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The Great South American Journey: Quito to Rio Adventure

Sometimes the slow road is the way to go. Hit the road from Quito to Rio with other young travellers and experience pretty much everything you can imagine in between. Hike the Inca Trail and discover the thriving Inca culture, cross the Salt Flats of Bolivia, dance the tango in Buenos Aires, and hit the beach in Brazil. This trip offers up lively cities, stunning scenery, and tons of adventure. 65 days, seven countries, three nights in the Amazon, and one adventure you’ll remember forever.

On Sale
65 DaysQuito to Rio de Janeiro
Valid on May 5 2026Trip Code: SEQR
From $7349.25 USDIncluding taxes and fees

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: 18-to-Thirtysomethings

Fast, fresh, and fun adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travellers.

Service Level: Basic

Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.

Physical Grading: 4 - Demanding

Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travellers.

Merchandising: Planeterra Project

Merchandising: Award Winning Inca Trail Program

Named Best Inca Trail Tour Operator by the Regional Direction of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Cusco (RDFTTC) in Peru. Your purchase of this tour helps employ over 560 local guides, porters, cooks, drivers, and office staff &mdash; connecting local communities to the global tourism chain. <a href="https://www.gadventures.com/travel-styles/active/hiking-trekking/inca-trail/">Learn more about our Inca Trail program</a>.

Trip Type: Small Group

Group trips average 12 travellers per departure, depending on the adventure. The maximum is usually no more than 16, but some can be smaller or bigger, depending on the trip. Check individual trips for details.

Age requirements: 18-39

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

The Great South American Journey: Quito to Rio Adventure - Itinerary

Trip Start: QuitoTrip End: Rio de Janeiro

DAY 1

Quito

Arrive at any time. Tonight, get to know your fellow travellers over a few drinks at a downtown bar. Say cheers with a local craft beer and get excited for the adventure of a lifetime. Spend the first day of your trip wandering Ecuador’s capital city. Meet the group in the evening at the hotel.

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Connect With New Friends:
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

Hotel Air Suites:
Hotel Air Suites

Optional Activities

The Great South American Journey: Quito to Rio Adventure - Itinerary

Trip Start: QuitoTrip End: Rio de Janeiro
DAY 1
Quito

DAY 1

Quito

Arrive at any time. Tonight, get to know your fellow travellers over a few drinks at a downtown bar. Say cheers with a local craft beer and get excited for the adventure of a lifetime. Spend the first day of your trip wandering Ecuador’s capital city. Meet the group in the evening at the hotel.

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Connect With New Friends:
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

Hotel Air Suites:
Hotel Air Suites

Optional Activities

DAY 2
Quito/Tena
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DAY 3
Tena
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DAY 4
Tena
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DAY 5
Tena/Baños
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DAY 6
Baños
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DAY 7
Baños/Cuenca
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DAY 8
Cuenca
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DAY 9
Máncora
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DAY 10
Máncora
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DAY 11
Máncora/Trujillo
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DAY 12
Trujillo
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DAY 13
Trujillo/Lima
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DAY 14
Lima
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DAY 15
Lima
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DAY 16
Lima/Huacachina
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DAY 17
Huacachina/Nazca
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DAY 18
Nazca/Arequipa
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DAY 19
Arequipa
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DAY 20
Arequipa/Colca Canyon
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DAY 21
Colca Canyon/Arequipa
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DAY 22
Arequipa/Cusco
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DAY 23
Cusco
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DAY 24
Cusco
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DAY 25
Cusco/Ollantaytambo
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DAY 26
Ollantaytambo/Cusco
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DAY 27
Cusco
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DAY 28
Cusco/Aguas Calientes
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DAY 29
Aguas Calientes/Cusco
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DAY 30
Cusco
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DAY 31
Cusco/Puno
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DAY 32
Puno/Lake Titicaca
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DAY 33
Lake Titicaca/Puno
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DAY 34
Puno/La Paz
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DAY 35
La Paz
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DAY 36
La Paz/Sucre
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DAY 37
Sucre
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DAY 38
Sucre
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DAY 39
Sucre/Potosí
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DAY 40
Potosí
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DAY 41
Potosí/Uyuni
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DAY 42
Uyuni/Salt Flats and Desert Crossing
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DAY 43
Salt Flats and Desert Crossing
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DAY 44
Salt Flats and Desert Crossing /San Pedro de Atacama
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DAY 45
San Pedro de Atacama
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DAY 46
San Pedro de Atacama/Salta
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DAY 47
Salta
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DAY 48
Salta/Buenos Aires
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DAY 49
Buenos Aires
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DAY 50
Buenos Aires
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DAY 51
Buenos Aires/Colonia
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DAY 52
Colonia/Montevideo
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DAY 53
Montevideo
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DAY 54
Montevideo/Estancia Stay
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DAY 55
Estancia Stay
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DAY 56
Estancia Stay/Iguassu Falls
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DAY 57
Iguassu Falls
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DAY 58
Iguassu Falls
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DAY 59
Iguassu Falls/Paraty
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DAY 60
Paraty
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DAY 61
Paraty/Ilha Grande
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DAY 62
Ilha Grande
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DAY 63
Ilha Grande/Rio de Janeiro
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DAY 64
Rio de Janeiro
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DAY 65
Rio de Janeiro
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What’s Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Shandia Biking & Community Experience, Shandia
  • Your G for Good Moment: Shandia Community Lodge, Shandia
  • Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo
  • Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products
  • Your G for Good Moment: Lake Titicaca Homestay, Lake Titicaca
  • Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha
  • Your G for Good Moment: Guaraní Community Experience, Puerto Iguazú
  • Your G for Good Moment: Favela Experience, Rio de Janeiro
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
  • Your Local Living Moment: Amazon Jungle Experience, Tena
  • Your Discover Moment: Baños
  • Your Discover Moment: Lima
  • Your Foodie Moment: Pachamanca, Nazca
  • Your Discover Moment: Cusco
  • Your Foodie Moment: Sacred Valley Brewery, Ollantaytambo
  • Your Big Night Out Moment: Cusco
  • Your Discover Moment: Sucre
  • Your Discover Moment: Salta
  • Your Discover Moment: Buenos Aires
  • Your Discover Moment: Paraty
  • Your Discover Moment: Ilha Grande
  • Your Discover Moment: Rio de Janeiro
  • Amazon Jungle excursion to a local community
  • Beach time in Mancora
  • Sunset sandboarding & dune buggies (Huacachina)
  • Pachamanca-style dinner (Nazca)
  • Colca Canyon excursion
  • Guided tour of Machu Picchu
  • Inca Trail hike with a local guide and cook (4 days)
  • Lake Titicaca excursion
  • Salar de Uyuni excursion
  • Entrance and visit to the Argentine side of the Iguassu Falls
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Accommodations
  • Simple hotels (38 nts, twin-share), hostels (9 nts, multi-share), jungle homestay (2 nts), G Adventures-supported community lodge (1 nt), overnight buses (6 nts), camping (3 nts), homestay (1 nt), G Adventures-supported lodge/basic hotels on Salar de Uyuni excursion (2 nts, multi-share), estancia/ranch (2 nts, multi-share).
Meals
  • 44 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 11 dinners
Transportation
  • Local bus, boat, truck, motorized canoe, train, hiking, plane, 4x4 truck.
Staff & experts
  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer), specialist Inca Trail CEO on hike, local guides.

The Great South American Journey: Quito to Rio Adventure Departure Dates

All Years

StartEndingAvailabilityPrices from
Tue, Feb 10 2026Wed, Apr 15 2026Sold Out $7,349.25 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Sat, Feb 14 2026Sun, Apr 19 2026Sold Out $7,349.25 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Sat, Mar 14 2026Sun, May 17 2026Sold Out $7,949.25 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Sat, Mar 21 2026Sun, May 24 2026Sold Out $7,949.25 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Sat, Mar 28 2026Sun, May 31 2026Sold Out $7,949.25 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Sat, Apr 11 2026Sun, Jun 14 2026Sold Out $7,949.25 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)

USEFUL INFO

Your G for Good Moment: Shandia Biking & Community Experience, Shandia
Your G for Good Moment: Shandia Community Lodge, Shandia
Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo
Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products
Your G for Good Moment: Lake Titicaca Homestay, Lake Titicaca
Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha
Your G for Good Moment: Guaraní Community Experience, Puerto Iguazú
Your G for Good Moment: Favela Experience, Rio de Janeiro
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Your Local Living Moment: Amazon Jungle Experience, Tena
Your Discover Moment: Baños
Your Discover Moment: Lima
Your Foodie Moment: Pachamanca, Nazca
Your Discover Moment: Cusco
Your Foodie Moment: Sacred Valley Brewery, Ollantaytambo
Your Big Night Out Moment: Cusco
Your Discover Moment: Sucre
Your Discover Moment: Salta
Your Discover Moment: Buenos Aires
Your Discover Moment: Paraty
Your Discover Moment: Ilha Grande
Your Discover Moment: Rio de Janeiro. Amazon Jungle excursion to a local community. Beach time in Mancora. Sunset sandboarding & dune buggies (Huacachina). Pachamanca-style dinner (Nazca). Colca Canyon excursion. Guided tour of Machu Picchu. Inca Trail hike with a local guide and cook (4 days). Lake Titicaca excursion. Salar de Uyuni excursion. Entrance and visit to the Argentine side of the Iguassu Falls. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Mingle with the locals of a small community in the Amazon, Go sandboarding on the dunes of Huacachina, spot condors at Colca Canyon, conquer the Inca Trail on the way to Machu Picchu, experience traditional life on Lake Titicaca, cross the the world's largest salt flat on a 4x4 excursion, Experience rural life at a working ranch in Uruguay, stand in awe at Iguassu Falls, Explore bustling Rio de Janeiro on your own time, See a tango show or take part in Buenos Aires' buzzing nightlife.

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

1.) We recommend bringing USD in cash for the Argentinean portion of this tour as it is easier than using a credit card or withdrawing ARS from an ATM. USD currency is accepted in travel agencies for booking optional activities.

2.) Please note current landslides are causing road closures. Due to this, drive times between cities may take longer than usual as there's a possibility alternate routes will need to be taken. No included activities are expected to be missed, but please be aware that delay times may change depending on a variety of factors.

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