Tour Cartagena To Ushuaia (Or Vice Versa) Group Overland Tour

Others

Services of your expedition leader and driver Transportation in custom-built Madventure overland trucks and use of all equipment Local transportation costs (if required) Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to the vehicle Ferry tickets (when travelling together as a group) 98 breakfasts, 37 evening meals All accommodation costs (60% hotels, guest houses and hostels, 40% camping) National Park entry fees when we enter as a group with our vehicle

Guide

A driver/guide is included on this tour.

Accommodation

You will spend 60% of the time on this expedition staying in local hotels, guest houses and hostels. The other 40% of the time you will be in your tent camping. Quite often we will wild camp by ourselves out in the bush or in the desert and other times we will use designated campsites with amenities. The majority of our wild camp locations are usually very scenic and we always strive to find the perfect spot on the banks of a river, overlooking a canyon, behind a dune in the desert, on a remote beach, etc. but sometimes we just have to camp wherever we can find a spot. From past experience on expeditions of this length and nature we have found that people prefer to supply their own tents as they are then not forced to share and they can pick a tent that suits their needs. As a general rule, try and choose a good quality lightweight and waterproof free-standing tent that is easy to erect, take down and carry. At some of the campsites there are upgrade options available so should you prefer not to camp or you just want some time alone you can sometimes rent yourself a private room at your own expense. When we are not camping (usually in cities) we always try to use decent, clean budget hotels, guest houses and hostels, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get, good or bad. When staying in hotels, guest houses and hostels you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of both sexes. There is usually an opportunity for anyone to upgrade to a single room or a superior room if they so wish. All accommodation upgrades are at your own expense.

Meals

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s health and well-being. When we are camping we usually cook breakfast and the evening meal on the vehicle. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare. Occasionally we may prepare lunch on the vehicle when we are in remote areas. When staying in hotels (usually in cities) we always strive to provide you with one healthy, wholesome and plentiful meal every day, usually breakfast at the hotel. Lunches and evening meals are at your own expense when we stay in hotels. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat. Western restaurants tend to be more expensive. When it comes to shopping and cooking while camping we will divide ourselves up into groups of 3 or 4 people (depending on group size) who will do their own fresh food shopping, prepare the day’s meals and clean up at the end. This will work out that you roughly get to cook once every 10 days (depending on the group size). Fresh food is generally available daily so when we are camping we try to eat meat and vegetables for every main evening meal. We do cater to vegetarians but we do not cater to vegans or fussiness. In these group situations everybody must appreciate we cannot cater to restrictive diets or individual likes and dislikes. Don’t worry if you are not a gourmet cook as your crew are also always there to give advice. Our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use. Cleanliness plays an important role throughout this expedition and your crew will make sure an acceptable level of general hygiene is maintained throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of the group.

Transport

We will be travelling in a purpose-built Madventure overland vehicle 100% of the time on this expedition. A standard bus simply wouldn’t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. The overland vehicle we use is a custom-built expedition truck which can accommodate up to 36 people although most of our expeditions travel with approximately 25 people. Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery. Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe. Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to. There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board. We spend a lot of nights around the campfire so we take along good axes and saws for the times when we have to replenish our wood supply. We usually carry 400 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots and pans, utensils, gas cooker, BBQ grate, etc. Our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use. Comfortable fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days. We carry a portable shower and shower tent so you can take a shower every day on this tour if you like, even when we are wild camping in remote areas. Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet and head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the hotels we stay at. We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we recommend you bring your own for general use.

Not included:

Optional

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Madventure so please use the list below as an approximate guide only. Prices are shown in USD. COLOMBIA Cartagena pirate ship boat trip $35 Tayrona National Park day tour $30 Cocora Valley return transport $20 Purace National Park day tour $70 ECUADOR Equator exhibit $5 2 day Amazon jungle excursion $150 White water rafting in jungle $50 Horse riding (per hour), Banos $15 Mountain biking, Banos $30 Canyoning and rappelling, Banos $60 Bungee jump, Banos $20 Cuenca open top bus $10 PERU Swimming with green sea turtles $15 Chan Chan ruins day tour $25 Laguna Paron day tour $50 Laguna 69 hike $50 Pastoruri Glacier tour $30 Ballestas Islands boat tour $15 Huacachina sandboarding and dune buggy tour $30 Nazca lines flight $70 Cusco tourist ticket giving access to all main sites $35 Sacred valley day tour, Cusco $80 4 day Inca trail and Machu Picchu $750 2 day Inca trail and Machu Picchu $600 Lake Titicaca islands day tour $25 BOLIVIA Cycling the world’s most dangerous road $125 Silver mine tour, Potosi $20 Uyuni salt flats day tour $30 CHILE Valley of the moon, Atacama desert $50 Pan de Azucar National Park boat tour $20 Wine tasting tour, Santiago $70 Villarica volcano climb, Pucon $140 White water rafting, Pucon $50 Horse riding (per hour), Pucon $20 Trout fishing day trip, Pucon $100 White water rafting, Futaleufu $90 6 Lagunas tour, Coyhaique $40 San Rafael Glacier boat tour $180 Marble caves boat tour $15 Ferry to Torres del Paine hiking trails (one way) $30 King Penguin reserve $15 ARGENTINA Perito Moreno Glacier day trip, El Calafate $50 Perito Moreno Glacier mini-trekking, El Calafate $300 Beagle Channel boat tour, Ushuaia $40

Flights

No flights included or expected during this tour.

Insurance

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Madventure obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour. You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first. There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for a comprehensive reliable policy that includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, Telephone: +44 20 7938 1734, https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/madventure/. They are familiar with what we do so if you mention Madventure and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you. For people based in North America a company called Allianz offers good cover – Telephone: +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and make sure your policy includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation.

Others

Personal travel insurance Personal spending money (£120 – £150 per week recommended) Visas (approximately £100 depending on nationality) Lunches and evening meals when in hotels, guest houses and hostels Lunches when camping Accommodation upgrades Entrance fees to optional sites and national parks Any optional activities and excursions International and domestic flights Tent, roll mat, sleeping bag and pillow Tips (USD $100 per crew member recommended)

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Day 1 Day 1-12: Colombia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1-12: Colombia

This tour starts in the port town of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast. Legendary for both its outstanding beauty and fascinating history, this town really is a living museum of colonial Spanish architecture.

Please note that we depart Cartagena the day after the tour starts so if you would like more time here you should arrive a few days prior to departure.

From our base in Santa Marta you have the option to visit the stunning Tayrona National Park where a series of wildlife-rich forest trails lead you to palm-fringed beaches and coastal lagoons usually only seen on postcards.

We now move south to the vibrant city of Medellin where we have the chance to explore Pablo Escobar’s old stomping ground! Through amazing displays of graffiti Comuna 13 tells us the story of an area once controlled by narcos and paramilitaries.

In the Andean town of Salento you have the opportunity to explore the colourful buildings and craft shops that adorn the colonial town square. The area is also well-known for the Cocora Valley where you can hike amongst the lofty wax palm trees which are a home to rare parrots.

We continue to the perfectly preserved pearl of colonial architecture known as the White City, Popayan. This is a laid-back town where kicking back in a sidewalk cafe is a great way to pass the day. This is also the gateway to Purace National Park where you have the option to take a day tour to see condors and thermal springs amongst some of South America’s most beautiful scenery.

Our final stop in Colombia is at the Shrine of our Lady of Las Lajas, an impressive Roman Catholic church built inside a canyon and something you would expect to see in a Disney movie.

A short drive away we cross the border and enter Ecuador.
Day 2 Day 13-25: Ecuador
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13-25: Ecuador

Our first stop in Ecuador is the colourful market town of Otavalo where traders flock to from as far away as Colombia to sell their animals, carpets, food, clothing and traditional crafts.

On our way to Quito we stop at the equator where you have the chance to visit an exhibit that explains all the facts about this area where you can also straddle the yellow line marking the boundary between the northern and southern hemispheres.

In the lively city of Quito wandering through the old town is a definite highlight where narrow alleyways open up into grand plazas displaying historic churches as well as the President’s Palace. This city also has fantastic bars and restaurants to keep you entertained at night.

Dropping steeply out of the Andes we now enter pristine Amazon rainforest where you have the option to join a guided Amazon jungle excursion which includes hiking, rafting, bat-caving and waterfall climbing. Those who opt not to take the jungle excursion can enjoy the region’s activities such as kayaking and hiking from our base in the small town of Archidona.

A little further up the road we reach Banos, a bustling town offering several adventurous activities such as horse riding, canyoning, mountain biking, rafting and bungee jumping. Kicking back in the hot springs is a good way to end the day.

The town of Cuenca is our well preserved last stop in Ecuador where a day on the open-top bus will show you all the sites of this historic colonial town. Adventurous eaters should try the succulent Cuy (roasted guinea pig), it’s a delicacy here!

We now drop out of the Andes on our way towards Peru.
Day 3 Day 26-53: Peru
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 26-53: Peru

The white sand beaches of northern Peru are our first stop where you have time to enjoy the surf and go swimming with wild green sea turtles.

In Huanchaco you can sample some of the best ceviche in the country where the fish are caught locally by fishermen using reed boats, a 3000 year old tradition.

Close to Huanchaco you have the option to visit the vast and unusually decorated crumbling ruins of Chan Chan, the largest adobe city in the world. This area also boasts fascinating pyramids and temples well worth a day’s exploration.

A winding road now leads us into the mountains to Huaraz where we get commanding views of the magnificent Andes mountain range. Here you have the opportunity to undertake day trips to hike the famous Laguna 69 trail, visit the ice-blue Laguna Paron and walk to the face of the Pastoruri Glacier.

Back down on the coast we visit Lima for a taste of bustling city life and a look into Peru’s history in the fabulous museums, churches and plazas that adorn the city. The beach area of Miraflores is a culinary delight not to be missed.

A little further south we visit the national marine reserve of Paracas from where you have the option to take a boat trip out to the Ballestas Islands which are home to sea-lions, penguins and thousands of seabirds.

En-route to Nazca we have a short stop at Huacachina, a desert oasis where you can enjoy views over the green lagoon waters to the high, rolling sand dunes where the adventurous can take a dune buggy and go sandboarding.

The mysterious Nazca Lines are our next attraction where you have the option to take an exhilarating flight for an aerial view of pictures of whales, monkeys, spiders and even spacemen made by stones laid out on the desert floor.

Close to Nazca we take an afternoon to visit the mummified remains of ancient tribesmen at Chauchilla Cemetery and also the Cahuachi Pyramids, once an important ceremonial centre for Nazca culture.

Our journey back into the Andes now leads us to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco. This colonial town is abuzz with energy and its beautiful squares, plentiful nightlife and wonderful restaurants make it a great place to explore and live it up a little! It is also from here that you will start one of your greatest optional excursions, the Inca Trail. This exhilarating 2 or 4 day hike lives up to its reputation for stunning scenery and ends at one of the world’s most beautiful sites, Machu Picchu.

On our way out of Cusco at a staggering 5200 m above sea level you now have the option to visit the Rainbow Mountains, a multicoloured marvel of nature.

We continue to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. From here you will get to see condors riding the early morning thermals, flying by at eye level providing great photo opportunities.

The charming city of Arequipa boasts beautiful churches, colonial plazas, lively markets and mouth-watering cuisine for us to enjoy during our 2 night stay here.

Our last stop in Peru is at the small town of Puno situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. Here you have the option of visiting the nearby floating reed islands where you can meet some of the native inhabitants, many of whom have never set foot on land!

Hugging the shores of Lake Titicaca we now head to Bolivia.
Day 4 Day 54-66: Bolivia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 54-66: Bolivia

Our first stop in Bolivia is La Paz, a bustling city where much of the street space is taken up by native women in bowler hats and voluminous skirts squatted down selling everything from fake designer jeans to coca leaves. There is even a witches market where you can find dried llama foetuses, magical love potions and an array of other weird and wonderful concoctions.

From La Paz you also have the option to cycle down the world’s most dangerous road, a hair-raising experience that follows a track carved into the side of a mountain.

We continue to Sucre, Bolivia’s most beautiful city set in a valley and surrounded by mountains. This is the proud heart of the nation and its whitewashed buildings are well-preserved vestiges of glorious colonial architecture.

A short drive away we now reach Potosi, once the wealthiest city in the world due to its prolific silver mines. The mines still operate today and you have the option to take a tour into the depths of the mines through a series of tunnels and shafts where you can even buy dynamite and have a go at your own excavations!

We continue to the tumbleweed town of Uyuni where we stay in a hotel made out of salt from the nearby Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flats. From here you have the option to visit the salt flats in a 4×4 jeep for an other-worldly experience of bizarre rock formations, cacti-studded islands and bright-white salt.

Our journey now takes us on a 3 day off-road adventure across the Bolivian altiplano, a high-altitude plateau of multi-coloured mountains, hardy wildlife, steaming geysers and towering volcanoes. This really is one of South America’s highlights!

The sandy desert tracks of the altiplano now lead us over the Andes and into Chile.
Day 5 Day 67-85: Chile
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 67-85: Chile

We drop steeply out of the Andes into our first Chilean town of San Pedro de Atacama, located in the world’s driest desert. This dusty frontier town is straight out of a spaghetti western and the relatively low altitude brings a welcome change in weather.

Desert meets ocean and we follow a coastal route taking in magnificent scenery and enjoy the stunning beaches of Pan de Azucar National Park from where boat trips are on offer to explore the rich sea-life of otters, seals, sea lions and birds.

Further south we reach the capital, Santiago. The city’s tree lined streets and wonderful architecture create a serene atmosphere but dig a little deeper and you discover a vibrant social scene. Huge coffee houses, tiny rock bars, sumptuous cuisine at restaurants like the Fat Cow and streets crammed full of late night dance clubs all make Santiago unforgettable.

As we continue south we notice a distinct change of scenery as the desert gives way to beautiful turquoise lakes and pine clad mountainsides. Pucon is a small Swiss-like lakeside town where we base ourselves for a few days to enjoy the area’s rafting and hiking. The really adventurous have the chance to trek up the active Villarica volcano.

Southern Chile is the beginning of our journey along the Camino Austral, a stunning route that takes us on ferries through beautiful fjords, dirt tracks that lead us to remote villages and national parks that offer unsurpassed views of the Patagonian wilderness.

Futaleufu is our first stop on the Camino Austral and is a world-class destination for fishing, kayaking and whitewater rafting, and actually boasts having the world’s most dangerous river.

Weather permitting, you now have the option to visit the Hanging Glacier where you can trek up to the viewpoint of a glacier creeping over a cliff-face with a gushing waterfall pouring out of it.

The town of Coyhaique is a friendly outpost where you have an afternoon to visit the regional museum and get a better understanding of this gateway to remote southern Chile. The 6 lagoons tour is an option for those who want to take in some more amazing scenery.

From our base in Rio Tranquilo you have the option to visit the stunning San Rafael Glacier as well as explore the bizarre marble caves on the shores of Lago General Carrera.

Settlements now become few and far between as we continue our journey south towards Argentina.
Day 6 Day 86-92: Argentina
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 86-92: Argentina

Our first stop in Argentina is at Cueva de las Manos (cave of the hands) where we get to see an exceptional amount of cave art dating back 13,000 years.

We continue to the village of El Chalten in Los Glaciares National Park where you have a couple of days to explore the trails surrounding the iconic peaks of Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.

From our base in El Calafate you now have the option to visit the incredible Perito Moreno glacier where you can take a breathtaking boat trip through the glacial waterways or even put on crampons for an hour of glacier trekking.

We now head back to Chile.
Day 7 Day 93-96: Chile
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 93-96: Chile

We now cross back into Chile to visit one of South America’s most iconic national parks, Torres del Paine. Our idyllic campsite next to a turquoise glacial lake affords us stupendous views of the jagged mountain peaks towering skywards and the hiking here is stunning!

After crossing the Magellan Strait into Tierra del Fuego, providing the reserve is open, we now visit a King Penguin Colony where you can learn all about these adorable creatures that randomly made Bahia Inutil their home in 2010.

A short distance away we now enter Argentina again.
Day 8 Day 97-98: Argentina
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 97-98: Argentina

Dramatically wedged between huge mountains and the icy Beagle Channel, the end of the world town of Ushuaia is also our final destination on this tour. Activities such as trekking, kayaking, fishing, wildlife watching and boat cruising are popular day trips and the seafood restaurants lining the ocean-front are simply divine. This is also the closest land point to Antarctica and a fitting end to an overland adventure along the length of South America from Cartagena to Ushuaia!

Please note that this tour ends after breakfast on the final day of the tour so you can make your onward travel arrangements accordingly.

98 days tour

Cartagena To Ushuaia (Or Vice Versa) Group Overland Tour

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Cartagena To Ushuaia (Or Vice Versa) Group Overland Tour

Day 1-12: Colombia

Day 13-25: Ecuador

Day 26-53: Peru

Day 54-66: Bolivia

Day 67-85: Chile

Day 86-92: Argentina

Day 93-96: Chile

Day 97-98: Argentina

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