Crossing the Andes: Peru to Bolivia

Arrive in Peru’s sprawling capital city and receive a welcome at Lima airport, a Peru Machu Picchu tours representative will meet you there and accompany you by private vehicle to your hotel, offering insights into the city along the way..

* Lima is home to the Government palace and World-renowned & award-winning restaurants.

Transfer to Lima Airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado city (1.5-hour approx).

Upon arrival, the lodge staff will welcome you and take you to their office in town, where you’ll leave most of your luggage in a secure storage room and continue with a small pack containing only the essentials for your next two nights in the jungle. You will then board a motorized canoe and travel upriver to our jungle lodge in the Madre de Dios region.

The lodge is eco-friendly and offers comfortable rooms with en-suite flush toilets, cold-water showers, mosquito nets, and lamps. Embark on thrilling jungle adventures with our local multilingual guides and discover extraordinary wildlife in its natural habitat. Spot everything from macaws and monkeys to peccaries, jabirus, giant otters, and colorful butterflies.

* Note: Your Amazon guide will provide details about the activities that you will do each day.

Meals: Breakfast (3), Lunch (2), Dinner (2).

After exploring the wilds, it’s time to jump back in the canoe and return to Puerto Maldonado.

Transfer to Puerto Maldonado airport for your flight to Cusco city (45-minutes approx).

Explore Cusco city, the country’s heart and soul, which was the capital of the vast and impressive Inca civilization. Explore Pre-Hispanic Inca temples, impressive Inca complexes on the outskirts of the city such as Saqsayhuaman, an Inca complex with megalithic constructions; Q’enqo, an ancient Inca ceremonial site; the Cathedral which is one of South America’s nicest Catholic churches and finally proceed to San Blas, the Artisans’ neighborhood of narrow and high cobblestone streets. You’ll discover historic plazas, quaint local coffee shops, unique workshops and the true magic of this historical city.

* What to do and see in your spare time: Admire the city’s marvelous Inca–Colonial architecture, visit a silver workshop, and learn about the process and intricate designs behind high-quality Peruvian jewelry. If you’re feeling adventurous, try Cusco’s most traditional dish, cuy (baked guinea pig), or sample alpaca skewers, which are quite popular nowadays.

Meals: Breakfast.

Travel by private bus through the lush terraces of the Sacred Valley, stopping along the way to gain insight into traditional Inca culture. Visit the Chinchero community, where you can appreciate Andean traditions and learn about traditional weaving techniques, dyeing processes, and vibrant textiles. Afterward, visit Moray, the “Inca agricultural greenhouse,” an experimental site used to study how plants adapted to different microclimates. Next, explore Maras, the impressive Salt Mines—an open-air salt extraction complex consisting of thousands of small pans that have been in continuous use since long before Inca times. Continue your journey to Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town built around an ancient fortress. Admire its sophisticated architecture, temples, astronomical centers, and fountains. Finally, transfer to your selected hotel.

* The farming terraces of Moray and the Maras Salt Pans are less visited than other sites in the Sacred Valley due to their remote location, which is not served by public transportation. For this reason, the Maras and Moray sites are often combined into a single stop on Sacred Valley tours.

* How to get: By E-bike, mountain bikes, private car or on foot. ⇒ Check with our travel experts for suggestions!

Meals: Breakfast.

Accompanied by a dedicated team of porters, skilled cooks, and a professional local guide, embark on a four-day journey along the legendary Inca Trail. As you follow this ancient stone pathway, take in breathtaking mountain panoramas, hike through lush cloud forests, and cross high Andean passes surrounded by dramatic landscapes. Along the way, stop to explore remarkable archaeological sites — the remains of ancient villages, temples, and agricultural centers that once formed part of the vast Inca network.

Each day offers new discoveries, from diverse ecosystems to the rich history told by your expert guide. After completing this rewarding trek, you will finally reach the crown jewel of the Andes: the awe-inspiring citadel of Machu Picchu. Take time to wander through its terraces, temples, and plazas, appreciating the extraordinary achievement of this ancient civilization. It is a moment and a view you will never forget.

Meals: Breakfast (4), Lunch (3) and Dinner (3).

Enjoy the day at your leisure. Reacquaint yourself with Cusco by browsing the bustling food stalls of the central market, picking up colorful alpaca garments, or simply soaking up the atmosphere in one of the city’s many charming cafés.

Meals: Breakfast.

Transfer to the bus station and board the tourist bus to Puno, The journey takes nearly a full day and includes several fascinating stops along the way, such as Andahuaylillas Church (often called the “Sistine Chapel of South America”), the Raqchi Inca Temple, and the Pukara Lithic Museum. Throughout the route, admire the stunning Andean landscapes that unfold around you..

Upon arrival in Puno, receive a welcome at the bus station, a Peru Machu Picchu representative will meet you there and transfer you to the selected hotel.

*Optional train: The train journey from Cusco to Puno is considered one of the most spectacular rail experiences in South America. As the train winds its way through the Andes, passengers are treated to ever-changing scenery — from sweeping valleys and golden plains to high-altitude passes framed by snow-capped peaks. The Andean Explorer observation car enhances the experience even further, offering open views and plenty of opportunities to capture stunning photographs of the dramatic landscapes, traditional villages, and grazing alpacas that define this unforgettable route.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Take a boat ride on the mystical Lake Titicaca, located at 3,800 m (12,540 ft), making it the world’s highest navigable lake. Cruise to the incredible floating Uros Islands, built entirely from reeds and home to an ancient community whose ancestral lineage stretches back to pre-Inca times. Afterwards, continue to Taquile Island, where the local men are renowned for crafting fine woolen garments — a tradition recognized by UNESCO for its exceptional weaving techniques.

Enjoy a delicious lunch overlooking the shimmering lake, connect with local families, and learn about the customs and traditions of the island’s indigenous people. Cap off the day with the warm hospitality of a family homestay, offering a truly immersive cultural experience.

Meals: Breakfast (2), Lunch (1) and Dinner (1).

Travel to Bolivia’s capital La Paz, and discover the best of the city on a private half-day tour. Begin at the Witches’ Market, where amulets, herbs, and traditional ritual items offer a glimpse into Bolivia’s mystical culture. Continue to San Francisco Church, Plaza Murillo, and the colorful colonial houses of Calle Jaén. Then, travel through the city’s residential districts to the Moon Valley, a surreal landscape of jagged rock formations.

Meals: Breakfast.

Optional activity: Mountain biking the famous “Death Road” at 4,750 meters (15,675 ft) — an unforgettable adventure!

Transfer to La Paz airport for your flight to Uyuni. Upon arrival, a representative will greet you and your tour will begin with a visit to the Train Cemetery. Continue to Colchani to explore the salt processing center before entering the vast Uyuni Salt Flats. Visit the Ojos de Salar and Playa Blanca, home to the Salt Hotel and its small museum. Later, explore Incahuasi Island, known for its giant cacti, caves, and spectacular 360° views of the salt flats. Afterwards, head to the northern edge of the Salar to visit a small museum with pre-Columbian mummies and enjoy views of the Tunupa Volcano.

Meals: Breakfast (1), Lunch (1) and Dinner (1).

* Note: Accommodations in Uyuni are rustic and may not correspond to conventional hotel star ratings. Your travel advisor can provide more detailed information about the lodging options available and help you choose the one that best suits your preferences.

Today, you will cross the vast salt flats from north to south. Leaving the Salar behind, you will travel along a chain of snow-capped volcanoes as you make your way toward the Lípez region, with distant views of the Ollagüe Volcano. Continue to the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, where you may spot elegant wild vicuñas on the way to the Cañapa, Hedionda, and Honda lagoons—home to the three species of flamingos native to the Andes.

Your journey then takes you to the Siloli Desert, where you’ll have time to photograph its magnificent landscapes before heading to your hotel for the night.

Meals: Breakfast (1), Lunch (1) and Dinner (1).

Wake up early to visit the Stone Tree, a striking rock formation in the desert. Continue to Laguna Colorada, an important habitat and breeding site for flamingos. Then head to Sol de Mañana to see its geysers, followed by a relaxing stop at the Polques hot springs.

Next, cross the Dali Desert with its surreal rock formations and visit Laguna Verde at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano.

Finally, return to Uyuni with a brief stop in San Cristóbal. Upon arrival, transfer to the airport for your flight back to La Paz and your journey home.

Meals: Breakfast (1), Lunch (1)