currency
Lima - Santiago: Andes to the Desert
cost
From AUD $3125
departure
Daily
duration
21 Days
locations
Lima, Cusco, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Puno, Copacabana, La Paz, Uyuni Salt Flats, San Pedro de Atacama, Santiago
Unforgettable 21-day adventure taking in South America's most amazing destinations and scenery!
This tour combines a whole range of adventures: immerse yourself in the history of Cusco, the legendary capital of the Inca Empire before trekking along the world-famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu; discover both sides of the world's highest navigable lake, Titicaca; and continue on to La Paz, the world’s highest capital; drive across the world’s largest salt lake, the Salar de Uyuni, where you will be amazed by the extent of its natural beauty; and finish up in South America's most sophisticated city, Santiago.
Truly an adventure not to be missed!
Day 1: Lima: Arrival
Upon arrival in Lima, we welcome you and transport you to your centrally-located hotel.
The rest of the day is free to relax or check-out Lima's abundance of parks, coast, shops and restaurants.
Day 2: Lima – Cusco
Today, we spend the morning touring Lima, the Colonial "City of Kings", and get a first hand glimpse of its majestic past. We visit sites such as the Cathedral and Presidential Palace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, and the Catacombs beneath San Francisco Convent. We get to see, first hand, Lima's magnificent Colonial architecture as well as vignettes of its pre-Colombian past.
After the tour, we will transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco.
Arrival in Cusco and transfer from the airport to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to acclimatise to the altitude or explore Cusco on your own.
In the evening, we recommend trying out some of the city's excellent bars and restaurants.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3: Cusco: City Tour
Today, we take you on a guided bus tour of the city, in order to appreciate fully the magnificent blend of Colonial and Inca influence on the city.
Your visit will include the Cathedral, the Rock of the 12 Angles, and monumental Inca ruins such as Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and Koricancha.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4: Cusco: Sacred Valley Tour
Today, we explore the "Sacred Valley of the Incas". This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious.
Our first stop is the village of Pisac, with its famous market, where you can pick up a bargain! You have free time to wander the market stalls before we visit the ruins above the town, which were an important Inca religious centre.
After lunch in Pisac, we continue our journey along the River Urubamba, to the giant Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, which was the scene of one of the most famous battles between the Incas and the invading Spanish conquistadors, with the Incas being victorious.
After the day’s activities, we recommend having an early night and preparing for the challenge of the Inca Trail!
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 5: Inca Trail: Cusco – Km 82 – Huayllabamba
Early this morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel to transfer you by bus to Km 82 where you will arrive mid-morning and meet the team that will join you during the trek - porters, camp assistants and cooks.
The first day’s walk is quite easy and during the first part you will have a beautiful view of the snow-peaked Veronica Mountain above you and the Vilcanota River below you. Lunch will be waiting for you when you arrive at the Archaeological Complex of Patallacta.
After re-energising, we begin the steady climb to Huayllabamba, where the first camp is set up.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Inca Trail: Huayllabamba – Pacaymayu
After breakfast, the hardest part of the Trail begins, with a steep, three-hour ascent to the highest point of the trek, Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass), at some 4200m (13,800ft) above sea level. Here you will not only enjoy incredible, panoramic views, but you will have a great sense of achievement at reaching this milestone.
After lunch in Vizcachayoc, we will descend towards Pacaymayu (3500m/11,480ft) for dinner and camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Inca Trail: Pacaymayu – Wiñayhuayna
After breakfast, the ascent will begin to the second highest pass on the Trail, at more than 3900m (12,800ft) above sea level. On the way up, you can enjoy a guided visit to the Archaeological Complex of Runkurukay and, on the way down, the Inca Citadel of Sayacmarca (3,600m/11,800ft).
Lunch will be ready for you in Chaqquicocha. Then, you continue walking towards Phuya Patamarka (Town in Clouds), another important archaeological monument.
After a brief rest, you will continue walking to the spectacularly-located Archaeological Complex of Wiñay Huayna (Always Young). You have a guided visit of the complex before having dinner and overnighting in the nearby campsite.
N.B. The above are our regular camp sites; however, these can be changed by the Machu Picchu Management Unit without previous warning. It will not affect the itinerary.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Inca Trail: Wiñay Huayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco
After an early breakfast, you will make the two-hour hike through high rainforest to Inti Punku (Gateway of the Sun), the well-known entrance to Machu Picchu, with its unparalleled panoramic view of the Inca Citadel.
Upon arrival in Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour of the ruins and monuments, such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemeteries.
You will then have free time to stroll around the Citadel, and maybe hike up Huayna Picchu, before descending by bus to Aguas Calientes, which has a range of restaurants and shops … even some hot springs, after which the town is named.
In the afternoon, you take the train back to Cusco, where you will be transferred to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast & Snack
Day 9: Cusco – Puno
Today is spent making the jaw-dropping ride across the altiplano to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This drive will take us through sleepy Andean villages, past spectacular snow-capped mountains, sheer cliffs and rampaging rivers. There are occasional stops for you to appreciate the changing scenery, Colonial villages and pre-Inca ruins!
Arrival in Puno and transfer to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 10: Lake Titicaca: Uros Islands & Taquile Island
Today we spend the day on the world's highest navigable lake, Titicaca. First, we get the opportunity to visit the unique, man-made, floating reed islands of Uros to get an impression of how the Aymara-speaking locals have lived for centuries.
Then we make our way to Taquile Island, where time appears to have stood still. Around 350 families live here, operating a collective agricultural system dating from the 14th Century and renowned for their textiles - beautifully woven chumpis (belts), chullos (caps), and ojotas(sandals). The views of the snow-capped Cordillera Real mountains in Bolivia overlooking the lake are the icing on the cake!
Return to Puno and overnight.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 11: Puno, Peru – Copacabana, Bolivia
Today we will depart to Copacabana to explore the Bolivian side of this famous lake.
On arrival in the relaxed lakeside resort of Copacabana, we have lunch in Khota Kahuana Restaurant.
In the afternoon, we visit the beautiful baroque-Moorish style Virgen de la Candelaria Church and the nearby handicraft market. If you are feeling energetic you can also climb the hill to The Calvary, which is a unique monument merging native religious beliefs and Christianity.
In the evening, we have dinner at the spectacularly-located Hotel Rosario del Lago.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Lake Titicaca: Island of the Sun: Yumani – Challapampa
This morning, we take a boat from Copacabana to Yumani, from where we take a four hour hike along the ancient Inca paths, travelling South to North, experiencing marvellous views of the lake. A packed lunch is provided for the hike.
In the afternoon we will arrive at the Chinkana Inca Temple and Sacred Rock. Hiking a little further we reach Challapampa, which is a charming village with a small, local Inca museum.
From Challapampa, we return by motorboat to Copacabana.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Copacabana – La Paz
Waking up with views of Lake Titicaca and the backdrop of the Cordillera Real, we have the morning free: a visit to La Horca del Inca astronomic observatory is recommended.
In the afternoon, we make our onward journey to La Paz where we will arrive and settle in to the hotel for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 14: La Paz: City Tour & Valley of the Moon
This morning, we take a tour of La Paz, visiting the Main Square (Plaza Murillo), San Francisco Church, the Witches' Market, the Precious Metals Museum and the Killi Killi Watchtower.
Following the tour of the city, we visit the amazing geological shapes of the Valley of the Moon, which, as the name suggests, is a lunar landscape located on the outskirts of La Paz.
In the afternoon, we return to La Paz where we spend the night.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 15: La Paz: Tiwanaku
Today, we go to the ruins of Tiwanaku, the capital of a pre-Inca civilization, located some 72 km (45 miles) from La Paz, near the south-eastern shores of Lake Titicaca. In its time, Tiwanaku was the largest capital city in the world, and considered to be the cradle of all American civilizations, but it is only slowly revealing its secrets to archaeologists.
Our guided tour will include the Kalasaya (Sun) Temple, the Akapana Pyramid and the legendary Sun Gate, as well as an interesting on-site museum, housing some of the relics.
We return to La Paz, this afternoon, where we spend the night.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 16: La Paz – Uyuni
Today we transfer you to the bus station in La Paz for your onward journey to Uyuni.
We welcome you upon arrival in Uyuni and take you to your hotel, where you will spend the night.
If time allows, a visit to the so-called ‘Train Cemetery’, where many British-made trains have ended their days, is recommended.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 17: Uyuni – San Juan
This morning, we depart Uyuni in our four-wheel-drive vehicle, for our first glimpse of the world’s largest salt lake (salar). On the way, we stop in the village of Colchani to see traditional methods of salt-extraction in action.
Driving across the Salt Lake, we arrive at Fish Island (Inkawasi), a solitary outcrop of rock in the middle of a white ocean, where hundreds of giant cacti bloom - the only vegetation to be seen.
We continue to San Juan where we spend the night in a basic hostel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 18: San Juan – Vilamar
Today, we drive through the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve of Andean Fauna: one highlight is the Laguna Colorada (Coloured Lagoon), so named on account of the striking contrast of the white shores, encrusted with salt and borax, and the flaming red of the algae-rich waters. This lagoon is also home to the world’s largest population of the rare James Flamingo.
We continue to Vilamar where we spend the night in a basic hostel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 19: Vilamar – San Pedro Atacama
Starting the day early in the morning, we will visit the spectacular Sol de Mañana Geysers, and see craters of boiling lava before continuing to the Laguana Verde (Green Lagoon) which is jade coloured … and arsenic-laden!
Upon arrival at Hito Cajon, which marks the border with Chile, we catch a public bus to San Pedro de Atacama and transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon visit of the probably best-known destination around San Pedro: the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley). With the Licancabur Volcano providing the backdrop, you will be in awe at the strange salt and rock formations in the middle of the valley’s barren sandy landscape which really do look like a moonscape.
Return to San Pedro de Atacma for overnight.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 20: San Pedro de Atacama – Santiago
In the morning you have time to explore the charming town of San Pedro with its adobe architecture and sandy streets. A local craft market, and the church from the 17th century will keep you busy.
Regular transfer to Calama in the afternoon and flight to Santiago.
Arrival in Santiago and transfer to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 21: Santiago
After breakfast, transfer to the airport where the tour ends.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
END OF OUR SERVICES
Truly an adventure not to be missed!
Day 1: Lima: Arrival
Upon arrival in Lima, we welcome you and transport you to your centrally-located hotel.
The rest of the day is free to relax or check-out Lima's abundance of parks, coast, shops and restaurants.
Day 2: Lima – Cusco
Today, we spend the morning touring Lima, the Colonial "City of Kings", and get a first hand glimpse of its majestic past. We visit sites such as the Cathedral and Presidential Palace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, and the Catacombs beneath San Francisco Convent. We get to see, first hand, Lima's magnificent Colonial architecture as well as vignettes of its pre-Colombian past.
After the tour, we will transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco.
Arrival in Cusco and transfer from the airport to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to acclimatise to the altitude or explore Cusco on your own.
In the evening, we recommend trying out some of the city's excellent bars and restaurants.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3: Cusco: City Tour
Today, we take you on a guided bus tour of the city, in order to appreciate fully the magnificent blend of Colonial and Inca influence on the city.
Your visit will include the Cathedral, the Rock of the 12 Angles, and monumental Inca ruins such as Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and Koricancha.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4: Cusco: Sacred Valley Tour
Today, we explore the "Sacred Valley of the Incas". This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious.
Our first stop is the village of Pisac, with its famous market, where you can pick up a bargain! You have free time to wander the market stalls before we visit the ruins above the town, which were an important Inca religious centre.
After lunch in Pisac, we continue our journey along the River Urubamba, to the giant Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, which was the scene of one of the most famous battles between the Incas and the invading Spanish conquistadors, with the Incas being victorious.
After the day’s activities, we recommend having an early night and preparing for the challenge of the Inca Trail!
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 5: Inca Trail: Cusco – Km 82 – Huayllabamba
Early this morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel to transfer you by bus to Km 82 where you will arrive mid-morning and meet the team that will join you during the trek - porters, camp assistants and cooks.
The first day’s walk is quite easy and during the first part you will have a beautiful view of the snow-peaked Veronica Mountain above you and the Vilcanota River below you. Lunch will be waiting for you when you arrive at the Archaeological Complex of Patallacta.
After re-energising, we begin the steady climb to Huayllabamba, where the first camp is set up.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Inca Trail: Huayllabamba – Pacaymayu
After breakfast, the hardest part of the Trail begins, with a steep, three-hour ascent to the highest point of the trek, Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass), at some 4200m (13,800ft) above sea level. Here you will not only enjoy incredible, panoramic views, but you will have a great sense of achievement at reaching this milestone.
After lunch in Vizcachayoc, we will descend towards Pacaymayu (3500m/11,480ft) for dinner and camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Inca Trail: Pacaymayu – Wiñayhuayna
After breakfast, the ascent will begin to the second highest pass on the Trail, at more than 3900m (12,800ft) above sea level. On the way up, you can enjoy a guided visit to the Archaeological Complex of Runkurukay and, on the way down, the Inca Citadel of Sayacmarca (3,600m/11,800ft).
Lunch will be ready for you in Chaqquicocha. Then, you continue walking towards Phuya Patamarka (Town in Clouds), another important archaeological monument.
After a brief rest, you will continue walking to the spectacularly-located Archaeological Complex of Wiñay Huayna (Always Young). You have a guided visit of the complex before having dinner and overnighting in the nearby campsite.
N.B. The above are our regular camp sites; however, these can be changed by the Machu Picchu Management Unit without previous warning. It will not affect the itinerary.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Inca Trail: Wiñay Huayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco
After an early breakfast, you will make the two-hour hike through high rainforest to Inti Punku (Gateway of the Sun), the well-known entrance to Machu Picchu, with its unparalleled panoramic view of the Inca Citadel.
Upon arrival in Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour of the ruins and monuments, such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemeteries.
You will then have free time to stroll around the Citadel, and maybe hike up Huayna Picchu, before descending by bus to Aguas Calientes, which has a range of restaurants and shops … even some hot springs, after which the town is named.
In the afternoon, you take the train back to Cusco, where you will be transferred to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast & Snack
Day 9: Cusco – Puno
Today is spent making the jaw-dropping ride across the altiplano to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This drive will take us through sleepy Andean villages, past spectacular snow-capped mountains, sheer cliffs and rampaging rivers. There are occasional stops for you to appreciate the changing scenery, Colonial villages and pre-Inca ruins!
Arrival in Puno and transfer to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 10: Lake Titicaca: Uros Islands & Taquile Island
Today we spend the day on the world's highest navigable lake, Titicaca. First, we get the opportunity to visit the unique, man-made, floating reed islands of Uros to get an impression of how the Aymara-speaking locals have lived for centuries.
Then we make our way to Taquile Island, where time appears to have stood still. Around 350 families live here, operating a collective agricultural system dating from the 14th Century and renowned for their textiles - beautifully woven chumpis (belts), chullos (caps), and ojotas(sandals). The views of the snow-capped Cordillera Real mountains in Bolivia overlooking the lake are the icing on the cake!
Return to Puno and overnight.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 11: Puno, Peru – Copacabana, Bolivia
Today we will depart to Copacabana to explore the Bolivian side of this famous lake.
On arrival in the relaxed lakeside resort of Copacabana, we have lunch in Khota Kahuana Restaurant.
In the afternoon, we visit the beautiful baroque-Moorish style Virgen de la Candelaria Church and the nearby handicraft market. If you are feeling energetic you can also climb the hill to The Calvary, which is a unique monument merging native religious beliefs and Christianity.
In the evening, we have dinner at the spectacularly-located Hotel Rosario del Lago.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Lake Titicaca: Island of the Sun: Yumani – Challapampa
This morning, we take a boat from Copacabana to Yumani, from where we take a four hour hike along the ancient Inca paths, travelling South to North, experiencing marvellous views of the lake. A packed lunch is provided for the hike.
In the afternoon we will arrive at the Chinkana Inca Temple and Sacred Rock. Hiking a little further we reach Challapampa, which is a charming village with a small, local Inca museum.
From Challapampa, we return by motorboat to Copacabana.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Copacabana – La Paz
Waking up with views of Lake Titicaca and the backdrop of the Cordillera Real, we have the morning free: a visit to La Horca del Inca astronomic observatory is recommended.
In the afternoon, we make our onward journey to La Paz where we will arrive and settle in to the hotel for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 14: La Paz: City Tour & Valley of the Moon
This morning, we take a tour of La Paz, visiting the Main Square (Plaza Murillo), San Francisco Church, the Witches' Market, the Precious Metals Museum and the Killi Killi Watchtower.
Following the tour of the city, we visit the amazing geological shapes of the Valley of the Moon, which, as the name suggests, is a lunar landscape located on the outskirts of La Paz.
In the afternoon, we return to La Paz where we spend the night.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 15: La Paz: Tiwanaku
Today, we go to the ruins of Tiwanaku, the capital of a pre-Inca civilization, located some 72 km (45 miles) from La Paz, near the south-eastern shores of Lake Titicaca. In its time, Tiwanaku was the largest capital city in the world, and considered to be the cradle of all American civilizations, but it is only slowly revealing its secrets to archaeologists.
Our guided tour will include the Kalasaya (Sun) Temple, the Akapana Pyramid and the legendary Sun Gate, as well as an interesting on-site museum, housing some of the relics.
We return to La Paz, this afternoon, where we spend the night.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 16: La Paz – Uyuni
Today we transfer you to the bus station in La Paz for your onward journey to Uyuni.
We welcome you upon arrival in Uyuni and take you to your hotel, where you will spend the night.
If time allows, a visit to the so-called ‘Train Cemetery’, where many British-made trains have ended their days, is recommended.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 17: Uyuni – San Juan
This morning, we depart Uyuni in our four-wheel-drive vehicle, for our first glimpse of the world’s largest salt lake (salar). On the way, we stop in the village of Colchani to see traditional methods of salt-extraction in action.
Driving across the Salt Lake, we arrive at Fish Island (Inkawasi), a solitary outcrop of rock in the middle of a white ocean, where hundreds of giant cacti bloom - the only vegetation to be seen.
We continue to San Juan where we spend the night in a basic hostel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 18: San Juan – Vilamar
Today, we drive through the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve of Andean Fauna: one highlight is the Laguna Colorada (Coloured Lagoon), so named on account of the striking contrast of the white shores, encrusted with salt and borax, and the flaming red of the algae-rich waters. This lagoon is also home to the world’s largest population of the rare James Flamingo.
We continue to Vilamar where we spend the night in a basic hostel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 19: Vilamar – San Pedro Atacama
Starting the day early in the morning, we will visit the spectacular Sol de Mañana Geysers, and see craters of boiling lava before continuing to the Laguana Verde (Green Lagoon) which is jade coloured … and arsenic-laden!
Upon arrival at Hito Cajon, which marks the border with Chile, we catch a public bus to San Pedro de Atacama and transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon visit of the probably best-known destination around San Pedro: the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley). With the Licancabur Volcano providing the backdrop, you will be in awe at the strange salt and rock formations in the middle of the valley’s barren sandy landscape which really do look like a moonscape.
Return to San Pedro de Atacma for overnight.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 20: San Pedro de Atacama – Santiago
In the morning you have time to explore the charming town of San Pedro with its adobe architecture and sandy streets. A local craft market, and the church from the 17th century will keep you busy.
Regular transfer to Calama in the afternoon and flight to Santiago.
Arrival in Santiago and transfer to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 21: Santiago
After breakfast, transfer to the airport where the tour ends.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
END OF OUR SERVICES
Note: This tour can be done in reverse, from Santiago to Lima. Contact us for more details!
Why not combine this tour with our Santiago Stopover or Wine Trail?
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Lima to Santiago - Fast Facts
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| Accommodation | Hotel (3*) Basic Hostels between Uyuni and San Pedro de Atacama (2 nights) Camping on Inca Trail |
| Inclusions | Breakfasts Meals specified in the itienrary Airport transfers Accommodation Tours in the itinerary Internal flights Transport |
| Difficulty Rating | 4.5 (Good fitness level required) |
| Sustainability | Carbon Offsets not available for this tour Local foods used on tour Local guides used (English speaking). We also plant a tree on behalf of every customer who books with us in Peru and Bolivia. |
| Single Surcharge | $US 920 |
| Notes | In case of the Inca Trail being sold out, this tour can be done with the Lares or Salkantay trek. If you prefer a non-trekking itinerary, just ask us at info@chimuadventures.com |
| Price dependent on: | Hotel availability Flight schedule Inca Trail permits. |
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