Andean Triangle

Arrival at Lima, reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free.

The first morning of your combined tour Peru-Bolivia-Chile starts with the visit of the central and colonial part of the city, (Cathedral, San Francisco and the catacombs, Mayor square), and the modern district with the residential neighbourhood on the Pacific coast. Back to the hotel and free afternoon to enjoy the Peruvian capital. Night at the hotel.

In the morning, transfer in private vehicle to the airport and flight to Arequipa. Reception and transfer to your hotel. End of the day free, for a first discovery of the city, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. Night at the hotel.

In the morning, we’ll visit the city, with the “Plaza de Armas”, the Yanahuara district and the Santa Catalina convent, founded in 1580 by a rich widow, Maria de Guzman. A real city within the city, the convent is a bricked in citadel with narrow streets, passageways, stoops and small squares. Rest of the afternoon free to relax or to continue visiting the city in total freedom. Night at the hotel.

In the morning, transfer in private vehicle to the airport and flight to Cusco. Reception and transfer at your hotel. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Cusco cathedral and the temple of the sun (Qorikancha), as well as the four Inca archaeological sites around Cusco: Sacsayhuaman (Ancient fortress famous for its annual celebration of Inti Raymi or « Festival of the Sun »), Puca Pucara, Tambo Machay and Q’enqo. Night at the hotel.

After breakfast, departure to the Sacred Valley of Incas. This region, 600m below Cusco, has a pleasant climate and fertile soil, of which the Incas have been able to take advantage of. After one hour drive, our first stop will be at the village of Chinchero, where we’ll visit its baroque church. Short drive to Moray, a stunning site with circular terraces, which supposedly were an agricultural experiments site. Then we’ll discover a real natural curiosity in the middle of the mountains: the Salinas of Maras. Short drive to the hotel in the Sacred Valley. Night at the hotel.

We’ll continue visiting the Sacred Valley with a first stop in Pisac, and see the market and the archaeological site overlooking the Sacred Valley and considered as the most important after Machu Picchu. The last visit will be at Ollantaytambo where we’ll discover the ancient Inca fortress where took place a great victory of the Incas upon the Conquistadors. By late afternoon, departure to Aguas Calientes, the small city at the foot of Machu Picchu, in the famous Andean Train that winds through the mountains. Installation and night at the hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Early in the morning (between 3h00 and 5h00 am according to demand) to the site entrance. It is possible to climb Machu Picchu Mountain, also called Cerro Machu Picchu or ascent the Wayna Picchu, which both offer a stunning view over Machu Picchu and surrounding valleys (Limited admission, to be confirmed upon reservation). After descending and exiting the site, you may go to the bathroom, and then eat. Then, you’ll go for the 3h guided visit of the most famous Inca site, with its agricultural sectors, urban sectors and unbelievable constructions on the mountain side, which justify its name as “Lost city of the Incas”. Back to Aguas Calientes with the shuttle, and departure to your hotel in Cusco.

Departure to Puno in private vehicle (400 km). On the way, we’ll visit Andahuaylillas, the andean sixtine chapel and Raqchi, the site of the founder god Wiracocha. Halfway, we’ll have lunch in the small city of Sicuani. Arrival by late afternoon in Puno, capital of Peruvian folklore located on the Lake Titicaca shore. Transfer and night at the hotel.

End of the first stage of your combined trip Peru Bolivia Chile in 3 weeks. Transfer in the morning to Kasani (Checkpoint Peru / Bolivia). Meeting with the Bolivian team and departure to Copacabana harbour, then we’ll go by boat to the Lourdes cave. Walking tour on the peninsula following the shore and reach the village of Yampupata. We’ll go inside a rural Bolivia, with the snowy peaks of the Royal Cordillera and surrounding islands in the background. It is possible to make a detour through the authentic stone village of Zampaya (Alt. 4000m). Crossing by boat to Yumani wharf located at the south end of the Sun Island. Then, go up walking to our accommodation, on the heights of the Sun Island.

After breakfast, we’ll walk to the impressive Inca stair and the fountain with three streams which symbolise the three Inca laws: Ama Sua, Ama llulla, Ama Kella. Then we’ll descent to the wharf and take our boat to the Moon Island, also called Koati Island. This Island was populated only with women, dedicated to learning different handicrafts such as weaving or sewing. Some of them, the most beautiful, were meant for being the Inca Emperor’s concubines. Visit of the Nusta temple (Virgens of the Sun) with the Andean crosses and its trapezoidal doors. Back to Copacabana by boat. After lunch, departure in private vehicle to La Paz (about 4h drive).

We depart after breakfast to K'Illi K'Illi which offers a magnificent panorama of La Paz and the majestic, snowcapped Illimani mountain (6,400 meters/21,100 feet in elevation). We then descend to the southern zone and Ramon Tito’s studio. Tito is a “paceño” sculptor and watercolorist. His workshop is located on the aptly named “Avenue of the Sculptor.” Tito works mainly with stone he finds in the surrounding mountains. In addition to the clay found in the Valley of Souls, La Paz is known for stone, including basalt, marble, sandstone, alabaster, granite. Locals claim stone carries the Bolivian soul. Tito’s work is testimony to this, from his workshop, the tour continues to the Pedregal Canyon and an easy ascent (3600 meters. 18,100 feet). The Canyon is home to impressive fairy chimneys (hoodoo) and a pass that opens into "El Valle Escondido" (the Hidden Valley). The walk continues to a village at the foot of the Muela del Diablo and, for the more adventurous, a trek down the ridge to the edge of Calacoto (1h30 of additional walking). We spend the afternoon exploring the colorful markets and historic center of the city of La Paz on foot.

Depart in private vehicle to the airport. Flight from La Paz to Sucre (variable schedule). Reception the airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free.

You will meet your local guide in the hotel and design an itinerary based on your preferences. Sucre has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. You can take a walking tour, visit the convent of the Recoleta, the Ethnographic Textile Museum (ASUR), the 25th of May Main Square and La Casa de la Libertad (closed on Sunday afternoon and Monday).

Departure in private transport to Tarabuco, a « Quechua” village. Visit of the traditional market, organised the same way for centuries. You can find there a huge variety of products (fruits, vegetables, Andean cereals, etc. and ethnic weaving). After lunch, we will go to Candelaria village, where we will be welcomed by a family of weavers. In the afternoon, we will visit the small museum of the community, and walk around the village and visit the 19th century Hacienda (Farm). Return to Sucre by end of the day.

Depart in the afternoon in a private vehicle to the colonial town of Potosi. In the afternoon, you will meet your local guide in the lobby of the hotel. Visit the "Casa de la Moneda" (closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays), the largest colonial building built by the Spaniards in the Americas

This new day of your combined tour Peru Bolivia Chile starts with the visit of the mines of Cerro Rico. Meeting with miners. You can choose a gallery to visit according to your physical condition (Activity reduced on Saturdays and Mondays, no visit on Sundays). Departure by midday to the village of Colchani, located near Uyuni salt flat.

Departure in the morning to the Uyuni salt flat. The Salar of Uyuni blows us away. Even better than pictures or what we could have imagined. Its snow white surface, speckled with islands, play with our perception and awe us with beauty. We explore the island of Incahuasi and its unique cacti that seem to have come out of nowhere and into interesting poses. In the afternoon, we will drive toward the village of San Pedro de Quemez.

Departure in the morning to the Chiguana salt flat. Later, we will stop to stretch our legs and contemplate Ollague and Tomasamil volcanoes. The trip continues following the track of the 1001 lagoons, a series of many beautiful lakes (Honda, Ch’arkota, Hedionda and Cañapa), some of them hosting pink flamingos’ colonies. Stunning. During this trip, each part will bring its specific landscape and eclectic facets. Arrival in the afternoon to the Desert hotel.

The track goes through the Siloli Desert, where you can see many geomorphological structures, one of them being the famous “stone tree”. The surroundings are also stunning with colorful mountains. Now, we can see the “Laguna Colorada” (Red Lagoon). A long break is necessary to enjoy this exceptional lagoon. It hosts many pink flamingos’ colonies, which strut around before our eyes. Then we’ll go through a pass at almost 5.000m of altitude, before arriving at a place called “Sol de Mañana” (Alt. 4.850m). The track then leads to the thermal springs of Polques (Alt. 4000m). The bravest may enjoy a dip with a view upon the Chalviri lagoon. We will drive towards the Chilean border. On our way, we will cross the famous Dali desert, and its supernatural landscape with ochre tones dotted with isolated rocks. Finally, we’ll arrive at the very end of Bolivia, where sits the Laguna Blanca (White lagoon) and most of all, the Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) at 4300m of altitude, with its emerald colour and the Licancabur Volcano in the background... Take care; the wind can be very strong here. Meeting with the Chilean team at the border post of Hito Cajon. Private transfer to the hotel in San Pedro de Atacama (Approx. 2h drive), refreshing oasis in the middle of the scorching desert of Atacama. Free time to rest.

Departure at 09:00. You will depart from San Pedro de Atacama and head west to reach the Domeyko mountain range and reach Yerbas Buenas, an area of great historical and archaeological importance, in which there is one of the most important manifestations of rock art in the region: petroglyph panels. It is believed that in this sector there was a lagoon that served as a place of passage for ancient caravans of natives and camelids. This place will transport you to the Atacameño indigenous past. Then, after crossing the Matancilla Valley, you will find the Rainbow Valley, named for the different colors that the presence of minerals gives to the mountains. Green, purple, white and red colors will catch your eye. Very few places like this in the world. Return to SPA around 1:00 p.m. Free lunch.

We will leave San Pedro de Atacama heading west until we arrive in the Guatín Valley. In this rocky canyon we will start a hike following the course of the river. We will walk through a track of old shepherds, surrounded by huge thousand-year-old cacti. Departure for the visit of the Valley of the Moon. You will contemplate the figures formed by erosion and covered with a veil of salt and watch the sun disappear behind the dunes. We start our excursion with a short walk in the Valley of Death (also called the Valley of Mars). Then visit the strange salt formations, "Las 3 Marías" are 3 statues of salt carved by erosion, visit the salt caves. Finally we arrive at the Valley of the Moon where we can enjoy an unforgettable sunset while enjoying a delicious cocktail.

Departure time to be confirmed according to the season. We’ll see the sunrise over the Altiplano, as well as birds and animals awakening. Breakfast in the Geysers site. Around 6:30 am, we will arrive at the geysers of Tatio, at more of 4000 m of altitude, and where we will see stunning geysers of more than 6m high. This magnificent and magic show a long a nice breakfast on the spot will help us to forget that we had to wake up so early. Then, we’ll visit the typical Andean village of Machuca. Back to San Pedro around 12:00. Transfer from your hotel at 3:00 pm to Calama’s airport and flight to Santiago. Reception at Santiago airport and transfer to your hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel. Around 9:00 am, we’ll discover the capital of Chile, located at the foot of the Andean Cordillera. Nowadays, it is a modern city, but has preserved historic districts which testify of its past. We start the visit with the Republica neighbourhood, where the Chilean nobility was living until the end of the 20th century. We head now to the Moneda Palace, and will have a walk in pedestrian streets in the heart of the historical centre and reach the “Plaza de Armas”. Lunch not included. We’ll visit the famous Central Market, a very traditional place, vibrant, an ideal place to have lunch during your tour. To have a panoramic view of the city, we’ll go to the top of Cerro San Cristobal, then go down to the modern district of “El Bosque”, which host the highest tower of Latin America.

End of your 3 weeks combined tour Peru Bolivia Chile. Transfer out to Santiago’s international airport in private vehicle. (3 hours before the international flight departure time).