Peru and Bolivia Tour

Inca Kingdom and Salt Deserts

Upon landing in Lima, the capital of Peru, which houses over 8.5 million residents, you will find it to be the largest city in Peru and one of the largest in South America. Lima is situated along the coast of the Pacific Ocean and stretches across the valleys of the Chillon, Rimac, and Lurin rivers, forming a continuous metropolitan area with the port city of Callao.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you can relax and prepare for the adventures ahead. In Lima, you will experience a rich culture, fascinating history, and a diverse cuisine renowned as one of the best in the world.
Overnight in Lima.

After breakfast, we will set out for a day of exploration in Lima. We will visit the Avenida de la República, Plaza San Martín, and Plaza Mayor, which was established in 1535 and designed by Francisco Pizarro, the founder of Lima.

Next, we will tour the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Cathedral, which was built in 1625 in the Baroque-Renaissance style, featuring a collection of unique paintings and sculptures from the 17th and 18th centuries.
We will also visit the Municipal Palace and explore upscale neighborhoods such as San Isidro, Miraflores, and Larcomar. Lunch is included.

Afterward, we will transfer to the airport for a flight to Arequipa, situated at an altitude of 2,335 meters, often referred to as “The White City.” Arequipa is known for its stunning colonial-style houses made from white volcanic stone. The city is nestled in a beautiful valley at the foot of the El Misti volcano, which rises to 5,822 meters, and its snow-capped peak can be seen from all over the city.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Arequipa.

After breakfast, we will embark on a city tour, including a visit to the Santa Catalina Monastery. Established in 1579 by the Dominican order, the monastery once housed 450 nuns in complete isolation. Today, only about 30 nuns remain, residing in a small section of the monastery that is off-limits to visitors. The monastery’s winding streets, covering over 20 square kilometers, are painted in vibrant colors and are meticulously clean. Hundreds of streets, corridors, doors, and staircases make the exploration of the monastery a unique experience.

Afterward, we will begin an amazing four-hour journey to Chivay, a town located near Colca Canyon. Prepare your cameras, as we will stop at various stunning viewpoints, including the Pampa Canahuas Reserve, home to many exotic Andean animals such as vicuñas, alpacas, llamas, flamingos, ibises, and the Andean condor.

You will witness breathtaking landscapes as we pass lakes, glaciers, and impressive volcanoes like Ampato, Sabancaya, Chivay, and Misti. During the trip, we will reach the highest point of 4,800 meters.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Colca Canyon.

After an early breakfast, we will set out for a tour of Colca Canyon, regarded as one of the deepest canyons in the world. Colca Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the USA, with depths reaching nearly two kilometers. The roads on either side rise to about 4,000 meters above sea level, while the Colca River flows below at an elevation of approximately 2,200 meters. The canyon offers impressive views and the opportunity for close encounters with the South American king of the skies—the condor.

After the tour, we will embark on a approximately four-hour drive to Puno, a small and ancient town situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca at an altitude of 3,830 meters above sea level.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Puno.

Please note the altitude warning for the trip.

Lake Titicaca is situated at an altitude of 3,810 meters above sea level, making it the highest navigable lake in the world. The lake lies on the border between Bolivia and Peru.

The floating islands are a remarkable phenomenon that can truly be described as a work of art! These man-made floating islands were created by the local Uros people, who were displaced from their lands on the regular islands of Lake Titicaca over five hundred years ago. They decided to construct artificial islands using the totora reeds that grow in the lake itself. Today, these islands still exist, and the residents, who are no longer purely Uros (they are of mixed heritage), continue to preserve this ancient tradition. Every six months, as the bottom layer of the island decomposes, a new layer is added.
After breakfast, we will embark on a shared speedboat tour to the floating islands of the Uros tribe. The islands, homes, and boats are all made from totora reeds, a type of bulrush that grows in Lake Titicaca. Over the centuries, the Uros people have developed their own dialect, clothing, and ancient traditions. We will visit the islands and get acquainted with the local way of life.

Next, we will continue to Taquile Island, home to about 300 families. The island’s inhabitants are renowned for their high-quality textile work. We will stroll among the ancient sites, observe local life, and have the opportunity to admire and purchase some of the finest handicrafts available.
Lunch is included.

After visiting the islands, we will return to Puno.
Overnight in Puno.

Due to the altitude, UV radiation in this area is very high—applying sunscreen is recommended.

Early in the morning, we will collect you from the hotel and embark on a shared journey to Copacabana, a small picturesque town situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Upon arrival, we will take a shared catamaran boat trip to Sun Island, the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. According to ancient legend, the sun was born at this location, and the Incas believed that from here, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo set out to establish the Inca Empire. The clear blue waters and the snow-capped mountain peaks surrounding us create a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

After our visit, we will return by boat to the harbor and enjoy lunch.

Following lunch, we will embark on a shared drive of approximately 4 hours along a stunningly beautiful route to La Paz, the highest capital city in the world! Nestled in the Andes at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level, La Paz offers breathtaking views.
Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in La Paz.

After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, we will transfer to the airport for a flight to Uyuni. Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world, located at an altitude of 3,653 meters. A network of paths crosses the salt flat, connecting the surrounding villages and several islands scattered throughout the area.

Upon arrival, we will enjoy explorations across the salt flats, visiting villages and the stunning lagoons that enhance the beauty of the salt plains. We will also visit Incahuasi Island, located in the heart of the salt flats, where we can see towering cacti that reach up to 12 meters in height. Lunch is included.

Overnight in Uyuni on a half-board basis.

After breakfast, you will enjoy another day of exploration in the salt flats.
We will embark on various excursions across the stunning Salar de Uyuni, taking in the breathtaking landscapes and unique features of this remarkable region.
Lunch is included.
Overnight in Uyuni on a half-board basis.

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for the flight back to La Paz. Upon arrival, we will embark on a half-day city tour.

We will visit the city’s famous market, the San Francisco Church, and Sagarnaga Street. From there, we will continue to Murillo Square to visit the Cathedral, the Government Palace, and the colonial Jian Street.

Next, we will proceed to a tour of the nearby Valley of the Moon, where you can see fascinating geological formations.

After the tour, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in La Paz.

After breakfast, we will embark on a journey of approximately 4.5 hours back to Puno. Along the way, we will stop at the ancient city and archaeological site of Tiwanaku, located 72 kilometers from La Paz, the capital of Bolivia. This site was once a center of the ancient Tiwanaku culture, home to about 30,000 residents.

At the site, we will explore the ruins of the city, including sculptures, gates, and other significant structures. The main feature of the site is the statue of Pachamama, representing the ancient goddess of the Tiwanaku culture. Lunch is included.

We will continue our journey to Puno, and upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Puno.

After breakfast, we will set out for a drive to Cusco. Along the way, we will stop in the town of Pukara, which features an impressive archaeological site. We will pass through the beautiful La Raya mountain pass and visit Andahuaylillas, home to the Church of San Pedro, often referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of America.”
Next, we will continue to the Inca archaeological site of Raqchi. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant.

We will then proceed to Cusco. According to legend, Cusco was founded by the first Inca, Manco Cápac, in the early 12th century; however, archaeological evidence indicates that the city was inhabited for centuries before the rise of the Incas. Today, remnants of its prosperous past, including foundations and walls, can be found throughout its streets, making the visit a journey through time. The city is situated at an altitude of 3,395 meters above sea level, with temperatures accordingly.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Cusco.

The journey will take approximately 8 hours, including stops along the way.

After breakfast, we will embark on a day tour of Cusco and its surroundings. Our first stop will be the Koricancha Temple, once a significant Inca temple dedicated to the sun. We will stroll through the narrow streets and artisan workshops, visiting Santo Domingo Church, the San Blas artisan district, the Inca Roca Palace, the main square, and the Cathedral.
Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant.

Next, we will head outside the city for a tour of the Sacsayhuamán fortress, built with some of the largest cut stones in the world. We will continue to visit additional sites, including Puca Pucara, Qenqo, and Tambomachay.

After the tour, we will transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight in Cusco.

After breakfast, we will set out for a day tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, The Urubamba. We will pass through picturesque villages and see terraced fields used for local agriculture, employing techniques that have remained unchanged by modern advancements.

Our first stop will be in Ollantaytambo, a village that has preserved its Inca structure almost perfectly. We will climb through the Inca streets to reach the fortress overlooking the Urubamba River.
Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant.

Afterward, we will drive back to Cusco and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Cusco.

After breakfast, we will visit the Maras area, known for the Inca salt mines. We will drive down the mountain to reach the salt terraces, which were established by the Incas centuries ago.
Next, we will continue to the Moray ruins, where you can see the unique circular terraces located just a short drive from Maras. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant.

Afterward, we will visit the Chinchero Market. This vibrant and authentic market is located in the village of Chinchero, which sits above the Sacred Valley at an altitude of 3,800 meters. The villagers endure the harsh cold of the Andes as herders of llamas and alpacas and cultivators of potatoes. The women of the village weave colorful and high-quality textiles, which are showcased at the market held on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

After our visit, we will drive back to Cusco.
Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Cusco.

Early in the morning, we will transfer to the train station for a journey to Aguas Calientes.

Upon arrival, we will take a bus to visit the impressive and mysterious Inca site of Machu Picchu. This city, which was discovered only in the 20th century, is situated on a mountain with steep slopes, deep in the jungle. We will enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu, often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas,” which is a significant symbol in the history of the Inca Empire. Lunch is included.

After our visit, we will return to Aguas Calientes and transfer back to the train station for the ride to Cusco. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Cusco.

After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, we will transfer to the airport for your return flight home.