Peru & Bolivia Extraordinary

ARRIVAL IN LIMA (79M)

Welcome to Lima!

A Peru Vip Travel representative will be waiting for your arrival at the international airport to give you a warm welcome and escort you directly to the hotel. We will take care of all the check-in formalities to make your arrival as comfortable and carefree as possible.

LIMA (79M) – LIMA CITY TOUR AND CULINARY ROUTE

Peru, globally recognized as a top gastronomic destination, invites you on a tasting tour to experience the flavors that have put the country on the world culinary map. Explore local markets, traditional wineries and artisanal restaurants showcasing some of Peru’s finest products. Discover new ingredients and learn about the pioneering status of Lima’s gastronomy as you sample a variety of exquisite dishes.

In the afternoon, delve into Lima’s history with a visit to the historic center. Explore the colonial area, including the Cathedral, the Santo Domingo Convent and the Plaza de Armas, famous for its baroque buildings. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Casa Aliaga, the oldest house on the continent still in the hands of the same family after 17 generations.

LIMA – CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY

Flight from Lima to Cusco.

Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be met by one of our expert guides and transferred by private vehicle to Pisac, one of the most outstanding Inca destinations in the Sacred Valley.

On the way to Pisac, we will make a stop at Awanacancha, where you can admire up close the variety of camelids that inhabit the Andes, such as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos. In Pisac, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant and colorful atmosphere of the famous local market, where you will find a wide selection of handicrafts and fresh produce. Afterwards, we will continue to the impressive ruins of Pisac, where you can marvel at the panoramic views and discover the history of the Inca culture in a spectacular setting.

OLLANTAYTAMBO – MARAS & MORAY

Today you will visit the fascinating town of Ollantaytambo and its ruins, the site of one of the most important battles of the Conquest, in which the Incas managed to defeat the Spanish. Afterwards, you will enjoy a three-course lunch at Hacienda Huayoccari, a traditional property belonging to one of Cusco’s oldest landowning families. You will have the opportunity to explore their private collection of folk art and ancient artifacts.

In the afternoon, you will visit the salt pans of Maras, an impressive set of irrigated terraces that extract salt by evaporation of subway saline waters. These terraces, similar to the agricultural terraces of the Andes, have been in use since pre-Columbian times. Near Maras are the enigmatic terraces of Moray, believed to have been used for agricultural experimentation.

VISTADOME TRAIN TO MACHUPICCHU

Today you will take the scenic Vistadome train to Machu Picchu, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours from Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will board a bus that will take you to the ruins. Machu Picchu, the ‘lost city of the Incas’, is an architectural marvel that symbolizes the ingenuity and prosperity of the vast Inca empire and is a top destination on many travelers’ lists.

CUSCO – URUBAMBA – CUSCO

This morning, you will return to the ruins with your guide and choose from the following optional excursions:

• Hike to IntiPunku (Sun Gate).
• Hike to Huayna Picchu (recommended only for those who are not afraid of heights).
• Hike to Machu Picchu mountain (offers spectacular panoramic views).

Afterwards, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes to take the Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, a private vehicle will take you to the imperial city of Cusco.

CUSCO ¨BELLY OF THE WORLD¨ (3,400M)

Begin your exploration of Cusco on foot, as the city was designed by the Incas to be explored on foot. Begin your tour at the Plaza de Armas, famous for its Spanish colonial architecture that reflects the religious and political influence of the colonists, but also reveals remnants of the original Inca structure. Visit Koricancha, the splendid “Temple of the Sun” of the Inca Empire, and the imposing Cathedral, which houses colonial art and valuable archaeological artifacts.

Explore the vibrant San Pedro market and the charming San Blas neighborhood. Then, head to Sacsayhuaman, a hilltop Inca citadel with majestic stone terraces and panoramic views of Cusco’s rooftops.
At the end of the tour, enjoy a private barbecue with your own cook on top of an Inca wall. Taste a variety of local meats, including alpaca, accompanied by fresh salads from the local garden in a hearty and delicious home cooking experience.

LA PAZ – BOLIVIA

Today, a Peru VIP Travel representative will pick you up from your hotel and accompany you to the airport for your flight to La Paz, Bolivia. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel to begin your stay in Bolivia.

THE BEST OF LA PAZ – BOLIVIA

La Paz is a city where indigenous, colonial and modern customs intertwine under the majestic gaze of Illimani Mountain. In the morning, explore the colonial center of the city, visiting the witches’ market and the impressive Museum of Ethnography and Folklore. Use the cable car as public transportation to enjoy panoramic views of La Paz and take the opportunity to try salteñas, a typical Bolivian snack.

Have lunch at Ali Pacha, where you will taste a gourmet vegetable-based menu that supports Bolivia’s micro-producers. In the afternoon, choose among the city’s main attractions according to your interests. The most popular option is a visit to the surreal Valley of the Moon, a natural labyrinth of canyons and clay formations in shades of beige, red and purple.

Alternatively, explore the Salar Galería in the city center, with works by Gastón Ugalde, known as the ‘Andean Warhol’, or take a cable car ride to El Alto to admire the vibrant Cholets buildings designed by Freddy Mamani. Beer aficionados can visit a craft brewery that uses Bolivian ingredients, with a tour of the facilities followed by a tasting. Your itinerary will be tailored to your interests, so visits may vary.

LAKE TITICACA – TIAHUANACO AND THE ISLAND OF THE SUN

Leave La Paz towards the serene Lake Titicaca by road. On the way, visit a traditional workshop of totora reed rafts, built by the Limachi family, famous for their connection with the Kon-Tiki expedition. Alternatively, you may choose to tour the ruins of Tiahuanaco, a UNESCO World Heritage site highlighting one of the most influential pre-Inca civilizations.
Upon arrival in Copacabana, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, explore this important pilgrimage site and visit its 16th-century cathedral. Then, embark a motorboat to navigate the blue waters of the lake to Isla del Sol. Enjoy a local lunch with Apthapi, a traditional Bolivian meal for travelers. At Isla del Sol, take in the scenery and, optionally, hike to the Pilkocaina temple at the southern end before arriving at your accommodation for the night.

SUN ISLAND – MOON ISLAND

You will wake up on Lake Titicaca and, after breakfast, depart for the village of Yumani. On the way, you will see agricultural terraces and descend the “Great Staircase”, composed of more than 200 Inca steps, to drink water from the Sacred Fountain, which is believed to grant eternal youth and happiness. After lunch on Sun Island, you will sail by private boat to Moon Island, where you will visit the Sacred Temple of the Virgins of the Sun, Iñak Uyu, used by pre-Inca civilizations and later by the Incas.

Return by boat to Copacabana and then by road to La Paz. In the evening, you will dine at Gustu, Bolivia’s best restaurant, founded by Danish chef Claus Meyer, known for his two Michelin-starred restaurant, Noma.

FLIGHT LA PAZ – UYUNI

Today you will visit the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world. A private transfer will take you to the airport for your short domestic flight. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you to explore the vast salt flats by 4×4.

The Salar de Uyuni, which covers 12,000 square kilometers of the Bolivian highlands, offers breathtaking scenery. In the dry season, the salt flats feature bright white salt pentagons, while in the rainy season, the water forms a natural mirror reflecting the sky. During the excursion, you will enjoy a picnic lunch at the salt flats, visit the ‘train cemetery’, and explore the village of Colchani, where the salt is processed. In the dry season, you can cross the salt flat to a cactus island for panoramic views.

In Uyuni, you can choose to stay in a hotel made entirely of salt bricks or in a luxurious Airstream camper on the north shore of the salar, equipped with private bathroom, heating and mini-bar, and enjoy gourmet food and cocktails prepared by a dedicated chef.

EXPLORATION OF THE UYUNI SALT FLATS

Today we will continue exploring the impressive salt flats. In the dry season, you will cross the Salar north to the town of Coquesa, where the imposing Thunupa Volcano rises to 5,321 m (17,457 ft). In the rainy season, you will photograph nearby lagoons, such as Laguna Hedionda and Laguna Negra, which are home to pink flamingos and offer surreal landscapes. Lunch is included.

In the evening, you can opt for guided stargazing. Thanks to its remote location and lack of light pollution, Uyuni is ideal for enjoying a spectacular night sky.

INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE

Our guide will accompany you to the airport. A Peru VIP Travel representative will meet you in La Paz to assist you with all check-in procedures and accompany you to the departure area for your international flight.

End of program Peru & Bolivia Extraordinary.

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