Sand and salt

difficulty: 1/3

22 days

from 2001 to 3500 US$

Sand and salt

A great journey, as complete as possible, from one desert to another, from the Pacific coast of Peru to the Salt Desert of Uyuni; a palette of colors to discover.

Quotation request

Day by day

day 1: 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 Callao Lima’s Cathedral Huaca Pucllana Lima Gold Museum Gold Museum of Larcomar Larco herrera Museum
day 2: Road to Paracas
Morning free to enjoy the charms of the City of Kings.

1h before the bus departure: Transfer from your hotel to the bus terminal accompanied by your guide (Duration: 30 min).

Departure by regular bus in the direction of Paracas (about 3 hours and 30 minutes drive).

During the journey, you will discover the arid landscapes of the Pacific coast.

Transfer from the bus terminal to your hotel (Duration: 10 min).

Afternoon free to enjoy the coolness of the coastline.

Lunch and dinner at leisure in Paracas.

Night in Paracas.

Steps: South Coast Paracas
day 3: The Ballestas Islands and the Oasis of Huacachina
07h45: Departure from your hotel towards the port.

You will leave by boat to discover the Ballestas Islands, sitting in the heart of a bay.
Thanks to the Humboldt sea current which favours the proliferation of plankton, this small archipelago is home to a unique biodiversity. You will be able to contemplate sea lions, penguins as well as many species of sea birds.

Between 11:00 and 11:30 am: Departure by private vehicle to Nazca (about 4 hours drive).

Stop along the way to discover an artisan bodega in Ica, where you will learn about the production process of Pisco, the national alcohol.

You will then continue the road to the oasis of Huacachina.

Located in the middle of the desert, it is an exceptional show that this water point surrounded by palm trees and dunes, straight out of a comic book album.

You will then take the road again in the direction of Nazca.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in Nazca.

Steps: South Coast Huacachina Oasis Ballestas island Nazca Paracas Pisco
day 4: Road to Arequipa
Free morning in Nazca.

30 min before the bus timetable: Transfer to the bus terminal (Duration: 5 min).

Departure by bus to Arequipa via the Panamericana (about 10 hours drive).

Arrival in Arequipa at night.

Transfer to your hotel accompanied by your guide (Duration: 20 min).

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in Arequipa.

Steps: Arequipa and Colca canyon Arequipa
day 5: The white city of Arequipa
Free day in Arequipa.

During this day, we recommend you to discover the famous catholic sites of the city, namely the Cathedral, the Convent of Santa Catalina and the Cloister of the Compañia. The city of Arequipa has the nickname of "white city" thanks to its Plaza de Armas and its surrounding neighborhoods, built only of white walls.

Take advantage of your free time to go to the Mirador, by small city bus, and admire the magnificent surrounding volcanoes, including the famous Misti.

For the antique lovers, you will find a whole street full of antique shops, calle Santa Catalina, which will offer you rarer pieces than the others.

Otherwise, go to the Alpaca factories. You will have the chance to discover the creation of alpaca products and learn about the different varieties.

End the afternoon with a chilled Pisco Sour on one of the rooftops of the Plaza de Armas. You will also have the chance to watch the sunset over the city!

Lunch and dinner at leisure in Arequipa.

Night in Arequipa.

Steps: Arequipa and Colca canyon Arequipa
day 6: The Colca Canyon
Departure from your hotel to the Colca Canyon by private vehicle (approximately 4 h drive).

During the trip, you will cross the natural reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca, located at an average altitude of 4300 meters.

You will cross the Patapampa pass, located at an altitude of more than 4900 meters and you will feel the effects of the oxygen rarefaction.

This viewpoint will offer you a superb view of the Hualca-Hualca, Sabancaya and Ampato volcanoes and glaciers. The "Valley of Wonders", named by Mario Vargas Llosa, is impressive for its contrasts and mixes.

You will have the opportunity to discover the habits and customs of the inhabitants of this region, proud of their traditional costumes.

You will arrive at the village of Yanque or Chivay.

The Colca valley has many thermal springs in which you will have the possibility to bathe.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in the Colca canyon.

Steps: Arequipa and Colca canyon Colca canyon Chivay Patapampa Salinas y aguadas Blanca National Reserve
day 7: Departure for Cusco
Early in the morning, you will go to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint (about 1h30 drive) from where you can enjoy an incredible view of the majestic canyon and its valley.

From this rocky peak it is possible to observe the impressive condors, evolving in their natural environment, going up the canyon.

Descending by the left bank, then you will pass by the watchtowers of Antahuilque and Choquetico, famous for their pre-Inca cemetery and their hanging tombs.

You will have the opportunity to discover several traditional villages, such as Maca, Achoma and Yanque and its colonial "baroque" church.

After lunch, you will continue the trip towards Arequipa (about 4h00). During the trip, you may have the opportunity to see a herd of llamas, and more generally, enjoy this protected area rich in biodiversity.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

1h before the bus schedule: Transfer to the bus terminal accompanied by your guide (Duration: 20 min).

Departure by bus to Cusco (about 10 hours drive).

Night on the bus.

Steps: Arequipa and Colca canyon Colca canyon Viewpoint Cruz del condor
day 8: The legendary city of Cusco
Arrival of your night bus and transfer to your hotel.

Free day to discover Cusco.

Lunch and dinner at leisure in Cusco.

Night in Cusco.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Cusco
day 9: The Sacred Valley
Departure from your hotel to head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

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 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 Maras saltworks, a fabulous contrast in the heart of the valley. The saltworks are made up of more than three hundred terraces on the mountainside ; You will discover the mechanism of salt extraction.

Visit to the fortress of Ollantaytambo : The strategic geographical location of this last Inca stronghold allowed them to resist the Spaniards; the remains of the fortress bear witness to the confrontations that took place after the loss of Cusco to the conquistadors.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in the sacred valley.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Maras Village Archaeological site of Moray Ollantaytambo – Archaeological site Ollantaytambo – Village Salt ponds of Maras
day 10: Machu Picchu !
Transfer from your hotel to Ollantaytambo station.

Train journey to Aguas Calientes (about 1h40), then bus journey to the site (about 20 min).

Guided tour of the site of Machu Picchu (about two hours) discovered in 1911 by the American explorer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham.

A dream of every traveller, a legend that has not yet revealed all its mysteries, the citadel of Machu Picchu continues to bewitch and seduce visitors in search of magic.

Its particular geographical location gives it an insolent and intoxicating beauty. The organization underline the greatness and genius of the Inca civilization.

Return by bus to Aguas Calientes (about 20 min).

Lunch at leisure.

Departure by train to Ollantaytambo (about 1h40).

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

Dinner at leisure in Cusco.

Night in Cusco.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Aguas-Calientes Machu Picchu
day 11: Crossing the Altiplano
Transfer from your hotel to the bus terminal accompanied by your guide.

Departure from Cusco to Puno by bus with your English/Spanish speaking guide. (about 6h driving time, and 4h stops with meals and visits). You will cross the landscapes of the Andean high plateaus, observing several stops on different sites of interest.

Andahuaylillas : This small village is famous for its early 17th century church, known as the "Sistine Chapel of South America" thanks to the frescoes and paintings that decorate it.

Raqchi : where the Inca temple of Wiracocha, the creator god, is located. This temple was a major administrative and religious center.

Lunch included in Sicuani.

Col de la Raya : where oxygen will be scarcer due to the altitude (4335 meters) at which you are. Here you will discover the majestic Cordillera Real, in the heart of the South American mountain range.

Lithic Museum of Pucara : which retraces the evolution of the Andean peoples from the first men to the Incas.

Transfer to your hotel.

Dinner at leisure in Puno. Night in Puno.

Steps: Puno and the Titicaca lake Abra la Raya Puno Sicuani
day 12: Lake Titicaca
Transfer to the port of Puno (about 10 min.).

Departure by boat to discover Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

You will begin the discovery of the lake with the visit of the Uros Islands archipelago, made up of about forty islands made of a base of braided aquatic plants, and reinforced with reeds of the lake, the "totora".

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

Then, the island family will propose you a tour in a tourist boat made of reeds to reach the next island.

Taquile is a peaceful island with green hills, all a contrast with the bright blue of Lake Titicaca.

This will be an opportunity to discover the customs and traditions of the island's inhabitants, who have a high quality textile tradition.

The typical costume, reflecting civil status and function in the community, is also a particularity that the inhabitants will be proud to share with you.

Return by boat to Puno after lunch. Transfer to your hotel.

Lunch and dinner at leisure. Night in Puno.

Steps: Puno and the Titicaca lake Taquile Island Uros Islands Titicaca Lake islands: Uros and Taquile
day 13: Departure for Bolivia and visit of the Tiwanaku site
Departure from the hotel towards the Bolivian border.

Crossing the border between Peru and Bolivia then change of transport.

After crossing the border between Peru and Bolivia, you will make a stop at the archaeological site of Tiwanaku.

Tiwanaku is an architectural ensemble classified as a UNESCO World Heritage. It's a great spiritual and cultural center of the Tiwanaku civilization still unknown today.

The numerous vestiges of the site represent the various cultural advances of this civilization: the semi-subterranean temple, the temple of Kalasasaya, the pyramid of Akapana and the pyramid of Pumapumku.

The highlight of your visit will undoubtedly be the monolith of Bennett Pachamama which is more than 7 meters high.

Return in the direction of La Paz to take the road towards Copacabana (4h30 of road approximately).

Lunch and dinner at leisure. Night in Copacabana.

Steps: La Paz and its region La Paz Tiwanaku
day 14: La Paz and its cable cars
Free day in La Paz to discover by yourself this amazing city.

Lunch and dinner leisure

Night in La Paz.

Steps: La Paz and its region La Paz
day 15: Train journey on the Altiplano
Departure from your hotel in La Paz for a transfer to Oruro.

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 Calamarka La Paz Oruro Sika Sika
day 16: 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 Uyuni Valle de las Rocas Villa-Mar
day 17: 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 18: 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 Colchani Incahuasi Uyuni Salar
day 19: The colonial city of Potosi
Transfer to the bus terminal of Uyuni and departure by bus to Potosi, located at 4,000m altitude (about 4 hours drive) at the foot of Cerro Rico.

This mining city has a historical center full of history, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Arrival in Potosi and transfer to the hotel accompanied by your guide.

Free afternoon in Potosi.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in Potosi.

Steps: Potosi Potosi
day 20: The mine and its secrets
This morning, a visit to one of Cerro Rico's 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 the "Tio", the highly respected protector of the mine.

Departure from Potosi, after lunch, to reach the city of Sucre (about 3 hours drive).

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in Sucre.

Steps: Potosi Potosi's mines Potosi
day 21: The white city of Sucre
Free day to enjoy this so typical city where the independence of Bolivia was proclaimed. Thanks to its splendid colonial architectural style, Sucre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in Sucre.

Steps: Sucre and its region Sucre
day 22: Santa Cruz
2 hours before the flight, transfer to the airport accompanied by your guide.
Flight to Santa Cruz.

End of your stay.

Steps: Santa Cruz de la sierra Santa Cruz de la Sierra

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