Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
Your guide meets you at Lima's airport and takes you to the hotel. From there, you can settle in or head out to walk around this colonial city. There's a real mix here: historic palaces sit next to Renaissance and Baroque churches, and modern spots scattered throughout. It's a good day to get your bearings and start adjusting to the pace.
Optional Activities
- 4-hour City Tour in German in Lima
- 7-hour City Tour in German in Lima
Landmarks Lima Historic Center 
- Day 2
Lima to Huacachina
The coach heads south along the Pacific coast toward Huacachina, about a 4-hour drive. This desert oasis is surrounded by sand dunes reaching up to 100 meters high. You'll grab lunch there, then visit El Catador, a pisco producer that's been operating since 1856. They'll walk you through how they make Peru's national spirit and let you taste it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach travel to Huacachina
- Visit to Huacachina desert oasis
- Lunch at the desert oasis
- Visit to El Catador pisco bodega with winemaker explanation and tasting
Optional Activities
- Four-wheel buggy tour through sand dunes with sunset stop on a huge dune
Landmarks Huacachina Oasis El Catador 
- Day 3
Huacachina to Nazca
Morning takes you to Cachiche, a village known for its witches. You can have your cards read if that interests you. Then a tuk-tuk ride through Ica gets you to Helena, a traditional chocolate shop where they hand-make tejas and chocotejas. Later you'll board a bus heading to Nazca, arriving after several hours of travel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Cachiche village
- Tuk-tuk city tour of Ica
- Visit to Helena traditional chocolate store with hand-made chocolate viewing and tasting
- Coach travel to Nazca
Optional Activities
- Sightseeing flight over Nazca Lines (available this afternoon)
Landmarks Cachiche Ica Nazca Lines - Day 4
Nazca to Arequipa
Deep into the desert to see Chauchilla mummy cemetery and learn how the Nazca people buried their dead. You'll check out a gold workshop to see mineral extraction, then visit Tobi's ceramics studio to watch him create Nazca-style pottery. It's a long evening drive to Arequipa at 2,335 meters altitude, arriving late.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Chauchilla mummy cemetery
- Visit to small gold workshop
- Visit to master ceramist Tobi's workshop
- Coach travel to Arequipa
Landmarks Chauchilla Cemetery Arequipa 
- Day 5
Arequipa
Start at San Camillo market and the cathedral, then head to the Santuarios Andinos museum where the preserved mummy Juanita is on display. The Santa Catalina convent takes up a good part of your morning, built back in the 16th century. After lunch, you'll meet a Quechua teacher, then visit a social project supporting local children. Evening brings a one-hour salsa course followed by a chance to put those moves into practice at a local dance bar.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to San Camillo market
- Visit to Cathedral
- Visit to Santuarios Andinos museum with Juanita mummy
- Guided tour of Santa Catalina convent
- Quechua and Spanish language lesson
- Visit to social project for children in need
- One-hour salsa dance course
- Salsa dance bar evening
Landmarks San Camillo Market Cathedral of Arequipa Santuarios Andinos Museum Santa Catalina Convent - Day 6
Arequipa to Colca Valley
Travel toward Colca Valley where traditional ways and 1,000-year-old terraces still define daily life. By midday you're in Chivay, then continuing to Coporaque to eat dinner with an indigenous farming family. You'll stay overnight in their home, keeping things simple and authentic. They might offer you chicha, a fermented maize drink from Inca times.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Meal with indigenous farming family)
Included Activities
- Coach travel to Colca Valley
- Meal and overnight stay with indigenous farming family in Coporaque
Landmarks Colca Valley Chivay Coporaque 
- Day 7
Colca Valley to Cuzco
An early breakfast gets you ready for an early morning drive into Colca Canyon. The viewpoint Cruz del Condor sits where you can watch condors gliding over a canyon 3,400 meters deep at its deepest point, roughly twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. Later you head back to Arequipa, then fly to Cuzco.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Early breakfast
- Drive through Colca Canyon to Cruz del Condor viewpoint
- Condor watching opportunity
- Flight from Arequipa to Cuzco
Landmarks Colca Canyon Cruz del Condor - Day 8
Cuzco to Machu Picchu
An early bus ride takes you to Ollantaytambo train station, then the train winds through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes. A shuttle bus climbs the serpentine road to Machu Picchu at 2,400 meters. The guided tour covers the history and significance of this Inca citadel. Later you return to Cuzco by train and bus.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bus transfer to Ollantaytambo train station
- Train journey to Aguas Calientes
- Shuttle bus to Machu Picchu
- Extensive guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Train journey back to Ollantaytambo
- Bus transfer to Cuzco
Landmarks Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu Aguas Calientes 
- Day 9
Cuzco
San Pedro market opens early with tropical fruits, corn varieties, potatoes, quinoa, and coca leaves on display. Then you head to Sacsayhuamán fortress with its precisely cut stone blocks, followed by a hike back to Cuzco (roughly 2 hours, moderate difficulty) with Andes views all around. After lunch, explore the old town, San Blas artists' quarter, the Stone of the Twelve Corners, and Coricancha Temple. Evening at Museo del Pisco lets you mix your own pisco sour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to San Pedro market
- Visit to Sacsayhuamán Inca fortress
- Guided hike from Sacsayhuamán to Cuzco (approximately 2 hours, medium difficulty)
- City tour of historic old town, San Blas, Stone of the Twelve Corners, and Coricancha Temple
- Visit to Museo del Pisco with pisco sour mixing and tasting
Landmarks San Pedro Market Sacsayhuamán San Blas District Stone of the Twelve Corners Coricancha Temple of the Sun Museo del Pisco - Day 10
Cuzco to Rainbow Mountain
A full day hiking through Inca villages toward Rainbow Mountain at 4,900 meters. You'll see llamas, alpacas, and possibly vicuñas along the way. From the viewpoint, the colored mountain displays its unique mineral-rich hues. The hike involves some elevation gain but the views across the high Andes make it worthwhile. Return to Cuzco.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike through Inca villages to Rainbow Mountain
- Rainbow Mountain viewpoint visit at 4,900 meters
Landmarks Rainbow Mountain (Palccoyo) - Day 11
Cuzco to Puno
The bus crosses the Altiplano, or Andean plateau, heading toward Puno. Mountain ridges and herds of alpacas pass by your window through authentic landscape. The route includes stops at Pucara ruins and the Sistine Chapel of the Andes in Andahuaylillas. You'll also see Raqchi, an archaeological complex dedicated to the Inca god Wiracocha.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Tourist bus travel across Altiplano
- Visit to Pucara ruins
- Visit to 'Sistine Chapel of the Andes' in Andahuaylillas
- Visit to Raqchi archaeological complex
Landmarks Pucara Ruins Andahuaylillas Church Raqchi Archaeological Complex - Day 12
Puno to Lake Titicaca (Isla Amantani)
A boat crosses deep blue Lake Titicaca toward the floating reed islands made entirely from indigenous totora reeds. You settle on Isla Amantani and pair up with an indigenous family for the night. Communication happens through hand signals and feet since families speak Quechua and Spanish. A hike up either Pachamama or Pachatata mountain gets you to a temple with sunset views. Dinner and music with the family follows.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner with indigenous family)
Included Activities
- Boat crossing to Lake Titicaca floating reed islands
- Visit to Isla Amantani
- Integration with indigenous family
- Mountain hike to Pachamama or Pachatata temple
- Dinner and music with indigenous family
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Isla Amantani Pachamama Mountain Pachatata Mountain 
- Day 13
Isla Amantani to Isla Taquile
After saying goodbye to your host family, a boat heads to Isla Taquile, famous for its male knitters. The hats they produce indicate marital status—showing at a glance who's single, seeking a wife, or married. Life here follows Inca principles of 'Ama suwa, ama llulla, ama qilla' (do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy), so there's no police force on the island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat journey to Isla Taquile
- Visit to Isla Taquile
- Learning about traditional knitting and symbolic hats
Landmarks Isla Taquile - Day 14
Puno to La Paz
An early departure from Lake Titicaca crosses into Bolivia toward La Paz, sitting at 4,050 meters as one of the world's highest cities. A guided tour covers the city's history, visiting Plaza Murillo with its presidential palace and San Francisco Cathedral. The witches' market sells herbs, tools, and traditional charms. You'll also learn about coca history and use at Museo de la Coca.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel along Lake Titicaca from Peru to Bolivia
- Guided city tour of La Paz
- Visit to Plaza Murillo and presidential palace
- Visit to San Francisco Cathedral
- Visit to witches' market
- Visit to Museo de la Coca
Landmarks Plaza Murillo San Francisco Cathedral Witches Market Museo de la Coca - Day 15
La Paz (Free Day with Optional Activities)
This day is yours to explore La Paz however you want. If you're up for more adventure or history, optional activities are available. Otherwise, just wander the streets and neighborhoods at your own speed.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Bike tour on Road of Death - mountain bike descent from approximately 4,300m through Cumbre Pass (4,700m) into tropical Yungas, descending 3,500 meters over one of South America's most spectacular roads
- Tiwanaku archaeological site tour - explore pre-Inca culture and the Titicaca region civilization that peaked between 600-900 AD
Landmarks Road of Death Cumbre Pass Yungas Region Tiwanaku Archaeological Site - Day 16
La Paz to Potosí
A flight gets you to Sucre, then you drive to Potosí, the famous silver mining town. In the afternoon, you'll put on miner's outfits (overalls and helmet) and descend with a guide into the Cerro Rico mines. Meeting working miners shows the difficult conditions inside. You'll see statues of El Tío, the believed lord of the underworld, where miners leave offerings of cigarettes, alcohol, and coca leaves for protection.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from La Paz to Sucre
- Coach transfer from Sucre to Potosí
- Guided underground mine tour with miners' outfits
- Visit to underground mine sections
- Encounter with El Tío statues and offerings
Landmarks Cerro Rico - Day 17
Potosí to Salar de Uyuni
Four-wheel drive jeeps head to Uyuni to start your salt flat expedition. The train cemetery greets you with old steam locomotives creating a ghostly scene. Then you cross the gigantic Salar de Uyuni on its glistening white surface toward Isla Incahuasi and Isla Pia Pia. Easy to moderate hikes on both islands (about 1 hour each) pass meter-high cacti and fossilized coral. Simple accommodation waits in late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Four-wheel drive jeep travel to Uyuni
- Visit to train cemetery
- Four-wheel drive crossing of Salar de Uyuni salt lake
- Visit to Isla Incahuasi
- Hike on Isla Incahuasi (approximately 1 hour, easy to moderately difficult)
- Visit to Isla Pia Pia
- Hike on Isla Pia Pia (approximately 1 hour, easy to moderately difficult)
Landmarks Train Cemetery Salar de Uyuni Isla Incahuasi Isla Pia Pia - Day 18
Salar de Uyuni Lagoons
The jeeps explore a series of spectacular lagoons: Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkhota, Honda, and Ramaditas. Pink flamingos gather on shallow banks while rust-brown mountains tower around you. Bubbling geysers and smoking fumaroles dot the landscape. You'll pass bizarre rock formations like Árbol de Piedra before reaching Laguna Colorada with its intensely reddish shimmering water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Four-wheel drive tour of Cañapa lagoon
- Four-wheel drive tour of Hedionda lagoon
- Four-wheel drive tour of Chiarkhota lagoon
- Four-wheel drive tour of Honda lagoon
- Four-wheel drive tour of Ramaditas lagoon
- Four-wheel drive through Siloli Desert
- Visit to Árbol de Piedra (Stone Tree)
- Visit to Laguna Colorada with walk along shore
Landmarks Cañapa Lagoon Hedionda Lagoon Chiarkhota Lagoon Honda Lagoon Ramaditas Lagoon Siloli Desert Árbol de Piedra (Stone Tree) Laguna Colorada - Day 19
Eduardo Avaroa National Park to San Pedro de Atacama
More volcanic scenery awaits: you'll walk through the steaming Sol de Mañana geyser field and soak in Polquis hot springs. Then the jeeps cross the Salvador Dalí Desert to Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde, their turquoise waters shimmering from mineral-rich content. Later you cross into Chile and reach San Pedro de Atacama by early afternoon. If weather cooperates, an evening astronomical tour shows the exceptionally clear starry sky.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Sol de Mañana geyser field
- Hot springs bath at Polquis
- Four-wheel drive through Salvador Dalí Desert
- Visit to Laguna Blanca
- Visit to Laguna Verde
- Border crossing from Bolivia to Chile
- Short village tour of San Pedro de Atacama
Optional Activities
- Guided astronomical tour in the evening (weather permitting) - includes starry sky observation, star life, Andean astronomy, classic constellations, star navigation, myths and legends
Landmarks Sol de Mañana Geyser Field Polquis Hot Springs Salvador Dalí Desert Laguna Blanca Laguna Verde San Pedro de Atacama - Day 20
San Pedro de Atacama
Moon Valley in the morning shows wind and rain formations carved from salt, plaster, and clay into unusual shapes. Back in San Pedro for lunch, you'll visit the San Pedro church with its distinctive cactus wood roof. The afternoon takes you to Cejar Lagoon in Salar de Atacama for a relaxing swim. The mineral-rich saltwater gives natural buoyancy while volcanoes and salt flats surround you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Moon Valley
- Return to San Pedro de Atacama for lunch
- Visit to San Pedro Church
- Visit to Cejar Lagoon in Salar de Atacama
- Swimming in Cejar Lagoon saltwater
Landmarks Moon Valley San Pedro Church Cejar Lagoon Salar de Atacama - Day 21
San Pedro de Atacama to Santiago de Chile
After about 1.5 hours, a flight from Calama takes you to Santiago de Chile in the morning, your final destination. The afternoon includes a city tour: you'll learn about presidential palace La Moneda, see Plaza de Armas, and get Andes vistas from San Cristóbal mountain. A traditional Mote con Huesillo drink rounds out the experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama airport
- Flight from Calama to Santiago de Chile
- City tour of Santiago de Chile
- Visit to La Moneda presidential palace
- Visit to Plaza de Armas
- Trip up San Cristóbal mountain for views and traditional Mote con Huesillo drink
Landmarks La Moneda Palace Plaza de Armas San Cristóbal Mountain - Day 22
Santiago de Chile
Your last morning is free to use however you want. Barrio Italia offers historical architecture and cultural elements if you want to explore. In the afternoon, you'll begin your journey home from Santiago.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Barrio Italia district
Landmarks Barrio Italia
