The best of Peru and Bolivia in 3 weeks

The arrival and return takes place from Lima, the capital of Peru. Visit this vibrant capital a little before heading south. If possible, choose a hotel in the modern Miraflores neighbourhood: many bars and restaurants, not far from Havana, to walk along the coast.

Take advantage of the morning to rest or visit the historic centre of Lima. In the afternoon, take a bus to Paracas Beach (on the famous Pan-American Highway that crosses the entire American continent from Alaska to Patagonia). Allow 4 hours of travel time.

Go on a day trip to the wonderful Ballestas Islands where you can observe a very rich and diverse wildlife, including many colonies of seabirds (cormorants, pelicans, penguins...) and sea lions. Back in Paracas, go for a walk near the Huacachina oasis.

Reach the city of Ica to take a bus to Nasca (2 hours of travel). Go and observe the famous lines of the Nazca desert. These mysterious geoglyphs, which are believed to date from around the year 500, are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit also the little Museo Antonini which explains the subject well. Then take a night bus to Arequipa (8 hours of travel).

Stroll through the streets of Arequipa, one of the most beautiful cities in Peru's colonial architecture. Get lost in the maze of the Mercado San Camilo, where you also make your lunch break. Let yourself be tempted by a ceviche. Don't miss the colourful colonial monastery Santa Catalina, his visit is really worth a visit.

From Arequipa reach the village of Yanque (via Chivay). Three hours by bus through the Bolivian pampas, keep your eyes open! Here you are at the beginning of the famous Colca Canyon, 3,400 metres deep. Stroll through this pretty little village, still very traditional with adobe houses (made of clay).

Take an early morning bus (before 9am) to Huambo. Stop at Mirador Cruz del Condor. With a little patience there is a good chance that you can observe condors flying over the canyon. If you have time, stay another day and opt for a hike at the bottom of the canyon to the Sangalle oasis. Then take a bus to Puno, to reach the shores of Lake Titicaca. From Chivay, you will certainly have to go back to Arequipa to take a bus to Puno, allow 6 hours of travel.

Welcome to the shores of the legendary Lake Titica! This is your last stop in Peru before reaching Bolivia. The two countries share the lake. No time to lose, head for the islands of Amantani and/or Taquile, with a stop on the floating islands of Les Uros. If you would like to immerse yourself in the Quechua culture of the people who live by the lake, for a more authentic experience, contact a community tourism association on the Capachica peninsula for example (easily accessible from Puno).

Continue your stay on the island you have chosen (Amantani or Taquile) or on the Capachica peninsula. Then return to Puno.

Take a bus to Copacabana (not Rio de Janeiro beach, but a Bolivian village!). Your bus runs through the lake and leaves you at the Frontalier border crossing. You then take another mini bus to reach Copacabana. From here you can take another bus for La Paz. But if you have time, stay a few days on this side of the lake. Take a boat for Isla del Sol, the atmosphere is still different than on the Peruvian side, the experience is worth a detour.

At an altitude of 3,600 metres, La Paz holds the record for the highest capital in the world. Don't forget your little wool, it's very cool there! Take the cable car to the heights of the city from where you will have a magnificent panorama. Go for a walk in the curious Linares Street and its Mercado de las brujas (witches' market). If you are a museum lover: ethnography, folklore, musical instruments, contemporary art, textiles... you will certainly find your happiness in La Paz where even the coca leaf has its museum!

The most sporty and adventurous can opt for the descent of the death road by bike: 60 km by mountain bike between 4,600 and 1,100 meters above sea level. Others can be tempted by a walk along the coast of the Moon Valley for example.

From La Paz take a night bus to Uyuni (or a flight if you have the budget). It is not possible to "visit" the Uyuni salt desert and the surrounding region alone. Many agencies offer stays (between 2 and 5 days). To avoid wasting time and leave as soon as you arrive for the visit of Uyuni, it is better to book in advance. But if you have time, nothing prevents you from arriving on the spot and visiting several agencies to choose one and leave quietly the next morning.The tour usually begins with a visit to the "train cemetery" or a visit to a traditional salt factory. You usually sleep in hotels made entirely of salt in the middle of the desert (there are several of them). You also make a stop on Inkahuasi Island and its giant cacti. The sunsets over the salar are magnificent.

Continuation of exploration: observations of llamas, funny rocks, geysers, and lagoons with different colors.

Continuation of adventure through the salar d'Uyuni

Join La Paz (by bus or plane) and join Puno (on the shores of Lake Titicaca in Peru). Go through the night.

Join Cusco (by bus, plane or even by train), you arrived in the famous historic capital of Peru, at the gates of the sacred valley and the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

Take a day to visit the city, especially the ruins of Saqsayhuaman, the main square, its cathedral, the temple of the Inca sun Qorikancha... Maybe you'll let yourself be tempted by a roasted guinea pig for dinner?!

Visit the Inca ruins of Pisac, the village of Urubamba and finally the impressive archaeological site of '.

Certainly very expected time of trip: from Cusco (or even better since Ollantaytambo) take a train for Aguas Calientes, and finally visit the mythical Inca archaeological site of Machu Picchu! Spend the night in Aguas Calientes, or return to Cusco.

Enjoy the last day in Cusco to make your last souvenir purchases.

The time of departure has arrived, take a flight (or a bus, but it is a long journey of more than 20 hours) to Lima.