Atlantic to the Andes Experience
25 days
from Rio de Janeiro to La Paz
From
$ 3699
Duration25 days
Dense rainforests, the towering peaks of the Andes, the seemingly endless and reflective salt flats — when we say the range of scenery on this 25-day tour is dizzying we’re not embellishing. Begin in Rio de Janeiro and head west where Iguassu Falls and an array of active activities you can do on your own during free time. Discover the wildlife of the Pantanal wetlands and climb aboard some local buses to see how to get from point A to B South American style. It’s not just where you stop that matters, it’s how many life-changing moments you’ll have along the way.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 25 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: Rio de JaneiroPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: La PazAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Rio de Janeiro
Start place: Rio de Janeiro
There are no planned activities until the evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to allow time for activities and to fully experience this vibrant city.
End place: Rio de Janeiro
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro/Ilha Grande
Start place: Rio de Janeiro
From Rio, head south along the Atlantic coast to one of the most picturesque, laid-back islands on the coast, llha Grande. Relax and walk the sandy beaches, or bathe in the warm waters of this island paradise.
Take a bus and ferry to Ilha Grande. Enjoy free time to explore this picturesque, laid-back island, opt to go on a hike to a nearby swimming hole or explore the many beaches.
End place: Ilha Grande
Meals: B
Day 3: Ilha Grande
Start place: Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande is a car-free island surrounded by beautiful nature. Opt to go for a hike, swim, or sit at one of the beach bars.
End place: Ilha Grande
Meals: B
Day 4: Ilha Grande/Paraty
Start place: Ilha Grande
Travel up the coast to Paraty and wander the cobblestoned streets of this beautiful colonial town.
End place: Paraty
Meals: B
Day 5: Paraty
Start place: Paraty
Enjoy a free day to explore Paraty. Optional activities include a Caipirinha boat trip, kayaking and horseback riding.
Opt to pre-book the "Paraty Caipirinha Boat Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
End place: Paraty
Meals: B
Day 6: Paraty
Start place: Paraty
Continue to enjoy the slow pace of Paraty, a colonial town with fantastic architecture, or opt to take a day trip to Trindade to surf and relax on the beach.
End place: Paraty
Day 7: Paraty/Foz do Iguaçu
Start place: Paraty
Skip the 19 hour journey by land and hop a flight to Iguassu from São Paulo, maximizing your time to enjoy the falls.
Take a flight to the famous Iguassu Falls. Visit the Brazilian side of the falls to get the best panoramic view. Opt to visit the bird park filled with beautifully coloured local wildlife or enjoy an optional helicopter ride for a birds-eye view of the falls.
End place: Foz do Iguacu
Day 8: Foz do Iguaçu
Start place: Foz do Iguacu
Explore trails that will bring you directly over the falls of the Devil's Throat—the highest and deepest of the falls. Other trails allow access to the stretch of falls across the forest on the Argentine side. Opt to take an inflatable boat to the base of the thundering falls.
Experience Iguassu in Argentina by exploring trails and catwalks. Opt to take a boat tour to view the falls from below.
End place: Foz do Iguacu
Meals: B
Day 9: Foz do Iguaçu/Bonito
Start place: Foz do Iguacu
Leave early for a full travel day to Bonito.
End place: Bonito
Meals: B
Day 10: Bonito
Start place: Bonito
Spend time in Bonito with optional activities available like snorkelling in the rivers or exploring the nearby caves and waterfalls.
End place: Bonito
Day 11: Bonito
Start place: Bonito
Enjoy another free day to explore Bonito.
End place: Bonito
Meals: B
Day 12: Bonito/Pantanal
Start place: Bonito
Experience the Pantanal, an immense wetland area famed for its profuse wildlife. A 2-day excursion allows visitors to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
Journey into the Pantanal, a perfect place to experience the wildlife of Brazil. Enjoy a 2-day excursion into the wetlands with a local guide.
Please note, while on the rustic excursion in Pantanal the nights will be spent in hammocks.
End place: Pantanal
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Pantanal
Start place: Pantanal
Full day of exploring the Pantanal. Try piranha fishing or horseback riding. Opportunities to spot wildlife such as monkeys, macaws, giant otters and caiman.
End place: Pantanal
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Pantanal/Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Start place: Pantanal
From the frontier town of Corumbá, Brazil, cross into Bolivia. From here, an overnight bus heads to Santa Cruz.
Leave the Pantanal and head for the border. Board an overnight bus to Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
End place: Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Meals: B
Day 15: Santa Cruz de la Sierra/La Paz
Start place: Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Hop on a flight and get to the capital city of Bolivia. Wander the streets and visit the famous Witches' Market.
End place: La Paz
Day 16: La Paz/Sucre
Start place: La Paz
Spend the morning exploring the city before boarding an afternoon flight to Sucre and explore this beautiful colonial city or opt to go hiking in the surrounding area.
End place: Sucre
Meals: B
Day 17-18: Sucre
Start place: Sucre
Spend two days exploring all that Sucre has to offer.
End place: Sucre
Meals: B
Day 19: Sucre/Potosí
Start place: Sucre
Journey from Sucre to Potosí. Spend the afternoon exploring the city.
Meals: B
Day 20: Potosí/Uyuni
Head south to Uyuni, the starting point for the salt flats excursion.
End place: Uyuni
Meals: B
Day 21: Uyuni/Salt Flats
Start place: Uyuni
Travel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni. Despite its isolation and challenging climate (cold and blustery most of the year), the town of Uyuni has earned the nickname of Hija Predilecta de Bolivia (Bolivia’s Favourite Daughter).
It is also the starting point for our 2-night excursion through the spectacular Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) in 4x4 vehicles.
Settle in to your G Adventures-supported community salt-brick bungalow, complete with salt floors and furniture, after a guided walking tour up to the sacred Jukil mountaintop for sweeping valley views and a dinner of local ingredients prepared by ladies from the community.
It is also the starting point for our 2-night excursion through the spectacular Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) in 4x4 vehicles.
Settle in to your G Adventures-supported community salt-brick bungalow, complete with salt floors and furniture, after a guided walking tour up to the sacred Jukil mountaintop for sweeping valley views and a dinner of local ingredients prepared by ladies from the community.
Enjoy a 3-day 4x4 excursion to the Uyuni Salt Flats and surrounding desert altiplano, with spectacular scenery. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.
During the rainy season the locations visited may change due to some routes being covered by water.
Meals: B, D
Day 22: Salt Flats
Continue to discover the Uyuni Salt Flats on a 4x4 excursion.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 23: Salt Flats/Uyuni
Enjoy a final day of exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats before boarding an overnight bus back to La Paz .
End place: Uyuni
Meals: B, L
Day 24: La Paz
Start place: La Paz
Spend the day exploring and shopping in the many markets of the city -- it is an especially good place to buy textiles and leatherwork. Visit the Witches' Market or take one of the several optional excursions available.
Enjoy a free day in the capital, walk along the winding streets, shop in the markets and enjoy the nightlife. For the thrill seekers opt to bike the famous "death road".
End place: La Paz
Meals: B
Day 25: La Paz
Start place: La Paz
Depart at any time.
End place: La Paz
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Ilha Grande Your Discover Moment: Paraty Your Discover Moment: Bonito Your Discover Moment: Sucre
- Iguassu Falls visit (Brazil and Argentina)
- Pantanal wildlife excursion (2 days)
- 4x4 excursion to the Uyuni Salt Flats (3 days)
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Public bus, Plane, 4x4 vehicle, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels (17 nts), Overnight bus (3 nts), Basic hotels on Salar de Uyuni excursion (2 nts, multi-share), Multi-share tented room with hammocks in the Pantanal (2 nts) -
Meals
19 breakfasts,
5 lunches,
4 dinners