ECOAMERICAPERU

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Peru and Bolivia in 12 days (PB 201)

Travel the most amazing destinations in Peru and Bolivia. Start in Lima by sampling Peru’s famous gourmet cuisine, travel to the spectacular Peruvian Amazon, visit the mysterious Machu Picchu Then fly to La Paz, to explore its alleys, markets, visit to Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca, travel to the surreal Uyuni Salt Flat, and Colorful Lagoons.

  • Available through the year

Schedule

Day 1: Lima
Once we arrive to the capital of Peru, Lima, a car will transfer us to the hotel. This is a perfect time to sample Lima’s famous gourmet cuisine, so we will go for dinner to one of the best restaurants in Lima. (D) Optional: Morning or afternoon Lima city tour (not included)
Day 2: Lima-Puerto Maldonado- Sandoval Lake Lodge
From our hotel we will be transferred to the airport, for a 1 hr flight to Puerto Maldonado. Once we arrive at the rainforest the journey continues 25 minutes down the Madre de Dios River. A motor canoe will bring us to the end of the trail into the Sandoval Lake Lodge. From here the trail takes us on a 2-mile walk/or rickshaw ride, until we reach a small canal that opens onto the shimmering surface of the lake. Thereafter a catamaran will leisurely paddle us across half of the lake to the lodge. After lunch, we once again board the catamaran and set off to explore the entire west end of the lake. Here, in the flooded palm forest we drift to the sounds of hundreds of Red-Bellied Macaws as they return to the palm forest for the night. After dinner we will return to the canoes to look for the large and extremely rare Black Caimans. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Sandoval Lake Lodge
A pre-dawn wake-up call will enable us to be on the lake for sunrise and a hopeful encounter with the family of Giant Otters which frequent the lake and are most active at this time of day. After returning for a late breakfast, we set off into the cool under story of the tall virgin forest near the lake to see some towering wild Brazil nut trees and a demonstration of how our hosts collect, open and commercialize this important natural product. After lunch and an hour or so to relax, we once again board the catamaran to explore the eastern part of the lake, where we might see one or more of the five species of monkeys which live in the forest near the lake, such as the Brown Capuchin Monkey. There is a final chance after dinner to try and spot some Black Caimans on the lake, or to go on a short night walk through the primary forest. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Sandoval Lodge Puerto Maldonado-Cusco
After dawn breakfast will be served and we take a final, shorter paddle around the west end of the lake to try to glimpse the Giant Otters before returning to Puerto Maldonado to catch the flight to Cusco. Once we arrive in Cusco a car will transfer us to the hotel and, where we will be welcomed with a hot cup of coca tea to help with acclimatization at 3,400 meters. In the afternoon we will have a city tour visiting colonial and Inca monuments such as the Cathedral, Qoricancha (The Temple of the Sun), and later the colossal Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, including the Tambomachay, Q´enq´o and Puca Pucara sites. Later we will be transferred to the hotel. (B)
Day 5: Cusco - Sacred Valley - Ollantaytambo
After breakfast we start our transfer to Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley), famous for its rural landscape and lovely weather. The drive will descend until Pisaq (2,800 m), a small town aside the Vilcanota River, to visit a typical Indian market. The market still shows ancient trading traditions among people who come from other distant small villages. Thereafter lunch will be served, and in the afternoon the tour goes by several towns including Calca and Urubamba, before we arrive in Ollantaytambo, a former agricultural, military, and religious center. This center was built to protect the valley against possible invaders, and is presently considered the best preserved and the only living Inca town today. Later a car will transfer us to the hotel (B, L)
Day 6: Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu
Today we will transfer to the train station. The railway journey to Machu Picchu will take 2 hrs. When we reach Aguas Calientes, located below 2,000 m, we will take a 20 minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu citadel, perched 500 mts above the Urubamba River. Our guide will explain the history and myths of this archaeological wonder built aside a cloaked granite peak, the Huayna Picchu that towers the site. We will learn why Machu Picchu is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth. This landscape shows very steep forests hills frequently shrouded in misty clouds and downhill views of the roaring Urubamba River. Later a bus will transfer us to Aguas Calientes for lunch, and at mid-afternoon the train will take us back to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco a car transfer to the hotel (B)
Day 7: Cusco-La Paz
Morning transfer to Cusco' Airport for 1 hour flight to La Paz. Welcome to the City of La Paz, the seat of the Bolivian government, unique for its urban blend that mixes traditions, modernity and living cultures. The tour takes us to traditional neighborhoods such as Mercado de Brujas (Witches’ Market), San Francisco Church, and Plaza Murillo (Congress and Palacio de Gobierno). Also we’ll visit the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), located in the lowest parts of the valley, offering a warmer weather. Transfer to the hotel. (B)
Day 8: La Paz-Copacabana-Isla Del Sol
At 7:30 am pick up from the hotel to start the day with a ride to Copacabana-- which takes about 3.5 hours-- a beautiful town on the shore of Lake Titicaca. Then we will depart for an 1 hr boat ride to the southern part of Isla del Sol. We land near the Pilkokaina ruins and from there we begin our 1.5 hr. hike to the hotel for an overnight stay. In the afternoon prior to calling it a day, we will venture out to a scenic point on the island that provides a perfect view of the sun setting over the gorgeous Lake Titicaca. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Isla Del Sol-Copacabana-La Paz
On this day we will get up early so we won’t miss the great sunrise over this beautiful place. After breakfast the hike will take us through the village of Yumani, known as “The Garden of the Incas”; and visit Pilkocaina, the spring of Eternal Youth, where the Incas performed baptisms. It is said if we drink water from this fountain, we will have eternal youth! Then we head to the bay, to continue the trip by boat to Copacabana, and visit the famous Virgen Morena. We will return to La Paz and transfer to our hotel. (B, L)
Day 10: La Paz - Uyuni-Tahua
After a good night sleep a car will transfer us to the Airport of La Paz for a flight to Uyuni. Upon arrival we will be transferred from Uyuni to the town of Colchani to see how locals extract and process the salt. Also we will observe the “Ojos de Sal”, where ice cold healing water bubbles through the salt. This water originates in an underground river from the Tunupa Volcano. On the way to Isla Inkawasi we will see the first hotel made entirely from salt blocks. We stop at Isla Inkawasi to have lunch; this rocky volcanic Isla host thousands of huge cacti and has an impressive unique 360 degree view of the salt lake. In the afternoon we will head north towards the Tunupa Volcano that offers great views, and are also a good location for amazing sunsets that color up the Uyuni Salt Lake. Later we will enjoy a nice dinner and get settled for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Tahua-Siloli Desert
On this day we will get up early so we won’t miss the great sunrise over this beautiful place. After breakfast, we will continue the tour and cross another section of the Uyuni Salt Lake towards south to observe the Ollague Volcano, which is currently mildly active. We will stop at several lagoons, such as Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarcota, Honda and Ramaditas which offer views of 3 flamingo species: the James, the Andean and the Chilean flamingo. We will have a lunch at one of the lagoons. In the afternoon we arrive to the Siloli Desert, where we will enjoy a delicious dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 12: Siloli Desert – San Pedro de Atacama Uyuni (or Uyuni)
On the final day of our adventure, after breakfast, we will cross the spectacular Siloli Desert with its monuments carved by the wind, such as the Arbol de Piedra (Stone Tree). Later in the afternoon we will arrive at Laguna Colorada, in the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. Then our trip takes us to the impressive shooting geysers. Then we come to some natural hot springs with safe bathing temperatures, where we are welcome to soak for a while. We will also visit the Salvador Dali Rock Desert and then stop at the Laguna Verde at the base of the Licancabur Volcano and have lunch. Later we make our return trip to Uyuni to Fly to La Paz or transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. (B,)

Included

  • Transfers
  • Hotel/hostel accommodation 3*
  • Basic accommodation in Uyuni Salt Lake
  • Train to Machu Picchu (expedition class)
  • Plane tickets Cusco-La Paz
  • Entrance fees for tours as described above
  • Meals: breakfast (11), lunch (8) and dinner (6)
  • Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama or back to Uyuni

Not Included

  • Fights in Peru (Lima-Puerto Maldonado-Cusco about US$ 360.00)
  • Insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips

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    Testimonials

    • A month ago we visited Tambopata, thanks to the recommendation of David, because his experience working for many years in this area, convinced us to know the jungle of Puerto Maldonado and we do not regret it. It was a unique and wonderful experience. The whole organization was perfect for us, we felt very safe with our specialized guide and traveling by boat. Thank you for the incredible moment visiting Tambopata!

      Gunter & Kornelia Billstein (2019) Germany
    • Our trip to the Tambopata Rainforest was a great experience!

      A wonderful place to get away from the outside world and have a moment with the environment and with ourselves. Thanks to David’s experience who recommended us to visit this beautiful place.

      Esther & Marta Pinedo, Martin Bengoa & Imanol Ruiz (2019) Spain
    • Our trip was over the top!! We have had and amazing time in the north of Peru and Cusco, visiting the Lord of Sipan, Chan Chan Archeological Center, Huanchaco beach, Machu Picchu and doing vivencial tourism in the Sacred Valley with the Yachaqs Community. Very impressed with every place we visited.

      Thank you very much for organizing an excellent time in Peru.

      Terry Hesselden, Arlene Westoby & Beverly Barker (2019) Canada
    • Very impressed by the effort, professionalism and responsibility of each one (guides, drivers, etc). We are very satisfied with our trip in Peru. Knowing the Amazon and Machu Picchu were part of my best experiences.

      Debbie Yip and Grace Goh (2019) Singapore
    • We have been travelling very often but honestly speaking the tour in Peru and the services around has been the best so far! … (the) staff very friendly and the guides experienced: Mauricio and David very passionate about their job, excellent knowledge … of Peru like history, geography, politics, religion, etc, and with our drivers felt safe in all our trip… excellent!! Always supportive and very flexible. Keep it up!! Many thanks

      Claudia Signorelli & Norman Memminger (2018) Switzerland and Germany