Andean Route: Peru and Bolivia in 12 Days

Welcome at the Lima airport, reception and transfer to your hotel.

• Night in Lima

Early in the morning, depart from Lima for Paracas, one of Peru’s most renowned coastal destinations. Upon arrival at the pier, board a speedboat for an unforgettable excursion to the Ballestas Islands, a spectacular natural sanctuary home to sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a remarkable variety of seabirds in their natural habitat. During the cruise, you will also admire the mysterious Candelabro geoglyph, an enormous figure etched into a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

After the excursion, continue to the city of Ica and the famous Huacachina Oasis, a stunning desert oasis surrounded by towering sand dunes. Here, enjoy an exhilarating dune buggy ride across the desert, followed by the exciting experience of sandboarding down the dunes. Before departing, take time to admire the breathtaking scenery and capture unforgettable photographs of this unique landscape.

In the afternoon, return to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

• Night in Lima.

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the scheduled time, transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel.

In the afternoon, discover the Imperial City of Cusco on a guided sightseeing tour. Your first stop is the Cathedral Basilica, the city’s most important religious landmark. Continue to the Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha), once the most sacred Inca temple dedicated to the Sun God and now home to the Convent of Santo Domingo.

The tour then heads to the outskirts of the city to visit the impressive Inca Fortress of Sacsayhuamán, renowned for its enormous stone walls, with blocks reaching up to 9 meters (30 feet) in height. Continue to the ceremonial center of Q’enqo and the military outpost of Puka Pukara before ending the excursion at Tambomachay, where you’ll discover the remarkable hydraulic engineering of the Incas through its beautifully preserved water channels and fountains.

• Night in Cusco.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Your day begins with a pickup from your hotel for a journey through the majestic Sacred Valley of the Incas. The first stop is the Pisac Archaeological Park, renowned for its impressive agricultural terraces, ancient temples, and breathtaking panoramic views over the valley. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

The tour then continues to Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved Inca towns in Peru. Here, explore its magnificent archaeological complex, a monumental fortress that played a crucial role during the Inca Empire and still preserves its original urban layout.

After the visit, transfer to Ollantaytambo Train Station to board your train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town). During the journey, take in the spectacular Andean scenery as the railway follows the winding Urubamba River.

• Night in Aguas Calientes.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Early in the morning, transfer to the bus station to board the shuttle bus to the entrance of the magnificent Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.

Enjoy a privately guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where your expert guide will reveal the history, architecture, and significance of one of the greatest masterpieces of the Inca civilization. Surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery and remarkable biodiversity, you’ll have time to explore the site and capture unforgettable photographs before returning by shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes for a delicious lunch.

After lunch, board the train back to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

• Night in Cusco.

Breakfast is provided during the excursion.

Very early in the morning (approximately between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m.), you will be picked up from your hotel to begin an unforgettable journey to Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, one of Peru’s most spectacular natural attractions. Located more than 100 km (62 miles) from Cusco, this extraordinary mountain rises to an altitude of 5,200 meters (17,060 feet) above sea level. Its vibrant, multicolored slopes are the result of a unique combination of mineral deposits formed over millions of years.

After completing the hike and taking in the breathtaking panoramic views, return to a local restaurant to enjoy a traditional lunch. Afterwards, travel back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:30 p.m.

• Night in Cusco.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the bus station to begin your scenic journey from Cusco to Puno, with guided visits to some of the region’s most remarkable cultural and historical attractions.

Bus departure: 7:00 a.m.

Andahuaylillas Church (the “Sistine Chapel of the Andes”) – Built in the 17th century, this beautiful colonial church is renowned for its magnificent murals, gold-leaf decoration, and exceptional artwork from the Cusco School.

Raqchi Archaeological Site – Visit the Temple of Wiracocha, dedicated to the supreme deity of the Inca civilization. Explore its impressive stone and adobe structures, as well as the ancient colcas (Inca storehouses).

La Pascana Restaurant – Enjoy a buffet lunch featuring a selection of Peruvian and regional specialties.

La Raya Pass – At 4,338 meters (14,232 ft) above sea level, this mountain pass marks the border between the Cusco and Puno regions. Admire spectacular views of the Chimboya Snow-Capped Mountain and enjoy a brief stop for photographs.

Pukara Museum – Discover the legacy of the ancient Pukara culture, which flourished between 1600 BC and AD 400. The museum showcases remarkable ceramics, monolithic sculptures, and the famous Hatunñaqac, known as the “Supreme Decapitator.”

Arrival in Puno at approximately 5:30 p.m.

• Night in Puno.

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the scheduled time, transfer to the port to begin a boat excursion across Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. The first stop will be the Uros Floating Islands, where you will learn about the unique lifestyle, traditions, and ancestral knowledge of its inhabitants.

Continue by boat to Taquile Island, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, traditional textile artistry, and preserved ancestral customs.

A typical local lunch is included. In the afternoon, return by boat to Puno and transfer to your hotel.

• Night in Puno.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure towards the Peru–Bolivia border to complete immigration procedures, then continue to Copacabana, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Copacabana, one of Bolivia’s most important pilgrimage sites, with free time for lunch.

In the afternoon, continue overland to the city of La Paz. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

• Night in La Paz.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Begin the day with a guided city tour of La Paz. Visit the traditional Witches’ Market, renowned for its ancestral products and deep-rooted Andean culture. Continue to the historic San Francisco Church and Plaza Murillo, home to the main government buildings, and explore the charming colonial neighborhoods that preserve the city’s history and character.

Later, head to the stunning Moon Valley, a remarkable natural landscape shaped by erosion over thousands of years, featuring surreal rock formations that create a truly unique setting.

At the end of the tour, enjoy some free time before transferring to the bus terminal to board your overnight service to Uyuni.

• Night on board.

Upon arrival in Uyuni, begin the excursion with a visit to the iconic Train Cemetery, an open-air museum featuring historic locomotives dating back to the late 19th century. Continue to the community of Colchani, where you will learn about the traditional salt extraction and processing methods, as well as admire handicrafts made from salt.

Then, enter the Uyuni Salt Flats, the largest salt desert in the world, and enjoy its breathtaking landscapes and unique photo opportunities. During the visit, enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the endless white horizon of the salt flats.

The journey continues to Incahuasi Island, a volcanic rock formation located in the heart of the salt flats, famous for its giant century-old cacti and spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

At the end of the excursion, return to Uyuni to board the overnight bus back to La Paz, carrying with you one of the most unforgettable experiences in Bolivia.

• Night on board.

Arrival in La Paz and transfer to the airport or bus terminal to return home.

End of our services.