Inca and South Lipez

17 days

from 2001 to 3500 US$

Inca and South Lipez

A trip between Peru and Bolivia focused on the Andean culture. Come to discover this part of the world from Machu Picchu to the Salar d'Uyuni and the deserts of the South Lipez through the Titicaca lake, border between the two countries. All the great classics of the two countries are here proposed to you with a maximum of comfort.

Quotation request

Day by day

day 1: Arrival in Lima
Arrival of your international flight.

Transfer by private vehicle accompanied by your English speaking guide to the safe and modern Miraflores district, located just a stone's throw from the Pacific Ocean (Duration: about 1 hour).

Dinner at leisure in Lima.

Night 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 The Inca walls and the twelve-angled stone Plaza de Armas de Cusco Q'enqo Qoricancha Saqsayhuaman Tambomachay
day 3: Visit of the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Visit of 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 centre there, which governed the entire province.

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. You will find the artists themselves selling their production. (time to visit: 30 min approximately).

Lunch at leisure in Urubamba

You will continue your visit to the Maras Salt Flats, fabulous contrast in the heart of the valley.
The salt works consist of more than three hundred terraces on the mountainside; salt is extracted from the basins through a supply of salt water.

You will discover the salt extraction mechanism (visit time: 30 min approximately).

Visit to the Ollantaytambo Fortress. The geographic and strategic situation of this last Inca bastion, allowed the Incas to resist the Spaniards; the remains of the fortress testify the confrontations that took place after the loss of Cusco at the hands of the conquerors. It is a place full of history and it should be noted that the people have changed very little since those times.

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
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 Aguas-Calientes Machu Picchu
day 5: 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 Puno
day 6: 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.

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 7: The Island of the Sun
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 Copacabana Sun Island Yumani
day 8: Train journey on the Altiplano
Departure from your hotel in La Paz for a transfer to Oruro (departure time depends on the day of the week).

On the way, you will stop for an outdoor visit of the church of Calamarka. Some stops are also possible to take pictures of the altiplano and to visit the village of Sika-Sika and its beautiful Romanesque church ( exterior visit).

Arrival in Oruro.

Departure by train to Uyuni in mid-afternoon

Train journey through the landscapes of the altiplano (about 7h).

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Arrival in Uyuni and transfer to the hotel.

Night in Uyuni.

Steps: La Paz and its region La Paz Oruro
day 9: A circuit in the opposite direction! Departure for the South Lipez ...
You will take the direction of Villa Mar.

First stop at the train cemetery, close to the town, where old steam locomotives from the beginning of the last century finish their lives quietly.

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

You will then go through the Valle de las Rocas where we can admire magnificent rock formations. During the trip, it is often possible to observe foxes or Suris (Andean ostrich).

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

Lunch and dinner included.

Night in Villa-Mar.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert Train's Cemetary in Uyuni Valle de las Rocas Villa-Mar
day 10: The beauties of the South and North Lipez
Around 04h30am / 05h00am, departure to the thermal baths of Polques, in a unique natural setting.

Then direction the Chilean border, passing by 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.

Then departure to the Sol de Mañana geysers, where a life-size geological spectacle awaits you: impressive columns of steam escape from the deepest dens of the earth.

After the geysers, discovery of the laguna colorada and its vivid palette of colours; the rare presence of life in these landscapes at the end of the world is that of groups of pink flamingos.

You will then take the road towards the Siloli Desert, a strange desert where astonishing geological formations appear, particularly in the form of the "arbol de piedra" (stone tree).

Then discovery of several lagoons in the north Lipez, inhabited by several dozen pink flamingos, silent presence in this motionless desert.

You will then take the direction of San Juan. It will also be the occasion to discover the Chiguana salt desert, whose landscapes seem to belong to another dimension.

Lunch and dinner included.

Night in San Juan.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert The stone tree Dali's desert Siloli's Desert Sol de Mañana's Geysers Laguna Blanca Laguna Colorada Laguna Verde Salar de Chiguana San Juan Polques Thermal Waters
day 11: The wonderful "Salar of Uyuni"
This new day offers grandiose landscapes in the heart of the largest salt desert in the world.

You will take the road to 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, just like oxygen, are lacking to describe these fantastic landscapes where time seems to have stopped.

In the distance you can see 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 indiscriminately.

After a good lunch, continuation of the visit by the village of Colchani on the edge of the Salar.

You will take finally the road to the village of Uyuni.

Lunch included.

Dinner at leisure.

Night in Uyuni.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert Incahuasi Uyuni Salar Uyuni
day 12: 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 Convent/Museum of Santa Teresa San Francisco Church Museum of money Museum of Plata Herzul
day 13: The mine and its secrets
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 Manquiri The miners' market Potosi's mines Typical streets
day 14: The white 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 Sucre
day 15: Flight between Sucre and La Paz
Transfer to the airport with your guide.

Flight to La Paz.

Transfer to your hotel with your guide.

Lunch at leisure.

Afternoon at leisure.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight in La Paz.

Steps: La Paz and its region Apacheta del Alto La Paz Street Sagarnaga Street El Alto Ilimani La Paz
day 16: La Paz and its cable cars
Visit of the Bolivian administrative capital: located at the bottom of a trough, the city is spread over more than 1000m of difference in altitude.

Discovery of the city from belvedere to belvedere to better understand its topography, then visit the museums of the "calle Jaén", a colonial street in the historic center of the city.

You will also discover La Paz from a new angle with its exceptional panoramic view, taking the cable car.

Located in Plaza Murillo, the 19th century La Paz Cathedral impresses with its gigantic size, the height of its dome and the size of its pillars.

Afterwards, a walk through the witch's market. Here one finds most of the ingredients needed to make traditional Andean remedies to influence the Aymara spirits as well as offerings for the Pachamama, the mother earth.

In the afternoon, discovery of the Moon Valley, located 10km 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.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in La Paz.

Steps: La Paz and its region Jaén Street and its museums The Witches' market Valley of the moon
day 17: End of your stay
Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport of La Paz with your guide.
Help with registration.

End of your trip.

Steps: La Paz and its region La Paz

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