Make the most of your trip to the region by combining the cultural, scenic and archaeological marvels of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu. Feed the adventurous spirit in you and travel to Bolivia! Though comparatively underdeveloped, Bolivia is recognized as one of South America's most spectacular destinations.
TOUR LEADER: On request
DEPARTING GROUP DATES: Daily
Day 1: Lima: Board your flight to Lima, Peru. On arrival at Lima airport, you will be welcomed by an English-speaking guide and transfer to your five star hotelDay 2: Lima: In the morning, guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". The tour includes Lima's Historical Centre, passing by Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall. We will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, the greatest monumental complex of Colonial Art in America and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The tour includes a visit to the Basilica of 21 altars, Convent of Cloisters, Capitulary and Clementine Rooms, Chorus and Library of the monks, a Museum showing 11 paintings of the Rubens School, the Sacristy with paintings of Surbaran and Ribera, its great patio decorated with Seville tiles of the XVIth Century, Moorish arches and underground Catacombs. Larco is one of the few museums in the world where visitors can also choose to enter the storage area with its 45,000 classified archaeological objects. Its masterpieces are considered worldwide icons of pre-Columbian art, after being exhibited in the world's leading museums. We continue to the famous Archaeological museum where many cultures of Peru are on display, including the Chavin, Paracas, Nazca, Chimu and Ica.Return to the hotel (Breakfast)
Day 3: Cusco: Transfer to the airport for your departing flight to Cusco, the ancient Inca capital. Upon your Arrival in Cusco, we greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel following brief orientation and a cup of traditional coca tea to assist in the acclimation to the 11300 ft. in the Inca Capital of Cusco. In the afternoon City tour of Cusco, Colonial sites such as the Cathedral, Qoricancha, temple of the Sun, the most important of Inca ceremonial sites. Later you will continue to the most important site of Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Qenqo and Puca Pucara. We return to the hotel (Breakfast)
Day 4: Sacred Valley: After breakfast and Leaving Cusco in the rear view mirror, we travel in a private van over a low pass then down into the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. The scenery is unsurpassable, close and distant snow peaks glistening in the sun. Visit the Ancient Pisaq market, where many of the local Indians sell their hand made textiles. Lunch at the local hacienda restaurant and continue to Ollantaytambo the major Inca temple / fortress. Probably built by the great Inca ruler, Pachacuti in the 1460s, it was the site of Hernando Pizzaro’s defeat by Manco Inca in 1536. We have ample time to examine the complex and ponder its many mysteries before returning to Cusco and visit the traditional market town of Chinchero. Return to your hotel. (Breakfast and Lunch)
Day 5: Machu Picchu: Early in the morning after breakfast we pick you up at your hotel and take you to the railway station for the tourist class train to Machu Pichu. The 3 hour train journey passes through picturesque Andean scenery, passing traditional villages, Inca ruins and rushing rivers. We'll descend 1300 meters through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and follow the Urubamba river until the final stop at Aguas Calientes. Afterward we'll take the 20 minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu, perched 600 meters above the river. Our guide will explain you the history and the myths that surround this archeological wonder MACHU PICCHU! The famous lost city of the Inca is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Stand 2,430m above sea-level in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. In an extraordinarily beautiful setting, it was probably most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height, its giant walls, terraces and ramps seen as, if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced by the powerful equatorial Sun. Afterwards we take the bus for your return to the Aguas Calientes for lunch and take back the train to Cusco. Reception and transfer to the Hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 6: Puno: After your breakfast you will meet and transferred by bus to Puno. A long the way you will have stops and guided tours to the Incas sites of Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, and Pikillaqta. We have lunch at the restaurant in Sicuani. After your arrival to Puno our staff will meet and transfer you to the hotel (Breakfast)Day 7: Lake Titicaca: Early in the morning departure to Titicaca Lake where you will go by boat to the Floating Uros Islands. Return to the Hotel.
Day 8: Sillustani: In the morning visit the Chullpas of Sillustani. Here you can view the structures that once housed the remains of these ancient ancestors of the Highland region of Titicaca Lake. Late in the afternoon return to the Hotel.
Day 9: La Paz: After breakfast, private bus to Copacabana Bolivia. Transfer to Tiahuanaco for a full tour of the oldest civilisation in Bolivia. Onward journey to La Paz and transfer to your hotel.
Day 10: La Paz: Morning city tour of La Paz, with a unique topography containing few flat areas and protected by its eternal guardian, the snow peak of Ilimani (6402m). Housing the seat of government, La Paz is a city of contrast, between both ancient and modern. A visit will also be made to the Valley of the Moon. The city centre sites include the Plaza Murillo (with its presidential palace, national congress and metropolitan cathedral), museums, and many interesting markets. Free afternoon and return to the Hotel
Day 11: Oruro – Uyuni: Trip by bus to Oruro, on the shores of the giant Poopo lake. Fabulous train journey south to Uyuni. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 12 - Day 15: Salar de Uyuni: Fabulous four day adventure to the highest salt lakes in the world. A journey only achievable by 4x4 vehicles to this huge expanse of salt. Amongst the sites are Isla Pescado or la Isla Incahuasi, an island in this amazing lake, and home to numerous giant cacti. The trip will also include an excursion to the salar de Chiguana, where you will see the Ollague volcano, along with many lakes that are home to flamingoes. Laguna Colorada, Sol de Manana, a zone of great volcanic activity, with many geysers and fumaroles, the beautiful Laguna Verde, which changes its colour throughout the day and Llicancabur volcano.
Day 16: Potosi – Sucre: Return by bus to Potosi, the highest city in the world and onto Sucre, the judicial capital of Bolivia. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 17: Sucre: City tour of the "White City" where outstanding examples of baroque art are found on nearly every corner. Sucre was the capital of Bolivia until the end of the last century and is officially listed as a Monument of the Americas and also as Patrimony of Mankind by the United Nations. The tour includes a visit to the Museum of La Recoleta, dating from 1600. With several colonial and republican paintings in addition to sculptures, the museum also houses rare gold artifacts and interesting archaeological objects. A visit to the "house of freedom", the most important historical monument in Bolivia due to its role in the signing of Bolivia's independence in 1825After breakfast, city tour. Free afternoon.Day 18: La Paz: Flight to La Paz and onward for your connecting flight home.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Prices start from $2400 per person in double occupancy from Lima, Peru. This includes all meals from Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, accommodations as stated in the itinerary, accommodation in 3* & 4* hotels and lodges in Salar de Uyuni, all internal transportation Vistadome train to Machupicchu and including all Peruvian and Bolivian flights and all tours as per itinerary, ground transportation during the tour, and guide services provided by our tour guide. It does not include airfare from your home to Lima and return from La Paz Bolivia, airport departure taxes, and associated taxes, alcoholic beverages, special gratuities, phone calls, laundry, or items of a personal nature. The single supplement for this tour no apply you will be charged a single supplement if you desire single accommodations.
TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete the Tour registration form and return it with a deposit of 50% per person. If registering by phone, the deposit must be received within 10 days or the space will be released. Full payment of the tour fee is due 60 days prior to the tour departure date.
AIR INFORMATION: Sun God Expeditions Tours E.I.R.L is a full-service travel agency and we will be happy to make any domestic or international air travel arrangements from your home and return. Please feel free to contact us to confirm your air arrangements.
CLIMATE: Weather conditions can be extremely variable on this trip due to the wide range of habitats and elevations visited. Lowland areas such as Lima may be dry with temperatures in the 80s. Conversely, time spent in the mountains, particularly on the higher in Puno and La Paz, could be damp and cool to cold, possibly with rain and temperatures into the low 50s.
CURRENCY: Nuevo Sol; as of February, 2006, $1 USD = 3.42 Nuevo Sol. Local currency and USD are available from ATM’s at Lima airport and major cities, The name of the currency of Bolivia the official currency is the Boliviano (BOB), which is divided into 100 centavos
DOCUMENTS: For U.S. citizens, a passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure is required. Non-United States citizens should check with their local Peruvian consulate or embassy. A visa is not required; a tourist card will be issued by the airline. Bolivia, most nationalities do not require a visa for stays less than 30 days, but please consult your embassy for current requirements
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
- Departure tax: Lima/USA $28.25 as of August 2005. This may be paid in Peruvian Soles or U.S. dollars.
- Electric Current: 220 Volts (flat pin plug).
- Time: Eastern Standard Time
- Bolivia time Zone: GMT/UTC -4
Before booking, it is important to have read and understood the Terms and Conditions. Please bear in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups
