Rio to Lima: Machu Picchu & Markets

If you have the time and can’t decide between Peru and Brazil, then see them both – and pretty much everything in between – on this 51-day extravaganza. Trek the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, cross the Bolivian Salt Flats, sip wine in Argentina, and hit the beach in Brazil. You’ll get plenty of energetic culture, the great outdoors, and the company of other young travellers to keep you moving. There’s time later to slow down, take the long road, and have an adventure while you can.

Day 1 Rio de Janeiro
Arrive at any time. Head to a “quiosque” along Copacabana beach with your fellow travellers. Get to know the group over some drinks then head out to experience Rio’s famous nightlife.

Day 2 Rio de Janeiro
Wake up and explore a 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. The afternoon is yours to discover why Rio is called Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City).

Day 3 Rio de Janeiro/Ilha Grande
Continue up the coast today and hop aboard a ferry to where your island paradise awaits.

Day 4 Ilha Grande
The day is yours to explore Ilha Grande. Break a sweat hiking remote trails to experience jaw-dropping views, or choose to relax on a boat tour through turquoise waters to some of the island's most beautiful beaches to swim and snorkel.

Day 5 Ilha Grande/Paraty
You're off to Paraty today. Take some time to wander the cobblestone streets of this colonial hidden gem and check out a local cachaça distillery!

Day 6 Paraty
Do as much or as little as you want today. Go swimming, snorkelling, or explore the islands on a boat tour. Or, simply recharge your batteries by immersing yourself in the laidback vibes of Paraty.

Day 7 Paraty/Iguassu Falls
Skip a long bus ride and hop on a flight to Iguassu Falls.

Day 8 Iguassu Falls
Enjoy a full day excursion to the breathtaking Argentine side of the falls with your fellow travellers. Don't forget to take pictures as you wander along paths to experience the falls from each exhilarating vantage point. You can also take a boat tour to see the cascading falls from below.

Day 9 Iguassu Falls/Estancia
Today is full of possibilities with a free day to explore. Choose to visit the Brazilian side of the falls and experience unforgettable panoramic views. Reach new heights with the option to take a helicopter ride over the falls, or check out a bird park. Later, it's time to relax on an overnight bus to Uruguay.

Day 10 Estancia Stay
Dive into Uruguayan rural life known in the region as an estancia. Get dirty at a working ranch, enjoy a walk in the countryside, and indulge in local barbecues.

Day 11 Estancia Stay
Live like a local today as you experience life on an Uruguayan ranch or explore the surrounding area.

Day 12 Estancia Stay/Montevideo
Your journey continues in the morning as you travel to Montevideo. The afternoon is yours for the taking — so explore as you wish! You can wander through the colorful streets of old town searching for street art or visit an iconic soccer stadium that was host to the first World Cup. Hungry? Bring your appetite to Port Market where you will find an endless bounty of delicious meats. (And fruits and veggies, too.)

Day 13 Montevideo
Wake up ready to take on another day in Uruguay's capital. Hop on a bike and cruise down the Rambla, soaking up sun and gorgeous views from this coastline avenue. Take a day trip to glamorous Punta del Este to admire the upscale neighbourhoods and gardens. Or if you prefer to relax today, kick back and chill in the park like a local.

Day 14 Montevideo/Colonia
Venture to the charming city of Colonia del Sacramento. Immerse yourself in the laidback Uruguayan lifestyle by strolling down cobble-stoned streets on a brief orientation walk.

Day 15 Colonia/Buenos Aires
Hop aboard a ferry and cruise across the Río de la Plata to Buenos Aires, Argentina. This city is full of life and you'll want to experience as much of it as you can. Explore the districts of La Boca, Recoleta, and San Telmo — or catch a tango show then grab drinks in one of the many sidewalk cafes with your fellow travellers.

Day 16 Buenos Aires
Didn't have time to do everything yesterday? No worries — today's a new day for you to choose your own adventure.

Day 17 Buenos Aires
Head out and explore the buzzing metropolis of Buenos Aires on a free day. A great city for walking, see the iconic obelisk, wander the pedestrian streets and visit the main Plaza de Mayo with its pink government palace before stopping for a coffee on a patio at one of the many cafes along the way.

Day 18 Buenos Aires/Salta
Skip a long bus ride and board a plane for a quick flight to Salta. Unwind at the hotel or liven it up with a visit to a Peña Folklore show to dance the night away and sip delicious Argentine red wine. Remember, no visit to Salta is complete without trying the local specialty — empanadas salteñas.

Day 19 Salta
Tantalize your tastebuds with the local cuisine today as you explore freely. Choose to saddle up and admire the scenery on horseback. Or, if you'd prefer, take a visit to the town of Cafayate to roam vineyards and sample some of the white wine produced at insanely high altitudes.

Day 20 Salta/San Pedro de Atacama
Say "Adios!" to Argentina, because you're off to Chile today to a little town on the edge of the Atacama desert, the driest place on earth.

Day 21 San Pedro de Atacama
You will be amazed at everything you can do today. Explore San Pedro de Atacama on a mountain bike, cruise down the dunes on a sandboard, or chill out in the hot springs with your friends and fellow travel squad. Or visit the Valley of the Moon, an area on Earth that resembles the moon's surface. (How cool is that?)

Day 22 San Pedro de Atacama/ Salt Flats and Desert Crossing
Ascend by bus into the mountains and cross into Bolivia for a three-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. Today you will be crossing the varied landscape of the desert, stopping off at colourful lagoons along the way.

Day 23 Salt Flats and Desert Crossing
Continue crossing the desert today, admiring the scenery while passing red and blue lagoons and intriguing rock formations along the route. Keep an eye out and you might spot wild llamas, alpacas, and even flamingos deep within the desert. Arrive at your home for the night — a G Adventures-supported community lodge in the heart of a desert oasis.

Day 24 Salt Flats and Desert Crossing /Uyuni
Get a head start on your day by rising early to cover more ground on your journey through the unique landscape of the Salar de Uyuni. Soak in the views of unimaginable scenery including volcanoes and salt lakes.

Day 25 Uyuni/Potosí
Travel north to visit one of the highest cities in the world. On arrival spot the looming mountain of Cerro Rico, a working silver mine.

Day 26 Potosí
Wake up, get out, and explore Potosí. Meander the streets, stop at the market and meet some locals!

Day 27 Potosí/Sucre
Venture north to the beautiful colonial city of Sucre.

Day 28 Sucre
Discover the beauty of Sucre, known as Bolivia's "White City" at your own pace with a free day to explore. Set in a valley surrounded by mountains, you can choose to go hiking or mountain biking to admire this city from a different point of view.

Day 29 Sucre/La Paz
One day in Sucre isn't enough, so take another free day to explore before winding down on an overnight bus to La Paz.

Day 30 La Paz
Hope you got some rest on the bus because the vibrant city of La Paz awaits. After getting settled, head out to experience this high altitude city. Take a tour of the Valley of the Moon, check out the Witches' Market, or visit the nearby Tiahuanaco Ruins.

Day 31 La Paz
If you didn't have time yesterday to do everything you wanted in La Paz — no worries! Today is another day to explore the city as you wish. If you're an adrenaline junkie, make sure to experience the Death Road Biking Adventure.

Day 32 La Paz/Puno
Sit back, relax, and soak in the impressive views as you travel by bus through the Altiplano and cross the border into Peru. Arrive at Puno on the shores of stunning Lake Titicaca.

Day 33 Puno/Lake Titicaca
This morning, you will board a boat on Lake Titicaca and head to Taquile Island for lunch in a local restaurant. Shop in the afternoon at the local weaving cooperatives. Later, cruise to another village for an overnight homestay to live like a local on the shores of the lake. Learn more about rural life in the Peruvian highlands and create unforgettable memories with the family and fellow travellers.

Day 34 Lake Titicaca/Puno
Say goodbye to your homestay family and stop at the Uros Islands on your way back to Puno. If you want, you can check out the spectacular chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani, a pre-Inca archaeological site. Or kayak on Lake Titicaca.

Day 35 Puno/Cusco
Chill out on the bus as you cruise through the high, scenic Altiplano region. Settle in for the night and get some rest — there's lots to see and do in Cusco tomorrow.

Day 36 Cusco
Explore the city on your own today or choose from a variety of activities that will help you discover the magic of Cusco. You can go horseback riding or whitewater rafting, or choose to take a half-day tour of the city. Or, pre-book the Cusco cooking class if you want to learn to prepare local specialties!

Day 37 Cusco/Ollantaytambo
Head into the Sacred Valley today to visit the G-Adventures supported women's weaving co-op in the Ccaccaccollo community. Learn about weaving, and meet the adorable resident llamas. If you see a knitted item you like, buy it — a perfect keepsake from your journey. Stop and sample some craft beer at a brewery on your way to Ollantaytambo.

Day 38 Inca Trail
Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where your trek begins. Hike through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons. You'll see several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.

Day 39 Inca Trail
Get an early start today to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, known as Dead Woman's Pass. This is the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with some much needed R&R.

Day 40 Inca Trail
Cross two more passes and ruins along the way. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through cloud forest on the gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley.

At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins (""forever young"") located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).

Day 41 Machu Picchu/Cusco
The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Wake up around 03:30 and walk to the checkpoint. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the site. Catch the bus to Aguas Calientes before your train back to Cusco in the afternoon. Tonight, dance the night away at a popular night club.

Day 42 Cusco
Today is another free day to explore all that Cusco has to offer. Go horseback riding, mountain biking, or whitewater rafting. Too wiped out from the trek? Take it easy with a visit to the Inka Museum.

Day 43 Cusco/Arequipa
Do as much or as little as you want today but enjoy it — it's your last day in Cusco. Get cozy on a bus for the night as you head to Arequipa.

Day 44 Arequipa
Welcome to Arequipa! Take the day to explore what is known as the "white city." If you're into history and architecture, visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, where you'll get a unique glimpse into a bygone way of life. For spicy food lovers, visiting one of the 'picanterías' is a must. Satisfy your craving with a variety of local regional foods: alpaca, shrimp, pork, lots of soups, and spicy sauces.

Day 45 Arequipa/Colca Canyon
Enjoy a full-day tour of the spectacular Colca Valley and venture to the impressive Colca Canyon — one of the deepest canyons in the world — on an overnight excursion. With a little luck, you'll spot Andean condors soaring over the majestic Andes. Keep a lookout for other unusual animals! Give your body some much needed relaxation by taking a dip in the the hot springs.

Day 46 Colca Canyon/Arequipa
Get an early start to be on the look out for condors. Travel from Chivay town to a condor viewpoint to get a glimpse of these magnificent birds in the air. On the way back, stop in local villages, and see old terraces. Later, head out for a drink in the Calle Zela area – restaurant, bar, or club, there's something for everyone!

Day 47 Arequipa/Nazca
Discover Arequipa today with the option to take a city tour, or visit the Santa Catalina Monastery if you haven't already. Later, board an overnight bus to catch up on some sleep en route to your next destination.

Day 48 Nazca
Wake up in Nazca — famous for one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries, the Nazca Lines. Choose to take a flight for unparalleled views, or climb the viewing tower to get a glimpse if that's more your style. In the evening, enjoy a Pachamanca-style dinner with your fellow travellers.

Day 49 Nazca/Huacachina
Travel further north to the oasis of Huacachina, stop at a Pisco winery on the way. Sandboard on the dunes around the oasis for an unforgettable sunset.

Day 50 Huacachina/Lima
Travel back to Lima to enjoy your last night as a group. Celebrate and reminisce on your adventures together with some ceviche and a pisco sour.

Day 51 Lima
Depart at any time.