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From the heartlands of the Inca Empire in Peru, through the surreal landscapes of Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, and into the stark beauty of the Atacama Desert, on this adventure there is always something to take your breath away.
Our Andes to Atacama Adventure tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Visit the Scared Valley of the Incas, known for its breathtaking scenery and hillside citadels.
Ascend to Machu Picchu, abandoned by the Incas in the 16th century, and explore these remarkable and atmospheric ruins.
Explore Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia’s incredible salt flats and take in the views of the shimmering white flats spreading out into the distance
Cross into Chile and uncover the stark beauty of the Atacama Desert, travelling to the desert outpost of San Pedro de Atacama where your desert adventure starts.
Marvel at the Milky Way, spot distant stars and discover the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere in the quiet tranquillity of a clear and dark desert night in the Atacama, renowned for being one of the best places on Earth to explore the cosmos.
Journey into the heartland of the Incas, to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, by train. Crossing the scenic Peruvian highlands, you’ll pass rolling hills, serene lakes and traditional villages, the views made even more appealing by a gourmet lunch and cultural entertainment.
Visit the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, meaning the ‘place where the hawk is satiated’ in the Quechua language, and experience a traditional Quechua ritual led by a Shaman, providing a spiritual connection to the rich Andean traditions and Inca heritage
Fly to Lima, Peru’s capital. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day is yours to relax and acclimatise before a delicious Peruvian-style welcome dinner
Founded by conquistador extraordinaire Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and known as the ‘Ciudad de los Reyes’ (City of Kings), Lima is a fascinating and stately city. Your city tour starts with a visit to the intriguing Huaca Pucllana, a pyramid constructed by an ancient culture. Then, stroll the streets in and around the UNESCO-listed historic city centre, renowned for its magnificent colonial architecture.
Hop on a plane and fly to Cusco, passing through the city and heading straight into the renowned Scared Valley of the Incas, known for its breathtaking scenery and hillside citadels. As you explore, visit one of its many charming towns, where a local community will introduce you to their more traditional way of life.
Begin the day in Moray, walking through the striking circular terraces, believed to have been used by the Incas for agricultural experiments. Afterward, you’ll visit Maras, where over 3,000 salt ponds carved into the mountainside capture salty spring water, producing the famous sal de Maras. In Ollantaytambo explore the impressive ruins, including the Temple of the Sun, and observe the still-functioning Inca terraces and water systems, before heading to Aguas Calientes.
From the floor of the valley, ascend to Machu Picchu perched high on a mountain ridge. Abandoned by the Incas in the 16th century, the citadel remained a local secret until it was brought to the world’s attention by explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. You’ll have plenty of time to explore these remarkable and wonderfully atmospheric ruins before hopping back on the Vistadome train in the afternoon. Disembark in Poroy and transfer to Cusco.
At the heart of modern-day Cusco is the city that was once the glorious capital of the Inca Empire, razed and built over by the conquering Spanish in the 16th century. This area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represents a captivating blend of Incan and colonial heritage and is a big part of your explorations today. Wander the Plaza de Armas and the Convent of Santo Domingo while also learning about the Incan architecture beneath your feet. Then, visit the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, experiencing a traditional Quechua ritual led by a Shaman, providing a spiritual connection to Andean traditions and Inca heritage.
All aboard the train to one of the world’s highest lakes! Journey across the Peruvian highlands to Lake Titicaca, enjoying the views as you relax in comfort and style. Four dining cars, where a gourmet lunch of Andean ingredients will be served, and a bar car will keep your refreshed throughout your travels while music and dance performances, will keep you entertained.
Bid farewell to Puno and to Peru and board a hydrofoil to cross into Bolivia. As you cross the lake, there are adventures to be had, including an exploration of Isla del Sol, where you’ll visit the Inca Garden, and Isla de la Luna, where you’ll see Inak Uyu, the Temple of the Sun Virgin. Disembark the ferry and travel to Hautajata to meet some vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas. This evening visit an observatory, where you’ll spend the night exploring the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere.
Traverse the Andes to reach La Paz. Bolivia’s administrative capital and one of the world’s most spectacularly set cities, La Paz is a fascinating assault on the senses. A half day city tour will immerse you in its history with visits including Moon Valley and a ride in the teleferico (cable car) up to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the city and the Andean peaks beyond.
Fly to the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia’s incredible salt flats. Enjoy a picnic lunch while admiring the surreal landscapes and experiment with perspectives on this vast, flat expanse. Tonight, sleep in a unique salt hotel.
Explore the salt flats where, weather permitting, you'll meet the intriguing Coquesa mummies, ancient human remains preserved in a cave near the Tunupa Volcano. After exploring the cave, pause to take in the views from this incredible vantage point, the shimmering white flats spreading out into the distance.
Wave farewell to Bolivia as you cross into Chile and the stark beauty of the Atacama Desert, travelling to the desert outpost of San Pedro de Atacama.
The next day, begin your explorations, visiting the charming desert village of Toconao then, as the sun sets drive to the otherworldly Moon Valley where you can watch the colours of lonely volcanoes and jagged cliffs shift through a spectrum of yellows, reds and purples as night falls.
Rise before dawn to travel through the twilight to reach the El Tatio Geysers, set within a ring of volcanoes. Relax this afternoon before setting out again late in the evening to make the most of the Atacama’s dark skies. There is nowhere better in the world for stargazing; tonight, you will be given a guided tour of the heavens with a glass of local wine in hand.
Transfer to Calama and fly down to Santiago, Chile’s capital city. Later, tour the city stopping at sights like the Plaza de Armas, home to the impressive 18th-century cathedral and 19th-century post office. Pop up to the top of Cerro Hill for views over the city and, on clear days, to the mountain peaks beyond.
Take a day trip to the port city of Valparaiso. Unique and full of roguish charm, the city is set along the seafront and on the hills above, the two parts connected by vintage funiculars. The hilltop ‘cerros’ (neighbourhoods) are packed with colourful mansions and cobbled streets and are a delight to wander. While here, enjoy lunch and a tasting of wines from nearby vineyards.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, arriving the next day. (B)
Our tours feature hand-picked properties selected for their comfort, modern amenities and convenient location for sightseeing. We occasionally include a stay in a guesthouse or lodge where we feel the character of the property will enhance your tour, or to allow access to a more unique and memorable location. Here is a taster of the type of hotels you will be staying in on your tour.
Places Visited: UK - Lima (2N) - Sacred Valley (1N) - Aguas Calientes (1N) - Cusco (2N) - Puno (1N) - Huatajata (1N) - La Paz (1N) - Uyuni (2N) - San Pedro deo Atacama (3N) - Santiago (2N) - UK
Make the most of your time away. Whether you want to delve deeper into a destination, discover somewhere completely new, or simply unwind on a beautiful beach, we've created a range of ways to help you stay a little longer and see a little more.
If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book. Read our Price Match Promise
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Dedicated Solo departures are available on selected dates for this tour.
These solos-only departures feature smaller group sizes of up to 18, along with free airport lounge access.
There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.
The same great Wendy Wu tour - just with an extra level of comfort. Enjoy relaxed 5-star city hotels, unique properties, and overnight cruises, each selected to deliver an elevated experience. See Upgraded Tour Hotels above for more details.
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