Chile, Bolivia and Peru Tour

Transfer to Santiago airport for the flight to Calama, set in the middle of the Atacama desert. Arrival and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Accommodation at your Hotel, Altiplanico.

Altiplanico Hotel

Tour of San Pedro de Atacama, cradle of the Atacama Culture during the pre-Columbian period. Followed by a visit to the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt mountain range) and the only view of the massive salt flat with the Licancabur volcano in the background. We will then visit the Pukara de Quitor. In the afternoon, excursion to the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) which astonishes visitors with its geological formation of salts and carbonates and where nature has shaped an astonishing landscape. Return to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.

San Pedro de Atacama Hotel   |   Meals: B

After breakfast, we will visit the Archaeological Museum Padre Le Paige where we will witness an exhibition showing the evolution of Atacamanian life over the last 11,000 years. We will then visit the town church, The Main Square, the house of Pedro de Valdivia (a conquistador and the founder of Santiago). Toconao stands out with its bell tower, alleys and craft workshops. After lunch, a visit to Lake Chaxa to view the three species of flamingoes amongst many other birds.

Meals: B

Very early morning departure to the Tatio Geysers to experience this spectacular demonstration of volcanic activity. In the middle of the Andean mountains, the El Tatio Geysers at 4,500 metres above sea level gush fumaroles at dawn. We will also visit the village of Caspana with its fertile terraces, architecture in Liparita stone and characteristic mud-roofs. We will then cross the border into Bolivia and head towards the Green Lagoon which is at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano. We will arrive at lunch time, which is the best time to see how its waters change colours from emerald green to deeper green.
We will then visit the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve, the Coloured Lagoon. This lagoon is the main nesting centre of the three kinds of flamingos and its colour produced by algae and plankton activated by the sun and the wind give the red and pink colour to the flamingos. Overnight at a rustic lodge.

Meals: All meals

This day we will cross the Salar from south to north and we will head towards the lagoon chain of Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota, Honda and Ramaditas, where we will see three types of flamingo and other kinds of birds. These birds live on the lagoons alongside the volcanoes. We will continue the expedition towards San Pedro de Quemes where we will have lunch and a rest in the Tayka Stone Hotel. Then we will continue toward the Mala Mala Bahia, to find the Galaxia Cave where we will find a cactus sanctuary and petrified stromatolites and finally a Chullpas cemetery (ancestral burying). The cave presents a very weird sub-aquatic geological formation from the era of the Michin Lake (300 000 years ago) and from the Tauca Lake (40000 years ago). In the afternoon, visit to the Incahuasi Island which is one of the central tourist attractions. We will follow the little path to arrive at the top of the island from where we will get the amazing 360° view on the Salar.

Meals: All meals

We will enter the Salar by Colchani, where we will stop to visit the salt factory and we will receive comments on the salt family economy which command the life of this village. Once the first visit done, we will enter the Salar and stop at the salt mounts from where we will continue to the dominating and magic Thunupa Volcano. We will ascend a part of the volcano with the car to the Coquesa Mummies. From this point we will have a nice view upon the monumental Salar. Then we will descend to Tahua where we will have lunch at the comfortable Tayka Salt Hotel.

Tayka Salt Hotel   |   Meals: All meals

After breakfast, transfer to Colchani and then the airport at Uyuni for the flight to La Paz. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon at leisure.

Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the bus terminal for the journey to Puno. Cross the border, after the formalities, transfer to your hotel.

Meals: B

After breakfast, a full day excursion to the islands of Uros and Taquile with your guide. Uros, a group of islands made entirely of tortora reeds is home to a small community dating back to a pre-Inca culture. The inhabitants of Taquile are more closely related to the Aymara people of Bolivia than the Quechua Incas of Peru. Lunch on the islands. Return to Puno and your hotel.

Meals: B & L

After breakfast, transfer to the bus terminal for the journey to Cuzco. You will visit several sites along the way and include lunch before arrival to Cuzco and transfer to your hotel.

Meals: B

After breakfast, enjoy a group guided tour of Cuzco including the Cathedral, Qoricancha temple, the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco, Qenko and Puka Pukara. Cuzco's history extends back to before 1000 BC when the Marcavalle Culture was the dominant power; indeed organized life in the City began practically with them. In the second phase of its history, around 800BC, Cuzco was home to the Chanapata culture and later developed several regional states. What is traditionally known as the Inka civilisation began around 1200 AD in its initial phase, with the first Inka, Manko Capaq and Mama Ocllo. It is also suggested that Pachakuteq, the ninth king, elaborated another foundation in 1438 which is also known as the expansive phase. Inca builders hereafter laid out the city in the form of a puma, with the fortress of Sacsayhuaman as the head.
After the arrival of the Spanish to the city on November 15th 1533, Francisco Pizarro re-founded it for the Spanish King on March 23rd 1534. In 1536 Manko Inka began a long and bloody war against the Spanish invaders with a siege lasting over 8 months over the city. Finally in 1572, after a war that lasted 36 years, Tupaq Amaru I, the last emperor of the Inka dynasty was defeated, captured and executed in the city's main square. The Spanish subsequently destroyed many of the structures in the city or used them as foundations for many of their own churches and buildings.

Meals: B

Full-day private excursion to the beautiful Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, situated between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. It is an exceptionally fertile valley that was and remains the larder of Cuzco. Visit the market at Pisaq before enjoying a buffet lunch. Visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish with an opportunity to explore the ruins which tower above. Late afternoon return to your hotel.

Meals: B & L

Today you will have an early start and enjoy breakfast before your train to Aguas Calientes. The train will depart at 08.30am for the 3 ½ hour journey. Arrive to Aguas Calientes train station, gateway to the lost city of the Incas.
A guided tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision, Machu Picchu harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants or a sanctuary for the Incas. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture. Return in the late afternoon to Cuzco.

Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima.

Meals: B