[message_box title="" color="red" show_close="Yes/No"]You can see also the following package: CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU - SALT FLAT UYUNI 10 days / 09 nights[/message_box]
Both prices include domestic airfares:
Lima - Cusco
Cusco - La Paz
La Paz - Salt Flat Uyuni
Salt Flat Uyuni - La Paz
Santiago - Easter Island
Easter Island - Santiago
Santiago - Lima
Include:
- 2 nights at a Lima hotel, 3 nights at a Cusco hotel, 1 nigth at a Aguas Calientes hotel, 2 nigths at a La Paz hotel (Bolivia), 2 nigths at a Salt Flat Uyuni hotel.
- Vista Dome train: Cusco - Aguas Calientes / Aguas Calientes - Cusco
Itinerary Outline
Day 1: Arrival to Lima
Day 2: Lima, City tour
Day 3: Lima to Cusco - City tour
Day 4: Sacred Valley
Day 5: Machu Picchu
Day 6: Machu Picchu
Day 7: Cusco to La Paz - City Tour (Bolivia)
Day 8: La Paz to Salt Flat Uyuni - Isla Pescado
Day 9: Salt Flat Uyuni, "Pescado" island - Red Lagoon
Day 10: Red Lagoon, Green Lagoon to San Pedro de Atacama
Day 11: San Pedro de Atacama - Santiago de Chile - City tour
Day 12: Santiago to Easter Island
Day 13: Easter Island
Day 14: Easter Island
Day 15: Easter Island - Santiago
Day 16: Santiago to Lima
* Departures every day
ITINERARY
Day 1 - LIMA PICK UP
Upon arrival reception and transfer to the select hotel - overnight (no meals)
Day 2 - LIMA, CITY TOUR
This tour could start in the morning 9:30 am or 2:30 pm. You will be picked up from you hotel. This excursion offers the best combination of the different attractions in Lima and its three historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial and contemporary. In Lima, there were several different pre-Columbian cultures which are dated thousands of years back. Lima was part of the Inca Empire until was founded by the Spaniard Francisco Pizarro on the 18th. of January, 1535. During our guided tour we will travel along its millenary history.
ANCESTRAL LIMA. At the Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological precint build in the IV century A.C., we will have a panoramic view of this magnificent ceremonial and administrative centre which was considered by the Incas a holy village. We will learn about the life and rituals of its ancient inhabitants and admire its typical pyramidal building, very characteristic of sacred pre-Hispanic edifications which were adored in the coast of Peru.
COLONIAL LIMA. The Peruvian Viceroyalty was the most important one in the Spanish Empire and Lima was its capital. The highlights of its historical centre are its architecture and the urban design of the city, found in the old streets filled with colonial houses adorned with Moorish-style balconies. Our trip includes the Paseo de la Republica (Promenade of the Republic), Plaza San Martin (San Martin Square) and the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), with their different buildings: Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace), Palacio Arzobispal the (Archbishop's Palace), the Basilica Catedral (Cathedral Basilica) and the Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace). We will enter the monumental Convento de San Francisco (Convent of Saint Francis), which displays the biggest collection of religious art in America. We can admire the Choir Room and the Monks’ Library, the Sacristy, with its collection of Zurbaran and Rivera paintings. The Big Patio of the Main Cloister, decorated with Seville tiles from the XVI century, its beautiful Moorish arches and its subterranean crypts known as The Catacombs, where you will feel the presence of Lima's colonial past.
CONTEMPORARY LIMA Visit to the most traditional residential areas in the capital: The Olive Grove of San Isidro, Miraflores and Larco Mar, distinctive tourist centre of contemporary Lima. After the tour transfer to you hotel. Overnight. (breakfast included)
Day 3 - LIMA TO CUSCO - CITY TOUR
You will be picked up from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco (airfare included) upon arrival reception and transfer to the select hotel, morning at leisure to acclimatize to the altitude. In the afternoon 1:00 pm you will be taken on a city tour and visit a local archaeological sites, the Cathedral, Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman and surroundings returning later afternoon 5:30 pm to your hotel around and enjoy the hospitality of the local people (no meals included).
Day 4 - SACRED VALLEY
After breakfast at 8:00 am you will be taken through the Inca Sacred Valley where life has remained almost unchanged for 500 years. You will visit the impressive village of Pisac and the Indian market, enjoy the beautiful handicrafts on sale and wonder at the many ethnic tribal costumes worn, not just for tourists, but as part of their heritage by the local people. The tour also include the visit to Ollantaytambo fortress and the Chinchero Market Before returning to your hotel in Cusco late afternoon (around 6:30 pm) (breakfast and lunch included)
Day 5 - MACHU PICCHU 2days 1 night (See more information about Machu Picchu)
Early morning 5:30 am and after breakfast, we'll depart to the train station to our journey to Machu Picchu on Vista dome Train. (4 hours) at 9:40 am you will arrive to the Aguas Calientes Town from where you will have to take 20 minutes bus to the Archaeological site; Once there where you will have a guided tour with an English speaking professional guide follow by some time at leisure, stay overnight in the area or town relax at the nearby hot springs (entrance not included) (breakfast included).
Day 6 - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
Morning at leisure by your own, you can visit the ruins early next day when the full magnificence of the site reveals itself in all its majesty (entrance and bus fee for this day not included on the rate) return to Cuzco where you will arrive around 7:30 pm. (breakfast included).Overinght (b)
Day 7 - CUSCO / LA PAZ - CITY TOUR
You will be picked up from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your international flight to La Paz - Bolivia (airfare included). Upon arrival reception and transfer to the select hotel.
AFTERNOON - LA PAZ CITY TOUR
We will visit a typical Indian market, the famous Witch Doctor’s market and the San Francisco Colonial Church. The tour continues to the Plaza Murillo, where the cathedral, the Government Palace and the National congress buildings are located. Then, we will visit the famous colonial street “Calle Jaén” where interesting museum are clustered together, followed by the visit to the open-air museum from the Tiwanaku Culture. To change scenery, the tour continues to the residential areas of Obrajes, Calacoto and La Florida.
The tour ends with the visit to the unique Moon Valley, place where the erosion has caused stony forms that giving the sensation to be in a real lunar landscape.Overnight at Gloria Hotel or similar (breakfast included)
Day 8 - LA PAZ TO UYUNI / EXPEDITION UYUNI – SALT FLATS – INCAHUASI (ISLA DEL PESCADO) – SAN JUAN (See more information about Salt Flat Uyuni)
Transfer from hotel in La Paz to Airport for your flight to Uyuni. upon arrival reception and transfer to our office.
11:00 am depart on tour to the largest salt desert in the world; during the trajectory you will visit the following:
Train Cemetery- Vintage locomotives and trains of the late 1890´s and early 1900´s, serving as carriers of salt and minerals throughout Bolivia and South America, this trains where part of a very important industrial past.
Population of Colchani- Located at the banks of the great salt flats, Colchani serves as the main entrance to the salt desert; here you can observe the extraction of salt in its raw and craft form.
Salt Hotel- Located at the heart of the great salt desert, it is constructed solely of salt blocks. It is an amazing piece of art work since every single detail is made from salt like chairs, beds and tables as well as the structure itself.
Incahuasi Island (Isla del Pescado)- Located in the middle of the salt desert, Incahuasi or Isla del Pescado is populated by numerous giant cacti with incredible heights of up to 10 meters plus and from the top of the island you are able to see an amazing landscape of the great salt flats of Uyuni. After our visit to the island we will provide lunch before departing towards the town of San Juan, here we will provide dinner and accommodation at a family home (basic refuge) for the evening. Included: Shared vehicle (Land Cruiser 4x4) - (lunch and dinner included + accommodation - basic refuge)
Day 9 - SAN JUAN – TREE ROCK – LAGOONS – LAGUNA COLORADA
After breakfast we continue our adventure to the destination of Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon), passing through a viewpoint of the active volcano of “Ollague” and the following lagoons: Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarcota and Honda which are populated by a wide variety of flamingoes. Around noon lunch will be provided and through the afternoon we will pass through the Siloli desert where we observe a very unusual and yet interesting rock formation known as “Arbol de Piedra” (stone tree), after the visit, we will arrive at Laguna Colorada which is located at the Eduardo Avaroa National Park of Andean Fauna, here we will provide dinner and accommodation at a family home (basic refuge) for the evening. Included: Shared vehicle (Land Cruiser 4x4), (breakfast, lunch and dinner included + accommodation - basic refuge).
Day 10 - RED LAGOON – GREEN LAGOON – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (CHILE)
05:00 am this day we will depart very early in the morning in order to appreciate the Geysers and volcanic vents (volcanic zone) known as “Sol de Mañana” (Morning Sun), continuing to the thermal waters of Polques where you can relax in the warm waters before continuing to the White and Green Lagoons which are located at the feet of the Licancabur Volcano. At an altitude of 4,350 masl, here you will see the intense green color of the lagoon, due to its high content of magnesium which is found in the geological formations surrounding the area. After the visit we will continue to the border from Hito Cajones (Migration) also we will change the car to continue to San Pedro de Atacama. Arrival approximately at 13:00 hrs and transfer to your Hotel. Overnight. Included: Shared vehicle (Land Cruiser 4x4) breakfast + connection to San Pedro de Atacama
* During the expedition to the Salt Flats there is NO guide, a guide is not necessary the tour is a scenic expedition and the driver gives the necessary information in Spanish language.
* NOTE: During the rainy season it is not possible to visit the Fish Island as there is a lot of water and the Jeep cannot pass through it would not be safe.
* INFO - During the expedition to the Colourful Lagoons and Salar de Uyuni the accommodation will be in basic shelters with shared rooms & bathrooms.
Day 11 - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA TO SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Early, after breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Santiago de Chile (airfare included) upon arrival reception and transfer to the select hotel.
AFTERNOON - SANTIAGO CITY TOUR
City tour in Santiago visiting the main tourist attractions, such as, old district, San Francisco church built between 1572 and 1618. Government Palace, Main square, Central Post office, Santa Lucía Hill founded in 1541, majesticly located in the center of the city. Finally we will visit the most modern district in the city. Come back to hotel. (breakfast and lunch included)
Day 12 - SANTIAGO - EASTER ISLAND (See more information about Easter Island)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to the Easter Islands. The flight will take approximately 5 hours. Reception at Mataveri Airport and transfer to Hotel and then make a half day excursion.
We initiate the tour about 3 pm from Hanga Roa's settlement visiting Ahu Vinapu. It was used for the islanders in the year 1.200 A.C. it includes 3 Ahu. The first has 6 moais demolished and painted of red color. The second one has a supposedly feminine moai which had two heads. Finally, the third and the most ancient moai has only removed stones. We will continue our way to the quarry Puna Pau, archaeological site to the east of Hanga Roa. It is a small crater of red dross, from where were obtained the Pukao or hats with which were crowned the moais. Along its antique exit way, there are some incomplete and abandoned moais. We will go on our tour towards Ahu Akivi, the first Ahu restored by the science in the island in the year 1960. The platform with 7 moais is characterized for being one of the few ones located in the center of the island, with its statues facing the rising sun. According the legend, these 7 moais would represent 7 exploratory young men sent before Hotu Matua'a's arrival to investigate the island. Our adventure takes to us to the cavern of Te Pahu, a place used as housing and as temporary refuge in war times. Then, we will return to Hanga Roa, total duration 3,5 hours (breakfast and lunch included)
Day 13 - EASTER ISLAND
Departing from Hanga Roa's town at about 9:30 am, going to the southeast and northeast coast of the Island visiting the Ahu Vaihu temple, which is located 10 km from Hanga Roa. It consists of a stone platform with 8 Moais and 8 pukao dispersed in the proximities. Then, we will go to Ahu Akahanga, the also called as the "platform of the king". The legend tells that Hotu Matua'a's tomb is near this place. There, we will find 4 platforms, 12 Moais, 8 Pukao and towards the interior of this Ahu; it is possible to see the best preserved village of the island.
Later, we will go to Ahu Tongariki, with 15 moais being the biggest Ahu of the island. Then, we will meet Ahu Te Pito Kura, which possesses the highest statue of the island raised in an Ahu, the moai Paro (10 meters of height and 85 tons with a Pukao of 11,5 tons). Close to this ceremonial temple is the great spherical stone that is identified as the center of the universe (Te Pito o Te Henua), as the legend tells, it was brought to the island by Hotu Matua'a in his craft.
Later, we will arrive to Ahu Nau Nau, temple of a complex construction due to its different levels where we will find 5 Moais with Pukao. There, we will see petroglyphs in the backs of the statues. We will continue our excursion to the volcano and quarry Rano Raraku, where there was carved most of the moais of the island using the volcanic rock of its hillsides. There are an estimated number of 400 moais in several stages of carved.
To finish our adventure, we will go to Anakena's wonderful beach. It is a beach of white sands chosen for the arrival of the Ariki Hotu Matua'a and his sister Avareipua. Anakena corresponds to the name of a small cave of an adjacent gully.
Returning to Hanga Roa, we will realize our last stop in the Fundo Vaitea, country estate with an extension of 6.560,80 hectares, which represents 39,6% of the total surface of the island and it was created to achieve an agricultural production capable of sustaining the needs of the whole island, which was achieved years behind.
Return to the populated Hanga Roa, total duration 8 hours. (breakfast and lunch included)
Day 14 - EASTER ISLAND
We will begin our tour at about 8:30 am from Hanga Roa to Tahai's Archaeological Complex, ceremonial center with 3 Ahu, Ahu Vai Uri with 5 moais, Ahu Tahai with 1 moai, and Ahu Lo Te Riku with 1 moai. From this site the visitors can appreciate wonderful landscapes. Then, we will go to Orongo's ceremonial city, ancient ceremonial city located in the west summit of the volcano Rano Kau. It is composed by approximately 53 houses of elliptical shape with flagstone walls and a small square access looking at the sea. In this place were realized the most important ceremony of the second period of the island, the Tangata Manu (“the Birdman”). It was carried out until approximately 150 years ago, with the arrival of the first Christian missionaries. Return to Hanga Roa, total duration 3,5 hours. (breakfast and lunch included)
Day 15 - EASTER ISLAND TO SANTIAGO
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport for the return flight back to Santiago. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.(breakfast included)
Day 16 - SANTIAGO TO LIMA - TRANSFER OUT
After breakfast, return flight to Lima and your connecting flight home. End of our services.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Bring warm clothes, sleeping bag, sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, gloves, hat, flashlight, toiletries.
NOT INCLUDED: Entrance fees to the Island of the fish or the Laguna Colorada.US$.28.
INCLUDE:
International and domestic airfares as specify in the program, nights at the select hotel based on double occupancy, all transfers, professional bilingual guide service, entrance fee, transportation and meals as specified in the program.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, extra expenses for flight cancellations, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, reconfirmation of international flights and items of personal nature.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Visa Requirement for US Citizens to enter in Bolivia
If you are North American and have decided to visit Bolivia, you must take note of this recent information: In the first hours of 2007, The Bolivian President Evo Morales suppressed by decree the right of US citizens to enter this country freely, in reciprocity with a similar measure taken by the US government. Also, the citizens of Angola, Bhutan, Chad Republic, Congo, Ruanda, Somalia, Yemen Republic, Indonesia, China and Taiwán has been affected by this decree Please make sure to have all necessary documents before travelling!