Andean Tour: 14-day in-depth exploration of Peruvian ancient civilization and Bolivian Sky Mirror

Arrive in Lima, pick you up by special car and take you to the hotel for rest and adjust the time difference.

In the morning, visit the archaeological museum converted from a private mansion in the 18 th century, which mainly contains pre-Columbian cultural relics, especially the iconic stirrup-shaped pottery of Moche civilization (100-800 AD). In the afternoon, visit the ancient city of Lima, visit the Aliaca family residence that has been passed down for 17 generations, Lima Arms Square, and the underground tomb of San Francis Monastery, which was built in the 17 th century and contains about 25,000 bones.

Take a flight to Cusco at an altitude of 3,400 meters. This ancient city has maintained its ancient tradition, and residents dressed in national costumes and alpacas strolling on the streets can be seen everywhere. In the afternoon, visit the monastery of Santo Domingo, built on the foundation of the Inca Temple of the Sun, whose foundation is still visible with magnificent Inca boulders. The guide will tell you about the early beliefs of the Incas and the history of Spanish colonial conquest.

Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

The Sacred Valley, through which the Urubamba River flows, is the cradle of Inca civilization. We will explore in depth on foot. First of all, come to the traditional village and feel the lively scene of aborigines in bright costumes going to the market. Then explore the ancient terraced fields and the ruins of the Inca temple on foot, and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Andes. After the hike, walk into the village tavern, drink a glass of local beer and feel the authentic local flavor.

Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Visit the Maras salt pans that have been in use since pre-Inca times; Then climb the site of Ouyantai Fortress, which was once the last fortress of the Incas against Spanish colonists; Climb to the top to explore the sacrificial temple, overlooking the deep valley. The village where the site is located still retains ancient stone houses.

Explore the round terraced fields of Morey, then walk through the fields with local villagers, learn about the farming wisdom that lasts for thousands of years, and identify plants used in medicinal materials or pigments; Watch the women hand-knitting and natural printing process. Finally, taste 8 specialties cooked with local ingredients, accompanied by creative cocktails made with plants and flowers.

In the afternoon, take the Belmond retro luxury train to Machu Picchu and stay in a single-family villa hotel hidden deep in the rainforest.

Visit South America’s most prestigious archaeological wonder-Machu Picchu in the morning. Measure this “lost city” at an altitude of 2,200 meters with your footsteps, and professional guides will give you an in-depth interpretation of the history and architectural mysteries of the Inca Empire.

In the afternoon return to Cusco by landscape train. At night, in the quiet courtyard of the hotel, order a glass of Peruvian national wine Pisco, listen to traditional Andean music, and reminisce about the distant echoes of Inca civilization.

It takes about 7 hours to Puno by car (3 breaks are arranged along the way) and enjoy the magnificent plateau scenery along the way. Stay tonight at a select design hotel located on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

○ Visit the small museum in the village and see the Inca stone carvings and pottery restored by local craftsmen.

○ Optional upgrade: Pay a fee to travel to Puno on the Belmond “Andean Explorer” luxury train for a more comfortable ride.

Accommodation: Select design hotels

Take a boat ride to visit the floating islands built by the Urus people with reeds and feel the slight shaking of the lake. Then board Takira Island, hike through the villages on the island, visit churches and farmland, and enjoy the blue lake view. Taste traditional corn soup and fresh fried fish at villagers’ homes at noon.

The island of Takira is known for masculine knitting skills by men, a tradition that has lasted for 500 years. The guide will reveal the unique significance of knitting skills in the social life of islanders. National art lovers should “control” their desire to collect here.

○ In-depth experience optional: Add 1 night of Takira Island B&B (plain conditions), experience a quiet life far away from modern civilization, and hike to the highest point of the island in the evening to enjoy the sunset.

Accommodation: Select design hotels

It takes about 5 hours to cross the border between Peru and Bolivia to La Paz, the highest capital in the world. Experienced guides will assist you in quick customs clearance at busy border posts. In the afternoon, take the city cable car to the observation platform to enjoy panoramic views of the city and magnificent sunsets. If you are interested, you can visit a local shaman and experience the ancient and mysterious coca leaf divination.

Accommodation: Casa Grande Hotel or equivalent

Fly to Uyuni by plane. Start a 3-day Toyota off-road vehicle adventure, cross the world’s largest salt marsh, and board the “Cactus Island” with a 6-meter-high giant cactus in the dry season; Explore the plateau desert and pink lagoon on the border between Bolivia and Chile, watch the elegant flamingos, and look for the densely growing celery with a life of 2,000 years. Halfway, you will stay at the characteristic plateau hotel and the unique salt brick hotel at an altitude of 4,800 meters.

○ Optional itinerary extension: Continue the off-road vehicle to Chile, visit the Atacama Desert, and finish the whole journey in Chile.

Accommodation: Select wild luxury hotels

Flight back to La Paz in the morning. In the afternoon, visit Murio Square, stroll through the colonial streets, visit the mysterious witch market and San Francisco Church, feel the unique vitality of this plateau capital intertwined with tradition and modernity, and discover the creative shops, cafes and ice cream shops hidden in it.

Accommodation: Casa Grande Hotel or equivalent

According to your flight time, a special bus will take you to El Alto International Airport in La Paz, ending this in-depth cultural and natural journey across Peru and Bolivia. You can also choose to continue to extend to other countries in South America.

Accommodation: End of trip, excluding accommodation