Adventurous group gap travel at its best in South America. Join us on the 4 week Xtreme South America. Featuring two of the most epic backpacking destinations in the South American continent: Ecuador and Peru. Brush up on your Spanish and trek to Machu Picchu before getting involved in the jungle animal sanctuary. All the while you will be immersed in ancient Incan culture. 90% of our travellers travel alone so this is a great way to join a group travel programme in South America.
Start your 4 week South America adventure with intensive Spanish lessons, this makes it easier to understand the culture and communicate with the locals. Then we challenge you on a 4 day trek to the infamous Machu Picchu. Next spend a week travelling along the Northern beaches of Peru before entering Ecuador, where we spend a week at our animal sanctuary, an experience you’ll never forget.
You need to fly into Cuzco airport in Peru. This is the gateway to the Inca Trail as an incredibly beautiful old colonial city located high in the Andes. On arrival an Xtreme Gap representative will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation. You will then meet the rest of the group and be prepared for your welcome briefing and orientation.
Begin your journey in Cusco, historic capital of the Inca Empire and cultural heart of Peru. Spanish lessons, homestays with friendly local families and city exploration with your fellow travellers are the perfect way to acclimatise – both to the altitude and the laid-back South American way of life.
Step up the adventure level with an epic trek across the Andes to Machu Picchu. Follow in the footsteps of Inca roadbuilders on the remote Salkantay route over icy mountain passes and through mysterious cloud forests to the remains of a fallen civilisation. This is the way to the Lost City of the Inca for those who prefer the path less travelled.
Leaving Cuzco and the Andes mountains behind we set off on an exciting overland journey along the northern coastline of Peru into Ecuador! Our first stop will be the bustling Peruvian capital of Lima to discover the city’s streets, parks and plazas and get a feel for the rich history of the country.
Next we depart Lima and follow the coastline until we reach Huanchaco, once the capital of the ancient Peruvian Moche civilisation. Huanchaco is a small town with epic surf beaches. There are also a number of fascinating ruins to explore in the local area. Onward to Punta Sal for pure beach chill time where there are a number of optional activities to chose from or just kick back and relax and hang out with the group.
From Punta Sal we cross the border into Ecuador for our first stop in Cuenca, Ecuador’s third largest city. It’s a global heritage site and a great place to explore. From there we continue our journey inland past stunning scenery to the start point of your next phase of the expedition, Puyo.
One of our most popular projects – the Animal Rescue Centre – helps wild animals that have been rescued from mistreatment and abuse. The project focuses on saving lives, helping them to recover and, if possible, letting
them return to the wild.
There are different areas in need of help and the exact work you will be doing will depend on your personal
interests but could include:
• Preparing animals’ food
• Daily feeding and cleaning
• Assisting in construction and maintenance work to improve animal living conditions
• Providing care and support to animals.
After this week, those booked on the four-week program will be transferred to Quito for their return flight home. Those staying on will have the chance to go to Banos for the weekend where optional activities include rope swings, hot springs, cycling, hiking and canyoning before returning to the Animal Rescue Centre for a
second week of volunteering.
If you have booked the 4 week and would like to extend to the 7 weeks, click here.
Due to the diverse nature of this trip, the accommodation will vary throughout. For example, in towns and cities we use local hotels and guesthouses, camping on the Trek, in the Amazon we use a volunteer guesthouse and traditional stilted huts in the Shuar community.
Breakfast and dinner will be included each day.
Lunch will be included on Trek (wk 2), during project work (wk-4)
The majority of foreign nationals do not require a visa for Peru or Ecuador. However, those with criminal records in Ecuador may still be denied entry. On arrival in the country, the immigration police will normally allow a stay of up to 90 days
There is a National Park entrance fee to the Galapagos Islands of $110 for all foreign nationals. This fee is not included.
The arrival airport is Cuzco (CUZ) and departure airport is Quito (UIO) You are responsible for booking your own flights/transport to the start point of the expedition (at the in-country airport). Information and advice about booking flights will be provided upon booking but please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance. Do not forget to upload your flights details on your personal pages before you go! Call us if you have any questions or need any advice.
You will also need to book return flights from Quito to the Galapagos Islands. These flights are approximately $450 USD and although not included, we can help you can book these flights for you.
Weather Ecuador: The highland dry season is June through until the end of September. In the Oriente, it rains during most months, but August and December through March are usually the driest. In the Galápagos, the wildlife is there year-round. The dry season (June to December) is also cool and often misty. On the coast, the wet season (roughly January to May) sees sunny days with daily afternoon downpours, but it’s the best beach weather. The dry season (roughly June to December) is cooler.
Peru: From June to August is the dry season in the mountains and altiplano (Andean plateau); the wettest months are from December to March. It rains all the time in the hot and humid rainforest, but the driest months there are from June to September. However, even during the wettest months from December to May, it rarely rains for more than a few hours at a time.
Even though you will be provided with food and accommodation in-country, you will need money to do your own travelling if you wish and for any activities not on the itinerary. There will be plenty of things do! Depending on the duration of your stay, we advise you to budget for $60 – $80 or £40-£50 a week.
Upon booking you will be provided with a recommend kit list. You will also have a kit briefing before you go out on expedition and you are welcome to call us with any kit related queries before you go!
Don’t be! By joining our group you will be meeting loads of like-minded adventurers so don’t be put off travelling if you don’t have any mates to come with you. You’re guaranteed to make loads of friends and have an incredible time on this adventure!
Fri 10th January 2020
Fri 17th April 2020
Fri 3rd July 2020
Fri 16th October 2020
The Galapagos tour starts on a Monday after and ends on the Friday
Adventurous group gap travel at its best in South America. Join us and the rest of the team and travel through South America and eight glorious weeks. Featuring two of the most epic backpacking destinations in the South American continent Ecuador and Peru. Brush up on your Spanish and trek to Machu Picchu before getting involved in the jungle animal sanctuary. All the while you will be immersed in ancient Incan culture. 90% of our travellers travel alone so this is a great way to join a group travel programme in South America.
We can help you customise your trips, and give you tailored advise. Please ask.
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