15-Day Chile, Bolivia, & Peru Tour From Santiago to Lima W/ Flights

Today you will be picked-up at Santiago airport and transferred to your accommodation for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax and settle-in.

Today you will be picked-up from your accommodation to be transferred to the Santiago airport to catch your flight to Calama. On arrival you will be picked-up and transferred to your new accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure as you make yourself at home in the driest desert on earth.

Enjoy the morning on your own exploring this 'desert' town before making your way to the meeting point where you will begin your tour into one of the world's driest deserts. The trip will take you to see capricious salt and clay formations in the “Three Marias” area where you will have the opportunity to visit strange and unique geological shapes naturally created in the desert in one of the world's driest and most hostile zones, the Atacama Desert. Here you will be able to observe and appreciate the powerful and delicate forces of nature that have carved and molded this landscape over thousands of years from the Mirador Cordillera de la Sal. Take amazing photographs and contemplate life as you explore this remote desert on a nature walk through Valle de la Muerte. Enjoy an exciting excursion through salt caves where you will see new and different salt formations hidden in this mountain range. Visit Tres Marias and Gran Duna, some of the most spectacular places on Earth. Watch the awe-inspiring sunset in the Valle de la Luna over the desert sands with the Licancabur Volcano in the distance as the landscape turns brilliant shades of red, pink and blue. This trip is an experience that will surely be one of the most amazing highlights of your trip. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.

Depart San Pedro de Atacama at 7:30 am by minibus for an exciting 3-day excursion. Cross into Bolivia, passing by the Chile and Bolivia immigration offices. Once on the Bolivian side, at 4400m above sea level, we change vehicles to a 4WD Jeep with a maximum capacity of 6 people. We start off in the Bolivian high plains, visiting places like the Green Lagoon (toxic copper water) and Laguna Blanca, located at the foot of the big Licancabur volcano at 6000m. Continue on to Dali Desert, where Salvador Dali found his inspiration from boulders sprinkled in the middle of the desert. There you can admire surrealistic landscapes, thermal water pools, the Sol de Mañana geysers –intermittent springs coming up at a 100º C. Walk carefully next to fumaroles and steaming craters filled with boiling pots of mud at 150-200 Cº. The journey ends up at Laguna Colorada, an intense red-colored lake which acts as the main nesting center for thousands of flamingos of 3 different species. These places are located at an average height of 4500m above the sea level and it is possible to see endemic flora and fauna such as flamingos, vicunas and some other animals. The night will be spent in rooms of 6 people. It can get very cold especially during the winter months of June and July so bring extra warm clothes along like a scarf and wool hat to keep warm.

Have an early breakfast and depart around 8:00 am this morning. Pass by the Siloli Desert at 4,550 meters (the highest and driest in the world) where there are a set of rock formations as a result of wind erosion. Take a photo next to a huge lava rock formation in the shape of a tree. Continue on to high plain lagoons also known as colored lagoons; Laguna Honda, Chiarcota and Cañapa. Then we make our way to Chiguana salt flat, on the south side of Uyuni salt flat and surrounded by volcanoes. The night is spent at the Salt Hotel (a hotel made of salt), in double or triple rooms.

Depart at 8:00 am and cruise along the vast white expanse of salt today. Visit Inca Wasy (Fish Island), located in the middle of the salt flat, with beautiful cactus and rock formations made of petrified coral. Take time to organize your group for fun perspective and proportion-distorted photos on the blinding white surface of the salt flats. Pass by piles of salt at the small village of Colchani, a salt miners workshops next to the salt flats. End your unforgettable trip in the town of Uyuni around 3:00 pm and say goodbye to your new friends before being dropped off at the airport for your included flight to La Paz. Upon arrival you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your accommodation for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure to explore, relax, and get settled in.

Today you will be picked-up from your accommodation to explore the heart of La Paz with your experienced local guide who will take you around to the best highlights of the city and show you what real life is like for most Paceños (La Paz residents). Begin the day by walking to the San Francisco Church situated on Plaza de los Heroes where you can pop into a local market for a fresh juice smoothie to start off your day. Head towards the well-preserved Calle Jaen with colonial-style cobblestone streets and balconies as you listen to the legends and stories that make this a unique place in La Paz. You’ll see some interesting museums and bizarre bohemian pubs. Learn about the current social and political situation in Bolivia as we walk by Murillo Square with the Presidential Palace and House of Parliament. Hop on a microbus to experience true Bolivian madness as you are ushered up to the city’s best scenic overlook point with a 360 degree view of the city. Descend from the top of the world back through Central Park for a relaxing walk to see some beautiful murals before continuing through the main public university. Chat with local shoeshine men and boys that you will meet on the main boulevard to learn about their tough way of life. Some are as young as 6 years old so any piece of advice or help you can give them is greatly appreciated. Visit the San Pedro Prison from the book “Marching Powder” and enjoy listening to all of the strange bone-chilling stories about this infamous prison. Go off-the-beaten-track and make your way into El Alto Slums to see firsthand the way of life of the majority of Bolivian citizens. Here your guide will take you the “Real” Witch Market where you will learn about the strange rites and rituals of witchcraft. Don’t feel shy about asking why on earth there are dried llama fetus hanging from every stall. Perhaps what they most need is some company and a good meal. You can also learn about the importance of the coca plant to Bolivian history as well as modern day uses of the plant from the production of coca tea to the illegal production and sale of cocaine in the region. Ask for a coca-leaf reading for some advice on life from a shaman. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, your guide will take you to taste mouth-watering Bolivian snacks and delicacies at the best food markets and street stands in the city. Taste Bolivian flavors at local prices. Travel alongside local people and feel free to ask questions about the culture and traditions you see along the way. Interact with whoever you want during the trip by trying out some new Spanish phrases you’ll learn from your guide. See La Paz in a completely different way than you would expect. NOTE: We recommend you to wear comfortable walking shoes as the streets in La Paz are rocky and sometimes unpaved. During rainy season they can become very slippery. Please avoid wearing sandals or flip flops for your safety. We also recommend you wear conservative clothing that does not call out for attention (avoid miniskirts/low-cut tops) as we will be walking in neighbourhoods rarely visited by tourists.

Today you will catch a bus to the town of Copacabana in Bolivia, where you will meet your connecting bus to the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, Puno. On arrival, make your way to your new accommodation for check-in and enjoy the rest of the day to settle in.

The day will begin at 6:30 am with a transfer from your Puno city centre accommodation to the port. Continue by motorboat (35 feet long with a covered section in case of rain or cold weather, 25 individual seats) and 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 inhabitants. Uros people are descendants of one of the oldest South American groups. Optional rides on traditional reed boats can be arranged at an extra cost. 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 reach Taquile island, inhabited by a unique indigenous community. A long ascending path (approx. 45 minutes) gradually leads us to the village with stunning views. Visit the communal cooperative where you will find handicraft textiles of high quality. Have lunch on your own at one of the many local restaurants. Enjoy a warm tea or hot chocolate as you marvel at the magnificent views. At 2:30pm approx. you will depart to return to Puno, where you will be dropped off at your accommodation at approximately 5:30pm.

Today, make your way to the meeting point to catch the Andean scenic bus to Cuzco. Travel between Puno and Cuzco, and stop along the way to have lunch in Sicuani before taking a peek into the past at the archaeological sites of Raqchi and Pukara high in the mountains with a local guide. Cross over the high altitude pass of La Raya at over 4,000m and see the colonial church with its quaint plaza in Andauaylillas. On arrival in Cuzco, make your way to your new accommodation for check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Today you will be picked up from your hotel between 5:30 and 6:00 am and head towards the community of Iago Piuray, close to the town of Chinchero which will take us an hour to reach. There we will begin our adventure at 3200m. The trek begins with a 3-hour walk upwards until arrival at Piuray passage located at 4300m. We will be awarded with a beautiful panoramic view of the Urubamba mountain range. Our adventure continues with a 3-hour journey towards the Huchuy Qosqo ruins, a beautiful Inca city built in the Sacred Valley of the Inca. There our guide will lead the visit across this magical archaeological site. At the end of our visit we will have some time to enjoy our box lunch. Then, with a 2-hour downhill walk we’ll make our way to the town of Lamay. Our transport service will pick us up and drive us to Ollantaytambo, where we will be provided with a delicious dinner before boarding the train that’ll drop us at Aguas Calientes, our host for the night. NOTE: Alternatively the dinner might take place at Aguas Calientes (depending on the train schedule)

After an exquisite breakfast, we will take the bus to reach the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, where we will enjoy a 2-hour guided tour visiting all the corners of this gorgeous site. You'll get some free time to take unrepeatable photos and head back to the spot that caught your eye the most. Then we will board the bus that’ll take us back to Aguas Calientes, followed by the train to Ollantaytambo and we will finish off with the bus to Cuzco. Please make your own way back to your hotel. Overnight in Cuzco.

Today you will be picked-up at your accommodation to be transferred to Cuzco airport to catch your flight to the Peruvian capital of Lima. On arrival you will be picked-up at the Lima airport and transferred to your accommodation for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure and overnight.

Enjoy the morning at leisure before making your way to the meeting point to discover Peruvian life on this Lima local city tour that puts you in the shoes of locals. This fun and dynamic tour of Lima is more than a history lesson, it connects you with the heart and soul of this fascinating Peruvian city, from the people that really know what it’s like to live there – the locals. Ditch the history books, this Lima walking tour will give you everything you need to know! You’ll meet your local guide at the main door of the Bolivar Hotel, and start the tour by learning a few words of Spanish whilst getting some insider info on the Bolivar Hotel, before heading out on your adventure through the City of Kings. You’ll walk along Jiron de la Union, a pedestrian avenue linking Plaza San Martin to Plaza de Armas. Along the way, your local guide will be pointing out the sights along this street, from the hidden gems to the Lima’s classic tales. If you’re peckish, here you’ll be able to sample some ‘chicha morada’, a typical local drink, and snack on some authentic Peruvian churros. Next, you’ll dive off the beaten path and make a short stop at San Pedro de Lima Church, an infamous Lima landmark, before heading onwards towards the Central Market. With your local guide, you’ll navigate your way through all the various stalls, checking out the fresh produce and learning about the eating habits of the locals. From jungle, to coast, to ‘altiplano’, or high plains, Peru has a rich and diverse food culture, and you’ll find examples of dishes from all over the country here at this market. As you move ahead you’ll walk through Plaza Bolivar, the perfect place to hear anecdotes about the history of Peru and all of South America. Visit the breathtaking Monasterio San Francisco, home to huge underground catacombs and a building so rich in history that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site back in 1991. As you take in the views of the building and this square, your local guide will be filling you with knowledge about all that you can see. After all that learning, it’s time to rest your body and give yourself a break, and the only way to do that in Lima is with a Pisco Sour in hand! Your local guide will take you to the place where this iconic drink was invented, or so they claim… This Lima tour will come to an end in Plaza de Armas, where you can continue you on your own exploration of the city, or your local guide will be able to point you in the direction of your accommodation. Overnight in Lima. NOTE: Dress standard. Latin Americans can be very conscious of appearance so try to be casual but conservative in your dress. Outside of beach areas halter tops and very short shorts should not be worn. When visiting churches or religious sites shoulders and knees should be covered. IMPORTANT: This Lima Urban Discovery Walking Tour only runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. During the rest of the week, clients will be booked on an alternative city tour.

It is time to say goodbye to Peru as you take your last transfer to the Lima airport for your onward flight. We wish you safe travels!