Peru & Bolivia Discoverer

18 days - from $4180

Explore the Andes in Peru and Bolivia, from the fortress ruins of Machu Picchu to the silver-rich mountains of Potosi

From Lima we fly to Cusco, the former seat of power for the great Inca Empire. We explore the historic city centre and wander the Sacsayhuaman temple site before entering the beautiful Sacred Valley to discover the market town of Pisac and the imposing Ollantaytambo Fortress. At the far end of the valley is magnificent Machu Picchu, forgotten by the outside world for centuries until it was rediscovered in 1911. After enjoying a cruise on Lake Titicaca we cross into Bolivia and visit the capital of La Paz before reaching the vast, shimmering plains of the Salar de Uyuni – the largest salt flat in the world. From the silver-rich town of Potosi it is a short drive to Sucre where we discover the charm of this colonial city with its whitewashed buildings, narrow streets and numerous convents and churches.

Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage-listed colonial city of Sucre
• The potions of 'Witches’ Market'
• Uyuni Salt Desert's caves and cacti
• La Paz - the world's highest 'unofficial' capital city
• Tiahuanaco's 'Gateway of the Sun'
• Puno - a town four kilometres above sea-level
• The 'Lost City of the Incas' - UNESCO World Heritage-listed Machu Picchu
• The colourful market town of Pisac
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient Inca capital of Cusco
• 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
• The towering Inca citadel at Ollantaytambo

Itinerary:

Day 1-2: Lima3-4: Cusco - The Sacred Valley5: Peru's Challenge Community Project - Cusco6-7: Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco8: Puno9: Lake Titicaca - Sillustani - Puno10: Tiahuanaco - La Paz11: La Paz12-13: La Paz - Uyuni Salt Desert - Uyuni14-15: Potosi16-17: Sucre18: La Paz
Included:

• The services of Peregrine's expert English-speaking local tour leaders in both countries, 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; high Bolivian Plateau; sliver mining town of Potosi; and the colonial city of Sucre.

• Non-trekking visit to Machu Picchu.

• 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.

• Visit to Peru's Challenge Community Project at Pumamarca.

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

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

• Return train Cusco-Aguas Calientes-Cusco, and bus to Machu Picchu.

• 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.