Santiago is one of those cities where the more you look, the more you find. Santiago hosts 40% of the country's population and has become a cultural centre with breathtaking natural beauty in the vicinity. Santiago lies in the center of the Santiago Basin, a valley surrounded by mountain ranges. The city has a varying elevation, towards the west it is 400m above sea level whereas at the Plaza Baquedano it comes to 540m.

The Coquimbo port is home to two shipwrecks. Located on the highest mountain in the city and with a height of 92 meters, "The Cross of the Third Millenium' is the city's best-known monument. Near and around the city, you will also be able to visit some of the local wineries.

San Martin is the gateway to the quiet colonial town of Pisco and its fertile coastal valley, the Inca palace complex at Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Archipelago.

Overnight

The Peruvian capital Lima is also the largest city in the country. Together with the port city of Callao, it forms the so-called metropolitan area. Lima's historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. With a mixture of Western influences and indigenous cultures, Lima has developed into a tourist destination not to be missed. Make sure not to miss the site of Pachacamac which is about 40 km south-east of Lima. This site dates back to A.D. 200 and was a religious site built before the Inca invasion of the area.

Manta is located on the Pacific coast of Ecuador and can look back on a long history. Even before the Spanish conquest, there were settlements here. Explore the small shops and don't miss your chance to try the freshly caught tuna.

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