Expedition in the Altiplano

After arriving Lima and clearing customs, walk across the sky bridge to the comfortable Wyndham Costa del Sol Hotel to check in for the evening.

Breakfast

After the short flight to Cusco, take some time to relax and adjust to the altitude. Next, it’s time to take a private guided walking tour to see and experience Cusco first hand. Your perfect English-speaking guide will help you explore and discover the Inca capital. Wander through this city of terra-cotta roofs, cobblestone streets, and colorful markets and visit the stunning bohemian area of San Blas, meeting the locals and taking in some of the key sites in Cusco as well as some off the beaten track.

Breakfast

In a private guided visit, you will get to enjoy one of the best and most renowned examples of Incan architecture, Sacsahyuaman. For those looking for an active itinerary, horseback riding, mountain biking or even whitewater rafting can be arranged.  The rest of the evening is free for you to relax, explore and shop with your private guide in this incredible cosmopolitan Inca capital also named as Navel of the World.  Explore the nightlife in Cusco´s varied and exciting pubs where there is plenty of live folk music and good food to enjoy in a lively atmosphere.

MAKE IT DIFFERENT (OPTIONAL)

Love to Cook? Peruvian Cuisine is widely regarded one of the most delicious and diverse in the world. Our rustic kitchen set in the countryside of Cusco provides the perfect setting for your hands-on cooking lessons and demonstrations with our talented Peruvian chefs. Our products are bought from the local markets and providers, whom you will get to know during our market tour. You can also hand-pick some of your own ingredients from our very own on-site garden and greenhouse.

ASK OUR EXPERTS TO UPGRADE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Breakfast

This full day tour will take you through all the most famous and popular parts of the Sacred Valley. Its “Sacred” character (for which it was named) has survived the passage of time and that magic continues to amaze visitors today. Few places in the Inca Empire could compete against the beauty and wealth of this valley.

This private guided tour will become one of the highlights of your trip. Stopping in the famous and vibrant market of Pisac, take in the sights and sounds of this unique experience, test your bargaining skills and don’t forget to stock up on affordable souvenirs for friends and family!   You may also hike the amazing Pisac ruins located on a nearby mountaintop from where you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the valley including hundreds of famous Inca agricultural terraces.

There are a number of additional sites worth exploring on this day trip, including the unique terraced crop fields of Moray, the seldom visited town of Maras, the Maras Salt Mines which were extremely important to the Incas as their supply of salt and still provides salt today that you can buy for a few soles. As well as their historical importance, the Maras salt mines are also a beautiful sight to see. You may also enjoy a colorful textile demonstration based on ancient Inca techniques, visit the living Inca town of Chincheros with its unique colonial church that was built on the top of an Incan palace by the Spaniards, or stop at Awanakancha or Textile Palace, where you can meet native weavers and see South American camelid species, including llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas. You will stay overnight in one of the principal villages of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Ollantaytambo or Ollanta (as the locals call it); a spectacularly beautiful place along the Urubamba River with a gorge lined by agricultural terraces and snowcapped peaks rising in the distance.

MAKE IT DIFFERENT (OPTIONAL)

We highly recommend having an extra day in the Sacred Valley. Many visitors without a lot of time on their hands almost race through the valley’s highlights and markets on a daylong guided tour. Seeing it this way is certainly a worthwhile experience, but it really doesn’t compare to experiencing everything the valley has to offer at a more leisurely pace that allows you an overnight stay or two in the valley and the chance to soak up the area’s immense history, relaxed character, stunning scenery, and in the dry season, gorgeous spring weather.

ASK OUR EXPERTS TO UPGRADE YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Breakfast

The huge, steep terraces that guard Ollantaytambo’s spectacular Inca ruins mark one of the few places where the Spanish conquistadors lost a major battle. Early in the morning you will visit this formidable temple-fortress. A finely worked ceremonial center sits at the top of the terracing. Stone quarried from the mountainside 6km away, high above the opposite bank of the Río Urubamba was used to build surrounding walls at the time of the conquest, which were never completed. Transporting the huge stone blocks to the site was a stupendous feat. The Incas employed an ingenious technique to move massive blocks across the river by moving the blocks to the riverside and then diverting the entire river channel around them.

After this visit you will hop on board of one of the prettiest train rides in South America destined for Machu Picchu which sits majestically among the massive Andes, swathed in clouds. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height. Its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting on the eastern slopes of the Andes encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna.

The “Lost City of the Incas” is one of the most spectacular sites on earth and a place that retains its mystery, allure and mystical appeal, despite its enormous popularity. Exploring the site remains a thrilling experience, especially at sunrise, when dramatic rays of light creep over the mountaintops. After a private guided tour, we then take a late afternoon bus to the town of Machu Picchu where you spend the night. Hit the bars along the railroad tracks to share stories with some of the backpackers who’ve survived the Inca Trail, or end your fantastic day soothing your muscles in the hot springs.

IMPORTANT TIP

If you do want to see the beautiful scenery and ancient buildings of Machu Picchu, book your trip early. The Peruvian government has placed a limit on the number of people allowed to hike the trails to the city per day. Be sure to book your tickets well in advance. The high season tends to book up quickly!.

MAKE IT DIFFERENT. (OPTIONAL)

Take the option of a full day Inca Trail or the 4 days trekking Inca Trail.

ASK OUR EXPERTS TO UPGRADE YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Breakast

Without a doubt the best time to view Machu Picchu is at dawn before the crowds arrive on the train. We drive up to the ruins in time for the opening and savor the views and the atmosphere as the light changes as the sun rises. We have the rest of the morning to explore the ruins at our own pace and perhaps walk up the famous Inca Trail to the ‘Gateway of The Sun’ (Inti Punku) or hike the Huayna Picchu Mountain for the best view of Machu Picchu. During the afternoon we descend from the archeological site to the railway station, and embark on the afternoon train, which slowly winds its way through the Andean countryside to Ollantaytambo where we transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to our hotel in Cusco.

Breakfast and lunch

Transfer to the bus station for your journey Cusco/Puno.

This touristic bus offers one of the most spectacular trips to explore the “Ruta del Sol” with stops in strategic places to discover the diversity of landscapes, Andean villages and Inca archaeological sites settled in the Cusco- Puno corridor.

Early in the morning, with the luggage on board we depart to the city of Puno, in a tourist vehicle with services on board. During the journey there will be guided visits to the Church of San Pedro Apostol of Andahuaylillas or also called the Sistine Chapel of America, a true prodigy of mural art. There will also be tourist stops in Raqchi, the Wiracocha temple, in the Abra de la Raya at 4335 meters of altitude and in the Pukara Museum.

Approximately at 17:00 hours arrival at the city of Puno at 3800 meters of altitude.

The advantages of this bus service is that it travels exactly the same way as the train with the difference that it stops in the tourist places mentioned above, offers a buffet lunch, passengers are accompanied by a guide and it arrives approximately 3 hours before. Reception at the bus station and transfer to the accommodation.

Breakfast

This excursion begins with transfer from your Puno hotel to the port. Then by motor boat it’s on to visit the floating islands of Uros. Stepping on them feels very much like a water bed. You see the houses, the islands and meet its friendly inhabitants. Uros people are descendants of one of the oldest South American groups. Rides on traditional reed boats can be arranged.  You visit two of the 60 islands before continuing on to Taquile Island.

After a relaxed navigation while you get lectures about the origins of the Inca culture, Quechua language lessons and more, you get the chance to enjoy the spectacular views offered by Lake Titicaca, we get to Taquile island. There a unique community can be observed. A long path gradually ascending will take us to the village, the views are unique and worth’s, to visit the communal cooperative where you will find handy craft textiles of high quality. Lunch at one of the many local restaurants (not included). The views are magnificent. Then you descent 500 steps down to the main port of the island. Depart back to Puno city and transfer you to your hotel.

MAKE IT DIFFERENT. (OPTIONAL)

If you need a more active tour, Kayak the highest navigable lake in the world.

Breakfast

Early in the morning you will be picked up from your hotel to board the bus Puno/ La Paz which offers some great stops along the way. Since you will be crossing the Bolivian border, make sure you are aware of all the paperwork needed.

After arriving to La Paz, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you can rest for the night and prepare to begin with this wonderful Bolivian adventure.

Breakfast

As one of the seven wonder cities of the world, La Paz has so much culture and diversity to offer its visitors: today you will take a walking tour providing you with the perfect opportunity to observe and experience the lively nature of La Paz City; wonder through its unique alleys and lively markets; and learn about its unique culture and traditions. Throughout the entire time, you will be accompanied by a highly skilled bilingual local tour guide, who will be happy to answer any question you might have.

This is undoubtedly a great way to explore this unique city, providing you with an experience you won’t forget!.

After the tour you will have some free time to explore the city on your own, before taking the transportation to Uyuni.

Box lunch and dinner

Placing you at the frontier of endless natural beauty, this day will provide you with an unforgettable travel and life experience.

The Salt Flats of Uyuni are by far Bolivia’s main attraction as they represent a unique experience, impossible to equal anywhere else in the world. This legendary prehistoric lake, called Lago Minchín, went dry between 30,000 to 42,000 years ago, leaving behind the most dazzling desert-like landscape of glistening bright-white salt flats, cacti-studded islands and rock formations.
You will start the tour by visiting the Train Cemetery, continuing towards the indigenous community of Colchani, observing the elaboration of iodized salt in its rustic form. You then enter to the white deserts in their fullness, observing the method of salt extraction, the piles of salt and the unique “eyes of salt”. Finally, you will enter the famous Incahuasi Island, a volcanic rock prehistoric island scattered by giant cacti, before arriving to your salt hotel to spend the night.

Box lunch and dinner

This magical journey will continue by leaving the Salt Flats and entering the magic Andean landscapes of the National Park Eduardo Avaroa, the country’s most famous protected area, in the far southwestern region of Bolivia.

After breakfast, you will start your tour to the Andean Lagoons, exploring the Valley of Rocks and the incredible galaxy caves.

Breakfast & box lunch

This last day begins at 6:30 am, to enjoy the sunrise in the heart of the incredible Eduardo Avaroa National Park. During the morning, you will visit the lagoons, geysers and hot springs, until connecting at Hito Cajon with your transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Free afternoon to explore the town and get acquainted with the place.

Breakfast and box lunch

Discover the magical tones of the desert, with the imposing Piedras Rojas, the beautiful Chaxa, Miscanti and Miñiques Andean lagoons, and the extensive Atacama Salt Flats in the Los Flamencos National Reserve.

The tour begins in Piedras Rojas, an impressive geological rock formation located in the Aguas Calientes Salt Flats. It will stun you with its fascinating and beautifully red colored landscape, caused by oxidized iron. We continue on towards the Altiplano to visit the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, which are located at over 4,200 meters above sea level. They are surrounded by impressive volcanoes which originate from the formation of the Andean mountain range, and are inhabited by a wide variety of wild birds. A truly surprising destination. We then visit the Chaxa Lagoon, a spectacularly beautiful setting, which is split into various clear water lagoons, inhabited by both Andean and James flamingos. Finally, before heading back, and enjoying the views of the Licancabur and Lascar volcanoes, we visit Toconao, a traditionally colonial-style village, famous for the bell tower, which has been declared as a National Monument, and the San Lucas church.

Return to San Pedro de Atacama. Free night.

Breakfast

Our journey to the Altiplano starts in the early hours, so we can watch the sun rise in one of the most important geothermic fields in the world: the Tatio Geysers. There are over 70 geysers with pools of boiling water spurting vapor. It is best to see them first thing in the morning, so you can truly appreciate the beautiful contrast of colors between the intensely blue sky and the pristine vapor from the geysers. We will then enjoy a deserved breakfast in this amazing setting, in the shadows of the Andes. This will allow us to warm up, as the temperatures in the zone can range from -2° C to 24.5° C. We will then visit the Pozón Rústico, where you can enjoy the thermal spring waters from the mountains. On our way back to San Pedro de Atacama, we will travel through some beautiful landscapes, seeing the valleys, flora and fauna and maybe spot some of the local vicuñas and vizcachas – a real highlight. We will then stop off in the village of Machuca, a truly atacameño village of just 20 houses built from clay, straw and cactus wood. The inhabitants of Machuca all dedicate themselves to its tourism and will offer hand crafted Andean souvenirs, as well as typical food from the region such as llama meat, sopaipillas (a traditional bread made from squash) and empanadas. While there, we will also visit the beautiful San Santiago Church, named after the patron saint of the village, as well as visiting the wetlands where we can see flamingos, ducks and other birds.

Return to San Pedro de Atacama.

A couple of kilometers outside of San Pedro de Atacama, between the jagged rocks and unusual shapes of the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains), we find the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), a geological wonder of the Los Flamencos National Reserve. During the tour, you can take in the extraordinary shapes of the landscape, which will make you feel as if you were walking on the moon. During the afternoon, you can enjoy the unbeatable views of the Andes and its volcanoes. As dusk falls you will be overwhelmed by the red and golden colors of the desert sky. All this results in a simply unforgettable tour. (D)

Return to San Pedro de Atacama.

Breakfast

On this trip you will travel to the west of San Pedro de Atacama to meet the Cordillera de Domeyko, a spectacular formation that coexists in parallel with Los Andes.  We will first visit Yerbas Buenas, an area of great historical importance due to its prehistoric rock art, which is one of the most important groups of petroglyphs in the region. The tour will take us back in time to when the indigenous people lived there, adding to the historical and cultural experience of the tour. We will then cross over to Matancilla, with its rich flora and fauna, to see the Rainbow Valley, named after the various colors of the surrounding hills. Its red, green, white, yellow, brown and earth colored tones combine with the blue sky and the white salt flats to create a truly unique setting. After a pleasant walk, we will then visit the village of Río Grande, named in owner of the river that runs through it. There, we will enjoy the perfectly conserved colonial architecture and serenity of this little village, frozen in time.

Return to San Pedro.

At the agreed time with the guide transfer to Calama airport (only with driver in Spanish).  Reception at the airport and transfer to hotel.

Breakfast

Known as the “Garden City”, for originally being surrounded by largely green areas and for now preserving its extensive and beautiful urban gardens, with the Pacific Ocean as its backdrop, Viña del Mar is undoubtedly one of Chile’s unmissable destinations. Viña del Mar stands out for its beautiful architecture, its impressive palaces and famous Flower Clock, photographed by tourists from all over the world. During the tour, you will have the option to have lunch in one of the numerous restaurants in the city, with a variety of delicious sea food on offer. We will travel along the sea front, and enjoy the views of the Pacific Ocean, before arriving at the most important ports in Chile; Valparaiso. It was listed as a Unesco World Heritage site thanks to its colorful beauty and the uniqueness of its location on the hills, which create a natural Amphitheatre with the ocean as its stage. We will visit Cerro Alegre, where you can truly appreciate the magic of the city, with its picturesque funiculars, multi-colored neighborhoods and unforgettable sea views. We will then head to the Sotomayor Square, to see the Monument of the Heroes of Iquique. Once in the port, there will be the option to take a boat out around Valparaíso’s bay to enjoy the views of the colorful hills from a different perspective.

Breakfast

We invite you to discover Santiago, a cosmopolitan city which has become one of South America’s most modern hubs.

Described by the international media as a surprising destination, Santiago stands out for being a cosmopolitan and modern city that perfectly combines its traditions with a modern outlook. The tour will take you to visit the heart of the city and its emblematic sites such as the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, Santiago’s Central Postal Office and its Municipality. We will also visit the Moneda Palace, which is the government’s headquarters as well as the traditional neighborhoods of the historic city center. The tour also includes a visit to the Santa Lucia hill, named Huelén by the natives. It is a real urban oasis in the center of the city. There we will learn more about Chile’s history and enjoy some of the best views in the city. The second part of the tour will take you to the eastern side of the city, to the financial heart of Santiago, known for its modern buildings, impressive glass skyscrapers and its impressive sculptures designed by prominent national architects. There, you will see exactly why this area is known as “Sanhattan” among the locals.

At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your international flight.