Peru and Bolivia. The ideal trip for those with an endless passion for the ancient cultures of the Andes but with limited time. Staying at small hotels/guesthouses and using a variety of local transport, from coaches, trains, planes, hiking and even reed canoes, this trip will give you a unique opportunity to experience the authentic Latin American lifestyle.
It is also possible to start your trip in Lima and fly back from Juliaca (near Lake Titicaca). This is a popular option for people who want to see Lake Titicaca but prefer to get international flights in and out of Lima.
For personal spending money budget on about US $200 per week.
Travel through Peru to Boliva, Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu, dune board, visit the Nazca lines and Lake Titicaca. Choose from a variety of active optional extras.
Add a 4 day jungle extension for £195 plus USD240 local payment.
ITINERARY
Day 1 The capital of Peru, Lima is a city of contrasts. Here you'll encounter both abundant wealth and grinding poverty, modern skyscrapers next to some of the finest museums and historical monuments in Latin America. You will have a free day to explore its many museums, markets and colonial plazas.
Day 2 Our first stop, south of Lima, on the Peru overland travel adventure is at the Ballestas Islands in the Paracas National Reserve. Here we take a boat trip to view one of the most important marine reserves in the world with the highest concentration of rare and exotic sea birds and sea mammals.
Day 3 An hours drive inland in the heart of the Ica Desert is Peru's main wine centre. Here we visit the Tacama winery, originally a Jesuit run Bodega it now produces export quality wines as well as Peru's national drink, Pisco. After our own tasting session we continue a few kilometres to the nearby Oasis of Huacachina. A palm fringed lake surrounded by impressive sand dunes, you can relax on the beach, go for a swim and then if its an adrenaline rush you're after head out with your Tour Leader on a custom made dune buggy and roar across the desert sands to the top of enormous dunes and then sand board down them - imagine snowboarding but on sand instead! Tonight, after an unforgettable desert sunset, we sit around the campfire while our guides cook up a storm, followed by a night sleeping out under the stars.
Day 4 Travel to Peru is not complete without a trip to one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries - the Nazca Lines. Only discovered 70 years ago from the air, these huge figures carved into the desert floor are best viewed by light aircraft. Thought to have been made by three different civilisations going back more than 2000 years, there are many contrasting theories about what they signify and why they are there, it is worthwhile asking local opinion - you may well be surprised with the replies, this will undoubtedly be one of the best experiences on your Peru travel adventure! Also memorable is a visit to Chauchilla Cemetery with its well-preserved mummies. Leaving the Atacama Desert we begin to climb into the Andes mountain range towards Arequipa.
Days 5 to 8 Four days are dedicated to exploring this beautiful colonial city and the spectacular surrounding area. Continuing as always with our theme of adventure travel, Peru offers many options to go white water rafting, cycling, trekking, horse riding as well as a visit to the Colca Canyon, which at 900m is not only one of the deepest in the world but also the home of the majestic Condors. Here you can view the condors circling lazily in the thermals rising from the canyon floor.
Days 9 & 10 A short flight over the dramatic Andes Mountains takes us to Cuzco, the outdoors capital of Peru and our base for the next 7 days. A mecca for adventure travel, Peru's famous Inca Trail begins near this city. Although Cuzco is today a colonial city most of its churches and museums are built on top of original Inca stonewalls which are clearly visible. We include a day tour of the beautiful Urubamba or Sacred Valley of the Incas where you'll find temples, terraces, local communities and markets and finally our comforatble campsite at km82, the start of the Inca Trail!
Days 11 to 14 In the Urubamba Valley we begin our 4 day hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This moderate to strenuous hike is a once in a lifetime experience and anyone with a good level of fitness can master it. A stunning combination of awesome views, Inca ruins, magnificent mountains and exotic adventure. There are also the options to undertake either a shorter hike travelling by train part of the way to the ruins, or to take one of three alternative treks, the Salkantay, Lares or Vilcabamba. Our route back to Cuzco for all options is by train.
Day 15 of your Peru travel experience is a free day in Cuzco to relax and recover as well as explore more of the city and its museums and churches or look for local crafts from Alpaca woollen jumpers to musical instruments.
Day 15 Today, those on the 15 days' adventure trip of Peru will board the plane to Lima where the trip ends on arrival. Should you like to stay in Lima an extra night please let us know and we can arrange accommodation for you.
Extend your 15 day trip with a 4 day visit to the lush jungle of the Amazon basin Amazon Jungle Extension.
Days 16 to 18 Bordering Peru and Bolivia at 3800m lies Lake Titicaca which will be one of the most memorable stops on your tour. Lake Titicaca is the original place of the Uros Indians who have made their homes on floating reed islands. By boat we visit the floating islands during the day and then we go that one step beyond the average and spend the night with one of the Indian families on the lesser known islands Isla Amantani or Taquile. Spending some time in these local communities is a definite highlight of travel to Peru and is almost like stepping back in time. This experience will provide a unique opportunity to learn more about the traditional lifestyle of the Andean people and their customs as well as supporting these families with some extra income.
Day 19 As your last few days of you tour of Peru approach, you will have a free day in Puno to relax on the shores of Lake Titicaca and do some last minute shopping.
For those who would like to return to Lima we can help you arrange a flight on this day from Juliaca to Lima.
If you take this option the Local Payment is only US$320 and the average flight cost is US$80.
Day 20 As our tour to Peru draws to a close this morning as we leave for Bolivia. Just after crossing the border is the picturesque lakeside village of Copacabana where we stop for lunch. From here we continue onto the impressive city of La Paz.
Bolivia is considered the most indigenous of all South American countries and this is clearly visible in La Paz. The capital is a hilly city full of markets and traditionally dressed people. There is also the opportunity for a one day 'gravity assisted' mountain bike adventure. A great place to spend a few extra days at the end of your Peru overland travel adventure as the city is renowned for sightseeing, shopping, its museums and several other excursions.
Day 21 The tour finishes in the morning. However if you wish to spend some extra time in La Paz we can help arrange post tour accommodation for you.
Extend your 21 day trip with a 6 day visit to the lush jungle of the Amazon basin Amazon Jungle Extension