Mind-bending landscapes and feats of nature await
Peru and Bolivia are both lands of the epic and that which must be seen to be believed. This 25-day odyssey takes you to the world’s highest-navigable lake (Titicaca), the world’s largest tropical rainforest (the Amazon), the world’s highest administrative capital (La Paz) and the world’s largest salt flats (Uyuni). It also includes the chance to trek the Inca Trail before emerging above Machu Picchu, which isn’t actually a world-record holder but probably should be for ‘best ancient city in the clouds’. In between the gasps you can ramble through markets, sipping Pisco sours and munching ceviche with locals.
Trek jungle trails and track wildlife with local experts in the Amazon rainforest and spend two nights sleeping among nature in lodges.
Marvel at the mother of all Inca cities, magical Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins and free time to explore on your own.
Take a boat tour on Lake Titicaca – the world's highest navigable lake – then alight at a floating island made of reeds for a unique homestay.
Spend three days in captivating La Paz, exploring with your Bolivian leader and letting the weird and wacky Witches Market cast a spell over you.
Empty, haunting and spectacular – the laws of physics seem to bend on the Uyuni Salt Flats. Experience it on a three-day 4WD adventure across the rocky Atacama Desert.
The Andes Mountains are breathtaking, but the heights reached on this trip can cause some people to suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or health. Please see the ‘Medical and health information’ section of Essential Trip Information for more important information on this.
Some of the best sightseeing on this trip takes place on walks, which range from gentle to strenuous (if you choose to hike the Inca Trail). While this trip doesn't require a high level of fitness, it’s essential to be at least moderately fit if you want to take part in all activities.
Those who walk the Inca Trail will be camping with basic facilities. It's not exactly the Hilton, but the rewards of the trek are many!
The Amazon is a tropical jungle and as such can be very humid. It's important to drink plenty of water and wear light cotton clothing, plus be sure to bring tropical-strength insect repellent.
The best way to see the sights in and around Uyuni is by 4WD. You’ll be crossing some bumpy surfaces, but we think a rollicking ride is all part of the adventure.
In Bolivia (especially in Uyuni), sometimes things don't go to plan. For example, an attraction may be closed for the day with no notice or reason. Your local leader will organise alternative plans if this happens.
Our travellers consistently rate the Andean Desert and Uyuni Salt Flats as a trip highlight. Just know that facilities along the way aren’t exactly luxurious (it is the desert, after all). Be prepared for cold nights and showers with no hot water, simple meals, basic amenities and multi-share accommodation.
INCA TRAIL PERMITS
Inca Trail permits are sold on request basis only. Once deposit is paid and passport details provided, Intrepid will endeavour to secure a permit for you.
If Inca Trail permits are unavailable by the time you book, you can opt to hike the Inca Quarry Trail instead https://www.intrepidtravel.com/machu-picchu-peru/quarry-trail
The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. If the trek portion of your trip starts in February you will be automatically booked to hike the Quarry Trail.
Should you choose not to hike at all, please let us know in writing at the time of booking so alternative arrangements can be made. Without this prior warning, local fees may apply.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
A Single Supplement to have your own room is available on this trip however excludes nights 2 & 3 (Amazon Jungle), 12 (Late Titicaca, Homestay), 17 & 18 (Salar de Uyuni & The desert) where you will be in shared accommodation.
SHARED SERVICES
The excursion to Uyuni salt lake is on shared basis and your group size may be larger than 12 travellers.
BOLIVIAN VISA FOR U.S CITIZENS
Nationals from the United States need a visa to enter Bolivia and you we highly recommend you obtain this visa in advance from your nearest Bolivian consulate or Embassy. Not obtaining the visa in advance is likely to cause long delays at the border. Please see the 'Passport and Visa' section of the Essential Trip Information for details.
COMBINATION TRIP:
This trip is a combination of two of our most popular departures. As such the make-up of your group and your tour leader may change on day 14.
INCA TRAIL OR QUARRY TRAIL
While hiking the four-day Inca Trail or the three-day Quarry Trail portion of this trip you may be joined by other Intrepid and/or non-Intrepid travellers.
PASSPORT DETAILS REQUIRED
Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase entrance fees to certain sites. Additionally on certain trips it's needed to book bus, train or flight tickets. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
Recently, new rules were introduced at Machu Picchu. The main points impacting our visits are:
1. Tickets are now only valid only for one entry, that means that passengers cannot leave the site and re-enter as we have in the past.
2. Once the passengers begin on a chosen circuit (there are 3 different ones) they cannot walk backwards and once they finish the circuit they must leave the site. They cannot explore afterwards.
3. The two allotted times to visit are 6 am–12 pm/ 12 pm– 4.30 pm.
4. It will be mandatory to have a guide (Machu Picchu guide, not our leaders) to visit the site. However, this rule can’t be applied as there are not enough official guides to cover the large amount of people visiting so authorities are being flexible.
These new regulations are affecting how much time our passengers can spend in Machu Picchu, in the past, after a 1–2.5-hour tour passengers could stay longer to explore the site unguided, this is not possible anymore.
Our only alternative is to make passengers explore the upper part of Machu Picchu (Sun gate and Inka Bridge) before their guided tour starts (so about 2 hours before meeting the guide). Your Tour Leader will provide more information on what the group options are at the welcome meeting.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip Information