Stay : The best of Peru and Bolivia in 3 weeks
Travel through Peru and Bolivia to get a good first glimpse of these two countries with a very close culture: Inca ruins, Andean Cordillera, llamas, Lake Titicaca, cities with colonial architecture, condors... Also passing by the mythical archaeological site of Machu Picchu in Peru and the salt desert of Uyuni in Bolivia, a circuit that promises an unforgettable experience!
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
22 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : The best of Peru and Bolivia in 3 weeks - 22 days
Day 1: Starting point: Lima
The arrival and return takes place from Lima, the capital of Peru. Visit this vibrant capital a little before heading south. If possible, choose a hotel in the modern Miraflores neighbourhood: many bars and restaurants, not far from Havana, to walk along the coast.
Day 2: Go along the Pacific coast
Take advantage of the morning to rest or visit the historic centre of Lima. In the afternoon, take a bus to Paracas Beach (on the famous Pan-American Highway that crosses the entire American continent from Alaska to Patagonia). Allow 4 hours of travel time.
PLAYA TORTUGAS
Day 3: Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Oasis
Steps: Paracas
Go on a day trip to the wonderful Ballestas Islands where you can observe a very rich and diverse wildlife, including many colonies of seabirds (cormorants, pelicans, penguins...) and sea lions. Back in Paracas, go for a walk near the Huacachina oasis.
Day 4: The mysterious Nazca lines
Steps: Tiwanaku, Nazca, Ica, Arequipa
Reach the city of Ica to take a bus to Nasca (2 hours of travel). Go and observe the famous lines of the Nazca desert. These mysterious geoglyphs, which are believed to date from around the year 500, are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit also the little Museo Antonini which explains the subject well. Then take a night bus to Arequipa (8 hours of travel).
Day 5: The white city
Stroll through the streets of Arequipa, one of the most beautiful cities in Peru's colonial architecture. Get lost in the maze of the Mercado San Camilo, where you also make your lunch break. Let yourself be tempted by a ceviche. Don't miss the colourful colonial monastery Santa Catalina, his visit is really worth a visit.
Day 6: Colca Canyon
Steps: Arequipa, Chivay, Yanque
From Arequipa reach the village of Yanque (via Chivay). Three hours by bus through the Bolivian pampas, keep your eyes open! Here you are at the beginning of the famous Colca Canyon, 3,400 metres deep. Stroll through this pretty little village, still very traditional with adobe houses (made of clay).
Day 7: To meet the condors!
Steps: Lac Titicaca, Arequipa, Chivay, Cruz Del Condor, Puno
Take an early morning bus (before 9am) to Huambo. Stop at Mirador Cruz del Condor. With a little patience there is a good chance that you can observe condors flying over the canyon. If you have time, stay another day and opt for a hike at the bottom of the canyon to the Sangalle oasis. Then take a bus to Puno, to reach the shores of Lake Titicaca. From Chivay, you will certainly have to go back to Arequipa to take a bus to Puno, allow 6 hours of travel.
Day 8: The highest navigable lake in the world
Steps: Lac Titicaca, Puno, Isla Amantani, Isla Taquile, Islas Flotantes De Los Uros
Welcome to the shores of the legendary Lake Titica! This is your last stop in Peru before reaching Bolivia. The two countries share the lake. No time to lose, head for the islands of Amantani and/or Taquile, with a stop on the floating islands of Les Uros. If you would like to immerse yourself in the Quechua culture of the people who live by the lake, for a more authentic experience, contact a community tourism association on the Capachica peninsula for example (easily accessible from Puno).
Day 9: Discover the islands of Lake Titicaca
Steps: Puno, Isla Amantani, Isla Taquile
Continue your stay on the island you have chosen (Amantani or Taquile) or on the Capachica peninsula. Then return to Puno.
Day 10: We are changing countries!
Steps: Copacabana, Isla Del Sol, La Paz, Desaguadero
Take a bus to Copacabana (not Rio de Janeiro beach, but a Bolivian village!). Your bus runs through the lake and leaves you at the Frontalier border crossing. You then take another mini bus to reach Copacabana. From here you can take another bus for La Paz. But if you have time, stay a few days on this side of the lake. Take a boat for Isla del Sol, the atmosphere is still different than on the Peruvian side, the experience is worth a detour.
Day 11: Arrival in La Paz, Bolivian capital
At an altitude of 3,600 metres, La Paz holds the record for the highest capital in the world. Don't forget your little wool, it's very cool there! Take the cable car to the heights of the city from where you will have a magnificent panorama. Go for a walk in the curious Linares Street and its Mercado de las brujas (witches' market). If you are a museum lover: ethnography, folklore, musical instruments, contemporary art, textiles... you will certainly find your happiness in La Paz where even the coca leaf has its museum!
Day 12: Excursion around La Paz
Steps: Valle De La Luna
The most sporty and adventurous can opt for the descent of the death road by bike: 60 km by mountain bike between 4,600 and 1,100 meters above sea level. Others can be tempted by a walk along the coast of the Moon Valley for example.
Day 13: Uyuni salt desert
From La Paz take a night bus to Uyuni (or a flight if you have the budget). It is not possible to "visit" the Uyuni salt desert and the surrounding region alone. Many agencies offer stays (between 2 and 5 days). To avoid wasting time and leave as soon as you arrive for the visit of Uyuni, it is better to book in advance. But if you have time, nothing prevents you from arriving on the spot and visiting several agencies to choose one and leave quietly the next morning.
The tour usually begins with a visit to the "train cemetery" or a visit to a traditional salt factory. You usually sleep in hotels made entirely of salt in the middle of the desert (there are several of them). You also make a stop on Inkahuasi Island and its giant cacti. The sunsets over the salar are magnificent.
CEMENTERIO DE TRENES
Day 14: Désert salt desert, next
Steps: Parque Nacional Sajama
Continuation of exploration: observations of llamas, funny rocks, geysers, and lagoons with different colors.
GÉISERES DE JUNTHUMA
Day 15: Désert salt desert, next
Steps: Salar De Uyuni
Continuation of adventure through the salar d'Uyuni
Day 16: Return to Peru
Join La Paz (by bus or plane) and join Puno (on the shores of Lake Titicaca in Peru). Go through the night.
Day 17: Direction Cusco and its sacred valley
Steps: Cusco, Machu Picchu
Join Cusco (by bus, plane or even by train), you arrived in the famous historic capital of Peru, at the gates of the sacred valley and the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.
Day 18: Visit to Cusco
Take a day to visit the city, especially the ruins of Saqsayhuaman, the main square, its cathedral, the temple of the Inca sun Qorikancha... Maybe you'll let yourself be tempted by a roasted guinea pig for dinner?!
Day 19: Inca ruins of the sacred valley
Steps: Urubamba, Ollantaytambo
Visit the Inca ruins of Pisac, the village of Urubamba and finally the impressive archaeological site of '.
Day 20: Machu Picchu!
Steps: San Javier, Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu
Certainly very expected time of trip: from Cusco (or even better since Ollantaytambo) take a train for Aguas Calientes, and finally visit the mythical Inca archaeological site of Machu Picchu! Spend the night in Aguas Calientes, or return to Cusco.
AGUAS CALIENTES
Day 21: Return to Cusco
Steps: Cusco
Enjoy the last day in Cusco to make your last souvenir purchases.
Day 22: Back to Lima
Steps: Lima
The time of departure has arrived, take a flight (or a bus, but it is a long journey of more than 20 hours) to Lima.
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