Highlights of Peru, Bolivia & Chile

26 Days /25 Nights

Immerse yourself in the culture and geography of the western countries of South America; Chile, Peru and Bolivia.

Departs Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

(Guranteed Departures)

Day 1:     AUSTRALIA – LIMA Transfer to hotel.

Day 2:     LIMA (B) Tour of modern and colonial city of Lima including a visit to the Gold museum, Peru’s largest private collection of gold artefacts from its many civilisations. 

Day 3:     LIMA - ICA (Nazca Lines) (B) Bus journey down the coast of Peru to Ica. Fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines, a group of geoglyphs of different forms set in the desert and believed to be more than a thousand years old.

Day 4:     ICA – BALLESTAS ISLANDS / PARACAS - AREQUIPA (B)

Visit to the Paracas Reserve, Peru's largest coastal wildlife sanctuary, including the Ballestas Islands where thousands of migratory birds live. Board the Overnight bus to Arequipa.

Day 5:     AREQUIPA (B) Arrive early morning. Free afternoon. To explore the historic city of Arequipa, set in the Andes mountains.

Day 6      AREQUIPA (B) Half day tour of this city including the Santa Catalina Convent, a beautifully preserved monastery first built in the 16^th century.

Day 7:     AREQUIPA – COLCA CANYON (B, L, D) Take a scenic bus ride to the breathtaking Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world and home of the Condor.  Overnight at Colca Canyon.

Day 8:     COLCA CANYON - AREQUIPA (B) View the majestic flights of the Condors at the “Condor Cross”. Return to Arequipa visiting small towns- Pinchollo, Achoma, and Yanque located in the Colca Valley.

Day 9:     AREQUIPA - CUZCO (B) Transfer to airport, flight to Cuzco. Transfer to hotel.

Day 10:   CUZCO (B) Half day city tour of some of the sites in and around Cuzco including the cathedral, Q’oricancha (the temple of the sun) and the fortress of Sacsahuaman.

Day 11:   CUZCO - SACRED VALLEY (B, D) Full day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas including a stop at the colourful Pisac Market & ruins of Ollantaytambo. Overnight.

Day 12: SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU (B L) Start your 2 day journey to the unforgettable ruins of Machu Picchu, by boarding a tourist train to Aguas Calientes. Catch a bus to the mountain where you will be guided through this beautiful forgotten citadel, home of an incredibly advanced civilisation.

Day 13: MACHU PICCHU - CUZCO (B) Morning free to visit ruins (entrance fee not included). Take the afternoon train back to Cuzco.

Day 14: CUZCO - PUNO (B L) Spectacular bus journey across the Altiplano to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Day 15: PUNO (B) Half day tour of Uros, to visit the communities that live on these reed islands.

Day 16: PUNO - LAKE TITICACA - LA PAZ (B L) Cross from Peru into Bolivia, via the lovely lakeside village of Copacabana, with its remarkable church before boarding a comfortable catamaran to begin the scenic crossing of the magical Lake Titicaca. Stop at the mysterious Sun Island before continuing onto La Paz.

Day 17: LA PAZ (B) Half day city tour including the rock formations of Moon valley and learn about the local “Pacenos” customs and traditions including a trip to the local witchery market.

Day 18: LA PAZ - UYUNI (B) Morning bus to Oruro, before boarding the train to Uyuni.

Day 19: UYUNI – SALT FLATS – HEDIONDA LAGOON (B L D) Visit to Uyuni Salt Flats and Incahuasi Island.  Continue through many villages including  Coquesa, San Cristobal and Kulpina K, the Valley of the Rocks, before arribg at Hedionda Lagoon.

Day 20: HEDIONDA LAGOON – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (B L) Visit to Red Lagoon, and Green Lagoon before arriving in San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 21: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (B) Morning tour to Moon Valley and Salt  Mountain, the driest inhospitable place on earth.  Afternoon visit to the Atacama Salt bed, Chaxa Lagoon  & Toconao to see the flamingoes.

Day 22: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (B) Full day tour to el Tatio Geysers & Puritama Hotsprings.

Day 23:   SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - SANTIAGO (B) Transfer to Calama airport, flight to Santiago. Transfer to hotel.

Day 24:   SANTIAGO (B) Half day city tour of Santiago, dramatically set at the foot of the Andes mountains to discover the city’s many layers of cultural influence, visit “La Moneda” government house and try some pisco sour.

Day 25:   SANTIAGO (B) Tour to one of Chile’s reknowned wineries, Concha y Toro.

Day 26:   SANTIAGO (B) Transfer to airport for your flight home.

Tour includes:

• International economy airfares ex MEL/BNE/SYD
• 3 internal airfares within South America
• Accommodation in selected hotels with private facilities
• Meals as indicated (25 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 2 dinners)
• Return economy Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
• First class catamaran journey across Lake Titicaca
• Overflight of the Nazca Lines
• Transport by air conditioned vehicles
• Comprehensive sightseeing and excursions
• Meeting service and transfers
• English speaking local guides