INTERNATIONAL FIXED DEPARTURES
13 days / 12 nights
This trip is especially designed for those travellers looking for an authentic experience in the Andean region. We cross fascinating landscapes travelling by bus, train, 4x4, and even on foot. Here you will see breathtaking views of the monumental chain of high snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, salt plains, lagoons, valleys, pristine deserts and towns, Inca and pre-Inca sites and the essence of different cultures in four Andean countries. Inca traditions and diverse gastronomy make this trip an unique experience in the Andean world.
Kallpa, or "The force of Mother Earth" in Quechua, is worshiped everywhere in the Andes, especially in Peru, Bolivia and the north of Chile and Argentina.The concept of Kallpa Andina is therefore present in this trip along the Andean mountain range.
Day 1 (Sunday) - BUENOS AIRES
Arrival at Ezeiza International airport. Transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon walking tour through the center of this beautiful metropolis, the most European city in South America. Lodging in hotel Mansion Dandi Royal.
Day 2 (Monday) - BUENOS AIRES – SALTA
Morning drive to the local airport. Flight to Salta. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel. Afternoon city tour to explore this beautiful colonial city set on the foothills of the Andes and known as "Salta the Beautiful". Lodging at El Virrey hotel or similar (B)
Day 3 (Tuesday) - CALCHAQUIES VALLEYS
Ascent to the spectacular and panoramic Cumbres del Obispo pass (3,400 m above sea level). From there we will enter the Calchaquies Valleys and arrive at the beautiful Indian town of Cachi. After checking in at the hotel we start a short trek in the Cachi Adentro valley with a box lunch. Dinner and overnight in Cachi, lodging at El Cortijo Inn or similar. (B, BL, D)
Day 4 (Wednesday) CALCHAQUIES VALLEYS – SALTA
The way back to Salta takes us through the marvellous scenery of the Quebrada de las Flechas and Quebrada de las Conchas with its fascinating rock formations. We visit a winery in Cafayate. This region is known for its excellent "torrontes"; wine. After wine tasting and lunch we continue our trip towards Salta. Arrival in the evening. Lodging at El Cortijo Inn or similar (B,L)
Day 5 (Thursday) SALTA - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Transfer to the bus station to take the local bus to San Pedro de Atacama. We cross the spectacular Jama pass (4,600m) with colorful volcanoes and high altitude lakes. Arrival at 7 P.M. in San Pedro de Atacama and transfer without guide to the hotel. Lodging in the Casa de Don Tomás hotel or similar. (B)
Day 6 (Friday) MOON VALLEY
Morning free. In the afternoon, we will visit the Valle de la Luna, where the salt formations remember a moon landscape. We'll climb a high dune to enjoy the beautiful sunset in one of the driest deserts in the world. Hotel. (B)
Day 7 (Saturday) SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - VILLAMAR
In the morning we drive towards the Bolivian border in Hito Cajón (2 hours). We will enter the Eduardo Abaroa National Reserve and visit the emerald green and red lagoons with hundreds of flamingoes. We will see the Sol de Mañana (morning sun) geyser and the Dali desert. We leave the reserve towards the altiplano (high plateau) to reach the town of Villamar and spend the night there. We'll spend the night in the rustic Mallku lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 8 (Sunday) VILLAMAR – TAHUA
Morning drive to Alota passing through the village of San Agustin. Later we enter the immense snow-white Uyuni Salt Plain. We visit the Incahuasi Island and see its impressive giant cacti. We continue north to the town of Tahua dominated by the Tunupa Volcano (San Juan). Accommodation in Tahua. (B, L, D)
Day 9 (Monday) TAHUA – UYUNI
Today we drive through the Uyuni Salt Plain towards Coquesa village to visit its pre-Inca mummies. Afterwards we continue east to Colchani see the water springs "Ojos de Agua" and how local people produce salt using traditional methods. We finally head to the town of Uyuni to visit its train cemetery. Day use in hotel Jardines or similar and midnight train. (B, L)
Day 10 (Tuesday) UYUNI - ORURO - LA PAZ
Right after midnight we board the night train to Oruro (00:05 - 7:00). Here we take a bus through the plateau to La Paz (3 hours). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon we will have a city tour of La Paz, including the street markets which boast plenty of handicrafts, weavings and traditional witchcraft objects. The tour passes through the colonial part of the city, the church of San Francisco and Murillo Square. Later visit to the modern part of the city and to the Valley of the Moon to enjoy all of its natural geological formations. Lodging in Columbus or in El Dorado Hotel. (B)
Day 11 (Wednesday) LA PAZ - COPACABANA - SUN ISLAND
Early depart for your drive from La Paz to Lake Titicaca and the small town of Copacabana (3 hours). Here we board the boat to Island of the Sun where we get off near the Inca ruins of Pilkokaina. A typical local lunch or "aptapi" will be served here. After the visit to Inca site we have a short trek to the Eco-Lodge La Estancia. (B, L)
Day 12 (Thursday) ISLAND OF THE SUN - COPACABANA - PUNO
See the beautiful sunrise over the lake!!!. After breakfast we take a boat north to the Chincana Inca ruins. The next stop is the Island of the Moon to visit the Iñak Uyu Virgin Temple. Finally we return to Copacabana. We visit the church of the Dark Virgin and have time after lunch to stroll through town. Transfer from Copacabana to Puno and then to hotel Tambo Real or similar. (B, L)
Day 13 (Friday) UROS FLOATING ISLANDS - LIMA
Transfer to pier for guided boat excursion to the floating Uros islands in the Titicaca Lake. Return to pier, transfer to the Juliaca airport for flight to Lima (flight not included).
FIXED DEPARTURE DATES 2009:
- April 12 to 24
- May 17 to 29
- July 26 to August 07
- August 09 to 21
- September 20 to October 02
- October 18 to 30
- November 15 to 27
Price per person for 13 days/ 12 night program
In 3 star hotels: USD 2685.00
(Minimum 2 passengers)
Single supplement: USD 532.00
For upgrades to 4 or to 5 star hotels, please ask for a special quotation.
Includes:
12 nights accommodation in tourist hotels and basic lodges in remote areas, transfers, mentioned excursions in group basis with local English speaking guide, entrance fees, mentioned meals (B: breakfast, L: lunch, BL: box lunch, D: dinner)
Not included:
International and domestic airfares
OPTIONAL PERU PROGRAMS
PUNO TO CUSCO AND MACHUPICCHU OR PUNO TO LIMA
PUNO TO CUSCO AND MACHUPICCHU OR PUNO TO LIMA
1) OPTIONAL PROGRAM CUSCO AND MACHU PICCHU
5 days, 4 nights
Day 13 (Friday) PUNO TO CUSCO HIGHLIGHTS
Transfer to bus station. Departure early morning (07:30 a.m.) in tourist bus from Puno to Cusco, visiting along the way the Pucará museum, the Inca Temple Raqchi ruins and the Andahuaylillas chapel (the Sixtina chapel in the Andes). Includes lunch in Sicuani. Arrival in Cusco, transfer to hotel Anden Inca or similar.
(Note: In this case the Uros excursion is not possible anymore due to bus departure time to Cusco. The cost of this excursion has been already deduced from price for optional program Cusco).
Day 14: (Saturday) CUSCO CITY AND RUINS
Morning free. In the afternoon group City tour Cusco and nearby Inca ruins: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and Tambo Machay.
Day 15: (Sunday) THE SACRED VALLEY
Private program including visits to the Indian Chinchero market, Maras village with optional donkey ride and local music band, visit to the impressive circular Moray terraces, box lunch and two hours downhill trekking to the pre-Inca Maras salt mines, arriving in the Urubamba Sacred Valley (for those not wanting to walk, excursion with bus to the salt mines and then to the Urubamba valley); drive to the Ollantaytambo village, hotel overnight.
Day 16: (Monday) MACHU PICCHU, A GREAT WONDER
From the Ollantaytambo train station, train to Machu Picchu, early morning arrival, guided group visit to the ruins including bus up and down and entrance tickets, afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, bus transfer to Cusco, transfer to hotel.
Day 17: (Tuesday) CUSCO TO LIMA
Transfer to the Cusco airport for flight to Lima (flight not included).
FIXED DEPARTURE DATES OPTIONAL CUSCO 2009:
- April 24 to 28
- May 29 to June 02
- August 07 to 11
- August 21 to 25
- October 02
- October 30 to Novembrer 03
- November 27 to December 01
Price per person for 5 days/ 4 nights program
In 3 star hotel: USD 817.00
(Minimum 2 passengers)
Single supplement: USD 127.00
Upgrade to 4 star hotel: USD 999.00
Single supplement: USD 382.00
Upgrade to 5 star hotel: USD 1599.00
Single supplement: USD 954.00
Includes:
4 nights accommodation in tourist hotels, transfers, entrance fees, backpacker train to Machu Picchu, mentioned excursions in group basis with local English speaking guide, entrance fees, mentioned meals (B: breakfast, L: lunch, BL: box lunch, D: dinner)
Not included:
International and domestic airfares.
2) OPTIONAL PROGRAM PUNO TO LIMA
2 days, 1 nights
Dia 13 or 17: LIMA, COLONIAL AND MODERN
Arrival from Juliaca, reception in Lima airport and transfer to hotel Leon de Oro.
Afternoon city tour of colonial and modern Lima, retun to hotel.
Dia 14 or 18: DEPARTURE DAY
Transfer to the Lima airport.
Price per person for 2 days/ 1 night program
In 3 star hotel: USD 159.00
(Minimum 2 passengers)
Single supplement: USD 26.00
Upgrade to 4 star hotel: USD 183.00
Single supplement: USD 49.00
Upgrade to 5 star hotel: USD 235.00
Single supplement: USD 120.00
Includes:
1 night accommodation in tourist hotel, transfers, entrance fees, mentioned excursions in group basis with local English speaking guide, entrance fees, mentioned meals (B: breakfast, L: lunch, BL: box lunch, D: dinner)
Not included:
International and domestic airfares.


