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Peru & Bolivia

Bolivia & Peru Explorer -10 Days

Peru's Machu Picchu to the Salt Flats of Bolivia

Bolivia & Peru Explorer -10 Days

Peru's Machu Picchu to the Salt Flats of Bolivia

On this 10 day adventure visiting both Peru and Bolivia you will explore the highlights and hidden gems spanning from Peru's Machu Picchu to the amazing Salt Flats of Bolivia!

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Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrive to LIMA - Fly to CUSCO

DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY TOUR

You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco between 7am-7:30am for the start of your tour. Our first stop will be Awanacancha Alpaca farm where you will get a glimpse of local Peruvian animals such as Alpacas, llamas and viñuna. Here your guide will explain the history of the animals and why they are important to the economy. In addition to that you will visit the textiles center displaying local crafts and trade item and be able to appreciate the best works of craftsmanship that the Incas produced.

From here we will take the road that leads to Pisac stopping for a moment at El Mirador del Valle Sagrado- the Sacred Valley lookout point to soak in the incredible views of the Andes Mountains. We will then make our way to the Pisac archeological site where your guide will give you an overview of the area and allow you to explore. Continuing on to Urubamba we will stop for lunch at a local Peruvian buffet where you can enjoy a plethora of fresh Peruvian style dishes to feast on.

After lunch we will have time for one last stop- Ollantaytambo, the second most important ruins behind Machu Picchu. Here we will walk the ruins and enjoy a guided tour as we soak in the spectacular craftsmanship surrounding us. We will then board the train from Ollantaytambo and make our way to Aguas Calientes.

The train journey itself is filled with stunning views and will take just under 2 hours. Once you arrive to Aguas Calientes you will check you into your hotel and have free time to enjoy the village. If you would like to take advantage of the time you have this evening, you can visit the Machu Picchu museum, the orchid exhibition, or the butterfly garden, located 40 minutes outside the village (walking), or simply relax in the hot springs near town.

DAY 3: MACHU PICCHU TOUR

Today is the most magical day of your journey. Depending on your entrance time to Machu Picchu your guide will help you determine the best time to wake up for your tour. If you have the early entrance you will wake up around 4am to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu and see the sun rise over the ruins. If you have a later entrance you will be able to enjoy a it more sleep before taking the bus up to the ruins (entrance times will be assigned to you depending on how far in advance you book). Your guide will take about 2 hours explaining the highlights of Machu Picchu and the beautiful sites. Afterwards, if you have booked the option to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain you will have time for your hike and have free time to walk the ruins on your own. In the afternoon, you will get back on the bus and head to Aguas Calientes town. You will then board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where a private van will be waiting for your ride back to Cusco arriving between 6-8pm.

DAY 4: CUSCO FREE DAY

Free day to explore Cusco. Optional activities available at an additional cost. Please inquire.

DAY 5: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN 1 DAY TREK

Your day starts in Cusco where you are picked up from your hotel at 2:15am for a 3 hour trip via private van to the start of the trail. You will be given a local Peruvian style breakfast prepared by our chef and fuel up for the hike ahead of you.

The hike to the rainbow mountain will take around 3.5 hours and is a distance of 7.5k (4.7 miles). Throughout your journey you will pass through a vibrant green valley with the snow capped peak of Ausangate towering in the distance. You will see hundreds of roaming alpaca, and have the chance to truly see how Quechua people live. As you get closer to the Rainbow Mountain you will begin to see the first signs of the colored minerals that formed the painted hills. Your guide will explain what makes up the existence of the Rainbow Mountain and how it was formed, and finally with one last push you will hike up to a vantage point that gives you a 360 degree view of the beautiful landscape that makes up the sacred land.

We will have snacks on top and take relaxing break to soak up the vistas, where you can enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. At this time you can also enjoy some coca tea that the locals prepare for visitors. After about an hour you will embark for your hike back to the trailhead (2-3 hours), where you will have a gourmet lunch prepared by our chef in a traditional mud-house and depart back to Cusco. Arriving in Cusco around 4pm.

DAY 6: Fly Cusco > La Paz (Free day to Explore)

You will be greeted at the airport by a hotel representative who will be waiting for

you holding up a sign with your name on it.

DAY 7: Fly La Paz > Uyuni > Start SALT FLATS TOUR 3D/2N

You will be greeted at the airport by a tour representative who will be waiting for you holding up a sign with your name on it.

Start your tour off at 10:30am with a visit to Uyuni’s ‘train graveyard’ to see the abandoned locomotives in Bolivia. Then visit the small settlement of Colchani (salt miners workshops next to the salt flats) where you can see handicrafts made of salt and textile art made of llama and alpaca. Take photos as you cruise along the vast white expanse of salt, visit los Ojos de Agua Salada (‘salt water eyes’) and then a hotel made completely of salt which is currently a museum.

Lunch will be served on “Isla Incahuasi” (Fish Island) where you will have time to hike to the top of the island to see giant cactus and rock formations made of petrified coral. Take time to organize your group for fun perspective and proportion-distorted photos on the blinding white surface of the salt flats. Then, head to Pia Pia island for the unique experience of seeing a beautiful sunset over the salt flats. Have dinner and spend the night at Ajencha town. In the evening, enjoy star gazing from an amazing look-out point through telescope. (L/D

DAY 8: SALT FLATS TOUR 3D/2N

Start off at 7:00am for breakfast. Our first stop is galaxy caves before continuing on to visit the Chiguana desert on the south side of Uyuni salt flats, surrounded by volcanoes such as Ollague (5840m), which is still active and can be seen from the lookout. Continue along a rocky road - Pasito Tuntun - to the beautiful Andean lagoons inhabited by 3 species of Andean flamingos. Marvel at three lagoons on the way; Cañapa where you’ll see pink flamingos, Hedionda where lunch will be served, and Chiarcota where you’ll see a wider variety of birds and altiplanic fauna.

After, we enter the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve and visit the Desert of Siloli at 4550m (the highest and driest in the world) and take a photos next to the ‘Rock tree’, a lava rock formation. Before arriving to our final destination today, we will stop at the overlook point by the Red Lagoon to see more pink flamingos in their natural habitat and admire the intense red-colored lake. Stay the night at a shared family lodging. (B,L,D)

DAY 9: SALT FLATS TOUR 3D/2N + Fly back to La Paz

Get off to an early start around 5:00am to visit the Sol de Mañana Geyser, at 5,000m and walk next to fumaroles and steaming craters filled with boiling pots of mud at 150-200 degrees C. Continue to the open air hot springs and take a bath in 35 degree C water before enjoying a pancake breakfast. The next places to visit are the Dali Desert where Salvador Dali found his inspiration from boulders sprinkled in the middle of the desert, followed by the Green Lagoon (toxic copper water at the foot of Licancabur volcano at 6000m, which is a few kilometers from the Bolivia-Chile border).

After this, you will head back to Uyuni passing by beautiful scenery and eating a picnic lunch along the roadside. On the way, pass by the Valley of the Rocks, the Alota settlement and the San Cristobal Village where we will visit the church and see the exquisite colonial paintings. Return to Uyuni by 6:30pm. (B,L)

From here you must make your own way to the Uyuni airport (by taxi) for your flight back to La Paz. Upon arrival to La Paz, you will be greeted by a hotel representative who will transfer you back to your lodging. (Arrival to La Paz is typically between 9:30pm and 11pm, if you wish to stay at the airport for an international departure, this can be arranged)

Overnight in La Paz

DAY 10: Transfer to La Paz Airport > End of itinerary

Today you can choose any international flight that works best for your schedule. We will transfer you to the La Paz airport for your departure flight.

Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other events which are beyond our control. We will always do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.

Additional Trip Info

  • All domestic flights as noted above
  • Airport transfers in/out
  • Meals as indicated on itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
  • All tours as described in the itinerary with English speaking Tour Guide.
  • Entrance fees as noted
  • All Hotels, 3 stars (upgrades available upon request)

  • Travel Insurance - We recommend  World Nomads, or Global Rescue
  • International flights
  • Meals not indicated
  • Entrance fees into the Salt Flats
  • Extra services or optional activities
  • Services not indicated
  • Additional nights due to flight cancelations or delays
  • Tips and Extras in Hotels
  • Soft and alcoholic drinks, tips, personal expenses, calls, Internet service
  • SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $475

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