Highlights of Chile, Bolivia & Peru

Combine the Amazing Highlights of Chile, Bolivia & Peru

Journey through the Andean heartland on an action-packed three-week exploration of Chile, Bolivia and Peru. Designed to showcase the diversity of each nation, this 20-day tour takes you to some of South America’s most iconic sites. 

Begin in Chile with a tour of Santiago and an exploration of the Atacama Desert before moving on to Bolivia where the world’s largest salt flat and the wonderfully chaotic markets of La Paz are waiting. The sacred Lake Titicaca serves as your final destination in Bolivia before you cross the border into Peru for an unmissable trip to Machu Picchu, complemented by stays in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

Highlights

• Enjoy guided city tours of Santiago, La Paz and Cusco
• Immerse yourself amongst the incredible landscapes of the Atacama Desert
• Marvel at the world’s largest salt flat in Bolivia
• Embark on a private boat trip on the beautiful Lake Titicaca
• Explore the ‘Lost City’ of Machu Pichu with an expert guide
• Discover the living customs of the Incas in the Sacred Valley

Quick Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart the UK

Days 2 & 3  - Santiago 

Days 4 - 6 - Atacama Desert

Day 7 - Siloli Desert

Day 8 - Desert Area / Uyuni

Day 9 - Uyuni Salt Flats

Day 10 – La Paz

Day 11 - Lake Titicaca 

Day 12 - Puno

Days 13 & 14 - Cusco

Day 15 - Machu Picchu

Days 16 & 17 – The Sacred Valley

Day 18 – Lima

Day 19 - Depart Lima

Day 20 - Arrive back in the UK

Truly Individual Holiday

Any element of this holiday can be tailormade to your requirements, including the places you want to see and the things that are important to you. Just contact one of our Travel Specialists today.

Day 1 - Depart the UK

Today you will depart the UK on your international flight to Santiago, Chile.

Days 2 & 3 - Santiago

Arrive in Chile, where you will spend your first two nights in Santiago, a compelling city that is beautifully flanked by the Andes mountains. Whilst your first day is at leisure, a guided tour is included on your second day to discover the cultural significance of the capital’s divergent neighbourhoods.  

Days 4 - 6 - Atacama Desert

Fly to Calama to begin a three-day exploration of the Atacama Desert, staying in the town of San Pedro de Atacama. The highest, driest desert in the world, Atacama is a wonderland of mesmerising valleys, archaeological wonders and geological marvels and your time here is unrushed to immerse yourself in the rugged lunar-like landscapes.   

Observe the sunset majestically over the Moon Valley, hike amongst the multi-hued topography of the aptly named Rainbow Valley and explore the enigmatic archaeological site of Yerbas Buenas. On your third day, you will be heading north to observe the El Tatio Geysers, a geothermal field fringed by both the Andes and the Chilean Coast Range.

Day 7 - Siloli Desert

Cross the border into Bolivia by vehicle into the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. Here you will see the Green Lake with the view of the Licancabur Volcano, the sulphur vapours of geysers and enjoy an open-air dip in the thermal ponds of Polques. You’ll stop by Laguna Colorada, known as the Red Lagoon for its unusual red colouring and a nesting centre for thousands of flamingos.  You will also visit the Stone Tree, a unique rock formation caused by wind erosion, and Dali Desert, so called because of its surreal and barren landscape.  

Day 8 - Desert Area / Uyuni 

This morning you will visit Lakes Cañapa, Hedionda, Chaircota, home to various pink flamingos and bird species. You’ll have views of Ollague Volcano and visit and Lake Turkiri and the Train Cemetery en route to Uyuni. In the evening you can take full advantage of almost zero light pollution with a stargazing experience in the salt flats. With clear weather, you’ll see thousands of stars, various constellations, and the Milly Way, all beautifully reflected on the Salar. 

Day 9 - Uyuni Salt Flats

One of the continent’s most spectacular sights, Uyuni has the largest salt flats in the world, and they are both eerie and evocative, as the sky and horizon seemingly fuse over an expansive sheet of white barren terrain. Marvel at the glistening wonderland on your full day tour including Inca Huasi Island with its giant cacti, a rustic salt factory visit, see the towering Tunupa Volcano and the Mummies of Coquesa and the Chantani Museum. 

Day 10 - La Paz

Early morning flight to La Paz, where upon arrival you will embark on a guided tour of the wonderfully chaotic city. Begin at the main plaza where the current government palace and the National Congress sit and the nearby San Francisco Church before heading to the south of the city. La Paz’s south contrasts greatly with the rest of the city and it is here you will find the fascinating geological wonder of the ‘Moon Valley’. You will also enjoy a cable car ride to the highest point within the city limits - it goes without saying that the views are incredible. Finally, explore La Paz’s incredible market scene before heading to your central hotel for the night. 

Day 11 - Lake Titicaca 

Straddling both the Bolivian and Peruvian borders and immeasurably sacred as the birthplace of the Andean civilization, Lake Titicaca is an incredible destination. Reaching it will require a 4-hour drive to the lakeside town of Copacabana, where upon arrival and after settling into your hotel, you will immediately embark on a private boat excursion to the lake’s iconic Sun Island. Here, enjoy a delicious traditional lunch and a gentle hike to some of the island’s remaining Inca-era ruins. Watch the sunset over the lake before retreating to Copacabana for an evening at leisure. 

Day 12 - Puno

There is no major rush today to reach Puno, your gateway to Peru, also lakeside to Titicaca and just 140km from Copacabana. Enjoy a leisurely morning in the town with options to visit the Basilica shrine of El Calvario or to explore Copacabana’s colourful morning market. 

Days 13 & 14 - Cusco

Take the morning tourist bus from Puno to Cusco, a journey of approximately 390km. Whilst the drive is long, the scenery is beautiful, taking you into the heart of the Inca Empire via a magnitude of rural villages, archaeological sites (stops included), and sacred churches. 

The next day is more leisurely, with the morning completely free to wander through the cobbled streets of Cusco at your own pace. In the afternoon, a gently paced guided tour will bring you to some of the most esteemed sites in the city. 

Day 15 - Machu Picchu

Today, embark on a journey to see one of South America’s most iconic landmarks – Machu Picchu. It will need no introduction, but your guided tour will help convey some of the hidden secrets of the citadel. A scenic Expedition train ride beginning in Ollantaytambo is required to reach the majestic site and is a wonderful excursion in its own right, as you climb through Andean valleys, passing many tiny hamlets and sloping hillsides on the way. 

Days 16 & 17 - Sacred Valley

Enjoy a second visit to Machu Picchu, this time unguided allowing you to go at your own pace. Climb Huayna Picchu to visit the Temple of the Moon and/or see the incredible architecture of the Intipunku (Sun Gate) and the Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, return to Ollantaytambo by train before transferring the short distance to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. 

On your second day, explore the peaceful sacred corner of the Andes on a full-day tour visiting rural towns and discovering many of the secrets of ancient civilizations. Visit Chinchero, where the locals preserve the culture of the Incas then make a short trip to the Living Museum of Yucay where Andean traditions are perfectly demonstrated through elaborate textile, pottery and silverware work, before reaching the Ollantaytambo fortress, the site of one of the last Inca strongholds against the Spanish conquistadors.

Day 18 - Lima

Private transfer to Cusco airport for a flight to Lima. On arrival in Peru’s capital, you will be transferred to your hotel and the rest of your time today is at leisure. 

Day 19 - Depart Lima

Transfer to Lima airport where you will take your onward flight.

Day 20 - Arrive back in the UK

Today you will land back in the UK from Peru.

From £6,599 per person

Valid for 2024 departures, based on 2 people sharing a room

Includes:

• International flights

• 17 nights’ accommodation 

• 29 meals; 17 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 4 dinners

• Guided city tours of Santiago, La Paz and Cusco

• Three guided tours in the Atacama 

• Full-day tour of Uyuni

• Half-day private boat excursion on Lake Titicaca

• Return Expedition train tickets to Machu Picchu 

• Two entrances to Machu Picchu, one guided and one unguided. 

• Full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley

• Transfers and domestic flights as per itinerary

Excludes:

• Meals not indicated in your itinerary

• Local departure taxes payable locally

• Items of a personal nature such as laundry and drinks etc

• Tips for guides and drivers (discretionary)

• Camera or video fees at any sites