Day 1 - Saturday: Santiago de Chile
Arrival at Santiago Airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon we will enjoy a city tour in order to see the most interesting attractions of the Chilean capital. Overnight in Santiago.

Day 2 - Sunday: Santiago - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama
After breakfast a transfer will take us to the airport to board our connecting flight to Calama. After arrival, assistance and a transfer to San Pedro de Atacama will be provided. San Pedro is an unusually colourful village at 2,000 m / 6,560 ft above sea level, located in the middle of a green oasis. In the afternoon we will enjoy the eerily silent moonscape of Valle de la Luna with its backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes; here we will observe the beauty of the scenery which is intensified during sunset. We will return to the hotel afterwards and stay overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 3 - Monday: San Pedro de Atacama & the Atacama Salt Lake
After breakfast we will visit San Pedro de Atacama - the centre of a Palaeolithic civilization which had built impressive rock fortresses on the mountains encircling the green valley. The colonial church was constructed in 1577 and is the largest and most beautiful church in the region. The extraordinary archaeological museum (closed on Mondays) of Padre Gustavo Le Paige shows, among its many archaeological pre-Hispanic artefacts, several amazingly well preserved mummies, including one known as "Miss Chile". Afterwards you drive 4 km/2,5 mi to reach the pre-Columbian village Tulor with an approx. age of 3,000 years. The archaeological remains are the oldest evidence of human settlement in the valley. We will continue our morning tour to Pukara de Quitor, a fortress, which was conquered in 1540 by the Spanish conquistadores defeating the Incan troops who, in turn, had captured it from the pre- Incan cultures and extended the fortification. In the afternoon you will start your tour to Toconao, a village where the locals dedicate themselves to manufacture white volcanic stone sculptures. You continue to the huge Atacama Salt Lake, an inland sea formed millions of years ago. You will be overwhelmed by the vast emptiness with white salt crusts stretched out in front of you as far as your eyes can see. It simply is one of the most spectacular and dramatic landscapes in Chile. Return to the hotel. Overnight in San Pedro.

Day 4 - Tuesday: San Pedro de Atacama - El Tatio - Antofagasta - Arica
Today we will depart at 4:00 a.m. in order to see the El Tatio Geysers, a geothermal field flanked by soaring peaks. Powerful spurts of steam shoot out at dawn from various blowholes and condensate in the cold air. The steaming ponds are encrusted with brilliant salt crystals reflecting the metal blue sky at dawn; along with rising columns of steam they provide a breathtaking sight. After witnessing the geysers we will enjoy a relaxing bath at the tranquil hot springs of Puritama on our way to Antofagasta. After lunch and before reaching Antofagasta's Airport we will visit "La Portada" the impressing natural archway in the Pacific Ocean, before boarding our flight to Arica, the historical northernmost Chilean city. Upon arrival a long and exciting day will end in Arica.

Day 5 - Wednesday: Arica - Putre
Today we will leave Arica and take the road to the highland village of Putre. On our way we will enter the Lluta Valley where fascinating geoglyphs marking the old Inca Trail from the coast to the highland. During a stop in Rosario we will take the time to see a wall of geoglyphs, afterwards we will halt in Poconchile to visit the Church of San Gerónimo built in 1580 and its immense cemetery. In the area of the Cardones Canyon we will have a look at the gigantic Candelabras cacti scattered all over the terrain. Next, we reach the Fort Pukara de Copaquilla where we will have time to walk the grounds. We will take a short walk to the little village Socoroma, home to the Aymara natives. On the main road we will continue to Putre, located 3.500 m / 11.483 ft above sea level. You can adjust your body to the altitude while visiting the village - capital of the Parinacota Province dating back to pre-Hispanic times. Overnight in Putre.

Day 6 - Thursday: Putre - La Paz (Bolivia)
In the morning you will depart to discover the fascinating beauty of Lauca National Park and its spectacular scenery of exotic plants and wildlife like vicuñas, alpacas, rheas and Andean flamingos among other species; it is also a birdwatcher's paradise. We will visit the Parinacota village (4.392 m / 14.409 ft. above sea level) with its beautiful church dating back to the XVII century. After that we will continue to the highest lake in the world, Chungará Lake. Here we will have time for a walk; before enjoying our packed lunch on the lake shore. The trip continues passing through immigration and entering Bolivia at Tambo Quemado. Afterwards we will enter the Sajama Mountain National Park, to witness the highest peak of Bolivia at 6,542 m/21,450 ft and furthermore cross a big part of the Bolivian highlands, with lots of indigenous settlements preserving their old style and also old tombs (Chulpares) of pre-Colombian times until reaching the city of La Paz. Overnight in La Paz.

Day 8 - Saturday: La Paz - Sun Island
After breakfast you will drive from La Paz crossing part of the highlands and going parallel to the Royal Andes Range, crossing parts of Lake Titicaca with great landscapes before reaching Copacabana (3 hours), a small town on the shores of the lake at 3,810m/ 12.500 ft.; home of the famous dark Virgin of Copacabana in a great colonial church. We will take a boat to the Island of the Sun (1 hour), land near the Pilkokaina ruins. Then hike for about one hour to La Estancia Ecolodge; which offers great views at the lake and its various islands.

Day 9 - Sunday: Sun Island - Puno (Peru)
Do not miss an early breathtaking sunrise while at Sun Island. By boat we will head north to the Chincana ruins (1 hour), then to the Island of the Moon and its Iñak Uyu ruins, to finally again reach Copacabana, where we visit the famous Dark Virgin and its church. Before continuing the trip to Puno/Peru (aprox. 3 hours), you will have lunch in Copacabana. Overnight in Puno.

Day 10 - Monday : Puno - Cuzco (bus or train)
Bus:
Departure by Inka Express bus from Puno to Cusco (7 to 8 hours). On the way we will explore the ruins of Pukara and stop at La Raya Pass at 4,321m / 14.180 ft. to visit the steaming pools of hot water nearby. Lunch will be served in Sicuani. Continue to the temple of Rajchi. The remains of the central high wall of the Viracocha Temple, probably the largest roofed building built by the Incas, are impressive. Continue to visit the ruins of Pikillajta and the Church of Andahuaylillas, also called the "Sixtine Chapel of America", to finally reach the rich valley and city of Cusco.

Train:
After breakfast, you will continue your adventure to the sierras of Peru, with a train journey from Puno to Cusco (10 hours), a spectacular trip where you will be able to admire the beautiful high plains of Puno from the comfort of your train seat. You'll cross the countryside with a view of the immensity of Lake Titicaca, observing small villages en route, until arrival at the height of the journey at "La Raya," on the border between the districts of Puno and Cusco. Here, you will stop for a visit to the artisan's market, where you can purchase souvenirs and crafts directly from the craftspeople that created them. Arrival in the city of Cusco, where our representative will meet you at the train station; he will assist you on the transfer to your hotel. Please note: The Andean Explorer to Puno operates only Mon, Wed, (Fri: April to October only!) and Sat. Overnight in Cuzco.

Day 11 - Tuesday: Cuzco
The morning will be at leisure. In the afternoon you will visit the Cathedral of Cusco, with its massive stone pillars and elaborate religious works of art, including sculptures of the saints and religious frescoes. Later, you will visit Koricancha (the Temple of the Sun,) which is the main religious center of the Inkas dedicated to the Sun cult, with some of the best Inka stonework in the city. The Santo Domingo Convent, with its elaborate carvings, paintings and other colonial-style works of art, was built on top of it by the Spanish Conquistadors. Later, we'll go to Sacsayhuaman (which is shaped as the head of a Puma,) Tambomachay (the sacred water site of the Inkas,) Puka Pukara, known also as the Tambo (or the resting place and Qenqo, where we can see the Inka altar that was used for animal sacrifices).

Day 12 - Wednesday: Machu Picchu
In the morning, you will be taken to the Poroy train station, where you will board your train for a 3 hours journey to Machu Picchu. Your guided tour of Machu Picchu will include a lecture about the natural limestone rock formations, which were adapted and incorporated into the construction of the citadel and the highly stylized temples. It is an amazing feat of architecture considering the difficulties of the region it's situated in. Machu Picchu is also a site considered by many to possess a special mystical energy and you may experience it yourself as you breathe the clean air. Buffet Lunch in the Sanctuary Lodge Restaurant (located a few meters to Machu Picchu citadel entrance). In the afternoon you will board the train to return to Cusco, (3.5 hours) where our representative will meet you at the station of San Pedro. A transfer to your hotel will be provided. Overnight in Cusco.

Day 13 - Thursday: Cuzco - Lima
After breakfast transfer to the airport and flight to Lima, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon you will be visiting the Cathedral, Main Square, San Francisco Convent and its Catacombs, the Inquisition Court, the residential areas of San Isidro, Miraflores, the new commercial area south of Lima, and the ocean front to enjoy a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean.

Day 14 - Friday: Lima
At the appropriate hour you will be taken to the airport and assisted as you board your international flight.

e
For further information please send a mail to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
and type
andean triangle - group
andean triangle - private
in the subject line.