Compare The Scenic Route - Lima to Buenos Aires by G Adventures vs Exploring the Land of the Inca by Hurtigruten

Day 1 Lima

Arrive at any time.

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

If you booked the Lima Cooking Class it does not include extra time in Lima and we highly recommend booking pre-trip accommodation. You will be picked up from your hotel at approx 10:00 (10:30 from Aug-Dec) and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return back to your hotel around 13:00. Please note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Latin America (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.

Day 2 Lima/Cusco

Hop a flight to Cusco. Enjoy a free day for shopping and exploring the city. Choose to pre-book an optional Cusco Cooking Class. Opt for a city tour.

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city, and getting used to the altitude.

Please note: if you pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. Return back to your hotel around 16:00.

Day 3 Cusco

Spend a full day enjoying optional activities in the area.

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.

Day 4 Cusco/Ollantaytambo

Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).

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 used in the Ccaccaccollo community. 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.

Day 5 Ollantaytambo/Aguas Calientes

Catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. Opt to visit the local hot springs or shop in the local market.

Board a morning train that winds through the spectacular Sacred Valley to the end of the line: the village of Aguas Calientes, a frontier town nestled in the hills beneath Machu Picchu. Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the butterfly house, botanical gardens or hot springs. Opt for a day hike to Mandor Gardens to see orchids and a waterfall, enjoying the lush, green scenery en route.

Day 6 Aguas Calientes/Cusco

Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco in the evening.

Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with your guide. Enjoy a guided visit of the ruins then take a train back to Cusco.

Day 7 Cusco

Use a free day to explore more of Cusco or relax.

Day 8 Cusco/Puno

Travel day by bus from Cusco to Puno. Spend some time on arrival wandering the small city.

Travel through the high Altiplano region from Cusco to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Titicaca is also the largest lake in the world above 3800m, and the views from both Amantaní and Taquile Islands are stunning. The trip takes the better part of the day, with stark, beautiful scenery en route.

Day 9 Puno

Enjoy a guided tour of Lake Titicaca including a visit to Uros and Taquile islands.

Head out by boat across Lake Titicaca. Visit the community on the Taquile Islands and enjoy a local lunch with spectacular views. Visit the floating islands of Uros before returning to Puno. Opt to visit to Sillustani burial site.

Day 10 Puno/La Paz

Travel by bus and cross the border into Bolivia, arriving in La Paz.

Enjoy the full-day drive around the lake and through the altiplano to La Paz. Bolivia is filled with spectacular views of the countryside. La Paz is at nearly 4000m (13,120ft) above sea level, so be prepared for cool evenings and mornings.

Day 11 La Paz

Enjoy a free day in La Paz. Opt to visit the Witches' Market, the city's museums or the Valley of the Moon.

Explore the city’s many fine museums or its historic structures, like the Iglesia de San Francisco. The city is also renowned for its many markets, including the Mercado de Hechicería (Witches’ Market). With streets lined with market stalls and vendors, the pace on the street and the vibrant atmosphere is an incredible experience. To the south of the city is the Valley of the Moon, with crater-like formations made of sand. Thrill seekers can pre book a Death Road mountain biking adventure.

Day 12 La Paz/Sucre

Fly to Sucre and explore this beautiful colonial city.

Optional activities include mountain biking, hiking, and searching for dinosaur footprints.

Day 13 Sucre

Free time to explore the city, the former capital of Bolivia. For more active options opt to go hiking in the surrounding area or mountain biking.

Day 14 Sucre/Potosí

Travel by bus to Potosí and get a view of the mountain Cerro Rico looming over the city.

Day 15 Potosí/Uyuni

Travel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni, the jumping off point for the three day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni.

During the rainy season the locations visited may change due to some routes being covered by water.

Day 16 Uyuni/Salt Flats and Desert Crossing

Enjoy a three-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. Today you will be heading into the Salar de Uyuni. 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. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.

Day 17 Salt Flats and Desert Crossing

Explore the desert altiplano on a 4x4 excursion. Admire the spectacular scenery while passing red and blue lagoons and interesting rock formations along the route. Spot wild llamas, alpacas and even flamingos deep within the desert.

Day 18 Salt Flats and Desert Crossing/San Pedro de Atacama

Rise early to cover more ground of the unique landscape of the Salar de Uyuni. Continue to see incredible scenery, including volcanoes, salt lakes and geysers. Travel to the border and descend by bus to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. It's a long but scenic drive.

From the high Bolivian altiplano descend almost 2000m to the edge of the Atacama Desert, arriving at the small desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, just across the Chilean border. Said to be one of the driest places on the planet, this little town is an oasis in an otherwise barren, dry landscape.

Day 19 San Pedro de Atacama

Enjoy an Included excursion to the Valley of the Moon. In San Pedro, opt to go sandboarding or mountain biking.

Enjoy an included excursion to the Valley of the Moon to learn about and appreciate the beautiful uniqueness of the landscape. There are plenty of optional excursions in San Pedro de Atacama, including biking, exploring nearby ruins, and horseback riding. Despite its size, San Pedro offers some great restaurants as well as numerous handicrafts and artisan stores for those looking for souvenirs.

Day 20 San Pedro de Atacama/Santiago

Drive to Calama and fly to Santiago, a vibrant capital city.

From the nearby city of Calama, fly to Santiago, the capital of Chile. The city is surrounded by mountains, and there are both internationally recognized vineyards and Andean ski resorts within a couple of hours from the city centre. Explore the city’s many museums and parks and visit the vibrant neighbourhood of Bellavista with its handicrafts, trendy cafés, and San Cristobal Hill with its views of the city and the surrounding area.

Day 21 Santiago

With a free day in Santiago, opt to visit nearby wineries.

Day 22 Santiago/Valparaíso

Explore some of Santiago's neighbourhoods on a city tour, visit the Museum of Memory and try some local specialties. After, take a public bus to the seaside town of Valparaíso where brightly coloured houses perch on the hills.

Day 23 Valparaiso/Santiago

Enjoy a free morning in Valparaiso to soak it all in. Later, head to the Casablanca Valley, stop at a winery to indulge in a wine tasting. After, head back to Santiago with free time before boarding an overnight bus to Pucon.

Day 24 Pucón

Enjoy free time in Pucon, try whitewater rafting or explore the area by foot.

Day 25 Pucón

Enjoy another free day to take part in the many activities on offer in Pucón. Opt to hike Villarica volcano (it's active!) or soak in the nearby natural thermal pools.

Day 26 Pucón/San Carlos de Bariloche

Cross the Andes to Argentina. Travel by local bus to San Martin and take a private van the rest of the way to Bariloche in the Lake District with a local guide.

Day 27 San Carlos de Bariloche

Transfer to a Gaucho Ranch just outside of Bariloche. Enjoy a barbecue for lunch and take to the saddle with a Gaucho by your side.

Day 28 San Carlos de Bariloche

Enjoy a free day to explore the beautiful area in and around Bariloche. Take a hike in the countryside or wander the town, known for its shops and in particular, artisan chocolate.

Day 29 San Carlos de Bariloche/Buenos Aires

Fly to Buenos Aires. Opt to enjoy a Tango show and dinner.

Fly north to the buzzing metropolis that is Buenos Aires, it is a vibrant city full of life.

Opt to pre-book the "Buenos Aires Tango Experience" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.

Day 30 Buenos Aires

Depart at any time.

Book extra accommodation in Buenos Aires to have more time to explore the city.

Day 1: Valparaíso, Chile

This expedition starts in the wonderfully, colourful and poetic city of Valparaíso. Before embarking MS Fram, we recommend a visit to the UNESCO-listed Historic Quarter of Valparaíso.

Day 2: La Serena, Chile

La Serena is a seaside town and the capital of Coquimbo Region in Elqui Province. It is one of the oldest cities in the area and it has a marked neo-colonial architectural style and its own undeniable image. It abounds with multi-coloured gardens and many beautiful churches with bells that trace the passage of time. In the Archaeological museum, learn about the ancient Diaguita culture that originated in this province before being conquered by the Incas. You should also visit La Recova, a popular market where you can buy handicrafts and typical products from the region, such as pisco and papaws in all their varieties.

Day 3: At sea

A day at sea means you can join the Expedition Team for lectures or spend the day on deck.

Day 4: At sea

Enjoy another relaxing but exciting day at sea.

Day 5: Arica, Chile

Arica is blessed with a warm and sunny climate all year round. While we are here, you can either spend a day at the beach or join the Expedition Team and visit the nearby Lauca National Park. This amazing national park is home to some breathtaking scenery: snow-sprinkled volcanoes, sparkling lakes and isolated hot springs. It also shelters pretty highland villages and a huge variety of wildlife. Numerous sites and paths found in this region are associated with the Chilean Inca trail.

Day 6: At sea

Join the Expedition Team for more fascinating lectures or relax on deck.

Day 7: Puerto General San Martin, Peru

Puerto General San Martin is the gateway to the famous and mysterious Nazca lines and geoglyphs. These lines were scratched on the surface of the ground between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D. They are among archaeology's greatest enigmas because of their quantity, nature, size and continuity. The geoglyphs are several miles long and illustrate living creatures, stylised plants and imaginary beings, as well as geometric figures. Join the excursion to see just how impressive and mysterious these lines actually are.

Day 8: Callao, Peru

Callao is situated just outside Lima and is a vital route for trade both into and out of Peru. It is home to charming mansions with pretty balconies, museums, churches and the fortress of King Felipe.

Day 9: Salaverry, Peru

The small port of Salaverry is the starting point for the excursion to the ancient Chimu kingdom (700–1400 A.D.). They founded their capital by the banks of the Moche River and called it Chan Chan ("sun-sun"). Chan Chan covers an area of eight square miles. It was built using clay, mud, pebbles, straw and cane, which makes it the largest mudbrick citadel of the Americas in pre-Hispanic times. It is a remarkable place that was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1986.

Day 10: At sea

Enjoy another relaxing but exciting day at sea.

Day 11: Manta, Ecuador

Manta is a bustling and prosperous port town, graced with high-rises and a few beaches. We recommend the trip to Montecristi, where the real Panama hats are made. These traditional brimmed straw hats are hand woven, and it can take several months to make the finest ones. A "superfino" Panama hat can, according to popular rumour, hold water, and when rolled for storage, pass through a wedding ring.

Day 12: At sea

Spend another relaxing and interesting day at sea.

Day 13: Fuerte Amador

Fuerte Amador is located right at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. The port is only 20 miles away from Panama City, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Central America and home to incredible architectural and ethnic diversity. Join tours in the city, enjoy a day at the beach or come with us to explore the lush rainforest.

Day 14: Panama Canal

We enter the Panama Canal close to Balboa. Experience the thrill of canal transit and the intricacy of the lock's system first-hand, as MS Fram is lifted over 85 feet above sea level from one body of water to the next.

Day 15: Leaving Panama Canal at Cristobal

The Panama Canal is one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken. It had an enormous impact on shipping between the two oceans, replacing the long and treacherous route via the Drake Passage and Cape Horn.

Day 16: Puerto Limón/San José

Puerto Limón on Costa Rica is a compelling destination for adventurous explorers.

After disembarking, we transfer you to your hotel in San José, the capital of Costa Rica.

Day 17: San José

After breakfast in your hotel, your South American expedition comes to an end.