Crossing by the Altiplano

17 days

from 2001 to 3500 US$

Crossing by the Altiplano

A trip through the two Andean countries, Peru and Bolivia, that takes you across the high plateaus of the Andes Cordillera. Come to discover the wonders of the Altiplano from Machu Picchu to the Salar d'Uyuni and the deserts of the South Lipez passing by the Titicaca Lake, border between the two countries. All the great classics of both countries are offered here with maximum comfort.

Quotation request

Day by day

day 1: Crossing by the Altiplano
Arrival of your international flight in Lima.

Transfer in private vehicle accompanied by your guide to the modern and safe district of Miraflores located next to the Pacific Ocean.

Dinner at leisure in Lima

Overnight in Lima.

Steps: Lima and its region Lima
day 2: Cusco / City tour
Transfer to the Lima international airport accompanied with your local guide.

Flight to Cusco, the "navel of the world" for the Quechuas

Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel accompanied by your guide.

Then, you will visit the Gold's temple or Qoricancha in quechua and you will discover the foundations of the monastery of Santo Domingo as well as the colonial church.

Visit the impressive colonial cathedral, juxtaposed with the churches of El Triunfo and Jesús Maria, it forms an architectural ensemble steeped in history.

Lunch at leisure in Cusco

Departure in private vehicle to discover the main archaeological sites around Cusco from which the most famous is: the fortress of Saqsayhuaman, a site destined to protect the city. The walls of this site have been created with immense blocks of stone.

During the day you will also visit the ceremonial baths of Tambomachay, dedicated to the cult of water and the gods. Then your visit will continue with the fortress of Puka Pukara, with its reddish colors at sunset, as well as the ceremonial site of Q'enko, a place of worship for the Incas where sacrifices and mummifications of the noble Incas were performed.

Dinner at leisure in Cusco

Overnight in Cusco.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Cusco Museum of Qoricancha site Puka Pukara Q'enqo Qoricancha Saqsayhuaman Tambomachay
day 3: Visit of the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Departure from your hotel at 08:00 am, in private service.

Visit of the site of Moray, formed of concentric circular terraces. They would probably have been used as an agricultural laboratory: the local populations reproduced (artificially) different climates there in order to evaluate the production capacities of the area.

You will continue the discovery of the Sacred Valley of the Incas with the visit of the saltworks of Maras, fabulous contrast in the heart of the valley. They are made up of more than three hundred terraces on the mountainside.

Lunch at leisure in Urubamba.

Visit to the fortress of Ollantaytambo. The remains of the fortress testify to the confrontations that took place following the loss of Cusco at the hands of the conquistadors.

Dinner at leisure in the Sacred Valley

Overnight in sacred valley.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Maras Village Archaeological site of Moray Ollantaytambo – Archaeological site Ollantaytambo – Village Pisac; archaeological site Pisac Market The Sacred Valley of the Incas
day 4: Machu Picchu
Transfer from your hotel to Ollantaytambo station

Train journey to Aguas Calientes (about 1h40).

You will take the bus to go towards the Inca site.

The guided visit on the site, lasts approximately two hours. Discovered in 1911 by the American explorer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham, Machu Picchu celebrated in 2011 the centenary of its rediscovery.

A dream of every traveler, legend having not yet delivered all its mysteries, the citadel of Machu Picchu continues to bewitch and seduce visitors in search of magic. Its geographical location gives it an insolent and intoxicating beauty.

The organization of the site into several districts and the geographical constraints of the region underline the greatness and genius of the Inca civilization. Many mysteries remain to be solved...

Return by bus to Aguas Calientes

Lunch at leisure

Train departure to Ollantaytambo (about 1h40).

Transfer from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco (Duration: about 1h30 min).

Dinner at leisure in Cusco Overnight in Cusco.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Machu Picchu
day 5: Visit of Pisac
Departure from your hotel.

On the road, visit of a llamas and alpacas farm, the south Americans camelids. You will see the entire process of weaving this so desired wool, thin, light, and very pleasant to the touch (30 min approximately).

Visit to the Incas site of Pisac.
Located on a ridge overlooking the Urubamba Valley, this fortress controlled the comings and goings on the right bank of the Vilcanota River. The Incas had set up a large administrative center there, which governed the entire province.

Lunch at leisure in the Sacred valley

In the afternoon,you will visit the village of Pisac, you can visit the handicraft market, you will discover all the Andean and the surrounding hand made production: ponchos, alpaca and sheep textiles, jewelry, antiques, paintings and many other quality articles.

Dinner at leisure in Cusco

Overnight in Cusco.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Awanacancha Pisac; archaeological site Pisac Market
day 6: Visit the Altiplano between Cusco and Puno
Transfer from your hotel to the bus terminal accompanied by your guide.

Departure from Cusco to Puno by bus. (about 6 h on road and 4 h for the visits and lunch)

Crossing through the great landscapes of the andean plateaus, many stops are planning to visit interesting places.

Continuing this trip takes us to Andahuaylillas. This small village is famous for it early 17th century church, known as the "Sistine Chapel of South America" due to the frescoes and paintings that decorate it, but also for its golden carved altar.

Visit to the Raqchi site where, the Inca temple of Wiracocha, the creative god, is located. This temple was a major administrative and religious center. Its impressive size and geographical location suggest that it was a food storage center for pilgrims travelling to Cusco.

Lunch stop included in Sicuani,

Then a stop in La Raya pass where the oxygen will be scarcer. 14232 ft. above the sea level. you will discover the Royal Cordillera, in the center of the Andes. Finally you will discover the lithic museum of Pucara, wich show the andean people evolution from the first men to the incas.

Transfer to your hotel, accompanied by your guide.

Dinner at leisure in Puno. Overnight in Puno.

Steps: Puno and the Titicaca lake The altiplano between Puno and Cusco Abra la Raya
day 7: Visit of the Uros Islands and transfer to Copacabana
Departure by boat from the port of Puno.

You will discover Lake Titicaca by visiting the Uros Islands Archipelago, composed of approximately forty islands made of a basement of braided aquatic plants and reinforced with reeds from the Lake, the "totora".

This excursion will allow you to meet the community that lives on the different islands: there are several families who live mainly from fishing and tourism.

Return to the port of Puno by boat. Transfer to the hotel. Lunch at leisure.

After the lunch, transfer to the Puno bus station, accompanied by your local guide.

Bus trip to Copacabana (about 3h30). Stop at the border for customs formalities.

Arrival in Copacabana, transfer to the hotel.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Copacabana.

Steps: Copacabana and Titicaca Lake Copacabana Titicaca Lake
day 8: Discovery of the island of the sun departure for La Paz
Departure from your hotel in Copacabana to reach by boat the south of the island of the Sun (Yumani), where the visits are done on foot.
At more than 4000 meters above sea level, surrounded by calm waters and the high peaks of the Cordillera Royale, time seems to have taken another step, in favour of a surprising tranquility.

At the end of the day, return to the port of Copacabana by boat.

Lunch included in the form of lunchbox.

From Copacabana by private vehicle, to reach La Paz (about 3h30 drive).

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight in La Paz.

Steps: Copacabana and Titicaca Lake Sun Island Yumani
day 9: Visit of the historical center of La Paz and of the Moon Valley
Visit of the Bolivian administrative capital: located at the bottom of a basin, the city extends over more than 1000m of difference in altitude.

You will discover the city from belvedere to belvedere to better understand its topography. Then you will visit the museums of the Jaen street, a colonial street in the historical center of the city. You will also discover La Paz from a new angle with its exceptional panoramic view by taking the cable car.

You will understand the unique topography of the city, with its magnificent snow-capped peaks, such as the Ilimani.

Located in Plaza Murillo, the cathedral of La Paz, which dates back to the 19th century, impresses with its large size, the height of its dome and the size of its pillars. You will be able to observe with tranquility the originality of its stained-glass windows, some of which show unexpected scenes, such as an assembly of politicians.

Then, you will take a walk through the witches' market. Here you will find the essential ingredients needed to make traditional Andean remedies to influence the Aymara spirits, as well as offerings to the Pachamama, Mother Earth.

In the afternoon, you will discover the Valley of the Moon, located 10 km from the center of La Paz. This geological formation, composed of gorges and rocky peaks on the hillside, punctuated by cactus, is a very pleasant walk. The clays that make up the valley vary in color from beige, brown to red and sometimes to purple.

Lunch at leisure. Dinner at leisure. Overnight in La Paz.

Steps: La Paz and its region Apacheta del Alto Jaén Street and its museums La Paz Street El Alto Ilimani La Paz Valley of the moon
day 10: Transfer by private service between La Paz and Oruro then train to Uyuni
Departure from your hotel in La Paz to a transfer to Oruro.

On the road, stop to an external visit of the Calamarka church. some other stops are possible to take pictures of the Altiplano and to visit the Sika-Sika village and its beautiful roman style church. (external visit).

Arrival in Oruro.

Departure by train to Uyuni : Journey by train through the altiplano landscapes. (about 7h).

Dinner at leisure.

Transfer from Uyuni station to the hotel (Spanish-speaking driver only).

Overnight in Uyuni.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert Uyuni
day 11: Departure in 4x4 for the discovery of the deserts of the south Lipez.
You will leave for the Lipez (Spanish-speaking driver only).

First stop at the train cemetery, near the city, where old steam locomotives from the beginning of the last century quietly end their lives. Their golden age saw them transporting silver ore from the surrounding mines.

Then, direction San Cristóbal, a village known for its silver deposits but also for its charming colonial church.

You will then take the Valle de las Rocas where you can admire magnificent rock formations. During the journey, it is often possible to observe foxes or ñandues (Andean ostrich).

At the end of the day, you will head towards Villa-Mar.

Lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Villa-Mar.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert Train's Cemetary in Uyuni Valle de las Rocas
day 12: In 4x4 Crossing of the deserts of the South and North Lipez
Departure for the Sol de Mañana geysers, where a life-size geological spectacle awaits you: impressive columns of steam escape from the caves of the earth.

Then head for the Chilean border, passing through the fabulous Dali desert to admire the lakes: Laguna verde and Laguna blanca at the foot of the Licancabur volcano, which exceeds 5900 meters in altitude.
After that, stop and relax at the Polques thermal baths, in a unique natural setting.

Then arrived at the laguna colorada and its bright palette of colors; the rare presence of life in these landscapes at the end of the world is that of groups of pink flamingos.

You will take the road again towards the Siloli desert, a strange desert where surprising geological formations appear, notably in the form of a piedra arbol (stone tree).

Then discovery of several lagoons, inhabited by several tens of pink flamingos, silent presence in this immobile desert.

Just a stone's throw from Chile, stands the majestic Ollagüe volcano at an altitude of 5865 metres. It will also be an opportunity to discover the Chiguana salar, whose landscapes seem to belong to another dimension.

You will then head for San Juan.

Lunch and dinner included. Overnight in San Juan.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert The stone tree Sol de Mañana's Geysers Laguna Colorada
day 13: In 4x4 Discovery of the famous salar of Uyuni
This new day offers magnificent landscapes in the heart of the world's largest salt desert.

You will take the road to finally enter the salar, "white and geometric expanse" as far as the eye can see, which turns into a perfect mirror during the rainy season. Words, like oxygen, are lacking to describe these fantastic landscapes where time seems to have stopped.

In the distance is the outline of the island of Incahuasi, which you will also discover. On this island lost in the middle of a sea of salt, hundreds of giant cacti grow indistinctly: it is the refuge of the viscachas (a kind of Andean rabbit).

After a good lunch, continuation of the visit to the village of Colchani on the banks of the Salar. Here we exploit... salt, an abundant resource if there is one in the area. The inhabitants extract salt in blocks (for animals) or in grains (for human consumption) using picks and picks.

You will take the road to the village of Uyuni.

Lunch included. Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Uyuni.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert Colchani Incahuasi Uyuni Salar
day 14: The colonial city of Potosi
Departure to Potosi, located at 4 000m altitude (about 4 hours drive).

Lunch at leisure.

Discovery of Potosi, rich in both sumptuous and dramatic history, accompanied by a guide.

Founded in 1545 after the discovery of the immense deposit of precious metals in the Cerro Rico.

Since this period, the city has preserved many palaces and churches of sumptuous colonial architecture, and its historic center, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The current Casa de la Moneda was inaugurated in 1773 and covers more than 15,000 square meters, in response to the important growth of the city and the silver trade. We will continue our tour of the city with a visit to the church of San Lorenzo.

A short walk around the city with its typical alleys and the 10th of November square.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Potosi.

Steps: Potosi Museum of money Square of November 10th Potosi
day 15: Visit of Potosi and trip between Potosi and Sucre
Visit of one of the Cerro Rico mines in Potosi.

Beginning of the visit by the market of the mine where it is possible to buy small gifts for the miners such as soft drinks, coca leaves, work gloves.

You will then go to one of the miners' cooperatives that exploit silver in an artisanal way. Visit of the interior of the mine and the working conditions of the miners, after greeting and offering gifts to al Tio, the highly respected protector of the mine.

Lunch at leisure.

Departure from Potosi to reach the city of Sucre (about 3h00 by car).

The altiplane landscapes are adorned with ochre and reddish colours. It is an agricultural area where different traditions and cultures have developed slowly over the centuries. On the road stands one of the most impressive bridges in the country, the Mendez bridge, built in the second half of the 19th century.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Sucre.

Steps: Potosi The miners' market Potosi's mines Museum of Plata Herzul
day 16: Day trip to the colonial city of Sucre
Discovery of the colonial city of Sucre.

In the morning, you will start with the Museum of the Recoleta; originally, the convent was founded by the Franciscan order at the beginning of the 17th century.

In a second stage you will visit the Museum of Textile and Indigenous Arts (ASUR Museum), which presents the indigenous populations of the region of Sucre in a lively way; also presented are the weaving methods used by several cultures, among others the "Jalq'a" and "Tarabuco" cultures.

After passing through the general cemetery, discovery of the "treasures" museum. A new museum with tastefully presented precious stones and minerals. A great pleasure for the eyes!

Lunch included in Sucre.

After lunch, stroll through the main square of Sucre before reaching la Casa de la Libertad, where you will learn more about the history of the country: it is indeed within these walls imbued with symbols that the Declaration of Independence was signed on August 6, 1825.

Finally, you will end up at the Central Market of Sucre; the Church of San Francisco and the Museum of the Monastery of San Felipe de Nery, with the possibility of enjoying a magnificent view of Sucre from the bell tower.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Sucre.

Steps: Sucre and its region Square of May 25th
day 17: Flight between Sucre and Santa Cruz
Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport with your guide.

Flight to Santa Cruz.

End of your trip.

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