The Andes in their maximum splendor: from Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca we will take you to Bolivia to discover in 4 × 4 the Salar de Uyuni, a unique show in the world!
International flight. You meet one of our staff members at the airport. Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel.
Transfer to Lima airport to take the flight to Cusco. Airport pick-up and transfer to the hotel where we get time to rest so our bodies can adjust to the altitude. Free afternoon, we recommend resting and eating light. Night at the hotel.
After breakfast, we walk through the city center with our guide and reach San Pedro market, where we feel the typical Andean flavors, aromas and colors. We get back to the city center to visit Qoricancha or sun temple, the most important temple of the Inca Empire. Then, using private transportation, we visit Sacsayhuaman fortress and Qenqo, a temple dedicated to the snake God who is the creator of life in Andean cosmology. During our walk, we stop in a textile workshop and meet alpacas, lamas and vicuñas. We continue up to Pisac, famous for its colorful handcraft market and its archeological site with great walls, palaces and towers, all made of huge stone blocs. Night in the Sacred Valley.
Today, with our tour guide and by private transport, we explore the mythical “Sacred Valley of the Incas” to discover one of the most beautiful and magical places in Peru. We visit Moray, ancient and wonderful biological lab of the Incas; Maras, impressive salt ponds embedded in a beautiful landscape, which have been in operation for over 1000 years; and Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that is still inhabited today and is an extraordinary model of urban planning. In the afternoon we ride the train to Aguas Calientes to begin our Machu Picchu adventure. Night at the hotel.
At dawn we embark on a dream. We take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and enter the “lost city.” For the more adventurous there is also the possibility to climb to the top of Huayna Picchu or visit the Machu Picchu Mountain or the Huchuy Picchu. In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, and then the bus to make our way back to Cusco. Night at the hotel.
We start our trip at 6:30am en route to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain. This place is located 100km away from Cusco and is not known by mass tourism.
After a 4-hour trip -private transport and guide- and a nice snack in Cusipata, we reach the starting point of the hike (from 4700m to 4900m).
We walk in the surroundings of the rainbow mountain during an hour or so. It is also possible to visit a “wood” of rocks and to observe the Red Valley at the far distance. Lunch in a familiar restaurant in Cusipata. We get back to Cusco at around 6:00pm.
Note> if you want, instead of Pallcoyo, you can visit the famous Vinicunca. But consider that Vinicunca is more strenuous (you have to walk from 4600m to 5100m) and very crowded. We recommend the more “intimate” Pallccoyo.
Free day to walk around the beautiful city of Cusco. Some must-see places we recommend: MAP (Museum of Pre-Columbian Art); San Francisco Convent; and the quaint neighborhood of San Blas. In the evening we go on a cultural and alternative walking tour. Strolling under the stars through the historic city center, we discover a less-known side of Cusco: myths, legends, tales, ghosts and saints. A unique experience to see the real Cusco, Peru’s iconic city. Night at the hotel.
We get picked up at 06:15 from the hotel and begin our journey towards the city of Puno. The comfortable touristic bus (including heating, air conditioning, chemical bathroom, DVD, on board service, and buffet lunch in Sicuani) will make several stops during the journey: Andahuaylillas, Rajchi, and Pukara. Pick-up from the bus station in Puno. Night at the hotel.
After breakfast, we head to the port and embark on a boat to Uros floating islands, located north of Puno’s bay. Then we reach Amantani island where we have lunch and spend the afternoon discovering the island. Dinner and night with a local family.
After breakfast we go towards Taquile, the biggest island of the Lake Titicaca. We disembark on the northern side and walk till the main part of the island. Lunch in Taquile. We get back to Puno in the afternoon (estimated arrival at 18:00). Night in Puno.
Transfer to the bus station and travel Puno-La Paz in the morning. We cross the border between Peru and Bolivia.
Time change: Bolivia is an hour ahead of Peru.
Arrival in La Paz in the afternoon. Pick-up and transfer to the hotel. Night at the hotel.
We take the “teleferico” (cable car) to “El Alto”, the highest part of the city with panoramic views. Then we use a Private transport to visit the Moon Valley (“Valle de la Luna”). Free afternoon. At night transfer to the airport and flight to Uyuni. Pick-up from the airport and night at the hotel.
Today we will discover the Uyuni Salt Flats (“Salar de Uyuni”), the world’s largest salt desert. We travel in a 4×4 SUV with other tourists (vehicle of 6 seats). The trip begins with a visit to Colchani, a small town dedicated to the production of salt (they annually produce 20,000 tons of salt). We walk on the salt flat, and visit the salt museum and hotel (buit of salt). Then, we drive to Fish Island (“Isla Pescado”), an island in the shape of a fish that protrudes from the salt flats and has 12m tall cacti. Night in the village of San Juan (basic accommodation with shared bathroom).
The adventure continues… We course through lonely towns and enjoy incredible landscapes including active volcanoes and diverse vegetation. The highlights of the day are the Green Lagoon on the Licancabur volcano, and the thermal baths where those who are up for it can bathe and relax. We see flamingoes in the Red Lagoon (“Laguna Colorada”), not far from where we sleep tonight (basic accommodation with shared bathroom) at an altitude of 4300m above sea level.
We visit the Morning Sun (“sol de mañana”), an active geyser. After we encounter various strange rock formations (mushroom and tree shapes) that are the habit of many chinchilla. We then get back to Uyuni and fly to La Paz. On arrival you meet one of staff members and are transfered to the hotel. Night at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport and international flight.
City to city transfers in comfortable touristic buses: restroom on board, heating, air conditioning, and reclining seats.
If your international flight arrives in Lima in the morning, please note that the room is available from 3 pm. You can then leave your luggage in the hotel luggage storage for free, but you cannot enter the room before the check-in time. In this case we recommend to include a room available from the moment of your arrival, with an extra cost.
PeruEtico does not directly organize the group tours described in the program. We work with selected local and professional agencies.
Qoricancha: it is closed on Sunday; if the city tour of Cusco coincides with this day of the week, you can visit the archaeological site yourself during the free day.
Machu Picchu: travelers are limited to a 20lt/5kg backpack; the rest of your luggage is to be left in custody at the hotel in Cusco or Urubamba.
Palccoyo: we reach 4900 meters above sea level so you will feel the altitude. We recommend you walk slowly. This tour is only for fit people. During the rainy season (from December to March), it is not always possible to visit Palccoyo due to bad weather. If necessary, this tour will be replaced by an excursion to the Huatanay Valley (south of Cusco), including Tipón, Piñipampa Pikillaqta.
Housing in Amantani is very basic. Rooms are cozy and there are enough thick blankets to keep you warm. Bathrooms are located outside the house.
Crossing the border between Peru and Bolivia can be quite time consuming. Be patient. Queues are frequent on Tuesdays and Fridays due to market days and during national celebrations (July in Peru and August in Bolivia).
All passengers proceeding from Peru can be requested the yellow fever vaccine. If you don’t have the vaccine certification you can be denied entry in Bolivia.
Housing in the Uyuni Salt Flat is very basic with shared bathroom. We recommend you bring a sleeping bag, as it can be very cold at night. It is possible to book a private tour with higher category accommodation at an extra cost.
As from the arrival in Peru, the passenger is responsible for any additional costs caused by a variation in the program (net cost plus agency rights).
Through the stay and experience in Amantani, and the visit to the Maras salt ponds, you are directly helping and supporting the local families and their projects.
Any of our employees, from guides to local communities, receive a fair salary and remuneration for the work done, above the average in Peru.
Peruetico is committed to reducing the environmental impact and the use of plastic and paper during your travels.
We relied on PeruEtico for a journey to discover Peru. We walked around Cusco and then visited the Sacred Valley, we went to the Colored Mountain, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca (a unique experience with a local family). The last three days of the holiday we were in Bolivia.
Highly prepared guides who convey a passion for their magnificent land.
Great accommodation choice. What to say? An agency with great skills: prepared, efficient and always present. We unfortunately had a personal problem and they supported and helped us, again a special thanks to Gianni for everything he did for us. You want to experience a true journey and not just a vacation. See you soon guys!
We relied on PeruEtico for a journey to discover Peru. We walked around Cusco and then visited the Sacred Valley, we went to the Colored Mountain, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca (a unique experience with a local family). The last three days of the holiday we were in Bolivia.
Highly prepared guides who convey a passion for their magnificent land.
Boldness is a quality of one who has courage! And I, over 60 years old, have had to undertake this journey, always close to the sky, one step away from heaven. I always felt safe, followed by Gianni, at any time, with his advice and recommendations. A tireless worker. From the sea lions of the Islas Ballestas to the mythical Machu Picchu up to the Salar de Uyuni, and its colored lagoons, the geysers and so the dream has become reality.
Thank you Gianni, Emanuele and all of your team for your help. Highly recommended!
Peru, Arequipa, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, The beautiful Rainbow Mountains (Palccoyo thanks to the advice of Emanuele and Gianni), Lake Titicaca… ..a dream finally realized with this journey. Later in Bolivia: La Paz and the amazing Salar de Uyuni, then enjoying an incredible scenery with the colored lagoons. The merit is certainly of Peru, with its always excellent cuisine but above all the organization of PeruEtico, and the availability and presence of Gianni at any time to solve any kind of problem.
Every tour was every punctual. It was a formative journey also thanks to PeruEtico to whom we relied for this adventure; and what to say when on your birthday you find a cake with a candle in the room?? We were overjoyed!
Thanks to Gianni who was present at all times to verify that everything worked in the best way. Thanks to Emanuele who has taken care to satisfy all our needs and requests upstream.
Absolutely to recommend!!
Good, helpful and exhaustive guide.
Some room were cold to sleep in but it was absolutely predictable!
Never before we felt pampered and protected by a perfect organization like the one put in place by Peru Etico, with Gianni and Emanuele. Our 21-day trip between Peru and Bolivia was simply perferct! Competent guides, on time transfers, perfect organization, typical hotels that were unique and pleasant. Well done, well done, well done! and above all thank you for making our vacation UNIQUE!
What did we like? The hospitality / availability / welcome from Felcie and Vladimir in Cusco;
The professionalism of the guides in Peru: David, Ruben (trekking), the excellent Juan Camilo (Patacancha) …
Your availability, attention and readiness in Gianni’s on-line answers, the extra excursion of the Andean textile community and the treks.
What didn’t we like?
At the home of Marita (Lima), however, very kind and hospitable, the lack of hot water to take a shower, there is only an electric shower with two electric wires above the shower. It does that does (and seems dangerous);
The Bolivian agency in Uyuni has followed us in a superficial way without giving us specific indications of the off-road tour program (although we have to say that we reserved private rooms as requested) however Gherardo is a very good and helpful guide / driver.
