Peru-Bolivia Tour, 22 days

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  LIMA

  Your Peru-Bolivia trip begins upon your arrival in Lima. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the Miraflores district, where the Britania hotel is located. No other activity is planned for this day 1, as international flights usually arrive in Lima at the end of the day. However, if your flight arrives earlier, a visit of Lima can be organized on the first day.

• day 2

  LIMA - PARACAS

  Morning dedicated to visiting Lima, the capital that concentrates nearly a third of Peru's population and whose colonial center preserves the remains of a time when it was the most important city in South America. In the early afternoon, departure by first-class bus to Paracas. Arrival in the late afternoon in this village on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Transfer and overnight at the hotel La Posada del Emancipador.

• day 3

  PARACAS - NAZCA

  The coast of Peru is bathed by the cold waters of the Humboldt current, which rises from Antarctica and allows for the development of a very rich and unexpected marine fauna at these tropical latitudes. In the morning, we will embark on a short crossing of the ocean to the Ballestas Islands, where thousands of sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and other seabirds live. We then continue our journey to Nazca, where we arrive in the afternoon. After checking in at the hotel, we head to Palpa to observe geoglyphs and anthropomorphic figures left in the desert by the inhabitants of this valley more than 1000 years ago. We will also go to a viewpoint that allows us to observe figures and geometric lines belonging to the famous and mysterious Nazca lines. Return to Nazca at the end of the day and overnight at the Casa Andina Classic hotel.

• day 4

  NAZCA - AREQUIPA

  The best way to observe the Nazca lines is to fly over them. Since not everyone wishes to do this activity, we have left it as an option. Another way to enjoy this free morning is to take an excursion to the Chauchillas cemetery, which houses a large number of pre-Columbian mummies, or to the archaeological site of Cahuachi, which was a ceremonial center of great importance for the Nazca civilization and had several pyramids. In the afternoon, transfer to the bus station and departure to Arequipa by first-class bus. It is a long journey through the Pacific coast desert, a little-known side of Peru, which offers spectacular landscapes. Arrival in Arequipa late in the evening. Transfer and overnight at the Casa Andina Classic hotel.

• day 5

  AREQUIPA

  Here we are in Arequipa, a rest stop, a mid-altitude stage (2300 meters) before facing the high plateaus of Peru and Bolivia. Arequipa has a pleasant and sunny climate, as well as colonial architecture made of white volcanic stone. We will spend the morning visiting the city: the typical Yanahuara district and its magnificent viewpoint over the Misti volcano, the colonial center listed as a World Heritage Site, the cloisters of the Compañía, the market, and the Santa Catalina Monastery, dating from the 16th century, one of the largest religious complexes in South America. The afternoon will be free so you can discover the city at your own pace. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  AREQUIPA - COLCA CANYON

  Today begins the truly Andean part of your Peru-Bolivia trip with an excursion to the Colca Canyon. You will discover the animals of the Altiplano in their habitat: alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, and you will reach an altitude of 4900 meters (the highest point of the whole trip). You will then descend into the Colca Valley and have lunch in Chivay (not included). In the afternoon, a short walk will allow you to acclimatize to the altitude and take you to the thermal pools, where you can bathe in waters at nearly 40ºC (optional, entrance fee of about 4 USD to be paid on site). Overnight at the Eco Inn hotel.

• day 7

  COLCA CANYON - PUNO

  Early morning departure following the Colca Valley to the natural viewpoint of the Cruz del Cóndor. Here, you overlook the Colca Canyon and the river, more than 1000 meters below, and you can watch the dance of the condors flying over the canyon, sometimes passing very close to delighted tourists! In the afternoon, departure by tourist bus crossing the Altiplano to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Check-in and overnight at the Conde de Lemos hotel.

• day 8

  LAKE TITICACA: SOCCA PENINSULA

  Day dedicated to discovering Lake Titicaca, a highlight of your trip to Peru and Bolivia. You will leave in the morning for Socca, a peninsula where tourism is still nonexistent and where the Aymara communities live mainly from livestock and agriculture. There, you will take a short hike of about 2 hours, which offers some superb views of Lake Titicaca and the Royal Cordillera, on the other side of the lake, in Bolivia. Picnic lunch in nature and return to Puno in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 9

  PUNO - LA PAZ

  Departure in the morning towards Desaguadero, along a road that offers some superb viewpoints over Lake Titicaca. After crossing the Peru-Bolivia border, continue the journey on the Bolivian Altiplano, crossing El Alto, a city of one million inhabitants located at 4000 meters altitude, then descend to La Paz. Arrival in the afternoon and transfer to the Rosario hotel. Free time at the end of the day. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 10

  LA PAZ - UYUNI

  In the morning, transfer to La Paz airport to take a flight to Uyuni. You will go on a 4x4 excursion on the famous Salar de Uyuni, one of the most extraordinary natural wonders on the planet, which will be the highlight of your trip to Bolivia. After a visit to the Uyuni train cemetery, you will head to the village of Colchani, located on the edge of the salt flat, which lives off salt exploitation. Then, the 4x4 will cross the salt flat for nearly 80 kilometers to Incahuasi Island. From the top of this "island" there is an exceptional view of the entire salt flat and the surrounding mountains. You will enjoy a picnic in this unique setting and return to Uyuni at the end of the day. Overnight at the Tambo Aymara hotel.

• day 11

  UYUNI - POTOSI

  Morning transfer to Potosi. End of the day free to visit this small town, located at 4000 meters altitude, which was during colonial times one of the most important and prosperous in South America, even in the world. You can stroll through the historic center, whose colonial remains bear witness to the past splendor of Potosi, and visit the Casa de la Moneda, founded in the sixteenth century to mint the coins of the Viceroyalty of Peru with silver from the city's mines. Overnight at the Coloso Potosi hotel.

• day 12

  POTOSI - SUCRE

  In the morning, we will visit the mines of Cerro Rico, this mountain extremely rich in silver that dominates Potosi. The exploitation of the deposit, from colonial times to the present day, has created a huge network of tunnels and galleries. We will enter them and see the work of the miners who continue to exploit the deposit. After lunch, we leave for Sucre, a journey by road of 2 to 3 hours. Located in a valley, Sucre is undoubtedly the prettiest city in Bolivia and it enjoys a much milder climate than that of the altiplano. Overnight at the Capital Plaza hotel, in the historic heart of the city.

• day 13

  SUGAR

  After several days at an altitude of nearly 4000 meters, the city of Sucre marks a more restful stop. Guided tour of the city in the morning, starting with the Recoleta viewpoint, which offers a panoramic view of the entire colonial center. We will then visit the interesting textile museum, which shows the richness of fabrics and weaving techniques in the Andes, from pre-Columbian times to the present day. We will also visit the Casa de la Libertad, a historic site where the independence of Bolivia was proclaimed, now a museum on the country's history. The afternoon will be free for you to enjoy the charm of this pleasant city. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 14

  SUCRE - LA PAZ

  In the morning, we go to the airport to take a flight to La Paz, where we settle in at the Rosario hotel. In the afternoon, we will dedicate our time to visiting the Bolivian capital, which stretches over nearly 1000 meters of altitude. In the lower part of the city, we will visit the Valley of the Moon, a geological curiosity where erosion has formed a landscape of fairy chimneys. We will go up to the city center and Murillo Square, where the presidential palace, the parliament, and other colonial-era buildings are located. We will also take the new cable car to enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of La Paz and Nevado Illimani in the background. In the historic center, we will end the visit at the "witches' market". Overnight at the hotel.

• day 15

  LA PAZ - PUNO

  In the morning, transfer by road to Peru and end of the Bolivian part of your trip. Arrival in Puno in the afternoon and transfer to the Hacienda Plaza hotel. Free time at the end of the day and overnight at the hotel.

• day 16

  PUNO – CUZCO

  In the morning, departure towards the capital of the Inca Empire with a tourist bus that will make several stops and visits along the way. You will first see the archaeological site of Pukara, one of the oldest cultures of the Altiplano. You will make a stop at the La Raya pass (4370 meters), which marks the end of the Altiplano and the beginning of the Vilcanota valley, in which the Inca civilization flourished. After lunch, you will visit the Inca site of Raqchi and its temple of Viracocha, as well as the pretty village of Andahuaylillas, on whose square stands the San Pedro church, nicknamed the "Sistine Chapel" of the Americas because of the richness of its ornamentation. At the end of the afternoon, you arrive in Cuzco. Transfer and overnight at the San Agustin Internacional hotel, in the historic center.

• day 17

  CUZCO

  We have saved the best for the end of the trip. Cuzco is probably the most beautiful city in Peru. In the morning, you will take a guided tour that begins with a panoramic view from the heights of the city. There, you can admire the Sacsayhuaman, an impressive Inca fortress whose stone blocks reach colossal dimensions. The descent to the city center will be on foot, passing through the San Blas district and its narrow streets. In some streets, you can see the walls that belonged to ancient Inca constructions, with their perfectly cut stones fitted together without the slightest gap. You will cross the entire historic center to reach the San Pedro market, the main one in Cuzco, a lively place with a typically Andean atmosphere. In the afternoon, you can freely explore every corner of the city of Cuzco. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 18

  Cuzco - Pisaq - Ollantaytambo

  Today, you will discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of the most beautiful valleys in Peru. In the morning, you will visit the Inca site of Pisaq, one of the most important in the region, as well as the craft market of the same village. In the afternoon, you will visit the Inca village of Ollantaytambo and its fortress. Overnight at the Samanapaq hotel.

• day 19

  OLLANTAYTAMBO - MACHU PICCHU - OLLANTAYTAMBO

  Early in the morning, you will take the train from Ollantaytambo towards Aguas Calientes, the village at the foot of Machu Picchu. From there, a bus shuttle will take you to the site itself. The visit to Machu Picchu is, for almost all travelers, the highlight of a trip to Peru and Bolivia. The natural beauty of the landscapes echoes that of the Inca constructions, thus creating a truly extraordinary place. You will be able to explore it thoroughly, then take the train back in the afternoon to return to the Sacred Valley at the end of the day. Overnight at the Samanapaq hotel in Ollantaytambo.

• day 20

  OLLANTAYTAMBO - MORAY - MARAS - CUZCO

  Departure in the morning by private vehicle to the village of Moray. On a plateau overlooking the Sacred Valley, you will discover the astonishing concentric agricultural terraces from the Inca period. Very close by, the Maras salt mines, still in use today, offer a spectacular landscape of thousands of salt basins. You will then visit the village of Chinchero, dominated by a beautiful Spanish church built on an ancient Inca site. Return to Cuzco in the early afternoon. Free time at the end of the day and overnight at the hotel.

• day 21

  CUZCO

  Your trip to Peru and Bolivia is coming to an end. A final free day in Cuzco will be ideal to allow you to enjoy this magnificent city, with its unique atmosphere, and to say goodbye to Peru. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 22

  CUZCO - LIMA - RETURN

  Transfer to Cuzco airport, flight to Lima and end of your Peru-Bolivia trip. Connection with your international return flight.