Andean Footsteps and Bolivia

20 days - from $4770

Out-of-this-world scenery, historical treasures and rewarding trekking all feature in this enchanting trip through Andean grandeur.

Few cities have as rich a legacy as Cusco; walking the streets here is a magical, unfailingly fascinating experience, and the perfect introduction to Incan culture ahead of hitting the trail to Machu Picchu. Trekking long-forgotten paths among remote hills and mountains is the finest way of appreciating this beautiful stretch of the Andes, as it gradually changes from stark peaks to lusher, greener forested mountains. Bolivia rivals Peru for mesmerising experiences, not least charming La Paz, abuzz with markets and colourful street-life. Further south, the Uyuni salt plains offer an entrancing, hallucinogenic landscape – a brilliant white endless desert of salt, aglow 4,000 metres up. After mind-blowing Uyuni, the subtle delights, rich and tragic history of colonial Potosi and Sucre round off an exploration into some of South America’s greatest hits.

Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre of the Peruvian capital Lima
• The floating reed islands of the Uros people on the highest navigable lake in the world - Lake Titicaca
• Warminwanusca - 'Dead Woman’s Pass' on the Inca Trail
• The colourful market town of Pisac
• The towering Inca citadel at Ollantaytambo
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient Inca capital of Cusco
• The 'Lost City of the Incas' - UNESCO World Heritage-listed Machu Picchu
• Uyuni Salt Desert's caves and cacti
• The potions of 'Witches’ Market'
• Puno - a town four kilometres above sea-level
• La Paz - the world's highest 'unofficial' capital city
• Tiahuanaco's 'Gateway of the Sun'
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed colonial city of Sucre

Itinerary:

Day 1-2: Lima3-4: Cusco - The Sacred Valley5-8: (Important Note)5: Inca Trail Km 82 - Wayllabamba (8km)6: Inca Trail - Pacaymayo (16km)7: Inca Trail - Winaywayna (15km)8: Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes (5km) - Cusco9: Cusco10: Cusco - Puno11: Lake Titicaca - Sillustani - Puno12: Tiahuanaco - La Paz13: La Paz14-15: Uyuni Salt Desert - Uyuni16-17: Potosi18-19: Sucre20: La Paz
Included:

• The services of Peregrine's expert English-speaking local leader throughout the tour, and local guides at some sites.

• Local flights from Lima to Cusco, and Sucre to La Paz.

• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where relevant): Lima; Cusco; ceremonial ruins of Sacsayhuaman; the Sacred Valley including the ruins at Qenko, market town of Pisac and Inca citadel at Ollantaytambo; La Raya (4335 metres); Sillustani burial chambers; ruins of Tiahuanaco; La Paz including Witches Market and Valley of the Moon; sliver mining town of Potosi; and the colonial city of Sucre.

• 4-day trek on the ‘Classic’ or ‘Lares’ route to Machu Picchu.

• 3 nights full service camping, including the services of porters and a cook.

• Guided tour of Machu Picchu, including park fees.

• Half-day boat excursion on Lake Titicaca, including the floating reed islands of the Uros Indians.

• Full-day 4WD excursion to the Uyuni Salt Plains.

• Scenic train journey around Lake Popoo and across the Altiplano in Bolivia.

• Free time to explore Lima, Cusco, Puno, La Paz, Potosi and Sucre.

• Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.

• Arrival transfer.

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.