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Below the order of the programmes included
Please refer to the individual trip components below TIP: right click and open in a new tab. Note: The Quito to Guayagil Pass 7 days is not listed below but is included.
A flexible hop on hop off travel pass taking you from Quito to Guayagil. The perfect way to Explorer Ecuador at your own pace taking in mountings, jungles waterfalls and the Pacific coast. Easily add on Galapagos Islands tours, surfing in Spanish and are Ecuador adrenaline overload.
Surfing and Spanish is a wicked combination if you are heading out on a South America Gap Year. No boring classrooms, but learning Spanish on the beach. You will be staying in Montanita, a funky beach town and the capital of surfing in Ecuador. You become a great surfer as you will be taught by worlds best competitive surfing champions. No surf experience is needed.
Our uber popular backpacker travel pass. This pass provides full transport starting in Lima through Peru, Bolivia and Chile taking in some of the most amazing aspects of the South America backpacker trail, before heading up the West Coast pass the Nasca lines to end backup in Lima. One of the cheapest cities to fly into South America. This pass works very well with the Inca Trail as you can set your trail dates well ahead.
Visit cloud forests, coastal mountains, mangroves and beaches. Help protect the Amazon rainforests with reforestation projects and interact with the local Indian communities. It is all about getting back to nature with exposure to a huge range of Flora, reptiles, birds and mammals on four different diverse nature reserves. If you want the ultimate biological conservation project and want to spend your gap year giving plenty back to mother nature then this trip is for you!
Get ready to hit Ecuador with a vengeance. White water raft along a thundering river in the Andes, explore the Avenue of the Volcanoes on horse back and get a dose of culture in the historic Quito. Action, adventure and an impressive start to any South American trip. Seven days of adrenaline!
Trek the Inca Trail Trekking the Inca Trail is the ultimate backpacking rite of passage. An unreal journey that takes you 4 days to complete, trekking high up in the Andes in search of the lost city of Machu Picchu. Not for the faint hearted, this trail leads you through steep mountain passes, with dramatic scenery culminating in a magnificent view of the Incan Citadel, through the infamous Sun Gate.
On round the world bookings we can stage payment to make it easier to save, you can of course pay all at once.
This ensures you have enough time to save for your flights, spending money and insurance.
The trip works like this:
Total time just over 1o weeks
• Pre departure info before you leave
• Accommodation (hostels) for the duration of the Ecuador adrenaline overload
• Meals as indicated on itinerary
• Transfer from airport to city center on day one
• Trip related transfers
• Quito city tour
• Mountain biking in a national Park
• stay in a national Park at a residency
• horseback riding in the Avenue of the volcanoes
• Quilotoa Lagoon
• Otavalo Market
• Orientation meeting in Quito for the conservation project
• All accommodation for the duration of four weeks during the conservation project
• Food on the reserves (three meals a day)
• Local guides and conservation leaders in each reserve
• Full on daily activities and conservation tasks
• Local transport on hop on hop off bus and online travel guides with tips on actibities and accommodation
• Pre departure information before you leave
• Surfing lessons (Monday to Friday and 1.5 hours per day)
• Spanish lessons in an open air environment (Monday to Friday and 4 hours per day)
• Accommodation
• All Spanish course materials
• Other excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
• Sacred Valley Day Trip
• Amantani Home Stay Two days one night
• La Paz Local City Encounter
• Salt Flats off-road adventure three day two nights finishing in Atacama
• Moon Valley Experience
• Colca Canyon two days one night
• Sand-Buggy & Boarding
• Pre-departure information
• Pre-departure briefing in country
• One night in Cuzco with briefing and pick-up
• Professional English/Spanish/Quechua speaking guide
• Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance fees
• Tourist bus Cuzco – Kilometer 82 (starting point of trek)
• Tourist train Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
• Tourist bus Ollantaytambo – Cuzco
• Cuzco hotel drop-off
• Meals: 3B/3L/3D/3 snacks with typical menus
• Sleeping Mattress
• 4-man tent for 2 people
• Porters and cook to carry shared camping and cooking equipment
• First Aid kit
• Emergency oxygen bottle Spending money
This program is flexible you can start any time.
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This is not a long trip, but it doesn’t have to be. You pack in a lot into two days, with an airport pickup, a warm safe welcome, comfortable place to stay a day out in Lima on both days plus a surf trip it’s the perfect start to a Peruvian adventure and great to combine with a South America Travel Pass.
What makes this trip so good is the team waiting for you to welcome you on arrival. Xtreme Gaps contacted in Lima is Carlos pictured right), a local surf legend who has been teaching people to surf in and around Lima for years. This makes it more than just a Lima arrival pack, with some awesome Xtreme activities thrown in, we will show you around the city like a local with a choice of two different styles of tours, plus a surf lesson in one of the city’s great surf spots.
Carlos will go out of his way to make you feel welcome is also passionate about his home city. After 2 days of hanging out with Carlos and the team you will be ready to hit the backpacker trail and will have firmly found your travel feet. You may have already picked up a little Spanish and found a new surfing addiction!
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Mysterious, iconic and Xtreme – that just about sums up Peru and the amazing adventure-filled trip that awaits you! Your excitement levels will be going through the roof as you arrive in Lima and you think about all the things you are going to see and do over the next 19 days and where better to start than the country’s capital city. Underneath the chaotic atmosphere and often foggy skies you’ll find a stunning historical centre worthy of UNESCO World Heritage status, art galleries and museums galore and cool nightlife.
To make you feel at home in Lima we have included homestay and get to know the real Lima with our resident Xtreme Gap surf dude! Carlos is Peruvian and lives to surf and loves his home city.(He is actually our resident surf instructor and one cool dude, you will be in good hands).
That means on this trip you will be checking out the city and seeing it through the eyes of a local, a world away from your typical tour of tourist traps. A city tour with local guides who will show you the most interesting sites, including the spectacular Monasterio de San Francisco and Plaza de Armas, and tell you all about the Incan and Colonial past. Even if history isn’t your strong point, we guarantee you’ll be fascinated. We will give you a taste of what Lima has to offer,from this great shopping sites, to funky Bohemian districts we make it quite flexible so we’ll take you to places you are genuinely interested in rather than your typical tour.
In the afternoon you are free to roam around the centre, checking out the markets and possibly trying one of the local delicacies, Cuy. If you’re Spanish skills aren’t up to scratch yet we can tell you that this is roasted guinea pig (sorry fluffy!). You’ll be pleased to know that there are oodles of restaurants and different cuisine available though.
The Lima ConneXion arrival pack is two days one night, so on day three is time to travel to Cuzco
This program is particularly good if you do not speak much Spanish, or are a little uneasy about your arrival into South America (experience shows that after a couple of days you settle into the travel lifestyle pretty easily, but the first two days usually have the biggest culture shock involved on any trip).
Included activities on this trip are quite varied, from surf lessons to 2 day tours, you can choose the style of the tour you wish locally, from bargain shopping, the big sites in Lima, or checking out the funky nightlife in bohemian neighbourhoods.
Naturally being an arrival pack there is also airport pickup included.
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There are no set startdates for this program, just contact us with your preferred arrival date.
“I will definitely recommend you to all my friends and book through you again! See more reviews here.”Louise Penman
” Hi Debby! The trip was absolutely incredible! more reviews here.”Alice Horsfield
” Hello, Im now home from the trip of a life time!! See more reviews here.”Eddie UK
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This travel pass has a minimum recommended trip time of 30 days, although you should definitely plan on going for longer. 30 days assumes you do all the travel days back-to-back, but as this is a flexible hop on hop off travel pass you can take as long as you like to do it. We also definitely recommend combining this with the Inca Trail because this pass allows you to travel straight from Lima to Cuzco enabling you to set the date for the Inca Trail at the time of booking. This is particularly useful because the Inca Trail is limited by the amount of people who can apply for passes, and often books out many months ahead.
Another benefit of this pass, is that Lima is one of the cheapest and most accessible international airports into South America, so this would enable you to see quite a lot of the highlights of South America yet still being able to book a return ticket out of Lima. It’s quite a logical route of South America backpacking trail.
The itinerary below assumes you are doing the journey back to back so the days are really only meant for a reference it does not account for extra days spent in the locations exploring them. You need a minimum of 31 days to complete this but that would really be travelling back to back so please allow longer.
Sequence of events
View detailed descriptions of these locations
Easy! Contact us via e-mail, GMAIL chat, Skype or over the phone and let us know when you wish to depart. We will confirm your departure by sending you an e-mail with your confirmation numbers and information.
If your next route is by mini-van… we will ask you where you are staying so we know where to pick you up. All you have to do is wait at your hostel to be picked up at the specified time.
If your next route is by first class public bus or flight… We will send you an e-ticket number, departure time and bus station / airport address via e-mail where you will need to arrive on your own at least 30 minutes prior to your departure. There you can present your photo ID and e-ticket number at the indicated ticket counter to pick up your paper tickets or boarding pass.
If your next route is by local bus or train… We will send you a confirmation e-mail with instructions on how and where to pick-up your ticket so you can board the bus. Sometimes, we will deliver the tickets to your hotel reception.
Minimum trip time 32 days £959
Your transport arranged with your own personal concierge booking service
You can start this pass whenever you like.
“I made so many friends and had such a wonderful experience.”Genevieve Goodman
“South America was absolutely mind blowing. A really exciting place to travel.”James Clayson
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]]>Superb South America backpacking itinerary starting in Lima. Taking on the Inca Trail, Peru, Bolivia before heading north to Ecuador. All transport and plenty of activities included on this flexible adventure. Epic scenery, culture and adventure on one of the worlds most sort after backpacker routes. You need a minimum of 60 days.
Lima>Cuzco>Inca Trail>Puno>Amantani Island>Taquile Island>Copacabana >La Paz >Sucre>Potosi>Uyuni>Salt Hotel in Agua Quisa>Laguna Colorada>San Pedro Atacama>Calama>Iquique>Arica>Tacna>Arequipa>Nazca>Ica/Huacachina>Paracas>Lima.
Lima >Huaraz >Trujillo>Mancora>Guayaquil>Cuenca>Guamote>Banos>Tena>Quito
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Mysterious, iconic and Xtreme – that just about sums up Peru and the amazing adventure-filled trip that awaits you! Your excitement levels will be going through the roof as you arrive in Lima and you think about all the things you are going to see and do over the next 19 days and where better to start than the country’s capital city. Underneath the chaotic atmosphere and often foggy skies you’ll find a stunning historical centre worthy of UNESCO World Heritage status, art galleries and museums galore and cool nightlife.
To make you feel at home in Lima we have included homestay and get to know the real Lima with our resident Xtreme Gap Rep! That means checking out the city and seeing it through the eyes of a local. (He is actually our resident surf instructor and one cool dude, you will be in good hands).
To give you a taste of what Lima has to offer, day two starts with a city tour with local guides who will show you the most interesting sites, including the spectacular Monasterio de San Francisco and Plaza de Armas, and tell you all about the Incan and Colonial past. Even if history isn’t your strong point, we guarantee you’ll be fascinated.
In the afternoon you are free to roam around the centre, checking out the markets and possibly trying one of the local delicacies, Cuy. If you’re Spanish skills aren’t up to scratch yet we can tell you that this is roasted guinea pig (sorry fluffy!). You’ll be pleased to know that there are oodles of restaurants and different cuisine available though.
The Lima ConneXion arrival pack is two days one night, so on day three is time to travel to Cuzco, you should be acclimatised to your new time zone my now. The journey as long but stunning as you will be travelling through steep mountain passes over the Andes.
Because this itinerary has the Inca Trail at the beginning of the trip, it makes it very easy to fix your date and secure your Inca Trail permit, it is very important that we do this many months ahead as they sell out far in advance.
Arriving into Cuzco you have a free nights accommodation on us at the Mill House backpacker hostel. You will be briefed on your Inca Trail itinerary and have the chance to settle in and enjoy this fantastic city, which is a hub for backpackers from all over the world. Check out the cities beautiful square the Plaza de Armas with its beautiful colonial cathedral, and have a drink at the Cross Keys pub to swap stories and share tips before the great trek the following day.
In the morning we will be transferred from Cusco through the Urubamba River Valley to the km 82 point, which is where the first part of our trek begins. Get ready for awe-inspiring views, dizzying heights and possibly the odd blister! After registering with government control we cross the bridge and begin the walk to Llactapata, which is the first place of archaeological importance and where we’ll have lunch. After some nourishing food we continue on to the first camp at Llullchapampa. It’s pretty steep going, but you’re young and fit so you can handle it!
The second day of the trek can seem a little daunting as it involves reaching the highest point on the trail at Warmihuañusca, over 4,200 metres, so it’s a tough day but extremely rewarding. Also, don’t let the name of this section put you off – Dead Woman’s Pass refers to the shape of the mountain, not the effect that hiking it has on you! To take your mind off the walking you can take in the views of the snow-capped peaks. After the big climb, it’s time to descend into the Pacaymayu valley, before heading onto the second camp at Chaquicocha, where you can catch up with fellow trekkers around the campfire.
After breakfast we begin the trek to Runkuraqay archaeological complex, where you get to explore the Incan ruins and admire the sweeping views, before continuing onto another important site at Sayacmarca, where the guide will explain the different theories about what the purpose of the construction was. You’ll see a big change in the geography and climate as you trek through mountains to upper jungle and cloud forests and as you head over the Phuyupatamarca Pass you’ll reach another archaeological site. It’s downhill from there to the camp at Wiñaywayna and some much needed food and rest, well, that’s after swapping more stories with all the other like-minded adventurers.
The final countdown! It’s a very early start today as the trek continues to Intipunku, but you’ll be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise and panoramic view of Machu Picchu’s citadel. This is when you realise that it’s all been worth it! After taking in this amazing site and almost filling up your memory card with photos we continue downhill for around 45 minutes to Machu Picchu for a tour and a hike up the mountain of Waynapicchu. Come on, you’ve got this far!
In the afternoon it’s time to board the backpacker train back to Cusco where you can relax and absorb the fact that you have just completed one of the world’s best treks. You should reward yourself with a drink or three of the local rum.
Relax your tired legs in Cuzco once again.
Today is a free day for you to relax and recuperate or carry on with the Cusco sightseeing that you didn’t get to finish before the Inca Trail. At this point you could stay on for a few extra days or if you have chosen to do the Round the World – South America trip then you’ll be looking forward to continuing your awesome adventure into Bolivia.
This is also the ideal time to gather the email addresses, Twitter names and Facebook pages of all your new mates so that when you are back in a boring job saving for your next adventure you have someone to reminisce with, not to mention lots of friends around the world to visit!
Puno is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. You might be tempted to catch up on some sleep on the way, but we’re sure that the awe-inspiring Andean Mountain Range will keep you and your camera occupied. On arrival in Puno you can settle into your hostel accommodation and then head out with some fellow adventurers to soak up the unique atmosphere, with its mixture of different Peruvian cultures, vibrant markets and friendly locals.
If you feel like you’ve seen and experienced a lot so far, you ain’t seen nothing yet! A full day motor boat excursion on Lake Titicaca is on the schedule, when you get to explore the unique floating islands of the Uros tribe. Made from Totora reeds, these islands have to be repaired and re-made to keep them sturdy enough for the homes, schools and shops that exist. It really is ingenious! Just watch out for any thin patches otherwise you might find yourself with soggy trousers.
The final stop of the day is at the island of Amantani, where you will stay with a local family. You’ll be welcomed with open arms and after a dinner prepared with fresh local ingredients you can dance the night away at the village meeting place – expect traditional music, colourful clothes and lots of laughs. It’s a fabulous experience that you will never forget.
After breakfast the last island visit is to Taquile, which is well known for its hand-woven textiles and the custom of dressing according to your status, for example married men and women wear red, whereas those who are single wear red and white (maybe this practice should be adopted in all pubs and clubs – at least it’s clear who you can aim for!). In addition to experiencing the social culture you have the chance to explore the pre-Inca ruins, hillside agricultural terraces and purchase some souvenirs for your jealous mates back at home.
In the afternoon we will drop you off in Puno and transfer you to your hostel.
Finally it will be time to say good bye to Peru and hola to Bolivia!
Bienvenidos a La Paz! Welcome to this amazing, sky-high city, official name Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace), where your adventure begins. If you arrive on a clear day you can admire the aerial view from the plane of snow-capped Mount Illimani and the city’s buildings, which cascade down the sides of the canyon – pretty impressive!
With a varying altitude of between 3000 to 4100 metres, it may take a little while to acclimatize, unless you are on the last leg of our fantastic ‘Round the World – South America’ trip. After settling into your accommodation and meeting some fellow travellers you can take your first wander around the narrow streets and plazas of this buzzing city. If you do feel the effects of the altitude, try a cup of Maté de coca, coca leaf tea.
There are museums, markets, the impressive city cathedral at Plaza Murillo and beautiful colonial architecture on Calle Jaen. One of the most intriguing places to visit is the Witches Market, which is full of stalls selling herbs, potions, jewellery and amulets, not to mention some more disturbing items such as llama foetuses. You’re also likely to see witch doctors wandering around, who can be identified by their dark hats.
In between the sightseeing, and providing you haven’t lost your appetite, you can chill out at the local cafes or comedors, chat to the locals and sample some of the street food, such as salteñas and empanada tucumana. Later on in the evening you can hit the peñas, or music clubs, to hear traditional Andean folk music.
Why not try… THE DEATH ROAD!
We’re not sure if there is one word that means ‘butt-clenchingly scary, adrenaline fuelled extreme exhilaration’, but that’s what you’re going to experience today! The Death Road, or Camino del Muerte as it is known by the locals, is the world’s most dangerous road. We say road, but what we really mean is a 2-way dirt track, with sheer drops on one side, that weaves its way through the Andes and descends 1200 metres in altitude. And you’re going to mountain bike down it. Hey, look on the bright side, you won’t have much peddling to do!
Although the road does claim 100 lives per year, we should point out that 50,000 people in total have done this trip and most have survived, so the chances of you completing the rest of the trip are pretty good! However, if this really isn’t for you then you can spend another day in La Paz. We certainly don’t make you do anything you don’t want to , but just imagine the feeling of euphoria if you can conquer your fear!
You get to sleep in today before transferring to the town of Potosí, which became famous when silver was discovered in the 16th century. Over time it has gone through a boom and bust scenario, but despite the decline in economy and in addition to the mining history the town has many other attractive features including impressive churches, well preserved colonial architecture and friendly locals.
You might wonder what is so Xtreme about going to visit a mine to hear about the history and current way of life of a local miner. You might be thinking ‘yawn’. Well, if we told you that you’d get to blow stuff up would that make it sound more appealing? That’s right, you can actually buy some dynamite, set the charges and show that plunger who’s boss. Boom, satisfaction guaranteed!
After an explosive afternoon it’s time to head to Sucre.
You could spend your first day in Sucre familiarising yourself with this attractive city, with its whitewashed buildings, colonial architecture and charming narrow streets. Being quite small it is an easily walkable city, which makes it ideal for soaking up the atmosphere and making your way around the number of museums, parks and markets.
Alternatively, if you feel like a change from culture and history you can choose an optional adventure activity in the nearby valleys, such as quad biking, horse riding and paragliding.
There are a couple of interesting options to visit in and around Sucre today – the city’s very own version of Jurassic Park or the traditional village of Tarabuco. The dinosaur park contains fossils of prehistoric plant and animal fossils, skeletons and a trail of authentic dinosaur footprints. Luckily they haven’t created any live ones yet, so no need to worry about T-Rex and friends.
Tarabuco village, just outside of Sucre is a charming and historic place where you can wander the traditional markets and watch local weavers create colourful ponchos and blankets. You might even get to join in with a game of footie with the kids.
Later in the evening you’ll board the night bus to Uyuni and it can get quite chilly at night so make sure that you wrap up warm so that you can get some sleep.
Back at Uyuni you can go and view some of the old steam engines and cars that date back to colonial times. The town was an important stop at one point and although it still has a station the trains are much more modern. We can assure you that visiting this tourist attraction does not make you a trainspotter!
This section of the trip is a 3 day/2 night Salt Flats and Desert Adventure and over the next few days you’ll experience some unique and breathtaking landscapes. There really is nothing like this place on earth, a massive dry lake caused when the Andes rose up out of the ocean millions of years ago has left now nothing but miles and miles of crystallised salt. All sense of perspective vanishes as you drive from island to island checking out the incredible landscape.
Situated just 10km from La Paz, this is the first stop. It’s a surreal, desert-like landscape that has been formed over centuries by the erosion of the clay. This has resulted in some weird looking shapes and structures, making the whole area look like a desert filled with stalagmites.
This is the world’s largest salt pan and is a blindingly white landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see.
You and your fellow adventurers will be taken out on the salt pans by jeep, where you’ll discover that your depth perception is totally out of whack! There are virtually no points of reference out here so mountains that only appear to be a couple of miles away could be several hundred. What this does provide is some amusing photo opportunities.
During the trip you’ll pass through some vast deserts, including the Atacama. We know what you’re thinking, ‘That’s not in Bolivia’, well no, it’s in Chile and that’s why you’ll need to make sure you bring your passport with you! So, on your Xtreme Bolivia Experience you actually also get to go to Chile. We’re good to you! In addition to visiting this famous desert you also get to see another that is named after the famous surrealist, Salvador Dali, so you can just imagine the kind of landscape you’re going to see here.
To make a change from the dusty deserts there are two amazing lakes to see en route – Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde. The first is renowned for its population of flamingos and also its rusty red colour, caused by the algae and mineral sediments in the water. The second is so called because of the vivid green/blue colour, which makes for some stunning photos, especially with the dramatic mountain backdrop.
This is a geothermal area with intense volcanic activity. It consists of boiling mud lakes and sulphur springs, which shoot a combination of mud and water up to heights of between 10 – 50 metres. You certainly want to stick to the protected areas so that you don’t run the risk of being cooked and just in case you didn’t realize, the smell of sulphur = rotten eggs. You do not want a hangover when you visit this place! Following this you can take a dip in the hot springs at Polques, which are a lovely 30 degrees warm and perfectly safe, so don’t forget your swimsuit. However, you will need several layers of clothes for afterwards as Uyuni is a high-desert climate where temperatures reach extremes, including the cold.
Following that little adventure the trip continues on to the stunning city of Arequipa, also known as ‘La Ciudad Blanca’ due to the white volcanic rock buildings. Arequipa: With 300 days of sunshine per year, bright blue skies and some of the most beautiful architecture in Peru, Arequipa is the perfect place for you and your new mates to go wandering. Thousands of years of history and geology provide amazing photo opportunities and we’re sure you’ll love the spicy local cuisine and sizzling nightlife . However, before you go overboard on Pisco, the local brandy-like spirit, remember that the next day is an early start if you want to get moving again.
You’ll need a head for heights today for the morning tour to Cruz del Condor – a particular point at Colca Canyon which is home to the majestic Andean Condor, the national symbol of Peru. The beauty of both the huge birds and the world’s second deepest gorge is spectacular and it can leave you feeling pretty humble (not to mention a bit queasy!).
The small towns of Maca and Yangue are also on the schedule today, where you can explore the streets, admire the churches and generally appreciate the traditional culture. You’ll no doubt find out from your guide that Maca shares it’s name with a plant whose root is used as herbal medicine, quite often as an aphrodisiac, so be careful what you buy at the local market as you might end up with more than you bargained for!
In the afternoon we return to Arequipa.
The impressive archaeological site of Cahuachi could be on the schedule today. Consisting of over thirty pyramids and temple ruins, this ancient city, around 2000 years old, is a sight to behold. Between your guide and the excellent museum, where you can see artifacts and mummies, you’ll find out all about the evolution of the Nasca culture. It is a truly fascinating tour in a place that looks like something out of an Indiana Jones film. Yep, we’ve got the theme tune stuck in our heads now!
If you fancy ticking off another one of those ‘ultimate places to see before you die’, then you’re in for a treat today. You have the option of taking a flight over the mysterious Nasca Lines to view these amazing geometric patterns and shapes, which are thought to have been created by the ancient Nasca people. However there are some alternative theories as to how they came about and what they were for, so cue the X Files music and some interesting ideas about alien involvement!
Your first stop today is Paracas where you pick up the boat tour to the stunning Islas Ballestas. Have your camera at the ready to capture the cheeky sea-lions, playful dolphins and noisy marine birds – just watch out for the Guano (we’ll let you Google that one!). You’ll also get to see an unusual landmark, the ‘Candelabra of Paracas’. Where did it come from? Why doesn’t it disappear in the wind? Your expert guide can fill you in.
After being on the water you head to Huacachina to sandboard the afternoon away. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve done it before or not, you’ll have a blast. It’s simple really, just jump on a board, push off and hope for the best! Check out the video for a taster. Those pesky grains of sand get everywhere so don’t be surprised if you find a mini beach on your bus seat when you arrive back in Lima.
Once again you return to Lima, there are no activities booked or accommodation booked for Lima this time round, you might want to just pass through or spend extra time visiting the bits you missed out on last time. From L you’re heading north towards the border and on towards the Ecuadorian leg of this epic adventure.
Here you can add in an optional trip into the itinerary, the most popular options are Spanish & Surf in Montanita
This is all optional of course because not everyone wants to do two weeks of Spanish and surfing, or has the funds to add in the Galapagos Islands which can be quite expensive, but the Spanish surf program is a lot of fun and extremely helpful to get you to grips with Spanish for your travel in South America, and the Galapagos Islands are definitely something you must see once-in-a-lifetime, so when will you have a better opportunity?
Whether you pick to do an option or not your journey will take you to Quito, with plenty of exciting cities along the way.
Cuenca, official name Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca, where you dive into what is one of the most important cultural centres of Ecuador. Museums, galleries, artisan crafts, impressive archeological sites and stunning countryside await you here. It’s a complete change from the capital city, giving you a real taste of the different faces of Ecuador and there are some real treats in store. Cuenca is a stunning old city that is much more relaxed than the hustle and bustle of Quito. Walking around the narrow cobbled streets, lined with red roof colonial houses with ornate iron balconies, you could imagine that time has stood still. Thanks to UNESCO Cuenca will stay this way, since it was awarded World Heritage Site status in 1999. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Cuenca is an important cultural and art centre in Ecuador.
It’s also a great place to pick up some authentic souvenirs, such as jewellery, ceramics and clothing and shopping trips are the ideal opportunity to practice your Spanish, not to mention ordering some local food and drinks in the bars and restaurants. Look out for Motepillo, a Cuenca speciality that is even suitable for vegetarians (no guinea pig here!).
Located just out side Cuenca is the beautiful Cajas National Park, we would definitely recommend you visit this.
Located around an hour from Cuenca are the Ingapirca ruins, which are a fantastic example of the ingenious work of the Incan and Cañari cultures. This network of stone structures is built around a circular sun temple, which evidences the ancient cultures’ knowledge of solar patterns. Not too far away are the less visited ruins of Cojitambo, which are actually thought to be larger than Ingapirca and resemble the shape of a sleeping lion. The terraced walls and settlements are still in pretty good shape, providing great photo ops.
The peaceful little village of Baños is just a few miles from Cuenca and not to be confused with the large town of Baños in the Tungurahua region is home to some relaxing, therapeutic hot springs. Ok, so it’s not exactly ‘Xtreme’ but everyone needs some chill out time occasionally and this is the perfect place. This optional trip allows you to detoxify in the sauna, lounge in the pools and then explore the village and surrounding countryside.
You can then follow your own schedule taking you to Tena, the Gateway to the Amazon rainforest. With an optional three-day tonight overnight stay in the jungle, (not included) you can meet indigenous Indians, explore the jungle with guides showing some of the diverse wildlife the Amazon has to offer and staying in a luxurious adventure Lodge.
Otavalo is a town just north of Quito and is famous for its amazing craft markets. There is a myriad of stalls brimming with authentic Indian items that are really hard to resist and with the bright in-your-face colours of the textiles and bustling atmosphere it’s a sensory overload! Knowing how to haggle is a bonus so if you haven’t been to Morocco read our guide and ensure that you get that Ugly Betty style poncho for the best possible price!
In addition to the markets Otavalo has beautiful surrounding landscape, with green rolling hills, waterfalls, lakes and mountains.
With a beautiful old town worthy of UNESCO World Heritage Site status, a modern new town with museums galore and a vibrant atmosphere, Quito certainly has plenty to keep you busy. A city tour will show you all the main sights of the city as well as get you oriented for exploring on your own throughout the week.
The old town consists of some lovely streets with colonial style buildings as well as a main plaza with some impressive government and religious buildings, including the oldest cathedral in South America, whereas the new town has the fantastic Casa de Cultura Ecuatoriana, which houses some of the best museums on archaeology, art and traditional culture. This area is also home to Parque el Ejído and the Vivarium, which lets you get up close, but luckily not too personal, with some of Ecuador’s wildlife including snakes, lizards and iguanas.
For wildlife of a different kind you’ll find a buzzing bar and club scene in Quito, with venues to suit just about any tastes, whether you are looking to salsa the night away, listen to some live music or even get a taste of home at an English pub (shame on you!). You may well need to have had a drink or two in order to try Ecuador’s most loved dish of roasted guinea pig. It tastes like chicken. Probably. If you find yourself struggling to acclimatise to the altitude or you just need a pick-me-up for staying out late then try a cup of Coca Tea or chew on some coca leaves – Ecuadorian Red Bull.
Quito also makes a great base for exploring the surrounding area, with its stunning landscapes and interesting villages, which is exactly what you get to do whilst your here.
The trip ends here.
£3200
Colca Canyon Trekking 3D/2N
Ballestas & Paracas NR
Local Encounter 2D/1N
Waterfall Experience
You can start this trip any time please contact us with your preferred travel dates.
“Great combo of well organized itinerary and the freedom of doing it in my own pace”Mark L.
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]]>All you need to travel between two of South America's most popular counties, Travel from Quito in Ecuador to Lima in Peru stopping off at lots of exciting places on the way. Why not extend this trip by adding on one or more of our other exciting South America programmes. Choose from Spanish and Surf in Ecuador, Trek the Inca Trail or one of the other choices and make your gap year experience one to remember.
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This ultra convenient hop-on hop-off bus pass is the best way to organize your transportation and adventure activities when travelling in South America. If you do not speak Spanish, it can be quite a hassle and a bit of a minefield to make your way around this fascinating continent. Don’t let language issues put you off exploring these amazing countries
This travel pass makes it easy to go backpacking in South America. We include all your transportation and loads of free activities en route. What’s more all the itineraries are flexible and we have daily departures to make this the ideal solution to travel South America.
Lima>Cuzco>Puno>Amantani Island>Taquile Island>Copacabana >La Paz >Sucre>Potosi>Uyuni>Salt Hotel in Agua Quisa>Laguna Colorada>San Pedro Atacama>Calama>Iquique>Arica>Tacna>Arequipa>Nazca>Ica/Huacachina>Paracas>Lima.
DAY 1
Today you will take a transfer from Lima to Huaraz by Public Bus. Prepare your trekking, rock climbing, ice climbing or mountain biking equipment as you take time to acclimatize in Huaraz at nearly 3,100 meters before heading off on your ascent to an Andean mountaintop or refuel on hot food and cold beer once you’ve come back from your adventure.
DAY 2
Llanganuco Lagoons Day Trip
DAY 3
Today you will take a transfer from Huaraz to Trujillo by Public Bus. This colonial coastal town, founded in 1534, has a history steeped in politics and progressive thinking and was one of the first Peruvian cities to declare independence from the Spanish.
DAY 4
Enjoy your free day in Trujillo and add an optional extra activity.
DAY 5
Today you will take a transfer from Trujillo to Mancora by Public Bus. Peru’s sunniest beaches and best surf draws attention from people around the world where you can mingle with anyone from Peruvian elite to backpackers or surfers searching for the perfect wave.
DAY 6
Enjoy your free day in Mancora and add an optional extra activity.
DAY 7
Today you will take a transfer from Mancora to Guayaquil by Public Bus. Take some time to explore the dynamic city of Guayaquil where you can wander down the riverside boardwalk with local teenagers and eat ice cream in a shady plaza.
DAY 8
Today you will take a transfer from Guayaquil to Cuenca by Public Bus. This charming colonial town is filled with whitewashed houses and cobblestone streets perching on the banks of the Rio Tomebamba with a modern twist of trendy cafes, restaurants and bars with the comforts of home.
DAY 9
Cuenca HopOn HopOff City Tour
DAY 10
Today you will take a transfer from Cuenca to Guamote by Public Local Bus. Guamote is a small village between Riobamba and Alaus. The Indgenas are living here and it seems as if time stood still. Guamote Local Encounter 2D/1N
DAY 11
Today you will take a transfer from Cuenca to Banos by Public Local Bus. After a tough day of mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking or climbing indulge yourself in the relaxing thermal springs waiting for you to bathe your tired body in this cute mountain town.
DAY 12
Banos Canopy & Bridge Experience
DAY 13
Banos Waterfall Experience (Bike or Chiva)
DAY 14
Today you will take a transfer from Banos to Tena by Public Bus. At the confluence of the Rio Tena & Rio Pano in the midst of the Amazon Jungle, sits the tiny town of Tena, the mecca for white water rafting and adventure expeditions into the Amazon.
DAY 15
Enjoy your free day in Tena and add an optional extra activity.
DAY 16
Today you will take a transfer from Tena to Quito by Public Bus. Awe at Quito’s dramatic setting in the midst of the Andean mountains with surrounding volcanoes while you walk through the colonial old town as if you had gone back in time.
DAY 17
Cotopaxi Bike Day Trip
DAY 18
Enjoy your free day in Quito and add an optional extra activity.
No accommodation is included with this pass, but you do have access to exclusive discounts for hostels en route.
Easy! Contact us via e-mail, GMAIL chat, Skype or over the phone and let us know when you wish to depart. We will confirm your departure by sending you an e-mail with your confirmation numbers and information.
If your next route is by mini-van… we will ask you where you are staying so we know where to pick you up. All you have to do is wait at your hostel to be picked up at the specified time.
If your next route is by first class public bus or flight… We will send you an e-ticket number, departure time and bus station / airport address via e-mail where you will need to arrive on your own at least 30 minutes prior to your departure. There you can present your photo ID and e-ticket number at the indicated ticket counter to pick up your paper tickets or boarding pass.
If your next route is by local bus or train… We will send you a confirmation e-mail with instructions on how and where to pick-up your ticket so you can board the bus. Sometimes, we will deliver the tickets to your hotel reception.
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You can start this trip any time.
“Everyone was super helpful, friendly, and knowledgable! They took care of all the logistics so that my trip was stress free! The routes and attractions were excellent..”
“We travelled from Lima to La Paz and it was wonderful. Everything was well organized and the activities were lots of fun. The contact was excellent and they replied to all of our questions very quickly.”Lauren Dubois
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]]>Trekking the Inca Trail is the ultimate backpacking rite of passage. An unreal journey that takes you four days to complete, trekking high up in the Andes in search of the lost city of Machu Picchu. Not for the faint hearted, this trail leads you through steep mountain passes, with dramatic scenery culminating in a magnificent view of the Inca citadel, through the infamous Sun Gate.
When was the last time you took an adventure? Now you can experience one of the last great adventures, the Inca Trail. Discover the The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, which is undoubtedly the most recognised symbol of Inca civilization. Perched high up in the Andes, it is known to be the only Inca city that was never found by the Spanish.
What makes the Inca Trail so intriguing is the amazing combination of Inca ruins, superb views, the dramatic Andes scenery. There is plenty of flora ( 250 species of orchid have been counted in the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary) as well as fauna - numerous birds such as hummingbirds, waterfowl and the majestic Andean condor. Not to mention the odd alpaca lama!
Ask anyone travelling to Peru, and they will all state they are heading to the Inca Trail, taking four days to complete, it is as much about the adventure as it is about meeting fellow trekkers!
Starting on the same day you will bump into the same people en route, and although the pace may well be different for everyone, climbing at altitude is not easy,everyone camps out at the same spots, making the night times a pretty social experience.
In the day you will push on through ever-changing scenery, passing sheer cliff drops, llamas, trekkers, ruins and many excited adventurers heading to Machu Picchu. All different nationalities get together around camp fires to discuss, well you name it, anything and everything. International life time friendships are cemented in just four days.
This is the very essence of what makes travelling so cool, and it all happens on the Inca Trail.
A guided tour of Machu Picchu with a professional English-speaking guide and then enjoy free time to explore the ruins, truly a once-in-a-lifetime unforgettable experience.
From March 2013 we have 5 departures per week: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. With an included night in Cuzco the previous day.
Please be advised that there are limited numbers of trekking permits for each day (500) and once they are gone they are gone. Sometimes they sell out up to three months in advance so please book early. This means you have to set your date for arrival in Cuzco, but with our Lima to Cuzco travel pass you can get there easily enough. (You can also fly direct from Lima so be sure to check out the Lima surf connection arrival pack too. It rocks!)
Please note the Inca trail is closed in February for maintenance.
There are alternative routes you can take if you are unable to get a permit, however we advise you do not leave it to chance, this is a once in a life time adventure, and going to Peru and missing out on this trip is criminal!
If you want to know more about getting to Cuzco or any more detail on the trip, please request trip notes or contact us. Remember you can combine this trip with a more epic adventure across South America!
A spectacularly rich experience in the Andean mountains and Inca culture awaits you! One night in Cuzco and four days of trekking, 50 kilometers through the heart of the Andes, the only trek to take you along the the original Inca Trail, an authentic hand-built stone footpath where you will walk in the footsteps of ancient Inca royalty and enter Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) at sunrise for awe-inspiring views as the ancient Incas did a thousand years ago. Climb from 2,380 meters to 4,210 meters at Dead Woman’s Pass, then pass through unforgettably beautiful jungle scenery and hidden labyrinth-style ruins to reach the most spectacular Inca archaeological site in South America.
Arrive into Cuzco and head to the hostel for check in. You have the day to settle in, explore Cuzco and attend a pre trek briefing and meet the other members of the group. Get a good nights sleep and be ready to start your adventure the next day.
Hostel Pick-Up at 6:00am. Please make all of the necessary preparations one day prior to the trek. You will be taken by bus to the town of Ollantaytambo where you will have an hour to eat breakfast and purchase last minute snacks, water and walking sticks. A good hot breakfast will give you energy to start the Inca Trail off on a good foot. Then you will hop back on the bus to KM 82 where the famous Inca Trail journey will begin. Hike along rolling hills in the Urubamba River Valley passing by several small archaeological sites along the way. Lunch will be prepared half-way and you will have time to relax before reaching Wayllabamba camp (2,980m) around 17:00pm. (11 km trek; 6 hour duration).
Today is the most challenging day along the trail with a vertical hike of approximately 5 hours to reach Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 m followed by a 2 hour hike down stone steps to reach Pacaymayo camp at 3,600 m. You will begin with a 5:30 am wake-up call with hot coca-leaf tea in your tent. After packing up and eating breakfast at 6:00 am you will start off for the big hike.
Take your time and rest as much as you feel necessary as you ascend more than 1,200 meters over the course of the morning. Don’t miss awe-inspiring views of the valley as you reach the pass and remember to take your photograph at the top! Just after you cross Dead Woman’s Pass you will be rewarded with spectacular views of nearby snow-capped mountain peaks and roaring waterfalls. Stroll slowly down to Pacaymayo Camp (3,660m) to enjoy the scenery. Arrive in time for lunch and a well-deserved nap to the sounds of the nearby waterfalls and nature. Then you will have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the camp before dinner and an early bedtime. (10 km trek; 7 hour duration). (It may be possible to rent an extra porter on days two and three for approximately £15 per day – this can be organized directly with your guide).
An unforgettable journey along ancient Inca stairways, mountain lakes, intriguing archaeological sites and humid jungle scenery awaits you. Another early start with a wake-up call at 5:30 am in your tent and breakfast at 6:00 am with cocoa leaf tea to get you kick-started for this full day. Start with a one-hour hike uphill to visit the oval-shaped Pacaymayo archaeological site believed to have been either a crop-storage structure or an Inca military fortress overlooking the valley to control the region. Continue one hour to Runquracay Pass where you can climb to the tip-top of the mountain for incredible views of surrounding peaks. Visit two more archaeological sites with your guide and have lunch along the way.
By late afternoon you will reach Wiñayhuayna High Jungle camp (2,700m) set above a river valley in a high jungle/ rain forest climate. Throw down your gear and grab a place in line for the hot-shower that awaits you. Then stroll over to the lodge and order a (not-so-cheap but well-worth-the-money) cold beer or hot chocolate to enjoy with friends on the balcony looking out over lush green mountains. After dinner, say a big THANK YOU to your porters and guides. (14 km, 8 hours duration).
A unique and magnificent experience is in the cards for you today. Wake up before the sun (depending on your guide, between 3:30 – 4:30 am) for breakfast. Get on the trail before the rest of the groups and hike about an hour to reach Inti-Punku (Sun Gate). Walking through magical Inti-Punku to glimpse the first sights of Machu Picchu is truly a once-in-a-lifetime unforgettable experience. Then continue down the final length of the trail to reach the wondrous Machu Picchu archaeological complex perched delicately on the top of the sacred Machu Picchu mountain. You will have time to check your backpacks (bring water, sunblock, sunglasses, hat and sweater or rain poncho with you), grab a quick bite at the snackbar and use the restrooms before re-entering the site with your guide. (7 km; 2 hours duration).
The one and only, the most spectacular (and not to mention most popular) archaeological site in all of South America. Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu walking you through the most important sites and covering the history of the place (if you haven’t already heard it all during the Inca Trail Trek). Then you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure. When you decide to head back down to Aguas Calientes, there are buses departing every 15 minutes from the entrance or you can take the walking trail down if you feel like another 1 hour stair stepping downhill to Aguas Calientes town.
Machu Picchu was (relatively recently) “discovered” by American historian, Hiram Bingham, in 1911 while searching for the legendary “Lost City of the Incas”. Hiram Bingham and his local guides stumbled across the site which was then covered in thick vegetation which was later cleared revealing the magical mountain-top archaeological site and opening up the possibility for archaeologists to conduct research on the site by 1915.
Whether arriving via Inca Trail or entering from Aguas Calientes don’t miss the excellent photo opportunities from the following spots:
*If you are coming from the Inca trail, speak with your guide regarding purchasing a ticket for Wayna Picchu since they may sell out early.
Have a delicious lunch at any restaurant you desire and then head over to the hot-springs to soak your sore body in the rejuvenating waters. There are internet cafés, cafés with board games and cards, plenty of shops and places to relax. Visit the local marketplace right next to the train tracks where you can shop until the train whistle blows signalling your return to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you will take a bus for the last section of highway to Cuzco arriving back around 10:30pm.
The Inca trail trek involves camping at high altitude, camping equipment is provided and expect to wake up to some amazing views from your tent zipper!
The most common question we are asked is how fit do you have to be to trek the Inca trail? Is is tough?
Well the short answer is it is not hard, but not easy either. The challenge comes because you are walking at altitude, where the air is thin and you do not get as much oxygen. This turns a stiff uphill walk into something a lot more tricky.
The worst part comes on day two, and whilst it does not look so bad it is a long way up when you have to stop and catch your breath for a few minutes more frequently than you would think is normal.
Do not let that put you off though, the reward is more than worth it, not only in terms of the views and experience, but also from the sense of accomplishment. Just you try and walk for four days straight, over 50km, and you would feel like you have achieved a lot anyway.
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There are no set start dates for this trip you can start all year with the exception of in February when the Trail is closed for upkeep. We do however advice you get your booking in many months ahead, as permits are limited and sell-out way ahead.
Did you know we can help you plan an epic adventure? You can combine this trip with the following trips to extend your
travels.
You can easily combine the Inca trail trek with one of our South America travel passes, and if you are arriving into the capital city Lima then you can also add on the Lima surf connection.
“Definite highlight of my South America trip.”Dominic Taylor
“Amazing. It felt so awesome arriving in Macchu Picchu after several days hiking. But for me the best was the trek itself, I was not expecting all the views from the mountain passes to be so spectacular. I met some great people as I went as well.”Lucy Ramsey
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This is the perfect pass if you want to travel through Peru seeing some of the major highlights of South America, including stopping off in Cuzco, the Gateway to the Inca Trail. The pass then ends in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia and the world’s highest city. Plenty of inclusions and cool places like the Colca Canyon, for condor spotting, the Ballestas Islands and the Sacred Valley. High Andean peaks, ruined Incan citadels and a well trodden backpacker trail. South America at its best.
This ultra convenient bus pass is the best way to organize your transportation and adventure activities when travelling in South America. If you do not speak Spanish, it can be quite a hassle and a bit of a minefield to make your way around this fascinating continent. Don’t let language issues put you off exploring these amazing countries
This travel pass makes it easy to go backpacking in South America. We include all your transportation on local transport and loads of free activities en route. What’s more all the itineraries are flexible and we have daily departures to make this the ideal solution to travel South America.
Early in the morning (3.45am) you will take a transfer from Lima to Paracas by Public Bus. Walk along the cliffside ocean walk, slip into a modern mall with views of the Pacific and check out the nightlife in the fun Miraflores district. When you arrive in Paracas a boat will be waiting for you to head to the Balestas Islands.
Take a boat tour to see the impressive Candelabra geoglyph, Peruvian boobies, Humboldt penguins, and abundant marine life at the Ballestas Islands archipelago.
Today you will take a transfer from Paracas to Ica by Public Bus. Discover the Ballestas Islands from this simple coastal town where you can walk with locals and pelicans along the boardwalk. After your Xtreme Marine Adventure you will take a van transfer to Huacachina (one hour).
Cruise to the top of 500 meter high sand dunes and go rocketing down the slopes in a sand buggy. Let go of your fears and sandboard down the steep sandy slopes with a few pointers from your local guide. Admire the breathtaking sunset over the vast desert landscape and take photos in the golden twilight before racing back to Huacachina. Stay in Huacachina overnight.
Today you will take a transfer from Ica to Nazca by Public Bus it takes about 2.5 hours.
Tonight you will take a transfer from Nazca to Cuzco by Public Bus. This is a long 15 hour journey crossing the Andes but you can sleep on the bus, with the excitment of waking up in Cuzco!
We recommend 4 days in Cuzco. There is so much to see and do and we also include a Sacred Valley Day tour. This is the perfect opportunity to do the Inca Trail Trek as well (not included in the price of the pass).
If you would like less or more time here please advise us on your booking form.
Travel between Cuzco and Puno (in either direction) and stop along the way to have breakfast in Sicuani before taking a peek into the past at the archaeological sites of Raqchi and Pukara high in the mountains with a local guide. Cross over the high altitude pass of La Raya at over 4,000 meters and see the colonial church with its quaint plaza in Andauaylillas.
Today you will head to copacabana from Puno but not before checking out the amazing Uros floating islands.
One of the highlights of the trip Lake Titicaca, the highest floating lake in the world. We spend two nights here giving you the opportunity to head over to Sun Island. It’s an unreal landscape with the Amazing blue of Lake Titicaca, and islands rising out of it filled with cactus plants.
Today you will take a transfer from Puno to Copacabana by Public Bus. Get in touch with the natural beauty of Lake Titicaca from Copacabana where you can visit nearby islands or see how local families live on floating reed islands nearby.
Today you will take a transfer from Copacabana to La Paz by bus. The high-flying capital of Bolivia rests at almost 4,000 meters surrounded by mountains, the perfect place to start off your Bolivian adventure. Please check VISA requirements at the time of booking as certain nationalities need to arrange a VISA in advance of Bolivia. Prices change frequently book can be over $100.
The pass ends here that you have the option to add on cycling the death road if you want to make it extra Xtreme!!
There is no accommodation included in this trip. There are plenty of hostels and backpacker hotels along the way, we recommend using hostel world to book your hostels in advance.
There are no set start dates for this trip. You can join anytime. Please be aware you set your dates at the time of booking and these are not changeable. This is a fixed itinerary so you need to plan the rest of your trip accordingly. No stress though as we can help. We also advise adding on our Lima surf conneXion program to this to make your start even easier.
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]]>Experience Peru and Bolivia with all the wondrous adventure travel that comes with these two epic backpacker destinations. In Peru go condor spotting in the Colca Canyon, see thousands of seabirds off the Ballestas Islands and as a contrast travel through the lush agricultural region of Sacred Valley. Trek the Inca Trail on an optional excursion. Then onto Bolivia, for Lake Titicaca and the unreal salt flats at Salar de Uyuni.
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This ultra convenient hop-on hop-off bus pass is the best way to organize your transportation and adventure activities when travelling in South America. If you do not speak Spanish, it can be quite a hassle and a bit of a minefield to make your way around this fascinating continent. Don’t let language issues put you off exploring these amazing countries
There is no time limit to complete this pass, but we recommend a minimum trip time of 25 days to cover all transport and day trips.
Trek the Inca Trail is not included. We recommend you book this before you travel as the permits for Machu Picchu need to be booked well in advance.
The only accommodation included is:
Nothing else is booked for you but you do have access to exclusive discounts for hostels en route.
Easy! Contact us via e-mail, GMAIL chat, Skype or over the phone and let us know when you wish to depart. We will confirm your departure by sending you an e-mail with your confirmation numbers and information.
If your next route is by mini-van… we will ask you where you are staying so we know where to pick you up. All you have to do is wait at your hostel to be picked up at the specified time.
If your next route is by first class public bus or flight… We will send you an e-ticket number, departure time and bus station / airport address via e-mail where you will need to arrive on your own at least 30 minutes prior to your departure. There you can present your photo ID and e-ticket number at the indicated ticket counter to pick up your paper tickets or boarding pass.
If your next route is by local bus or train… We will send you a confirmation e-mail with instructions on how and where to pick-up your ticket so you can board the bus. Sometimes, we will deliver the tickets to your hotel reception.
| Duration | Travel Only |
| 25 days minimum | £806 |
There are no set start dates for this trip you can join any time.
“This travel pass allowed me to be very flexible during my trip. I travelled with my girlfriend and were able to do what we wanted, whenever we wanted without the hassle of having to organize everything ourselves. I am sure we could have organized some of the things ourselves, but we would have lost a lot of time trying to figure out how to do it. The activities that they included where a lot of fun, like the sandboarding in Inca, and the volcano trek to Misty in Arequipa. I feel I really got to discover Peru!!”Ashley White
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How would you like to get a diploma, spend four weeks travelling somewhere exotic with the possibility to get paid for your efforts at the end of it. Sound too good to be true? Well it isn’t.
Not only can you do all that, you will get mentored by one of the top journalists in the country Beci Wood who spent 10 years at the biggest newspaper in the UK. Get assistance publishing your piece and sending out through news channels with the aim of it being picked up as newsworthy. This will give you an amazing exposure and a genuine opportunity to try out and launch a new career in journalism.
On this program you can either undertake the diploma only and use it to boost your qualifications whilst you undertake any of our gap year programs, or you can involve yourself On our Xtreme journalism assignments. Set in 2 locations where you can study and learn more about journalism.
For the assignments, you can choose either Thailand, or Mexico and you have four weeks to complete the course and we throw in some adventure activities along the way. What they are depends on the time of year, we do not keep it set so we can react to any newsworthy stories or events.
The course involves quite a bit of coursework, so where better to undertake some investigative journalism, or get inspired than abroad by paradise beaches.
You have full backup and support of our UK-based tutors, who have considerable experience in the industry. You can actually study anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection and a laptop.
Once you have completed the course and have written your final piece we will assist you in sending this out to our media houses who may or may not pick up on the story. If you do get published you will receive 60 percent of your royalty fees which could be enough to cover the cost of the entire course.
What you report on is up to you, but you will have the full back up and support and guidance of professional journalists (including the head mentor on the programme – Beci Wood with 10 years experience on staff at the UK´s biggest newspaper).
Not only is journalism and exciting career, it’s something you can take with you to your next stage after travelling, whether that be a part-time job at University, or something you do on the side or launch phone into as a career.
So whether you want to do something genuinely rewarding while you travel, or want to have something that not only looks amazing – really is amazing on your CV then the Xtreme reporter as you.
On the Thailand option we have a completely unique and very exciting work experience attachment to this program. You will work in a genuine media Company that produces monthly magazines all over Asia. Working from their offices in Phuket, you will put your newfound skills to use: tasked With writing articles and uncovering stories as a reporter. You will go out develop and write stories and make a valued contribution to the magazine and online websites. Working under the CEO and his media team this is a genuinely unique opportunity to gain work experience and do a really fun job which will build your resume and give you an insight into an exciting industry as you travel.
The company is called think media and is American run running various different franchises of popular magazines, what’s on guides and delivers local news and features in and around Phuket.
The work experience option can either last two weeks or four weeks, depending on your preference and includes all accommodation.
In Mexico you will stay in Playa del Carmen, a short walk from the beach at our base the Bendito Rancho. This is based on a dormitory (shared accommodation).
In Thailand you will stay in Phuket where you will also be involved in a work experience module with think media. You will stay on a bungalow either your own or shared with one other person the same sex. The bungalow is located close to the officers.
Journalism needs specialists. People with knowledge and passion for their subject. We provide a range of courses in specialist subjects ranging from health to the environment through to investigative and travel journalism.
Journalism courses currently available:
Yes our courses are accredited by third party organisations
Our diploma is widely recognised in the UK and overseas. It is a vocational award, equivalent to an NVQ level 1 or 2.
The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) and the ABCC validate it.
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