The tour is effectively split into segments, with the cities in capital letters being the rest points where some people may finish the tour, and may other may start the tour. I join the tour in Cartagena and finish in Rio. A lot of people travel round South America with public transport, but I decided to see the continent this way due to the fact I cannot speak Spanish, and the fact it is easier to meet people and plan things this way.
It is incredibly difficult to summarise what the tour will entail, but I try my best to give a picture of what I will see throughout my time in South America by condensing what it says on the website . Starting in Cartagena on the Caribbean coast, I will explore parts of Colombia including the Tayrona National Park, the adventure capital of San Gil, and the stunning historic town of Villa de Leyva. From here I will cross into Ecuador, and it's buzzing capital of Quito. From Quito I will explore stunning jungles, hills, and towns in Ecuador, heading down the coast and the idyllic beaches of Punta Sal in Northern Peru.
From here I will head south through the Peruvian deserts to the ruined Moche city of Chan Chan, to then climb up to the spectacular Andean town of Huaraz, which will eventually lead to capital Lima. From Lima I will continue down the the coast to the magical dunes of Huacachina, and then overland to the mysterious Nazca Lines. From here I will climb up into the highlands and visit the colonial city of Arequipa and the breathtaking Colca Canyon, before staying at a local Quechua village stay en route to the city of Cuzco. From here I will trek the Inca Trail to the legendary ruined city of Machu Picchu.
After Cuzco I will head south to the serene shores of Lake Titicaca and its sacred Inca island of Isla del Sol, before moving into Bolivia and the city of La Paz. From here I will have a community stay in Livichuco and visit the famous mining town of Potosi, before arriving in phenomenal salt flats of Salar de Uyuni. I will then overland across the Bolivian Altiplano and onto the incredible Atacama Deserts of Chile, where I will then cross the Andes into the beautiful arid regions of Argentina and the wonderful town of Salta.
I then make my way south through the wine regions and highlands of northwest Argentina before arriving at a unique estancia stay for two days of horse riding on a country ranch. It is then onto Mendoza, which sits in the shadow of the Andes highest mountains, before crossing Andes once again to arrive back in Chile and Santiago. From Santiago I will continue south into the Lake Districts passing beautiful scenery as I pass through places like Pucan and Barlioche.
I will then enter the fabled land of Patagonia, famous for its desolate scenery, its huge glaciers near El Calafate, the phenomenal mountain scenery of El Chaltan, and the Torres del Paine National Park. Here I will have the chance to do lots of trekking! This will eventually lead me to the worlds southernmost town, Ushuaia, before heading back up the Atlantic coast to the city of Buenos Aires. I will finish the tour by heading up to Rio in time for carnival, passing places such as Pantanal and the might Iguazu Falls en route!
Basically the tour I am doing seems really exciting, and will involve plenty of hiking and amazing scenery which suits me massively. I literally cannot wait,
42 days to go, Harry =)
