Peru & Bolivia Tour Regular

Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and privately escorted to your hotel.

In the morning (or afternoon) your sightseeing tour explores Miraflores and San Isidro, the modern districts of Lima and its historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The tour includes a visit of San Francisco, the city's most visited church (1674). Its underground tunnels lead to catacombs that served as a cemetery until 1808 and still contain bones and skulls. Our next stop is at the Larco Herrera Museum. The collection allows the understanding of 3,000 years of the Peruvian pre-Columbian history in an intuitive way. Its masterpieces are considered worldwide icons of pre-Inca art and have been displayed in the world's most renowned museums.

( 260 km - Approx 4 hours): Transfer to the bus station for the regular tourist bus service from Lima to Paracas (unescorted). On arrival to the bus station in Paracas you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure

Morning transfer to the Ballestas Islands, aboard a speedboat. Once you arrive you will enjoy close-up observations of dozens of sea lions as they swim near the boat or sun themselves on shore. You can also watch marine bird species, like the Guanay Cormorant, Peruvian pelicans and with some luck Humboldt Penguins. Then head to Nazca. You first stop will be Huacachina which is surrounded by giant sand dunes and palm trees. Then head to Maria Reiche small house museum, who was a mathematician and archaeologist that dedicated her life to study the Nazca lines.

Nasca - Arequipa: Morning at leisure. Optional flight over the Nasca Lines (not included) Morning flight in a small passenger plane over the Nazca Lines. During the 30 minute circuit you can photohraph the most famous images: the condor, the hummingbird and many more. Best viewed from the sky, these huge geometric patterns, animal figures and hundreds of perfectly straight lines were etched on the desert sands by the Nazca people centuries ago. Afternoon transfer to the bus station for the regular tourist bus service from Nazca to Arequipa. On arrival to the bus station you will be transferred to the hotel.

Half day walking tour of Arequipa, where some of the old buildings were made out of white volcanic material, which has given this place the name of "white city". The tour continues with the visit to the extraordinary Santa Catalina Convent, built in the 16th century, it is a huge complex of buildings that once served as a town within itself housing 450 nuns. The convent complex has been beautifully refurbished, bringing the past vividly alive once more. You can also take the comfort tour, with an extra visit to Yanahuara lookout to view the Misti Volcano and the city.

Early in the morning, you will leave Arequipa and head towards the valley. On your way you will pass Pampa de Arrieros, Pampa Cañahuas, Vizcachani and Torja, a good place to spot Andean Birds. The majestic volcanoes Mismi, Misti, Chachani, Ampato, Sabancaya and Hualca Hualca, provide panoramic views as you enter the Colca Valley. Then you will arrive to Chivay, where you will make a stop to explore the local market. Then continue your journey to the hotel.

Early in the morning drive to the observation point "Mirador Cruz del Condor", located between Maca and Cabanaconde, one of the deepest parts of the canyon. Its here that the legendary condor, the bird with the largest wingspan in the world, can be seen rising and circling on the morning thermals, silhouetted against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain scenery. Afterwards you will make some stops in some of the picturesque towns in route to visit their colonial churches. You then say goodbye to Colca in order to continue your trip across Altiplano landscapes to Puno (only transportation), city on the shores of Lake Titicaca

Our excursion by speed boat starts with a visit to one of the floating reed islands of the Uros before heading to island of weavers, Taquile. Unlike in the classic tour, this option offers a reduced time in route (e.g. 75 min from Taquile to Puno versus 2 hrs. 30 min aboard the traditional boat making your experience in the lake more pleasant. Your boat tour includes a meal prepared with local fish and fresh produce from the Andes.

After breakfast, pick up from your hotel for your drive by private vehicle across the Altiplano to the city of Copacabana on the Bolivian Shores of Lake Titicaca. After lunch you will board a boat to the mystic Sun Island. According to the legend the Inca couple Maco Capac and Mama Ocllo appeared here to found the Empire of the Sun. You will also visit Yumani, a small community that has kept its traditions around Titicaca. You can also take a walk around Copacabana Town, and visit the Bolivian Shrine, of the Dark Virgin of Copacabana. Then leave by private vehicle to la Paz.

Upon arrival you will be welcomed at the airport and you will have some time for breakfast (not included). Your first stop is at the train graveyard in the outskirts of Uyuni. Afterwards you enter the vast white Salar de Uyuni, a fantastic place for photography. You will also visit "Incahuasi Island" in the middle of the Salt Lake. You will spend time walking around admiring the landscapes. After a picinic lunch the trip continues towards the tini village of Coquesa After a short hike you reach its cave containing ancient mummies. Note: From December through March the likelihood of the Salt Lake being flooded increases and Incahuasi becomes often inaccessible. Consequently, the itinerary will be adapted.

Leaving the salt flat behind you will be driven along the volcanoes range with their eternal snow to Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. During the course of the next couple hours, there are lagoons on the way where colonies of flamingos and smaller wild birds gather and strut around. Afterwards head south to enter the Siloli desert. The scenery on the drive is fantastic and takes you high up into the Andes though desert type landscapes. There are stones sculpted by the wind. You spend the night at a simple but tremendously athmospheric place- set in one of the most remote and starkly beautiful places on earth, on the edge of the Siloli desert.

Today you need to get up very early and take in some of the continents most astounding sights such as the Red Lagoon, with its James flamingos. Dotted with white islands of massive borax deposits, the lake is tainted blood red due to a variety of algae which thrive in the salt water. The next stop is at the geothermal field Sol de Mañana to see multiple mud pots and fumaroles. Later, there is a chance to take a dip in the hot springs before continuing the trip. Afterwards you visit the Green Lagoon, at the foot of Licancabur volcano. On the road back to Uyuni you stop at the ‘Rocks Valley’ featuring giant volcanic rocks between 8 to 15 meters high. Accommodation in Uyuni.

Transfer to the airport in Uyuni. Arrival to La Paz and transfer to your hotel. Today you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of La Paz. Tour highlights in the old town include the Plaza Murillo and the Jaen Street featuring Spanish colonial architecture. To change scenery, the tour continues to the residential areas of Obrajes, Calacoto and La Florida and ends with the visit to the bizarre Moon Valley, offering a very unique landscape.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, proceed to the hotel to have a welcome coca tea. The remaining of the morning is free to relax & explore.

Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, your comprehensive city tour includes the beautiful Koricancha or Sun Temple, the Cathedral as well as the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a most remarkable Inca building, and the amphitheater of Kenko. This is followed by a visit to Puca Pucara, a strategically located 'red fortress' that dominates the entire area before visiting Tambomachay, with its two distinctive aqueducts that to this day continue to provide clean water to the area.

The day begins with a trip to Pisaq market in the Sacred Valley, one of South America's most famous souvenir markets. Afternoon visit to the fortress of Ollantaytambo where the Temple of the Sun (formed of six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) and the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out. You make a stop in Awana Kancha, a breeding center of South American camels. Lunch with a local family in Urubamba. For the most adventurous of the group there is a chance to taste crispy guinea pig. This experience offers a great opportunity to interact with locals in a not-touristy environment as to directly contribute to the community.

Transfer from your hotel in the Sacred Valley to Ollanta train station (only transportation). The train ride takes you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to Machu Picchu (unescorted). Upon arrival a small coach takes you up the steep roads to the entrance of the citadel. During a guided tour you will experience the uniqueness of the location and the genius that went into its construction, making this Inca site one of the seven new wonders of the world. Accommodation in Aguas Calientes with dinner included.

Morning at leisure OR optional second visit to Machu Picchu citadel (at extra cost, must be booked in advance). In the afternoon, return by train from Aguas Calientes to the station of Poroy (or Ollanta) (unescorted). Arrival and transfer to your hotel (only transportation)

In the morning transfer to the airport in Cusco.