Get to know the diverse cultures and rugged landscapes of Bolivia and Peru on this incredible adventure through the Andes and coastal Peru.
Day 1: La Paz, BoliviaOrient yourself in Bolivia's sprawling capital city with ease during a sightseeing tour that’s designed with first-time visitors in mind. You'll see both major sights and hidden gems as you visit a cemetery, meet a shaman, and explore the vertiginous neighborhood of El Alto by cable car.
One of the best ways to see this offbeat and colorful city is in the sky! This adventure will show you the real La Paz exploring the amazing cable cars, the fascinating cemetery, local shamans and the pulsating city of El Alto with an amazing guide. This is one of the most stunning city tours in the world! Not only do you get to take in the magnificent views of La Paz and the surrounding mountains, but you also explore some of the most off the beaten path spots in the city! Take local transport up to the cemetery where we explore the open air street art museum and learn about the fascinating culture and traditions that can only be found here, then up to El Alto in the world’s most scenic form of transport, the teleferico (cable car). In El Alto we visit a local shaman and have the opportunity to get our fortunes read before exploring the city further and then taking 2 more telefericos back to the city center. Get a chance to see the real La Paz!
Day 2: Copacabana, BoliviaTransfer from La Paz to Copacabana
You will be picked up at your accommodation/meeting point for your shuttle transfer to Copacabana, where you’ll be dropped off at your next accommodation/meeting point.
Day 3: Puno, PeruTransfer from Copacabana to Puno
Day 4: Puno, PeruVisit Taquile Island where you will encounter an indigenous community that has conserved its original traditions and organization. In addition make a stop at the famous Uros reed islands.
This tour begins between 6:00-7:00 am with a transfer from your Puno City Center hotel to the port. Then by motor boat (35 feet long with a covered section in case of rain or cold weather, 25 individual seats) we visit the Uros floating Islands. Stepping on them feels very much like a water bed (but it is quite safe). We see the houses, the islands and meet its friendly habitants. Uros people are descendants of one of the oldest South American groups. Rides on traditional reed boats can be arranged. In the mornings these islands can be crowded. We visit two of the 60 islands before continuing on to Taquile Island. After a relaxed navigation of an extra 2 1/2 hours, getting the chance to enjoy the spectacular views offered by Lake Titicaca, we get to Taquile island. There, lives a unique community. A long path gradually ascending (45 min. hike approx.) will take us to the village, the views are beautiful. Visit the communal cooperative where you will find handicraft textiles of high quality. The views are magnificent. At 2:30 pm approx. we will depart back to Puno City (3 hours return journey). At 5.30 pm we arrive to Puno. On arrival to Puno we will transfer you to your Puno hotel.
Day 5: Cuzco, PeruTransfer from Puno to Cuzco
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Cuzco.
Day 6: Cuzco, PeruVisit the San Pedro Market and get a little taste of local life in Cusco before walking to the cooking studio to experience a cooking class where you will learn how to prepare traditional Peruvian exquisite dishes, drinks, and a delicious dessert.
Our Cusco Culinary cooking experience starts at San Pedro Market (at door number 1), with a visit to this historical and traditional local market. We will try some of the most exotic fruits of Peru, the best chocolate, local cheeses, and traditional bread. After that, we will walk to our cooking studio, a traditional house from 1922, that is part of the world heritage Cusco center. We will start our cooking classes preparing the national drink of Peru, passion fruit Pisco sour. Then, we will prepare three traditional Peruvian exquisite dishes and a delicious dessert. Our class is full hands on, and you will take part in all the preparation. After we finish we will enjoy all the food, and you will have a great Peruvian meal. After the class we will also send you the recipes, so then you can share your new talent, as a Peruvian chef, with your family and friends.
NOTE: To know your food requirements is very important. Our dishes are easy to be converted into vegetarian, so if you are vegetarian or Vegan this is the perfect class for you. This experience includes alcohol. Only guests who meet the legal drinking age will be served alcoholic beverages.
Day 7: Cuzco, PeruEnjoy a free day to experience on your own
Day 8: Cuzco, PeruTransfer from Cuzco to Arequipa
Day 9: Arequipa, PeruEnjoy a free day to experience on your own
Day 10: Arequipa, PeruObserve giant Andean condors and vicuña, colourful traditions and music. Get a taste for the unique flavours of the region by enjoying Andean cuisine and opt to relax in the hot springs in Chivay before returning to Arequipa by way of the Patapampa scenic overlook.
We will pick you up between 02:45 and 03:00 a.m. and drive you for 3 hours north west of Arequipa to Chivay, the capital of the Colca Canyon, behind snow-covered Chachani. We'll arrive at Yanque village and have breakfast there.
Then we continue driving for another hour and a half to the most popular Condor viewing location, "the Cross." From here, we can see the canyon's depth and the Condor's flight.
Beautiful traditional villages like as Yanque and Maca, colonial churches, kind people dressed in traditional needlework clothes, and hundreds of pre-Inca terraces still in use with Andean crops such as corn, quinoa, and kiwicha, among others, can be found in the area. In addition, we will visit the hot spring pools, for which there is an additional entrance cost, and for which we will have 45 minutes free.
Then we'll go to Chivay for lunch, and then return to Arequipa via the highest pass: the sight of the Volcanoes and snow-capped mountains in Patapampa (4,800 m. - 15,000 ft.). Later, at the Pampa Caahuas national reserve, we will observe wild vicuas, alpacas, and llamas, as well as flamingos, ibis, Andean gooze, ducks, and the Andean eagle "Kara Kara." Back in Arequipa around 18:00 hrs.).
Day 11: Arequipa, PeruEnjoy a free day to experience on your own
Day 12: Arequipa - Huacachina, PeruTransfer from Arequipa to Nazca
Transfer from Nazca to Huacachina
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Huacachina.
Day 13: Huacachina, PeruCruise to the top of 500 meter high sand dunes and go rocketing down the slopes in a sand buggy. Let go of your fears and sandboard down the steep sandy slopes with a few pointers from your local guide. Admire the breathtaking sunset over the vast desert landscape and take photos in the golden twilight before racing back to Huacachina.
Welcome to the quaint, quiet and cute oasis of Huacachina with its tranquil lagoon and backdrop of amazing sand dunes anywhere you turn to look. Get ready to cruise to the tops of 500 meter high sand dunes and go rocketing down the slopes in the sand buggy. A roller coaster ride of 360's, sharp turns and steep hills will get your adrenaline pumping before you take your first shot at sand boarding. Strap yourself in tightly, throw your hands in the air and scream away as you are carried over sand dunes in the middle of the expansive desert.
You will have the opportunity to sandboard on 3-4 different dunes so you can try your luck. You will take thrilling rides on a basic sandboard by laying face first on the board and letting yourself fly down the dune to see how far (and fast) you can go. Cheer on your mates and don't let anyone shy away from this unforgettable experience. Lastly, you will admire the breathtaking sunset over the vast desert landscape and have the chance to take photos in the golden twilight before racing back to Huacachina.
Day 14: Paracas, PeruTransfer from Huacachina to Paracas
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Paracas.
Day 15: Paracas, PeruTake a boat tour to see the impressive Candelabra geoglyph, Peruvian boobies, Humboldt penguins and abundant marine life at the Ballestas Islands archipelago. Visit the pristine Paracas Natural Reserve in the afternoon to see La Catedral rock formation and watch flamingos and parihuanas from a breathtaking scenic overlook.
As you cruise west from the tiny beach town of Paracas, you won't be able to miss the Candelabra geoglyph, a 150m high and 50m wide figure of a candlestick etched into the mountain, rumored to have been an ancient guide for sailors or a connection to the Nazca lines. A short description and time for photos is given before cruising on to the famous Ballestas Islands.
Ballestas islands is an excellent opportunity to see large families of over 100 sea lions sleeping on the shores, basking in the sun on the rocks or some barking loudly in efforts to protect their territory. Spot cormorants, the Peruvian booby and Peruvian pelican as well as other impressive varieties of sea bird species and Humboldt penguins nesting together in small groups. Feeling lucky? Watch the waters for dolphins.
Apart from the abundant marine and bird life found here, the Ballestas Islands are also very well known for the guano (seabird droppings) deposited on the island over thousands of years which creates a natural reserve of nitrogen-rich fertilizer over 50 meters deep in some areas. The guano came to be Peru's #1 export in the mid-19th century however today the extraction of guano has been regulated to every 10 years.
The return trip to Paracas is a quick, very windy, direct boat ride to the dock. You should have some time to take photos of the friendly pelicans that hang out on the shore line beside the dock, do some souvenir shopping or grab a snack before heading on to your next destination.
Day 16: Lima, PeruTransfer from Paracas to Lima
Day 17: Lima, PeruBike through Lima in a fun and active way to explore the city's enclaves while getting a sense of local character that's all too easily missed when touring by car. Along the way we will enjoy the awesome views, parks and spots that this part of Lima has to offer.
We will meet three blocks away from Kennedy Park, where we will cover safety instructions and information about the amazing places we'll visit. Our tour will cover top sights around Miraflores and Barranco, including the Kennedy Park, Huaca Pucllana, Park of love, Larcomar, Bridge of Sights and Plaza Barranco. As you ride, you will enjoy an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean and street art, learn stories and fun facts about the neighborhoods and our culture. Along this tour we will talk about Peruvian food, spots, culture, local history and anything you'll like. When arriving Barranco feel free to ask your guide for a free beer!