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Peru and Bolivia: Machu Picchu to the Salt Flats

16 days, Lima to La Paz

We have multiple itineraries for this trip.Please select one for correct pricing and itinerary.
Map of the route for Peru and Bolivia: Machu Picchu to the Salt Flats
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Itinerary Notes

There are new Health & Safety Protocols for National Geographic Journeys tours. Please see here for full details and up-to-date requirements as they may change.

Itinerary

Day 1Lima

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Please note: if you booked the Lima Cooking Class it does not include extra time in Lima, and we highly recommend booking pre-trip accommodation. You will be picked up from your hotel at approx 10:00 am (10:30 from Aug-Dec) and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. Return back to your hotel around 13:00.

Also, hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.

There are some very early morning starts on this trip to make the best use of our time and see as much as we can of Peru as we can.

Private Vehicle
Lima

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
1h

The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.

2

Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow

Lima Cooking Class (4hrs)
Lima

Get a taste of Peruvian cuisine, visit local markets, sample exotic fruit, select fresh ingredients, and try your hand at preparing unique Peruvian dishes influenced by China, Italy, West Africa, and Japan.

Please note that if you are travelling with a family there is no age restriction on this activity and the cooking class is acceptable for children.

Lima City Tour
Lima
40USD per person

Discover Lima’s cultural and culinary highlights on this half-day guided tour. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, walk around Plaza de Armas, marvel at the Bodega y Quadra Museum, and get to know some of Lima's lovely neighbourhoods. Stop to enjoy some authentic Peruvian tapas and be introduced to Pisco Sours during a demonstration and tasting.

Day 2Lima/Tambopata

Fly to Puerto Maldonado and continue by motorized canoe to our comfortable lodge, situated near the Tambopata National Reserve in the Amazon rainforest. Spot local bird species along the lush shores of the Tambopata River en route to the lodge, and set off on an evening walk with a naturalist guide before dinner, keeping an eye out for some of the rainforest’s nocturnal creatures.

After a brief stop in town to store large luggage, drive to the pier and travel by covered motorized boat to the jungle lodge.

En route, spot bird species typical of the local river and forest edge. The Tambopata Rainforest area holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.

Local community members make up the majority of lodge staff, including multilingual naturalist guides. Take the opportunity to learn about the area’s rich flora and fauna and locals' extensive use of medicinal plants and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques for building, fishing, and hunting.

Enjoy a welcome drink and orientation. Before dinner, head out for a night walk around the lodge grounds.

The lodge itself combines native architectural style and materials with low-impact, eco-friendly technology. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with mosquito netting for individual beds, flush toilets, showers (with solar-heated hot water), and candles for lighting (no electricity).

Plane
Lima – Puerto Maldonado2h30m

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Motorized Canoe
Puerto Maldonado – Tambopata2h-3h

Head by private vehicle to the lodge's office in Puerto Maldonado to store large luggage. From there, travel about 1 hr to reach the boat landing.

Be prepared to protect yourself from the sun and bugs before you get on the boat. It's quite pleasant with the covered roof and breeze, but you can still get sunburned. It's recommended to wear light long sleeves and trousers on the boat.

Wildlife-spotting Night Walk
Tambopata

Get the lowdown on local flora and fauna, and grab a flashlight to discover what’s living around lodge grounds. Receive help from the talented, expert naturalist guide to locate heaps of hidden creatures! Keep an eye out for snakes, tarantulas, owls, and poison dart frogs, just to name a few.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 3Tambopata

Spend the day exploring the thriving ecosystems of the rainforest with our lodge’s naturalist guides. Scan the treetops for toucans, howler monkeys, and sloths, and glide along oxbow lakes on canoes for a chance to glimpse river otters, turtles, and, if we’re lucky, anacondas. After dinner, embark on a river tour by motorized canoe on the lookout for caimans, the smaller cousins of alligators, which are often found hiding near the muddy banks.

Head out early to catch the jungle at its wildest (and coolest). Walk slowly through the forest searching for wildlife before heading out on an oxbow lake by canoe.

Search for anaconda, the elusive giant river otter, or black caiman. Even if you don't spot these shy creatures, there are plenty of birds, interesting plants, and other animals about.

Jungle Excursions
Tambopata

Enjoy visits to oxbow lakes to learn about the jungle and its inhabitants. Be introduced to the area’s rich flora and fauna by expert naturalist guides, who can teach extensive uses for medicinal and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques. Be prepared to go early morning or evening to avoid the heat of midday. Enjoy a leisurely pace – the trip requires some walking, but nothing too strenuous.

Free Time
Tambopata

Spend time around the lodge or go further afield. Free time is yours to explore any way you want!

Caiman-Spotting Cruise
Tambopata

Head out after dark by motorized canoe to search for caimans on the river banks. Enjoy a lesson on caimans from the expert guide. Take advantage of the keen eyes of the expert naturalist guides – they are truly spectacular at spotting these elusive smaller cousins of alligators hiding on the muddy banks.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4Tambopata/Cusco

Travel out of the jungle by boat and catch a flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco, soaring above the Andes into Peru’s Inca heartland. This evening, visit the Cusco Planetarium for a presentation on the skies of the Southern Hemisphere, and learn about the vital role that astronomy played in the lives of the ancient Inca. Weather permitting, peer through the planetarium's telescopes for a dazzling look at the stars.

Afternoon arrival into the Inca capital. Time for strolling around the plazas and markets. Admire the cobblestones streets, and visit some museums and Cathedral.

This adventure travels to high altitude, medically defined as anything over 8,000 ft (2,440m).

Motorized Canoe
Tambopata – Puerto Maldonado3h

Climb in and move swiftly through the water to the next stop.

Plane
Puerto Maldonado – Cusco1h-1h30m320km

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Free Time
Cusco Afternoon

Take it easy this afternoon and acclimatize to the higher altitude.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cusco Planetarium

Look to the night sky for a different view of the city. Explore the Cusco Planetarium surrounded by the serene nature of the Llaullipata Ecological Reserve. Enjoy a presentation on the southern sky, contemporary astronomy, and the ancient Incas’ relationship with the cosmos. Check out the on-site museum and use the telescopes to admire the stars (weather-permitting).

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Cusco/Urubamba

Drive to the scenic Sacred Valley for a full day of exploration with a local guide. Tour the G Adventures–supported Parque de la Papa, or Potato Park, a rural Andean community working to preserve hundreds of varieties of native potato. During this exclusive experience, you'll walk through the park to learn about potato cultivation, traditional weaving, and the importance of both these practices to Andean culture. We’ll also visit the fascinating Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac, and enjoy a meal at the G Adventures–supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosqo.


Private Vehicle
Cusco – Ollantaytambo1h45m94km

Times includes all stops and visits enroute through the Sacred Valley.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Traditional Andean Experience

In Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Inca, six communities of approximately 6000 indigenous people are working together to preserve over 700 species of potato – a cornerstone of life here. As part of an experience exclusive to National Geographic Journeys travellers – and part of our G Adventures for Good program – visit this area, named “Parque de la Papa” (“Potato Park”), to learn about life in an Andean agricultural community. Walk through the park here with a local guide, dropping by the seed bank (which has direct ties to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway) and then head out to the fields to watch the planting or harvesting process, depending on the season. After, enjoy some of the delicious varieties of potato and visit the small stone hut where traditional weaving takes place. Learn about the natural dyeing process and witness alpaca wool strands being transformed into beautiful textiles through a centuries-old backstrap weaving style. Your visit to this special community means this local enterprise can continue earning an income that supports their development and conservation goals.

Your G for Good Moment: Parque de la Papa (Potato Park)

Parque de la Papa (meaning "Potato Park") serves two important purposes for the community of Pampallacta: the preservation of agricultural biodiversity and economic opportunity. National Geographic Journeys travellers visit the park to learn about life in a rural agricultural Andean community and take a tour of the seed conservation program, which is preserving heritage potato species. They also learn about traditional planting, harvesting and indigenous weaving practices. With G Adventures' support, the community is able to create jobs in the area and invest in local businesses, which helps the community preserve their culture.

Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley

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.

Pisac Ruins Guided Tour
Pisac

Tour the fascinating hilltop citadel of Pisac, an Incan ruin with plunging gorges, a ceremonial centre, and winding agriculture terracing that's still in use today. Be captivated by this truly amazing site sitting amid sweeping green valleys and mountain peaks. Explore the back of the site to see a pocketed cliff across Kitamayo Gorge, which once contained hundreds of Inca tombs.

Ollantaytambo Ruins Guided Tour
Ollantaytambo

Tour the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo with a local guide. Take a step back in time at this Inca archaeological site; it still shows signs of its former glory, including agricultural terraces, a Temple Hill, and storehouses. Learn how the area, overlooking the Urubamba River Valley, was an important stronghold during warfare between the Spanish and Incas.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 6Inca Trail

Set out on the iconic Inca Trail, departing Urubamba by van to the starting point of the trek. Immerse yourself in the enchanting Andean countryside, hiking along meandering streams and crossing remote mountain villages and ancient ruins as we get warmed up for the more challenging days ahead.

Trek through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons, passing several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.

A crew of local porters, cooks, and guides will take care of all the details for the duration of the hike. Porters carry the majority of the gear so you’ll only need to carry a small daypack with water, rain gear, snacks, a camera, etc.

Private Vehicle
Ollantaytambo – Inca Trail45m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Inca Trail Hike
Inca Trail KM 82 – Wayllabamba Camp5h-6h 11km

Get your blood pumping on this first day of hiking the Inca trail. The trekking is fairly easy and serves as good training for the next few days. Pass rambling rivers and a small village, and enjoy scenic mountain views; it’s just a taste of what’s to come.

Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products

Enjoy G Adventures-supported handmade biodegradable soap products, for use on our treks. This G Adventures for Good project empowered local Cusqueña women to start their own business in order to reduce the environmental impact of treks in the region. Planeterra provided $10,000 of seed funding for two young entrepreneurs to register their biodegradable products in order to sell them to the tourism industry. "Esencia Andina" is now a successful business that produces biodegradable soaps, detergents, and natural products for travellers, guides, porters, and cooks on our treks.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7Inca Trail

Today, we ascend the long, steep path to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass—the highest point on the Inca Trail, at 4,198 meters (13,769 feet). Enjoy stunning views of the Sacred Valley as you make your way up the rugged terrain, and aim to reach our camp by early afternoon. Rest and relax at camp the remainder of the day.

Inca Trail Hike
Wayllabamba Camp – Paqaymayo Camp6h-7h 12km

Trek over progressively spectacular and steeper terrain on your way to Warmiwañusca (aka Dead Woman’s Pass), the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769ft). Be prepared to face strong Andean weather (blazing sun or cold winds) around the pass. Take the hike slow, and drink lots of water along the way – amazing views are waiting as a reward. Enjoy some ample time to rest and relax after reaching the camp; most campers arrive around early afternoon.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 8Inca Trail

Today we’ll cross two spectacular passes. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, one can catch a glimpse of the snowcapped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. Continue through cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass, and arrive at the misty Inca ruins of Phuyupatamarca at 3,650 meters (11,972 feet), known as "the city above the clouds.” We will either camp here or settle at a further spot, near the beautiful terraces of the Wiñay Wayna ruins, at 2,650 meters (8,694 feet).

Inca Trail Hike
Paqaymayo Camp – Wiñaywayna9h 16km

Cross two passes and more ruins along the Inca Trail on the last full day of hiking. Traverse Runquraway at 3,950m (13,113 ft), and then reach the second pass at 3,700m (12,136 ft). Spot the gorgeous Cordillera Vilcabamba and the Urubamba Valley in the distance on a clear day. Camp at either the Phuyupatamarca ruins or the Wiñay Wayna ruins.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 9Machu Picchu/Cusco

The final day of our hike begins before dawn. Reach the Sun Gate—the last checkpoint on the Inca Trail—in time to witness daybreak over Machu Picchu. This 15th-century Inca citadel was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and excavated with support from National Geographic. Hike down for a guided tour through the temples and terraces of this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site before catching a bus to the frontier town of Aguas Calientes, where we’ll have free time for lunch. Continue by train to Cusco.

Inca Trail Hike
Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu2h-3h 6km

Wake around 03:30 to reach the Sun Gate as early as possible. Head to the checkpoint and join the lineup to wait for the gate to open. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu (fingers crossed for a clear day). Hike down to Machu Picchu (about 45 mins) for a 1.5 hr guided tour of the site, and free time to explore.

Catch the bus outside the Machu Picchu gate after your visit for a 25-min downhill ride to Aguas Calientes. Eat and relax before the train ride back to Cusco this evening.

Machu Picchu Guided Tour
Machu Picchu

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.

Local Train
Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo1h30m-2h118km

Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.

Private Vehicle
Ollantaytambo – Cusco1h30m-1h45m60km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 10Cusco/La Paz

Catch a flight to the highest capital in the world—La Paz, Bolivia. In the afternoon, take an immersive tour of the lofty city by foot, van, and cable car. Explore vibrant squares, historical sites, and lively local markets, learning more about the balance of old and new along the way. This evening, enjoy an interactive culinary experience at a popular local restaurant, including demonstrations on how traditional foods such as quinoa are integrated into modern fusion dishes. With a local chef as our guide, we’ll sample a variety of dishes and discuss the growing popularity of La Paz as a culinary destination.

Plane
Cusco – La Paz1h

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

La Paz City Tour
La Paz

Explore the city on a guided tour. Check out stunning cathedrals, impressive museums, and lively markets, learning more about the history of this fascinating city. Look for majestic Mt Illimani in the background.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: La Paz Culinary Experience

Embark on an interactive culinary experience at a popular local restaurant. Enjoy demonstrations on how traditional foods such as quinoa are integrated into modern fusion dishes. With a local chef, we sample a variety of modern dishes based on traditional foods and learn about the growing popularity of La Paz as a foodie destination.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 11La Paz/Sucre

Catch a flight to charming Sucre, then enjoy an orientation walk around the main square. This afternoon, relax at a local café, explore on your own, or opt to take an immersive tour of Sucre with a local expert that focuses on the city’s stunning colonial architecture and historic sites, best viewed from the ubiquitous rooftop terraces.

Plane
La Paz – Sucre1h

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Free Time
Sucre Afternoon

Enjoy free time to explore, relax at a cafe or take a specialized walking tour.

Sucre Orientation Walk
Sucre

Enjoy a walk with your CEO around Sucres's centre and main square. For more in-depth information, a specialized guided tour is offered on option this afternoon..

1

Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow

Sucre Guided City Tour
Sucre

Enjoy a guided tour exploring the constitutional capital of Bolivia. Learn
about the history, culture, and preserved colonial buildings that earned the city its' UNESCO designation. Visit the main square and the Dinosaur Park before ending with a cocktail and a panoramic view of the city in the Recoleta area.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 12Potosi Countryside

Enjoy free time this morning before travelling into the southern highlands to our historic hacienda. Surrounded by lush agricultural fields and rolling hills, this working farm offers unique opportunities for cultural exchanges with the resident family. Get a glimpse into daily life here while lending a hand at the dairy and in the fields, and step back in time during visits to the property’s private rooms, chapel, and museum. Cap off your experience with an authentic farm-to-table dinner featuring an array of local specialities.

Free Time
Sucre Morning

Make the most of your time in this beautiful city.

Private Vehicle
Sucre – Potosí3h Afternoon

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Bolivian Hacienda Experience

Down a winding dirt road, snaking through the stunning Southern Highlands we find our remote Hacienda. Surrounded by lush farmlands, rivers and rolling hills, this historic “working” farm offers a unique cultural interaction with a welcoming local family. Dating back to the 1500s, we step back in time with visits to private museum rooms, the chapel and library. Also, immerse ourselves into the hacienda’s daily life including demonstrations at the dairy and a visit to the fields, Finish with an authentic farm-to-table dinner featuring local specialities from the area.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 13Potosí/Uyuni

Make the short drive to the centre of Potosí and enjoy a guided tour of the Casa Nacional de la Moneda, the old silver mint and now a museum dedicated to Bolivian art and history. Take a scenic drive to Uyuni, gateway to the world's largest salt flat. Learn about the industrialization of salt and the geographical history of the region while driving across this mirror-like landscape. Enjoy a sunset picnic atop the flats before returning to our hotel.

Note: During the rainy season the locations visited may change due to some routes being covered by water.

Private Vehicle
Potosí45m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Casa de la Moneda
Potosí

Learn about the first global currency at this renowned National Mint museum.

Private Vehicle
Potosí – Uyuni4h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

4x4
Uyuni – Salt Flats

Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.

Excursion and sunset Picnic on the Salt Flats
Salt Flats

Enjoy a picnic amidst this spectacular landscape, while the local expert guide describes the cultural and geographical history of the area, watch the sky come alive as the sun sets over the expansive salt flats.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 14Uyuni

Journey deeper into the salt pans to explore their varied geographical features. Along the way, stop at the remote town of Santiago de Agencha, a small Quechua community supported by G Adventures. Here, we enjoy a guided walk to learn about quinoa production and the cultural history of the area. Savour lunch prepared with local ingredients before continuing our exploration of the desert and its pans.

In rainy season (approximately January to early April), it is not possible to visit the Agencha community and a box/picnic lunch will be provided instead.

4x4
Uyuni – Salt Flats

Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.

Bolivian Salt Flats Experience
Salt Flats

Accompanied by a local expert guide explore the stunning landscape of the Bolivian Salt Flats by 4x4. Enter a landscape unlike anything you've ever seen as we drive across (or around) the world's largest salt flat; the piercing blue sky contrasts against the blinding white of the flat salt beds.

Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lunch

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 in beautiful views of salt flats that surround it. Enjoy lunch made from 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.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 15Uyuni/La Paz

Catch a flight to La Paz and enjoy free time to explore before joining the group for an optional farewell dinner.

Plane
Uyuni – La Paz1h-1h30m

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 16La Paz

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Peru and Bolivia: Machu Picchu to the Salt Flats

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