Intrepid Travel  >  Latin America 2009  >  Browse pages 36-53  >  Latin America 2009

multi country southern adventure bASIx GB£1120* EUe1405* 26 days, La Paz to Rio de Janeiro itiNerary... Days 1-3 la Paz Explore an intriguing blend of the modern and traditional in Bolivia's cultural capital. Days 4-6 salar de uyuni Take a 4WD tour of the salt flats and harsh landscapes of Salar de Uyuni, stopping off at the striking, rich red, Colorada Lake. Days 7-8 Potosi Descend deep underground, on an optional guided tour of one of Potosi's mines. Days 9-10 sucre Perhaps visit Cal Orck'o to see dinosaur footprints estimated to be 60 million years old. Days 11-12 santa cruz Fly to the steamy lowlands of the Andean foothills and travel to Santa Cruz, a friendly city with arcaded streets. Days 13-14 Pantanal Cross the border at Corumba, Brazil's frontier town and gateway to the Pantanal, the world's largest wetland area. Days 15-17 Bonito There are some excellent caves in this area, including one which conceals an underground, sapphire-blue lake. Days 18-19 iguazu Falls View the falls from Brazil and Argentina and marvel at the 270 waterfalls cascading into a central river. Tread the walkway out to the middle of the falls - the view is magnificent (but prepare to be soaked). Days 20-21 curitiba Stroll the leafy streets of Curitiba, considered a model city for quality of life in Brazil. Days 22-24 iiha Grande Sip caipirinhas, snooze in the sun or swim in the beautiful warm waters on this island getaway. Days 25-26 rio de Janeiro Say ola to the party capital, refreshed and ready to samba the night away with local residents. Or, if too much beach action is never enough, find a spot on the sand at iconic Ipanema. Intrepid Photography Competition 2008, Toucan tickles, Bolivia - Sarah & Sam Thomas accoMMoDatioN Simple hotels (19 nts), camping (2 nts), overnight coach/ trains (4 nts) traNsPort Plane, overnight coach/train, 4WD, boat, local bus, walking GrouP siZe Max 16 Meals All meals while visiting Uyuni desert and in the Pantanal BuDGet Allow US$250 for meals not included DeParts Selected Fri GuaraNtee Departure guaranteed traVeller ratiNG 4.45 out of 5 start 2009 06 Feb 06 Mar 03 Apr 01 May 29 May 26 Jun 17 Jul Finish 03 Mar 31 Mar 28 Apr 26 May 23 Jun 21 Jul 11 Aug 31 Jul 14 Aug 28 Aug 11 Sep 02 Oct 16 Oct 30 Oct 27 Nov 11 Dec 25 Aug 08 Sep 22 Sep 06 Oct 27 Oct 10 Nov 24 Nov 22 Dec 05 Jan 25 Dec 25 Dec 2010 22 Jan 12 Feb 12 Mar 09 Apr 16 Apr 07 May 19 Jan 19 Jan 16 Feb 09 Mar 06 Apr 04 May 11 May 01 Jun 28 May 22 Jun 11 Jun 06 Jul 25 Jun 20 Jul *plus Local Payment US$600 Physical culture shock * experience the surreal landscapes of salar de uyuni * explore the vast Pantanal wetlands * hear the deafening roar of iguazu Falls * samba with rio locals GRL triP coDe south america encompassed bASIx GB£2400* EUe3005* 61 days, Quito to Rio de Janeiro itiNerary... Days 1-9 ecuador Surrounded by volcanoes and resting across an Andean valley, Quito is an impressive sight. Encounter exotic flora and fauna on an adventure into the heart of the Amazon. Walk through the jungle, swim beneath waterfalls and visit a Quichua family. Enjoy the volcanic landscapes on foot, by bike or from the warm waters of Banos' famous hot springs. Days 10-32 Peru Take an optional visit of the ruins of the mysterious mud city of Chan Chan, the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas, and the world's largest adobe city. Discover the mystery of the Nazca Lines. Spot condors resting on thermal air currents high above the canyon's floor and listen to the sound of the Colca River rushing by 1,200 m below. Explore colonial Cuzco and travel through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Trek the spectacular Inca Trail along high plateaus, past ancient ruins and through lush cloud forests. The view of Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate is a great sight at the end of this challenging walk. Make local friends during a homestay on Lake Titicaca. Days 33-47 Bolivia See the surreal landscapes, multicoloured lakes, smoldering volcanoes and cacti-studded islands of Salar de Uyuni. Days 48-61 Brazil Explore the wetland wildlife of the Pantanal. Find paradise among swimming holes and stalactite-encrusted caves. Glimpse toucans flying over Iguazu Falls. Kick back on Ilha Grande's white sand, then finally, be swept up in the colour and exuberance of Rio. Intrepid Photography Competition 2007, Laguna Blanca Verde, Bolivia - Fiona Black accoMMoDatioN Simple hotels (47 nts), jungle lodge (3 nts), camping (5 nts), overnight coach (5 nts) traNsPort Plane, overnight coach, train, 4WD, minivan, boat, local bus, walking GrouP siZe Max 16 Meals All meals while in the Amazon Jungle lodge, Inca Trail, homestay in Lake Titicaca, Uyuni desert and Pantanal BuDGet Allow US$900 for meals not included DeParts Selected Fri GuaraNtee Departure guaranteed Notes 1. Some accommodation may be multishare. 2. For further details and specific notes regarding hiking the Inca Trail, please see the specific Inca Trail Notes, p26 traVeller ratiNG 4.63 out of 5 start 2009 02 Jan 30 Jan 27 Feb 27 Mar 24 Apr 22 May 12 Jun Finish 03 Mar 31 Mar 28 Apr 26 May 23 Jun 21 Jul 11 Aug 26 Jun 10 Jul 24 Jul 07 Aug 28 Aug 11 Sep 25 Sep 23 Oct 06 Nov 25 Aug 08 Sep 22 Sep 06 Oct 27 Oct 10 Nov 24 Nov 22 Dec 05 Jan 20 Nov 2010 08 Jan 05 Feb 05 Mar 12 Mar 02 Apr 23 Apr 07 May 19 Jan 09 Mar 06 Apr 04 May 11 May 01 Jun 22 Jun 06 Jul 21 May 20 Jul 28 May 27 Jul 11 Jun 10 Aug *plus Local Payment US$1200 Physical culture shock * hike the historic inca trail to Machu Picchu * adventure into the wetlands of the Pantanal * spot toucans flying over iguazu Falls GRx 37 triP coDe additional information about this destination is available at www.intrepidtravel.com