Peru, Bolivia & Chile in 3 Weeks: The Ultimate South American Journey

Arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, the capital of Peru. Our representative welcomes you and escorts you on a private transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Guided tour of Lima (approx. 4 hours): the historic center, San Martín Square, the Plaza de Armas and the Convent of San Francisco with its catacombs, continuing to modern Miraflores and the Park of Love overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Later, transfer to the bus terminal for the ride south to the bay of Paracas.

Morning boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, the "Peruvian Galápagos", home to sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, cormorants and dolphins. Continue to Ica to visit a traditional pisco winery with tasting, then on to the Huacachina Oasis, surrounded by giant dunes, for a dune-buggy ride and sandboarding. Afternoon bus (approx. 2 hours) to Nazca.

Scenic flight over the Nazca Lines, more than 10,000 lines and 300 designs etched into the desert plateau between Nazca and Palpa: the hummingbird, the monkey, the spider, the condor, the whale and the famous "astronaut". Later, bus to Arequipa and private transfer to your hotel.

A free day in Arequipa, the UNESCO-listed "White City" built of volcanic sillar stone beneath the Misti volcano. Stroll around the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, explore the Santa Catalina Monastery, a city within the city, or enjoy the local picanterías at your own pace.

Drive into the Andes through the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, home to vicuñas, alpacas and llamas, stopping at the Volcanoes Viewpoint (over 5,000 m) with views of Misti, Chachani and Sabancaya. Continue across the Colca Valley to Chivay, with the afternoon free to relax in the local hot springs.

Early half-day excursion to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, where the mighty Andean condors soar over one of the deepest canyons in the world, with stops at the villages of Pinchollo, Maca and Yanque. Return to Arequipa in the afternoon.

Morning flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. In the afternoon, guided tour of the Imperial City: the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) and Santo Domingo church, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, followed by the four nearby sites of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.

Early departure via Pitumarca to the trailhead, where our chef serves an Andean breakfast. Trek approx. 3.5 hours through valleys of llamas and alpacas to the summit of Vinicunca, the Mountain of Seven Colors, at 5,033 m. After time for photos, hike back for a buffet lunch and return to Cusco around 19:00. A backup horse accompanies the group for emergencies.

Departure at 08:00 to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (2,800 m). Guided visit of the Pisac archaeological site, then drive through the villages of Coya, Lamay and Calca along the Vilcanota River to Urubamba for a buffet lunch (not included). In the afternoon, guided tour of the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo.

Board the panoramic train from Ollantaytambo, with wide windows framing the Urubamba River canyon and snow-capped peaks, to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. Afternoon at leisure to explore the town, its craft market and hot springs.

Early bus up to the Lost City of the Incas for a guided tour of Machu Picchu: the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Intihuatana stone. Free time to enjoy the citadel before returning by bus to Aguas Calientes.

Morning at leisure in Aguas Calientes, then board the panoramic train back through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, continuing by road to Cusco. Transfer to your hotel.

Full-day tourist bus along the famous Ruta del Sol (approx. 400 km) with five stops: the colonial church of Andahuaylillas, the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas"; the Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi; a buffet lunch in Sicuani; the La Raya pass (4,335 m); and the Pucará museum. Arrival in Puno around 17:00.

Boat excursion on the world's highest navigable lake. Visit the Uros Floating Islands, woven entirely from totora reeds, and Taquile Island, walking its stone paths among Quechua communities, with lunch at a local restaurant (usually grilled trout). Return to Puno.

Bus around the southern shore of Lake Titicaca through lakeside villages to the border at Copacabana. After immigration formalities, cross the Strait of Tiquina and continue via Huatajata to La Paz, arriving in the afternoon.

Day at leisure in La Paz. In the evening, transfer to the terminal for the overnight bus to Uyuni.

Arrival in Uyuni and departure around 10:30. Visit the Train Cemetery and Colchani, where the salt is processed, then drive onto the salt flat itself: the salt mounds, the original Playa Blanca salt hotel and Incahuasi Island with its giant cacti. Plenty of time for photos and, season permitting, sunset over the salt. Night in a salt hotel.

Head south via the Chiguana desert, with views of the active Ollagüe volcano, past high-altitude lagoons home to three species of flamingo, the Siloli desert and the Árbol de Piedra. Enter the Eduardo Avaroa National Park to see the red Laguna Colorada and, late afternoon, the Sol de Mañana geysers. Evening soak in the Polques hot springs under the stars.

Early start at 06:00 through the Dalí Desert to Laguna Verde, at the foot of the Licancabur volcano. Transfer across the border to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile, arriving around midday–14:00, and transfer to your hotel.

Free time to explore the charming desert town of San Pedro de Atacama, followed by your transfer to Calama. End of our services.