Quito to La Paz: Amazon & Ancient Cultures
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From AUD $5519 Was AUD $6899
Small Group
Demanding
Rating
(20 reviews)
Quito to La Paz: Amazon & Ancient Cultures
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
35 days
Small Group
Basic
Demanding
English
Experience Overview
Really discover what South America is all about on this epic five-week journey through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. This adventure truly has it all – the Pacific coast, the awe-inspiring Amazon, and the archeological highlights and cultural treasures of the Andean highlands.
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Shandia Community Lodge, Shandia Your G for Good Moment: Shandia Biking & Community Experience, Shandia Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products Your G for Good Moment: Lake Titicaca Homestay, Lake Titicaca Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Local Living Moment: Amazon Jungle Experience, Tena Your Discover Moment: Baños Your Discover Moment: Lima Your Foodie Moment: Pachamanca, Nazca Your Discover Moment: Cusco Your Foodie Moment: Sacred Valley Brewery, Ollantaytambo Your Big Night Out Moment: Cusco
- Amazon Jungle excursion to a local community
- Beach time in Mancora
- Sunset sandboarding & dune buggies (Huacachina)
- Pachamanca-style dinner (Nazca)
- Colca Canyon excursion
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Inca Trail hike with a local guide, cook, and porters (4 days)
- Lake Titicaca excursion
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Simple hotels (19 nts), hostel (4 nts, multi-share), overnight buses (4 nts), camping (3 nts), homestay (3 nt), G Adventures-supported community lodge (1 nt).
- 20 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners
Transport
- Public bus, boat, truck, motorized canoe, train, hiking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer), specialist Inca Trail CEO on hike, local guides.
Highlights
- Experience traditional life in a local community in the Amazon
- Witness colonial cities and volcanoes
- Sandboard the dunes of Huacachina.
- Spot condors at Colca Canyon
- Conquer the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Settle in with the locals at a homestay on Lake Titicaca
- Get adventurous in Baños
- Relax on the beach with free time in Mancora.
Trip Details
35 days
Public bus, boat, truck, motorized canoe, train, hiking.
English
Quito, Ecuador
La Paz, Bolivia
Basic
18 - 39 Year Olds Only, Budget
Demanding
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Spend the first day of your trip wandering Ecuador's capital city. Meet the group in the evening at the hotel.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Activity - Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.Accommodation - Hotel Air Suites
Day 2: Quito/Tena
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Learn about local traditional beliefs and customs on this cultural jungle experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon close to Napo River. Stay in rustic wooden huts with a local Quichua family as hosts near the community of Cando. They've introduced countless visitors to local living and a completely different way of doing things — one that may give you a different perspective on life. Take part in a number of amazing activities. Hike through the rainforest, plunge into waterfalls, and learn the uses of tropical plants. Experience local tradition, and learn about Quichua history and culture.Accommodation - Cabanas Pimpilala
Day 3: Tena
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Learn about local traditional beliefs and customs on this cultural jungle experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon close to Napo River. Stay in rustic wooden huts with a local Quichua family as hosts near the community of Cando. They've introduced countless visitors to local living and a completely different way of doing things — one that may give you a different perspective on life. Take part in a number of amazing activities. Hike through the rainforest, plunge into waterfalls, and learn the uses of tropical plants. Experience local tradition, and learn about Quichua history and culture.Accommodation - Cabanas Pimpilala
Day 4: Tena
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Stay overnight at the Shandia Indigenous lodge located in the Ecuadorian Amazon. With the support of G Adventures and Planeterra, the community has developed new culturally immersive tours led by the village’s youth. The community lodge is seen by the community as a way to rescue their Indigenous culture and provide opportunities for the future. Watch a chocolate making demonstration and learn about their cultivation of cacao and their traditional agriculture practices. Meals of local ingredients grown in the village are prepared by women who were provided with culinary training through the project. Leave Shandia community knowing your visit is creating opportunities for a whole new generation of people in this community to improve their lives, and the lives of their children and grandchildren.Activity - Cycle to the Indigenous Shandia community, a rural village surrounded by rivers and lush Amazonian landscapes. With the support of G Adventures and Planeterra, the community has developed new culturally immersive experiences led by the village’s youth. Spend 40 minutes cycling from Shandia lodge stopping along the way to take in the beauty of the Amazon. These cultural tours are seen by the community as a way to rescue their Indigenous culture and provide opportunities for the future. This provides an economic opportunity for youth who traditionally would have left the community to find work. Leave Shandia community knowing your visit is creating opportunities for a new generation in the community and contributing to the preservation of their culture.Accommodation - Shandia Lodge
Day 5: Tena/Baños
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Hop into the back and ride along to the next destination.Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Free_time - Get out and explore Baños and its beautiful surroundings.Accommodation - Hotel La Floresta
Day 6: Baños
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Get out there and get exploring.Accommodation - Hotel La Floresta
Day 7: Baños/Cuenca
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Hotel La Casona
Day 8: Cuenca
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy free time to explore colonial Cuenca and its surroundings.Activity - Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list. Transport - Curl up and catch a snooze en route to the next stop.Accommodation - Qema Mancora
Day 9: Máncora
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Chill out in this Peruvian fishing village, head to the beach or give surfing a try. Accommodation - Qema Mancora
Day 10: Máncora
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy a free day to relax or get active.Accommodation - Qema Mancora
Day 11: Máncora/Trujillo
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Get out and enjoy this beachside town.Transport - Curl up and catch a snooze en route to the next stop.
Day 12: Trujillo
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Get out and explore the city!Accommodation - Hotel Orbegoso
Day 13: Trujillo/Lima
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Curl up and catch a snooze en route to the next stop.Free_time - Do as much or as little as you'd like before an overnight bus in the evening.
Day 14: Lima
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Dubbed Lima's coolest neighbourhood, once full of summer homes for Lima's elite now an area full with art boutiques, trendy bars, converted mansions, and cool vibes.Free_time - Get out and enjoy a first taste of Lima, the capital of Peru.Accommodation - Hotel Gemina
Day 15: Lima
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Get out and get exploring!Accommodation - Hotel Gemina
Day 16: Lima/Huacachina
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Get your adrenaline pumping in a dune buggy on the desert dunes, ride the ups and downs in these desert mountains. Strap on a board and try out sandboarding, just like it sounds like snowboarding, but on sand. Enjoy the softer landings and the warmer temps. After, head back to the oasis of Huacachina through the stunning dunes and watch the sunset in the distance.Accommodation - Viajero Huacachina
Day 17: Huacachina/Nazca
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Learn about the wine and pisco production in the area and enjoy a tasting of different varieties, which are all available for purchase. Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Hotel Hacienda San Marcelo
Day 18: Nazca/Arequipa
Meals included: Lunch
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy some free time during the day.Transport - Curl up and catch a snooze en route to the next stop.Activity - Enjoy a traditional meal. Assist in the preparation of a thousand-year-old tradition: "Pachamanca," an ancient ceremony akin to the Polynesian meal of burying a variety of delicious treats wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooking them with pre-heated rocks buried in the ground.
Day 19: Arequipa
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Make the most of your time here.Accommodation - Terra Mistica Casa Consuelo
Day 20: Arequipa/Colca Canyon
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Spot condors on this guided tour, and keep your eyes peeled for other unusual animals. Look for three different species of camelids: alpaca, llama, and vicuña, which are all typical of Peru.Accommodation - Vita Colca Hotel
Day 21: Colca Canyon/Arequipa
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Spot condors on this guided tour, and keep your eyes peeled for other unusual animals. Look for three different species of camelids: alpaca, llama, and vicuña, which are all typical of Peru.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Terra Mistica Casa Consuelo
Day 22: Arequipa/Cusco
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Get out and explore more of this beautiful colonial city.Transport - Curl up and catch a snooze en route to the next stop.
Day 23: Cusco
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Make the most of your time in Cusco.Accommodation - Hostelworld Viajero Cusco
Day 24: Cusco
To arrange the hike to 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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Make the most of your time in Cusco.Accommodation - Hostelworld Viajero Cusco
Day 25: Cusco/Ollantaytambo
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit the Ccaccaccollo community centre which G Adventures travellers' donations helped create in 2005, thereby enabling local women to sell traditional textiles to travellers. See local weaving and dyeing techniques used to create garments and souvenirs, and learn how the Planeterra weaving co-operative has impacted the community and those who visit it. This includes the purchase of alpacas to provide a steady supply of wool, looms, and sewing machines as well as several training courses on production, sales and small business management. Activity - Delight your tastebuds and sample high-quality beer with the breathtaking Sacred Valley as a backdrop. This craft brewery uses local ingredients to make award-winning brews and gives back to the surrounding communities. What's not to like? Accommodation - Las Orquideas Ollantaytambo
Day 26: Inca Trail
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Get your blood pumping on this first day of hiking the Inca trail. The trekking is fairly easy and serves as good training for the next few days. Pass rambling rivers and a small village, and enjoy scenic mountain views; it’s just a taste of what’s to come.Activity - Enjoy G Adventures-supported handmade biodegradable soap products, for use on our treks. This G Adventures for Good project empowered local Cusqueña women to start their own business in order to reduce the environmental impact of treks in the region. Planeterra provided $10,000 of seed funding for two young entrepreneurs to register their biodegradable products in order to sell them to the tourism industry. "Esencia Andina" is now a successful business that produces biodegradable soaps, detergents, and natural products for travellers, guides, porters, and cooks on our treks.Accommodation - Campsite Wayllabamba
Day 27: Inca Trail
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Trek over progressively spectacular and steeper terrain on your way to Warmiwañusca (aka Dead Woman’s Pass), the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769ft). Be prepared to face strong Andean weather (blazing sun or cold winds) around the pass. Take the hike slow, and drink lots of water along the way – amazing views are waiting as a reward. Enjoy some ample time to rest and relax after reaching the camp; most campers arrive around early afternoon.Accommodation - Pacaymayo Campsite
Day 28: Inca Trail
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).
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Cross two passes and more ruins along the Inca Trail on the last full day of hiking. Traverse Runquraway at 3,950m (13,113 ft), and then reach the second pass at 3,700m (12,136 ft). Spot the gorgeous Cordillera Vilcabamba and the Urubamba Valley in the distance on a clear day. Camp at either the Phuyupatamarca ruins or the Wiñay Wayna ruins.Accommodation - Wiñaywanyna Campsite
Day 29: Machu Picchu/Cusco
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Wake around 03:30 to reach the Sun Gate as early as possible. Head to the checkpoint and join the lineup to wait for the gate to open. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu (fingers crossed for a clear day). Hike down to Machu Picchu (about 45 mins) for a 1.5 hr guided tour of the site, and free time to explore. Catch the bus outside the Machu Picchu gate after your visit for a 25-min downhill ride to Aguas Calientes. Eat and relax before the train ride back to Cusco this evening.Activity - Set off with the local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Whether it’s a pub crawl, drink specials or a bonfire on the beach, celebrate late into the night with your new best friends.Accommodation - Hostelworld Viajero Cusco
Day 30: Cusco
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Get out there and see it all – or just chill out to your heart's content.Accommodation - Hostelworld Viajero Cusco
Day 31: Cusco/Puno
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Hostal Milagros Inn
Day 32: Puno/Lake Titicaca
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Board a boat on Lake Titicaca and head to Taquile Island for an optional delicious Peruvian lunch at a restaurant followed by some shopping at the local weaving cooperatives. Taquileños are known for their fine handwoven textiles and clothing, men are taught how to knit around age five and they create the majority of the textiles. After, enjoy an overnight stay with a host family and a chance to learn about life on the islands.Activity - Accommodation on the islands may be multi-share.
Day 33: Lake Titicaca/Puno
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Spend the morning with the homestay families, then depart after lunch. Visit the floating islands of Uros on the way back, and learn about the unique lifestyle of the locals. Meet residents and learn how they built the islands with totora reeds, which are also used to make their homes, boats, crafts (and are also edible!). Free_time - Make the most of one last afternoon in Puno.Accommodation - Hostal Milagros Inn
Day 34: Puno/La Paz
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Hotel Las Brisas
Day 35: La Paz
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
From
AUD $6899
Duration: 35 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Demanding
Really discover what South America is all about on this epic five-week journey through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. This adventure truly has it all – the Pacific coast, the awe-inspiring Amazon, and the archeological highlights and cultural treasures of the Andean highlands.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 26 Jul 2026
Customer Reviews
07/06/2024
I was stunned by the great organization. The trip completely surprised me in a positive way. I made amazing experiences.
06/10/2024
A five week adventure I will never forget. I met incredible people and felt I got to understand these countries a little better. It's a hell of a lot of busses and you sometimes wish for more time but overall it's worth it to experience these pla...
Tour Operator
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
07/06/2024
I was stunned by the great organization. The trip completely surprised me in a positive way. I made amazing experiences.
06/10/2024
A five week adventure I will never forget. I met incredible people and felt I got to understand these countries a little better. It's a hell of a lot of busses and you sometimes wish for more time but overall it's worth it to experience these pla...
05/21/2024
We've it all: the beaches, the desserts the Andes and the jungles. An amazing adventure that takes you from 0 up to 4200 meters above sea level.
05/14/2024
Thank you! It was an awesome experience and a new mode of travel for me. I am thankful for the memories, the amazing people I met and will always remember this trip!
04/04/2024
I personally loved every second on the tour, i had so much fun and the friends i made in my group are definitely lifelong friends now. My CEOs were good and helped when we needed them too. 10/10!
04/04/2024
04/04/2024
I personally loved every second on the tour, i had so much fun and the friends i made in my group are definitely lifelong friends now. My CEOs were good and helped when we needed them too. 10/10!
03/24/2024
Live laugh have fun
03/22/2024
The tour was very interesting and the CEOs couldn't be better. :)
02/26/2024
The best experience I’m so glad I did it with gadventures, especially accessing the home stays as that’s truly an experience I could never have got without them
02/26/2024
It was great to meet such amazing group of people I can now call friends. It allowed me to meet 2 individuals who I decided to travel on with. It was an unforgettable experience I will never forget.
02/16/2024
Brilliant!! So much fun, I learned so much and saw and experienced so many things that I never have before. Also exhausting but mostly in a good way!
02/16/2024
Overall, G-adventures made my first trip to South America an extremely enjoyable experience. I felt supported, safe and well informed throughout. All of the ceos were very professional and fun to be around. They made navigating the countries extremely...
02/07/2024
It was an epic experience. Had a blast, it was so much fun.
02/06/2024
My experience ran smoothly, in a continent where the unexpected is the norm. This was possible through the tireless work of both my CEOs: Elmer and, in particular, Fredy.
02/03/2024
An incredible experience, expertly planned with tailor made opportunities to make the most of your holiday.
01/16/2024
Had an amazing time with amazing people. Everything was perfectly organized and was able to do and see so much in the time available!
12/25/2024
35 days of absolutely everything!
12/25/2023
Very pleased with the whole experience and will certainly remember the trip for a long time in the future.
12/24/2023
Unforgettable. The trip of a lifetime!
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