Day-to-day schedule
Day 1: Lima
Welcome to Peru!
Your tour starts in Lima, where you can use your hotel room from check in time (12.00 hrs at noon) on day 1. Most of your travel companions will arrive later this first day, the exact time will be depending on their flight schedule. You will meet your English speaking tour leader at 8.00 hrs A.M. on day 2 in the lobby of your hotel before travelling on to Ica.
Peru’s capital city Lima is famous for its many historic monuments, lively shopping streets and interesting restaurants where you can sample local cuisine.
Day 2: Lima - Ica
This morning we travel to Ica, an oasis surrounded by beautiful sandy dunes where you can choose to take a spectacular buggy ride, go sandboarding and enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Day 3: Ica - Nazca
Today our journey continues to Nazca, famous for its intriguing Nazca Lines, the origins and purpose of which remain a mystery. Just as amazing is the cemetery at Chauchilla, where sun-bleached Nazca skeletons guard their age-old resting place.
If you want to fly across the Nazca Lines you can do so in the morning (day 4), weather permitting.
Day 4: Nazca – Arequipa
After the morning at Nazca, we board the comfortable, public bus for our afternoon journey lasting nine and a half hours along the coast and through the mountains to Arequipa.
Day 5: Arequipa
Arequipa is a beautiful old colonial city, surrounded by volcanoes including the famous El Misti, which can be seen from Plaza de Armas. Although the city was founded by the Spanish Conquistadors, many remains from pre-Inca and Incan times can still be found in and around the city. A variety of day trips are available however, the Santa Catalina convent in Arequipa is one of the most beautiful in the New World and is worth a visit. For 400 years nuns lived here in total isolation until 1970 when the convent was opened to the public. You can now wander for hours through its picturesque alleyways. Visit the Museum of Sanctuaries Andinos and see the mummy of a young Inca girl, Juanita, who was sacrificed to the volcano to put it in a more favourable mood.
Day 6: Arequipa - Chivay
This morning we’ll travel to Colca Canyon National Park and cross the Andes. Enjoy the breathtaking views over the surrounding volcano peaks, journey through the pampas where vicuña graze and on past Andean settlements to the village of Chivay. Relax after your long journey in the hot thermal springs nearby. Entrance fee for the National Park Colca Canyon is included.
Day 7: Chivay - Puno
Our visit to the “Cruz del Condor” with its splendid view of the Colca Canyon is one of the highlights of our journey and if you’re lucky you may catch sight of the majestic condor floating on the thermals. We will also visit some surrounding villages and continue in the afternoon to Puno on the banks of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake.
Here you can stroll through town and shop at the colourful market and take a trip to the Uros and Taquile Islands. The 300 inhabitants of the Uros live on Lake Titicaca, on floating islands made of totora reeds. Their small houses and boat are also made out of reed and the largest island has two-storied houses and a school. The Indians on Isla Taquile are known for their weaving culture or alternatively you can visit the Sillustani Tombs, where the pre-Inca civilization Colla buried their dead in these towers.
Day 8: Puno
Enjoy a second day exploring the area of Puno.
Day 9: Puno - La Paz
We travel by bus along Lake Titicaca towards La Paz where, at the border, we transfer to a Bolivian bus that takes us via the ruins of Tiahuanacu to La Paz (entrance fee not included). The Tiahuanacu culture is one of the Andes’ great pre-Inca cultures but even now little is known about the people that built this grand ceremonial centre. We then continue on to La Paz.
Day 10: La Paz
Today there is plenty of time to explore the narrow, steep streets that lead to an array of colonial buildings, churches, monasteries, market stalls and museums.
Pay a visit to the extraordinary Mercado de Hechicería or witch market, where traditionally dressed Aymara women, exhibit all kinds of miracle cures or visit a traditional Latin American graveyard on the edge of town. You can also take one of the many varied walks in and around La Paz, including the Valle de la Luna, the Muela del Diablo, and Chacaltaya Mountain.
Day 11: La Paz - Uyuni
After a day long journey we arrive in Uyuni late in the evening.
In the morning we set off on an adventurous trek into the Salar de Uyuni (entrance fee for the Salar is included). We start by taking a jeep across the plains of the Altiplano, framed in the distance by the mighty peaks of the Andes, to the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia’s largest saltpan. From here we will visit the Isla de Pescado, home of flamingos, alpacas and viscachas.
Due to the altitude warm clothes are needed for this trip, including gloves and a hat. You may also want to consider wearing thermal underwear or leggings underneath your clothes. The sunshine on these bright white plains is intense so wear sunglasses and put on a good sun protection cream.
Please note that if there are less than 6 people booked on the tour, transport will be by public bus instead of by private minibus and the itinerary will change slightly, as follows: in the afternoon of day 11 the group will take a public bus from La Paz to Uyuni. The group will arrive at 3 am the next day (day 12) and will go on an excursion in the Salar Desert during the morning, departing at 9 am.
Day 12: Uyuni
One of the major tourist attractions of the Uyuni area is an antique train cemetery. It is situated 3 km outside Uyuni and is connected to it by the old train tracks. The cemetery has been created as a result of the collapse of the mining industry in the 1940's, after which, many trains were just left abandoned.
Day 13: Uyuni - Potosí
It will take us 5 to 6 hours to get to Potosí, the legendary silver town and the world’s highest city. In the past there were hundreds of silver mines in Cerro Rico but it provides mainly tin and other metals. A visit to the mines is available but you will need to wear on old clothes and bring a flashlight. Those who suffer from breathing or similar medical problems are strongly advised not to descend into the mines.
In 1987, UNESCO proclaimed the city of Potosí as a World Heritage Site for its tragic history and rich colonial architecture. The Casa Real de la Moneda where silver coins were once minted is certainly worth a visit and the city has many churches, monasteries and magnificent old buildings and monuments that still radiate the wealth of the past.
Day 14: Potosí
Have a wander into Potosi town and look around. It is a strange mix of beautifully restored colonial buildings and the run-down dwellings of the local people.
Day 15: Potosí - La Paz
Today we make the long ride across the highlands and arrive late in the evening in La Paz, where you can relax in the comfortable hotel.
Day 16: La Paz - Copacabana
After a short bus ride we arrive at the pilgrimage town of Copacabana with its breathtaking views over deep blue Lake Titicaca. The brilliantly white Moorish cathedral houses a 16th century wooden statue of the Virgen de Candelaria that is believed to work miracles. This is a great area for walking and you can climb the Cerro Calvario and watch the sunset over Lake Titicaca or take a boat trip the island of Isla del Sol with its impressive history and Inca ruins.
Day 17: Copacabana - Cuzco
A beautifully scenic but long bus trip across Peru’s Altiplano will take us to Cuzco, where you can explore the royal seat of the mighty Inca kingdom, rich with monuments and surrounded by countless Inca ruins. At one time the city was the religious centre of the Inca’s and Cuzco still breathes the mystic air of those times. Conquered and destroyed by the Spanish in 1533, the new colonial city was built on the foundations of the Inca buildings and many of these foundations are still visible.
It is worth paying 70 sol to buy the special Cuzco Visitor Ticket that gives you access to most of the important monuments, churches, museums and the most important ruins sites in the area. Outside the city there are interesting Inca ruins such as Tambo Machay (a water temple), Puca Pucara, Qenko and Sacsayhuaman which was once a powerful fortress and centre of religion. These four ruins can be visited in one journey on foot or on horseback and when you return you can dine in one of the many wonderful restaurants. There are also many optional excursions possible such as mountain biking and rafting.
Inca trail
For hikers, nature and culture lovers the 42 kilometre long Inca trail is a true challenge but truly enchanting. This is a rugged trek where you sleep in two-person tents so make sure you prepare yourself thoroughly. It is best to walk the Inca trail between May and October, although there may be one or two showers. Please note that during the month February the Inca Trail is always closed for maintenance. Before booking an Inca trail excursion please check real time availability http://www.inca-trail.com.pe/dispo/index.php?lg=en.
4-day Inca Trail
This is the ultimate tour for people who have adequate time, good health and good fitness. In four days you can walk from 2000 meters to 4200 meters and along 3900 passes. You will also walk over plains, sometimes by a dense cloud forest mountain with beautiful bromeliads and lianas. Also explore with the local guide who accompanies you throughout the trip, some very beautiful Inca ruins. Cooking utensils, tents, provisions and fuel for four days go along with the local porters. Take a small backpack with you containing your stuff for 4 days, and your sleeping bag. For a fee of € 90 (for the 2-day trek € 80) you can have the porters carry your luggage (please do this immediately upon booking if you wish).
The price per person for the four-day Inca trail € 275 per person.
Two-day Inca trail
You will be accompanied by a local guide who will stay with the group during the entire trek. Local porters carry the cooking equipment, tents and provisions for two days. You carry a small backpack containing your needs for these two days and a sleeping bag.
This two day walk of the Inca trail starts near the holy Urubamba River and ends in the afternoon in Machu Picchu, where we will stay the night at the foot of the city in the village of Aguas Calientes. The next day we have plenty of time to take a guided tour of the ruins, in late afternoon we board the train to Cuzco.
If you want to walk the Inca trail, indicate this on your booking form and as the trek is extremely popular and places are limited book early to avoid disappointment. When booking, give your exact name and passport number (your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the tour), this information will be printed on the entrance tickets. Any error in this data automatically generates a penalty fee which will be passed on to you. The Inca Trail is upon request and is only confirmed when you have received confirmation from us. Given the high cancellation we charge € 100, - cancellation fee if you decide to cancel once all is confirmed. The impossibility of confirming the Inca Trail does not mean that the whole trip may be canceled free of charge.
The price per person for the two-day Inca trail € 215 per person.
If you have booked either the 2 or 4 day Inca trail, you will not stay overnight in Aguas Calientes (plus train trip) according to the standard programme. Obviously, all these costs are taken into account in the price. Walking the trail also means less or no free time in Cuzco.
Day 18: Cuzco
Cuzco has a variety of interesting museums such as the Museo Inka, north of the Cathedral, which is set in The Admiral's Palace, a colonial mansion. The museum features over 10,000 exhibits charting civilization in Cuzco and the Andes, from ceramics, Inca textiles and silver to mummies and preserved skulls. For art, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo hosts local artists and contemporary art, while the Museo de Arte Precolombino features paintings, gold and jewelry from 1250 B.C. to 1532 A.D. For a glimpse of Peru's flora and fauna, visit the Museo de Historia Natural on Plaza de Armas.
Day 19: Cuzco
For those that like to peruze the shops and markets, the Plaza de Armas is circled by boutique shops selling tourist wares such as alpaca clothing, leather goods, postcards, artwork and traditional wall hangings. For further variety and the chance to sample local foods - both prepared dishes and raw ingredients - head to the Mercardo Central (Central Market). The covered market also sells herbal remedies and traditional medicines, clothing and souvenirs.
Day 20: Cuzco - Aguas Calientes
Our 4-hour train ride takes us through stunning scenery to Aguas Calientes where you are free to explore the village, take a walk or relax in the hot springs.
Day 21: Aguas Calientes - Cuzco
This morning, take a bus to the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, beautifully located on a plateau in the middle of some interesting rock formations. Due to its unique location, the city was only discovered in 1911 and as such has remained relatively well preserved. Archaeologists believe it was once a religious Inca town, but its precise function is still unknown. You will have ample time to explore the whole complex of temples, terraces and holy places. The most famous photo of Machu Picchu was taken after a climb up to the Hut of the Caretaker of the Funeral Rock.
If you prefer a completely different view of the ruins, a walk to the Inti Punku is highly recommended. From this point, people walking the Inca trail get their first glimpse of Machu Picchu. A steep climb of around an hour takes you to the top of the Huayna Picchu, where you will be again be rewarded with spectacular views, (the bus ride and 2-day entrance fee to Machu Picchu is not included in the price of your holiday). In the afternoon we travel back to Cuzco by train.
Day 22: Cuzco
This is the last day you have to enjoy Cuzco.
Day 23: Lima (arrival by flight from Cuzco)
The last day of your tour. The tour will end in Lima International Airport, after the domestic flight from Cuzco. If you have time before your international flight, you may like to take a city tour. We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Bolivia and Peru.
Your personal ‘my.shoestring’ page on our website is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals from trips and upload your photos onto the photo gallery. Visit my shoestring today.
When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (day 23) is not included.
***Our tour to Bolivia and Peru already has a guaranteed departure with a minimum number of 2 participants. For groups up to and including 7 participants there are some adjustments concerning the route, the tour leader and the transfers. The group will stay one night less in Potosi and take a nightbus Potosi - La Paz on day 14. There might not be one tour leader guiding you throughout the whole tour, but it can be several. All stretches will be by public transport, except Paracas-Ica (day 2) and Arequipa-Colca-Puno (day 6-7) and Kasani-Cusco (day 17) which will be done by private transportation. A private bus will NOT be available in Lima on the last day (only transfer IN and transfer OUT). It will not be possible to visit Tiahuanaco on day 9; the group will take a public bus from Puno via Copacabana to La Paz on this day. When there are at least 8 participants who have booked this tour to Bolivia and Peru, there will be one tour leader guiding you throughout the whole tour, transfers and (most)excursions will be private for you and the other participants of this tour. Only the transfer from Nazca to Arequipa will be by public bus.
In addition, with a group of 2 to 5 participants, the Colca canyon excursion will be in shared services (seat in bus) with English speaking guide and entrance fees still included.