High on Altitude
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Overview
You know those photos of the place where someone in the foreground is holding out their hand, and the person in the background is sitting in it? Those are taken at the salt flats in Uyuni. Until now you thought it was just inhabited by tiny plam-sized people, didn't you?
(Was Peru & Bolivia)
Itinerary
Day 1-2 - Lima
Follow your nose to the Plaza de Armas for a Tunki coffee (Peru's own) and a chicharron (deep fried pork, deep fried sweet potatoes and red onion in a sandwich).
Day 1
- Arrive in Lima
Day 2
- Morning tour briefing
- Spend free time exploring the Peruvian capital
BreakfastDay 3-4 - Cusco
Two things they love in Cusco - spontaneous festivals and stray dogs. You're bound to come across one or both of these over the next few days.
Day 3
- Acclimatise in Cusco in preparation for the Inca trek
Day 4
- Take a walking tour of central Cusco
- Explore Cusco and see the local sights during free time
BreakfastDay 5-9 - Inca Trek - Cusco
Just remember one step at a time and you'll get to Machu Picchu with no worries at all.
Day 5
- Gaze upon massive Inca fortifications in Ollantaytambo
- Begin the Inca trek
- Hike past the ancient hilltop fort of Huillca Raccay and the archaeological site of Llactapata
- Stunning views of snow-capped Veronica Peak
- Camp near the village of Wayllabamba
Day 6
- The most difficult part of the trek - Dead Woman’s Pass
- Panoramas of the Vilcanota and Vilcabama mountain ranges, and ruins in the valley below
- Camp with a view over the cloud forest
Day 7
- Climb up to the ruins of Runkuracay
- Continue up the Inca staircase
- Spectacular views of Pumasillo and the entire Vilcabamba range
- Enter the beautiful cloud forest
Day 8
- The final, and most spectacular, leg of the trek to Machu Picchu
- Arrive at Inti Punku, the Gateway of the Sun
- Experience a panoramic view of Machu Picchu at sunrise
- Explore Machu Picchu on a guided tour
- Return to Cusco by train
Day 9
- Relax and unwind or spend free time exploring Cusco's many markets, museums, eateries and local sights
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10-12 - Puno - Lake Titicaca
Have a sleepover with a local Uros Indian family on Lake Titicaca. Indulge in some home cooking, a few local beers and a bit of musical entertainment (hint: you'll be asked to join in so don't be shy).
Day 10
- Catch a bus to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca
Day 11
- Take a boat across Lake Titicaca to the Uros' floating reed islands
- Enjoy a homestay on Amantani Island
Day 12
- Indulge in a breakfast with your host family
- Take time to explore the island
- Board an afternoon boat back to Puno
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13-14 - La Paz
La Paz basically sits in a giant bowl so the bus ride down into the city is hairy but awesome. You've go free time to roam the cobblestone streets, shop for kitsch souvenirs at Calle Linares (pan pipes anyone?) and dried llama foetuses at the Witches' Market.
Day 13
- Stop for lunch in Copacabana en route to La Paz
Day 14
- Arrive in La Paz and enjoy free time exploring Bolivia's capital city
BreakfastDay 15-16 - Uyuni (Great Salt Desert)
Two great things about this part of the trip: Lake Poopo has a funny name, and we burn around the salt flats in 4WDs.
Day 15
- Catch a bus for a spectacular journey around the edge of Lake Poopo
- Gain awesome views of Bolivian mineral-rich mountains
- Spot llamas, alpacas and even graceful vicunas
- Spend two nights in Uyuni exploring the immense Uyuni Desert saltpan
Day 16
- Full excursion across the saltpans
- Visit the local village of Jiria
- Spend time on Isla Pescado
- Enjoy free time for exploring
Breakfast | LunchDay 17-18 - Potosi
If sitting out in the mains square with a plate of saltenas and empanadas while gossiping about your friends is good enough for the locals, then it's good enough for us too.
- Travel to the silver-mining town of Potosi
- Enjoy a guided tour of the city which includes visits to the San Lorenzo church, the Cobija Arch, the main square, the cathedral, the Jesuit Tower and the museum in the Casa Real de la Moneda
- Spend free time exploring under your own steam
- Perhaps take a dip in a thermal bath
BreakfastDay 19-20 - Sucre
There's a lot of history to take in here so we'll do some guided tours of Old Sucre's monasteries and chapels, then you're free to do what you like. Why not jump on a horse or and head into the countryside?
Day 19
- Visit Sucre, the judicial capital of Bolivia
- Stay in a colonial guesthouse
- Take a guided tour of the old town and many of its highlights
Day 20
Enjoy a free day to explore Sucre and perhaps visit the local markets and the textile museum, or set off through the countryside on a horse
BreakfastDay 21 - La Paz
Things wind up back in La Paz today. Take a deep breath of thin air and say your goodbyes.
- Fly back to La Paz, where the trip comes to an end
- Tour ends on arrival at La Paz Airport – please ensure departure flights are not booked out of La Paz prior to 2000hrs.
Breakfast -
What to Know
What's Included
An experienced local leader in Peru and Bolivia, and there will be the services of local guides at some sites. All transportation, accommodation, sightseeing and meals as indicated.
Not Included
- International flights, arrival and departure transfers, departure and airport taxes, visas, all other meals, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price 09 Jun 2013 - 29 Jun 2013 7+ Request US $3,310 Book Now 07 Jul 2013 - 27 Jul 2013 5 Available US $3,310 Book Now 11 Aug 2013 - 31 Aug 2013 7 Available US $3,310On Sale Sale: US $2,587 Book Now 01 Sep 2013 - 21 Sep 2013 6 Available US $3,310 Book Now 03 Nov 2013 - 23 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 15 Dec 2013 - 04 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 05 Jan 2014 - 25 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 26 Jan 2014 - 15 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $2,965 Book Now 16 Feb 2014 - 08 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $2,965 Book Now 09 Mar 2014 - 29 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $2,965 Book Now 30 Mar 2014 - 19 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $2,965 Book Now 20 Apr 2014 - 10 May 2014 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 04 May 2014 - 24 May 2014 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 29 Jun 2014 - 19 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 20 Jul 2014 - 09 Aug 2014 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 10 Aug 2014 - 30 Aug 2014 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 31 Aug 2014 - 20 Sep 2014 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 21 Sep 2014 - 11 Oct 2014 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 12 Oct 2014 - 01 Nov 2014 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 02 Nov 2014 - 22 Nov 2014 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 23 Nov 2014 - 13 Dec 2014 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now 14 Dec 2014 - 03 Jan 2015 7+ Available US $3,310 Book Now -
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What to know
A good level of fitness and pre-trip training is essential for the Inca Trek. You will trek on hilly terrain or mountainous terrain at altitudes of up to 4200 metres, for up to 7 hours per day.