Peru Tour Plan
Peru is among countries that start with P listed on Countryaah.com. Almost half of the residents of Peru are indigenous, one fifth are mestizo. The official language of Peru is Spanish. In addition, many locals speak the ancient Inca language Quechua. Aymaras live in the Altiplano around Lake Titicaca, and these people speak Aymara. Peru is one of the culturally richest countries on earth, has a 3,000 year old cultural history and cultural treasures such as Machu Picchu.
After many meters of altitude we have reached the pass: a dry landscape full of cacti opens up in front of us. We have just fought our way through dense subtropical rain and cloud forests for two days. It is experiences like this that make this trekking trip across the Andes incomparable.
We start our trek in Salta, Argentina, an old colonial town on the foothills of the Andes. Our first camp is in the middle of the deep green jungle. Only two days later, after crossing the pass, we spend the night under a mighty columnar cactus.
We continue to Bolivia, to Tupiza. Starting point to get to the Uyuni salt desert and climb the sacred Tunapa volcano (5,100 m). The ascent is not difficult, but requires surefootedness. Here, as in general for the trip, the following applies: It requires a good physical condition, the altitude makes a lot more strenuous than usual. We relax on Lake Titicaca before we start our last trek: to the enigmatic Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru. On the scenic route past the snow-covered Salkantay, we go through deeply cut valleys, cloud forest areas and over a pass at 4,600 meters.
Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner
1st-2nd Tag: Welcome to Salta
A night flight takes you via Buenos Aires to Salta. “La Linda”, as it is affectionately known by the Salteños, is located on the eastern edge of the Andes in the extreme north-west of Argentina. After we have refreshed and acclimatized, we can stroll through the city with its Spanish colonial architecture and prepare for our adventure in the next few days.
Travel time: approx. 30 minutes
overnight in a 4 * hotel
(B / – / -)
3rd-6th Day: From rain forest to desert: Trans Andes trekking
From the green rainforest to the yellow cactus desert! North of Salta we start our little-known trekking route in the Calilegua National Park through a landscape of incomparable beauty. The first stages of our trek lead through valleys in the subtropical mountain cloud forest and through spectacular canyons to lonely mountain villages. Continuously uphill, it goes through transition zones between rain and cloud forests. The branches are overgrown with flowering lianas and bromeliads. From a height of approx. 2,300 m, the trees become smaller and smaller and displaced by bushes. The first clearings provide a view of lush greenery and rugged peaks of the Andes. With luck we will see the first condors circling majestically in the sky.
Day 3: Trekking / drive from Salta to the Calilegua National Park
Travel time: approx. 1.5-2 hours.
Hike: approx. 1.5-2 hours (+400 m)
Overnight in a hut
Day 4: Trekking / San Francisco – San Lucas
Hike: approx. 6-7 hours / approx. 12 km (+/- 800 m)
Overnight stay in a tent
(
B / L / D) Day 5: Trekking / San Lucas – Molulo
On zigzag paths at the Rumy Cruz pass, for the first time at over 3,000 m.
Hike: approx. 8-9 hours / approx. 20 km (+1,200 m / -500 m)
Overnight in tent
(
B / L / D) Day 6: Trekking / Molulo – Huaira Huasi
Once the rocks shine red and yellow, then green and purple, no valley is like another. A summit at 3,470 m invites you to take a well-deserved lunch break.
Hike: approx. 5-6 hours / approx. 13 km (+700 m / -500 m)
Overnight stay in a tent
(B / L / D)
Day 7: Trekking / Arrival in Tilcara
Immediately after reaching the highest pass of our trek at 4,140 m we can’t believe our eyes! We look into a huge desert valley with forests of head-high columnar cacti. Our gaze sweeps over untouched mountain slopes to the horizon. The different stone colors make the scenery look like a paint box. We are in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, the gorge has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its cultural importance.
Hike: approx. 7-8 hours / approx. 20 km (+/- 1,000 m)
overnight stay in a 3 * hotel
(B / L / D)
Overnight in tent and hut
(B / L / D)
Day 7 Quebrada Humahuaca – UNESCO World Heritage Site
In the afternoon of the 7th day we reach the end of the trek in the scenic desert valley. After the days full of adventure and enjoyment of nature, we treat ourselves to a relaxing break and move into a cozy posada in the colonial town of Tilcara. At the barbecue evening we celebrate the success of our first Andes crossing!
Overnight stay in a 3 * hotel
(B / L / D)
8th-9th Day: In the “Wild West” of Bolivia
We drive through the Quebrada to the wide and scenic Altiplano. At an altitude of 3,500 m we pass the Bolivian border in La Quiaca. In the afternoon you continue through the varied highlands for another 2 hours to the still original town of Tupiza – a perfect western backdrop. We enjoy and experience the “outback” of Bolivia and the area around Tupiza. On day 8 we stay in this unknown desert wonderland near a small village until sunset. We also have dinner there.
The next day we explore the stunningly beautiful landscape on foot or on a horse ride (optional). Gorges made of deep red sandstone, desert-like mountains covered with small acacias, tree-high columnar cacti
and river valleys make you feel like you are in the wild west of South America.
Driving time: approx. 2 hours.
Hike: approx. 5 hours.Optional
riding tour: approx. 5-6 hours.
2x overnight stays in a 3 * hotel
(2xB / 1xM / 1xA)
Day 10: The largest salt lake on earth: Salar de Uyuni
With all-wheel-drive jeeps we start an adventurous journey through the high valleys, past steep slopes and volcanoes. We reach the dazzling white Salar de Uyuni. On the edge of the largest salt desert on earth, we spend the night in the Salt Palace, a luxury hotel built from blocks of salt with a view of the Uyuni. The day ends with a sundowner on the terrace.
Driving time: 4 hours (jeep) Overnight in a 4 * salt hotel
(B / L / D)
11.-12. Day: Uyuni White Galaxy & Tunupa Volcano
Day 11: Drive over the Salar de Uyuni to Jirira
With our jeeps we cross the wide salt flat of the Uyuni. Again and again we stop to marvel at the interesting salt structures, we literally lose ourselves in the endless white. We ascend to the highest point of the cactus island Isla Incahuasi, an island of life in the salty nothing. Giant cacti with a diameter of up to half a meter grow here and a population of Vizcachas lives. The Tunupa volcano rises over 5,000 m on the northern edge of the Uyuni. It is the basis of many legends and is our guide in the middle of the salt desert. We move into a simple hostel.
Day 12: Hike on Tunupa volcano
Today we climb the summit region of Tunupa, who wants to go up to over 5,000 m. The shimmering colors of the volcanic crater in front of the bright white salt desert and an infinite horizon are almost a galactic experience.
Driving time: approx. 3-4 hours. Hike: approx. 5-6 hours (+900 m / -1200 m)
2x overnight stays in a simple refugio
(B / L / D)
13-14 Day: La Paz
Day 13: Drive Jirira – La Paz
We say goodbye to the escort team of the last few days. We drive with the four-wheel drive jeeps to Oruro, where the transfer starts in a public, comfortable bus to La Paz. The impressive seat of government in Bolivia is located in a huge basin at an altitude of over 3,500 m. Only the ice armor of the 6,440 m high Illimani still towers over the city.
Travel time: approx. 7 hours (jeep / public bus)
Day 14: City tour of La Paz
The famous witch market should not be missing on a city tour. We glide silently over the city in the modern cable car. Then stroll through the historic old town and the modern business district. There is hustle and bustle everywhere in the squares and in the streets.
2 nights in a 3 * hotel
(B / – / -)
Day 15: Lake Titicaca and Puno
We leave La Paz and take the tourist bus towards Lake Titicaca. The lake is framed by the white peaks of the majestic King Cordillera, which is over 6,000 m high. After crossing the border to Peru, we reach Puno and
still have time to explore the city on Lake Titicaca.
If you want, you can end the trip in Puno and fly back to Europe via Lima on day 16. Arrival on day 17. For more detailed information on pricing, please refer to “Information on the trip” in the “Info” tab.
Travel time: approx. 4 hours (public tourist bus)
Overnight in a 3 * hotel
(B / – / -)
16.-19. Day: Salkantay Trekking to the mountain of the gods
Day 16: Drive from Puno to the starting point of the Salkantay Trek
The grand finale of our trip is the famous Salkantay Trekking and the way to the most important fortress of the Incas: Machu Picchu. A long drive leads us first from Puno through the Altiplano towards Cuzco, directly to the starting point of the trek. The trekking route leads through the breathtaking mountains of the Central Andes to the city of the gods. The Nevado Salkantay with its 6,271 m is the highest mountain in the Cordilliera Vilcabamba. The foothills of this mountain range extend to Machu Picchu, 80 km north of the old Inca city of Cuzco. Snow-covered mountains, crystal clear lakes, terraced fields, herds of llama and alpaca line our hiking trails.
The demanding trek overcomes the 4,600 m high Salkantay Pass. We hike along deeply cut valleys through constantly changing mountain landscapes towards Machu Picchu and spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
Driving time: 8 hours
overnight in a tent
(
B / L / D) Day 17: Salkantay Trekking / Soray Pampa – Huayraqumachay
Hike: 8-9 hours / 21 km (+850 m / -1,900 m)
Overnight in tent
(B /
L / D) Day 18: Salkantay Trekking / Huayraqumachay – La Playa
Hike: 6-7 hours / 17 km (+300 m / -1,150 m)
Overnight stay in a tent
(B / L / D)
Day 19: Salkantay Trekking / La Playa – Aguas Calientes
Hike: 6-7 hours / 12.5 km (+950 m / -1,150 m)
Overnight stay in a 3 * hotel
(B / L / D)
20.-21. Day: Inca fortress Machu Picchu & Cusco
We reach the enigmatic Inca city of Machu Picchu. When visiting with an experienced guide, we experience the unique harmony of culture and nature. The dream world of the past embedded in an incredibly spectacular landscape. After the visit, take the narrow-gauge train through the Urubamba Valley back towards Cuzco. We celebrate the many great experiences of this trip and let it end comfortably at the end. Tomorrow, day 21, we have time for the center of Inca culture: Cuzco, the legendary capital of the Inca. Many houses are built on the foundations of the Inca temples. The city wall also dates from the time of the Sons of the Sun.
Travel time: train approx. 2.5 hours / bus approx. 2.5 hours
2x overnight stays in a 3 * hotel
(B / – / -)
22.-23. Day: Lima & return journey
Day 22: In the morning we have another stop in Cusco and then fly to Lima. Depending on the transition period, a city tour (optional) and flight home in the evening.
Day 23: Arrival in Europe
