Experience Overview
For those looking to experience the history, culture, and wilderness of South America, this three-week adventure through Peru, Bolivia, and Chile is packed full of some of the continent’s most iconic and popular highlights. Explore the Sacred Valley and uncover Incan history high in the Andes at legendary Machu Picchu. Explore incredible landscapes at Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert, and encounter vibrant culture at Lake Titicaca. Because we have years of experience and established operational offices in the region, we’ll take care of the hassles so that you can focus on the highlights. Get off the beaten track and embrace the best of this incredible region.
Highlights
- Explore the Sacred Valley
- Marvel at the views from the train to Machu Picchu
- Witness traditional life on Lake Titicaca
- Encounter colonial cities and historic cultures in Bolivia
- Cross the world's largest salt flat by 4x4 at the Salar de Uyuni
Trip Details
Product Code: 2842
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Plane, train, boat, public bus, 4x4 vehicles, hiking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Classic, Budget
Tour Operator: G Adventures
Supplier Code: SMS
Starts: Lima, Peru
Finishes: Santiago, Chile
Duration: 21 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Average
Includes
Activities
- 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 G for Good Moment: Luquina Chico Community Visit, Lake Titicaca Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Cusco Your Discover Moment: Sucre
- Sacred Valley guided tour
- Pottery making demonstration
- Train to Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu guided tour
- Floating islands of Uros visit
- Lake Titicaca guided tour
- 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni (3 days)
- Tour of Valley of the Moon (San Pedro de Atacama)
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels/guesthouses (18 nts), G Adventures-supported lodge/basic hotels on Salar de Uyuni excursion (2 nts, multi-share).
- 18 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
- Plane, train, boat, public bus, 4x4 vehicles, hiking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5201 ($248 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Hotel Santa Cruz
Day 2: Lima/Cusco
Hop a flight to Cusco. Enjoy a free day for shopping and exploring the city. Choose to pre-book an optional Cusco Cooking Class. Opt for a city tour.
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city, and getting used to the altitude.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.Free_time - Spend the day shopping and exploring the city.Accommodation - El Puma Hotel
Day 3: Cusco
Spend a full day enjoying optional activities in the area.
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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Don't waste a minute— head out an explore.Accommodation - El Puma Hotel
Day 4: Cusco/Ollantaytambo
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 used in the Ccaccaccollo community. 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.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit the Ccaccaccollo community centre which G Adventures travellers' donations helped create in 2005, thereby enabling local women to sell traditional textiles to travellers. See local weaving and dyeing techniques used to create garments and souvenirs, and learn how the Planeterra weaving co-operative has impacted the community and those who visit it. This includes the purchase of alpacas to provide a steady supply of wool, looms, and sewing machines as well as several training courses on production, sales and small business management.
Activity - Contribute to sustainable tourism in Huchuy Qosqo, a small village of 65 families in the Sacred Valley, by eating at the Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn how the resident-run restaurant was kickstarted by G Adventures and the Multilateral Investment Fund, to become a successful farm-to-table program that boosts the local economy and several spin-off microenterprises.Activity - In the rural village of Cuyo Chico in the Sacred Valley, a group of families joined together to create a small business based on their traditional adobe ceramic crafts. Using clay from their surroundings, they mold bowls, plates, and all manner of decorations. Learn about the ceramics process as well as the traditional adobe brick-making that forms the basis of houses throughout the valley, all while taking in a spectacular view of the Pisac Ruins. After the demonstration, peruse the items for sale directly from the artisans in their shop.Accommodation - Peru Quechua's Lodge Ollantaytambo
Day 5: Ollantaytambo/Aguas Calientes
Catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. Opt to visit the local hot springs or shop in the local market.
Board a morning train that winds through the spectacular Sacred Valley to the end of the line: the village of Aguas Calientes, a frontier town nestled in the hills beneath Machu Picchu.
Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the butterfly house, botanical gardens or hot springs. Opt for a day hike to Mandor Gardens to see orchids and a waterfall, enjoying the lush, green scenery en route.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Hotel Wiracocha Inn
Day 6: Aguas Calientes/Cusco
Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco in the evening.
Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with your guide. Enjoy a guided visit of the ruins then take a train back to Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Set off with the local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - El Puma Hotel
Day 7: Cusco
Use a free day to explore more of Cusco or relax.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Don't waste a minute—get out and explore the landscape on horseback, mountain bike, or explore some of the city's landmarks.Accommodation - El Puma Hotel
Day 8: Cusco/Puno
Travel day by bus from Cusco to Puno. Spend some time on arrival wandering the small city.
Travel through the high Altiplano region from Cusco to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Titicaca is also the largest lake in the world above 3800m, and the views from both Amantaní and Taquile Islands are stunning. The trip takes the better part of the day, with stark, beautiful scenery en route.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Pukara House
Day 9: Puno
Enjoy a guided tour of Lake Titicaca including a visit to Uros and Taquile islands.
Head out by boat across Lake Titicaca. Visit the community on the Taquile Islands and enjoy a local lunch with spectacular views. Visit the floating islands of Uros before returning to Puno. Opt to visit to Sillustani burial site.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Head out for a day on beautiful Lake Titicaca. Travel to Taquile Island to visit the community and check out the spectacular views. Do some shopping at the local weaving cooperatives and learn about the Taquileños, known for their fine handwoven textiles and clothing.
Continue on to the floating islands of Uros. Learn about the totora reeds that grow in the shallows of Lake Titicaca used to make everything from the islands themselves to the boats the islanders use for transportation (if constructed well, they last up to six months). Find out from locals how the islands are constructed; as the layers closest to the water start to rot, they are replaced with fresh reeds on top.Activity - Enjoy a visit to the community of Luquina Chico on Lake Titicaca, where 40 families have been working to preserve their traditions, and with the support of G Adventures and Planeterra, are creating opportunities for future generations to thrive. Connect on a deeper level with the local community members whom call this place home, and learn more fascinating details about their unique ways of adapting to life away from the mainland.Accommodation - Pukara House
Day 10: Puno/La Paz
Travel by bus and cross the border into Bolivia, arriving in La Paz.
Enjoy the full-day drive around the lake and through the altiplano to La Paz. Bolivia is filled with spectacular views of the countryside. La Paz is at nearly 4000m (13,120ft) above sea level, so be prepared for cool evenings and mornings.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Hotel Las Brisas
Day 11: La Paz
Enjoy a free day in La Paz. Opt to visit the Witches' Market, the city's museums or the Valley of the Moon.
Explore the city's many fine museums or its historic structures, like the Iglesia de San Francisco. The city is also renowned for its many markets, including the Mercado de Hechicería (Witches' Market).
With streets lined with market stalls and vendors, the pace on the street and the vibrant atmosphere is an incredible experience.
To the south of the city is the Valley of the Moon, with crater-like formations made of sand.
Thrill seekers can pre book a Death Road mountain biking adventure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - The day is yours— make the most of it.Accommodation - Hotel Las Brisas
Day 12: La Paz/Sucre
Fly to Sucre and explore this beautiful colonial city.
Optional activities include mountain biking, hiking, and searching for dinosaur footprints.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.Free_time - Don't waste a minute, head out and explore.Accommodation - Hotel Independencia
Day 13: Sucre
Free time to explore the city, the former capital of Bolivia. For more active options opt to go hiking in the surrounding area or mountain biking.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Explore the landscape on foot or two wheels.Accommodation - Hotel Independencia
Day 14: Sucre/Potosí
Travel by bus to Potosí and get a view of the mountain Cerro Rico looming over the city.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Free_time - Spend free time learning about local mining production or wandering the city and soaking in the cultural atmosphere. Accommodation - Hotel Gran Libertador
Day 15: Potosí/Uyuni
Travel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni, the jumping off point for the three day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Hotel Samay Wasi
Day 16: Uyuni/Salt Flats and Desert Crossing
Enjoy a three-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. Today you will be heading into the Salar de Uyuni. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Spend three days in the stunning landscape between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert in Chile. Enter a world unlike anything else as we drive across the salt flats; the piercing blue sky contrasts against the blinding white of the flat salt beds. Take memorable photos of the unusual landscape complete with mountains and active volcanoes. Visit the coloured lagoon of Laguna Colorada and enjoy the uniqueness of this region.Activity - Visit the Santiago de Agencha community, located two hours across the salt flats from Uyuni, a rural village surrounded by towering cacti and part of a small desert oasis. The community-owned salt lodge was renovated and expanded through a major project in 2016 funded by G Adventures’ foundation, Planeterra. With many of the village’s younger residences fleeing for economic opportunities, this lodge is seen by the community as a way to rescue their indigenous culture and provide opportunities for the future. Learn about their traditional agricultural practices, including their specialization in quinoa production, and take a guided walk with a community member to the sacred Jukil mountaintop for a beautiful view of the village below and the salt flats beyond. Meals of local ingredients grown in the village are prepared by ladies who were provided culinary training through the project. Leave Jukil Community Lodge knowing your visit is creating opportunities for a whole new generation of people in this community to improve their lives, and the lives of their children and grandchildren.Accommodation - Jukil Lodge
Day 17: Salt Flats and Desert Crossing
Explore the desert altiplano on a 4x4 excursion. Admire the spectacular scenery while passing red and blue lagoons and interesting rock formations along the route. Spot wild llamas, alpacas and even flamingos deep within the desert.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Spend three days in the stunning landscape between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert in Chile. Enter a world unlike anything else as we drive across the salt flats; the piercing blue sky contrasts against the blinding white of the flat salt beds. Take memorable photos of the unusual landscape complete with mountains and active volcanoes. Visit the coloured lagoon of Laguna Colorada and enjoy the uniqueness of this region.Accommodation - Laguna Colorada
Day 18: Salt Flats and Desert Crossing/San Pedro de Atacama
Rise early to cover more ground of the unique landscape of the Salar de Uyuni. Continue to see incredible scenery, including volcanoes, salt lakes and geysers. Travel to the border and descend by bus to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. It's a long but scenic drive.
From the high Bolivian altiplano descend almost 2000m to the edge of the Atacama Desert, arriving at the small desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, just across the Chilean border. Said to be one of the driest places on the planet, this little town is an oasis in an otherwise barren, dry landscape.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.Accommodation - Hostal Puritama
Day 19: San Pedro de Atacama
Enjoy an Included excursion to the Valley of the Moon. In San Pedro, opt to go sandboarding or mountain biking.
Enjoy an included excursion to the Valley of the Moon to learn about and appreciate the beautiful uniqueness of the landscape.
There are plenty of optional excursions in San Pedro de Atacama, including biking, exploring nearby ruins, and horseback riding. Despite its size, San Pedro offers some great restaurants as well as numerous handicrafts and artisan stores for those looking for souvenirs.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - The sunset brings out a variety of colours over this majestic valley that experts say is the area on Earth that most closely resembles moon's surface. Explore the incredible formations created by wind and rain over millennia in this unique location between the Andes mountains and one of the world's driest deserts.Accommodation - Hostal Puritama
Day 20: San Pedro de Atacama/Santiago
Drive to Calama and fly to Santiago, a vibrant capital city.
From the nearby city of Calama, fly to Santiago, the capital of Chile. The city is surrounded by mountains, and there are both internationally recognized vineyards and Andean ski resorts within a couple of hours from the city centre.
Explore the city's many museums and parks and visit the vibrant neighbourhood of Bellavista with its handicrafts, trendy cafés, and San Cristobal Hill with its views of the city and the surrounding area.
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, take your seat, and enjoy the ride.Transport - Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.Accommodation - Ibis Budget Santiago
Day 21: Santiago
Depart at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
James H. - Traveled, June 2024
A real adventure. At times it was exhausting (especially in Bolivia) but overall worth it for the landscapes, scenery and cultural experiences.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/05/2024
Marko J. - Traveled, June 2024
It was my first group trip ever and I was extremely skeptical when I booked the trip as I usually travel alone with my girlfriend and avoid groups. But G Adventures took away all my skepticism and this trip was the best trip I've been on so far.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/23/2024
Charlotte R. - Traveled, May 2024
Excellent, but tiring, itinerary showcasing the best of Peru and Bolivia.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/12/2024
Emma M. - Traveled, May 2024
We normally self organise our hols, so it made a nice change to have everything organised for us and to still get to see so much
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/10/2024
Stephen R. - Traveled, May 2024
A busy schedule with a lot of travelling but a wide variety of experienced. Well worth the effort
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/07/2024
Josephine P. - Traveled, May 2024
What an incredible part of the world south america is.G adventures ensured we had the most AMAZING TIME.Thankyou.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/01/2024
Chee P. - Traveled, May 2024
Overall it was a good experience and Fredy the tour guide was excellent
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/28/2024
Felicity L. - Traveled, May 2024
As a family we had a wonderful holiday and experience. We will never forget accommodation was a minor niggle but did not take away from the experience you gave us.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/27/2024
Sharon T. - Traveled, May 2024
The trip was a wonderful experience. We learned quite a bit about the local people and their culture by visiting their communities. Watching the women weave was amazing!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/27/2024
Ann R. - Traveled, May 2024
A great CEO, great itinerary, great group size made this a most interesting and enjoyable trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/27/2024
Richard B. - Traveled, May 2024
One of the most enjoyable experiences of my life.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/27/2024
Fabienne B. - Traveled, April 2024
great experience from natur & citys
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/19/2024
Isobel L. - Traveled, April 2024
A truly amazing experience that has created so many special memories which will last a lifetime.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/17/2024
Ursula B. - Traveled, April 2024
It was a dream journey!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/10/2024
Christopher D. - Traveled, April 2024
An epic tour with a great group of fellow travellers and an exceptional CEO
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/10/2024
Kathryn P. - Traveled, April 2024
An outstanding experience to share in the local culture and beauty and history of Peru Bolivia and Chile with insight provided by knowledgeable and dedicated guides
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/02/2024
Sophia Y. - Traveled, March 2024
It was the best experience ever - such a varied, mind blowing landscapes, money can’t buy experiences and incredibly well organised trip as well. The guides were all knowledge and attentive and the locations were just magnificent. Highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/27/2024
Nick V. - Traveled, March 2024
Great adventure with plenty of highlights and memorable moments. Sometimes too little time on a destination and the intensity of travel was demanding at times. Nevertheless, another unforgettable trip added to the list
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/19/2024
Fabienne K. - Traveled, March 2024
Amazing trip to see the most of this beautiful part of the world. Our guide Juber did an excellent job by providing further information and insight to the culture. Highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2024
Magnus B. - Traveled, March 2024
I can't find words for the outstanding landscapes we saw and amazing people we met.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/12/2024
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