Tour overview

This 21-day small-group journey follows the Andes from the Peruvian coast to the Atacama Desert in Chile, combining the Amazon, the Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca and the Bolivian salt flats. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout. You travel by plane, motorised canoe, bus and 4WD, and stay mostly in hotels, with two nights at a jungle lodge and three nights camping on the Inca Trail in twin-share tents with basic facilities; bring your own sleeping bag. Travellers who prefer can take the Quarry Trail or the train. Breakfast is included daily, with further meals as listed, and a complimentary arrival transfer.

After a night in Lima, with a visit to the San Francisco Monastery and its catacombs and a downtown walking tour, you fly to Puerto Maldonado and travel by boat to a jungle lodge in the Peruvian Amazon for two nights of guided night and morning walks. Lima's clifftop Miraflores district looks out over the Pacific.

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In Cusco you receive the Boleto Turístico pass to 16 archaeological sites, visit the Inca citadel of Sacsayhuamán, enjoy a pisco sour demonstration and travel through the Sacred Valley, with a community visit, to Ollantaytambo. Then comes the classic four-day Inca Trail over Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 metres to Machu Picchu.

A comfortable bus crosses the Altiplano to Puno on Lake Titicaca for a boat trip on the world's highest navigable lake, then on to La Paz for a walking tour, the Witches' Market and the Killi Killi viewpoint. You continue across the plateau to Uyuni to explore the train cemetery and the vast Salar de Uyuni, then through the Siloli Desert past Laguna Colorada and the Sol de Mañana geysers, with a soak in the Polques hot springs, before crossing into Chile. The trip ends in San Pedro de Atacama, with a free day and a visit to the Rainbow Valley.

The physical rating is medium, with a challenging trek and much of the trip at high altitude. This trip suits adventurous travellers who want to see the Andes from the jungle to the desert.

Trip highlights

  • The San Francisco Monastery catacombs in Lima (Day 1)
  • Two nights at an Amazon jungle lodge (Days 2–3)
  • The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Days 6–9)
  • Lake Titicaca (Day 12)
  • The Salar de Uyuni (Days 15–16)
  • Sol de Mañana geysers and the Rainbow Valley (Days 18–20)

Your route

14 stops from Lima to San Pedro de Atacama

21-day route: Lima – Amazon – Cusco – Inca Trail – Puno – La Paz – Uyuni – San Pedro de Atacama
  1. Lima Day 1
  2. Puerto Maldonado Days 2 & 4
  3. Amazon Jungle Days 2–3
  4. Cusco Days 4 & 9–10
  5. Ollantaytambo Day 5
  6. Inca Trail (camping) Days 6–8
  7. Machu Picchu Day 9
  8. Puno Days 11–12
  9. Uros Floating Islands Day 12
  10. Taquile Island Day 12
  11. La Paz Days 13–14
  12. Uyuni Days 15–16
  13. Siloli Desert Day 17
  14. San Pedro de Atacama Days 18–21

Why choose this tour

The jungle, the Inca Trail, the salt flats and the desert in one trip. A small group with a leader throughout and the Boleto Turístico pass included.

Best suited to

  • Adventurous travellers
  • Fit hikers keen on the Inca Trail
  • Photographers drawn to the Altiplano
  • Solo travellers looking for a group
Machu Picchu among misty mountains

Day-by-day itinerary

21 days from Lima, Peru to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

  1. Day 1 · Lima, Miraflores Arrive in Lima

    Transfer to your hotel in Miraflores for a welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Puerto Maldonado, Amazon Into the Amazon

    Fly to Puerto Maldonado and take a boat to a jungle lodge, with a night walk.

    Hotel
    Jungle lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Amazon Amazon rainforest

    A half-day guided walk to learn about the rainforest's plants and wildlife.

    Hotel
    Jungle lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Cusco Fly to Cusco

    Return by canoe to Puerto Maldonado and fly to Cusco.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Sacsayhuamán, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley

    Visit Sacsayhuamán and travel through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Inca Trail Inca Trail

    Begin the four-day Inca Trail.

    Hotel
    Camping with basic facilities
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Warmiwañusca Dead Woman's Pass

    Climb to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 metres.

    Hotel
    Camping with basic facilities
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Runkurakay, Sayacmarca Inca ruins

    Cross Runkurakay Pass and walk past Inca ruins.

    Hotel
    Camping with basic facilities
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Sun Gate, Machu Picchu, Cusco Machu Picchu

    Reach Machu Picchu at sunrise, then return to Cusco.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Cusco Cusco

    A free day in Cusco, with a pisco sour demonstration.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Puno To Puno

    A seven-hour bus journey through mountain scenery to Puno.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Lake Titicaca Lake Titicaca

    Sail on the world's highest navigable lake.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · La Paz To La Paz

    Travel to La Paz, with free time for the cable car or the Witches' Market.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · La Paz, Killi Killi La Paz

    A walking tour of La Paz and the Killi Killi viewpoint.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Uyuni To Uyuni

    Cross the Andean plateau to Uyuni.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  16. Day 16 · Train Cemetery, Salar de Uyuni Salar de Uyuni

    Visit the train cemetery and explore the salt flats.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  17. Day 17 · Siloli Desert Siloli Desert

    A long day crossing the Andean desert to the Siloli Desert.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  18. Day 18 · Laguna Colorada, Sol de Mañana, San Pedro de Atacama Into Chile

    Visit Laguna Colorada, the Sol de Mañana geysers and hot springs, then cross into Chile.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  19. Day 19 · San Pedro de Atacama Free day

    A free day for El Tatio, Piedras Rojas or the Pukará de Quitor.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  20. Day 20 · Rainbow Valley Rainbow Valley

    Visit the colourful hills of the Rainbow Valley.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  21. Day 21 · San Pedro de Atacama Trip ends

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Geysers venting steam on the Bolivian Altiplano

Where you stay

  • Lima (1 night) Hotel
  • Amazon (2 nights) Jungle lodge
  • Cusco and Ollantaytambo (2 nights) Hotel
  • Inca Trail (3 nights) Camping with basic facilities
  • Cusco (2 nights) Hotel
  • Puno (2 nights) Hotel
  • La Paz (2 nights) Hotel
  • Uyuni (2 nights) Hotel
  • Siloli Desert (1 night) Hotel
  • San Pedro de Atacama (3 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation hotels, 2 nights at a jungle lodge and 3 nights camping
  • Breakfast daily, with further meals as listed
  • Flights from Lima to Puerto Maldonado and to Cusco
  • Lima monastery and catacombs visit and walking tour
  • Amazon night and morning jungle walks
  • Boleto Turístico pass, Sacsayhuamán and a Sacred Valley community visit
  • Inca Trail trek with porters, or the Quarry Trail or train alternative
  • La Paz walking tour, Salar de Uyuni, Sol de Mañana and the Polques hot springs, and the Rainbow Valley
  • Arrival transfer and a leader throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Sleeping bag
  • Meals not listed
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
4x4s on the reflective Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want hotels every night — three nights are camping on the Inca Trail
  • You are sensitive to altitude — much of the trip is above 3,500 metres
  • You dislike long travel days — some journeys are long
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Bolivia · UK FCDO travel advice for Chile · UK FCDO travel advice for Peru
Walkers in a canyon in the Atacama Desert

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £5,345 per person, twin share, tour only. 12 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What is the camping like?

Three nights in twin-share tents with basic facilities on the Inca Trail, set up by porters. Bring your own sleeping bag.

Can I avoid camping?

Yes. You can take the train to Machu Picchu and stay in hotels instead of trekking.

Will the altitude affect me?

Much of the trip is at high altitude, reaching about 5,000 metres near the geysers. Seek medical advice before travel.

Do I need visas?

UK visitors do not need visas for Peru, Bolivia or Chile for tourist stays.

How do I get home from San Pedro?

Fly from Calama, about 90 minutes away. A transfer can be booked.

How many people travel together?

Up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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