Experience Overview
Combine two of South America’s must-see countries on a 25-day adventure through Bolivia and Peru. Embrace cultures past and present in Cusco and La Paz, interact with residents from local communities for an immersive experience that few rarely get, and enjoy a three-day exploration of the Uyuni Salt Flats. Take the road less travelled and spend the night at a homestay on the shores of Lake Titicaca, explore the Sacred Valley and savour the stunning views of majestic Machu Picchu, before finishing up in Lima where a booming and delicious food scene awaits. One trip, two epic countries, and unforgettable experiences that are too many to count.
Highlights
- Explore the winding streets and markets of La Paz
- Experience the Salar de Uyuni and high mountain wilderness by 4x4
- Immerse yourself in the colonial cities and historic cultures of Bolivia and Peru
- Visit the salt pans of Maras and the ruins of Moray
- Discover Machu Picchu with a local expert
- Explore the pre-Incan ruins of Tiahuanaco
- Witness life on Lake Titicaca
- Haggle at Sacred Valley markets
Trip Details
Product Code: 8542
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Public bus, plane, train, boat, ferry, hiking, 4x4 vehicle.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Budget
Tour Operator: G Adventures
Supplier Code: SBLM.C
Starts: La Paz, Bolivia
Finishes: Lima, Peru
Duration: 25 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Demanding
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha Your G for Good Moment: Lake Titicaca Homestay, Lake Titicaca Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, Lamay Your Discover Moment: Sucre Your Discover Moment: Cusco
- 4x4 excursion to the Uyuni Salt Flats (3 days)
- Tiahuanaco visit
- Floating islands of Uros visit
- Lake Titicaca guided tour and homestay
- Sacred Valley guided tour
- Pottery making demonstration
- Visit Maras salt pans and ruins of Moray
- Machu Picchu guided tour
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (20 nts), homestay (1 nt). G Adventures-supported lodge/basic hotels on Salar de Uyuni excursion (2 nts, multi-share), Overnight Bus (1 nt).
- 23 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
- Public bus, plane, train, boat, ferry, hiking, 4x4 vehicle.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4,376 ($175 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: La Paz
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities until the evening welcome meeting.
Day 2: La Paz/Sucre
Hop on a flight to Sucre. Arrive to the Constitutional Capital of Bolivia and explore the city along with your CEO.
Day 3: Sucre
Enjoy free time to explore all that Sucre has to offer.
Day 4: Sucre
Enjoy another free day in Sucre, a South American city filled with food, beautiful architecture, museums, and outdoor adventure activities that make it a must-see destination for any Bolivian adventure. Opt to visit one of the world's largest collections of dinosaur footprints from some 68 million years ago. Or maybe stroll through the Tarabuco market to catch a glimpse of daily Bolivian life. Feeling adventurous? Embark on a hike through the scenic area or maybe book a mountain biking experience. If you're hungry, grab a salteña, which is a juicy, sweet-doughed, empanada-like snack.
Day 5: Sucre/Potosí
Journey from Sucre to Potosí. Spend the afternoon exploring the city.
Day 6: Potosí/Uyuni
Head south to Uyuni, the starting point for the salt flats excursion.
Day 7: Uyuni/Salt Flats
Enjoy a 3-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano, with spectacular scenery.
Travel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni. Despite its isolation and challenging climate (cold and blustery most of the year), the town of Uyuni has earned the nickname of Hija Predilecta de Bolivia (Bolivia's Favourite Daughter).
It is also the starting point for our 2-night excursion through the spectacular Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) in 4x4 vehicles.
Settle in to your G Adventures-supported community salt-brick bungalow, complete with salt floors and furniture, after a guided walking tour up to the sacred Jukil mountaintop for sweeping valley views and a dinner of local ingredients prepared by ladies from the community.
Day 8: Salt Flats
Continue to discover the Salar de Uyuni on a 4x4 excursion. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.
Day 9: Salt Flats/La Paz
Enjoy a final day of exploring the Salar de Uyuni before boarding an overnight bus back to La Paz .
Day 10: La Paz
Enjoy a free day in the capital, walk along the winding streets, shop in the markets and enjoy the nightlife. For the thrill seekers opt to bike the famous "death road".
Spend the day exploring and shopping in the many markets of the city -- it is an especially good place to buy textiles and leatherwork. Visit the Witches' Market or take one of the several optional excursions available.
Day 11: La Paz
Enjoy another day in beautiful La Paz. Choose to join one of the optional activities in the area like, the Death Road Biking Adventure, Witches' Market Visit, Valley of the Moon tour, Chacaltaya Visit, or the La Paz City Tour. The best part about two free days in one city is getting to try all of the activities you didn't have time for yesterday.
Day 12: La Paz
Today, visit the pre-Incan ruins of Tiahuanaco.
Little is known about the Tiahuanaco people who constructed the great ceremonial centre on the southern shore of Lake Titicaca over 1000 years ago. Spend most of the day visiting these mysterious ruins—a cradle of Incan civilization—before returning to La Paz.
Day 13: La Paz/Puno
Travel by bus through the altiplano, crossing the border to the Peruvian city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Peru is made up of three main geographical areas: the Andes, the Amazon, and the desert coastal area.
Enjoy spectacular views of the countryside on a full day of travel from La Paz, around Lake Titicaca, and on to Puno.
Day 14: Puno/Lake Titicaca
Enjoy a guided tour of Lake Titicaca with a homestay in a small village.
Head out by boat across Lake Titicaca. Visit the community on the Taquile Islands and stop at a restaurant and enjoy a local lunch with spectacular views.
After, cruise to the another village (this can vary based on community availability) for an overnight homestay on the shores of the lake. This experience provides an opportunity to learn more about rural life in the Peruvian highlands and to participate in local traditions. Eat with the family, pick up some Quecha and Spanish language skills, try on traditional costumes, and help out with daily chores around the village.
Day 15: Lake Titicaca/Puno
Visit the floating islands of Uros before returning to Puno. Opt to visit the Sillustani burial site.
Leave the homestay families late in the morning and visit the Uros Islands on the way back to Puno. A popular optional activity in Puno is a visit to the spectacular chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani, a pre-Inca archaeological site only a short drive away.
Opt to pre-book the Lake Titicaca Kayaking on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Day 16: Puno/Cusco
Hop on the bus for a full day's drive to Cusco.
The bus trip from Puno to Cusco takes the better part of the day, with stark, beautiful scenery en route as you travel through the high Altiplano region. Check out a bit of Cusco, find a spot for dinner, or get prepared to head into the Sacred Valley.
Day 17: Cusco
Enjoy a free day to explore the city's museums and local markets. Choose to pre-book the optional Cusco Cooking Class. Opt for a city tour to see some of the ruins as well.
While most ruins are just outside of the city, the main ruin within is that of the Coricancha, once the Inca Empire's richest temple. It forms the base of the colonial church of Santo Domingo. There are several good museums in Cusco, including the Archaeological Museum, which also houses a small art museum, the Regional History Museum, and the Religious Art Museum.
Opt to visit and hike the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Day 18: Cusco/Ollantaytambo
Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).
Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them.
Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community.
Day 19: Ollantaytambo/Cusco
After breakfast visit the Ollantaytambo ruins where you'll walk up the 200 stone steps to reach the top. Return to the Sacred Valley with your G representative to explore the sites of the Maras Salt Mines and the ancient Incan agricultural terraces of Moray. Continue on a scenic drive through small villages and stunning views of the Andean countryside. Then visit the Chincheros ruins. Known to the Incas as the birthplace of the rainbow, this site offers stunning views of the Andean countryside. Return to Cusco for the evening.
Leave the hikers to start their trek and head out to explore Moray and Maras ancient Incan ruins. Enjoy a scenic drive through Andean farmland on the way.
Day 20: Cusco
Fill up on breakfast at your hotel in Cusco before walking to the Cusco Cathedral where your guide will meet the group for your walking tour of Cusco's colonial side. See the colonial and Inca architecture visible throughout the city and visit the Sapantiana staircase waterfall aqueduct before having lunch near the main plaza. Afterwards, walk back to the hotel and enjoy free time for the rest of the evening.
Day 21: Cusco/Aguas Calientes
After breakfast at the hotel in Cusco, the group will travel by van to Ollantaytambo to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. After enjoying a quick orientation walk around the town of Aguas Calientes the group will have free time for optional activities. Opt to visit the Machu Picchu Museum, the Mandor Waterfalls, and the butterfly garden. Or consider taking a dip in some thermal baths to relax those muscles.
Day 22: Machu Picchu/Cusco
Rise early to enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu. After, catch the train towards Cusco.
Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with your guide. Enjoy a guided visit to the ruins, then head back down by bus to Aguas Calientes to meet up with the rest of the group. Take the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo to meet the van for the ride back to Cusco.
Day 23: Cusco
Enjoy a free day to explore Cusco or relax. Active options include, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Day 24: Cusco/Lima
Fly to Lima. Opt for a city tour or wander the neighbourhood of Miraflores.
Take a short flight to the coast and the capital city of Lima. This vibrant city has a fantastic main square, tons of shopping, and incredible eating. Opt to join the group for one final evening out.
Day 25: Lima
Depart at any time.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Heather - Traveled, May 2024
If there were more stars to give, we would give them. My wife and I were on the 30 day Absolute Peru tour and had a fantastic time. The group were great and the guides fantastic. We were lucky enough to have Elmer as the main guide, but in training were Edward and Joseph, who later went on the look after their own group, who would have been lucky to have them. The tour was very well organised and Elmer made sure we knew exactly where to be and when, what to wear, what to bring and what to expect. He also catered to some strange requests with efficiency and diligence, which was greatly appreciated. Thank you to Elmer, Edward, Joseph and everyone behind the scenes at Tourradar for a wonderful experience we will remember for the rest of our lives.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/26/2024
Munjen - Traveled, May 2024
Itinerary: Overall Good. You will do many varied things on this tour. But you will completely miss Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo. Two of the most important archeological sites in Peru. They will not bring you to those sights because there is an admission fee. They will instead bring you to free sites like Big White Jesus statue and the granaries of Ollantaytambo. Which is extremely lacking. They will also make you spend an entire day at their sponsored co-ops where they produce very overpriced goods. Complete waste of a day that you paid for. Tipping: There is a persistent request for tips. This makes one think that G adventures does not pay their workers a fair wage or asks them to expect less in hopes of making it up in tips. I don't mind in tipping hard working individuals like the porters on the Inca trail that go above and beyond, but when its always expected on small day trips, it gets tiring. Do not Pre-pay in advance for day tours Never pre-pay for a day tour too far in advance. Decide the day before. I pre-paid for the Rainbow mountain hike after the Inca trail. Big mistake. You may not feel like wanting to go on another long hike after the Inca trail. And there's no refunds. Looking back, I would have stayed in Cusco and relaxed for the day. Meals Some meals are included and some are not. The ones that are not are opportunities for the guide to introduce you to something new while getting a commission. You're free to go somewhere else but with peer pressure, you may find it hard when the entire group is going somewhere. Figure out where and what you want to eat and let the others get fleeced. Hotels They will be 1-2 stars. Bathrooms and beds are clean but the room itself seems poorly constructed. Would I go again? Yes, but I would pay attention to the things that make it a lesser experience. Figure out what's important to me and deviate from their agenda that makes it a lesser experience when possible.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/24/2024
Margaret - Traveled, March 2024
An amazing but very full on adventure. From day one, right through to the end it was very eventful, busy, challenging but most of all extremely rewarding. We had no expectations we we began the tour but our expectations were exceeded. We were blessed with mostly great weather, amazing scenery, fabulous fellow travellers and fantastic and very supportive guides.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/06/2024
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