Hiking in Inca lands between Peru and Bolivia

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  France - Cusco - City Tour

  

  Arrival in Cusco, time to be confirmed according to the place of origin. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Time to rest and free visit around the hotel. Around 1:30 pm, departure from the hotel reception to discover the city, "the navel of the world", Qoricancha, the Cathedral, Sacsaywaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambo Machay by collective tourist bus. Return to the city center at the end of the day. Night at the 3* hotel

• day 2

  . Cusco – Pisac – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo – Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes

  Very early breakfast. Departure by tourist bus for a visit to the Pisac craft market, then departure to reach Ollantaytambo via Urubamba and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will continue by train to Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu, where you will spend the night. Night at the 3* hotel.

• day 3

  Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

  Early departure from the hotel to take a tourist bus to the Machu Picchu site. Visit of the Inca citadel accompanied by a specialized guide. Free time to visit the site on your own before heading back down to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch before taking the train back to Cusco. Reception and transfer to the hotel, where you will arrive at the end of the day. Night at the 3* hotel.

• day 4

  Cusco – Vinicunca – Cusco

  This beautiful circuit, also known as the circuit of the mountain of 7 colors, is a unique place located 3 hours by road from Cusco. Departure at 3:00 am. Breakfast in Quisiuna, then start of the hike lasting approximately 4 hours. You will take mountain trails and paths, with many elevation changes at an altitude close to 5,000 meters. Once you arrive, you can take photos from various angles. At noon, return to Quisiuna (another 4 hours of walking). Return to Cusco and arrival in the early evening. Night at the 3* hotel

• day 5

  Cusco – Arequipa 23520 m – City tour

  

  Transfer around 4:45 am to the airport to board the flight to Arequipa. Reception and check-in at the hotel. Day dedicated to visiting the city: El Mirador de Carmen Alto (from where you can appreciate the Chilina valley), Mirador de Yanahuara, San Lázaro district, Santa Catalina convent, which housed the daughters of the nobility of the time. Passing by the Plaza de Armas and its 16th-century neoclassical bronze fountain, built in volcanic stone, and finally the church and cloister of the Society of Jesus. Night at the 3* hotel.

• day 6

  Arequipa – Colca Canyon – Cruz del Condor – Chivay – Puno

  Departure at 03:00 for the Colca Canyon, where you can observe the flight of the condors and admire magnificent landscapes. On the way, you will make several stops to enjoy the scenery and herds of alpacas. On the return, you will continue to the city of Puno, where you will spend the night. Night at the 3* hotel

• day 7

  Puno – Copacabana – Isla del Sol

  Departure from the hotel early in the morning by bus towards Copacabana, a town located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. You will be able to observe beautiful views of the Altiplano and the lake. Arrival around 12:00 pm in Copacabana, where our team will be waiting for you. Around 1:30 pm, you will board a private boat heading to the north of the Island of the Sun. Visit of Chincana, the sacred rock, and the sacrificial table. Finally, you will walk to the small Aymara village of Challapampa. Watch the sunset over the lake from the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 8

  Isla del Sol: Challapampa – Yumani

  

  Departure from Challapampa for a hike along the island's ridge to the village of Yumani, in the south of the island (about 3h00). Visit to the Fuente del Inca and the Inca steps. You can watch the sunset from the southern ridge of the island, in the Aymara village of Yumani. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 9

  . Isla del Sol – Yampupata - Copacabana – La Paz

  Early departure from Yumani by boat to Yampupata to start a hike along Lake Titicaca (about 3 hours). You will pass through the villages of Sicuani, Titicachi, Chañi, and Alto Kusijata. Arrival in Copacabana, visit of the Basilica and its Morena Virgin, or India Virgin. Possibility to attend the car baptism ceremony, a syncretism of Catholic and pagan beliefs. Around 1:30 pm, you will take the tourist bus towards La Paz. Arrival around 5:30 pm and transfer to the hotel. Night at the 3* hotel

• day 10

  . La Paz walking city tour - 3660 m

  

  Breakfast and departure from the hostel at 9:00 am. Visit to the San Francisco church, the historic center, the Plaza de Armas, the Government Palace, the old quarter of the city, Jaen street, Camacho avenue, Rodriguez market, Sagarnaga street, and the witches' market. Night at the 3* hotel.

• day 11

  La Paz – Kotia Lagoon – Contador - 4,460 m

  Departure by private vehicle towards the Royal Cordillera. At Peñas, you will take a high-altitude track to the Kotia lagoon (2h30), the starting point of your hike accompanied by packs of llamas. You will follow a path to the right of the lake to cross a pass located at 4,750 m. Descent until you reach a village with a few houses called "Contador." Setting up camp below. About 3 hours of walking: +350/-200 m Night in bivouac.

• day 12

  Ajwani Lagoon – Sistana Lagoon - 4,530 m

  From the river, you will gradually climb up to the Ajwani lagoon, a refuge for ducks bearing the same name. Then, a steep ascent leads to the Miluni pass, located at 4,880 meters of altitude. From the passes, the view is unique over Lake Titicaca and its surroundings. In the background, the Sajama volcano (6,542 m) and the west face of Huayna Potosi (6,088 m). After a break, descent to the Sistana lagoon below. Setting up camp on the edge of the lagoon. About 5 hours of walking: +350/-350 m Night in bivouac.

• day 13

  Sistana Lagoon – Janchallani – Jurikhota Lagoon - 4700 m

  After breakfast by the lagoon, you will cross a second pass, Janchallani at 4900 m. You will take a path winding along the mountainside and change valleys to descend into a typically Andean landscape and reach the Jurikota lagoon (4680 m), with the Condoriri massif as a backdrop. The day's stage is on the edge of the lagoon. Setting up camp. About 5 hours of walking: +500/-250 m Night in bivouac.

• day 14

  Jurikhota Lagoon – Congelada Lagoon – Austria Peak – Chiarckota Lagoon - 4,680 m

  Magnificent day heading towards the Condoriri National Park. Landscapes of a mineral world of great beauty. Ascent on the moraines and crossing the highest pass of our trek, located at 5100 m. For the more athletic, possibility to reach Austria Peak, located at 5300 m. On the right of the pass, the magnificent Condoriri massif, with a glacial lagoon below. Steep descent towards the Chiarkota lagoon, in the heart of the Condoriri mountain cirque. Walk in the park in a very beautiful environment. Setting up camp. About 6 hours of walking: +650/-670 m Night in bivouac.

• day 15

  Paso Jallayko Tillipata – Wichukhota 4680 m

  From the Chiarckota lagoon, climb up to the Jallayko pass located at 5000 m (about 2 hours of walking). Beautiful panorama of the peaks. Descent following the river and steep ascent to the Tillapata pass (4990 m). Afternoon descent to the camp and to the Wichukhota lagoon, stage of the day at the foot of the Mario Lloco massif. About 7 hours of walking: +850/-950 m Night in bivouac.

• day 16

  Wichukhota – Milluni – Huayna – La Paz - 3680 m

  Continuation of the trek with a steady ascent through stunning landscapes. The trail follows the slopes of the cordillera, offering a view of the west face of Huayna Potosi and the elegance of Mario Lloco. You will climb gently along the canal, passing by mines, to progress without major difficulties to the bottom of a long and wide valley. Lunch in the valley, at the foot of the Milluni mines. Ascent towards the glacier, with a beautiful panorama of the imposing Huayna Potosi (6088 m). Short descent to the vehicle and return to La Paz at the end of the afternoon. About 6 hours of walking: +650/-250 m Night at the 3* hotel

• day 17

  La Paz – Valley of the Moon – Cable Car – El Alto – La Paz

  Departure by public transport to the Valley of the Moon, a spectacular area sculpted by nature, with formations reminiscent of lunar landscapes. 2-hour walk. You will then reach the lowest area of the city, which is also the most westernized. There, you will take the modern cable car, the highest in the world, for the Irpavi – El Alto City route: 35 minutes to go from 3,250 to 4,100 meters in altitude. Walk through the city of El Alto and descent by public transport to La Paz, passing through popular neighborhoods perched on the slopes of the city. Night at the 3* hotel

• day 18

  La Paz - Uyuni by plane – Salt desert – Coquesa, 3600 m, in private 4x4

  Early transfer to the airport to take a flight to Uyuni. Reception at the airport and departure of the tour around 10:30 am in a private 4x4 jeep. Visit to the train cemetery, a place where steam engines that transported minerals from the mines around Uyuni to the Pacific ports are found. Next, you will visit the village of Colchani, where the population works with table salt and makes artisanal works out of salt. Immediately after, entry to the Salar de Uyuni (12,000 km² in area), visit to the salt eyes, the salt hotel, and finally, arrival at Inca Huasi Island. Walk up to the island's viewpoint, a strategic vantage point over the giant cacti, more than 1,000 years old. Unforgettable and unique view of the salt desert. In the afternoon, you will continue the journey to the Aymara village of Coquesa. Night at the hotel.

• day 19

  . Coquesa – ascent to the Thunupa volcano viewpoint – San Juan by private 4x4

  

  Early in the morning, departure to observe the dawn at the salt desert. The 4x4 will pick you up at 6:00 am from the hostal to return to the salt desert and enjoy an incredible view of the dawn. Return to the hostal for breakfast. At 8:30 am, departure by 4x4 to the access point for the Coquesa Mummies, at the foot of the Thunupa volcano. Visit the mummies and climb up to the volcano viewpoint. A good part of the ascent is done by 4x4. After the box lunch at the viewpoint, descent to the village of Coquesa to head back to the salt desert to take photos, then exit through the south of this magical place to finally reach the Aymara village of San Juan. Night at the hotel.

• day 20

  San Juan – Laguna Colorada 4300 m - Eduardo Abaroa Park by private 4x4

  After breakfast, departure towards the far south of the Altiplano, a region producing quinoa, the Andean superfood. Then, you will cross the Chiguana desert and visit the chain of lagoons, making a stop in particular at the height of the Cañapa and Hedionda lagoons, where you can observe a large population of pink flamingos, vicuñas, and some predators such as the Andean fox. After the meal, you will discover the Silala desert and the emblematic stone tree. Finally, you will enter the Eduardo Abaroa Reserve, with a visit to the viewpoint of the Laguna Colorada. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 21

  Laguna Colorada – Laguna Verde – Uyuni by private 4x4 - La Paz by plane

  At 6:30 am, departure from the refuge towards the Sol de Mañana geysers at 4,850 m, a volcanic crater that emits sulfur vapors and boiling mud. Next, you will pass by the Polques thermal baths, the Dali desert, and the green lagoon at the foot of the Licancabur volcano, a natural border with Chile. You will leave the Eduardo Abaroa reserve, pass through the small village of Villa Mar, discover the Valley of the Rocks, and in the distance, you will see the most important open-pit mine in Bolivia, San Cristobal. In the late afternoon, arrival in Uyuni. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to La Paz. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Night 3* Hotel

• day 22

  La Paz out – place of origin – plane

  Depending on the time of your flight, transfer from the hotel to El Alto airport to take the flight to your city of origin.