Bolivia to Brazil: Highlands & Coastlines
31 days
from La Paz to Rio de Janeiro
From
$ 4699
Duration31 days
Breathe in the Inca spirit of La Paz and dance in the tango palaces of Buenos Aires on this two-week adventure. Connecting the Andes to the Atlantic, you'll journey across the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert and the Salar de Uyuni. Feel like a sophisticate as you sip wine in Buenos Aires and pull back the curtain on the centre of the continent. Best of all, you'll do it in the company of other fun, young travellers. Don't choose between inspiring wilderness and urban sophistication – do it all.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 31 daysService level: Basic
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Starts in: La PazPhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: Rio de JaneiroAges: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: La Paz
Start place: La Paz
Arrive at any time.
End place: La Paz
Day 2: La Paz/Sucre
Start place: La Paz
Enjoy a free day to explore the vibrant markets and winding streets of the city before boarding a night bus to Sucre.
End place: Sucre
Meals: B
Day 3: Sucre
Start place: Sucre
Travel south to Sucre. Tackle the city as there is a lot to offer during the two days here. Optional activities include a visit to an old tin baron’s mansion, mountain biking, and hiking.
Free time to explore the beautiful colonial city of Sucre. For more active options opt to go hiking in the surrounding area or mountain biking.
End place: Sucre
Day 4: Sucre
Start place: Sucre
Enjoy another free day to explore Sucre and surroundings.
End place: Sucre
Meals: B
Day 5: Sucre/Potosí
Start place: Sucre
Staying in the Bolivian highlands, we travel south to the city of Potosí. The highest city of its size in the world, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has had a tumultuous history as a silver mining centre during colonial times.
Travel south to the one of the world's highest cities.
Meals: B
Day 6: Potosí
Get out and explore Potosí, learn about the history of the city while wandering the streets. Stop at the market and interact with the locals.
Meals: B
Day 7: Potosí/Uyuni
Travel to Uyuni and get ready for an excursion to the salt flats.
End place: Uyuni
Meals: B
Day 8: 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 3-night excursion through the spectacular Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) in 4x4 vehicles.
Spend three days in the stunning landscapes between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert in Chile. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos.
The tour takes us through the impressive large red lagoon of Laguna Colorada and the striking blue-green Laguna Verde at 5,000m (16,404 ft).
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.
Spend three days in the stunning landscapes between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert in Chile. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos.
The tour takes us through the impressive large red lagoon of Laguna Colorada and the striking blue-green Laguna Verde at 5,000m (16,404 ft).
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 three-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.
Note: During the rainy season, the locations visited may change due to some routes being covered by water.
We offer unique accommodation on the Uyuni Salt Flats. Instead of very basic refuges and homestays most operators use, we have upgraded to simple hotels that are equipped with solar panels to provide electricity and hot water. Rooms are multi-share and each has a private bathroom. Meals are made from local ingredients, most of which are grown on-site.
We offer unique accommodation on the Uyuni Salt Flats. Instead of very basic refuges and homestays most operators use, we have upgraded to simple hotels that are equipped with solar panels to provide electricity and hot water. Rooms are multi-share and each has a private bathroom. Meals are made from local ingredients, most of which are grown on-site.
Meals: B, D
Day 9: Salt Flats
Continue exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats on a 4x4 excursion. Admire the spectacular scenery while passing red and blue lagoons along the route. Spot wild llamas, alpacas and even flamingos deep within the desert.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Salt Flats/San Pedro de Atacama
After continuing through the Uyuni Salt Flats in the morning, hop on a bus further south to the dry desert regions of Argentina and Chile, where we stop in the little town of San Pedro de Atacama, on the edge of the Atacama desert—the driest place on earth.
Rise early to cover more ground of the unique landscape of the Uyuni Salt Flats. Continue to see incredible scenery, including volcanoes, and salt lakes. Travel to the border and descend by bus to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. It's a long but scenic drive.
End place: San Pedro de Atacama
Meals: B, L
Day 11: San Pedro de Atacama
Start place: San Pedro de Atacama
There are plenty of optional excursions here -- biking, exploring nearby ruins, horseback riding, and touring the Valley of the Moon.
Opt to go sandboarding or mountain biking, or visit the Valley of the Moon.
End place: San Pedro de Atacama
Day 12: San Pedro de Atacama/Salta
Start place: San Pedro de Atacama
We make our way to Salta, situated in the Lerma Valley of northern Argentina. Salta is home to empanadas salteñas - the delicious local specialty, and no visit to the town will be complete without giving them a try. In the evening, opt to experience a local celebration at one of the "Peña" folklore shows.
Cross the border into Argentina.
End place: Salta
Day 13: Salta
Start place: Salta
Explore the city and enjoy the local cuisine. Opt to take a trip through the scenic Quebrada de las Conchas to Cafayate, or visit the High Mountain Archaeological Museum.
End place: Salta
Meals: B
Day 14: Salta/Buenos Aires
Start place: Salta
When you are done exploring, settle your weary feet and enjoy a drink in one of the many sidewalk cafes and restaurants and begin to understand the contemplative Argentine way of life. Try the succulent bife and parrilladas!
Skip a long bus journey with a quick flight to Buenos Aires.
Opt to pre-book the "Buenos Aires Bike Tour" or "Buenos Aires Tango Experience" activities on the checkout page ahead of time to include these optionals on your tour.
End place: Buenos Aires
Meals: B
Day 15: Buenos Aires
Start place: Buenos Aires
Get out and explore. Consider visiting the districts of La Boca, Recoleta, and San Telmo or catch a tango show at one of the many famous tanguerías. Pre book an optional city bike tour, and get a local's eye view of your surroundings! Wander the pedestrian walkways and see some dancing in the streets.
Enjoy a free day to explore beautiful Buenos Aires.
Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
End place: Buenos Aires
Day 16: Buenos Aires
Start place: Buenos Aires
Explore the "Paris of the Americas," from the hidden patios of trendy Palermo to bohemian vibes in San Telmo this city has something for everyone.
Opt to pre-book the "Buenos Aires Bike Tour" or "Buenos Aires Tango Experience" activities on the checkout page ahead of time to include these optionals on your tour.
End place: Buenos Aires
Day 17: Buenos Aires/Colonia
Start place: Buenos Aires
Cross the Río de la Plata by ferry to Colonia, Uruguay. Explore on an orientation walk, then enjoy free time to explore the area and relax at a streetside café.
In high season, accommodation may be multi-share.
Day 18: Colonia/Montevideo
Travel from Colonia to Montevideo in the morning. Explore Montevideo in the afternoon; opt to grab a snack at the Port Market, wander around the colourful old town, or visit Estadio Centenario where the first World Cup was played.
Meals: B
Day 19: Montevideo
Enjoy another day to get to know Montevideo. Opt to take a day trip to glamorous Punta del Este or chill in the park like a local.
Meals: B
Day 20: Montevideo/Estancia Stay
Travel by day through picturesque settlements and pastures finishing in the last Uruguayan stop—a local ranch, known in the region as an estancia.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 21: Estancia Stay
Spend a day in the life on an Uruguayan ranch, go for a walk in the countryside, learn how to make empanadas, and experience a local barbecue.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 22: Estancia Stay/Iguassu Falls
In the morning cross the border into Gualeguaychu in Argentina, then begin the long overnight journey to Iguassu Falls.
End place: Foz do Iguacu
Meals: B
Day 23: Iguassu Falls
Start place: Foz do Iguacu
In the afternoon opt to visit the Brazilian side of the falls and get an incredible panoramic view. Opt to take a helicopter ride over the falls, visit a bird park or see the Itaipu Dam.
End place: Foz do Iguacu
Day 24: Iguassu Falls
Start place: Foz do Iguacu
Today enjoy a full day excursion to the Argentine side of the falls. Wander along the walk paths that connect different viewpoints of the falls. Opt to take a boat tour to see the cascading falls from below.
End place: Foz do Iguacu
Meals: B
Day 25: Foz do Iguaçu/Paraty
Start place: Foz do Iguacu
Skipping the long bus ride, we fly to Sao Paulo and head straight to Paraty, a quaint colonial town on the coast renowned for its architecture.
Skip an overnight bus ride and fly to São Paulo, heading straight to the coast. Explore colonial Paraty, then hit the beach.
In high season, accommodation in Paraty may be multi-share.
End place: Paraty
Day 26: Paraty
Start place: Paraty
Paraty is a quaint colonial town renowned for its architecture—the pace might be slow but there's a lot to choose from. Considered one of the world's most important examples of Portuguese colonial architecture by UNESCO, the historic centre is a well-preserved national historic monument, and today has been closed to vehicles to preserve its laid-back colonial ambiance. Opt to take a boat tour of the bay, go on a kayak tour, or a jeep tour.
Free time to explore Paraty's beaches, a national park and surroundings. Opt to visit a cachaça distillery or take a boat tour to nearby islands.
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 27: Paraty/Ilha Grande
Start place: Paraty
Travel to the port in Angra dos Reis and catch a boat over to Ilha Grande not far from the coast.
Continue by van up the coast, and take a ferry to Ilha Grande.
In high season, accommodation in Ilha Grande may be multi-share.
End place: Ilha Grande
Meals: B
Day 28: Ilha Grande
Start place: Ilha Grande
Free time to explore the beaches of Ilha Grande. Opt to hike the remote trails, take a boat trip around the island, play in the waves or go snorkelling.
End place: Ilha Grande
Day 29: Ilha Grande/Rio de Janeiro
Start place: Ilha Grande
Leaving the port after returning from Ilha Grande, a dramatic road then takes us north along the coast through superb scenery before rounding the cliffs at Vidigal. Get a first glimpse of one of the most memorable cities in the world, Brazil’s ocean-side jewel, Río de Janeiro.
Enjoy any free time by exploring the wonders that this city has to offer from the centrally located hostel in Copacabana.
Enjoy any free time by exploring the wonders that this city has to offer from the centrally located hostel in Copacabana.
Travel to Rio de Janeiro. Take a city tour to experience sights like Rio's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, or take a leisurely stroll along Copacabana beach as the waves lap at your feet.
End place: Rio de Janeiro
Day 30: Rio de Janeiro
Start place: Rio de Janeiro
In the morning, explore the favela with a local resident on a G Adventures-supported tour to watch a drumming demonstration, get a Capoeira lesson, and sample craft beers with a new perspective of the city. Enjoy a free afternoon to discover all that Rio has to offer.
End place: Rio de Janeiro
Meals: B
Day 31: Rio de Janeiro
Start place: Rio de Janeiro
Depart at any time.
End place: Rio de Janeiro
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha Your G for Good Moment: Favela Experience, Rio de Janeiro Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Sucre Your Discover Moment: Salta Your Discover Moment: Buenos Aires Your Local Living Moment: Estancia Stay, Colonia La Concordia Your Discover Moment: Paraty Your Discover Moment: Ilha Grande Your Discover Moment: Rio de Janeiro
- 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding area (3 days)
- Activities while at the estancia in Uruguay
- Entrance and visit to the Argentine sides of Iguassu Falls
- Transportation between destinations and included activities
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Local bus, Plane, 4x4 truck, Minivan, Taxi, Plane, Ferry -
Accommodation
Simple hotels (20 nts, twin-share), Hostels (4 nts, multi-share), Overnight bus (2 nts), Basic hotel/G Adventures-supported community lodge on Salar de Uyuni excursion (2 nts, multi-share), Estancia/ranch (2 nts, multi-share)