Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Peru & Bolivia
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca & the Uyuni Salt Flats

Peru - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Bolivia - Titicaca - Uyuni

The Andes and the deserts

Starting from between £6,670 to £9,375 per person for 15 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • Start in Lima and end in Santiago, with the Incas and the majestic Andes in between
  • From salt bricks to Art Deco and from Nikkei to Novoandina cuisine... there are numerous added attractions for each leg of your trip
  • Enjoy fascinating private tours of the wonders of the Andes, including Machu Picchu, the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca and Salar de Uyuni
  • All our usual additional services are included, such as fast-track airport services and our local Concierge network


Peru, Bolivia, and even Chile. From your arrival in Lima to ending on a high in Santiago, enjoy two weeks to immerse yourself in one of the most impressive areas on Earth. The joint discovery of two great countries, both emblematic of the Andean world: Peru of the Incas and Bolivia of the great outdoors, and where impressive Lake Titicaca sits in the middle. This is a world of spectacular contrasts, from the green mountains of Machu Picchu to the salt desert of Salar de Uyuni, from the Sacred Valley of Urubamba to Isla del Sol and from the flamingos of Laguna Colorada in South Lipez to Santiago in Chile. Throughout the trip, meet vibrant and real indigenous people, not just guardians of a museum culture. There's a responsible commitment to modernity here, which is perhaps one of the most unexpected aspects of what lies ahead in the Andes... And the region's incredible gastronomic scene is no stranger to this modernity.

Your trip

We have selected the best of the bunch in terms of the hotels you'll stay in in Lima, Santiago, Cusco and the Sacred Valley, on Lake Titicaca and in the Bolivian deserts. We have carefully selected your transport: planes, different types of cars with drivers, a scenic train to Machu Picchu and even a boat. Everything is meticulously planned to ensure you have the ultimate experience, without wasting any precious time. You'll travel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca and south-west Bolivia. We can organise as many or as few experiences and activities as you'd like, particularly private guides when visiting the likes of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Moray or Salar de Uyuni. You have access to the entire Cusco/Sacred Valley area with the Boleto Turistico General ticket, which provides admission to museums and archaeological sites. And if, along the way, you have a last-minute request or a slight setback, contact our local Concierge service for support and advice.

So, onwards and upwards to the peaks of Peru... However, there's no need to rush. Your itinerary has been designed so you can acclimatise gradually: always take some time to catch your breath, don't overdo it and drink plenty of water.

Andes - Peru © huci / Fotolia
Andes - Peru © huci / Fotolia
Machu Picchu - Peru © tr3gi / Fotolia
Machu Picchu - Peru © tr3gi / Fotolia
Region Machu Picchu -Peru © Nika Lerman / Fotolia
Region Machu Picchu -Peru © Nika Lerman / Fotolia
Laguna Colorada - South Lipez - Bolivia © Galyna Andrushko / Fotolia
Laguna Colorada - South Lipez - Bolivia © Galyna Andrushko / Fotolia
Pisac - Peru © Mariusz Prusaczyk / Fotolia
Pisac - Peru © Mariusz Prusaczyk / Fotolia
Aguas Calientes - Cusco Region - Peru © Zaharov/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Aguas Calientes - Cusco Region - Peru © Zaharov/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Urubamba - Peru © dvrcan/stock.adobe.com
Urubamba - Peru © dvrcan/stock.adobe.com
Laguna Verde - Bolivia © Evgeny/stock.adobe.com
Laguna Verde - Bolivia © Evgeny/stock.adobe.com
Laguna Verde - Bolivia © Leonardo Spencer/stock.adobe.com
Laguna Verde - Bolivia © Leonardo Spencer/stock.adobe.com
Cusco Region - Peru © thinair28/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Cusco Region - Peru © thinair28/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

You will be met by our team on the ground at the airport. Transfer. Two-night stay in Lima's bohemian district of Barranco. The Tudor-style hotel is the former home of one of Peru's most famous artists, Victor Delfin. The garden, with its impressive animal sculptures, has stunning ocean views. Inside, white walls and dark wood contrast beautifully, while paintings add vibrant splashes of colour. The bedrooms feature beautiful bedding, with views of the garden, The gentle sea breeze provides natural ventilation. And the breakfast isn't too bad either. Guests can relax at the swimming pool but Playa del Barranco is just below, at the foot of the small cliff.

Barranco's fame is nothing new; in the 19th century, Lima's aristocracy frequented its beaches. Today, creatives from all walks of life have set up in buildings and 'casonas' (big houses). Gallery owners, restaurateurs and cafe owners followed. As a result, Lima's Museum of Contemporary Art is an absolute must. The historic centre of Lima, otherwise known as Cercado, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers splendid examples of Spanish colonial architecture, such as Torre-Tagle Palace (18th century) and the Basilica Cathedral of Lima (17th century), home to the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conquistador who led the Spanish conquest of Peru. Visit one of Lima's fascinating museums. For example, at Museo Larco, explore more than 5,000 years of ancient Peruvian history up to the colonial period: all the ancient cultures are represented.
Included in the itinerary - Table reserved at one of the best restaurants in the world, Maido. Nikkei cuisine, created by the Japanese people of Peru, has established itself as a style in its own right and enjoys worldwide acclaim. Maido is a prime example of this exotic fusion thanks to the delicious creations of chef Mitsuharu Tsumura. A table will be waiting for you, with a taxi to get you there and back.
Optional - Private tour of Barranco.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Cusco. Transfer to Urubamba. Two-night stay in the north-western part of the town. The contemporary Andean architecture means this hotel enjoys beautiful natural light. The interior design features stained wood furniture to create a light and laidback look. Rooms are sleek and pristine, with stunning views of the rugged landscape. The gardens are the perfect setting for relaxing during the day and gathering around the fire in the evening. The Andean-style breakfast is served from 05:00 am. perfect for those eager to get out and explore. The small spa, with its sauna, jacuzzi and wide selection of massages, is the perfect place to relax after a busy day.
Included Included in the itinerary - Boleto Turistico General ticket.

Included in the itinerary - The valley presents a stunning parade of villages and archaeological sites. The indigenous people of Peru can be seen everywhere in their vivid red ponchos; the local markets bring everyone together in a riot of colours. Enjoy a tour in a private car with a driver. Start with Pisac: a famous market village with an ancient Incan citadel. At the other end of the valley, the fortified site of Ollantaytambo is a beautifully preserved example of urban Incan design. In the meantime, the concentric terraces of Moray are a fantastic reminder of the Inca's ingenious farming techniques, while the thousands of salt basins at Maras make up a strange, white, honeycomb landscape.
Optional - Lunch beside the Terraces of Moray.

Transfer to Ollantaytambo train station and take a scenic train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
Included in the itinerary - This scenic train's winding route is a truly breathtaking experience. Machu Picchu, the citadel created by the Inca Emperor Pachacutec, is one of the most iconic sites on the planet, and for good reason. The beauty of the mountains, the scale of the design, the logistics and engineering it took to build along with the strength, energy and creative genius shown by the Incas are all beyond comprehension. A private guide will help you go beyond the mere feeling of wonder and teach you about the awe-inspiring majesty of one of the most impressive places on Earth.
Overnight stay at the northern edge of the town. The contemporary building is beautifully decorated with dried branches of eucalyptus. The interior features a stylish black and white monochrome design and the rooms boast fresh Peruvian cotton sheets. The restaurant offers national and international cuisine with organic ingredients wherever possible. The spa, complete with organic spa products, is located on the upper floor, with big windows that open out onto the rainforest.

Included in the itinerary - In the morning, enjoy another tour of the ancient city suspended over the Urubamba River. Then, climb Machu Picchu Mountain, a staggering 10,112ft above sea level. The climb is tough but the spectacular views make it worth every step.
Transfer to the train station and take a scenic train to Poroy. You'll be spending the next three nights three blocks from Plaza de Armas, in the old town. The hotel's Peruvian folk art creates a cheerful design and vibrant colours. Rooms are very well-designed and comfortable.

Included in the itinerary - Cusco, capital of Tahuantinsuyu, the Inca Empire. Accompanied by a private guide, visit the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin, 16th and 17th centuries, and the Temple of the Sun - the Qoricancha, on the foundations of which the convent Santo Domingo was built in the 16th century. Venture as far as the sacred site of Qenqo, just under four miles north-east of Cusco, and Puka Pukara, the red fortress, a military structure belonging to the capital's defence system. In the distance, the snow-capped peaks of the Ausangate glisten against the blue sky. Then to complete your trip, visit Tambomachay (the function of which remains a mystery to this day, but there's an elaborate hydraulic system) and Sacsayhuaman (three levels of walls laid out in a zig-zag formation to represent the shape of a puma's head).

At the centre of the world, the city was most likely built by the Killke people, a century before the arrival of the Incas, who then expanded it and made it the capital of their empire. The Spaniards partly destroyed it, but on its foundations built the noble city of Cusco. The capital of the Incas is still, literally, the base of the city: most walls and foundations date back to the pre-Hispanic period and are found in many places (especially in the old colonial area of San Blas, where the hotel is located). The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin and the Church of the Society of Jesus, with gold and paintings from the Cusco School of Art (16th-17th centuries), both stand proudly on Plaza de Armas.
Optional - Cooking class.

Transfer to the airport and flight to La Paz. Transfer to Lake Titicaca. Included in the itinerary - Copacabana and Isla del Sol. This small town is famous for the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, a 16th-century Spanish colonial shrine that houses the image of Our Lady of Copacabana, the patron saint of Bolivia. Then, take a private boat to Isla del Sol. Located just over half a mile from Copacabana, Isla del Sol is the largest island on the lake, where the first Incas, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, are said to have mystically appeared, to later build the Inca Empire in Cusco. Tours are with a private guide: discover impressive archaeological sites, including the sacred rock of the Incas (Titikala), the Inca palace of Pilkokaina and the Chinkana (labyrinth). Stay overnight in a small eco-resort. The cottages feature stone, mud bricks, wood and thatch on the outside and locally-made furniture and textiles on the inside. This accommodation is perfectly unpretentious. The friendly welcome and sunset views over the lake from the garden add to the charming authenticity of the place.

Transfer to La Paz airport and flight to Uyuni. Transfer to Colchani. Overnight stay in a hotel built of salt bricks. The unusual material gives the rooms and communal areas a soothing quality; the country's weaving companies have been used for the bedding and decor, while the menu features salted meats and poultry. It's a beautifully simple and authentic experience.

Included in the itinerary - Salar de Uyuni. Explore the world's largest salt desert in a private car with a driver-guide, home to 4,085 square miles and 64 billion tonnes of salt (as well as large reserves of lithium). This vast landscape is a huge sheet of intense white under the bluest of skies. Isla Incahuasi, home of the Inca, a hilly and rocky outcrop of land with a giant candle cactus breaks the endless salt landscape. Overnight stay in the village of San Pedro de Quemes, in comfortable accommodation made from volcanic stone.

Included in the itinerary - Continue exploring the natural wonders of the south-west by a series of lakes between 13,125ft and 13,780ft above sea level, along the Chilean border. The famous 'Road of Jewels' (Ruta de las Joyas) is a wonderful sight, where the water's chemical composition combines with the light to produce amazing colours. Overnight stay in the Siloli Desert. The cottages in this tiny hamlet are huddled together to withstand the winds. To the south-east, the impressive dormant Uturunku Volcano stands 19,750ft above sea level.

Included in the itinerary - Head to South Lipez and the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve to arrive early in the morning at the geothermal site of Sol de Manana. Here, marvel at the sight of a hundred mud lakes whistling and steaming in the icy air. The day continues from one exceptional natural wonder to another: Siloli Desert, often called the Salvador Dali Desert; Laguna Verde with reflections of Licancabur Volcano (19,410ft) in the high-altitude salt lake; Laguna Colorada and its flocks of bright pink flamingos (also home to rheas, llamas, vicunas, viscachas... and if you're really lucky you might spot a rare horned coot). Transfer to Calama airport via Hito Cajon pass and the Atacama Desert. Flight to Santiago. Transfer. Overnight stay in the historic centre at the foot of Santa Lucia Hill. The hotel is housed in a beautiful building dating back to 1929 and features original brickwork with modern glass and steel touches. The rooms are impeccable, the perfect place to recharge your batteries. Chef Pedro Salazar's modern Chilean cuisine is world-class. The rooftop terrace ensures this trip ends on an unforgettable high.

Transfer to the airport and return flight.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

Tour of Barranco - Lima

With a private guide, explore one of the most prominent districts in the capital. Artists, creatives and gallery owners have created a wonderful fusion of bohemia and beauty. This district is full of nostalgic charm, complete with a beautifully-restored tram that rattles through the colourful streets. Browse the shops where craftsmanship and design are skilfully and wonderfully combined to create authentic products. The neighbourhood's beaches became fashionable at the turn of the 20th century and still bask in their glory days.

Optional - two hours

Lunch beside the Terraces of Moray - Urubamba

Dine 11,706ft above sea level. Dishes consist of locally-sourced ingredients and this eight-course tasting lunch is literally a top-tier dining experience.

Option

Cusco cooking class

Peruvian gastronomy has gained an international reputation for excellence. So, roll up your sleeves, put on an apron and take part in this six-step cooking class carefully created by chef Erick Paz. They say the way to the heart of a country is through its collective stomach so this cooking class with give you an excellent insight into Peru's culture and history. Under the guidance of a talented chef, create two traditional dishes: Peru's famous 'ceviche' (raw fish marinated with lime) and 'lomo saltado' (stir-fried steak).

Option - Half day

Why visit Peru with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

ENQUIRE NOW

A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Peru

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

The estimated cost for this trip starts from £6,670 to £9,375 per person. This trip is tailor-made to your exact specifications so prices will fluctuate. The cost varies according to several factors, including the level of service, duration of the trip and how far in advance you book. The final cost will vary depending on several factors, including the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised itinerary. The average starting price for this trip is £8,035 per person.
Included in this suggestion

  • Flights with a scheduled airline
  • Our team on the ground will meet you at Lima airport on arrival
  • Private transfers
  • Take a scenic train between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, and between Aguas Calientes and Poroy
  • Two-night stay in Lima in a double room with breakfast
  • Two-night stay in Urubamba in a double room with breakfast
  • Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes in a double room with breakfast
  • Three-night stay in Cusco in a double room with breakfast
  • Overnight stay on Isla del Sol in a double room, half board
  • Overnight stay in Colchani in a double room, half board
  • Overnight stay in San Pedro de Quemes in a double room, half board
  • Overnight stay in the Siloli Desert in a double room, half board
  • Overnight stay in Santiago de Chile in a double room with breakfast
  • Table reserved at one of the best restaurants in the world, Maido, with a taxi to get you there and back
  • Car with a driver to Moray and Maras and Pisac and Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley of Urubamba
  • Tour of Machu Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain with a private guide
  • Boleto Turistico General ticket for Cusco and the Sacred Valley
  • Cusco, capital of Tahuantinsuyu, with a private guide
  • Copacabana and Isla del Sol, with a private guide
  • Tours of Salar de Uyuni and Siloli Desert, with a private local guide
  • Our on-site Concierge service
  • A GPS navigation service accessible from our app, loaded with your itinerary, hotel details and places to visit


100% tailor-made holidays

Understanding Your Needs

Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday

Personalisation

We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities

Our Services

All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges