Peru & Salt Flats of Bolivia Tour

Arrival to Lima, reception at the airport and transfer by private vehicle to your hotel.
We recommend the 3 star Urban Larco or similar.

After breakfast, visit both colonial and modern Lima, starting in the centre of this vibrant, metropolis. The tour will include a visit of the cathedral, dating from 1654 which still houses the remains of the conquistador Pizarro in the foyer; the Main Square, with the original bronze fountain built in 1650, the Government Palace where the President has his official residence and the San Francisco Convent, with its famous catacombs.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Cuzco. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. We recommend the 3 star Ruinas or similar. Free morning to acclimatize to the high altitude. In the afternoon, enjoy a 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.

Today you will have an early start and enjoy breakfast before your train to Aguas Calientes. The train will depart at 06.30am for the 3 ½ hour journey. Arrive to Aguas Calientes train station, gateway to the lost city of the Incas.
Check-in to your hotel, the Casa Andina standard. Then take the bus for the short ride up to Machu Picchu will meander through breathtaking mountain scenery up to the ancient Inca citadel.
Shortly after, 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.

Today you will enjoy a free day in Machu Picchu with an opportunity to see the site at sunrise. Today no guide is provided as we feel that Machu Picchu requires a certain amount of self discovery to be fully understood. Take any of the several paths around various parts of the site. Let Machu Picchu unfold all its mysteries for you, take in the breathtaking cloud forests and jagged mountains, or marvel at the extraordinary Masonic precision of the ancient Incas. Return train back to Cuzco and transfer to your hotel, Ruinas or similar.

After breakfast at your hotel, start of a full-day's 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. You will visit the village of Pisac, founded during colonial times, and set at the foot of a hill crowned by the remains of an ancient Inca city. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, you will witness Indians bartering their products in the main square and artisans from around the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions, jewellery, etc. Visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish with an opportunity to explore the ruins which tower above. You will then return to Cuzco after this full day.

After breakfast, transfer to the bus terminal for the tourist bus journey to Puno. Visiting various archaeological sites along the route enjoy lunch before arriving to Puno and your hotel, the 3 star Casa Andina Hotel.

After breakfast, pick-up to start your full day's excursion to the islands of Uros and Taquile. Your first stop will be to the communal islands of Uros, otherwise known as the reed islands, whose islands are made entirely of tortora reeds and home to a small community dating back to a pre-Inca culture. You will appreciate how these people toil out an existence on such a remote setting complete with its own school. After the visit, boarding of the yacht as you continue your trip to the Island of Taquile whose inhabitants are more closely related to the Aymara people of Bolivia than the Quechua Incas of Peru. You will enjoy a walk on the islands before returning to Puno on-board your yacht and return to your hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the bus station for the tourist bus to La Paz. Cross the border, after the formalities, continue onto La Paz, the highest capital in the world and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Uyuni.
Climb aboard our 4x4 for a short drive to the train cemetery just out of town. Next, drive to the village of Colchani (30 mins) where you will learn about salt mining and processing as well as stroll through its colorful market. Next, enter the actual Salar de Uyuni as far as it is possible depending on the intensity of every rainy season. Typically, in January and April it is possible to drive as far as Playa Blanca (multinational flag stand approx. 10 Km from the edge of the Salar) but February through March this might not possible so we will drive around the edge of the salt flats to enjoy the mirror effect. This will be dependent on current condition. We will provide rain, rubber boots to walk on the flooded surface of the Salar to enjoy the sky reflection (reflection is dependant on the right conditions such as a sunny day with a few clouds and no wind). Await sunset which, if the conditions are right, will be a surreal experience before starting our drive back to the town of Uyuni for dinner and a good night's rest.

Leaving Uyuni and the salt flats behind we are bound south for the enigmatic Laguna Colorado. On the way we visit and wlak along Canapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota and Honda Lagoons to photograph wild flamingos up close and traverse Siloli Desert across extensive, barren landscape where Arbold de Piedra (stone tree) and other geological formations exist. It will be a long day and long distance covered but with plenty of scenic stops, surreal landscapes and Andean wildlife along the way. Arrive at your accommodation near Laguna Colorado for dinner

This expedition of a lifetime comes to an end today with a very early start that brings us to Sol de Mañana, (Rising Sun) - an otherworldly, steaming geyser field high up in a massive crater. Follow up with a pleasant soak in the natural hot springs of Polques before reaching the surreal Laguna Verde (green lagoon) at the foot of Volcán Licancabur** - Bolivia's southwesternmost point. Leaving Laguna Verde behind, set off on our scenic drive back to Uyuni not before we make a few stops for some fresh air and to enjoy more startling views of the region. Arrive in the town of Uyuni late afternoon where the tour ends.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to La Paz and return flight home.

End of our services.