Peru & Boliva Tour Private Peru & Bolivia Tour: Andean Cultural Immersion

Welcome to Peru and Lima. Upon arrival, our team will be expecting you at Lima Airport holding a sign with your name on it. Once acquainted, we’ll drive you to your hotel in Miraflores or Barranco and, on arrival, we’ll assist you while checking in. During the drive, we can address any last-minute questions you may have. 
Depending on your arrival time, we'll offer suggestions for how to make the most of your first day in the city.
 

Overnight: Lima - Innside Miraflores or similar
Meal Plan: None

Today we’ll pick you up from your hotel and begin with a visit to the Larco Museum, set in an 18th-century colonial mansion. Here you’ll explore Peru’s ancient history through its impressive collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts, learning how civilizations in the region date back to around 3,500 BC long before the short-lived Inca Empire.

Next, we’ll head to Lima’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to admire its colonial architecture. Our visit includes Casa Aliaga, the oldest continuously inhabited private home in the Americas, offering insight into Lima’s colonial life and evolving styles. From there, we’ll stroll through the main square and nearby streets, stopping to sample traditional Peruvian snacks for a light lunch before returning to the hotel.

In the late afternoon, we’ll continue to the seaside for a private gourmet experience. Enjoy a beachfront cocktail class at sunset featuring Peru’s iconic Pisco Sour, followed by dinner at Amaz and Huaca Pucllana, where you’ll savor Peruvian cuisine with views of ancient ruins. The evening ends with a dessert walk through the vibrant Barranco neighborhood.

Tip: Have a light breakfast, as you will be sampling a variety of fruits today.

Overnight: Lima - Innside Miraflores or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast , Light Lunch & Dinner

Today we'll transfer you to the local airport for your flight to Cusco. On arrival to Cusco, your guide will pick you up and we'll head directly to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Sitting at a lower elevation of 2,870 m (9,415 ft), the Sacred Valley offers a better environment for acclimatization compared to Cusco's higher altitude.

En route, we'll stop at a special location called Tiobamba for a private lunch. This well-appointed home is owned by the community of Tiobamba, and here views of the fields, Tiobamba's colonial church, and the snow peaks beyond will accompany you during your meal. After lunch, we'll visit the neighborhood of Chichubamba, where we will join local families to participate in a variety of activities that are part of daily life in this region of Peru. Among these experiences, you'll learn about the preparation of chicha, a traditional fermented corn beverage that has been consumed in the Andes for centuries. You'll also participate in local ceramics activities, discovering the pottery techniques that have been passed down through generations in these communities.

During your visit, you'll learn about guinea pigs and how they are part of the life of locals in this area, playing both cultural and nutritional roles in Andean households. You'll also discover local cacao that's produced just a couple of hours away from the Sacred Valley in the cloud forest regions of Cusco, learning about how this crop connects the different ecological zones of the region.

Overnight: Sacred Valley - Casona de Yucay or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

We begin the day with a visit to Moray, where large circular terraces in a natural depression resemble a Roman or Greek amphitheater. Moray is thought to have served as an agricultural experiment station, with temperature differences between terraces used to adapt crops to different climates.

Next, we go to the Maras salt flats for a hands-on experience with locals. You will get unique access to the ponds with special equipment and learn how the community extracts special pink salt from natural spring water, a practice that predates the Incas and continues today. This activity is weather and season dependent, mostly from May to October. If unavailable, we will visit the village for other workshops and local activities.

Afterwards, we enjoy a picnic lunch with views of the surrounding countryside.

In the afternoon, we visit Parobamba, an Andean community known for its UNESCO-recognized weavers. You will learn about traditional weaving and dyeing techniques using plants and minerals to create a wide array of colors.

Overnight: Sacred Valley - Casona de Yucay or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Get ready for an exciting day visiting two fascinating places – Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. We will leave early to be one of the first groups at Ollantaytambo around 8 am. When you arrive at the town of Ollantaytambo, enjoy the Inca history in the streets and old ruins. See the stonework at Ollantaytambo, showing the Inca were skilled builders.

After exploring Ollantaytambo, you will board the First Class Inca Rail Train, an exclusive service with special amenities. This train features a dedicated lounge cart and open-air observation cart for panoramic views. The service includes a multi-course lunch prepared with local ingredients and live music entertainment. As you travel along the Urubamba River, you'll see the landscape transform from snow-capped mountains to lush green cloud forests.

When we arrive at Aguas Calientes, on arrival we take the shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu. At Machu Picchu, your guide will show you this unique 15th-century Inca citadel that served as a royal estate for Inca Emperor Pachacuti. Learn about the history and engineering achievements behind Machu Picchu and explore areas that many visitors don't get to see.

After visiting Machu Picchu, go back to Aguas Calientes to catch the Prime Train by Inca Rail to Ollantaytambo. This comfortable train offers a pleasant journey back through the valley, with a light dinner based on local snacks served on board. In Ollantaytambo, private transport will be waiting to take you to your hotel after this comprehensive day of exploration.

Overnight: Cusco - Novotel Cusco or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Spend a day with one of the most charming local chefs in Cusco, Seledonia Mesa! Start your day by visiting the San Pedro Market, where you'll explore the variety of local products available. From the Andean mountains to the nearby Amazon, you'll see and taste exotic fruits such as lucuma, chirimoya, and granadilla, while learning about the range of ingredients used in local Peruvian cuisine.

After wandering through the market, we'll head to Seledonia's Kitchen, where you'll have the opportunity to test your culinary skills with the help of a local chef. Together, you can prepare classic Peruvian dishes or experiment with local ingredients to make something new. This cooking class is about having fun, learning about the local culture, and unleashing your creativity in the kitchen.

Throughout the day, you'll gain insights into Cusco's cuisine and its cultural significance, as well as the opportunity to engage in an authentic and immersive experience. Whether you're a cooking enthusiast or simply curious about Peruvian cuisine, this hands-on activity promises to be a memorable and enriching part of your journey in Cusco.

Overnight: Cusco - Novotel Cusco or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

You have a remarkable train journey ahead of you today. In the morning, head to Cusco's train station to board the Titicaca Train bound for Puno. This train pays homage to the Pullman trains of the 1920s, complete with dining cars and an outdoor observatory car-bar. It's a unique way to embark on a ten-hour journey through mountain landscapes to Lake Titicaca.

Throughout the journey, you'll be treated to stunning views of villages, rivers, pastures, and snow-capped peaks. The observatory cart allows you to take in the scenery as you relax. Indulge in a three-course lunch and take part in a Pisco Sour Demonstration, adding a touch of local flavor to your experience aboard the train. Upon arriving to La Raya, the midway and highest point of the journey, the train will make a short pause, and you will be allowed to disembark and explore the surroundings shortly. 

Upon arriving to Puno, you will be welcomed by our team and transferred to your hotel.

Keep in mind that the Titicaca Train only departs from Cusco on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Overnight: Puno - GHL Lago Titicaca or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

The journey begins with an early private transfer from Puno to the border with Bolivia, a 2.5-hour drive through the altiplano landscape. Here you'll go through immigration procedures and connect with our Bolivian team who will be waiting for you at the other side of the border.

From the border, a short drive leads to Copacabana, where we take a boat to Sun Island. According to legend, this island is where the Inca empire was born, a culture that still leaves traces of their traditions today. You'll participate in the apthapi, one of their ancient customs, as you have lunch in a community-focused experience. This traditional meal involves sharing food collectively, a practice that has been maintained for centuries among Andean communities.

After lunch, hike the ancient steps to find La Fuente de la Juventud or the Spring of Youth. The clear waters that run through this well-preserved spring were considered sacred by the Incas. The hike leads to a scenic balcony where you can appreciate the magnitude of Lake Titicaca from above. Get in touch with the locals and learn about their worldview, which differs significantly from modern perspectives.

One more stop takes you to the remains of the Pilkokaina Palace, ancient ruins that showcase the architectural skills of pre-Columbian civilizations. As the day comes to an end, witness a beautiful sunset over the lake while enjoying dinner at your accommodation on Sun Island.

Overnight: Bolivia - Lago Titicaca- Isla Del Sol - La Estancia Ecolodge or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast on Sun Island, we'll take the boat back to Copacabana. This boat ride across the deep blue waters of Lake Titicaca offers views of the surrounding islands and the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real mountain range. Our first stop is the famous church of Candelaria, built over four centuries ago and home to the miraculous Virgin María. This colonial church has been a pilgrimage site for centuries, and you can follow local customs by bringing your wishes to the Virgin's attention - legend says she might just grant them.

Following the church visit, walk through the colorful local marketplaces of Copacabana, where pasancallas, a local puffed corn snack, reigns supreme among the various goods sold by vendors. These markets offer insight into daily life in this lakeside town and provide opportunities to interact with local merchants.

After exploring the town and markets, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before preparing for the journey to La Paz. The drive from Copacabana to Bolivia's administrative capital takes you through varied altiplano landscapes, concluding your Lake Titicaca adventure as you head toward the bustling city of La Paz.

Overnight: La Paz - Stannum Boutique Hotel & Spa or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

We begin with an early morning transfer to La Paz airport for your flight to Uyuni. Remember to check with your hotel about breakfast times and ask for a boxed breakfast the evening before if necessary, as flights from La Paz to Uyuni depart early in the morning.

On arrival to Uyuni, we'll meet you at the airport. If you need some time for breakfast, we can take you to a local cafe for something to eat, though this is not included in the tour. From there, we head to the Chiquini caves, located just along the edge of the salt flats. These caves contain rock formations that date back over 16 millennia and showcase the geological history of the region.

We then re-enter the salt flats from this side and head towards Incahuasi Island. This giant cacti island sits within the world's largest salt flat, where life beats all odds as ancient cacti grow in an island surrounded by the white salt desert. Here we'll have our picnic lunch and take time to explore the island, which offers views that reveal the extent of the distance you've traveled across the flats.

We'll slowly make our way towards the salt hotels near Coquesa as the afternoon progresses. Sunset will be a beautiful highlight of the day, as you witness every shade of color imaginable with nothing more than nature in your sight. On the drive back, we will stop in the salt flats for stargazing. We'll take hot beverages with us, including tea and other warm drinks to keep comfortable during the cooler evening hours. We'll spend about an hour within the salt flats in the dark evening enjoying the night skies before heading back to the hotel.

Note: If the Salar de Uyuni is flooded, we will have lunch at the shores of the Salar instead of Incahuasi Island and, depending on the road status, we might also have to skip Chiquini Cave.

Overnight: Uyuni- Palacio de Sal or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast

This morning, you'll have a private transfer to Uyuni Airport for your flight back to La Paz. Upon arrival, our team will greet you and transfer you to your hotel before starting the city exploration. The day begins at Mirador Killi Killi, offering panoramic views of La Paz, followed by Plaza Murillo, the central square surrounded by key government buildings and the oldest cathedral in the city. Next, we visit the Valle de la Luna, a moon-like landscape formed by millennia of erosion, where you can walk along narrow paths among unique rock formations.

A highlight of the day is the cable car ride, giving aerial views of the city and showcasing South America's most eco-friendly public transport system. Afterwards, we explore the Mercado de las Brujas, witnessing traditional supplies and rituals of local shamans. The tour continues with San Francisco Church, a colonial-era baroque landmark rich in history and architecture.

Finally, the city tour concludes around lunchtime at your hotel. Later in the evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner at one of La Paz's top restaurants, with a private driver to and from the venue, thus ending your trip on a high note.

Overnight: La Paz - Stannum Boutique Hotel & Spa or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Enjoy a last walk around La Paz at leisure. After, at the coordinated time, we'll head to the airport to board your international flight back home. Hopefully, you will be heading home full of happy memories, new friends, and great pictures of your time with us!

Overnight: None
Meal Plan: Breakfast