TAILOR MADE TRIPS TO CHILE AND OTHER SOUTH AMERICAN DESTINATIONS - TRAVEL PACKAGES TO CHILE, PERU, ARGENTINA, & EASTER ISLAND

FROM THE DESERT TO MACHU PICCHU

Duration: 18 days / 17 nights
Category: Discovery
Accommodation: 3 and 4 star hotels/mountain refuges
Difficulty: Suitable for all
Season: March - November

PROGRAM

Day 01 YOUR COUNTRY – SANTIAGO, CHILE
Flight not included in program

Day 02 WELCOME TO SANTIAGO 
Morning pick-up from Santiago Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Tour of the city, starting in the “Barrio” (quarter) El Golf, where you see examples of the city’s avant-garde architecture. After this you visit the Barrio Cívico which contains the government buildings and the cultural center. From here you take a walk through the main streets of the city center towards the main square, “Plaza de Armas,” where you will be able to admire the splendor of the buildings that surround the square: La Catedral, El Correo, IIlustre Municipalidad de Santiago, etc. The tour then takes you to the Barrio Bella Vista, famous for its lively night life. Return and overnight stay at the 4-star Atton Hotel or a similar hotel of the same category.

Day 03 SANTIAGO - CALAMA - SAN PEDRO ATACAMA
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Santiago Airport. Flight to Calama. Pick up from the airport and transfer to the village of San Pedro de Atacama, considered the archaeological capital of Chile. Check-in to hotel and lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch we visit Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), stopping off at Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) where you will be able to admire the 3 Marias – strange rock formations that seem like man-made statues. We arrive at Valle de la Luna at dusk and admire the spectacular sunset from the Duna Mayor (Great Dune). Return to San Pedro. Overnight stay at the 3-star Hotel Casa Don Tomas or a similar hotel of the same category. (B)

Day 04 SAN PEDRO - SALAR DE ATACAMA - LAGUNAS ALTIPLANICAS
Visit to the Atacama Salt Flats (2,305m), with a surface area of over 3,000 square kilometers - the largest salt flat in Chile. The air is so dry and clear that it is possible to see the other end of the salt flat – 70 km away. Under the crust of salt there is a lake which is an important source of lithium, a mineral salt used in high tech industries. Visit the magnificent lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques and stop off at the village of Socaire. The contrasts in this landscape are striking – the turquoise lakes surrounded by the whitest of sands, the plants of an intense yellow that grow between the black and red rocks. Here we will have a picnic admiring the breathtaking views. Return to San Pedro with a stop off at the village of Toconao, an oasis in the desert, whose supply of fresh water (free from arsenic) allows the cultivation of a number of different types of fruit. Return to San Pedro de Atacama. Return to Hotel. (B, L)

Day 05 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - TATIO - PURITAMA - SAN PEDRO
Early morning visit to the Tatio Geysers (4321m). Breakfast between the steam of the geysers and the pools of boiling water. Head to the Puritama thermal baths for a total relaxation. In the afternoon we return to San Pedro. You have the option to visit the charming church, Padre Le Paige archaeological museum and the nearby fort of Pucará de Quitor. Return to Hotel. (B)

Day 06 SAN PEDRO - LAGUNA COLORADA - OJOS DE PERDIZ
In the morning we head towards the Bolivian border. (Hito Cajón). After passing through customs we enter Bolivia and head towards the Laguna Blanca, Laguna Verde, and the Sol de Mañana Geysers (4,850m), a truly Dantesque landscape. We arrive at the marvelous Colorada Lagoon (4,278m) where the intense red of the waters of this lake is produced by the algae and plankton that live in the lake. And you will also have a stunning view of the numerous flamingos that live on the lake as well (The lake is home to all three of the species of flamingo present in Latin America: the Chilean, James and Andean flamingos). We arrive in Ojos de Perdiz in the late afternoon (4,200m). Dinner and overnight stay at the 3-star Hotel del Desierto, a similar hotel of the same category, or in a mountain refuge in the area. (B, L, D)

Day 07 OJOS DE PERDIZ - LAGOONS - UYUNI - COLCHANI
Morning visits to the lagoons (Ramaditas, Honda, Hedionda) before passing through some traditional villages. Arrive in Uyuni in the afternoon and we will have a quick tour of the town. Transfer to the village of Colchani. Dinner and overnight stay at the 3-star Luna Salada Hotel or a similar hotel of the same category. (B, L, D)

Day 08 COLCHANI - UYUNI SALT FLATS - TAHUA
Morning visit to the village of Colchani, where we will learn how salt is extracted from the salt flats. The rest of the day we will explore the natural marvels of the Uyuni salt flats. Arrive at the boundless salt flats (3,650 m), with its surface area of more than 12,000 km². Visit the island of Incahuasi, located in the heart of the salt flats and famous for its enormous cactuses. The view of this luminous white sea is truly an unforgettable experience. If possible we will visit the island of Pescado, wilder and less visited than the island of Incahuasi. Arrive in Tahua in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at the 3-star Hotel de Sal or in a local refuge. (B, L, D)

Day 09 TAHUA - ORURO
We leave the splendid salt flats behind us and head for Oruro, considered the capital of Bolivian folklore because of its fantastic annual carnival. Tour of the city and the cathedral. Overnight stay at the 4-star Villa Real San Felipe Hotel or a similar hotel of the same category. (B, L) Dinner not included.

Day 10 ORURO - TIWANAKU - LA PAZ
Head north towards the Bolivian capital, La Paz. On the way we make a stop at the fascinating ruins of the pre-Inca ceremonial site Tiwanaku (Temple of Akapana, Door of the Sun, Puma Pumku, etc). Arrive in La Paz. Overnight stay at the 4-star Rey Palace Hotel (B, L) Dinner not included.

Day 11 FULL DAY ISLA DEL SOL BY CATAMARAN LA PAZ / PUNO
Morning transfer from La Paz to Lake Titicaca where we will take a cruise in a catamaran. Breakfast will be served as we sail towards the Island of the Sun, cradle of the Incan Empire. On this legendary island you can visit the Incan Garden, the Stairs and the Fountain, after which we will visit the Inti Wata Cultural Complex – Bolivia’s most important private tourist destination which includes the Ekako Underground Museum, the traditional medicine and the Titikaka Reed Shipbuilders display centers, the Pachamama agricultural Inca terraces, a handicraft center, the Intica lounge, and the Manco Kapac look out where you can see the largest variety of Andean cameloids. At the Inti Wata Cultural Complex you will also have the opportunity to sail in a huge Titikaka Traditional vessel to enjoy a panoramic visit to the Pilkakaina Inca Palace. Reboard the catamaran and head towards the Copacabana Sanctuary. During the journey you will be served a buffet lunch. At Copacabana you will take a bus transfer to the 3-star Casa Andina Hotel. Overnight stay. (B, L)

Day 12 LAKE TITICACA-THE FLOATING ISLANDS OF UROS AND TAQUILE
Trip to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world (3,812 meters). Visit to “Las Islas Flotantes de los Uros” (the Floating Islands of Uros). These islands, made of the local totora reed, are home to the Uros people and are an important center of commerce for the local people who get around on hand made rafts. The trip then takes you to the island of Taquile, where we will be welcomed by the local community, famous for their friendly hospitality. The people of this island have managed to keep their customs and traditions alive and still dress in fantastic colors. These people are able craftsmen and shape objects with impressive skill learned over the centuries. Lunch included. Overnight stay at the Hotel Casa Andina 3-star in Puno or a similar hotel of the same category (B, L)

Day 13 PUNO - CUZCO
Transfer to the station where we take the bus to Cuzco. The journey takes us through beautiful valleys and we will make a stop at “La Raya”, the natural boundary between Cuzco and Puno, from where you have a fantastic view of the surrounding country and a perfect spot for taking photos. We will also visit the Raqchi ruins, known as the temple of the god, Wiracocha, and the village of Andahuaylillas, home to a magical 17th century church and its elaborately decorated organ. Lunch during the journey. Arrive in Cuzco in the evening. Transfer to hotel and overnight stay at the 4-star Novotel Hotel or a similar hotel of the same category. (B, L)

Day 14 CUZCO - SACSAYHUAMAN
Breakfast in the hotel. Morning free. In the afternoon we visit the imperial city, a classic example of the union between the Andean and Spanish cultures. The tour starts at the “Santo Domingo” Convent, built on the ruins of Koricancha, the antique Incan palace and main centre of the worship of the Sun God. The next stop is the “Plaza de Armas”, where you can visit the Cathedral and the beautiful church of “La Compañía”. Our tour continues to the Sacsayhuamán Fort with its imposing Incan military architecture – a building that dominates the city. Last stop is the archaeological sites of Qenko, Puca-Pucará and Tambomachay to the northeast of Cuzco. Overnight stay at the 4-star Novotel Hotel in Cuzco, or a similar hotel of the same category. (B, L)

Day 15 CUZCO - MACHU PICCHU
Visit to one of the most important archaeological sites in the world - Machu Picchu. The journey is by train – from which you will savor the amazing scenery of the Sacred Urubamba Valley. On your arrival in “Aguas Calientes”, you will be met by one of our agents who will help you take the bus to Machu Picchu. An unforgettable journey accompanied by one of our expert guides who will tell you stories of this enchanted and mysterious place. After a guided tour of the site you will have time to explore on your own. At the time fixed by the group return to Aguas Calientes. Lunch included. Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes at the 3-star Hatuchay Tower Hotel or a similar hotel of the same category. (B, L)

Day 16 OPTIONAL VISIT TO MACHU PICCHU – RETURN TO CUZCO
Free morning with the option of making a second visit to Machu Picchu, recommended as it will give you the possibility to discover the hidden and mysterious spots such as “Intipunku” or the “Puerta del Sol”. The more adventurous types can also try the adrenaline producing footpath that climbs up to Huayna Picchu where you can visit the Moon Temple and admire its breathtaking citadel. In the early evening we take the train back to Cuzco. Pick up from the station and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay at the 4-star Novotel Hotel in Cuzco or a similar hotel of the same category. (B, L)

Day 17 CUZCO - LIMA
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Lima. Pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon. Overnight stay at the 4-star El Condado Hotel. (B, L)

Day 18 LIMA -YOUR COUNTRY
Transfer to the airport. Return flight to your country (B) (Flight not included)



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