Hemisphere Hopper: Alaska to Argentina

Itinerary

• Day 1: Fly to Alaska

  Once you settle in on your flight to Anchorage, Alaska, take some time to reflect on how you feel as you embark on this adventure—because after, you’ll never feel the same.

  Today's highlights:

  • Land at the airport and meet an EF representative.
  • Transfer to your accommodations and check in.
  • Meet your Tour Director and get deets on the schedule.
• Days 2–3: Alaska

  Alaska is not the America you know, but it is the America you’re gonna LOVE. Clear room in your iCloud, because you’re about to enter your National Geographic era.

  Today's highlights:

  • Travel throughout Anchorage on a hunt for the northern lights.
  • Hike through Chugach State Park’s forest trails and visit Barbara Falls, home to rich and unique ecology.
  • Enjoy a Welcome Dinner with fellow travelers at an authentic local spot.

  Kenai Fjords wildlife cruise (extra cost)

  Search for whales, otters, sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and s’cute li’l puffins with a local guide.

• Days 4–5: Washington

  Welcome to Seattle, home to the Puget Sound, the Space Needle, and a fish market where you can play catch with salmon.

  Today's highlights:

  • Hop on a flight to Seattle and settle into your accommodations.
  • Grab your new travel pals to explore iconic sites like Pike Place Fish Market.
  • Hike through Mount Rainier National Park with a guide, enjoying views of the largest active volcano in the continental U.S.
• Days 6–14: Canada

  Our neighbor to the north might just be the most underrated whoa that’s beautiful place on Earth. And after exploring its cities, mountains, and lakes, you’ll v much agree.

  Today's highlights:

  • Tour Vancouver, visiting the Gastown District and Canada Place before some free time on Granville Island.
  • Explore Banff with your Tour Director and unwind during an included stop at Upper Hot Springs.
  • Spend a full day hiking at Banff National Park, crossing Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, and Lake Agnes off your bucket list.
  • Ride the Grizzly Express Gondola at Lake Louise, then hike the Moraine Lake shoreline.
  • Soak in the wild natural beauty of Waterton Lakes National Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains.

  Capilano Suspension Bridge & Lookout (extra cost)

  See Canada from above on Vancouver’s Capilano Suspension Bridge. Stretching 450 feet long, and 230 feet high above the Capilano River, this bridge is as tall as the Statue of Liberty’s shoulder and can hold up to 96 elephants! There’s no better way to spend your last day in Canada than with this epic forest adventure.

• Days 15–18: Montana, Wyoming & Utah

  Channel your inner cowboy (or girl, we’ve watched Yellowstone) as you explore America’s wild west. Think geysers, valleys, buffalo, and pretty much everything else that inspired the lyrics to “America the Beautiful”.

  Today's highlights:

  • Board your private coach for a ride to Yellowstone—with a stop in Bozeman for lunch.
  • Take on Yellowstone’s lower loop with visits to Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Mammoth Hot Springs.
  • Spend a morning searching for mountain goats at Glacier National Park.
  • Visit Grand Teton en route to Jackson from Yellowstone, stopping at Oxbow Bend, Jenny Lake, and Mormon Row.
  • Bop down to Salt Lake City for a quick overnight stay.
• Days 19–21: Mexico

  Not to be dramatic, but Mexico City will set your soul on fire. Discover vibrant neighborhoods, inspiring museums, ancient wonders, and a food scene that will have you kicking yourself for not visiting sooner.

  Today's highlights:

  • Fly to Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and the largest city in North America by population.
  • Tour CDMX, discovering Centro Histórico's treasures: Zócalo square and Palacio de Bellas Artes.
  • Enjoy an included, authentic local dinner with your group. Tamales, anyone?
  • Join a local guide to explore Teotihuacán, an ancient Mesoamerican city, archeological site, and badass selfie spot.
  • Head to the Coyoacán neighborhood, an artistic and foodie hub that’s a true feast for the senses.

  Xochimilco day trip (extra cost)

  Ride a trajinera (v colorful boat) down Xochimilco’s canals, past mariachi bands and food vendors.

• Day 22–25: Costa Rica

  In Costa Rica, you’ll discover a new way of life—la pura vida. That means warm weather, sandy beaches, jungle ziplines, and a healthy dose of immaculate vibes.

  Today's highlights:

  • Fly south from Mexico City to San José, the capital city of Costa Rica.
  • Sail through the treetops (keeping your eyes peeled for monkeys and sloths) on a ziplining adventure over Veragua Rainforest.
  • Spend 3 nights in Puerto Viejo, located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, working on your tan and sipping hyper-local coffee.

  Free time suggestions

  Playa Puerto Viejo: Escape to the golden sands of this nearby beach for a day of swimming, sunning, snorkeling, sleeping, and any other alliterative words you can think of.

  Jaguar Rescue Center: Tour this center dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of a range of animal species. And no, the center does not actually house any jaguars, despite its name.

  Cahuita National Park (extra cost)

  Find out what makes Costa Rica so special on a rainforest walk and coral reef snorkeling adventure.

  Caribbean dance experience (extra cost)

  Learn how to dance salsa, merengue, and more with a local Caribbean hip-moving expert.

  Chocolate experience (extra cost)

  Visit a cacao farm to learn how the plant is harvested and transformed into drool-worthy chocolate. 

• Days 26–31: Panama

  New country alert! It’s time to cross into Panama, which is exciting for a lot of reasons, but mostly because Panama hats are a thing.

  Today's highlights:

  • Spend a day beaching your face off on Isla Bastimentos, one of the many islands that make up Bocas del Toro.
  • Enjoy free time exploring (translation: sleeping on) the silly beautiful beaches of Panama’s Caribbean coast.
  • Travel to the Boquete Region—aka the caffeine capital of Panama—for a coffee plantation tour.
  • Fly to Panama City to tour Casco Viejo, the city’s Old Town, with your Tour Director.

  Free time suggestions

  Carenero Island: If you just can’t get enough of these Caribbean islands (we get it), take a quick water taxi ride to nearby Carenero, which offers all the classic beach activities plus some scenic hiking trails.

  Bluff Beach: This is Isla Colón’s largest and most accessible beach, so if you’re looking for a no-brainer activity, go here. The waves can get pretty gnarly, so keep an eye out for surfers doing their thing.

  Panama Viejo: Visit the ruins of the OG Panama City, which was destroyed in 1671 and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

  Monkey Island Boat Tour: Cruise the Panama Canal north to the town of Gamboa to see capuchins, howlers, and tamarins up close and in their natural habitat.

  Bocas del Toro bike tour (extra cost)

  Take in your surroundings by bike on a guided tour of Bocas Town and make your way to Bluff Beach.

  Sunset cruise (extra cost)

  Cruise around Isla Colón with drinks and snacks, then take a dip in the water as the sun goes down. 

• Days 32–40: Peru

  Say hey to the equator from 35,000 ft., you’re in the southern hemisphere now. In Peru, you’ll live like a local in Lima, journey to vibrant Cuzco, and cross MACHU FREAKIN’ PICCHU off your bucket list. And yes, there will be llamas.

  Today's highlights:

  • Explore both the colonial and contemporary sides of Peru’s capital, Lima, with a local guide.
  • See the old Spanish cathedral and the extravagant Koricancha Temple on a guided sightseeing tour of Cuzco.
  • Visit sites like the fortress at Ollantaytambo on a full-day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas—then wash it down with an included dinner.
  • Hike your way around Machu Picchu, admiring the Temple of the Sun and the views from the Temple of the Three Windows.
  • Board a boat and bop around the islands of Lake Titicaca, munch on locally made lunch, and discover pre-Incan culture and traditions.

  Return to Machu Picchu (extra cost)

  Return for a second visit if you can’t get enough Machu Picchu (we don’t blame you). Beat the crowds bright and early, and enjoy the quiet, unobstructed beauty of the ruins from the top of Huchuy Picchu.
  
  This excursion is pre-book only; if your trip is less than 60 days away, please call 800-766-2645 to purchase. This excursion is also non-refundable 65 days prior to departure.

  Pisco Sour Workshop (extra cost)

  Your new fav drink, pisco, is a Peruvian brandy made from wine or fruit juice. Learn how this magical elixir is made, sample three different styles, and try making your own cocktail. Wrap things up by sampling snacks and tapas.
  
  Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

• Days 41–45: Bolivia

  You’re in Bolivia now! And if your camera roll hasn’t had a workout yet, it’s about to get one. From the Valley of the Moon to the salt flats, this is natural beauty like you never, ever imagined.

  Today's highlights:

  • Drive along the Titicaca coast until you reach Bolivia—here, you’ll start with a walking tour of Copacabana.
  • Journey to Isla del Sol, home to the…Fountain of Youth?!?! Then see the ruins of Pilko Kaina and enjoy an included lunch.
  • Tour La Paz by bus, foot, and cable car, exploring both its colonial and modern sides. Then, visit the Valley of the Moon.
  • Fly to Uyuni—home to the Bolivia salt flats—where you’ll cross the flats and learn about the local, salt-based economy.

  Free time suggestions

  Calle Jaén: Walking down the narrow, cobblestoned Calle Jaén feels like stepping back in time. The most preserved colonial street in La Paz is as colorful as it is vibrant.

  Parque Mirador Laikakota: Visit this scenic lookout point for 360 views of beautiful La Paz and stick around for a bite to eat from one of the many food stands.

  Sopocachi: This isn’t just a neighborhood, it’s a cool neighborhood. The place to be in La Paz, Sopocachi is brimming with restaurants, cafes, bars, and clubs.

  Valle de las Animas: Visit the Valley of the Souls, home to densely packed, towering spires of rock, and feel like you’ve been whisked way to another planet.

• Days 46–47: Chile

  In Chile, the driest desert in the world (brag) awaits. Soak in the otherworldly landscapes as you continue your journey south.

  Today's highlights:

  • Cross into Chile and get settled in San Pedro de Atacama, a town surrounded by desert, salt flats, geysers, hot springs, and volcanoes.
  • Explore the lunar-like landscape of Moon Valley (different than the Bolivia one) and stick around for OMG sunset views.
  • Depart by private coach for Salta, Argentina.
• Days 48–59: Argentina

  Welcome to your final stop, Argentina. From Buenos Aires (the Paris of South America) to Patagonia (no nickname necessary), it’s time to immerse yourself in every side of this unique nation.

  Today's highlights:

  • Sightsee your way around Salta before enjoying some free time in the city.
  • Fly to Buenos Aires, where you’ll explore the city with a local guide.
  • Transfer to El Chaltén (read: Patagonia) for a full-day, guided hike to the base of Mt. Fitz Roy.
  • Visit El Calafate, home to El Perito Moreno Glacier—and spend a day hiking (and gawking at) this massive chunk of ice.
  • Return to Buenos Aires to continue exploring, then share some laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included Farewell Dinner.

  Free time suggestions

  San Telmo: The cobblestone streets of the city’s oldest barrio are lined with antique shops, cafes, and art studios. Head to Plaza Dorrego for some traditional Argentinean dancing.

  Nightlife:  This city is a night owl’s dream. Hit the town like a true porteño (someone from Buenos Aires) at one of the many bars, clubs, speakeasies, and tango houses.

  Paseo del Rosedal: Take a break from the Buenos Aires bustle and wander among 18,000 rose bushes, statues of famous poets, and a charming lake.

  Café Tortoni: Try a medialuna, Argentina’s version of a croissant, and wash it down with a cup of freshly roasted coffee at a traditional spot like this famed café.

  Dinner, tango show & lessons (extra cost)

  Dinner and a tango show—what could be better? Learning the moves yourself, of course. 
  
  Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

  Buenos Aires bike tour (extra cost)

  Hop on a bike, pedal around town, and get to know Buenos Aires from a new POV with a local guide. 

  Cafayate day trip (extra cost)

  Visit the historic villages of the Lerma Valley, marvel at the complex rock formations of Quebrada de las Conachas, and wash it all down with the best wine at a local vineyard. 

• Day 60: Arrive home

  ¡Adios, amigos!
  Translation: goodbye, friends! Your next destination awaits—home. But this isn’t goodbye. It’s “See you later.” The only question is, where?