Explore Peru & Bolivia

25 Days | Mind-bending landscapes and feats of nature await

4.4 out of 5 based on 7 reviews submitted.
Explorer
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USD $5,590
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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.

Trip overview

Map of Explore Peru & Bolivia including Bolivia and Peru
Start
Lima, Peru
Finish
La Paz, Bolivia
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Peru, Bolivia
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
GGSUC
This trip generates 35.81 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • At Intrepid we’ve always been about balancing profit and purpose and as the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all – join us and help make the world a better place.

Is this trip right for you?
  • 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.
  • According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only, and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Please refer to the itinerary for details.
  • Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means that you may not be able to have photos together, overlooking Machu Picchu. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.

Itinerary

Map of Explore Peru & Bolivia including Bolivia and Peru

Inclusions

Meals

23 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 8 dinners

Transport

Plane, Canoe, Boat, 4X4, Private Vehicle, Taxi, Public Bus

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Dormitory (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (12 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights)

Activities
  • Lima - Leader-led walking tour
  • Amazon Jungle - Jungle activities
  • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
  • Sacred Valley - AMA Snack and Drink
  • 3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters' support. Or guided Cusco stay (Machu Picchu by train)
  • Machu Picchu - Entrance and guided tour
  • Lake Titicaca - Boat tour & Homestay
  • La Paz - Orientation Walk
  • Salt flats - Visit to 'Fish Island/Inca Wasi'
  • Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve - Altiplano tour including Laguna Colorada
  • Sucre - Dinosaur Footprints
  • Sucre - Orientation Walk
  • Sucre - Chataquila Pre-Inca trek
Add on activities
  • Lima - Museum of the Inquisition - Free
  • Lima - Archaeological Museum (entrance fee) - PEN15
  • Lima - Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (Price based on 2 participants) - USD52
  • Lima - Guided tour of San Francisco Monastery including The Catacombs Admission Fee - PEN20
  • Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) - USD85
  • Lima - Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures (Price based on 2 participants) - USD39
  • Lima - Lima Eat Street (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
  • Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) - USD50
  • Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) - USD35
  • Lima - Bohemian Barranco (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
  • Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) - USD40
  • Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site - PEN70
  • Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
  • Cusco - Half Boleto Turistico Pass (access to selected archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN75
  • Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN15
  • Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
  • Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
  • Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
  • Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
  • Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) - USD170
  • Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
  • Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
  • Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
  • La Paz - Visit to the 'Witches Market' - Free
  • La Paz City Tour & Moon Valley - USD40
  • La Paz - Tiwanaku Archeological site (Shared service) - USD50
  • La Paz - Coca Museum - BOB20
  • Potosi - National Mint of Bolivia - BOB60
  • Potosi - Santa Teresa Convent Museum - BOB33
  • Potosi - Cerro Rico mine tour - BOB150
  • Sucre - Church of San Felipe Neri - BOB17
  • Sucre - Casa de la Libertad - BOB28
  • Sucre - Museum of Textiles - BOB35
  • Sucre - Bolivian Dance Show - BOB150

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1.Inca Trail permits are sold on request basis only. Once deposit is paid and passport details provided, Intrepid will endeavor 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.

2 .A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 2,3 (Amazon Jungle),Day 12 (Homestay), Days 17,18 (Salar de Uyuni & Desierto Siloli) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

3.The excursion to Uyuni salt lake is on shared basis and your group size may be larger than 12 travelers.

4.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.

5.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.

6. 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 travelers.

7. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase entrance fees to certain sites. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.

8. Parts of your trip go above 2800 m/9200 ft where it is common for travelers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness.
Please read the following document carefully and, during your trip, utilize the table on the back daily to record your own perspective of your general health and any symptoms you may experience: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/altitude-sickness

9. While our leaders have basic first aid training and are aware of the closest medical facilities, it is very important that you are aware of the cause and effects of travelling at altitude, monitor your health and seek assistance accordingly.

10. Most hotels in highlands should have oxygen cylinders available, however, you may be asked to pay surcharge for use of oxygen longer than 5 - 10 min at the time.

11. As you can choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), there is a small chance you may be the only traveller on your selected option.

12. Fees may apply if you choose to change from the Inca Trail to the Train or Quarry Trail after your booking has been made.

Essential Trip Information

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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 based on 7 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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andrew · Traveled September 2023
The Peru part of the trip was amazing with a lot of highlights such as the Inca Trail hike and seeing the Amazon rainforest. Note that this trip is physically demanding with a lot of hiking and it's not the most "comfortable" tour because it includes camping and days without showering but if you're an explorer then you'll enjoy it. It has a nice balance between seeing different cities and being in nature/outdoors.
Review submitted 20 Oct 2023

Sharon · Traveled September 2023
This trip has been way out of my comfort zone. I have learnt a lot about myself and what I am capable of. The whole experience has been worth it. The places I have seen and the people I have met. Thankyou so much.
Review submitted 09 Oct 2023

Fred · Traveled December 2022
We were impressed by Intrepid’s tour leaders’ knowledge and services although this was our first time customers.
Review submitted 07 Jan 2023

Joanna · Traveled December 2022
Intrepid is a very good and responsible agent. The tour guides are knowledgeable. Tour programs are well planned. Team atmosphere always pleasant and relaxed. I am glad to join their tours.
Review submitted 07 Jan 2023

Aaron · Traveled November 2022
Explore Peru and Bolivia is an amazing trip. From mountain peaks to the salt flats, the views are breathtaking and you get to see it all. The group on this trip were amazing people and the tour guides went above and beyond with such positive attitudes. One of the best experiences of my life so far.
Review submitted 02 Dec 2022
Explore Peru & Bolivia
From
USD $5,590