At the heart of the Andes: Peru and Bolivia

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  WELCOME TO PERU

  Welcome upon arrival of your international flight at Jorge Chavez airport, in Lima, and transfer to the hotel. A French-speaking representative will be waiting for you at the airport and will give you your travel documents. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 2

  LIMA - AREQUIPA: DISCOVERING THE WHITE CITY

  Transfer to Lima airport. Flight to Arequipa. Transfer to your hotel in Arequipa. Half-day dedicated to discovering the white city. Guided tour of the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, the church and the convent of La Compaña. Then, visit to the Santa Catalina convent, which is a real city within the city, with its alleys lined with small houses painted in ochre, blue, and white, its squares and its fountains, a setting reminiscent of distant Andalusia. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  AREQUIPA - COLCA CANYON: AT THE HEART OF THE COLCA CANYON

  In the morning, departure between 07:30 and 8:00 in a shared service (15 to 30 people) for the Colca Valley (4 to 5 hours by road). Crossing the Salinas Aguada Blanca National Reserve and passing a pass at 4910 meters altitude, known as the "Mirador de los Volcanes." On the way, magnificent landscapes and observation of vicuñas and other camelids. Check-in at the Tradición Colca hotel around 13:30 and lunch. In the afternoon, a 3-hour hike to the ruins of Uyo Uyo, the ancient capital of the Collagua nation, and optional bathing in the thermal waters of Chacapi (entrance to the baths to be paid on site: 15 soles). On the way, you can admire the beautiful church of Yanque, the Occolle amphitheater, the "Colcas" of the Colca River, and finally the beautiful terraces of the valley. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 4

  COLCA CANYON - CRUZ DEL CONDOR - CHIVAY - PUNO: ANDEAN CONDOR WATCHING

  We start our day at 6:30 am at the Cruz del Condor, in the heart of Colca, to observe the majestic Andean condor. You will also enjoy a breathtaking view of the Colca River, with the canyon reaching a depth of 1000 meters at this point. Visit of the village of Maca. Return to Yanque at the end of the morning. Lunch at your leisure. Transfer to Chivay at the beginning of the afternoon. In the early afternoon, departure by tourist bus to Puno with an English/Spanish-speaking guide. On the way, stop at the Patapampa volcano viewpoint (4950 m), then at the Chucura volcano. Last stop at the edge of lagoons to observe the landscape. Reception upon your arrival at the Puno bus terminal and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 5

  PUNO - UROS - TAQUILE - PUNO: ON THE WAY TO THE LEGENDARY LAKE TITICACA

  In the morning, transfer to the port of Puno at 7am for a departure by collective boat to the Uros and Taquile islands, accompanied by an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. After about twenty-five minutes by boat, visit the floating islands. These are not natural: they were built by the Uros tribe, whose main activity is fishing. The navigation then continues (about two hours) to Taquile, an island of great cultural interest. The inhabitants of Taquile remained without contact with the outside world for four centuries, which allowed them to preserve their ancestral traditions. The men knit, the women weave, and you will discover the meaning of the different types of hats worn. Visit and free lunch in one of the island's typical restaurants. Return to Puno in the middle of the afternoon. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  PUNO - KASANI - COPACABANA - LA PAZ: Welcome to Bolivia

  Departure in a private vehicle for the Kasani border post. Reception at 11:30 am (Peruvian time) at the Kasani border post by our Bolivian team for transfer to Copacabana. Copacabana, a small peaceful town located on the shore of Lake Titicaca, between the hills of Calvary and Niño Calvario, attracts tourists all year round who come to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the lake, as well as pilgrims of the Virgin of Copacabana. People also come here for the "challa" of their new car, a blessing ceremony that protects the vehicle and its driver for the rest of the year. We visit the cathedral and stroll through the market and the port. At the end of the day, we climb the hill of the Way of the Cross to admire a magnificent sunset over the lake. We leave Copacabana and Lake Titicaca to reach La Paz in a private vehicle. We arrive after 155 km of road (about 3h30). Overnight at the hotel.

• day 7

  LA PAZ - UYUNI: Visit of the highest capital in the world

  Our driver will pick us up at 09:00 in the hotel lobby for a private vehicle tour to discover the most beautiful viewpoints of the city. La Paz, the highest capital in the world, chosen as one of the seven new wonder cities in 2014, is incredibly nestled in the heart of the Andes. From several points in the city, we will admire the giants of the Cordillera Real and Illimani, the protector of the city… From the K’Illi K’Illi viewpoint and Laykakota park, we enjoy an almost 180° view of the city. In the bohemian district of Sopocachi, the Montículo viewpoint is the meeting place for lovers and newlyweds. Since 2014, La Paz has gained a new means of transport: the cable car! By gaining altitude, the view of the surrounding mountains is breathtaking and, by flying over different neighborhoods, one discovers the social differences of the city. We get back in the car, cross the wealthy southern area and leave the city to reach the Valley of the Moon, which owes its name to its strange limestone formations. Here, we can stroll for about an hour in complete tranquility. In the afternoon, we return to the historic center and wander through its colorful and lively markets. IMPORTANT: The K’Illi K’Illi viewpoint and Laykakota park are closed on Mondays. A driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the bus station. Departure of the night bus at 21:00. This very comfortable bus goes directly to Uyuni, a small town lost on the edge of the salt flat. Arrival the next morning at 07:30 and welcome by our team. Lunch included. Dinner on your own. Snack provided on the bus. Night on the bus. Note: it is possible to have breakfast and a shower (for a small fee) in the morning in Uyuni, before the departure of the 4x4 expedition.

• day 8

  UYUNI - SAN JUAN: CROSSING THE UYUNI SALT FLAT

  A driver will pick you up at the bus station and take you to your hotel. Today we set out to discover the largest salt desert in the world! We leave the hotel at 9:00 am in a private 4x4 to reach the Uyuni salt flat (3650 m altitude). After about half an hour on the road, we stop at Colchani to visit a salt operation and the unique salt hotel built on the surface of the salt flat (closed since 2001). We then drive for about an hour and a half (73 km) across this immense white expanse to reach Incahuasi Island. This surprising volcanic island, lost in the heart of the salt flat, offers a breathtaking view of the salt desert and the surrounding volcanoes. It is covered with stromatolites and giant cacti (stromatolites are fossilized bacterial colonies, the first traces of life on Earth). In the afternoon, we drive another 34 km (half an hour) to the southern end of the salt flat. From there, 55 km of track lead us to the village of San Juan (3600 m altitude), where there are spectacular mummies of the "lords of Lipez" (1200 AD) and an interesting small museum. Overnight in a basic refuge/hostel (no hot water or heating).

• day 9

  SAN JUAN - LAGUNA COLORADA: ON THE JEWEL ROUTE

  We begin today our journey across the Sud Lipez, a high-altitude region known for its vast desert expanses, colorful lagoons, salt flats, rock formations, and volcanoes. Upon leaving San Juan, we first cross the small Chiguana salt flat (3650 m alt.), at the foot of the Tomasamil volcano (5900 m alt.). Then, the track climbs to about 4200 meters of altitude and we stop at the viewpoint of the Ollagüe volcano (5868 m alt.). This still-active volcano is home to one of the highest sulfur mines in the world. We then follow the Chilean border south, taking the famous "route of the jewels" which skirts the Cañapa, Hedionda, Ch’arkota, and Honda lagoons, sanctuaries for three varieties of pink flamingos. The track continues through the superb landscapes of the Siloli desert (4700 m alt.) and we discover its famous "stone tree". After covering about 230 km, we arrive in the late afternoon at Laguna Colorada (4278 m alt.), on the shore of which we will spend the night. This lagoon gets its intense brick-red coloration from the presence of phytoplankton that reacts to sunlight and attracts, part of the year, colonies of pink flamingos. Night in a refuge/hostel with basic comfort (no hot water or heating). It is sometimes possible to have a private room. We recommend that you have a sleeping bag with yo

• day 10

  LAGUNA COLORADA - UYUNI: Discovery of the wonders of South Lipez

  A long day full of landscapes awaits us today! We leave early this morning to discover the Sol de Mañana geysers (4850 m alt.), a volcanic crater that spews out sulfur vapors and heavy waters. We then continue to the Polques hot springs. Get ready for a surprising experience: a hot bath in 30°C water, at nearly 4200 m altitude, in the middle of a frozen desert and a spectacular landscape. Thus warmed up, we get back into the 4x4s to drive along Laguna Salada and cross the Dali Desert (4750 m alt.). The strong wind blowing here has shaped surprising rock formations reminiscent of the Spanish master's paintings. We arrive late in the morning at Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde (4350 m alt.), located at the foot of the Juriques and Licancabur volcanoes (5704 and 5960 m alt.). After covering about a hundred kilometers, we are here at the extreme south of Bolivia, very close to the Chilean border. In the afternoon, we head to Uyuni, 350 km away (about 6 hours on the track). After the village of Villamar, keep your eyes open: we cross the Rio Grande region, which is home to many vicuñas and rheas (cousins of the ostrich)! Before arriving in Uyuni, we stop in the village of San Cristobal, known for its rich colonial church, which we can visit if we are lucky, as it is not always open; and in the model urbanization of Culpina K. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 11

  UYUNI - SUCRE: CROSSING OF THE CORDILLERA DE FRAILE

  We leave Uyuni at 8:30 am in a private vehicle and cross the entire Cordillera Frailes to reach Potosi (3900 m alt.). The "imperial city" experienced its heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries, the golden age of silver. At that time, it had the largest mine in the world. The Cerro Rico ("the rich mountain") is still being mined today, but Potosi's international glory truly belongs to ancient history. On the way, we stop at Pulacayo, which in the 17th and 18th centuries housed the second most important silver mine on the continent. Today, it is a practically abandoned village, but there is a museum tracing its former splendor. We arrive in Potosi after 3 to 4 hours of driving (205 km). We leave Potosi in a private vehicle to reach the pretty little colonial town of Sucre (2810 m alt.). We lose altitude and leave behind the high plateaus to descend into the valleys of Chuquisaca. We cross the Pilcomayo River by the Sucre bridge, whose architecture is somewhat anachronistic. Further south, this river separates Argentina and Paraguay. We arrive in Sucre at the end of the day after about 3 hours of driving (160 km). Spanish-speaking driver. The driver is not a guide. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 12

  SUCRE - LA PAZ: DISCOVERY OF THE WHITE CITY, LISTED AS A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

  We dedicate this day to the constitutional capital of Bolivia. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, white Sucre is known for its tranquility, its beautiful colonial architecture, and its many churches. We meet our guide at 9 a.m. in the hotel lobby and set off to discover the city center and its most famous monuments. We start with the Convent of La Recoleta, a lovely white stone building with four courtyards, founded by the Franciscan order in 1601 and now transformed into a museum. We learn more about the culture of the region and the country at the ethnographic textile museum (ASUR), then visit the Casa de la Libertad. Now a history museum, this is where the independence treaty was signed in 1825. To end the day, we visit the San Felipe Nery monastery, from whose terrace we enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. IMPORTANT: Weekly museum closures: Convent of La Recoleta and San Felipe Nery monastery - Sunday, ASUR - Saturday and Sunday, Casa de la Libertad. A driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport. Domestic flight Sucre - La Paz. A driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 13

  LA PAZ - CUSCO: WELCOME TO CUSCO, NAVEL OF THE INCA EMPIRE

  A driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport. Flight to Cusco. Reception upon your arrival at Cusco airport and transfer to the hotel. Departure for a half-day dedicated to discovering the historic center: visit of the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the Cathedral, which has many paintings from the Cusco School as well as numerous treasures of goldsmithing, silver, and precious stones. Stroll through the San Blas district and its typical streets. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 14

  CUSCO - PISAC - MARAS - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES: WALK IN THE SACRED VALLEY

  In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for a day dedicated to discovering the Sacred Valley. First stop: the ruins of Pisac, one of the major sites of Inca culture, with its different districts (administrative, religious, military) and its important terraces intended for agriculture. Stroll through the craft market before hitting the road again. Head towards the Maras salt mines, a formation of pools that, since Inca times, have received water from a nearby salty spring and, under the effect of the sun and evaporation, turn into salt. Continue towards the village of Ollantaytambo. The village of Ollantaytambo is called "the last living Inca village," as its inhabitants maintain very ancient customs and traditions. Then, visit the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo and its cyclopean stones, which was the site of fierce battles between Incas and Spaniards. If time permits, after the visit, you can stroll through the city's cobbled streets. You board a train to Aguas Calientes, the starting point for Machu Picchu. Note: the train company allows travelers to carry a cabin suitcase of 10 kilos maximum per person. You will need to leave your checked luggage in storage at the hotel in Sacred Valley or in Cusco (possibility to transfer luggage from one hotel to another). Afternoon train. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 15

  MACHU PICCHU - OLLANTAYTAMBO - CUSCO: THE MAGIC OF MACHU PICCHU

  Shuttle ascent to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu. Departures, both for the ascent and descent, take place every 5 minutes. Note: 1st shuttle to the site: 05:30. Last shuttle to the site: 15:30 / Last shuttle to Aguas Calientes: 16:45. Travel time: 30 minutes. Arrival at the Machu Picchu site, wonder of the world. Machu Picchu is an ancient 15th-century Inca city in Peru. Abandoned during the collapse of the Inca Empire, the sacred city of the Incas, forgotten for centuries, is considered a masterpiece of the architecture of this civilization. It was revealed by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911. Since 1983, the site has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list. On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was designated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World by the NewOpenWorld Foundation, an unofficial and commercial organization. Finally, the site is part of a whole cultural and natural ensemble known as the "Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu." Access to the site from 06:00 to 12:00. Visit of the citadel with your site guide (about 3 hours). You board a train to Ollantaytambo. Note: The train company allows travelers to carry a cabin suitcase of 10 kilos maximum per person. You will need to leave your checked luggage in storage at the hotel in the Sacred Valley or in Cusco. Afternoon train. Reception at Ollantaytambo station and transfer to the hotel in Cusco. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 16

  CUSCO - LIMA: RETURN TO THE PERUVIAN CAPITAL

  Transfer from your hotel to Cusco airport. Your French-speaking guide will accompany you to the airport. Flight to Lima.