The Andes magic

difficulty: 1/3

20 days

from 2001 to 3500 US$

The Andes magic

An unforgettable trip in the heart of the Andes, with a mythical lake, perched at more than 3800 m of altitude which connects Peru with Bolivia, and the essence of two countries united by the altiplano and their main attractions which are the Inca site of Machu Picchu and the Salar of Uyuni.

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 Gold Museum of Larcomar Larco herrera Museum
day 2: Lima and flight to Arequipa
According to your flight schedule, transfer to Lima International Airport.

Flight to Arequipa (1h 25 flight approximately).

Welcome and Transfert to your hotel.

Overnight in Arequipa.

Steps: Arequipa and Colca canyon Arequipa
day 3: The Colca Canyon
Departure from your hotel in direction of the Colca Canyon (approximately 4 hours drive to Chivay).

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

This point of view will offer us a superb view of the volcanoes and glaciers Hualca-Hualca, Sabancaya and Ampato. 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.

Lunch at leisure in Chivay.

The Colca Valley has many thermal springs in which you will have the possibility of bathing (optional entrance, 15 Soles per person, to be paid on the spot).

Dinner at leisure in Colca.

Night in the Colca Canyon.

Steps: Arequipa and Colca canyon Colca canyon Chivay Salinas Lagoon Salinas y aguadas Blanca National Reserve Ampato Volcano Misti Volcano
day 4: The Colca canyon and departure to Puno
Early in the morning, you will go to the viewpoint of the Cruz del Condor (1h30 of road) from where you will be able to enjoy an incredible panorama on 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.

You will go down the canyon by the left bank, then will pass by the miradors of Antahuilque and Choquetico, famous for their pre-Inca cemetery and their suspended burials.

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

Lunch at leisure in Chivay.

After lunch, you will leave by bus to Puno (6 hours of travel with stops).
During the trip we will make different stops to discover the biodiversity specific to this region, including several species of Andean birds.

The bus will leave you directly at your hotel.

Dinner at leisure in Puno.

Night in Puno.

Steps: Puno and the Titicaca lake Uros Islands Titicaca Lake islands: Uros and Taquile Puno
day 5: 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.

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 6: 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: La Paz and its region El Alto Ilimani
day 7: Free day in La Paz and night bus to Uyuni
Free day to discover La Paz.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Transfer to La Paz bus terminal from the hotel

Departure of the bus at 21h00pm. Journey in a comfortable tourist bus to Uyuni (10h30 of road approximately).
Small snack served on board.

Night in the bus.

Steps: La Paz and its region Ilimani La Paz Museum of Casa de Murillo Valley of the moon
day 8: 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 Basic shelter of the South of Lipez Uyuni Salar Uyuni Villa-Mar
day 9: 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 Siloli's Desert Sol de Mañana's Geysers Laguna Blanca Laguna Colorada Licancabur Salar de Chiguana San Juan Polques Thermal Waters
day 10: 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 Valle de las Rocas
day 11: 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 Convent/Museum of Santa Teresa San Lorenzo Church Potosi's mines Museum of money Tower of the Jesus Company
day 12: 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: Sucre and its region Sucre
day 13: 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 14: Back to La Paz
2 hours before the flight, transfer to the airport accompanied by your guide.

Flight to La Paz.

Transfer to your hotel accompanied by your guide and free time (depending on the arrival time of your flight).

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in La Paz.

Steps: La Paz and its region
day 15: The only pre-Inca site in "Tiwanaku"
Departure to the archaeological site of Tiwanaku (sun temple) (about 1h30 drive).

Tiwanaku is an architectural ensemble classified as a UNESCO World Heritage. It is 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.

Continuation towards Puno.

Crossing the border between Bolivia and Peru (assistance with formalities will be provided), then change of transport.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in Puno.

Steps: Puno and the Titicaca lake Suasi Island Uros Islands Titicaca Lake islands: Uros and Taquile
day 16: Crossing the Altiplano
Departure from Puno to Cusco by bus.

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

Discovery of the lithic museum of Pucara, which show the andean people evolution from the first men to the incas.

Then a stop in La Raya pass where the oxygen will be scarcer. 14232 ft. above the sea level. Discovery of the Royal Cordillera, in the center of the Andes.

Lunch stop included in Sicuani,

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.

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

Arrival in Cusco,

Dinner at leisure in Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Andahuaylillas Sicuani church Cusco Raqchi San Pablo Vilcanota Valley
day 17: The legendary city of Cusco
Day at leisure in Cusco.

During this day, we recommend you to visit the Temple of Gold, or "Coricancha" in Quechua; as well as the impressive colonial cathedral, whose construction began in 1559 and lasted nearly a hundred years.

A trip to the city's main market, San Pedro, which is always bustling with activity, will be an opportunity to soak up the local atmosphere!

Lunch and dinner on your own.

Overnight in Cusco.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu San Pedro Market Plaza de Armas de Cusco Puka Pukara Q'enqo Saqsayhuaman Tambomachay
day 18: The Incas 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 Pisac; archaeological site Salt ponds of Maras
day 19: 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 Huayna Picchu Inti-Punku Montaña Machu-Picchu
day 20: Cusco / Lima - end of your stay.
Departure from your hotel to the airport of Cusco .

Flight to Lima over the majestic Andes Mountains and its countless snowy peaks

End of the stay.

Steps: Lima and its region

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