that spaces on the trek are subject to availability. For those who do not want to complete the W-Trek there are options of shorter day hikes in the park which do not need to be booked ahead and you are free to do as you choose once there. You could also take a boat trip to Magdalena Island, which hosts one of the largest colonies of Magellanic Penguins, exceeding 150,000. During the trip you may also spot Austral Dolphins and the distinct, black and white dolphins, Toninas.

From here we travel to Los Glaciares National Park, home to the largest glacier in the world. We have the option to take a boat ride up close to Perito Moreno Glacier, almost 200 ft high. Options are also available to take guided walks with crampons on top of the glacier, hikes in the surrounding mountains, and horse rides in nearby Estancias.

Heading north, we drive along the shore of Lago Viedma to El Chalten, where we have a few days to explore and enjoy the amazing scenery. El Chalten is rightly known as the trekking capital of Argentina, and there are many optional day hikes in the surrounding mountains, including up to the base camp of Mount Fitz Roy.

We’ll continue driving north to Hanging Glacier National Park. Weather permitting, you’ll be able to hike to see the spectacular sight of the glacier as it terminates at the end of a rocky mountain valley with a high sheer cliff, waterfall and lake beneath. Travelling through the mountains along parts of Chile’s famous Carretera Austral highway, we stop at Futaleufu, which sits at the confluence of the Futaleufu and Espolon river valleys, and has some of the very best river rafting in the world. Those inclined will have the chance to try this out, and enjoy the fast waters, regular rapids, and beautiful turquoise waters and surrounding mountain scenery.

Arriving in Bariloche, Argentina, this very popular holiday destination for Argentinians is the top ski resort on the continent and also has several hiking trails and a great nightlife. From here we travel to Pucon, Chile, an outdoors centre in its own right, and our base for the next few days from where it is possible to organise whitewater rafting, water sports, horse riding and one day hikes up nearby Villarrica Volcano. Travelling through small villages, alongside deep blue lakes with mountains towering above us, we wind through Chile's Lake District until we reach the country's capital Santiago, with its famous Chilean Steak houses and the Casillero del Diablo winery.

From Santiago, we travel north and head inland, climbing up to 2407 metres to reach the small town of San Pedro de Atacama. Here you can take a trip out to the Valley of the Moon to see it’s lunar-like landscapes or spend the evening stargazing in the desert.

Next, we leave Chile and cross into Bolivia, driving through the remote and incredible scenery of the Altiplano. This plateau is a vast area of salt flats, mountains, volcanos, lagoons and geysers at an average altitude of 3750 metres. Vicunas and flamingos can be spotted against the backdrop of stark peaks and brightly coloured lagoons. Our journey brings us to the shimmering white Uyuni Salt Lake, where it is possible to venture out onto the vast salt pan on a 1 day excursion. With no roads and only vague tracks to follow it makes for an unforgettable overland experience.

In many places in Bolivia you will notice differences to its neighbouring countries to the south, as paved roads become much rarer and many locals still follow tradition, wearing bright woollen clothes and bowler hats.

Continuing northeast we arrive in Potosi which at over 4000m is the highest city of its size in the world and 400 years ago it was the largest city in all the Americas. Vast amounts of silver were extracted from Potosi and shipped to Spain in years gone by. Some adventurous travellers choose to go down into one of these mines where mining techniques have remained unchanged for centuries, though if you are interested you should read up on safety concerns first. Visiting the ancient mint or having a tour around the Casa Nacional de Moneda Money House) also provides a good look into Potosi's and Bolivia's past.

A short drive then bring us to one of Bolivia’s most beautiful cities, Sucre. Known as the ‘4 Names City’ because of its long and varied history, the city is at a lower altitude than Potosi and enjoys a warmer and greener climate. The Cretaceous Park is well worth a visit, as you can see and learn about the thousands of remarkable dinosaur footprints discovered here, including the largest ever found, from a Titanosaur weighing over 70 tonnes!

We have a couple of day’s driving and an overnight bush camp across the barren landscape, where the Aymara and Quechua Indians scrape a living from their small plots of land in the harsh climate and paved roads are virtually non-existent. Finally we reach La Paz, the highest capital city in the world built on a steep slope that falls away from the Altiplano. It's a great place to visit a 'pena' club, where live bands entertain us with Andean folk music and perhaps buy some souvenirs in one of the authentic markets such as the witches market. It’s also well worth while exploring the city using the network of cable cars stretching up the hillsides.

Leaving La Paz we head to the shores of Lake Titicaca, crossing the border to Peru and heading to the town of Puno. a friendly, well-kept place and much calmer than the hustle and bustle of La Paz. Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake at 3800m and it is also the original home of the Uros Indians. By boat we visit floating reed islands during the day and then we go that one step beyond the average and spend the night with one of the Indian families on the lesser known islands Isla Amantani or Taquile. Spending some time in these local communities on a Peru tour will provide a unique opportunity to learn more about the traditional lifestyle of the Andean people and their customs.

Widely considered to be one of the most interesting cities for South America travel, our next stop Cusco is surrounded by the Sacred Valley of the Incas and offers a wide range of activities to explore the region. We will base ourselves here for 6 days giving us enough time for the Inca Trail trip and to visit Machu Picchu, which is regarded by many to be the highlight of their South America tour. There are several treks which you can take to Machu Picchu. These are all available as Optional Add Ons which you can add to your booking. When permits are still available, we will organise the Classic Trail trek for those booking the trek option, but great alternative Inca Trail treks, like the Lares or Salkantay can be arranged when the Classic is not available or by your choice be pre-arranged at time of booking). These alternatives mean that you still get to visit Machu Picchu.

If you do not want to trek, then you can remain in Cusco for a couple more free days, and then we offer an option to visit Machu Picchu by train instead. This must also be booked and paid for in advance. Tours to Machu Picchu are absolutely unbelievable; a trip to this City in the Clouds is an ancient and awe-inspiring part of our South America travel tour. Besides seeing Machu Picchu, you are able to enjoy the architectural uniqueness of Cusco and explore some of the colourful surrounding markets. Please note that for all those visiting Machu Picchu there is now the option to buy a ticket to go up the summit next to Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu. Tickets for this must be requested at the time of your booking with us, and payment made in advance in the UK.

Leaving Cusco, we have a high altitude drive as we continue west on our Peru tour, passing herds of llama, alpacas and unspoilt Andean villages. We begin dropping down out of the Andes and arrive in Arequipa, a beautiful colonial city set at the foot of the impressive El Misti Volcano. While we are in Arequipa you have the option of a one day excursion to one of the world's deepest canyons. Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon is an awesome spectacle. Here, if you get up early, Condors can be seen circling lazily on the thermals rising from the canyon floor.

We then camp on our way to one of the world's great archaeological mysteries and a Peru tour highlight, the Nazca Lines, with it's huge figures and shapes carved into the stony desert. We also visit Chauchilla Cemetery containing well-preserved mummies and ancient artefacts. Stopping in the Oasis town of Huacachina, there is the option for the adreneline rush of a dung-buggy ride across the enormous sand dunes! You can also try your hand at sandboarding down them, before a barbecue and night out under the stars in the desert. Following the Coastal Highway, the Ballestas Islands in the Paracas National Reserve is our next stop. Here you can take a boat trip to view this important marine reserve with one of the highest concentrations of rare and exotic sea birds and sea mammals.

Further up the coast is Peru's capital city, Lima. Here you will encounter both abundant wealth and grinding poverty and modern skyscrapers next to some of the finest museums and historical monuments in Latin America.

From Lima, we journey north along the coast towards Huanchaco and reach the Chan Chan ruins & the Temple of Sun and Moon. This is the imperial citadel of the pre-Inca Chimu Kings which the Incas later conquered - claimed to be the largest mud brick city in the world. Nearing the border with Ecuador we have a couple of relaxing days chilling by the beach at Punta Sal or Mancora before our tour of Peru comes to an end and we enter Ecuador.

You will see an almost immediate change from the dry, barren desert of Peru through sub-tropical forest to the fertile farming country of highland Ecuador. We will visit Cuenca on our way to the outdoors mecca of Banos, a spa town nestled at the foot of a volcano, where Ecuadorians go to relax in the thermal baths. On this stop of our overland Amazon trip you can hike, mountain bike or horse-ride to one of the surrounding waterfalls including El Pailon del Diablo. For the more adventurous there is the option to go canyoning down one of the many rivers in the area.

We descend to the lowlands and the steamy edge of the Amazon basin to the town of Tena, gateway to the Amazon jungle. Here, accompanied by experienced guides, we explore on foot and by motorised canoes this exotic environment for two days. There may also be the chance to go whitewater rafting on the rapids of the Rio Napo permitting).

We drive north and return to higher altitudes as we arrive in Ecuador’s richly historical capital, Quito. Here we have some free time to explore Quito’s old town, take a ride on the cable car for an awesome view or enjoy the city’s café culture.

From Quito, we cross the Equator and discover how Ecuador got its name before reaching the town of Otavalo, famous for its colourful crafts market. Next stop is Colombia and the Santuario De Las Lajas. This neo-Gothic church built on a stone bridge spanning a gorge is the main point of interest in our first stop, Ipiales. Depending on the time available, we may camp at either Ipiales or Pasto or continue to the beautiful colonial city of Popayan, nicknamed the White City. We make a small stop to admire the chalk white facades and take the opportunity to stock up on supplies before continuing our journey.

We travel west through Parque Purace on rough, unpaved roads, past the towering Purace Volcano and on the lookout for Condors. At San Augustin we can head out to the Archaeological Park, home to ancient carved volcanic stone figures and tombs, set in verdant mountain scenery. Dating from between the 1st and 8th centuries, you can wander amongst the ‘Forest of Statues’ numerous funerary monuments in a woodland setting or ceremonial water channels carved into the rock bed at Fuente De Lavapatas.

Continuing north we head into the mountains around Salento. With its cool climate, this is the heart of coffee growing country and we can take an optional visit to one of the coffee farms in the area.

After Salento there is an opportunity to visit Santa Fe De Antioquia by local bus, to visit this sleepy colonial town and its several art galleries, museums and colonial architecture. We arrive into the famous and lively town of Medellin, a great spot to get some tango or salsa lessons before trying out your moves at one of the local bars or clubs.

We head off to Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park where we can explore the trails and beaches set in deep bays shaded by coconut palms. Here we have the option to snorkel and possibly scuba dive in some of the bays widely regarded as some of South Americas loveliest coastline.

Our final drive takes us west for a quick dip in the Volcan De Lodo el Totumo volcano) before heading towards Cartagena.

An undoubted highlight of any trip to Colombia is Cartagena with its colonial past and UNESCO World Heritage status. The old city is an ideal place to just wander the maze of cobbled streets and alleys amongst churches, monasteries, plazas and bougainvillea draped balconies. Las Murallas, the thick walls built around the old city to protect it from pirates are wonderfully preserved and make for an interesting walk before stopping off in one of the hidden patio cafes. The trendy area of Bocagrande is not to be missed. We get a flavour of the place on our included city tour as well as a boat trip at Playa Blanca. With its turquoise waters and golden sand, it is one of Cartagena's most famous beaches and the perfect end to our trip