Hop on this tour to combine a whole range of adventures: immerse yourself in the history of Cusco, the legendary capital of the Inca Empire before trekking along the world-famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu; discover both sides of the world's highest navigable lake, Titicaca; and continue on to La Paz, the world’s highest capital; drive across the world’s largest salt lake, the Salar de Uyuni, where you will be amazed by the extent of its natural beauty; and finish up in South America's most sophisticated city, Santiago.

Truly an adventure not to be missed!

Day 1: Lima: Arrival

Arrival in Lima and transport to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or check-out Lima's abundance of parks, coast, shops and restaurants.

Day 2: Lima - Cusco

In the morning, you will have a sightseeing tour of the “City of Kings”. This was once the capital of the Spanish American Empire and a vital port for the conquistadors to ship their bounty back to the motherland. Highlights include the main plaza, Town Hall and Gold Museum.

After the tour, we will transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco.

Arrival in Cusco and transfer from the airport to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to acclimatise to the altitude or explore Cusco on your own. How about checking out some of the city's vibrant night-life?!

Day 3: Cusco: City Tour

Today, we take you on a guided bus tour of the city, in order to appreciate fully the magnificent blend of Colonial and Inca influence on the city.

Your visit will include the Cathedral, the Rock of the 12 Angles, and monumental Inca ruins such as Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and Koricancha.

Day 4: Cusco: Sacred Valley Tour: Lunch

Today, we explore the "Sacred Valley of the Incas". This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious.

Our first stop is the village of Pisac, with its famous market, where you can pick up a bargain! You have free time to wander the market stalls before we visit the ruins above the town, which were an important Inca religious centre.

After lunch in Pisac, we continue our journey along the River Urubamba, to the giant Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, which was the scene of one of the most famous battles between the Incas and the invading Spanish conquistadors, with the Incas being victorious.

After the day’s activities, we recommend having an early night and preparing for the challenge of the Inca Trail!

Day 5: Inca Trail: Cusco - Km 82 - Huayllabamba: All meals and snacks

Early this morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel to transfer you by bus to Km 82 where you will arrive mid-morning and meet the team that will join you during the trek - porters, camp assistants and cooks.

The first day’s walk is quite easy and during the first part you will have a beautiful view of the snow-peaked Veronica Mountain above you and the Vilcanota River below you. Lunch will be waiting for you when you arrive at the Archaeological Complex of Patallacta.

After re-energising, we begin the steady climb to Huayllabamba, where the first camp is set up.

Day 6: Inca Trail: Huayllabamba – Pacaymayu: All meals and snacks

After breakfast, the hardest part of the Trail begins, with a steep, three-hour ascent to the highest point of the trek, Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass), at some 4200m (13,800ft) above sea level. Here you will not only enjoy incredible, panoramic views, but you will have a great sense of achievement at reaching this milestone.

After lunch in Vizcachayoc, we will descend towards Pacaymayu (3500m/11,480ft) for dinner and camp.

Day 7: Inca Trail: Pacaymayu - Wiñayhuayna: All meals and snacks

After breakfast, the ascent will begin to the second highest pass on the Trail, at more than 3900m (12,800ft) above sea level. On the way up, you can enjoy a guided visit to the Archaeological Complex of Runkurukay and, on the way down, the Inca Citadel of Sayacmarca (3,600m/11,800ft).

Lunch will be ready for you in Chaqquicocha. Then, you continue walking towards Phuya Patamarka (Town in Clouds), another important archaeological monument.

After a brief rest, you will continue walking to the spectacularly-located Archaeological Complex of Wiñay Huayna (Always Young). You have a guided visit of the complex before having dinner and overnighting in the nearby campsite.

N.B. The above are our regular camp sites; however, these can be changed by the Machu Picchu Management Unit without previous warning. It will not affect the itinerary.

Day 8: Inca Trail: Wiñay Huayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco: Breakfast / Snack

After an early breakfast, you will make the one-hour hike through high rainforest to Inti Punku (Gateway of the Sun), the well-known entrance to Machu Picchu, with its unparalleled panoramic view of the Inca Citadel.

Upon arrival in Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour of the ruins and monuments, such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemeteries.

You will then have free time to stroll around the Citadel, and maybe hike up Huayna Picchu, before descending by bus to Aguas Calientes, which has a range of restaurants and shops … even some hot springs, after which the town is named.

In the afternoon, you take the train back to Cusco, where you will be transferred to the hotel.

Day 9: Cusco - Puno

Today you will take the train from Cusco to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel.  

Day 10: Lake Titicaca: Uros Islands & Amantani: Lunch & Dinner

In the morning, we take a boat onto Lake Titicaca. We visit the man-made floating Islands of Uros to get an impression of how the Aymara-speaking locals have lived for centuries

We then continue to Chullpas of Sillustani, located 28 km north of the city of Puno, on the shores of Umayo Lagoon.

Day 11: Puno, Peru - Copacabana, Bolivia: Lunch & Dinner

Today we will depart to Copacabana to explore the Bolivian side of this famous lake.

On arrival in the relaxed lakeside resort of Copacabana, we have lunch in Khota Kahuana Restaurant.

In the afternoon, we visit the beautiful baroque-Moorish style Virgen de la Candelaria Church and the nearby handicraft market. If you are feeling energetic you can also climb the hill to The Calvary, which is a unique monument merging native religious beliefs and Christianity.

Day 12: Lake Titicaca: Island of the Sun: Yumani - Challapampa

This morning, we take a boat from Copacabana to Yumani, from where we take a four hour hike along the ancient Inca paths, travelling South to North, experiencing marvellous views of the lake. A packed lunch is provided for the hike.

In the afternoon we will arrive at the Chinkana Inca Temple and Sacred Rock. Hiking a little further we reach Challapampa, which is a charming village with a small, local Inca museum.

Waking up with views of Lake Titicaca and the backdrop of the Cordillera Real, we have the morning free: a visit to La Horca del Inca astronomic observatory is recommended.

In the afternoon, we make our onward journey to La Paz where we will arrive and settle in to the hotel for the night.

This morning, we take a tour of La Paz, visiting the Main Square (Plaza Murillo), San Francisco Church, the Witches' Market, the Precious Metals Museum and the Killi Killi Watchtower.

Following the tour of the city, we visit the amazing geological shapes of the Valley of the Moon, which, as the name suggests, is a lunar landscape located on the outskirts of La Paz.

In the afternoon, we return to La Paz where we spend the night.

Day 15: La Paz: Tiwanaku

Today, we go to the ruins of Tiwanaku, the capital of a pre-Inca civilization, located some 72 km (45 miles) from La Paz, near the south-eastern shores of Lake Titicaca. In its time, Tiwanaku was the largest capital city in the world, and considered to be the cradle of all American civilizations, but it is only slowly revealing its secrets to archaeologists.

Our guided tour will include the Kalasaya (Sun) Temple, the Akapana Pyramid and the legendary Sun Gate, as well as an interesting on-site museum, housing some of the relics.

We return to La Paz, this afternoon, where we spend the night.

Day 16: La Paz - Uyuni

Today we transfer you to the bus station for your onward journey to Uyuni.

We welcome you upon arrival in Uyuni and take you to your hotel, where you will spend the night.

If time allows, a visit to the so-called ‘Train Cemetery’, where many British-made trains have ended their days, is recommended.

Day 17: Uyuni – San Juan: All meals

This morning, we depart Uyuni in our four-wheel-drive vehicle, for our first glimpse of the world’s largest salt lake (salar).  On the way, we stop in the village of Colchani to see traditional methods of salt-extraction in action.

Driving across the Salt Lake, we arrive at Fish Island (Inkawasi), a solitary outcrop of rock in the middle of a white ocean, where hundreds of giant cacti bloom - the only vegetation to be seen.

We continue to San Juan where we spend the night in a basic hostel.

Day 18: San Juan – Vilamar: All meals

Today, we drive through the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve of Andean Fauna: one highlight is the Laguna Colorada (Coloured Lagoon), so named on account of the striking contrast of the white shores, encrusted with salt and borax, and the flaming red of the algae-rich waters.  This lagoon is also home to the world’s largest population of the rare James Flamingo.

We continue to Vilamar where we spend the night in a basic hostel.

Day 19: Vilamar - San Pedro Atacama: Breakfast / Lunch

Starting the day early in the morning, we will visit the spectacular Sol de Mañana Geysers, and see craters of boiling lava before continuing to the Laguana Verde (Green Lagoon) which is jade coloured … and arsenic-laden!

Upon arrival at Hito Cajon, which marks the border with Chile, we catch a public bus to San Pedro de Atacama and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon visit of the probably best-known destination around San Pedro: the Valle de la
Luna (Moon Valley). With the Licancabur volcano providing the backdrop, you will be in awe at the strange salt and rock formations in the middle of the valley’s barren sandy landscape which really do look like a moonscape. Return to San Pedro de Atacma for overnight.

Day 20: San Pedro de Atacama - Santiago: Breakfast

In the morning you have time to explore the charming town of San Pedro with its adobe architecture and sandy streets. A local craft market, and the church from the 17th century will keep you busy.
Regular transfer to Calama in the afternoon and flight to Santiago. Arrival in Santiago and transfer to the hotel.

Day 21: Santiago: Breakfast

Tour ends after breakfast

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Note: This tour can be done in reverse, from Santiago to Lima. Contact us for more details!

Why not combine this tour with our Santiago Stopover or Wine Trail?