- Combined Peru / Bolivia
- 19 days
- Year round
- Private
- English and Spanish speaking
Along the way......
Nineteen days to visit the most important sites of Peru and Bolivia.
We visit the center of the world: Cusco and Machu Picchu the Inca city and mysterious Lake Titicaca. We then explore the uniquely “Andean” atmosphere of the city of La Paz, and discover the dreamy landscapes of the Salar and Lipez …
Have a great trip!
Day 1 :
Pick up at the Jorge Chavez airport, flight? At?. Private transfer to your. Meals open.
Day 2 :
Private transfer to the Lima airport for the fight to Cuzco.
Airport pick up and private transfer to the hotel.
In Quechua, Cuzco means “the center of the world”, because this town, which was the capital of the Inca Empire, was the common origin to the four regions of the world according to the cosmic vision of Incas. Cuzco is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities of the Peruvian Sierras.
Rest to help acclimatizing at the altitude.
Early afternoon, guided visit of Cuzco and its surroundings: the temple of the Sun or Koricacha – the cathedral and the four ruins of: Tambomachay, Pukapucara, Sacsayhuaman, Q’enko.
Return to the hotel early evening.
Meals open.
Note: flight without a guide.
Day 3 :
8 a.m., departure for the Sacred Valley in a private vehicle. After about one hour on the road, we reach the ruins of Pisac, which used to be one of the most important fortresses of the Inca Empire, primarily erected to store the Empire’s food stocks.
After a guided visit of the site we stroll through the small Indian market. (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays) We follow our drive to Ollantaytambo. Visit of the fortress, and then get on the train and depart at 2:55 p.m. for Aguascalientes which we reach at about 4:15 p.m.
Transfer to the hotel on foot. Meals open.
Note 1: train Vistadome class.
Note 2: the visit of the site of Ollantaytambo can be made on the return trip from Machu Picchu.
Day 4 :
In the early morning, direct connection to the shuttle service that will drive you to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Day dedicated to the visit of the site; one of the wonders of the world, discovered in 1911 by the American anthropologist Hiram Bingham.
In the afternoon, return by train to Ollantaytambo.
Reception and transfer to your hotel.
Meals open.
Suggestion: ascent of Huayna Picchu – make sure you wear comfortable shoes, do not carry too much weight, and hope you are not suffering from vertigo – or to La Puerta del Sol.
Day 5 :
In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for a day dedicated to the discovery of the Sacred Valley. First stop at the cultural site of Moray, a former Incan agricultural ‘laboratory’.
Then, continuation of the excursion to Maras: salt mines in the middle of the Cordillera!
Visit of the village of Chinchero and its colonial church. Walk around the traditional handcraft market on Sundays or visit of the Awana Wasi Tocapo textile association on the other days.
Drive back to Cuzco and transfer to the hotel.
Meals open.
Day 6 :
Transfer to the bus terminal at 7:30AM for the trip to Puno.
The ride offers beautiful scenery. The tourist bus stops at different sites such as Raqchi and the village of Andahuaylillas with its famous “Sixteen Chapel” constructed in the middle of the 17th century. We also take our lunch break in the village of Sicuani. Arrival in Puno at around 4:30 p.m. Transfer to the hotel.
Lunch included. Dinner open.
Note: Bus trip without a guide. Nonetheless a Spanish/English speaking guide from the bus company will give you information on the way.
Option: Train of the Andes Orient Express – Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
Day 7 :
Transfer to the pier of Puno to embark, early in the morning, for the Islands of Uros and Amantani.
After a 40-minute boat ride, we visit, with a guide, the floating Islands of Uros. The Islands are not natural but have been built by the Uros tribe living mainly from fishing.
After a visit of about forty minutes we return to our boat and head for Amantani located 2 1/2 hour from the islands of Uros.
We arrive on Amantani before lunch and settle with one of the host families from the island. Lunch.
In the afternoon visit of the sites dedicated to the Pachamama and the Pachapapa.
Lunch, dinner and lodging with local host.
All included.
Note 1: It is not possible to navigate on the lake at night.
Note 2: The level of English of the guides in that area is very basic
Day 8 :
Departure by boat at around 8:30 a.m. for the Island of Taquile located about one hour from Amantani.
The island of Taquile offers a cultural interest as its inhabitants still live in accordance with antique traditions. Guided visit of the island and of its Inca vestiges.
Lunch open in one of the typical restaurant of the island. Relaxation and return to Puno in the middle of the afternoon. Transfer to the hotel.
Lunch and dinner open.
Note 1: It is not possible to navigate on the lake at night.
Note 2: The level of English of the guides in that area is very basic
Day 9 :
In the morning, we depart for Desaguadero in our private vehicle. On the road, while skirting the lake, we visit the villages of Chucuito, Juli and Pomata. At 11:30 a.m.
(Peruvian time), we meet our Bolivian driver (At the Bolivian immigration post, after the bridge) who will drive us to the archeological site of Tiwanaku. Guided visit of the Pre-Columbian vestiges counting amongst some of the most important on the continent.
Arrival in La Paz in the evening.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.
Note: Every Friday, Desaguadero hosts a market that can make traffic heavy and delay immigration procedures.
Day 10 :
We start the long north to south crossing of the Altiplano to Uyuni, small town on the edge of the Salar (12 to 14-hour trip). We meet at the hotel one hour before the bus departure, for a transfer to the bus station of La Paz.
- Tuesdays and Fridays, departure of the bus for Oruro at 10 a.m. Arrival in Oruro at around 2 p.m., then departure of the train Expreso del Sur for Uyuni at 3:30 p.m. Arrival in Uyuni at 10:20 p.m. Pick up by our team upon arrival.
- Wednesdays and Sundays, departure of the bus for Oruro at 2 p.m. Arrival in Oruro around 6 p.m., then departure of the train Wara-Wara for Uyuni at 7 p.m. Arrival in Uyuni at 2:20 a.m. the next day. Pick up by our team upon arrival.
- Other days, departure on the bus for Oruro at 3:30 a.m. Arrival in Oruro at 7 p.m. Bus change. Departure at 8 p.m. Arrival in Uyuni at around 5 a.m. Hotel available in Uyuni until the departure of the expedition. Lunch and dinner open (bar-restaurant La Loco recommended). Hotel ***.
Note 1: for your own comfort, we advise you to do this trip on the train.
Note 2: Dining car on board
Day 11 :
4WD expedition from Uyuni to Uyuni. We depart at 9:30 a.m. to visit the train cemetery on the outskirt of town. We then head south. On the way, we visit various villages, including the modern urbanization of Culpina K.
We have lunch in San Cristobal where we can visit the beautiful colonial church if it is open. We then cross Rio Grande, area hosting numerous vicuñas and ñandus (of the ostrich family) and arrive in Villamar at the end of the day.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging with local host in Villamar (basic comfort).
Day 12 :
Morning departure for Laguna Colorada that we reach mid morning.
We keep heading south to visit the Sol de Mañana Geysers (el. 4850 m.a.s.l.), a volcanic crater from which escape sulfuric fumes and heavy water.
We then skirt Laguna Salada before crossing the Dali Desert (named after the scenery reminiscent of one of his paintings) and reach Laguna Verde, at the foot of volcano Licancabur (el. 5960 m.a.s.l.) in the middle of the day.
Return to Laguna Colorada at the end of the afternoon.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in shelter (basic comfort).
Day 13 :
We drive in the direction of the North through the magnificent landscapes of the Siloli desert before reaching the “Route of the Jewels”: lagunas Ramaditas, Honda, Ch’arkota, Hedionda and Cañapa, sanctuaries to 3 different types of flamingoes.
We pass at the foot of two important volcanoes: Tomasamil (el. 5900 m.a.s.l.) and Ollagüe (still active), on the Chilean border. Later on, we cross the Chiguana Salar before arriving in the village of San Juan at the end of the day.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging with local host (basic comfort).
Day 14 :
In the morning, we depart for the world’s largest salt desert: the Salar de Uyuni (el. 3650 m.a.s.l.).
The atmosphere is special: the horizon seems to not have any limits and the immensity is overwhelming. We stop at the heart of the Salar on la “isla del pescado” or Fish Island. This island of volcanic origin is covered with stromatolites and giant cacti.
We also visit the touristy island of Incahuasi (often confused with its larger neighbour) before returning to Uyuni.
On the way we visit the Salt Hotels (Closed since November 2001) and ultimately, the salt exploitation of Colchani.
Cold lunch. Dinner open (bar-restaurant La Loco recommended). Hotel ***.
Day 15 :
We leave towards 10 a.m. with the bus (option private 4WD). We cross the Cordillera Frailes on a dirt track (6 hours) before reaching the Imperial town in the afternoon. End of day open (visit of the Santa Teresa convent recommended). Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel **.
Day 16 :
We dedicate this day to the discovery of Potosi, nominated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
At 9 a.m., we meet in the hotel lobby to visit the mines of Cerro Rico where we can see miners at work. In the afternoon, we visit the Casa de la Moneda (closed Sunday afternoons and Mondays), where the Spanish minted the coins for the crown until the 19th century.
At 4 p.m., we leave for Sucre in our private vehicle. We leave the high plateau behind to descend in the valleys of Chuquisaca.
We pass the Río Pilcomayo by the Sucre Bridge, and its interesting architecture (further South, this río separates Argentina from Paraguay) before arriving in Sucre, at the end of the day (3-hour trip on a paved road).
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.
Day 17 :
We meet in the hotel hall at 9 a.m. for a guided visit of the colonial city registered as a World Heritage city by UNESCO. Amongst others: ethnographic textile museum (ASUR), Casa de la Libertad (closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays), Recoleta convent, cathedral and San Felipe Nery monastery.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.
Day 18 :
Private transfer from the hotel to the airport 2 hours before take-off.
Flight Sucre – La Paz (50-minute flight, see time table). Pick up at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.
Day 19 :
Pick up at our hotel in a private vehicle, 3 hours prior to flight departure time, for transfer to airport / international flight number and time to be confirmed.
Included:
All tours mentioned in this program
Private English-speaking guide
Aforementioned transport: domestic flights, trains
Private transfer to airport / station / bus terminal / hotel with Spanish-speaking chauffeur
Entrance to sites, museums and natural parks
Hotels with double or triple room including breakfast
Aforementioned meals
Guide expenses (transport, hotels, meals, etc…)
Not Included:
International return flight
Individual equipment (sleeping bag, torch lamp, etc…)
Obligatory travel insurance
Entrance fees if mentioned
Drinks
Tips
Airport tax ($US 6 per person for national flights, $US 30 per person for international flights)
Aforementioned free meals