Peru-Bolivia: A 13-day pilgrimage from the Holy Valley of the Incas to the Sky of Uyuni

Arrive in Lima in the early morning, pick you up by special car and take you to the hotel to rest until noon to relieve the fatigue of long-distance flight. In the afternoon, visit the historical center of Lima, and visit the Aliaca family residence that has been passed down for 17 generations, the Arms Square, and the underground burial chamber of San Francis Monastery, which was built in the 17 th century and buried about 25,000 bones. Head to Love Park in the evening and overlook the magnificent sunset view of the Pacific Ocean.

Dining: lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Belmond Miraflores Park

Fly to Cusco by plane, this ancient city has maintained a strong traditional style. 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

Accommodation: Belmond Hotel Monasterio

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.

○ If your interest in history and culture is far beyond natural scenery, you can choose to stay in Cusco in the morning to continue exploring the ruins or museums of the ancient city; In the afternoon, drive to the Holy Valley Village and complete a short hike of about 2 hours.

Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Belmond Rio Sagrado

○ Historic Site Exploration

Explore the unique Morey circular terraces on foot, with a temperature difference of approximately 0.5 °C between each level designed to grow different crops. 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.

○ Handicrafts and food culture (the price difference needs to be paid)

Explore the Morey terraces, and then walk through the fields with local villagers to learn about the farming wisdom that has lasted for thousands of years; Learn to identify plant species 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, travel through the jungle on the Belmond Vintage Luxury Train to Machu Picchu. Stay in a single-family villa tucked away deep in the rainforest (you can upgrade to the legendary Belmond Sanctuary Lodge right next to the entrance to Machu Picchu for a fee).

Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Inca Tra Machu Picchu Hotel (Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel)

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 mystery 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.

Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Belmond Hotel Monasterio

It takes about 7 hours to travel to Puno by car, and three breaks and visits will be arranged along the way to relieve the fatigue of long-distance travel. Stay tonight at a select design hotel located on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

○ Visit a Catholic church built on the site of an Inca temple, with interior murals hailed as the “Sistine of the Andes” and housing the oldest organ in the Americas.

○ Enjoy lunch and rest at noon.

○ Visit the small village museum, which is a successful case of community sustainable development. The museum displays Inca stone carvings and pottery restored by local craftsmen.

Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

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 steamed 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 Takira Island B&B (plain conditions, no hot showers and electricity), experience a quiet life away from modern civilization, and hike to the highest point of the island in the evening to enjoy the sunset.

Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

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, catch the unique city cable car to the observation deck and enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the city. If you are interested, you can visit a local shaman and experience the ancient and mysterious coca leaf divination.

Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

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.

Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

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.

Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Casa Grande Hotel or equivalent

After breakfast, the special bus will be sent to El Alto International Airport in La Paz, ending this in-depth cultural and natural journey across Peru and Bolivia.

Dining: Breakfast

Accommodation: End of trip, excluding accommodation