Sacred Valley Machu Picchu Cusco Lake Titicaca Island of the Sun La Paz Uyuni
A wonderful itinerary that takes in the captivating scenery, culture and ancient ruins of Peru and Bolivia’s altiplano and designed with maximum acclimatisation in mind. The journey focuses on the fascinating Inca highlights of Peru before crossing into Bolivia via Lake Titicaca and culminates in the dazzling scenery of the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest saltlake and one of South America’s most spectacular sights.
Itinerary Highlights
Explore the markets, ruins & remote villages of the Sacred Valley
Watch the sunrise across the face of Machu Picchu
Wander the cobbled streets of the Inca capital Cusco
Take a llama trek on the Island of the Sun
Experience the dazzling, otherworldly landscapes of Uyuni
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
18
Nights
Price Guide
$0 – $00 pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to Lima
Day 2-4
Sacred Valley – Breadbasket of the Inca
After overnighting in Lima, fly to Cusco where you will be transferred into the Sacred Valley, breadbasket of the Inca under the shadow of the magnificent Vilcabamba Range. The Sacred Valley spills over with Inca ruins, whitewashed Andean towns and traditional markets and at 2700m above sea-level, is the ideal spot for acclimatising to the highlands. Walk amongst the enigmatic ruins of Moray or dazzling salt-pans of Maras, marvel at the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo and delve into the age-old markets of Chinchero or Pisac. The Sacred Valley, is crisscrossed with Inca Trails, wonderful for walkers and bikers while paddlers can enjoy some thrilling kayaking and rafting on the Urubamba River.
Day 5
The Lost City of the Inca – Machu Picchu!
The iconic site of Machu Picchu lies a mere train ride away from the Sacred Valley, a dizzying rail journey through the Vilcabamba mountains that follows the winding path of the roaring Urubamba River. On arrival at Aguas Calientes, you will be led up to the citadel for a guided tour that takes in the key circuits and incredible panoramic viewpoints. For hikers, you may like to take on the breathtaking 1 Day Inca Trail, a 6 hour walk through the lush cloud-forested mountains which has you arriving at Machu Picchu via the Inca sun-gate and sprawling ruins of Wiñay Wayna.
Day 6-7
The Inca Capital Cusco
Return to Machu Picchu for a morning visit and energy-allowing, walk up to the amazing Inca shrines and viewpoints of Machu Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu or Huayna Picchu. In the afternoon, you board a return train which takes you through the Inca capital Cusco. Cusco is a fascinating blend of Inca and colonial history and colour, brimming with museums, galleries, markets, monuments and ruins. Tour the Korikancha Inca Temple of Sun and the towering cathedral, wander amidst the ruined fortress of Sacsayhuaman or lose yourself amidst the traditional workshops and handicraft of San Blas.
Day 8-9
Lake Titicaca
Continue by road or rail high into the Inca highlands to reach Puno overlooking Lake Titicaca, sacred lake of the Inca. Based at a water-front hotel – or better still a private island – enjoy boat trips onto the lake to visit nearby island communities such as Taquile, Llachon or the artificial “totora” reed islands of the Uros people fashioned centuries ago to escape the advances of the Inca.
Day 10-11
Copacabana & the Island of the Sun
Your journey continues overland across the border to the pretty colonial town of Copacabana overlooking Bolivia’s Lake Titicaca. Visit the town and picture-postcard church before you take a boat across to the enigmatic Island of the Sun, legendary birthplace of the Inca. Here, you will join a llama trek to your hotel overlooking the lake and spend two days exploring the Inca sites, walking the trails and enjoying the breathtaking viewpoints.
Day 12-14
La Paz
Return to Copacabana via the Island of the Moon where you will be driven on to La Paz, the fascinating political capital of Bolivia. As you entre the suburbs, the city drops down away from you into a huge natural basin. No city in South America better reflects the clash of traditional Andean and European culture and you may like to tour the colonial centre and witches market before heading out to visit the eerie rock formations of the Valley of the Moon. For thrill seekers, you can bike the “Death Road” into the steamy cloud forest of the Yungas or less-hair-raising, ride the new cable car transport system across the city.
Day 15-17
Uyuni & the captivating Eduardo Avaroa NP
Fly south to Uyuni, gateway to Bolivia’s captivating highlands which straddle the border with Chile and Argentina. On arrival, you will set off on a jeep tour of the region’s geological wonders – hotsprings, geysers, petrified forests, smoking volcanoes and multi-coloured lakes that harbour huge populations of flamingoes. The highlight without doubt is the mesmerising Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt-lake in the world and a dazzling expanse of white that stretches to the horizon in all directions.
Day 18
Return to La Paz (or Travel on to Chile)
Return to Uyuni and fly back to La Paz for a final overnight. What more fitting end to your trip than a celebaratory meal at the wonderful Gustu restaurant!
Note: Rather than returning to La Paz, you may prefer to continue across the border to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile.
Day 19
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $0 – $0 per person
When to travel
janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec
In the Andean highlands, the climate is determined largely by altitude. Days can be warm and bright during the day and bitterly cold at night dropping to below zero. The summer months between May to November are drier, colder and arguably the best time to travel. December to March coincides with the rainy season which often causes the great Salar de Uyuni saltlake to flood and makes roads impassable in the south. East of the Andean plateau, the subtropical “yungas” are warm and humid year around, even more so as you drop into the steamy Amazon basin.
Lowlands: The eastern parts of Bolivia, including cities like Santa Cruz, experience warm and humid weather with temperatures ranging from 23°C to 32°C. This is the rainy season in the lowlands. Highlands: The western regions, such as La Paz and Sucre, have milder temperatures ranging from 6°C to 15°C. It's the rainy season in the highlands as well, so expect some rainfall.
Lowlands: The rainy season continues in the eastern regions with temperatures similar to January (23°C to 32°C). Highlands: The western parts experience similar temperatures as well (6°C to 15°C).
Lowlands: The rainy season starts to subside, with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 31°C. Highlands: The rainy season also starts to ease up, with temperatures similar to February (6°C to 15°C).
Lowlands: The rainy season ends, and temperatures drop slightly, ranging from 21°C to 30°C. Highlands: The western regions experience a decrease in rainfall and temperatures (5°C to 15°C).
Lowlands: The weather becomes more pleasant with temperatures ranging from 19°C to 28°C. Highlands: Temperatures in the western regions continue to rise but are still relatively cool (2°C to 14°C).
Lowlands: June marks the start of the dry season in the eastern parts, with temperatures from 17°C to 27°C. Highlands: The western regions experience colder temperatures, especially at night (0°C to 13°C).
Lowlands: Dry season continues with temperatures ranging from 17°C to 27°C. Highlands: Temperatures remain similar to June (1°C to 13°C).
Lowlands: Dry season persists, with temperatures from 18°C to 28°C. Highlands: The western regions experience slightly warmer weather (2°C to 14°C).
Lowlands: Dry season continues, with temperatures ranging from 19°C to 29°C. Highlands: The western parts have similar temperatures to August (2°C to 14°C)
Lowlands: The weather remains dry and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 21°C to 30°C. Highlands: The western regions experience mild temperatures (5°C to 16°C).
Lowlands: The rainy season begins in the eastern parts, with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 31°C. Highlands: November is the beginning of the rainy season in the western regions as well, with temperatures from 7°C to 17°C.
Lowlands: The rainy season continues in the eastern regions, with temperatures from 23°C to 31°C. Highlands: The western parts experience the rainy season as well, with temperatures from 7°C to 16°C.
Add on’s
As an alternative to returning to La Paz at the end of the itinerary, you may prefer to continue across the highland border to reach Chile’s Atacama Desert and the pretty, oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. San Pedro is a good thousand metres lower that Uyuni and an ideal base from which to recover from the jeep trip. In town, there are a number of good bars and restaurants while the surrounding desert offers a host of sites and experiences such as the Valley of the Moon, the Atacama Salt-lake and the spectacular Tatio Geysers.
Another add-on that ties in really well is Peru’s southern Amazon. From Lima, you fly to Puerto Maldonado to stay at a jungle lodge before flying directly on to Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
Want a quote on a trip like this?
Speak to one of our travel specialists and we’ll create your personalised itinerary just for you
