South America's natural icons: Atacama, Uyuni & Machu Picchu

Santiago De Chile

Day 1: Welcome to Santiago!

Upon arrival, look out for the friendly face of your private transfer who will assist you with your luggage before transferring you to your hotel in the heart of the city. 

Once you’ve settled in and freshened up, prepare to embark on a walking tour of Santiago.

You’ll discover the vivid capital of Chile and learn more about its eventful past through the most important sites it holds dear. 

Pass through the Constitution Square and the palace, La Moneda, the current seat of the government before walking through Plaza de Armas, the main square, surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the palace of the Royal High Court, the Main Post Office and other buildings of historical interest. 

Valparaiso - Viña Del Mar

Day 2: Taste the Flavours of Valparaiso

This morning we'll leave the city headed for Viña del Mar and Valparaíso while journeying through the Curacaví and Casablanca Valleys.

In Viña del Mar, known as the Garden City, we will visit its most emblematic places such as the Clock of Flowers. Then we will continue to Valparaiso visiting the port, Victory Square and the Yugoslav, Atkinson and May 21 strolls, visiting the traditional hills of this port city, adorned with colorful houses that also house picturesque hotels and restaurants.

After lunch, we will return to Santiago stopping at a winery for a tasting tour on the way back.

Santiago De Chile - San Pedro De Atacama

Day 3: Get Lost in the Stars at San Pedro De Atacama

Today our driver will pick you up at the hotel to transfer you to Santiago airport where you will board your flight to Calama.

From Calama Airport, a transfer service will take you to the hotel in the town of San Pedro de Atacama. 

In the evening, we will make begin an astronomical tour, where you will discover the name and meaning of each figure in the sky, as well as religiosity, culture, and other interesting points of the Lican Antai culture.

The observation is done with the naked eye and also through a telescope where we can see space more clearly in one of the clearest skies of the world.

San Pedro De Atacama

Day 4: Journey to Another World at the Valley of the Moon

We hope you're ready for adventure as we explore the region's most impressive sites.

At the fumaroles of the Tatio, we will see the sunrise in one of the most important geothermal fields in the world, the Tatio Geysers. Admire the beautiful colors that are born between the contrast of intensely blue sky and the pristine streams of the geysers. In the midst of this stunning natural setting next to the Andes, we will enjoy breakfast.

Then we will visit a rustic pool where you can enjoy hot springs. On the road back to San Pedro de Atacama, observe the beauty of the landscape, its valleys, its native flora and fauna, where the charismatic vicuñas and vizcachas stand out.

The second excursion today will take you to the Valley of the Moon, where you will enjoy the extravagant landscape forms, which will make you feel like walking on the lunar surface.

San Pedro De Atacama - Laguna Colorada

Day 5: Head for Bolivia

By mini bus, we'll head to the border of Chile and Bolivia, rising to a height of 4,400m.

We'll change vehicles to a 4WD jeep to continue onto the Bolivian plateau to places such as the Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca located at the foot of the volcano Licancabur before continuing through the desert of Daly where you can admire a real surreal landscape, thermal pools, Geysers of Morning Sun.

We'll finish the day in the lagoon Colorada, the main nesting ground of more than 30,000 flamingos of 3 species.

Laguna Colorada - San Juan

Day 6: Marvel at the Lagoons of Colors

We hope that after a comfortable sleep and a delectable breakfast that you are ready for your next adventure in Bolivia.

On a trip through the Siloli desert, we will head to a group of rock formations, whose formation is due to wind erosion before continuing through the lagoons altiplanicas, also known as the lagoons of colors: Honda lagoon, Chiarcota, and Cañapa.

We'll end the day visiting the small salt lake of Chiguana before arriving at the town of San Juan where we will spend the evening.

San Juan - Uyuni - Villa Mar

Day 7: Bathe in the Surreal Serenity of Bolivia

We'll depart early this morning headed for Salar de Uyuni which is home to Inca Huasi Island or Fish Island.

Located in the middle of the salt lake, it is a formation of limestone rocks with remains of corals and marine shells. We'll then continue towards the Eyes of the Salar and the village of Colchani.

Bathe in the surreal landscapes where you can gaze up at the deep blue of the Andean skies. It’s a destination for travelers with a true spirit of adventure. 

Afterward, we'll head towards Uyuni for a two-hour break before continuing to the town of Villa Mar for the night.

Villa Mar - San Pedro De Atacama

Day 8: Journey back to San Pedro de Atacama

We hope that after yesterday’s adventure, you have had a restful night’s sleep because this morning we will be making the journey back towards San Pedro de Atacama.

We will depart Villa Mar early this morning and along the way, don't forget to look out the window to marvel at the otherworldly landscapes unlike any other in the world. 

After passing through immigration at the border, we'll continue onto San Pedro de Atacama, where upon arrival, you're able to spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace and leisure.

San Pedro De Atacama - Cuzco

Day 9: Bathe in the Majesty of Cuzco

You'll be picked up from your hotel and transfer to the airport of Calama to take your flight to Cuzco.

Upon arrival, look out for the friendly face of our representative who will assist you with your luggage before transferring you to your hotel in the heart of Cuzco.

Explore the city on your own at your own pace and leisure. Make sure you stop along ancient streets, local markets and traditional neighborhoods where we will discover the magic of this beautiful city. 

In the afternoon, explore the artesian stores that are full of souvenirs of all kinds – weavings, jewelry, stonework, and more! 

End the day at a local restaurant, indulging in the very best of Andean cuisine.

Cuzco - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

Day 10: Experience the Handiwork of the Region

Today, you'll embark on an excursion to visit the Andean village of Chinchero. Here you will discover the archaeological area, its colonial church, and its main square where you can visit its open-air artisan market. On Sundays, enjoy its traditional market selling locally-made handicrafts and goods.

We will also visit a textile workshop where the weavers will demonstrate their techniques and use of natural dyes.

Continue onto Maras’ salt mines, a salt supply station during the Inca period and still in use today, before visiting Moray’s agricultural laboratory, characterized by its steep terraces with their diverse microclimates.

In the afternoon, visit Ollantaytambo fortress before transferring to the train station for the train to Aguas Calientes town. You'll be picked up from the train station and transferred to the hotel.

Machu Picchu - Cuzco

Day 11: Marvel at the Beauty of Machu Picchu

We will get up early to enjoy the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the most impressive natural spaces on the planet.

In a unique natural environment, we will go on the guided tour of the archaeological complex through its platforms, squares, temples, palaces, warehouses, workshops, stairways, and water sources, as well as the Temple of the Sun, among other areas.

Shrouded by the mist of the Andes and surrounded by steep escarpments and lush vegetation, it’s a sight that lives up to every expectation. You'll have free time to continue with the visit of the citadel with the possibility of going up Mount Huayna Picchu or Mount Machu Picchu.

Cuzco

Day 12: Explore Cuzco's City Streets

This morning we'll embark on a walking tour of the city rich in ancient heritage.

Our tour takes us not only through the most touristic sites in Cuzco such as the Main Square, ornate cathedrals and Koricancha or “Temple of the Sun”, but also along ancient streets, local markets, and traditional neighborhoods where we will discover the magic of this beautiful city. 

In the afternoon, we'll depart on an excursion to nearby ruins. The highlights include Sacsayhuaman, the ceremonial fortress of monumental stones and Q´enqo, the ceremonial and ritual center where they performed sacrifices as well as Tambomachay, the temple to worship the Water God. 

Cuzco - Lima

Day 13: Say Farewell!

Depending on when your flight is, you may need to head straight to the airport early this morning headed for Lima.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end but we hope you have enjoyed your time exploring the very best that Peru has to offer. The rich natural beauty, storied history and the people that makes the county what it is.

We hope you have had a memorable trip and wish you pleasant onward travels!