DESCRIPTION

This tour came about through a desire to experience as much as possible in as short a space of time, given that holiday time is precious. Why not use that one airfare and cover as much ground and experience as many cultures and experiences as possible?

Like most of our programmes, this tour can be fully customized, but below you will find our suggested itinerary that is a great mix of luxury (think fancy trains and hotels) and culture.

Be aware, this programme is pretty full on, and does require a degree of fitness - probably a 6.5/10 in terms of effort (if 10 is the max). This is mainly due to the altitude in various parts of the trip which makes activity harder. HOWEVER its SOOOOO worth it!

SAMPLE SUPERTRIP ITINERARY - PERU/BOLIVIA/CHILE 

Day 1: Flight to Lima, Peru

Fly to Lima. On arrival meet your English peaking guide, load your luggage on the coach and prepare for your half day Lima city tour! Evening meal at your hotel.

Day 2: Cusco

Today we fly over to the ancient capital of Cusco. We take the evening to acclimatize to the altitude in the hotel, lots of water, tea, and a gentle meal.

Day 3: Inca Valley tour

A great opportunity to descend a few hundred metres and visit some of the key Inca sites including the magnificent terraces at Pisaq and the sun temple at Ollantaytambo. Take the evening train through the rainforest up to Aguas Calientes ready for Machu Picchu tomorrow. Overnight Aguas Calientes.

Day 4: Machu Picchu

Do we need to say any more? The spectacular views, the immaculately excavated and preserved building - this place is like a paradise in the sky. You can feel the spirituality of such a place as you wonder through the past buildings and ceremonial sites. Hike up to Sun Gate if time permits. Back to Cusco in the late afternoon.

Day 5: Cusco City Tour

As it says on the tin. Take in some of Cuscos sites, go to the Machu Picchu museum to see some of the excavated treasures, visit the cathedral and learn about the blending of indigenous and Spanish cultures, before having a traditional Incan meal.

Day 6: Transfer to Lake Titicaca

Transfer through to Lake Titicaca either by luxury Andean Explorer train, or by bus. Full day travelling taking in some of the scenery.

Day 7: Welcome to Bolivia!

Cross the border into Bolivia and the original Copacabana! Enjoy a cruise over to Sun Island, legendary birthplace of the first of the Inca, and experience the chance for a Q&A with some of the community members. Visit their traditional homesteads, learn the history and biodiversity of the island and take a traditional boat ride in the shore (the boat is made of reeds!). After a blessing from the shaman, take the cruise back to Copacabana, enjoy a buffet lunch on board and get ready for your transfer through to La Paz, the highest quasi-capital in the world!

Day 8: La Paz

Full day guided tour of La Paz.

Day 9: Salt Flats at Uyuni

A true marvel, the Bolivian salt flats at Uyuni are a sight to see at least once in your life. Both rainy and dry seasons bring different perspectives, the amazing surface water on the salt flats creates those optical illusion photographs where the sky never seems to end, whilst the dry salt flat show spectacular patterns, that are instantly recognizable. Visit the islands in the middle of the flats, where ritual ceremonies of the local people have been held for centuries, and then explore the old train cemetary, made famous in Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. Spend the night in the hotel made entirely of SALT!

Days 10 & 11: Stone trees, Lagoons, Deserts & Volcanoes

Today we take the jeeps over the flats and into the national park of the stone tree - Bolivia's national emblem. We will pass lagoon's aplenty - pink, green, blue - almost every colour under the sun. They say that the pink algae in the lagoons is what gives the thousands of local flamingos their pink coloured feathers. Overnight in the middle of the desert in a basic motel (surprisingly good for the middle of the desert!). Next day we start by passing dormant and active volcanoes, their colourful mineral rich sands around their craters, the bubbling mud pools above 3000 metres, and take a quick dip in the local hot springs while taking in the view. As afternoon approaches, we head onwards to the Chilean border at San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 12: San Pedro de Atacama

After spending the night in San Pedro, time to get a bit of R&R in the quaint desert cowboy town, visit the meteorite museum and enjoy a sumptuous local feast! Spend the night under the stars with an astronomy lesson in one of the top rated astronomy destinations in the world.

Day 13: Day in the desert

Full Day at leisure to choose a tour of choice - meteorite hunting, volcano exploring or relaxing by the pool.

Day 14: Santiago

Catch a morning flight to Santiago from Calama and take an afternoon open top city tour. Time to shop at the huge mall and get any last minute souvenirs!

Day 15: Double or quits!

Either head to the airport to catch return flight home, or add an extension to Patagonia, Argentina, Antarctica or the Galapagos Islands!

WHATS INCLUDED

As standard in our quotes we include the following (based on our experience this just works best):

• Full Board Accommodation

• Activities as mentioned above

• All excursions

• Transfers in-destination

• Group travel Insurance

• Assistance of local in-destination partners on the ground

• 24 hrs emergency contact locally & in the UK