Andean crossing From Bolivia to Peru

Tiredness and fatigue can be overwhelming after a long international flight, so we’ll save you from the stress of navigating alone on your arrival at La Paz Airport.  Our local host will be looking for you at the international flight's arrival gate to assist and transport you to your Bolivia hotel.

La Paz is located 3625 meters above sea level, being one of the highest cities in South America. For this reason, altitude sickness can be shocking for tourists arriving in a city of this altitude for the first time. It's recommended to take everything calmly on this first day, not to make a physical effort, nor eat meat or anything very spicy, and rest often. In doing this, your body will acclimatize faster to the altitude.

Once installed in your room, you can take a comforting shower, leaving behind the fatigue of such a long flight and rest. Or, you can take advantage of the time to enjoy the best Bolivian gastronomy with a tasty lunch and dinner (on your own) in your hotel or the surrounding areas. Tomorrow, a great day is waiting for you!

Our journey in the Bolivian Andeans is about to begin! After a satisfying breakfast provided by your hotel, your tour guide will pick you up to explore La Paz City and what it has to offer. First, we’ll go to Mercado de Brujas (Witches Market) where mysterious treasures and objects used in ancient Andean rituals will be waiting for you. Next, you take the famous cable car of La Paz and can enjoy spectacular views of the entire city and its downtown, from the air!

At mid-morning, we will make a break to taste the traditional and delicious Salteña, a type of baked bun filled with minced meat and carrot stew.

Continuing our trip, we’ll visit the Bolivian Museum of Ethnography and Folklore, where we’ll appreciate the different Bolivian traditional dances, typical costumes, masks, and other peculiarities of the highland country.

At noon, we’ll enjoy a fantastic vegetarian lunch made by micro-producers from all over Bolivia, in this unique and special restaurant Ali Pacha.

In the afternoon, you‘ll have several options to enjoy the fantastic La Paz. You just have to let us know in advance.

You can appreciate the beautiful Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) which are polychromatic clay formations eroded by water and wind from the imposing Illimani Mountain. Or, maybe, you can take advantage of the Salar Gallery, where the masterpieces of the most recognized Bolivian artist today Gastón Ugalde, known as  “The Andean Warhol,” are shown. Moreover, you can still enjoy air tours onboard the La Paz cable car or taste delicious Bolivian Organic Coffee. The options are endless.

At the end of the day, your local guide will return you to your hotel, for a well-deserved dinner on your own. We guarantee you a comfortable rest with good memories.

Lake Titicaca still has many charms to discover, and you will not miss a thing! First, you'll enjoy a delicious breakfast at your La Paz hotel. Then, with our guide, you will begin your adventure through the highest navigable freshwater lake in the world, Lake Titicaca.

Our objective is to reach the beautiful town of Copacabana, located east of Lake Titicaca. However, in the middle of the route, we can visit the enchanting  Limachi family. They will teach us their techniques to make reed boats, typically used on the lake. It is interesting to note, that their ancestors built the great Kon-Ti-Ti, the boat of Thor Heyerdahl, the Norwegian adventurer who crossed the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia.

Another option can be to visit the ancient Tiahuanaco. This awesome archaeological site hosted maybe the most important Pre-Inca culture in the whole of South America. Well-carved stones with enigmatic engravings form its buildings and squares. Not in vain, Tiahuanaco was declared a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1999. Its impressive Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate), the Kalasasaya temple, the Frase and Ponce monoliths, and the Akapana Pyramid are all truly impressive. If you choose this “Tiahuanaco” route, you will enjoy a delicious lunch in a local restaurant.

Moving on, we’ll arrive in the charming Copacabana town, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. It has a beautiful XVI-century Cathedral of Moorish architectural style and is a reason for the frequent pilgrimage of Bolivian Catholics. Moreover, it hosts the most venerated religious image of the Bolivian highlands, the Virgin of Copacabana. From this quaint town, we'll take a speed boat heading to Isla del Sol (Sun Island) Of course, if you took the optional route of the Limachi Family, you will enjoy a countryside lunch on the shores of Sun Island, where you will taste the traditional Athapati, a local Aymara food for travelers.

After, you can take an optional hike to Pilkocaina temple, in the south zone of the island. Where you can enjoy an unforgettable sunset.

Finally, your local tour guide will take you to your hotel to have a delicious dinner, rest, and recharge energy for the next day.

Today, the highest navigable freshwater lake in the world and its beautiful Sun Island are waiting to be explored. Firstly, you will enjoy a fresh breakfast prepared with local ingredients. Following on, you’ll be taken by our local tour guide to Yumani town, through a charming hike surrounding agricultural terraces. Then, we will descend "The Grand Staircase" with more than 200 stairs built by the Incas, heading to the Sacred Fountain. There, you’ll drink its magical water of youthfulness and happiness (according to the local legends) and finally enjoy a delicious lunch in the middle of Sun Island.

After that, you’ll be taken onboard a boat to Moon Island. This island antagonist of the island of the Sun hosts beautiful examples of pre-Inca architecture like the imposing Sacred Temple of the Virgins of the Sun, Iña Kuyu. The ruins of this temple once hosted selected women who were dedicated to the Sun worship. They were kept on the island of the moon to keep the eternal sacred fire lit. After this awesome trip to the Moon Island, you will return to La Paz, passing by Copacabana.

In beautiful La Paz, you can enjoy an exquisite dinner in a “Michelin-star restaurant called Guru (A prior table reservation is required).

Finally, our staff will take you to your La Paz Hotel, where you can take a relaxing shower and just rest.

Are you ready to visit the largest salt mirror in the world? We refer to Uyuni! Well, after your hotel provides a comforting and delicious breakfast, our host will be ready to transport you to La Paz airport to take a commercial flight to Uyuni.

Once in Uyuni, our local host will welcome you and guide you to Uyuni Salar. It is the world's largest salt flat with more than 4,600 square miles (12,000 square kilometers). The is so flat and featureless that on its horizon you can see the curvature of the earth. This accumulation of sodium chloride in large quantities is one of the most unique natural spectacles in the world.

In the dry season, salt-solidified pentagons appear on the floor making it possible to walk over this magical white expanse, an amazing opportunity to capture some unique photos. Also, at this time you'll see bubbly salt holes and can explore, with your expert tour guide, the enchanting Incahuasi island with its amazing giant cacti. Without mentioning, a magical hike in the middle of petrified corals and a comforting countryside lunch on Uyuni!

On the other hand, in the rainy season, a fine water line covers a few centimeters of the planed salt esplanade, by making a giant natural mirror where the blue sky merges with the white, salty surface of Uyuni. However, this fine water line makes it impossible the drive over this salt flat. However, you'll obtain the best photos with this water layer that reflects the sky and your image, too!  Also, you will see the mysterious K'aka mummies.

For all these reasons, the exact route through Uyuni can change depending on climate factors or the season you visit. To crown the afternoon, you will be able to appreciate a beautiful sunset.

Finally, your expert local guide will take you to a cozy lodge in Uyuni, where you will have a deserved rest.

Today, we’ll say goodbye to Uyuni in the best way! Very early in the morning, after a delicious breakfast, our local tour guide will pick you up from the Uyuni lodge to visit the surrounding areas of the salt flat and, in case of the dry season, go to the lovely Coquesa, a town located north of Lake Titicaca.

Coquesa offers an imposing Volcano, called Thunupa that is more than 17,450 feet altitude (5,320 meters). Also, the same town provides amazing views of the volcano and the salt flat.

Following on, you will enjoy of countryside lunch in the same salt flat, and after you’ll have free time for the best photos with impressive perspectives.

Next, you will enjoy an interesting talk from a recognized local astronomer who will guide your vision to see the stars in the firmament, besides sharing important information about southern celestial bodies and constellations. For this purpose, we’ll take advantage of Uyuni’s clear nights!

After this unique experience, your local tour guide will return you to your Uyuni Lodge for a comforting dinner on your own and some sweet dreams.

OPTIONAL: If you want, as an alternative to staying in your hotel in Uyuni, we offer you a novel alternative, the Deluxe Camper Airstream Camper. As its name indicates, this is a mobile hotel or a cozy camper formed by a comfortable room for two persons, with a hot shower, heating, minibar, sofa, and even an iPad dock with speakers. You’ll pass by the same places on this itinerary with slight modifications in the visiting orders. As if this were not enough, the camper is accompanied by another car that includes a kitchen, satellite radio, and oxygen cylinders, among other facilities. From there your private chef will prepare the most exquisite dishes for dinner and cocktails. After meals, he and his guide will leave you alone to enjoy your privacy in the Uyuni desert.

This day, you'll explore a new country with many more treasures to discover. You only have to enjoy a comforting breakfast fully included in your Uyuni hotel reservation and relax.

At a predetermined hour, your local host will take you to Uyuni airport and send you on a flight to La Paz, where you will board your international flight heading to beautiful Cusco in Peru, the ancient capital of the Inca empire.

During the flight, you can watch gigantic Andean snow-topped mountains through your plane window as they give way to enchanting Andean valleys, rivers, and high Andean lagoons. These lands were conquered many centuries ago by the impressive Inca civilization. A 70-minute flight will be enough to arrive in Cusco in the highest zone of Peru, 11,200ft above sea level.

At Cusco airport, our local host will be waiting for you at the international flights' arrival zone holding a sign with your name. “It is not altitude sickness… it is the feeling of being close to heaven” is a phrase our host often recites about the altitude. Yes, even if you come from another high-altitude city it is better to be cautious. That's why this day, you’ll be taken to your Cusco Hotel previously selected by yourself, to rest and have some free time.

There you will enjoy a dream afternoon in Cusco, maybe take a walk in the surrounding areas of your hotel or go to a diner in some of the recognized Cusco restaurants, previously recommended by our local host. The decision is always yours!

Are you ready to visit the Rome of America on this day? We refer to Cusco! So, after your hotel provides a comforting and delicious breakfast, your guide will be ready to transport you into the past.

Firstly, you’ll explore the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, with its giant, immaculately carved rocks perfectly fitted into its structure. The tour will continue by visiting the Qenqo Inca ceremonial center with its ancient sacrifice vestiges. Then, onto the Inca military barrack, Puca Pucara will fascinate you with its beautiful views of Cusco. Following on, our guide will show you the retreat place of the Inca sovereign called Tambomachay, with its beautiful water fonts, where the sovereign spent long periods resting and hunting.

Then, we will return to the center of Cusco to lose ourselves in its charming stone alleys and to appreciate the renaissance architecture of the Cathedral of Cusco and its famous painting collection of the unique style of art called "Escuela Cusqueña".

Later, your guide will take you to Qoricancha temple, located a short distance away from the Cathedral, where you will be fascinated with the mix of Inca and Spanish architectural styles, besides some original restoration of the Inca temple inside it.

Finally, our tour will end in the main square. You could enjoy a nice lunch or dinner on your own in one of the nearby restaurants, or we can arrange transport to drop you off at your hotel. Whatever your decision, tell your guide what you would like to do!

Today, the enchanting landscapes of a paradise-high Andean valley wait for you! Firstly, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast in your Cusco hotel. Afterward, our local tour guide will pick you up to go to the magical Sacred Valley, located 600 meters below Cusco.

Upon entering the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we’ll discover an exceptional project called Awanacancha, where you will able to appreciate the 4 types of South American camelids bred in captivity: the llama, the alpaca, the guanaco, and the vicuña. Also, you can feed them and learn how to distinguish them. As if this were not enough, the Sacred Valley locals who work there will show you how they use their Inca ancestors’ techniques to transform the delicate fur of these animals, especially the alpaca and vicuña, into beautiful and colored clothes through traditional weaving, like multi-colored belts and exquisitely embroidered blankets, among others.

Then, we’ll continue descending through the valley slope until we discover a spectacular Inca archaeological site over a hill called Pisac, with magnificent terraced fields on its hill slopes, among Inca enclosures, squares, temples, and even an Inca cemetery! Our first contact with a rich Andean past. Descending into the modern town, we will lose ourselves among the colored stands of the famous Pisac traditional market, and be fascinated by its beautiful handicrafts made by local people, like fabric crafts, sculptures, jewelry, and paintings with Andean themes.

Next, we will visit a charming restaurant in the middle of the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley to enjoy a delicious lunch made from local ingredients, fully included in our program. You will have previously chosen the restaurant with the advice of our travel consultants.

Finally, we’ll go to our hotel in the middle of the spectacular scenery of the Sacred Valley and you can enjoy a delicious dinner there on your own. A well-deserved sleep is guaranteed tonight!

The Sacred Valley still has treasures to discover, and you will not miss a thing! This day assures an unforgettable trip in a perfect climate. The Sacred Valley is known for its charming climate 365 days a year. First, you'll enjoy a delicious breakfast at your luxury hotel. Then, with our guide, we will begin our adventure through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

We’ll discover Ollantaytambo, a fortress that was the last Inca refuge in Andean lands during the Spanish invasion. As we wander among its narrow alleys, temples, enclosures, and squares of well-carved, perfectly fitted stones, this incredible experience will be accompanied by stories and myths that your guide will tell you about the place. One notable mention, is the fantastic ancient love legend between an Inca military general and a beautiful princess, the daughter of the Inca emperor Pachacutec.

Next, you will go to a charming restaurant in the middle of the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley, to enjoy a delicious and exclusive lunch made from local ingredients. As if this were not enough, the variety of flavors and colors in its menu, dishes, and drinks will surprise you.

Then, our next stop will be the white slopes of Maras. Here, you will enjoy the bright sight of 2,000 small Inca salt wells that are still used by local people today to provide themselves with salt. By the way, the Maras salt is recognized worldwide as, ‘perfect  for grills and barbecues.’

Following on, our guide will take us to Moray, where you'll be fascinated by a series of circular terraces, in the form of rings, that go deep into the earth. These circular terraces were used as an Incan laboratory to acclimatize crops. They sowed a specific type of seed in each circular terrace, from the smallest and deepest ring to the largest, to see the quality of the harvest they obtained.

Finally, we’ll return to our hotel to take a deserved rest, enjoy a fantastic dinner on our own, and take a relaxing shower.

And the day to conquer Machu Picchu has come! After a delicious breakfast in your hotel, our host will take you to Ollantaytambo train station and send you on a charming and comfortable train heading to Aguas Calientes, the modern town of Machu Picchu. The magical train trip will last one and a half hours, crossing the spectacular Peruvian jungle, accompanied by the exotic birdsong, leafy undergrowth, and the Vilcanota river that will follow the train's path, like a snake on the lookout for its prey!

Once you arrive at Aguas Calientes train station, our local guide will await you at the arrivals gate. And with him, you’ll go to the bus station to take a CONSETTUR bus heading to the top of the mountain where Machu Picchu citadel is located. After 35 minutes, the bus will drop you at the same entrance gate to Machu Picchu.

Then, we will enter the famous Inca citadel to start experiencing this unique, magical wonder of the world!! You can get lost between enclosures, squares, temples, and stone alleys perfectly carved and fitted. A two-hour exploration of the mysteries and magic of an Inca citadel that continues to amaze the world with its beauty. Of course, as a soundtrack, you will listen to the stories of its construction, inhabitants, and function from your private guide.

Once the tour is over, but not before taking your dream photo of Machu Picchu, our tour guide will dispatch you in a CONSETTUR bus returning to Aguas Calientes town. There you’ll enjoy a fantastic lunch included in our program in one of the best restaurants in the zone.

Next, you’ll have to go to the Aguas Calientes train station to take your train to return to Cusco. There, you will take a comfortable train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy train stations. Whatever station you arrive at, another member of our staff will wait for you to transfer to the Cusco Hotel, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner on your own, before taking a relaxing shower and enjoying a well-deserved rest.

Don't worry; as you can see, you will always be assisted at any departure or arrival point!

OPTIONAL: If you want to continue enjoying Machu Picchu, this package, like all the others, can be fully customized by adding a night in Aguas Calientes. So, on the following day, you'll be able to enjoy a second visit to the enigmatic Inca citadel or hike to nearby mountains like Huayna Picchu and get fabulous photos of Vilcanota Valley. Just tell us your requirements, and that's it!

You can't leave Peru without visiting its beautiful capital. But first, let's enjoy an exquisite breakfast in our Cusco hotel. At a certain time, our local host will pick you up from the hotel to take you directly to Cusco airport, where you’ll be sent on a comfortable commercial flight to Lima.

After a 90-minute flight, you’ll arrive in the Capital of Peru, Lima. Our Machu Travel Peru host will be looking for you at the arrival gate to accompany you to the Lima hotel of your preference.

Once installed in your room, you can take a comforting shower, leaving behind the fatigue of such a long flight and rest. Or, you can take advantage of the time to enjoy the best Peruvian gastronomy with a tasty lunch (on your own) in your hotel or surrounding areas.

Later, we will begin a fantastic city tour of Lima's colonial and modern zones.

You can lose yourself among republican, French-styled squares like the Plaza San Martin or the City's main square (Plaza de Armas) while wandering by a charming colonial alley called Jirón de la Unión. Following this, our guide will lead you to the colonial Monastery of San Francisco, where you can appreciate its beautiful Spanish baroque architecture and some religious sculptures from colonial times. Saving the best for last we will be exploring the hidden depths of its enigmatic catacombs! Here, you’ll find out why this monastery was considered the first cemetery for the first Lima inhabitants.

Upon Return to your hotel, relax and enjoy a beautiful afternoon at your own pace by exploring the zones of Miraflores, a Lima tourist district, the beautiful Kennedy Park, or go shopping in the famous Larcomar Mall center.

This evening, for dinner, we recommend you consider the restaurants Central or Maido, which are considered the best in the country and are currently number one and number six, respectively, in the world’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2023. Please remember that it is necessary to secure reservations in advance!

The worst part of a trip is when those good adventures you will remember forever, end. That is why Machu Travel Peru wants to save you the trouble. You will only have to enjoy a comforting breakfast fully included in your Lima hotel reservation and relax.

At a predetermined hour, MACHU TRAVEL PERU staff will take you to Lima airport and send you on a flight to your home country.

Do you like the sound of our "Andean Crossing From Bolivia to Peru? Do you have any extra requests or questions? Please don’t hesitate to write to us. We will always be attentive to personalize your dream tour of Bolivia and Peru at your request!

NOTE: This program will allow you to visit La Paz, Lake Titicaca, and Uyuni in Bolivia. Also, Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Moray, Salineras, and Machu Picchu in Peru. Additionally, you can add more exciting day tours in Cusco or another destination in Peru. Please make contact with our travel agents!