12 Days Peru & Bolivia Dreamland

Upon arrival in Lima, capital city of Peru, transfer directly to the hotel for leisure or rest.

Today we head to the airport for the brief flight to Cusco, nestled high in the Andes Mountains. On arrival, we will transfer to the Sacred Valley. Our first stop will be at Awanakancha, a South American camelids farm and textile production center. Next, we visit the market in the town of Pisac to wander stalls displaying handicraft. Lunch will be served at Wayra Ranch. Delight yourself with the surprising variety of recipes prepared under the careful tutelage of renowned chefs. During lunch, enjoy a Peruvian “Paso Horse” show. After lunch, we continue to Ollantaytambo, making a series of stops at points of interest. The town of Ollantaytambo is a typical example of Incan urban planning and the present-day residents still live in accordance with their old traditions

Today we head to the airport for the brief flight to Cusco, nestled high in the Andes Mountains. On arrival, we will transfer to the Sacred Valley. Our first stop will be at Awanakancha, a South American camelids farm and textile production center. Next, we visit the market in the town of Pisac to wander stalls displaying handicraft. Lunch will be served at Wayra Ranch. Delight yourself with the surprising variety of recipes prepared under the careful tutelage of renowned chefs. During lunch, enjoy a Peruvian “Paso Horse” show. After lunch, we continue to Ollantaytambo, making a series of stops at points of interest. The town of Ollantaytambo is a typical example of Incan urban planning and the present-day residents still live in accordance with their old traditions.

This morning we transfer to Ollanta Train Station. From here we take a lovely train ride through the mountains to Aguas Calientes. This town is also known as “Machu Picchu Pueblo” and is the last stop before the entrance to Machu Picchu. Upon reaching Aguas Calientes station, take a short shuttle bus up to the entrance of Machu Picchu, the masterpiece of engineering and architecture that is believed to have been the sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Emperor Pachacutec. Machu Picchu, or “Old Mountain”, is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We will have a guided tour of the site. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Cafe Inkaterra. In the afternoon, return by train to Ollanta and transfer to hotel in Cusco

This morning we set out for a guided tour of the ancient capital of the Inca Empire—Cusco. The tour visits important landmarks such us Cusco’s Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha, “The Temple of the Sun”. We will also visit Sacsayhuaman Fortress just a few minutes outside Cusco. The fortress is an imposing example of Inca military architecture. Continue to Qenko an archaeological complex of mainly religious use where it is believed agricultural rituals were performed. Finally, we make a stop at Puka Pucara or, “Red Fortress”, an architectural complex. Following our sightseeing, we will have lunch at a local restaurant in Cusco and the remainder of the day is free for souvenir shopping or for your own explorations.

Today we take a bus journey towards Puno, a lovely port city on the shores of Lake Titicaca in southern Peru. We will stop to enjoy a lunch buffet at a local restaurant en route. The bus journey will take us through spectacular locations such as the town of Andahuaylillas and The Temple of Wiracocha / La Raya.

Today we depart the port of Puno and cruise Lake Titicaca to the “floating islands” of Uros. The Uros are an ancient culture inhabiting a series of artificial islands created from reeds growing in the lake itself. Later, we continue to the island of Taquile Taquile was part of the Inca Empire and vestiges of that culture can still be seen in their buildings. We will take a tour of the island before lunch. After lunch, we will return to the harbor for the boat trip back to Puno.

Early departure for Copacabana, Bolivia. Upon arrival in Copacabana, we will take a short tour of this fascinating place known as the most important religious sanctuary in Bolivia. Next, we board a catamaran at Copacabana Harbor to sail to Sun Island, the birthplace of the Inca Empire. Our program then continues with a visit to the Inti-Wata Cultural Complex. We will also enjoy a unique sailing experience on board a large Titicaca traditional reed vessel for panoramic views of Pilkokaina Inca Palace. Afterwards, board the catamaran again and enjoy a buffet lunch on board. Admire the Andean Mountain Range while sailing back to the mainland! At the end of the afternoon, head back to the port and transfer to our hotel in La Paz.

Morning transfer to the airport for the short flight to Uyuni. On arrival, we will transfer by 4×4 vehicles to the Great Salt Flat. This is the world’s largest area of land covered with a layer salt. Words simply can’t describe the surreal landscape of this region. Our touring today continues with visits to the “Train Cemetery”, the village of Colchani, “Playa Blanca” and “Ojos de Sal”, or the “Salt Eyes”—outlets for subterranean rivers flowing beneath the salt flat. Later, we will visit Incahuasi Island located in the heart of the salt flat. The island is populated with giant cacti species that measure up to 12 meters high. Finally, after admiring a spectacular sunset, we transfer to the hotel.

Today we have another day to savor the magic of the Great Salt Flat. We begin with a journey to a cave near Tunupa Volcano. The cave reserves the mysterious Coquesa Mummies dating back 1,200 years. Our next visit is to Chiquini Cave, a geomorphic wonder formed by volcanic activity prior to the last Ice Age. This evening we will depart the hotel once again and make our way back out to the salt flat for a special star-gazing experience. Free from light pollution, the Great Salt Flat is considered to be one of the world’s best places for star-gazing. Enjoy an amazing view of the Milky Way and revel in the galactic spectacle above us while enjoying a hot beverage.

Take a return flight to La Paz. Upon arrival, we will proceed directly to the epic city of Tiwanaku. Our tour of this breathtaking city will cover the Sun Temple, Earth Temple, the Akapana Pyramid and the legendary Sun Gate. Later, we transfer towards La Paz for a city tour. Our tour includes the incredible experience of “Mi Teleférico”—an aerial cable car urban transit system. The cable car system connects the sprawling municipality of El Alto with the city of La Paz. Our city tour continues with visits to the famous Witch Doctor’s Market, San Francisco Colonial Church and Sagarnaga Street for handicraft shopping. Next, we stop at Plaza Murillo where we will find the neoclassical Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, the Government Palace and the National Congress. From here we carry on to visit the famous colonial Jaen Street. Before terminating at the hotel, our tour makes a final visit at Moon Valley. It boasts bizarre lunar landscapes and geological formations.

This fantastic journey has come to an end. Transfer to La Paz Airport for your flight home