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The Andes Mountain Range crosses and links from north to south seven South American countries. It is a
monumental chain of high snow covered mountains, deep valleys and high plateaus.
The Andes not only define a large part of the continent's geography with their manifold fascinating
landscapes, but are at the same time the backdrop for an important part of the essence of different
cultural identities and populations inhabiting the Andes region. During this journey, visitors encounter
a real, marvelous universe, the one of the Andean World. Conveying the essence of this universe is the
goal of this journey.
In the Quechua language of the Incas Kallpa means “The force of Mother Earth”, the same mother earth
known under the people along the Andes as Pachamama. The Pachamama is honored and worshiped everywhere
in the Andean World, in special in Peru, Bolivia and in the north of Chile and Argentina which once were part of
the Inca Empire of Tahuantinsuyu, or Land of the Four Quarters, stretched north to south some 2,500
miles along the high mountainous Andean range.
Consequently,the concept of Pachamama and Kallpa Andina is present in the four country program along the Andean Range.
We offer you the rich combination of landscapes and cultures present in the four countries,
traveling in buses, train, 4x4 vehicles, or even sometimes on foot, along high mountains and
volcanoes, colourful valleys and gorges, salt lakes, small and huge lakes, cities, villages,
Pre-Inca and Inca ruins, folklore, crafts, folks, traditions and a varied gastronomy.
The Itinerary
Click on the map on the right to enlarge in a new window.
Day 1: (Sunday) - Buenos Aires.
Reception and transfer from the International Airport to your hotel in the
downtown area of Buenos Aires. In the afternoon, city walk visiting the center of this
metropolis, the most European city in South America. Lodging in hotel Mansion Dandi Royal (3 stars, also called
the Tango Residential Academy) or similar.
Day 2: (Monday) - Salta.
Transfer from the hotel to the domestic airport and flight to Salta (nicknamed Salta The Beautiful). Reception at the airport and transfer
to "The Virrey" hotel (3 star) or similar. Afternoon city tour of this beautiful
colonial city on the foothills of the Andes. (B)
Day 3: (Tuesday) - Calchaquies Valleys (2 Days, 1 Night)
Drive uphill to the spectacular and panoramic Cumbres del Obispo Pass (3400 m / 11,150 ft over sea level).
From there we explore the Calchaquies Valleys and arrive at the beautiful Indian town
of Cachi. After our check-in at the hotel, we enjoy a short trek in the Cachi Adentro alley.
Lodging at the "Cortijo Inn" or similar quality hotel. (B L D)
Day 4: (Wednesday) - Back to Salta.
Drive through the spectacular and coloured geological formations of the Las Flechas and Las Conchas Gorges.
In Cafayate we visit a wine cellar and enjoy a tasting session of the world wide famous excellent local wines.
Evening arrival in Salta and lodging at "The Virrey" hotel (3 star) or similar. (B L)
Day 5: (Thursday) - Salta to San Pedro de Atacama
In the early morning we board a coach from Salta to San Pedro de Atacama. En route we cross
the spectacular Jama pass (4600mts / 15,081 ft), with spectacular views over several volcanoes
and high altitude lakes. Arrival at 7 P.M. in San Pedro de Atacama and transfer to
the hotel. Lodging in the La Casa de Don Tomas hotel (3 star) or similar. (B)
Day 6: (Friday) - Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna).
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, shared excursion to the Valle de la Luna, a valley famous
for its moonlike landscape. We ascent sand dunes to enjoy the beautiful sunset over the driest desert in the world.
Lodging in the La Casa de Don Tomas hotel (3 star) or similar. (B)
Day 7: (Saturday) - San Pedro de Atacama - Eduardo Abaroa Reserve - Villamar.
After breakfast we drive from San Pedro de Atacama to the Bolivian border (2 hours).
We then enter the Eduardo Abaroa Reserve and visit 3 lakes, the lagunas Verde (an extremely beautiful emerald
green lake), Chalviri and Colorada Lakes (a red lake with hundreds of flamencos). We continue stopping at
Sol de Manana (morning sun) geyser field and cross the high deserts of the Pampas de Dali. We then leave the
reserve driving on the altiplano (high plateau) to the town of Villamar.
We spend the night in the rustic Mallku Lodge (B L D).
Day 8: (Sunday) - Villamar - Tahua, or San Juan.
Morning excursion to Alota and the north driving through the village of San Agustin. Continuing,
we enter the immense snow-white salt lake Salar de Uyuni, visit the Incahuasi Island and discover its
impressive giant cactus forest. After that, travel north to the town of Tahua on the base of the Tunupa
volcano (San Juan). Lodging in basic accommodation - Tahua or Magic of San Juan Lodge (B L D)
Day 9: (Monday) - Tahua or San Juan - Salar de Uyuni - Uyuni.
Spectacular drive across the salar de Uyuni to the village of Coquesa to see precolumbian mummies.
We then continue east to Colchani to sighsee Ojos de Agua and how the local people produce salt using
traditional methods. In Uyuni, short visit of the town and the train cemetery.
We spend the evening based at hotel Jardines or similar, waiting for the night train at midnight. (B L)
Day 10: (Tuesday) - Uyuni - Oruro by train, then bus from Oruro to La Paz.
Right after midnight we board the night train to Oruro (00,05 - 7,00), then board a bus through the
Bolivian Altiplano to La Paz (3 hours).
In the afternoon, city tour of La Paz, including the visit of the street markets which boast plenty of
handicrafts, weavings and traditional witchcraft objects.
The tour visits the colonial part of the city, the church of San Francisco, the
Gold museum, plaza Murillo and the replica of a Tiahuanaco temple. Later visit to the modern part
of the city and to the Valley of the Moon and its impressive erosion formations.
Overnight Columbus hotel or El Dorado (3 star) or similar. (B)
Day 11. (Wednesday) - La Paz - Copacabana/ Island of the Sun (2D/ 1N).
Drive from La Paz to Copacabana, where we board a boat to Sun Island in the middle of Titicaca lake.
We disembark near the Inca ruins of Pilkokaina, and eat aptapi (typical local lunch).
After lunch, hike to Albergue Ecologico La Estancia where spend the night (B L)
Day 12. (Thursday) Isla de la Luna, Copacabana, Puno.
Very early morning observation of the beautiful sunrise over the lake. After breakfast, we take a boat
north to the ruins of the Chincana, then continue to Moon Island and the ruins of Inak Uyu. Back in
Copacabana, we visit the famous Virgen Morena in the church, have lunch and stroll through the town before heading
to Puno in Peru, a city also on Lake Titicaca's shore.
Overnight Balsa Inn hotel or similar (3 star). (B L)
Day 13: (Friday) Puno - Cusco.
Full day scenic bus ride from Puno through the high altitude flatlands (altiplano) to Cusco.
We travel through cultivated fields, past sheep, Llamas, and weaving women, all flanked
by snow-capped peaks enjoying interesting visits to the Pucara Inca/ Tiawanaco
Temple and after La Raya Pass (4350 mts / 14,162 ft above sea level), the Raqchi Inca temple
where the main god Apu Kontiki Wiracocha was worshipped and the Andahuaylillas Church
(referred to as the the Sixtine chapel of the Andes).
Arrival in Cusco in the late afternoon. Set in high Andean mountains at 3320m, Cusco is an
attractive town which draws people
from all to over the world. Built on the foundations of the capital Inca City, one can still see
intricate Inca masonry and buildings as one walks through town. Cusco is the favorite City of most
visitors to Peru, and has a mixture of ancient history, traditional Andean culture and a relaxed
atmosphere that make it a charming place to stay in.
Overnight Cusco Plaza hotel or similar (3 star). (B L)
Day 14: (Saturday) - Cusco.
Day at leisure or optional excursions. (B)
Day 15: (Sunday) - Sacred Valley.
This morning we drive to the valley of the Urubamba River the so called Sacred Valley of the Inca. We proceed then to Pisaq where hundreds of visitors and people from remote communities dressed in their traditional and colourful attires meet to market and barter their products. Today, the market also has a tourist element, so there is an opportunity to buy souvenirs. Lunch will be served in a typical “hacienda”. On Sunday the indigenous majors come to mass in their typical costumes carrying the "Vayaroc", a silver covered staff as the symbol of their authority. Afterwards, we drive along the valley to Ollantaytambo, where the Temple of the Sun (formed of six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) and the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out. Ollantaytambo was the site of the only successful Inca battle against the Spanish conquerors and the only town in the area to still retain its original Inca layout. Afternoon ride back to Cusco. (B,L)
Day 16: (Monday) - Cusco.
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon visit of the colonial town and the major Inca sites nearby.
The Santo Domingo convent with the Koricancha Inca Sun Temple ruins and the impressive colonial Cathedral are
two of the main Cusco highlights. Sacsayhuaman is a megalithic fortress above the city which was
constructed by the Inca Pachacutec in the 15th century. It is an impressive structure
and is the site of the annual Inti Raymi festival which re-enacts the Inca Sun God celebrations.
Puca Pucara (meaning Red Fortress) is a small fortress worth checking out close to the
charming Inca water fountains or baths of Tambomachay.
Overnight Cusco Plaza hotel or similar (3 star). (B)
Day 17: (Tuesday) - Cuzco - Machu Picchu.
Transfer to the train station and early-morning train from Cusco to Machu Picchu following
the whitewater Urubamba River downstream to the legendary
lost City of the Incas and one of the most mystical and mysterious places on Earth. Machu Picchu is
located on a jungle-cloaked granite mountain towering 600 meters / 1,850 ft above the roaring river below.
The site is frequently covered by misty clouds, pierced through by the powerful equatorial sun. Constructed
from precisely sculptured, carefully joined granite blocks and surrounded by impressive steep
mountains, Machu Picchu may be the finest architectural achievement of the new world. Return
by bus to Aguas Calientes. Overnight Presidente hotel (3 star) or similar. (B L)
Day 18: (Wednesday) - Machu Picchu, return to Cusco.
Day at leisure for optional visits. Options are an additional early morning visit to the ruins
without the mass of tourists, a climb up the almost vertical Wayna Picchu or the Putucusi Mount,
or an excursion to the jungle gardens and waterfalls of Maranpata. Return to Aguas Calientes for
lunch at Toto's House restaurant and train back to Cusco.
Overnight Cusco Plaza hotel or similar (3 star). (B)
Day 19: (Thursday) Cusco.
Day at leisure in Cusco for optional tours, relaxation or last minute purchases.
Overnight Cusco Plaza hotel or similar (3 star). (B)
Day 20: (Friday) Cusco - Lima.
Transfer to Cusco airport for your flight to Lima. From Lima either you board your connecting flight back home
or choose to stay Lima.(B)
Suggested optional excursions and extensions
Buenos Aires
- Tango Show in Buenos Aires
- Dinner with argentinian wine & Tango Show in Buenos Aires
Cusco
- Maras, salt mine and Inca agricultural terraces of Moray
- Inca Trail Trek "Camino Inca" (4 days/ 3nights) from Cusco on request
- Alternative treks to the Inca Trail:
Huchuy Qosqo (1 day)
Choquequirao Trek (4 days/ 3 nights)
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
General Information
Rated: Easy/Moderate
Remark: It is also possible to start the tour in San Pedro de Atacama, in La Paz or in Puno,
according to availability. Please ask for a special quotation.
Fixed Departure dates
2006: November 12 to December 01
2006: April 08 to 27 - May 27 to June 15 - June 24 to July 13- July 01 to 20 - July 22 to August 10 - August 12 to 31 - August 26 to September 15 - September 16 to October 05 - October 14 to November 02 - November 11 to November 30
| Tour Tariff | ||||
| Per person | SGL Supp. | |||
| USD | $ 2645 | $ 531 | ||
| EUR | € 2195 | € 440 | ||
| GBP | £ 1481 | £297 | ||
| Domestic Flights: USD 429 / GBP 240 / EUR 356 | ||||
Included: 19 Nights accomodation in double rooms in 3 star hotels
or in basic lodges in remote places, according to availability, all transfers and tours described, using
private o public buses, 4x4 vehicles, train and boat for Titicaca lake excursions, breakfast, lunch
(or box lunch) and dinner indicated.
Not included:
International & Domestic flights. meals and services do not mentioned, tour leader´s services, tours
will be provided with local English speaking guides, drinks for meals (except in box lunches),
personal expenses & tips, local and international airport taxes, optional tours
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