Andean Odyssey

25 days - from $4690

High adventure among the dazzling mountains, lakes and salt deserts of Peru and Bolivia Peru excels at the mysterious and the magical: just check out the Nazca Lines, sprawled among desert plains; or gaze out onto Machu Picchu, rising like a mirage atop an abrupt, hidden Andean peak; then visit Titicaca’s floating reed Uros Islands or follow the hypnotic flight of Colca Canyon’s condors. This trip takes in all these wondrous moments, and explores the country’s colonial glories in Lima, Cusco and the beautiful white city of Arequipa. But that’s not all – Bolivia provides experiences that Peru can’t: the breathtaking city of La Paz, surely one of the most spectacularly sited anywhere, and boasting an addictive, carnivalesque atmosphere. And to the south lies fantastical, otherworldly Uyuni, a surrealist world of expansive deserts made of salt and trees of rock – a landscape unlike any other, and one that needs to be seen to be believed.

Highlights

• Check out La Paz (slowly)
• Chewing coca, Bolivia
• Sucre
• Tiahuanaco, Bolivia’s iconic ruins
• Uyuni
• Witches’ Market, La Paz
• Arequipa’s Cathedral
• Catch the condors of Colca Canyon
• Cusco Fiestas
• Dead Woman’s Pass on the Inca Trail
• Puno
• Sample ceviche in Lima
• Take in Machu Picchu
• The Nazca Lines
• The perfect pisco sour?

Itinerary:

Day 1-2: (Mon) Arrive in Lima and transfer to hotel. Tour of colonial centre.3-4: Drive south to Nazca and explore the Peruvian desert. Deluxe overnight coach to Arequipa.5-7: Walking tour of Arequipa colonial centre. Overnight visit to Colca Canyon. Return to Arequipa.8-9: Morning flight to Cusco and walking tour. Full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley, including Pisac and Ollantaytambo.10-13: Camping trek along ancient Inca trails to Machu Picchu, a highlight of the Andes. Bus to Aguas Calientes and afternoon train to Cusco.14: Free day in Cusco with time for optional activities.15: Drive to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.16: Boat excursion and overnight island family home stay.17: Morning return to Puno. Afternoon visit to Sillustani burial chambers.18: Cross into Bolivia and head to La Paz via the ruins of Tiahuanaco.19: Bus and train to Uyuni.20: Full-day 4WD excursion to the Uyuni Salt Plains.21-22: Continue by road to Potosi. Explore colonial centre with time for optional activities.23-24: Short drive to Sucre. City sightseeing including San Lorenzo Church, Cobija Arch, the Jesuit Tower and the Colonial Mint Museum.25: Flight to La Paz. Afternoon city tour including the Witches Market.26: Trip ends in La Paz after breakfast (Fri).
Included: Local tour leader, local guides, arrival transfer, transport, porterage on Inca trek, sightseeing, entrance and park fees.
Not Included:

International flights, airport departure taxes, visas where required, meals not included in the itinerary, insurance, laundry, any optional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.

Meals: 23 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Equipment Included: camping equipment, Trek pack (sleeping bag, sleeping sheet, warm fleece jacket, wet weather jacket, inflatable mattress, kit bag)
Valid From: 11 Jan 10
Valid Until: 31 Dec 69
Starts/Ends: Lima to La Paz
Trip Reference: PSAO