Across Peru, Bolivia, and Chile - 26D

During this tour, we will introduce you to three magnificent countries. You will see the major highlights of these three destinations starting with the great Peruvian sites. Nazca, Arequipa, Cuzco, the sacred valley, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca. Then, head to Bolivia to discover La Paz and Sucre. From there, you will board a 4x4 to traverse the landscapes of Bolivia to Chile. Between salt desert, lagoons, and geysers, you will discover true living pictures that your eyes are not ready to forget.

Start of ALPA-K services at Lima International Airport Jorge Chavez.
Transfer to a hotel in the quiet Miraflores neighborhood. Meal then rest.

In the morning visit the historic center of Lima. Discover the colonial buildings of Plaza Mayor and its surroundings as well as the presidential palace. Also visit the cathedral and the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs.
In the afternoon, drive south via the Pan-American highway to Paracas.
Overnight in Paracas.

In the morning, boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands to observe sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and dozens of other bird species. From the boat, view the famous candelabrum etched in the desert, the origin of which remains a mystery.
Then lunch in Ica, a fishing village, and tasting of Pisco, the national drink of Peru.
Stop at La Huacachina, an amazing oasis in the middle of the desert. Optional and not included in the price: the possibility to discover sandboarding, surfing on the dunes!
Drive to Nazca and overnight there.

Nazca and its famous geoglyphs, shapes etched in the ground dating from between 400 and 650 for which there is no known explanation for the method of their creation.
Optional and not included in the price: flight over the Nazca lines.
If the flight option is not taken, excursion to the Chauchilla cemetery and visit to the archaeology museum.
Drive towards Arequipa after the meal. Arrival in the late evening.

Visit to the white city and its main colonial monuments in the historic center. Visit to the Santa Catalina monastery as well as the large market and its local products.
Free afternoon in the city and another night on site.

In the morning, visit to the Recoleta convent in Arequipa. Then drive to the Colca Canyon with a stop at the Patapampa pass located at 4900 m above sea level. Observation of vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas... as well as splendid landscapes. Possibility to visit the nearby thermal baths.
Free late afternoon and night in a lodge in the Colca Canyon.
Acclimatization to the altitude.

Wake up at dawn to observe the condors at the site known as "La Cruz del Condor". Magnificent views of terraced fields during the visit of typical villages still in this incredible canyon.
Around noon, return to Arequipa for one last night in this city

Transfer to Arequipa airport and flight to Cuzco. Arrival in Cuzco and transfer to your hotel, then free time to relax.
In the afternoon, explore the colonial city of Cuzco, the capital of the Inca empire. Visit to the most sacred place of the Inca empire, the Temple of the Sun. Night in Cuzco

Day of visiting the Sacred Valley. Stroll through the ruins of the village of Pisac and visit the market. Possibility of a short walk in the ruins. Then a visit to another extraordinary ruin as it is one of the only remnants of Inca urban architecture with its buildings, streets, and patios.
Finally, board the train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu, and overnight there.

Visit to the mythical site of Machu Picchu with free time on site.
Optional and not included in the price: ascent to the Huayna Picchu mountain.
In the afternoon, train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and check-in at a lodge by the Sacred River Urubamba.
Night in the Sacred Valley.

Discover the open-air salt mines of Maras, whose salt exploitation dates back to the time of the Incas.
Then visit the site of Moray, a true agronomic laboratory showcasing the ingenuity of the Incas. Stop in the typical village of Chinchero then return to Cuzco with a stop at the ruins of Sacsayhuaman.
Night in Cuzco.

Free day. Stroll through the streets of the Inca capital, discover its craft shops or visit one of its many museums.

Journey from Cuzco to Puno through beautiful landscapes and with some visits along the way.
Arrival in Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca at the end of the day.

One-day excursion to the islands of Lake Titicaca. Passing through the floating Uros islands. Then continue to Taquile Island, known for its renowned weavers.
Return to Puno to spend the night.

Road towards the Bolivian border at Kasani. After immigration formalities, road to Copacabana considered a Sanctuary city where the Minor Basilica of Copacabana is located. Visit to the church and the village market. Then continue the road to La Paz. Arrival in the late afternoon in La Paz.

City tour of La Paz with many visits. Free afternoon.
Night in La Paz.

In the morning, transfer to the airport to take the regular flight from La Paz to Sucre. In the afternoon, city tour of the Bolivian capital classified as a cultural heritage by UNESCO. Many visits on the program.
Night in Sucre.

Half a day visit to the community of Jatun Yampara with discovery of the weavings made by the community. Return to Sucre.
Free afternoon to enjoy the charming city of Sucre.
Night in Sucre.

Road to Potosi passing through Yotala, Millares, Retiro and Betanzos. Arrival around noon. In the afternoon, walking tour of Potosi. Then visit to the Casa de la Moneda regarded as the most important museum in Bolivia.
Night in Potosi.

In the morning, visit to a mine in Cerro Rico and visit to the mining market where miners go every morning to buy dynamite and coca leaves. Early afternoon, road to Uyuni, arrival in the late afternoon.
Night in Uyuni.

First day of expedition in a 4x4 vehicle. Day devoted to the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world. Visit to Colchani, a village located on the edge of the salar where the inhabitants work in the extraction and processing of iodized salt. Then stop at "the eyes of the salar" and Lomo de Pescado island with its giant cacti known as candelabra cacti. Once at the island, hike to the top for a simply wonderful view of the salar and its surroundings.
Continuation to the village of San Juan.
Night with a local family.

Continuation of the expedition in 4x4.
Crossing the Chiguana Salt Flat, the viewpoint of the Ollague Volcano (still active) and then the Los Lipez desert with its lagoons. Lagoons where it is possible to observe the largest colonies of Andean flamingos as well as different kinds of birds.
Night in the Los Lipez desert.

Still in 4x4. In the morning, road to Laguna Colorada and the colonies of pink flamingos, then passing by the geysers of Sol de Mañana. Arrival at the Green Lagoon located at the foot of the Licancabur volcano.
Crossing the border with Chile at Hito Cajon. Visit to the valley of the moon, passing by the coyote stone, valley of death, great dune, sunset and then return to San Pedro de Atacama.

Journey in 4x4 to Toconao and then to the Atacama Salt Flat. Observation of Socaire, as well as the Miscanti and Meñiques lagoons located at 4300 m above sea level. Visit to Toconao and then return to San Pedro de Atacama.

Transfer by 4x4 to the geysers del Tatio at 4300 m above sea level. Then visit the village of Machuca and its picturesque church.
Return to San Pedro de Atacama and then travel to Calama.

Transfer to Calama airport.
Connection with your return flight

END OF ALPA-K SERVICES AT CALAMA AIRPORT.