Day 1 to 1 - Arrive La Paz

The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre tour accommodation. On arrival please ask at the reception for information on when the pre departure meeting will be held.

La Paz is built in the basin of a spectacular ancient crater caused by a meteorite, with the snow-capped Illimani in the background. At an altitude of 3,660 metres, the city is said to host the highest football stadium in the world.

The city has colourful indigenous street markets including the ‘witches market' where women in flared skirts sell, amongst other things, dead cats and llama foetuses which are placed under new buildings in a bid to keep evil spirits away. The main square, Plaza Murillo, is where many years ago a president of the republic was lynched from a lamppost. La Paz is one of the best places to see a traditional peña show of Andean music and dance where local musicians play their time-honoured instruments such as zampoñas (pipes) and charangos (ukulele).

There are plenty of excursions available in La Paz. Check out the Moon Valley with its strange rock formations shaped by the weather or take in the incredible views from Chacaltaya, home to the world's highest ski resort at 5,221 metres. Another fantastic excursion is to Coroico, the gateway to the Bolivian jungle region and a great place to see sub-tropical vegetation and plants. En-route you will cross a 5,000 metre high pass before descending to 1,300 metres on narrow mountain roads bordered by sheer drops. The excursion to Coroico can also be done by mountain bike, as it is downhill nearly all the way and very exhilarating, but beware, colloquially known as ‘Death Road’, it is not at all for the fainthearted and great care must be taken!

Day 2 to 12 - Potosí – Sucre – Uyuní – Tupiza – Salta

We now travel across the Altiplano to Potosí, the highest city of its size on Earth at 4,070 metres, with a population of 110,000 people. The history of Potosí, its fame and splendour, as well as its tragedy and horror, is closely linked to silver. The city was founded in 1545 soon after the discovery of silver in a nearby hill, the Cerro Rico (or Rich Hill). The veins proved to be so prolific that they quickly became known as the world’s richest source of the precious metal. Silver from Potosí underwrote the Spanish economy, particularly its monarchy's extravagance, for over two centuries. Millions of indigenous people, and later, African slaves, were made to work in the mines where conditions were so appalling and dangerous that miners died in horrific numbers, either in accidents or from silicosis pneumonia. During the three centuries of colonial rule, it is estimated that eight million Africans and locals died in the Potosí mines. Reminders of the grand colonial city are still evident in the narrow streets, formal balconied mansions and ornate churches. We offer you the opportunity to visit one of the mines (optional) where you will learn from first-hand experience some of the hardship that miners still suffer. You soon realise that the mines are worked today in much the same way as they were under Spanish rule.

Continuing through Bolivia, we make our way to Sucre, the official capital of Bolivia even though the governing of the country actually takes place in La Paz. Sucre is a small attractive city where, by law, all the buildings are painted white. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its well-conserved downtown with buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Nestled at the foot of the twin hills of Churuquella and Sika Sika, Sucre is the gateway to numerous small villages that date from the colonial era.

Travelling on we head to the desolate town of Uyuní in the south of Bolivia, to visit what is claimed to be the largest salt flat in the world, the brilliantly white and vast Salar de Uyuní. We will have an overnight stay here and you will have the opportunity to take an excursion onto the salar in four-wheel-drive vehicles, stopping of at places such as Fish Island, where there are great views of the surrounding lake and giant cacti and llama provide perfect photo opportunities. The fantastic contrast of the brilliant blue sky (weather permitting of course) and the pure white of the salt flats is surreal. This area proves to be a very popular place for some creative photo opportunities.

Winding our way along the dusty roads of Bolivia, which are some of the most rugged in South America, we head towards the Argentine border amidst the vividly coloured rock formations and giant cacti. We arrive at Tupiza where we will take respite from the arid surrounds and dusty road. Legend has it that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid met their end at the hands of the Bolivian army near Tupiza, concluding their notorious string of bank raids.

We cross the boarder into Argentina to the striking city of Salta in the Lerma Valley at the foothills of the Andes, established in 1582. Salta has many old colonial buildings, a cathedral with ancient statues of the Cristo del Milagro (Miracle of Christ) and the Virgin Mary, which were brought over from Spain in 1592. A variety of excursions await you here including rafting, horse riding and mountain biking.

Day 13 to 19 - Cafayate – Catamarca – Cordoba – Mendoza

Just outside of Salta, the rugged landscape gives way to lush farmlands where you may catch a glimpse of traditional subsistence farmers at work. Stunning multi-coloured sedimentary rock formations offer beautiful photo opportunities near Cafayate. For an adrenaline rush you can hire mountain bikes for a couple of hours of thrilling descents or take a quad bike tour to explore less challenging terrain. For a more peaceful excursion you can stretch your legs on a trek, taking in beautiful local flora and fauna, as well as an impressive series of cascadas (waterfalls).

We continue our way to San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, more commonly known as Catamarca. The city offers both natural and cultural attractions and offers many activities such as hiking, mountain-bike rides and horse riding. We have a night here before we hit the road again.

Cordoba is a busy modern industrial city near the geographical centre of Argentina in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas mountains. Established in 1573, Córdoba boasts the country's oldest university and a young, dynamic student population. During the day you can visit an array of richly decorated churches, including Argentina's oldest cathedral and the Manzana Jesuitica (Jesuit Block) which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Now we hit the wine producing heartland of Argentina making our way past the vast vineyards to Mendoza.

Mendoza is the location where General José de San Martín organised the army with which he liberated Chile and Peru from Spanish rule in 1818. Unfortunately, few historic buildings remain after an earthquake devastated the city in 1861. However, the city was rebuilt with broader tree-lined streets and beautiful large green plazas, irrigated by a network of 500 kilometres of water channels, fuelling Mendoza's reputation as an oasis of the region. There are great photo opportunities from the top of the hill “Cerro de la Gloria” at Parque San Martín, where you can also visit the local zoo. Beyond the city limits you'll have the chance to get wet and wild on a white water rafting excursion, or try out your rope skills on a rappelling option. For a more chilled experience you could hire bikes and take the ‘Ruta de los Vinos' (wine route), visiting ancient cellars and tasting excellent local wines at your leisure.

Day 20 to 28 - Santiago – Pucón – Bariloche

Pedro de Valdivia established Santiago in 1541 but, except for Santa Lucia hill where the original fortress was constructed, not much remains of its original glory. The hill offers good views of the city below, but for even better photo opportunities take a funicular railway to the top of San Cristobal where the Statue of the Virgin overlooks the capital and the distant Andes. At the viewing area there are wine-tasting facilities and a couple of brilliantly located swimming pools. In the Plaza Constitucion at the Palacio de la Moneda you can see the changing of the guard or you can take an optional excursion to the port of Valparaiso and the resort of Viña del Mar. Santiago is a very clean modern city with fountains, parks and buildings.

Heading south through vast vineyards, farmlands and pine-forests we come to Salto del Laja, where we stop for a photo of the waterfalls that drop 47 metres onto the rocks below. We continue to the Lake District of Chile and the picturesque town of Pucón, a small resort on Lake Villarrica below the perfect cone-shaped Villarrica volcano. The whole area is surrounded by lakes, mountains, forests, rivers and waterfalls and we have two free days to take advantage of the activities on offer such as volcano treks, white water rafting, horse riding, mountain biking and water sports.

Crossing the Andes and heading down into Argentina we make our way through stunning scenery of the Argentine Lake District passing Lago Espejo (Mirror Lake). Further south we reach the resort town of San Carlos de Bariloche on the shores of Lake Nahuel Haupi. This town is a famous winter ski resort, but it also has plenty to offer during other seasons. Built by Swiss and German immigrants in the alpine style, here you will find Swiss-style chalets, numerous chocolate shops and St. Bernard dogs with brandy barrels around their necks. There are excellent optional opportunities to take in the breathtaking views from the cable car, also the chance for some hiking or cycling.

Day 29 to 38 - En route – El Chaltén – El Calafate – Torres del Paine National Park

Leaving San Carlos de Bariloche we enter Patagonia, a dry windswept expanse stretching to the southern tip of the continent; there are some long drives on this sector but some spectacular scenery at the end of most days. We will stop en route depending on travel times, and camp for the evening.

We continue to El Chaltén with the picturesque Fitzroy National Park nearby where you can enjoy some of Argentina's most scenic hiking. The park is at the foot of the Fitzroy Massif which has spectacular jagged snow-capped peaks. Depending on your budget, you can take a day’s trek to - and on - the wonderful Viedma Glacier - reputedly the best ice-trekking in the country. Or walk to the Capri Lagoon or a variety of other free walks available in this stunning national park.

A short drive from El Chaltén takes us to the pleasant town of El Calafate, on the north-eastern edge of Lake Argentino. This is our base for visiting the Moreno Glacier, 80 kilometres away. The glacier is one of the few in the world that is still advancing. It is continuously moving at a rate of 1.5 metres per day and when you get close enough to the face you can hear cracking and creaking and see large lumps of ice crash into the lake below. With a height of around 60 metres, a width of five kilometres at its face and made up of various hues of blue, white and grey, it is an awesome sight.

On to the incredible Torres del Paine National Park, named after the massive granite towers that rise above the earth. The scenery is stunning with snow-capped peaks, glaciers, beautiful lakes and valleys. The park is also home to interesting native flora and fauna. Some of the varied and amazing creatures you might spot include Andean condors, guanacos (a relative of the llama) and rhea (a type of emu) to name but a few.You have plenty of time to trek the main trails in the park to see the famous Torres (towers) and both the Francés and Grey Glaciers. You will also have the chance to travel by ferry across Lake Pehoé to wonder at this unbelievable panorama.

Day 39 to 47 - En route – Ushuaia – En route – Puerto Madryn – En route

Leaving Torres del Paine behind we continue through the incredible Patagonian landscape, stopping en route to camp for the evening before we cross the Straits of Magellan by ferry to the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire).

We cross the border back into Argentina and carry on to Ushuaia, the world's most southerly town with a population of about 42,000. Here you can take an excursion on the Beagle Channel to visit the Isla de los Lobos (Sea Lion Island) where you will see colonies of sea lions and aquatic birds and, with a bit of luck, maybe a whale. You also have the option to visit the Tierra del Fuego National Park where there are various trails along the coast and the surrounding snow covered peaks. The park is also home to a large population of beaver (introduced by the Canadians), the world's most southerly train and it is also where the exhaustive Pan-American Highway ends at the Lapataia bay, 17,848 kilometres from its start in Alaska.

As we continue on we eventually come to the Welsh community of Puerto Madryn, where in 1865 1,500 Welsh immigrants arrived from the Clipper Mimosa and named the natural port ‘Port Madryn’ then settled and founded the town.

From here we can visit the nearby Valdés Peninsula. The Valdés peninsula is renowned for its wildlife and you will hopefully see penguins, sea lions, elephant seals, armadillos, guanacos, rheas, southern right whales, killer whales, Patagonian hares and a great variety of seabirds.

After crossing the Colorado River, we leave Patagonia and drive across the windswept ‘pampas’ where cattle graze and enormous fields of sunflowers sway in the wind (the oil from which is a large export for Argentina). Again, travel times will determine where we camp for the night.

We head south along the Atlantic coast of Patagonia with travel times determining where we will camp en route.

As we continue on we eventually come to the Welsh community of Puerto Madryn, where in 1865 1,500 Welsh immigrants arrived from the Clipper Mimosa and named the natural port ‘Port Madryn’ then settled and founded the town.

From here we can visit the nearby Valdés Peninsula. The Valdés peninsula is renowned for its wildlife and you will hopefully see penguins, sea lions, elephant seals, armadillos, guanacos, rheas, southern right whales, killer whales, Patagonian hares and a great variety of seabirds.

Leaving Puerto Madryn we drive across the windswept ‘pampas’ where cattle graze and enormous fields of sunflowers sway in the wind (the oil from which is a large export for Argentina). We cross the Colorado River and enter Patagonia, again travel times will determine where we camp for the night.

Day 48 to 51 - Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a beautiful city known as the "Paris of South America" due to its lovely green parks, plazas and wide boulevards. The balcony of the presidential palace the Casa Rosada (Pink Palace) is where Eva Perón made many of her speeches and is also the place where Madonna sang, “Don't cry for me Argentina” in the film Evita. Across the Plaza de Mayo you will also find the Cabildo (the old town hall) the Palacio Municipal (City Hall) and the cathedral. Every Thursday afternoon in this plaza the "Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo" march in remembrance of their family members who disappeared in the 1970s when the country was under military rule. There are many excellent restaurants in the Puerto Madera area and it is well worth a visit to the port of La Boca for its colourful buildings and cultural history. In nearby San Telmo, the bohemian area, there is a fascinating antique market every Sunday. The Recoleta Cemetery, almost like an enclosed city of its own, is where Eva Peron and many other rich and famous Argentines are buried - well worth a visit. The reputation of Buenos Aires' nightlife is not overstated as there are many nightclubs, bars, restaurants and cinemas open until all hours. For a great evening out, you may want to see a tango show in the city where the dance originated, and you shouldn't leave Buenos Aires before trying one of the best steaks you’ll find in the world!

Day 52 to 56 - San Ignacio Miní – Puerto Iguazú – Foz do Iguaçu

Making our way to San Ignacio Miní where we will find some of the best kept Jesuit ruins in the region.

Founded in 1632, San Ignacio Miní was one of the many missions settled by the Jesuits in the Americas during the Spanish colonial period. San Ignacio Miní is one of the five Jesuit missions of the Guaranis that were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The ruins are one of the best preserved among the several built in a territory today belonging to Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, and one of the most visited due to its accessibility.

We spend time in Puerto Iguazú so as to visit the falls where some 275 separate waterfalls cascade over a two-and-a-half-kilometre-wide cliff face. From the Argentinean side you can walk through rainforest and along catwalks directly above the falls and you will also find the famous Garganta del Diablo, Spanish for "Devil's Throat", where 14 waterfalls drop with such force that there is always a massive cloud of spray overhead.

We then cross into Brazil to reach Foz do Iguaçu (Iguazu Falls), and visit these stunning falls from the Brazilian side, offering a contrast to the Argentine side. On the Brazilian side there are panoramic views of the numerous waterfalls on the Argentine side. If you feel like cooling down, take a zodiac boat ride up the river and under the falls – a fun way to get a different perspective of these impressive falls.

For a bird's eye view over the entire falls you can take an optional scenic helicopter ride. There is also an excellent bird park nearby and you can visit the world's largest hydroelectric dam at Itaipu, where videos show the environmental planning behind the dam project. If you’re keeping a keen eye on your country tally you can pop into neighbouring Paraguay by public bus (you don't even have to get your passport stamped) for a bit of shopping in Ciudad del Esté.

Day 57 to 63 - En route – Bonito – Pantanal (Optional excursion)

We hit the road making our way north in the interior of the continent towards Bonito. It is a long drive and we will stop for one night en route to break up the journey.

Bonito is located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and is renowned for the unbelievable blue of its rivers and cave lakes. The waters are filtered through the enormous quantity of limestone in the ground and the impurities are deposited at the bottom of the river bed making the rivers appear some of the clearest in the world.

We have time here to take in some great optional activities which include cave and river snorkelling, rainforest walks and wildlife spotting.

Our next stop is the Pantanal Wildlife Reserve, a massive wetland of 230,000 square kilometres. One of the unusual things about the Pantanal is that there are also many farms in the area and the animals from these farms live quite comfortably with the other wildlife in the region. Wild animals include approximately 650 species of birds, capybara, howler monkeys, pumas, jaguars, ocelots, coatis, yellow anacondas, marsh deer, caiman, tapir and many more. The Pantanal is excellent for wildlife watching as the region is more open and flat than a jungle setting. Please note the Tucan Travel vehicle will go to the Pantanal, if you choose not to do this excursion then Tucan Travel will pay for your transport to the next destination, however accommodation and food will be at your own cost.

Day 64 to 69 - En route – Parati – Rio de Janeiro

We continue our trip making our way towards the Costa Verde. During the drive you will get some idea of the size of Brazil as it will take two days driving before we hit the coast. We will camp en route to break up the journey with travel times determining the locations.

Getting to the Costa Verde we arrive at Parati which is a preserved Portuguese colonial town (1500-1822). The town is renowned for its historic town centre, the coast and mountains in the region. Parati was also a major port for the exportation of gold and coffee during the 17th and 19th centuries respectively and recommended excursions include a sailing schooner cruise around the bays, rainforest treks and walking the gold trail.

Rio de Janeiro, or more commonly known as Rio, is the second largest city in Brazil and arguably one of the most beautiful cities of the world. In the late 17th century the Portuguese found gold and diamonds in the nearby state of Minas Gerais and thus Rio became the main port for exporting the new found wealth. During the colonial Portuguese period of 1763-1815, Rio was the capital of Brazil.

The city has so much to offer from its natural sites to its famous landmarks including Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) and Corcovado with its famous ‘Cristo Redentor’ (Christ the Redeemer statue) - both of which offer great views over the city. You of course have to visit the famous beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. And of course, if you are in Rio around February/March time, get ready for the world's biggest party, the Rio Carnival!

Please note that the four nights during Rio Carnival are not included in the tour price and it is essential to pre-book accommodation if you wish to stay on for the Carnival. Please see our brochure or the ‘Useful Information’ section of our website for important booking info and prices.

Day 70 to 70 - Depart Rio de Janeiro

Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today, please confirm with the reception the check out time. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.