The Andes magic

21 days

from 2001 to 3500 US$

The Andes magic

A trip in the heart of the Andes between Peru and Bolivia around the Lake Titicaca, from Cusco and Machu Picchu in the North to the Salar of Uyuni in the South. The essence of the two countries united by the Altiplano. Come and discover the Quechua culture still very much alive around the border between these two Andean countries.

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Day by day

day 1: Arrival in Lima
Arrival of your international flight.

Transfer by private vehicle to your hotel.

Dinner on your own in Lima.

Night in Lima.

Steps: Lima and its region Lima
day 2: Visit to the white city of Arequipa
Transfer to the international airport of Lima.

Flight to Arequipa (1h25 flight approximately).

Departure on foot from your hotel: This afternoon is dedicated to the visit of the second largest city in the country, located at the foot of an impressive chain of volcanoes, including the Misti, which ends at more than 5800 meters of altitude.

You will start your city tour at the Plaza de Armas.

You will enjoy the charming Cathedral, built in sillar.

You will also visit the cloister of the Company, one of the oldest churches in the city.

The discovery of the city will continue with the visit of the Santa Catalina Convent. The monastery covers an area of 20 000 m2 and until 1970 it housed about 500 nuns who lived far from the outside world.

Lunch on your own in Arequipa.

Free afternoon to enjoy the charms of the city.

Dinner on your own in Arequipa.

Night in Arequipa.

Steps: Arequipa and Colca canyon Arequipa Clautros de la Compañia The church of Mercy Santa Catalina Monastery The Main Square (Plaza de Armas)
day 3: Departure to the Colca Canyon
Early in the morning, departure to the Colca Canyon by private vehicle.

During the trip you will pass by the Salinas and Aguada Blanca Natural Reserve located at approximately 4300 meters of altitude. In addition, you will be able to see herds of llamas.

You will pass through the Patabamaba pass, at more than 4900 meters of altitude, and will feel the effects of the lack of oxygen. This place is a perfect point of view to appreciate the volcanoes and snow-capped mountains like the Hualca-Hualca, the Sabancaya and the Ampato.

The thousands of agricultural terraces inherited from ancient civilizations highlight the geographical importance of the Colca River Valley; fertile, abysmal and majestic.

You will arrive at the village of Yanque or Chivay and settle in your hotel.

Dinner on your own in Colca Canyon.

Night in Colca Canyon.

Steps: Arequipa and Colca canyon Colca canyon Chivay Yanahuara cityview Hot springs in Chivay
day 4: Colca canyon and Departure to Puno
Early in the morning, you will go to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint from where you will have an impressive view of the landscape that the canyon and its valley offers. From this rocky point, you will observe the magnificent condors flying in their home.

You will descend the canyon passing by the Antehuilque and Choquetico viewpoints, famous for their pre-Inca cemetery and their suspended tombs. You will discover many traditional villages, such as: Maca, Achoma and Yanque and their colonial baroque church.

Lunch on your own in Chivay.

After lunch, departure to Puno by line bus.

During this trip you will make some stops to enjoy the Andean landscapes and the biodiversity of this region.

Dinner on your own in Puno

Night in Puno.

Steps: Puno and the Titicaca lake Puno
day 5: Puno and departure to Bolivia
Departure by boat from the port of Puno.

You will begin the discovery of Lake Titicaca by visiting the archipelago of the Uros Islands, formed by approximately forty islands with a base of aquatic plants braided and reinforced with reeds from the lake, the "totora". This first stage of the excursion will allow you to get to know the community that lives on the different islands: several families that live mainly from fishing and tourism.

Lunch on your own in Puno.

Trip by bus to Copacabana ( 3h30 approximately ). Stop at the border for customs formalities.

Arrival in Copacabana and transfer to the hotel.

Dinner o your own.

Night in Copacabana.

Steps: Puno and the Titicaca lake From Puno to the bolivian border Uros Islands
day 6: Titicaca Lake and Departure to La Paz
Departure from your hotel in Copacabana to go, by boat, to the Island of the Sun. On the island there are several hiking trails, where youcan find archaeological remains, an indisputable sign of the presence of legendary civilizations.

During the day you will discover the two main parts of the island, the north and the south.

At the end of the day, you will arrive at the port to go to Copacabana by boat.

Lunch included in the form of Apthapi. The Apthapi is a community sharing of the products of the land and the farm animals that each one brings.

Transfer from Copacabana to La Paz.

Arrival in La Paz and transfer to your hotel.

Night in La Paz.

Steps: Copacabana and Titicaca Lake
day 7: La Paz / Oruro / Uyuni
Departure from your hotel in La Paz for the transfer to Oruro. On the way, you will stop to visit the exterior of the church of Calamarka. It is also possible to make some stops to take pictures of the altiplano and visit the village of Sika-Sika and its beautiful Romanesque church.

Arrival in Oruro.

Departure by train to Uyuni in the afternoon (7h approximately).

Dinner at leisure.

Transfer from Uyuni train station to your hotel.

Steps: La Paz and its region Calamarka Oruro Sika Sika
day 8: South Lipez
Departure in the morning towards Lipez. First stop at the train cemetery, near the city, where old steam locomotives from the beginning of the last century quietly end their lives.

Then you will go to San Cristobal, a town known for its silver deposits but also for its charming colonial church. Then, you will visit the Cascade Canyon and the Valley of the Rocks where you can admire magnificent rock formations. During the trip, it is often possible to observe foxes or suris (Andean ostrich).

At the end of the day, you will head to Villa-Mar.

Lunch and dinner included.

Night in Villa-Mar.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert Train's Cemetary in Uyuni Desert of the south of Lipez
day 9: South and North Lipez
Very early in the morning, departure to the Sol de Mañana geysers.

Then you will go to the Chilean border, passing through the fabulous Dali desert to admire the lakes: Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca at the foot of the Licancabur volcano, which is over 5900 meters high. After that, you will stop at the thermal baths of Polques to relax, in a unique natural environment. Then, visit the Laguna Colorada and its vivid color palette.

You will then head back on the road towards the Siloli Desert, a strange desert where you can see amazing geological formations. Then the discovery of several lagoons, inhabited by several dozen pink flamingos. A few steps from Chile, you will find the majestic Ollagüe volcano and its 5865 meters of altitude. It will also be the occasion to discover the Salt Mines of Chiguana, whose landscapes seem to belong to another dimension.

Then you will go to San Juan.

Lunch and dinner are included.

Night in San Juan.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert Dali's desert Laguna Blanca Laguna Verde Salar de Chiguana Polques Thermal Waters
day 10: Salar of Uyuni
This new day offers magnificent landscapes in the heart of the world's largest salt desert.

The Salar, "white and geometric expanse" as far as the eye can see, which turns into a perfect mirror during the rainy season. Words, like oxygen, are lacking to describe these fantastic landscapes where time seems to have stopped.

In the distance is the outline of the island of Incahuasi, which you will also discover. On this island lost in the middle of a sea of salt, hundreds of giant cacti grow indistinctly: it is the refuge of the viscachas (a kind of Andean rabbit).
Afte lunch, continuation of the visit to the village of Colchani on the banks of the Salar. Here the salt, an abundant resource in the area, is exploited.

You will take the road to the village of Uyuni.

Lunch included.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Uyuni.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert Colchani Northern Desert Lipez Desert of the south of Lipez Incahuasi Uyuni
day 11: Uyuni / Potosi and visite of Potosi
In the morning, departure to Potosi, located at 4 000m altitude.

Founded in 1545 after the discovery of the immense deposit of precious metals in the Cerro Rico, the opulence that this city and the Spanish empire experienced cost thousands of Indian lives.

The city has preserved many palaces and churches of sumptuous colonial architecture, and its historic center, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The current Casa de la Moneda was inaugurated in 1773 and covers more than 15,000 square meters, in response to the important growth of the city and the silver trade. You will continue the tour of the city with a visit to the church of San Lorenzo.
Then, you will take a short walk around the city with its typical alleys and the 10th of November square.

Lunch and Dinner on your own.

Overnight in Potosi.

Steps: Potosi San Lorenzo Church Museum of money
day 12: Visit of Potosi and trip between Potosi and Sucre by private vehicle
Visit of one of the Cerro Rico mines in Potosi.

Beginning of the visit by the market of the mine where it is possible to buy small gifts for the miners such as soft drinks, coca leaves, work gloves,etc.

You will then go to one of the miners' cooperatives that exploit silver in an artisanal way. Visit of the interior of the mine and the working conditions of the miners, after greeting and offering gifts to al Tio, the highly respected protector of the mine.

Lunch at leisure.

Departure from Potosi to reach the city of Sucre.

The altiplane landscapes are adorned with ochre and reddish colours. It is an agricultural area where different traditions and cultures have developed slowly over the centuries. On the road stands one of the most impressive bridges in the country, the Mendez bridge, built in the second half of the 19th century.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Sucre.

Steps: Sucre and its region Sucre Cathedral Recoleta Convent Museum of indigenous clothes and art Sucre
day 13: Visit to the city of Sucre
In the morning, you will start the visit with the Museum of the Recoleta; originally, the convent was founded by the Franciscan order at the beginning of the 17th century.

Then, you will visit the Museum of Textile and Indigenous Arts, which presents the indigenous populations of the region of Sucre in a lively way; also presented are the weaving methods used by several cultures.

After passing through the general cemetery, discovery of the "treasures" museum. A new museum containing precious stones and minerals.

After lunch, stroll through the main square of Sucre before reaching la Casa de la Libertad: it is indeed within these walls imbued with symbols that the Declaration of Independence was signed on August 6, 1825.

Finally, you will end up the visit at the Central Market of Sucre; the Church of San Francisco and the Museum of the Monastery of San Felipe de Nery.

Lunch included in Sucre.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Sucre.

Steps: Sucre and its region Candelaria Casa de libertad Cerro Obispo Chaunaca
day 14: Flight between Sucre and La Paz
According to your flight schedule, transfer to the airport accompanied by your guide.

Flight to La Paz.

Transfer to your hotel accompanied by your guide.

Steps: La Paz and its region
day 15: Visit La Paz
Located at the bottom of a basin, the city extends over more than 1000m of difference in altitude.

We will discover the city from belvedere to belvedere to better understand its topography, then we will visit the museums of the Jaen street, a colonial street in the historical center of the city. You will also discover La Paz from a new angle with its exceptional panoramic view by taking the cable car.

Located in Plaza Murillo, the cathedral of La Paz, which dates back to the 19th century, impresses with its large size, the height of its dome and the size of its pillars.

Then, we will take a walk through the witches' market.  Here you will find the essential ingredients needed to make traditional Andean remedies to influence the Aymara spirits, as well as offerings to the Pachamama, Mother Earth.

In the afternoon, we will discover the Valley of the Moon. This geological formation, composed of gorges and rocky peaks on the hillside, punctuated by cactus, is a very pleasant walk. The clays that make up the valley vary in color from beige, brown to red and sometimes to purple.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Overnight in La Paz

Steps: La Paz and its region Jaén Street and its museums The Witches' market Valley of the moon
day 16: La Paz / Tiwanaku / Desaguadero / Puno
Departure towards the Peruvian border. You will stop at the archaeological site of Tiwanaku (Temple of the Sun)

Tiwanaku is an architectural complex, classified as UNESCO World Heritage. It was a main spiritual and cultural center of the civilization, still a mystery nowadays.

It was from the VII century, the capital city of a mighty empire extended till the north of actuel Chile and the south of Peru. This innovating city by its irrigation system and its stars study, tells above all powerful religious elements expressed through anthropomorphic iconographies.

The many remains of the site represent the different cultural advances of this civilization: the semi-subterranean temple of Kalasasasaya, the pyramid of Akapana and the pyramid of Pumapunku. The highlight of your visit will undoubtedly be the monolith of Bennett Pachamama over 7 meters high.

Lunch at leisure in Tiwanaku.

Continue towards Puno.

Border crossing between Bolivia and Peru.

Dinner at leisure in Puno

Overnight in Puno.

Steps: La Paz and its region Sika Sika Sorata Tiwanaku
day 17: Crossing the Altiplano. between Puno and Cusco
Departure from Puno to Cusco by bus.

You will cross the great scenery of the Andean highlands, making several stops at different sites of interest.

You will discover the lithic museum of Pucara, which portrays the evolution of the Andean people from the first men to the Incas.

Then you will make a stop at the Abra la Raya (4335 meters). There you will discover the majestic Cordillera Real, in the heart of the South American mountain range.

Stop for lunch in Sicuani.

Visit to the site of Raqchi where the Inca temple of Wiracocha, the creator god, is located.

Finally you will visit Andahuaylillas. This small town is famous for its early 17th century church, known as the "Sistine Chapel of South America".

Night in Cusco.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Andahuaylillas Sicuani church Cusco Pikillacta Raqchi
day 18: Cusco and its surrounding areas
The capital of the Inca Empire, classified as a World Heritage Site, has managed to preserve its historic center with its cobbled streets and perfectly carved stone walls. During the day you will visit the famous imperial city, including the Plaza de Armas. You will have the opportunity to discover the stone of the 12 angles an Inca construction where the stones are perfectly intertwined.

Then, you will go to the Golden Temple or "Coricancha" in Quechua; there you will discover the foundations of the Santo Domingo monastery as well as the colonial church.

You will discover the main market of the city, San Pedro. It is the most important market of the city and you can find fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers.

Free lunch in Cusco.

Departure in private vehicle to discover the main archaeological sites around Cusco, such as the fortress of Saqsayhuaman, a place designed to protect the city. During the day you will also visit the ceremonial baths of Tambomachay, dedicated to the adoration of water and gods. Then the visit will continue with the fortress of Puka Pukara and the ceremonial site of Q'enko, a place of worship for the Incas.

Dinner on your own in Cusco.

Night in Cusco.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu The cathedral of Cusco San Pedro Market The Inca walls and the twelve-angled stone Puka Pukara Q'enqo Qoricancha Saqsayhuaman Tambomachay
day 19: Visit the Sacred Valley
Visit to the Inca site of Pisac.

This fortress controlled the comings and goings on the right bank of the Vilcanota River. The Incas had set up a large administrative centre there, which governed the entire province.

Continuation towards the village of Pisac. A free time at the handicraft market will allow you to discover all the Andean handicrafts: ponchos, alpaca and sheep textiles, jewelry, antiques, paintings and many other quality items.

Lunch on your own in Urubamba.

You will continue the discovery of the sacred valley of the Incas with the visit of the Mine Salt of Maras. The saltworks are made up of more than three hundred terraces on the mountainside; the salt is extracted there thanks to a supply of salt water from the basins, where the water evaporates and leaves a thin layer of solidified salt, hardened by the sun.

Visit to the fortress of Ollantaytambo. The strategic geographical situation of this last Inca stronghold allowed them to resist the Spaniards; the remains of the fortress testify to the confrontations that took place following the loss of Cusco to the hands of the conquistadors.

Dinner on your own in the Sacred Valley.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Maras Village Ollantaytambo – Village Pisac Market
day 20: Visit of Machu Picchu
You will take the bus to go to the site.

The guided tour of the site lasts approximately two hours.

Dream of any traveler, legend not having delivered all its mysteries yet, the citadel of Machu Picchu continues to bewitch and seduce the visitors in search of magic.

Return by bus to Aguas Calientes.

Lunch on your own in Aguas Calientes.

Departure by train to Ollantaytambo.

Transfer from the Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco.

Dinner on your own in Cusco.

Night in Cusco.

Steps: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Aguas-Calientes Intihuatana Thermal Waters Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Museum Urubamba river temple of the moon
day 21: Cusco/Lima
Departure from your hotel to the airport.

You will fly to Lima over the majestic Andes Mountains and its countless snowy peaks.

End of your trip.
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Steps: Lima and its region Lima

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