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Peru Bolivia Discovery Tour

Peru Bolivia Discovery Tour Packages
Itinerary in brief Upon arrival in Lima the capital of Peru we head south to visit Arequipa and the famous Colca Canyon. From here we continue towards Lake Titicaca the highest navigable lake in the . .
Country: Bolivia
City: Uyuni
Duration: 20 Day(s) - 19 Night(s)
Tour Category: Classic Tours
Departure Date: Thu 01 Jan '99

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Package Itinerary

Itinerary in brief

Upon arrival in Lima the capital of Peru we head south to visit Arequipa and the famous Colca Canyon. From here we continue towards Lake Titicaca the highest navigable lake in the world where we visit Copacabana and we also go for a short trek across the famous Sun Island (Isla del Sol).

We continue to La Paz and we visit Tiwanaku where we discover the wealth of this lost civilization which played an important role in the history of Bolivia. Our next visit is the Salar de Uyuni where we discover the island with the giant cacti and the vastness of this 10.582km²/4.086mi2 big salt desert. Still, in the southern direction, we cross the Lipez desert with its volcanoes, Lagunas as well as its rich animal life (Llama, vicuña, alpaca, viscacha, pink flamingos, foxes, Nandu, etc.).

After this incredible visit to the most southern spot of Bolivia, we head back north to the beautiful cities of Potosi and Sucre. We take the bus to Cuzco where we discover the town, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and of course the famous Machu Picchu before we return to Lima to visit Paracas and the Ballestas Islands.

Day1. Arrival in Lima

Today you arrive in Lima. Upon arrival at the international airport, our team will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. There are no activities planned for today and depending on your time of arrival you might have time to explore the town.

Day2. Lima – Arequipa

After breakfast, we headed to the airport for our flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival, we are transferred to the hotel and after lunch, we visit Arequipa.

This pleasant colonial town at the foot of the volcanoes Misti, Pichu Picchu, and Chachan is located between the coastal area of the coastal desert and the spurs of the western Andes. The city has many colonial-era Spanish buildings built of Sillar, a pearly white volcanic rock, from which it gets the nickname La Ciudad Blanca ("The White City").

We visit the Cathedral, the church of the “Compañía de Jesús”, the “Plaza de Armas” and San Francisco Street. We also discover the Santa Carolina convent as well as the Yanahuara quarter with its fabulous viewpoint from where we have a wonderful view over the city, the Misti volcano, and the village of Carmen Alto. The evening is free to enjoy Arequipa.

Day3. Arequipa - Chivay/Cañon de Colca

At 08h00 we start our tour to the majestic Colca Valley, also called the “Inca’s lost valley”. We visit Pampa Cañahuas and the Salinas National Reserve and at Aguadas Blanca we can observe Vicuñas, Lamas, and Alpacas.

We pause at Tojrapampa where we can observe the Bofedales (wetlands) and see different species of migration birds as well as flamingos. Later we stop at Patapampa at the Viewpoint of the Andes where we can admire the surrounding volcanoes. This will be the highest point on our tour at 4900m/16.080ft. From here we walk down into the Colca Valley to 3600m/11.810ft where we get installed in the hotel.

After lunch, we go for a trek (3-4 hours) to discover the archaeological site Uyo Uyo and we enjoy the landscape and the thermal baths of Yanque. Early evening we return to the hotel and the evening is free.

Day4. Canyon de Colca – Puno

After a very early breakfast, we head towards the Cruz del Condor from where we can observe the depths of the canyon and the flight of the Condors. From the Cruz del Condor, we walk to the Cruz del Cura and visit the small traditional villages of Pinchollo Yanque and Maca where we can see an amphitheater, church, and terraces. We return to Chivay and after lunch, we continue to Puno where the evening is free.

Day5. Puno – Copacabana – Sun Island

After breakfast, we are transferred to the bus terminal for the bus to Copacabana. After the border formalities at Kasani, another ½ hour brings us to Copacabana where we get installed in the hotel. We visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana which is a 16th-century church that houses the image of the patron saint of Bolivia. The church attracts thousands of local tourists throughout the year and it remains one of the two principal sacred places both for indigenous people and Catholics.

After lunch, we head to the port where a boat will be waiting to bring us to the south of the island to Yumani. From here we go for a short trek which takes us to the Palacio de Pilkokaina (“place where the birds rest”). This construction is characterized by its walls and doors which are particularly well-conserved. From Pilkokaina we walk slowly to the village of Yumani where we spend the night in an Ecolodge. The evening is free to enjoy the atmosphere on the mystic island.

Day6. Isla del Sol – Copacabana – La Paz

In the morning we descend the Inca Staircase (204 steps). This staircase which is still in very good condition will take us to the Inca Fountain and the port of Yumani from where we take the boat back to Copacabana. We have time for lunch and at 13h30 we take the bus back to La Paz. We arrive in La Paz around 17h30 and the rest of the evening is free.

Day7. La Paz – Tiwanaku – La Paz - Uyuni

We leave around 08h30 for our visit to the ruins of Tiwanaku, the capital of the pre-Inca empire. Tiwanaku was one of the oldest civilizations in the world and is recognized by Andean scholars as one of the most important precursors to the Inca Empire. We visit the Pyramid Akapana and the semi-subterranean temple as well as the archaeological area where we can see the Temple of Kalasasaya one of the largest and oldest ceremonial centers of the world.

We also visit the famous “Puerta del Sol” (Gateway of the Sun) which is a monolithic structure that weighs about 10 tons. On the Puerta del Sol, we can observe the Tiwanakota calendar which is expressed in 365.24 days distributed over 12 months. We visit the archaeological museum where we can observe the Monolith Bennet which measures approximately 7 meters and weighs 20 tons and we also get an insight into the 13 centuries of history which makes Tiwanaku the oldest civilization in Latin America.

After our visit to the site, we had lunch (not included) in a typical restaurant where we had the opportunity to taste quinoa; the most important grain of the Andes. After lunch, we return to La Paz and the rest of the afternoon is free. At 19h30 we are transferred to the bus terminal.

The bus station is famous for having been built by Gustave Eiffel (Eiffel Tower in Paris, France) and used to be the railway station of La Paz. At 21h00 we start our journey to Uyuni and our route takes us first to Oruro from where we descend through Challapata where the asphalt gives way to dirt tracks.

If the first 350km/218 mi seemed easy, some of Bolivia’s worst roads lie ahead of us; holes, mud, river crossings, cold, and detours.

Finally, after this adventure, we arrive in Uyuni around 07h00 where you have time for breakfast (we recommend Minut ‘Man Pizza) before the tour starts.

Day8. Uyuni – Colchani – Salar de Uyuni – Incahuasi – Cueva de las Galaxias – San Pedro de Quemez

We start our journey around 10h30 in the morning and our first stop will be the locomotive cemetery which is a vestige of more prosperous times. From here we continue to Colchani which is a small village situated on the edge of the Salar and whose inhabitants live from salt exploitation. In Colchani we discover how the salt is processed manually and we visit the small salt boutique, which also serves as a museum, where we can see large salt carvings and other objects (pottery, jewelry, tools, etc.).

After this impressive visit with the craftsmen on the top of the world, we enter the famous Salar de Uyuni; the biggest salt desert in the world with an acreage of 10.582km²/4.086mi2. One of the particularities of the Uyuni Salt Flat is that it contains a reserve of 9 million tonnes of Lithium which represents 40% of world production. We head to the Island Incahuasi which mistakenly is better known as the Fisherman’s Island.

This geological formation is a remnant of petrified coral and is covered in giant cacti that can get up to 12m/39.37ft high. From the top of the island, we have a wonderful 360° view of the Salar de Uyuni.

After lunch, our journey continues in the direction of Puerto Chuvica. We have the possibility to visit the “Cueva de las Galaxias” which is a strange phenomenon of fossil algae that reminds us that the ocean was present here all the way to Oruro. In the adjacent cave, we can observe the Chullpares which are Inca funerary remains.

We climb to the viewpoint from where we have an unobstructed view of the desert and if we take a closer look we can also observe the fossil coral that once was part of an impressive coral barrier. After this impressive visit, we continue to San Pedro de Quemez situated at the doors of the Lipez desert. We arrive at San Pedro de Quemez around 16h00 and the evening is free.*

*Depending on the season and the weather the itinerary will change and there are some sights that are not accessible at all times!

Day9. San Pedro de Quemez – Salar de Chiguana – Ollagüe Volcano – Siloli Desert – Ruta de las Joyas Alto Andinas (Lagunas Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiar Khota, Honda et Ramaditas) – Stone Tree - Reserva Nacional de la Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa - Ojo de Perdiz

We continue our tour of south Bolivia and from Puerto Chuvica we pass the Uyuni – Ollague railway, which is the property of the FCA (Empresa Ferroviaria Andina), before crossing the Salar de Chiguana. We observe the still active volcano Ollague and even from afar, we can see its fumarole. We follow the famous Jewel Route which is composed of the Lagunas Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiar Khota, Honda, and Ramadita.

Today we also visit the Stone Tree (please refrain from climbing on the rock) planted in the middle of the Siloli desert and at the end of the day, we enter the Reserva Nacional de la Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa where we arrive at the Laguna Colorada. This Alto Andina Laguna gets its name because of the red color which is caused by microscopic shellfish which is the principal nutriment of the rose flamingos that live in this area.

Due to climate changes (lack of rain) and the high evaporation of the Altiplanic basin the water level of the region Lagunas is reduced rapidly which year after year also reduces the population of the flamingos. Mid-afternoon we leave to get installed in our hotel Ojo de Perdiz and the evening is free.*

*Depending on the season and the weather the itinerary will change and there are some sights that are not accessible at all times!

Day10. Ojo de Perdiz - Laguna Colorada – Geyser de Sol de Mañana – Polques Thermal Spring – Dali Desert – Laguna Verde – Licancahur (5971m/19.590ft) – Villamar – Valle de Rocas – San Cristóbal – Uyuni – Potosi

Our tour continues in the southern direction to the Laguna Verde – one of the most southern points in Bolivia. We leave the Laguna Colorada in order to go even deeper into the Reserva Nacional de la Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa. We visit the boiling geysers of Sol de Mañana which is an impressive geothermal field with pits of boiling mud and strong smells of sulfur.

Our tour continues in the direction of the thermal bath of Polques, a natural source of hot water where we have the possibility to go for a swim. We continue through the South Lipez and we observe the “Damas del Desierto” which are enormous rocks planted in this barren landscape and carved by the wind and weather over the years. We also cross the Dali Desert, which was named in reverence to the Catalan artist because of the resemblance of the landscape with the unreal yet natural colors of the masters’ work.

We continue to the Laguna Verde and Blanca at the foot of the Licancahur where we stop to take a few pictures. The Laguna Verde gets its green color from the high concentration of lead, arsenic sulfur, and calcium – please refrain from bathing;-) From the Laguna Verde, we start our drive back north. We pass by the small village Villamar which seems lost in the middle of the gigantic Lipez desert before passing by the biggest mining project in Bolivian history at San Cristobal.

We arrived around 18h00 Uyuni just in time for a quick dinner before getting the bus to Potosi. Once arrive in Potosi you are transferred to your hotel.*

*Depending on the season and the weather the itinerary will change and there are some sights that are not accessible at all times!

Day11. Potosi – Visit of the Mines (Cerro Rico)

The morning is free and after lunch, we start with a visit to the miner's market. Customs says it brings good luck to buy Coca leaves, cigarettes, alcohol, or even dynamite as presents for the miners that will receive us at their workplace. Once we have finished our purchases we visit one of the mines in the Cerro Rico mountain.

The mines here are quite different from western mines, some of them are very old – dug out by hand by the slaves of the Inca Empire and later by African slaves during the Spanish occupation and very narrow and short (not for claustrophobics).

Our visit to Cerro Rico starts with the “Tio” (uncle) who is the protector of the mines and to whom the miners on many occasions make offerings in order to be protected from bad spells. We visit the 1st level of the mine and have the possibility to descend up to 3 levels below – 500 or 600 m into the depths of the Cerro Rico. After this impressive visit, we returned to the hotel and the rest of the evening was free.

*Depending on the day it is possible that we visit the mines in the morning and if today falls on a Sunday we do a city tour instead

Day12. Potosi – Sucre City Tour

After breakfast, we are transferred to the bus terminal for the bus to Sucre. From the highland, we descend steeply into the valleys that lead to Sucre, and on our way, we can see the Mendez bridge which is a national monument built in the late nineteenth century.

Once arrived we headed to the hotel and after lunch, we went for a tour of Sucre, the constitutional capital of Bolivia also called the White City. This gem of Baroque art and the Renaissance is the most European city in Bolivia and probably one of the most beautiful in Latin America. Founded in 1538 by order of Pizarro, Sucre was destined to become the residence and the center of the Spanish bourgeoisie.

From an architectural point of view, Sucre has remained like a postcard of the 19th century which is of course part of its charm. Sucre is considered the most beautiful city in Bolivia, but apart from its beauty and atmosphere of the 18th & 19th centuries, Sucre also has the advantage of being the historic capital of Bolivia.

We visit the various museums, the Convento de Santa Clara and also the Casa de la Libertad, which saw the signing of the Declaration of Independence on August 6, 1825 (all visits may vary depending on the day because the museums are closed on Sundays and public holidays). The evening is free to enjoy Sucre.

Day13. Sucre – La Paz

In the morning you are transferred to the airport for your flight from Sucre – La Paz. Upon arrival in La Paz, you are transferred to your hotel and the evening is free.

Day14. La Paz – Cuzco

In the morning we are transferred to the bus terminal for the bus to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, we are transferred to the hotel and the evening is free.

Day15. Cuzco – Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes

After breakfast, we visited the Sacred Valley and all the important Inca ruins in the area. We’ll see the ruins of Pisac with (depending on the day) the market, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo - a superb Inca fortress made of megalithic stones. In the evening we take the train to Aguas Calientes - a small village where all the buildings are concentrated along the railway giving it a “gold-digger” ambiance where we spend the night.

Day16. Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cuzco

We leave at 07h00 or earlier by bus to visit the famous Machu Picchu. After this impressive visit, we return to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo where upon arrival we are transferred to the hotel in Cuzco and the evening is free.

The Citadel of Machu Picchu is the most important attraction in Cuzco. It was discovered in 1911 by the American explorer, Hiram Bingham, and is considered to be one of the most extraordinary examples of scenic architecture in the world. In Quechua Machu Picchu means “old mountain”. The Citadel was built on a hilltop that dominates the deep valley of the Urubamba River in the middle of the tropical rainforest. Machu Picchu was both a center of worship and astronomical observation and the private domain of the family of the Inca Pachacuteq.

Day17. Cuzco – City Tour

After lunch we start our city tour where we visit the archaeological sites of the town; Koricancha, the Cathedral, Sacsayhuaman, K’enkho, Puca Pucara, and Tambo Machay. The evening is free to enjoy Cusco.

Day18. Cuzco – Lima City Tour

In the morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight back to Lima and upon arrival in Lima, we are transferred to the hotel. After lunch, we go for a city tour of Lima and the evening is free.

We start our tour with a panoramic view of the “Pucllana Pyramid” a magnificent ceremonial and archaeological center built in the 4th A.D. and considered a “Sacred Village” by the Incas. The Viceroyalty of Perú was the most important of the Spanish Empire and Lima was its capital.

We visit the Historical Centre of Lima, where you will see more than fifty monuments and Colonial buildings, such as the Paseo de la República, the San Martín Square, the Main Square, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral Basilica, and the City Council Palace.

We also visit the museum of the Banco Central de Reserva where we can admire the “Treasures of Perú” collection which is a fine selection of objects made of gold, ceramics, and textiles from different pre-Columbian cultures. During the tour, we also visited the monumental San Francisco convent, which displays the largest collection of religious art in America.

Our highlight will be the visit to the underground vaults, known as “Catacumbas” or Catacombs. We visited some traditional residential areas of Lima, such as El Olivar of San Isidro, Miraflores, and Larcomar.

Day19. Lima – Paracas - Islas Ballestas – Lima

At 04h00 we leave for Paracas to visit the Islas Ballestas. Composed largely of rock formations and covering an estimated area of 0.12 km², these islands are an important sanctuary for marine fauna like the Guanay guano bird, the blue-footed booby, and the tendril. Other notable species include Humboldt Penguins and two varieties of seals (fur seals and sea lions), amongst other mammals. At around 12h30 we return to Paracas from where we continue to Lima. The evening is free to discover Lima.

Day20. Lima Departure

According to your time of departure, you are transferred from the hotel to the airport in Lima. For international flights, it is recommended to arrive at the airport 3 hours before scheduled departure. End of our services

Important: The itinerary can change as a result of weather conditions and some sights are not accessible at all times – Lipiko Tours cannot be held responsible for any changes in itinerary and sights not visited as a result.

If you wish to climb the Huayna Potosi the request has to be made at the time of reservation. Even if the request is made we can’t guarantee that there are places left (access is limited). If there are places allow for approx. Applied charges in USD per person for the entrance fee.

General Information

Highlights: Lima, Arequipa, Canyon de Colca, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Sun Island, La Paz, Tiwanaku, Salar de Uyuni, South Lipez, Laguna Colorada, Potosi Mines, Sucre, Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Paracas, Ballestas Islands

Support Team: English-speaking tour leader for the entire tour for groups of 4 people or more. For smaller groups, it is possible to book this tour without a tour leader. Instead, you would have guided visits with a local guide in your chosen language. Please contact us directly to receive a personalized quote.

Guaranteed departure: from 4 people

Group size: 4 to 12 people

Flights: Prices are valid only in certain tourist/economy classes which serve this destination. Therefore prices are subject to changes in case of unavailability at the time of reservation.

- National flight Peru; Lima - Arequipa
- National flight Bolivia; Sucre - La Paz
- National flight Peru; Cuzco - Lima

Accommodation: 14 nights in a hotel/hostel, 1 night in a homestay, 2 nights in a bus, and 2 nights in the shelter (South Lipez)

Porterage: Your luggage will be transported either by plane, car, boat, or bus. You will have to carry the personal belongings (camera, water, etc.) which you need during the day.

Tour Leader: In groups of 4 to 12 people you will be accompanied by a tour leader in the chosen language. His role is to make sure that everything goes smoothly during the tour and that each individual and the group as a whole are safe. Don’t hesitate to ask him if you are unsure of anything and, very importantly, to follow his advice.

Included in the Price:

- Water and land transfers as indicated in the program
- Accommodation in hotel/hostel in double rooms, Ecolodge, shelter, home stay, camping, bus, and plane as indicated in the program: 14 nights in hotel/hostel, 2 nights in Ecolodge, 2 nights in a shelter, and 1 night in the bus
- Meals as mentioned in the program
- The assistance of specialized local English-speaking guides, their fees, and expenses
- The assistance of our local teams; driver(s) and logistics department (24/7)
- Visits as outlined in the program
- National flight Peru Lima – Arequipa
- National flight Bolivia Sucre – La Paz
- National flight Peru Cuzco – Lima

Not Included in the Price:

- Entrance fees to sites visited, national parks, and museums as indicated in the program (allow for approx. 410 Nuevos soles (Peruvian national currency) in Peru and 330 bolivianos (Bolivian national currency) in Bolivia per person – this is an estimate and actual prices may vary)
- Meals not mentioned, drinks, tips, individual equipment, everything not mentioned in “included in the price” and all personal expenses - Individual obligatory personal travel insurance (this could be included with your credit card – please check with your credit card provider)
- The supplement for a single room: Charges in USD (subject to availability, must be reserved and paid upon reservation). Attention; No single room is available for the nights with accommodation in a shelter, homestay, and camping.
- Possible visa expenses
- International flights

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