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Peru & Bolivia Highlights

From £4,090 per person

Peru,

Bolivia

Imagine a landscape that is dotted with ancient tombs, forgotten temples and UNESCO World Heritage Sites and you will begin to form an image of Peru. On this trip you will discover history and culture in Lima, be inspired by the incredible masonry of the Incas in Cuzco and see Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley en route to the iconic and awe inspiring Inca citadel of Macchu Picchu. There are museums bursting with culture, lakes to awe at and mouth watering cuisine to try. Your next stop will be Bolivia, South Americas most indigenous country. Unparalleled beauty can be found in the UNESCO world heritage cities of Potosi and Sucre, locals living in their traditional way can be found in Isla del Sol, and a magnificent natural wonder can be seen at the extraordinary Salar de Uyuni. At 12,000 square km's this is the largest salt flat in the world - it is breathtaking in every sense of the word. Another unforgettable sight on this trip is La Paz, nestled high in the Andes in a deep sided bowl; this city has one of the most unique settings in the world.

Itinerary

On this trip you will visit:

La Paz
Lake Titicaca
Sucre and Potosi
Uyuni Salt Flats
Cuzco
Lake Titicaca
Lima & Surrounds
Machu Picchu
Sacred Valley

Day 1

UK - Lima

Depart the UK for your flight to the Peruvian capital, Lima. After a long travel day you will be met at the airport and transferred to your base for the next 2 nights, Casa Andina Private Collection, in the upmarket area of Miraflores.

Accommodation: Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores

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Day 2

Lima

Visit the historic centre of Lima with your private guide and explore the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the City Hall and Cathedral. Also included is the church of the 17th century San Francisco, a world cultural heritage site and the Santo Domingo Convent. Visit the Larco Herrera Museum, a renovated hacienda, which now displays 45,000 pieces, mainly pottery, excavated by the famous Peruvian archaeologist Rafael Larco Hoyle. An on-site café provides an ideal end to the tour for some modern Peruvian cuisine.

Day 3

Lima - Sacred Valley

Take the short flight to the Peruvian highlands and the colonial city of Cuzco. From here you will be transferred to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which as lower in altitude, makes it an ideal base for acclimatisation. Spend 2 nights at the charming Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa which oozes Peruvian charm with a variety of art and tapestries.

Accommodation: Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa

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Day 4

Sacred Valley

Free day in the Sacred Valley. The Sol y Luna offers a wide variety of optional excursions ranging from cooking demonstrations and workshops, weaving and pottery. For the more active - hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, quad biking, white water rafting and even paragliding. There is definitely activities for everyone!
At the end of the day enjoy a meal in the a la carte restaurant which serves casual cuisine from seasonal, local produce and drink the local pisco sour!

Day 5

Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu

As part of a group, transfer to Ollantaytambo train station for the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, the base for your visit to Machu Picchu. With your local guide, explore this vast citadel which was only discovered just over 100 years ago by the American explorer, Hiram Bingham. Bringing alive the Inca history your guide is a continual source of interesting information and facts.

Overnight in the town of Aguas Calientes at the boutique Casa del Sol. With only 28 rooms this relatively new option is ideal for clients looking for character and warmth. It also features a restaurant and spa where you can indulge in an Incan style treatment.

Accommodation: Casa del Sol

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Day 6

Machu Picchu - Cuzco

Morning at leisure for your to return to the Machu Picchu citadel to explore independently. In the afternoon you will return by train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy and continue your journey to Cuzco bus. Casa Andina Private Collection is a restored eighteenth century close to the main Plaza del Armas in the heart of the city and features a lovely restaurant - Alma, Cocina Vida.

Accommodation: Casa Andina Private Collection Cuzco

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Day 7

Cuzco

With your expert local guide explore the city of Cuzco as part of a small group. Cuzco is a fascinating example of a city built on the foundations of Inca palaces. Be inspired by the incredible masonry of the Incas at Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the intricacy of the carved woodwork, alters and paintings at the Cathedral which flanks the main square (Plaza de Armas). The Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooks of the city and is the last stop along with the nearby sites of Kenko and Tambomachay.

Day 8

Cuzco - Puno (Lake Titicaca)

Take the spectacular Andean Explorer train journey southbound through the Andes to the town of Puno on the shores of shimmering Lake Titicaca. During the 10 hour trip admire the magnificent Andean mountain backdrop, the deep valleys and the meandering Rio Huatanay. A stop is made at the highest pass of La Raya (4313m) for photographic opportunities before continuing to the lower elevation of Puno. The flat plains are ideals grazing for alpaca and vicuna. Spend one night at the Casa Andina Private Collection, a short distance from town, and overlooking the highest navigable lake in the world.

Accommodation: Casa Andina Private Collection Puno

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Day 9

Lake Titicaca - Isla del Sol, Bolivia

Our Bolivian partners will collect you from Puno and transfer you into Bolivia. En-route to the Bolivian side of the lake visits are made to the churches of Pomata and Juli and In the town of Copacabana (yes it does have a beach!) visit the sparkling white Moorish-style cathedral and local market. From Copacabana dock embark the hydrofoil to Moon Island and the northeast shore for the Virgins of the Sun Inca Nunnery. Occupying an amphitheater-like valley it is constructed from well worked stone in adobe mortar.
Isla del Sol (Sun Island) and the Posada del Inca Eco Lodge are your next stop with the walk to the lodge a journey in itself. You will be accompanied by the local llama who even carries your bag. Occupying a historic colonial compound next to San Antonio church, Posada del Inca is the most luxurious option on the island but retains it's rustic charm and the surrounding view is truly spectacular.

Accommodation: Posada del Inca Eco Lodge

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Day 10

Isla del Sol - La Paz

After a hearty Bolivian breakfast, visit the Inca Staircase & Sacred fountain. Here the sacred water is believed to offer eternal youth and happiness. After lunch at the 'Uma Kollu' restaurant and a visit to the handicraft market the hydrofoil takes you back to the mainland via the floating reed islands at Urus-Iruitos where the locals still live in a traditional way. Nestled high in the Andes in a deep sided bowl, beautiful La Paz, has one of the most unique settings in the world. You will never forget the first sight from the rim of the basin as you descend into the city. Overnight at the boutique La Casona hotel in the heart of the downtown area.

Day 11

La Paz - Uyuni Salt Flats

From La Paz airport, one of the highest in the world, take a short flight to the new runway in Uyuni, gateway to the extraordinary Salar de Uyuni. At 12,000 square km's this is the largest salt flat in the world and situated in the high Bolivian Altiplano it is breathtaking in every sense of the word!
Crystal clear blues skies, perfect pentagons of crystalline salt, towering cacti and vibrant pink flamingos all make up this spectacular corner of Bolivia. At the centre of the salt flat lies Isla Pescado (fish island) covered in cacti. With the salt backdrop this is a photographers dream so as the sun drops behind the mountains enjoy a cold Pacena beer whilst admiring the myriad of colours.
Your hotel for this evening, Luna Salada, is made completely of salt - beds, walls, furniture - a surreal experience.

Accommodation: Luna Salada Hotel

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Day 12

Uyuni - Potosi

Overland travel to Potosi, the highest city in the world, now takes roughly 3 hours. Potosi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 in recognition of its rich, tragic history and spectacular colonial architecture. Industry centres around the silver-rich Cerro Rico mines although in recent days the demand for tin has rescued Potosi from obscurity. In the afternoon explore the narrow streets, the Royal Mint and the Santa Teresa convent. Hacienda Cayara, located around 30 minutes from the city and at a lower altitude, is ideal for an overnight stop.

Day 13

Potosi - Sucre

Before leaving Potosi you will make a visit to the mines at Cerro Rico. Conditions are harsh - 4200m altitude, primitive tools and underground temperatures which vary from below freezing to 45C. This tour isn't for the claustrophobic but gives a real insight into these medieval conditions. Transfer to Sucre (approx 3 hours). With its beautiful colonial architecture and many original buildings its not hard to see why the town was declared a UNESCO cultural heritage site.

Accommodation: Hostal de su Merced

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Day 14

Sucre

In the morning visit the churches of San Delipe Neri and la Recoleta, the Liberty House where Simon Bolivar signed the Independence of Bolivia and the local colourful market. The tour also visits the Ethnic Textile Museum for the traditional and indigenous materials made close by.

Day 15

Sucre - La Paz

Fly to La Paz and transfer to La Casona hotel as before. Afternoon private tour of the indigenous, colonial and modern areas of the city - the Witches Market being a highlight! Overlooking the city is majestic Mount Illamani, a spectacular view. Towards the more affluent part of the city lies the Valley of the Moon, a strange clay like formation which is said to resemble the face of the Moon.

Day 16

La Paz - UK

Late afternoon flight for your return to the UK via Lima.

Price guides 2013/2014

From £4,090 per person, Including flights

Prices are per person sharing, including international flights.

Speak with a specialist

Rainbow specialists provide a high-quality, personal service and respected, impartial advice so you can make informed decisions about your individual holiday. To talk through your holiday ideas and plans, ring us on 020 7666 1260, or make an enquiry by email.

Accommodation

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Casa Andina Private Collection Cuzco

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Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores

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Casa Andina Private Collection Puno

Lake Titicaca, Peru

Casa Andina Private Collection Puno Perched at the water’s edge, 3,800m above sea level, Casa Andina has extraordinary views. Most of the 46 rooms have unparalleled lake vistas and the gourmet restaurant has a glass...

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Casa del Sol

Machu Picchu, Peru

Casa del Sol Casa del Sol is a new boutique hotel option in the town of Aguas Calientes, which is the base for visiting the iconic citadel of Machu Picchu. The hotel features 28 comfortable rooms with textile art adorning...

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Hostal de su Merced

Sucre and Potosi , Bolivia

Hostal de su Merced is a well-known hotel situated in the heart of the city centre of Sucre.The hotel occupies a charming building constructed in the 18th century and now offers 16 comfortable and nicely decorated rooms for...

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Posada del Inca Eco Lodge

Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Posada del Inca Eco Lodge on Isla del Sol is a simple and rustic but very charming property.From the Posada guests can enjoy beautiful views of the Lake Titicaca on all sidings and its rural landscape surroundings- a stop on Sun...

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Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa

Sacred Valley, Peru

Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa This lodge is one of the Sacred Valley’s most established properties, and despite the arrival of new hotels, it is still regarded as one of the best.The hotel has 43 individual...

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