Andean Explorer

Product Details

Join Quest on the Andean Explorer taking you from breezy snow-capped mountains to lush Amazon Rainforest. You’ll travel through Bolivia, Chile and Peru to experience a wild mix of landscapes, cultures and wildlife.

Activities included

Expedition activities include at least: three Andean treks high up in the mountains of Peru and Bolivia, a week-long journey into the depths of the Amazon jungle with the chance to swim with pink river dolphins, white water rafting, flights over the Nazca lines, a boat ride exploring the islands of Lake Titicaca, a four day 4X4 tour of the spectacular salt flats and mountains in Bolivia, sandboarding down enormous sand dunes - the list goes on. There are also options to mountain bike, ice climb and paraglide if you haven't had enough adrenaline!

Itinerary

Phase One – Peru – Home of the Inca Civilisation

Starting in Lima you’ll head towards the Ballestas Islands, known as the ‘mini Galapagos’ for their abundance of wildlife. En route you’ll have the chance to sample the national tipple of ‘Pisco Sour’, and see 2000 year old etchings from the Inca period. You’ll take a flight over the legendary Nazca Lines, the giant sand drawings in the Peruvian Desert, before spending a couple of days relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Puerto Inca.

The magnificent colonial city of Arequipa, nestled between smoking volcanoes in the Andes, is your next stop and the gateway to your first trek – The Colca Canyon. Twice the depth of the Grand Canyon, you’ll be overwhelmed by stunning vistas and fly with the condors in heart of the Andes.

Phase Two – Chile – A Wealth of Natural Wonders

The beaches of Chile will be a restful and relaxed stop after your trek, before you climb towards the Chilean Altiplano, to watch the sunset over the majestic landscapes of the Lauca National Park. You and your team then make a short journey across the border into the Bolivian Altiplano, and one of the visual highlights of South America – The Uyuni Salt Flats.

Phase Three – Bolivia – Diversity of Wildlife, Landscapes and People

4 x 4 Land Cruisers will take you over 4000m across terrain unlike anything you have ever seen before. A magical land of bright green and red lakes filled with thousands of flamingos, surreal desert landscapes that look like you have stepped into a Salvador Dali painting, bubbling geysers, thermal waters and volcanoes, before you even reach the actual salt flats themselves.

Then to La Paz, one of the most lively, colourful and spectacular cities in South America. You will get the chance to experience the hustle and bustle of the many local markets within La Paz before trying your hand at ice-climbing in the near by peaks. Your team will then prepare for and head off on the ‘Choro Trail’ trek. While having the benefit of being almost completely downhill, the route is no less spectacular, travelling from the snowline through barren mountain valleys and humid forest to the sleepy town of Coroico. You'll move into a completely different world as you head for Rurrenabaque to spend some quality time in the Amazon basin searching for caiman, turtles, capybara macaws, and a host of other wildlife. By night we hope to encounter monkeys, armadillos and sloths before switching locations to the pampas, flooded forests where you have the chance to go swimming with pink river dolphins.

Phase Four – Peru – The Return Leg

You travel towards the beautiful shores of Lake Titicaca where we circle the floating reed islands and visit the local indigenous Aymara communities.

The final leg of your journey takes you to the capital of the Inca Empire, the magical city of Cusco. You’ll go white water rafting down the Urubamba River in the ‘Sacred Valley’ before embarking on a journey of a lifetime, the world famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Your expedition culminates with sunrise at the mystical ‘Sun Gate’, where you’ll see the ancient ‘Lost city of the Incas’ appear through the swirling mist. A magical and spectacular way to finish your experience with Quest.

Each team is lead by an experienced Expedition Leader and Assistant Leader who make the trips safe but also a whole world of fun! All food, accommodation, activities and internal transport included, there are no surprise or hidden costs.

This is, quite simply, a mind-blowing opportunity to see South America. Please contact the Quest office for more information or fill in an application form below. We regularly hold open days at our offices in Sussex, if you'd like to come along, please do not hesitate to give us a call.

Why Quest Overseas?
Quite simply because we have the best reputation in the gap year market. We are second to none when it comes to safety, value for money and downright fun! If you'd like to speak to someone who has been on one of our expeditions they would be more than happy to bend your ear on everything you could get up to – just give us a call in the office for contact details.

Teams depart in June and July