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London, United Kingdom
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Lima, Peru
Lima - food, coast, day trip to paracas nature reseve?
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Huaraz, Peru
Day 1 - arrival and rest
Day 2 - Acclimiatisation hike (Willcacocha or Pukaventa)
Day 3 - Laguna Paron
Day 4 - Laguna 69
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Arequipa, Peru
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Cusco, Peru
Check into Alpaca Expeditions office. Located very close to the main square at Calle Heladeros 157, Office 24 – 25 on the 2nd floor.
Open Monday-Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM and then again from 3 PM to 7 PM. If you arrive on Sunday, we don’t open until 4:30 pm, but we will be here until 7 pm.
IMPORTANT: At check-in time, please remember to bring your ORIGINAL PASSPORT and provide it to the alpaca staff. Total balance remaining to pay for 2ppl: USD970. Booking #AE26003720
We strongly prefer all balances to be paid in CASH, only USD currency is accepted. If paying by card, they charge a fee of 5% per transaction.
The night before your trek at 6:00 PM, go back to the office for your briefing with your trekking guide and group. It is also at the briefing that we give you your duffel bags.
You will pack all your belongings in these duffel bags and give them to your porters in the morning. Whatever you pack in your duffel bags will be with the porters all day and not return until you get to your first camping site. Remember that if there is anything you need during the day it should be in your daypack and not your duffel bag.
Max weight: 7 kg (includes
sleeping bag and trekking poles if you bring/rent them, sleeping bag 2 kg). It will
be collected in the morning and available in the afternoon at your campsite. No
access during the day.
• 2 Thermal shirts / base layer
• 3–4 Trekking shirts (quick-dry)
• 2 Trekking pants (one convertible into shorts if desired)
• 1 Short / light leggings
• 1 Insulating / down jacket
• 1 Waterproof / windbreaker jacket
• 1 Waterproof pants or poncho
• 1 Wool hat / beanie
• 1 Pair of gloves
• 1 Scarf / buff / bandana
• 5–6 Underwear
• 5–6 Pairs of trekking socks (1 thermal pair optional)
• 1 Sun hat or cap
• 1 Pair of waterproof trekking boots
• 1 Pair of sandals or light footwear
• 1 Pair of trekking poles (optional but recommended)
Essential recommendation: Protect all clothing inside plastic bags to prevent
them from getting wet in case of rain
In case there is an emergency, our contact numbers are office (084) 254278, Raul the general manager +51 947824774.
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Machu Picchu, Peru
Pick up at hotel at 4-4.30am.
YOUR ITINERARY:
Oct 19 - Salkantay Day 1: CUSCO - SORAYPAMPA (Glass Cabañas) & HIKE TO HUMANTAY LAGOON
Oct 20 - Salkantay Day 2: SORAYPAMPA - SALKANTAY PASS - WAYRACMACHAY (Glass Domes)
Oct 21 - Salkantay Day 3: WAYRACMACHAY - RAYANPATA - COLPAPAMPA - LORETA (Hobbit House)
Oct 22 - Salkantay Day 4: LUCMABAMBA - LLACTAPATA - HIDROELECTRICA - AGUAS CALIENTES (Hotel)
Oct 23 - Salkantay Day 5: MACHU PICCHU – RETURN TO CUSCO
Let organisers know that we want to get off at Ollantaytambo instead!
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Ollantaytambo, Peru
Book sacred valley tour for Day 1. Day 2 explore Ollantaytambo ruins - get a guide by entrance.
Get kimchi toast at Latente coffee and empanadas at d’ferro coffee. Food at Koricancha for views of ruins, dinner at La Serranita or Chullpi or apu veronica (or Chuncho - higher end?)
Find transportation back to cusco for next day - multiple buses
Ollanta Andino tours - $190 for 2 (contact via WhatsApp) - ask for guide Ernesto?
🏔️ FULL DAY – SACRED VALLEY TOUR (PISAQ, CHINCHERO, MARAS & MORAY)
📍 Departure and return: Ollantaytambo
🕢 Start time: 07:30 a.m.
🚐 Service: Private
🗺️ ITINERARY
07:30 a.m. – Departure from Ollantaytambo
Start of the journey towards Pisaq.
09:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Visit to Pisaq Archaeological Site
Guided tour of one of the most important archaeological complexes in the Sacred Valley, renowned for its impressive agricultural terraces, temples, and panoramic views.
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Transfer to Chinchero
12:30 p.m. – 01:30 p.m. | Visit to Chinchero
Explore the archaeological and colonial site of Chinchero, known for its Inca structures, colonial church, and traditional Andean weaving culture.
01:30 p.m. – 02:00 p.m. | Transfer to Maras
02:00 p.m. – 03:00 p.m. | Visit to the Maras Salt Mines
Discover the impressive salt ponds that have been used since pre-Inca times and are still operated by local families today.
03:00 p.m. – 03:30 p.m. | Transfer to Moray
03:30 p.m. – 04:15 p.m. | Visit to Moray Archaeological Site
Guided visit to the famous circular terraces believed to have been used by the Incas as an agricultural experimentation center.
04:15 p.m. – 05:00 p.m. | Return to Ollantaytambo
✅ INCLUDED:
• Private transportation throughout the tour.
• Guided tours at Pisaq, Chinchero, Maras Salt Mines, and Moray.
• One bottle of water per passenger.
• Pick-up and return transfer to Ollantaytambo.
❌ NOT INCLUDED:
• Entrance tickets to the archaeological sites.
• Lunch
• Personal expenses.
End of our services
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Cusco, Peru
Rainbow mountain tour! Book the early tour on get your guide with red valley day trip.
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Puno, Peru
Check bus times to copacabana
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Copacabana, Bolivia
Lake Views + Horca del Inca + Basilica +Cerro Calvario ? Kayaking?
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La Paz, Bolivia
Morning in Copacabana, then bus afternoon/night
4h bus + boat from Lake Titicaca (1.30pm) > La Paz (5.30pm arrival), overnight bus to Uyuni (8/9pm departure - 6am arrival)
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Uyuni, Bolivia
World White Travel Tour Company
https://boliviasaltflats.com.bo/tour-3-dias-2-noches-con-hostales
drops us in San Pedro de Atacama after tour
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San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Do desert day tours!
Also book bus to Salta (details in transport)
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Salta, Argentina
https://sallysees.com/salta-road-trip/
Aim to get to salta mid day and explore avo/eve? 1 night Salta (6 Nov)
Hire car 7 Nov and drive to cafayate
1 full day 2 nights cafayate (7-8 Nov)
Drive cafayate to cachi 9 Nov
1 full day 2 nights cachi (9-10 Nov)
Drive cachi to Salta 11 Nov
Eve/early morning explore Salta 11-12 Nov
Fly Mendoza 12 Nov 12:15pm
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Mendoza, Argentina
Day 1: Wine tasting in Maipu (maipu bikes) or with hostle dale
Day 2, visit chacras de coria/lujan de coyo - bacchus bikes;
Day X: free walking tour Vivim Za;
Day 3/4 Day mountains and wine tour Route 7 with Hostel Dale?
https://maipubikes.com/home-en/
https://vivimza.com/
Bacchusbikes
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Santiago, Chile
San Cristóbal Hill; Santa Lucia Hill
Explore barrio italia!
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Puerto Natales, Chile
Gear, food, final prep - rent a smaller bag to take for W trek?
Rental Natales https://rentalnatales.com/shop-puerto_natales-torres_del_paine/35-45l-backpack-rental/ 6$ a day
https://rentalnatales.com/shop-puerto_natales-torres_del_paine/ultra-light-backpack-50l/ 7$ a day
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Chilean Patagonia, Chile
W Trek
Deposit paid: HD $595 NZ $995
Balance due: HD $595 NZ $995
Balance to be paid August 15 - USD $2.585 (including Emer)
Short Itinerary
Nov. 19th Briefing Meeting in your accommodation in Puerto Natales.
Nov. 20th 06:45am Regular bus to the park. Hike to the Base of the Towers (18 km round trip). Night in Refugio Torre central.
Nov. 21th Hike to Refugio Cuernos (13 km one way). Nights in Refugio Cuernos (2 beds and 1 camping full equipment).
Nov. 22th Hike to French Valley and Paine Grande. (18 to 27 km optional). Night in Refugio Paine Grande.
Nov. 23th Hike to Grey (11 km one way). Night in Refugio Grey
Nov. 24th Hike back to Paine Grande (11 km.), 18:00 hrs. Catamaran Pehoe Lake, 19:00 hrs. Bus back to Puerto Natales.
November 20th. Base of the Towers.
You will take the regular bus at 06:45am from the bus station of Puerto Natales. Once in Laguna Amarga park entrance you have to show the ticket to the park rangers, then you have to take other transfer for 15 min. more to arrive at the welcome center of Las Torres Refugio where you have to do the check in and leave part of your luggage if you need. Then you will begin your hike to the viewpoint by a trail up the Ascencio River valley. You have to take the trail by the left side of Las Torres Hotel. After 1.5 hours you will see the Refugio Chilenos (toilet option), along the hike through dense beech forests (Nothofagus pumilio), you will admire several waterfalls and hanging glaciers. After three hours you will start to ascend a steep moraine towards the highest viewpoint for the Towers at 900 m.a.s.l. (2,950ft). There, you’ll be rewarded with a close-up view of the massive granite towers (2.850m/9,350ft) and the milky green lake at their base. Time to relax in one of the most unforgettable settings in the world. The return is along the same path to Refugio Central to spend the night. Dinner, breakfast and box lunch for the next hike included.
Hiking distance: 8 hours Rt, 18 km / 11 miles. Elevation: 950 m/\ (3,040 feet) Physical Difficulty: High.
November 21st. Refugio Los Cuernos.
After breakfast (pick up your lunch box) you will begin the trek to Los Cuernos Refugio, this hike is around 5 hours. You will hike on undulating terrain surrounding Mount Almirante Nieto (2.860m/8,790ft), along the north shore of Lake Nordenskjöld, one of the largest lakes in the Park. On the way you can stop to enjoy your lunch and regain energy as you wait for possible low flying condors over the windy lake. As you get closer to your destination you will be surprised by the impressive sight of the Cuernos del Paine (horn-like granite peaks), composed by granite and sedimentary rock, with some features that make them unique in the world. In the shadow of these towering giant horns stands the Refugio Cuernos, where you have to check in and spend the night. Dinner and breakfast at the dining room, pick up your lunch box after breakfast.
Hiking distance: 5 hours, 12 km / 7,5 miles. Elevation: 150 m/\ (480 feet) Physical difficulty: Medium.
November 22nd . Valley “del Francés”.
Early in the morning you will head west in direction to the Valle del Francés (Frenchman’s Valley), one of the most beautiful places in the Park. You will surround the Cuernos walking by Lake Nordenskjöld’s shore. Once in the entrance of the valley is a park ranger station where you can leave your backpack, then you will climb to the first amazing lookout to admire an ample view of the whole valley, the lake, and the enormous Mount Paine Grande (3.050m/10,000ft), the highest in the Park. On your way up the moraine, the lenga and coigüe forest (Nothofagus trees) around you is shaped by the wind to resemble a Japanese garden. After one-hour ascent up the valley you will get the French lookout, the views are amazing with a range of 360 degrees: panoramic views of the lakes below, surrounding granite peaks, and the hanging glaciers of Paine Grande Mount in front of you. There you can enjoy your lunch watching avalanches cascade and condors soar. You might have the chance to keep going up to the furthest viewpoint past Camp Británico, if you feel with enough energy. The return is along the same path to the rangers base, then continue walking west for 2 hours along the south face of Mount Paine Grande, passing by deep blue Lake Skottsberg. Once you see Lake Pehoé, of intense turquoise waters, you will be really close to the final stop, the Lodge Paine Grande, where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Hiking distance (partly optional) 6 to 10 hours, 17 km / 10,5 miles. Elevation: 500 m/\ (1,600 feet) Physical difficulty: Medium-High.
November 23rd . Glacier Grey.
Early morning after breakfast (pick up your lunch box) you will begin hiking north toward Glacier Grey, taking a beautiful trail along the western face on Mount Paine Grande. After an hour you will start to see the countless snowy peaks of the Andes which hold the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the many glaciers that flow down from it. Then the trail will lead us to open terrain that overlooks Lake Grey, allowing you views of its greenish grey waters in contrast with deep blue, floating icebergs. In another hour you will arrive at “the half-way viewpoint”, which offers a breathtaking panorama of the glacier and the snow-capped mountains around us. Then you continue going in and out of the forest, until reaching the Refugio Grey, where you have to check in and spend the night. Dinner and breakfast at the dining room, pick up your lunch box after breakfast.
Hiking distance: 4 hours, 11,5 km / 7 miles (one way). Elevation: 300 m/\ (960 feet) Physical difficulty: Medium.
November 24th . Back to Puerto Natales.
After breakfast you can go to visit the suspension bridges to see the amazing views of the Grey Glacier, 2 hours hike round trip from Refugio Grey. No more than 13:00 hrs. you have to return by the same trail than yesterday to Paine Grande Lodge to take the Catamaran (boat) by the Pehoe Lake at 17:00 hrs. or 18:30 hrs. The regular bus will be waiting by the other side of the lake to take you back to Puerto Natales city. End of the trip!
Hiking distance: 5,5 hours, 16 km / 10 miles (in total). Elevation: 300 m/\ (960 feet) Physical difficulty: Medium.
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Puerto Natales, Chile
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El Calafate, Argentina
Perito Moreno glacier
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El Chaltén, Argentina
Mt Fitzroy sunrise hike with Emer!
Need to get morning bus (7am?) back to El Calafate (arrive 9.27am) then afternoon FLIGHT- El Calafate > Bariloche
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El Calafate, Argentina
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San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
Lakes, viewpoints, lighter hikes - visit San Martin de los Andes
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Argentinian side:
Buses run from Puerto Iguazu station to the falls every half an hour, so that means you want to be aiming for the 7:30 a.m. bus at the latest. To give yourself plenty of wiggle-room, aim to be buying your ticket from the Rio Uruguay ticket window by 7:10.
You can expect to pay roughly $11 for the return ticket.
If you’ve bought your Iguazu Falls ticket online — as I did — make sure to download the ticket on to your phone and take a screenshot so you’ll easily have offline access to it.
As soon as you enter the park, you’ll see a counter for picking up train tickets. The price of the train is included in your entrance fee, so you won’t have to pay anything extra, but you do need a ticket to board. Simply ask for one at the counter then walk straight ahead to the “Estacion Central” building.
Because you’ve (hopefully!) entered the park as soon as it opened, you’re now going to be able to board the first train of the day. Take a seat in the first carriage of the train, too, to ensure you’re first off when you arrive.
Once you disembark from the train, there’s only one path to follow, so stride purposefully in that direction
From the Devil’s Throat, you’ll now walk back to the train station and ride the train back to Cataratas station
The first turn-off you’ll encounter is for the upper path, which is labelled “Paseo Superior” — that’s the one you want to take.
The lower path is also known as the Paseo Inferior and I found it to be equally as impressive as its upper counterpart. As you can see from the sign, it runs for 2.5 km (1.5 miles) and takes around 90 minutes to complete.
Food is bad at the food court.
The biggest mistake that visitors make at Iguazu Falls is not riding the Gran Aventura speedboat. Take the green trail - sendero verde - to ticket office.
Speak to the staff behind the counter and ask to join in on the next departure. Tours leave every 75 minutes, so you’ll likely be on the 12:45 p.m. tour. It costs $45 per person and I promise it’s worth the money.
Brazilian side:
From Puerto Iguazu, the easiest way to cross to the Brazilian side is just to hire a taxi to take you. Talk to your hotel for prices.
There are also public buses that go from the center of Puerto Iguazu.
Whatever route you take, you’ll want to make sure your Iguazu Falls itinerary gets to the entrance of Brazil’s national park before it opens at 8 AM.
Here’s a pro tip to beat the crowds:
When you enter the park, the first thing you’ll do is get on a bus. Take it directly to the end, get off where the elevators are, and book it down the stairs to the platform. Do this right and you might just be able to score a few precious minutes on the viewing platform without hordes of tourists crowding out every photo opportunity!
After checking out the main viewing platform, you can walk around a bit (there’s a few short trails, though nothing like on the Argentinian side).
https://travellemming.com/iguazu-falls-itinerary/
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
Palermo horse races? Message Chiara
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Bogotá, Colombia
Old town and Montserrat Gold museum
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Medellín, Colombia
City, Guatapé, Comuna 13
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Armenia, Colombia
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Salento, Colombia
Jardin / Filandia day trip?
Cocora valley hike
Coffee farm
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Isla Grande, Colombia
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Cartagena, Colombia
Old town + Islands (Baru nicer than Rosario) New Year, departure buffer
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Quito, Ecuador
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Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos Islands
Galapagos overall notes:
- For inter-island ferries, usually morning and afternoon ferry
- Direct ferry from Santa Cruz to Isabela, then from Isabela to San C, have to go via Santa Cruz again
- Look out for menu del dia (cheap food options) - not the biggest portions but great for lunch
- San Cristobal has lots of activities, free snorkelling and a nice town. Isabella is very laid back and quiet. Santa Cruz very busy, not a nice town but does have good diving.
- Take as many dollars with you as possible. ATMs can be tricky/expensive and lots of tours give a better price with cash.
- Visit all of the dive schools/tour shops and negotiate prices in person or via WhatsApp
- Make sure you book diving direct with the dive school and not with an organisation that sells spaces on dive boats.
- Lots of dive school provide a decent lunch/snacks on your boat
Santa Cruz
- Tortuga Bay - walk / snorkelling
- Las Grietas - snorkelling (could do this on way from isabella to san C - pay for water taxi)
- Defo do Highlands tour. Rancho Primicias (TURTLES) / lava tunnels or El Chato tortoise reserve (Tour or selfguided via taxi/bus)
- Diving - Gordon Rocks (more advanced - hammerheads) / Daphne and Seymour/Mosquera Tour - NZ to do
- Charles Darwin Research Station (but underwhelming)
- Playa de la Estacion + Playa los Alemanes
Tours:
- Seymour norte day trip - iconic bird watching and snorkelling (Tour - optional)
- Bartolome Island - amazing views and snorkelling (tour option - must do?)
Other dive sites are better for less advanced divers. We also did Mosquera and Daphne which were both good dives also.
Food:
⁃ Empanadas Galapagueñas Milenita
⁃ Laguna Beach
⁃ Cheap eats along Charles Binford Street
⁃ Helados Tato
⁃ FRAFRE GASTROBAR
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Isabela Island, Galápagos Islands
Los Tuneles - snorkelling Tour (must do)
Wall of tears? Free - can also rent bikes
Sierra Negra volcano Tour hiking (must do)
Tintoreras tour (see penguins) and reef sharks? Tour
Concha de Perla Free snorkelling - go at different times at the day for different marine life
Tours with Tunel Ocean:
⁃ Tunnales tour (by Pan y Vino)
⁃ Tintoreras tour (see penguins)
Chill at Pink Iguana bar
Food places:
⁃ Don Sanduchito
⁃ La Casa del Asado
⁃ Panadería "La Panadería"
⁃ Evening street barbecues by Mercado Municipal
⁃ ZAROA BREWERY
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San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos Islands
San Cristobal
Free:
Walk to Playa Baquerizo (usually very empty) via Playa Tijeretas (amazing snorkelling)
Playa Mann/Puncta Carola beach - Sunset and beers at Playa Mann (sea lions galore)
Snorkelling - Muelle de tijeretas
Mirador Cerro Tijeretas
La loberia beach (bit of a walk, decent beach, lots of sea lions and some turtles)
San Cristóbal Environmental Interpretation Center
Tour:
Full day360 tour - snorkelling (kicker rock) - must do!!! Try and find a tour that goes clockwise (e.g. kicker rock first - more likely to see hammerheads) as they tend to go different ways on different days
Kicker rock diving - maybe
Isla Lobos? Snorjkelling sea lions and blue footed boobies - halfday trip
Espanola? - lots of bird watching (albatross, boobies) + sea lions - full day (could also dive)
Food:
⁃ D’L COCO: incredible prawns and food in general, get there early because they sell out
⁃ El Favorito 2
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Bogotá, Colombia
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London, United Kingdom