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Day by day…
The present borders of Bolivia, Peru and Chile are the outcome of contemporaneous wars. They are not natural at all. The Incas used the Andean topography to demarcate their empire. It is this natural space that the tour «Trilogy of the Andes», a result of several years of experience, hopes to let you discover. The borders must then be abolished in order to profit of one sole geographical block which, in itself, has condensed today several cultures, various nationalities, folklores and different gastronomies. But the historical foundation, itself, remains common: the Inca Empire and the Spanish Conquest…
The journey comprises several aspects and allows you to experience multiple sensations, day after day: a cultural part (the most important Inca sites and colonial towns), and a part of adventure in 4x4 through unknown regions of the Bolivian Altiplano, an abundance of ecosystems and landscapes difficultly matched (Lake Titicaca, the volcanic mountain range of Sajama Park, the Pacific seashores, the Altiplano, the semi-tropical valleys of Machu Picchu, the Indian coloured markets at La Paz)
Have a good trip!
Day 1: LIMA RECEPTION - PERU
Reception at Jorge Chavez airport, flight? to ? and transfer to Ducado Hotel** located in the Miraflores district.
Free for lunch
Day 2: LIMA – AREQUIPA (AIRPLANE) - PERU
Early in the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Arequipa the white city (1h15 flight). Transfer and installation at Casa de Melgar Hotel **. 3 big volcanoes with snowy tops surround Arequipa: the Misti (5821m), the Chachani (6075m) and the Picchu Picchu (5425m). Arequipa certainly deserves its name: the white city because its buildings are principally made of Sillar, a volcanic rock that has an intense white color abounds in this area and embellishes the houses’ and temples’ facades.
In the afternoon, 3-hour guided visit of the colonial center and the Santa Catalina convent (official guide certified by the convent). Transfer to the hotel.
Free time for meals.
Note 1: unaccompanied flight.
Note 2: the timetable will be confirmed before booking
Day 3: AREQUIPA – TACNA – SANTA ROSA (PRIVATE) – ARICA – PERU / CHILI
We will leave the white city in a private vehicle to reach Tacna then Santa Rosa, boarder between Peru and Chile. We will take the Pan-American Highway that crosses this dry and desolate region until we reach Moquegua valley to taste Peru’s best Ceviche. After traveling 100 km more, we will arrive to Tacna, which we will just drive through to reach the Chilean border where we will meet our Bolivian team. Transfer, via the Pacific seashore, to the city of Arica, a bathing resort-city at the north of Chile (2 to 3 hours).
Free lunch at the old city. Visit to the museum of the Pacific, a symbol of Andean disputes and of the loss of access to the sea by Bolivia. End of the day free at the shores or in town. Free dïnner. We spend the night at a 2/3 stars hotel.
Day 4 : ARICA – SURIRE SALT FLAT - LAUCA PARK / CHILE
Departure from Arica at 08:30. During a few hours, a splendid road takes us across multiple landscapes: an oasis of cultivations, a desert of sand, before we reach the first parts of the Andes until we arrive at the Vicuñas National Park. Going to the south, we will pass by the Guallatiri volcano (still active) before arriving to the Surire Salt Flat (2h30), which takes its name from the presence of ñandus in this region (suri in Aymara). We will be able to observe 3 varieties of flamingos as well as numerous llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. We will take a break to have a lunch near some hot springs and we will return to Parinacota by the end of the afternoon.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in the house of a villager (limited comfort).
Day 5 : LAUCA - SAJAMA / CHILE - BOLIVIA
After crossing the border, and a pass at 4.800 meters altitude, we penetrate into Bolivia by the Sajama National Park, unknown but one of the most impressing sites of the Altiplano. The fauna is varied: alpacas, ñandus (ostriches), St James flamingos, and condors (if we are lucky). At the slopes of the Sajama volcano, culminating point of Bolivia, which dominates the region with its 6.542 meters height, grows the Kenua, the only tree in the world that grows at such an altitude. We make the tour of the imposing volcano (in 4x4 and one part by foot). A road leads us to the Laguna Huaña Khota, a sanctuary of flamingos, wild ducks and wild geese, then we go to the abandoned village of Tomarapi, where the first colonial church was built. At the end of the day we shall have the opportunity to take a bath in the hot springs, at the foot of the volcano, in an idyllic environment. It seems that these sources are the secret for the longevity of the Aymara Indians who live in this region.
Cold meal at noon. All included.
We spend the night at Doña Teodora and Don Luis house, nearby the sources (limited comfort).
Day 6 : SAJAMA –GEYSERS – SABAYA / BOLIVIA
In the morning we will go and see the geysers, this particularly active area offers us a unique display of dispersed bubbling puddles. Then we will go on through the Altiplano, crossing the lands of the Urus until reaching the village of Sabaya in the afternoon, after 4 or 5 hours.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in the house of a villager, far from the tourists’ circuits (limited comfort).
Day 7 : SABAYA – JIRIRA / BOLIVIA
We go on to the south. We will cross the Coipasa Salt Flats trough a swampy area that requires the use of maps and a GPS. We are now in the heart of the Altiplano, in the middle of arid landscapes surrounded by volcanoes that skirt the Chilean frontier. Everything so close…
Arrival at the village of Jirira (5h).
Cold lunch. All included. Night in the house of Lupe and Carlos (limited comfort).
Day 8 : JIRIRA - UYUNI SALT FLATS – UYUNI / BOLIVIA
From Jirira, we will enter the Uyuni Salt Flats (3650 m.a.s.l.). On the way we’ll make a stop in the heart of the Salt Flats, on the Incahuasi Island. This place, covered by stones of volcanic origin, is also known as the Isla del Pescado (Fish Island). In the afternoon, we will cross the Salt Flats until the west end. Along the road, visit of the salt mines of Colchani and the salt hotels (they are closed since November 2001). Arrival to Uyuni by the end of the afternoon.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner free (bar-restaurant La Loco recommended). Hotel Kory Wasy **.
Day 9 : UYUNI – LA PAZ / BOLIVIA
Departure from the hotel at 07:00 in private 4WD. Ahead, we have a great trip in which we will cross the Altiplano from south to north until reaching La Paz where we will arrive by the end of the day (9/10h).
Lunch along the road (included). Dinner free. Hotel Naira ***.
Day 10 : LA PAZ – TIWANAKU – DESAGUADERO - PUNO BOLIVIA / PERU
Departure from the hotel at 08:00 in private transport, to the archaeological site of Tiwanaku (1h30). Visit (with a guide) of the pre Columbian ruins, which are among the most important of the Continent. We meet our Peruvian team at the border of Desaguadero. Then we go alongshore Lake Titicaca until Puno and we will be able to see the towns of Pomata, Juli and Chucuito.
In the evening, we will stay at the Hotel Balsas Inn**.
Note 1: Meals not included
Day 11: PUNO – UROS - TAQUILE – PUNO (BOAT) - PERU
Transfer to Puno’s port to board early in the morning to go to Uros and Taquile islands. After a 40-min boat ride, guided tour of the Uros floating islands. These islands are not natural; the Uros tribe built them. This tribe’s main activity is fishing. After a 40-min tour, departure by boat to Taquile located 2h00 away from Uros.
Taquile is an island of great cultural interest. The inhabitants still follow the ancient traditions and the Inca laws. Guided tour of the island and its Inca ruins. Free time to have lunch in one of the island’s typical restaurants. Time to relax and return to Puno in the middle of the afternoon.
Transfer to the Balsas Inn **.
Free time for meals.
Note 1: it is forbidden to navigate by night on the lake.
Day 12: PUNO – CUSCO (BUS) - PERU
Transfer to the bus terminal to head off to Cusco. Beautiful scenery all along the way. Visit of the Raqchi and archeological sites as well as Andahuaylillas village and its famous « Sixtine Chapel » that was built in the middle of the 17th century. Lunch on the way in Sicuani (included)
Departure: Puno at 08:00 p.m., arrival in Cusco at 05:00 p.m.
Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel **.
Lunch included.
Free for dinner.
Note 1: unaccompanied bus trip.
Note 2: the timetable will be confirmed before booking
Option: The Andes Orient Express train– runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Day 13: CUSCO CITY TOUR 1 DAY (Alt.3399 m) - PERU
Departure at 09.00 a.m. from the hotel. In the afternoon we will visit Cusco and its surroundings. We will begin our tour with a visit of Koricancha (Temple of the Sun); main religious building the Inkas built dedicated to the cult of the sun. We will continue our tour visiting the Cathedral. Its construction began in 1560 and ended in 1669. This church has many paintings from the Cusuqenian School, and a large collection of jewelry, silver and precious stones. Then we will head off to the heights of Cusco to visit the 4 Inca ruins overhanging Cusco: Tambomachay Q'enko - Pukapucara - Sacsayhuaman -. Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel**at the end of the afternoon.
Free time for meals.
Day 14: CUSCO – PISAC – MARAS – OLLANTAYTAMBO – URUBAMBA (PRIVATE) - PERU
8: 00 am Departure to the Sacred Valley in a private vehicle. After a 1-hour trip, we will be arriving at the Pisac ruins, which was once one of the most important fortresses of the Inca Empire mainly built to stock the Empire’s food supplies. Guided tour of the Inca site. We will walk back down to Pisac and walk around the Indian market (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays). Lunch in a restaurant to taste a typical buffet. In the beginning of the afternoon, we will go to a beautiful and strange site called Maras. They cultivate and harvest salt in the Cordillera! Walk back down to Urubamba valley where our vehicle will be waiting for us. Then, we will be back on our way to Ollantaytambo (about ½ an hour) where we will visit the fortress, which was a military, religious and agricultural strategic center. Transfer to Casa de Campo **. Free for dinner.
Note 1: 1 h 15min walk
Note 2: The Ollantaytambo site tour can also be done the next day at 7 am.
Day15: URUBAMBA - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUASCALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU- CUSCO (TRAIN) - PERU
Hiram Bingham, an American anthropologist discovered Machu Picchu, in 1911. The archeologists estimate this citadel was built in the middle of the 15th century. Today several hypotheses have been ventured on the function this inaccessible citadel. Was it for military purposes? A kind of secret harem dedicated to the Inkas? A place to rest for the Inkas? It is still an enigma!
Departure at 08.35 a.m. by train (backpacker class) to reach Aguascalientes village. Arrival at about 10.10 a.m. and direct connection by bus to reach Machu Picchu citadel. Day dedicated to visiting the site. Free for lunch. Return to Aguascalientes by bus and connection to catch the train to Cusco at 03:55 p.m., arrival at 08:20 p.m. Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel ** in Cusco
Free time for meals
Suggestions: You can also reach Huayna Picchu peak. The hike up there is quite difficult. You will need good shoes, light backpacks and not to be afraid of heights. From the top, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Machu Picchu. You will need about 2 hours to go up and come back down.
Or you can walk to the Sun gate. Less dangerous and you will also have a beautiful view. It will take you about an hour and a half, both ways.
Note: the train timetable will be confirmed when you book the trip.
Day 16: CUSCO – LIMA (AIRPLANE)
Transfer to the Cusco airport for a flight to the Peruvian capital. Reception at the airport and transfer to Ducado Hotel **.
In the beginning of the afternoon, visit of the Peruvian capital with an English-speaking guide. We will go visit the colonial districts in the center walk by the Plaza San Martin, the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and we will visit the San Francisco convent.
Transfer to Ducado Hotel ** in the Miraflores district.
Free time for meals.
Day 17: LIMA – DEPARTURE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
3 hours before landing Transfer to the airport and connection for the international return flight. Free time for meals
Included (Peru and Bolivia)
Mentioned transport, domestic flights, mentioned meals, hotels with breakfast, lodge at villager, entrance to parks and cultural places, guided visits and mentioned excursions in private service, English – speaking guide in Peru.
Spanish-speaker guide/chauffeur in Bolivia, transport (includes the local flights), 2/3 stars hotels with breakfast, night in the house of villagers, mentioned meals, entrance to parks and cultural places, visits mentioned.
Not included (Peru and Bolivia)
Individual equipment, obligatory individual insurance, mentioned meals, from 3 to 8 $us by person / meal, airport taxes (about 2 and 5 $us per person on national flights and 25 to 28$us per person on international flights).
Hotels
Lima
Arequipa
Cuzco
Vallee Sacrée
Puno
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3 star
Faraona
Hosteria
Yupanqui
Incaland
Hacienda
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4/5 star
Sol de Oro *****
Libertador *****
Posada del Inca ****
Posada del Inca ****
Libertador ***** |
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Hotels Bolivie
La Paz
Uyuni
Potosi
Sucre
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4/5 star
Plaza *****
Los Girasoles ****
Colonial ****
Independencia ****
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