Southern Cross Westbound (Cusco Stay)

There are no planned activities until the evening welcome meeting.

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. (B)

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. (B)

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. (B)

Travel up the coast to Paraty and wander the cobblestoned streets of this beautiful colonial town. (B)

Enjoy a free day to explore Paraty. Optional activities include a Caipirinha boat trip, kayaking and horseback riding. (B)

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.

Take a flight to the famous Iguassu Falls. Skip the 19 hour journey by land and hop a flight to Iguassu from São Paulo. Visit the Brazilian side of the falls to get the best panoramic view.

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. (B)

Embark on the long travel journey to Bonito. (B)

Spend time in Bonito with optional activities available like snorkelling in the rivers or exploring the nearby caves and waterfalls.

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. (B/L/D)

Full day of exploring the Pantanal. Try piranha fishing or horseback riding. Opportunities to spot wildlife such as monkeys, macaws, giant otters and caiman. (B/L/D)

From the frontier town of Corumbá, Brazil, cross into Bolivia. From here, an overnight bus heads to Santa Cruz. (B)

Hop on a flight to Bolivia's colonial gem, Sucre. Enjoy a few days in the city to recover from the journey from Brazil, opt to go hiking or take it easy.

Spend a few days exploring all that Sucre has to offer. (B)

Enjoy free time to explore all that Sucre has to offer. (B)

Enjoy free time to explore all that Sucre has to offer. (B)

Journey from Sucre to Potosí. Spend the afternoon exploring the city. (B)

Head south to Uyuni, the starting point for the salt flats excursion. (B)

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. (B/L/D)

Continue to discover the Salar de Uyuni on a 4x4 excursion. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis. (B/L/D)

Enjoy a final day of exploring the Salar de Uyuni before boarding an overnight bus back to La Paz . (B/L)

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.

Arrive at any time.

Little is known about the Tiahuanaco people who constructed the great ceremonial centre on the southern shore of Lake Titicaca over 1000 years ago. Spend most of the day visiting these mysterious ruins—a cradle of Incan civilization—before returning to La Paz. (B)

Peru is made up of three main geographical areas: the Andes, the Amazon, and the desert coastal area. Enjoy spectacular views of the countryside on a full day of travel from La Paz, around Lake Titicaca, and on to Puno. (B)

Head out by boat across Lake Titicaca. Visit the community on the Taquile Islands and stop at a restaurant and enjoy a local lunch with spectacular views. After, cruise to the another village (this can vary based on community availability) for an overnight homestay on the shores of the lake. This experience provides an opportunity to learn more about rural life in the Peruvian highlands and to participate in local traditions. Eat with the family, pick up some Quecha and Spanish language skills, try on traditional costumes, and help out with daily chores around the village. (B/D)

Leave the homestay families late in the morning and visit the Uros Islands on the way back to Puno. A popular optional activity in Puno is a visit to the spectacular chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani, a pre-Inca archaeological site only a short drive away. Opt to pre-book the Lake Titicaca Kayaking on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance. (B/L)

The bus trip from Puno to Cusco takes the better part of the day, with stark, beautiful scenery en route as you travel through the high Altiplano region. Check out a bit of Cusco, find a spot for dinner, or get prepared to head into the Sacred Valley. (B)

While most ruins are just outside of the city, the main ruin within is that of the Coricancha, once the Inca Empire's richest temple. It forms the base of the colonial church of Santo Domingo. There are several good museums in Cusco, including the Archaeological Museum, which also houses a small art museum, the Regional History Museum, and the Religious Art Museum. Opt to visit and hike the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance. (B)

Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them. Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community. (B/L)

Leave the hikers to start their trek and head out to explore Moray and Maras ancient Incan ruins. Enjoy a scenic drive through Andean farmland on the way to Piuray Lagoon. (B/L)

Enjoy a free day to explore the city or take advantage of the many optional activities available. (B)

Travel by van to Ollantaytambo to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. (B)

Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with your guide. Enjoy a guided visit to the ruins, then head back down by bus to Aguas Calientes to meet up with the rest of the group. Take the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo to meet the van for the ride back to Cusco. (B)

Enjoy a free day to explore Cusco or relax. Active options horseback riding and mountain biking. (B)

Take a short flight to the coast and the capital city of Lima. This vibrant city has a fantastic main square, tons of shopping, and incredible eating. Opt to join the group for one final evening out. (B)

Depart at any time. (B)