Peru, Bolivia and Chile Holiday
22 days from £6,900 pp
Our Peru, Bolivia and Chile holiday is a 22-day tailor-made journey across three countries, linking the best of Peru with the high, wild landscapes of Bolivia and northern Chile. Taste your way around Lima, look for giant otters and macaws in the Amazon, meet an Andean community in the Sacred Valley and explore Machu Picchu, then cross Lake Titicaca into Bolivia for La Paz and a private 4×4 journey over the Uyuni salt flats, before finishing in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Prices start from £6,900 per person, including flights within the region, private guides and transfers. It’s one of our favourite holidays to Peru and Bolivia for travellers who want food, wildlife, culture and extraordinary scenery in one trip.
Trip Highlights
- For foodies: enjoy a private food tour of Lima
- Get up close to wildlife in a dug-out canoe in the Amazon
- Connect with an Andean community in the Sacred Valley
- A thrilling 4×4 adventure across the salt flats of Bolivia
- Red rocks, flamingos and the Moon Valley await in Chile
Our Expert Tip
”Try the canopy walkway in the Amazon (if you have a head for heights), to get a birds-eye view of the thick rainforest and its unique inhabitants”
Scarlett, South America Expert
Peru, Bolivia and Chile Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1-2: Lima, Peru
Catch your international flight into Lima to start your incredible South America trip. Stay at Casa República, in the arty Barranco district, where you can explore independently on foot. Rest up after your journey and perhaps try one of the city’s renowned restaurants.
The next day, with your private guide, choose from an artist walking tour, a street food excursion or a fascinating art and history tour. For more ideas, see our best foodie experiences in Peru.
Day 3-5: The Amazon, Peru
Your wildlife adventure begins today, as you fly into the heart of the Amazon at Puerto Maldonado, known in Peru as its capital of biodiversity. Begin with a boat ride along the clay-coloured Madre de Dios River to reach your riverside rainforest lodge.
At dusk, witness the dramatic transformation of the rainforest from a diurnal to a nocturnal environment on a guided twilight river boat ride, as the animals and birds of the daytime give way to species specially adapted to the shadows of the night. Spot caimans lurking on the riverbanks and the dazzling stars of the southern hemisphere.
Your days here are filled with incredible wildlife excursions. Visit Lake Sandoval by dug-out canoe and quietly paddle past picture-perfect rainforest. Look out for a variety of bird species, the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans, among others. With your guide, enjoy rainforest trails that bring you closer to nature, and scale the canopy walkways looking for bright toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and the three-toed sloth.
Day 6-7: Sacred Valley, Peru
Enjoy your last morning waking to the sounds of the rainforest before boarding motorised wooden boats for your return journey to the airport, then fly to Cusco and transfer to Las Casitas del Arco Iris or similar in the Sacred Valley. Being at a lower altitude than Cusco, the acclimatisation process will be a little quicker and easier.
The Sacred Valley is teeming with amazing sights and activities. Explore the three jewels of the Inca Sacred Valley (Maras, Moray and Misminay) and take in majestic views of the ancient Maras salt mines and archaeological sites that resemble natural amphitheatres.
For a unique cultural highlight, visit the traditional community of Misminay to experience an authentic cultural exchange and gain a closer insight into the traditional Andean lifestyle. You’ll be invited to take part in daily activities such as planting, harvesting and textile weaving.
Day 8: Ollantaytambo & Pachamanca, Peru
Continue to the Ollantaytambo ruins and explore this truly impressive archaeological complex, strategically perched atop a mountain that once guarded the road to Machu Picchu.
Ollantaytambo, built by the Inca Pachacuti, is remarkable for having preserved its original Inca design within the modern-day urban layout. Enjoy a traditional Pachamanca lunch, where you’ll learn about this ancient earth-oven cooking method: watch as hot stones are layered with meats, tubers and local ingredients, then covered with leaves and earth to cook slowly beneath the surface.
Catch a train for a beautiful journey to Machu Picchu Pueblo, travelling alongside the Vilcanota River, for two nights at El MaPi.
Day 9: Machu Picchu, Peru
Take a bus up to the gates of Machu Picchu to begin your exploration of one of the true Wonders of the World. Wander among the ruins and terraces as you learn about the history of this remarkable site and the wider Inca civilisation.
Witness the amazing engineering skills still visible and marvel at the sight of ancient buildings clinging to the mountainside: a true highlight of any trip to Peru. Prefer to arrive on foot? Read our guide to hiking in Peru.
Day 10: Cusco, Peru
Travel back by train and road to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, for a night at Quinta San Blas.
With your expert guide, start at the Plaza de Armas and walk to Koricancha, where Spanish builders raised a church on top of the Incas’ finest stonework. Then drive up above the city to the zigzag walls of Sacsayhuamán and the carved rock shrine of Q’enqo, before an evening at one of Cusco’s excellent restaurants.
Day 11: Puno, Peru
Leave for Puno, taking in the wonderful landscapes of the Southern Valley of Cusco along the way. Your first stop is Andahuaylillas, home to the Church of San Pedro, beautifully decorated with angels and cherubs.
Continue to the Raqchi ruins, also known as the Temple of the God Wiracocha, before heading to La Raya, the highest point between Cusco and Puno, where you’ll make a short stop to admire the breathtaking scenery.
Relax after a busy few days of exploration.
Day 12: Lake Titicaca, Peru
Your Lake Titicaca adventure begins at Huayllano, the lake dock for the island of Taquile. Boarding a speedboat, head towards this beautiful island, where locals will be waiting to invite you into their homes to learn about their day-to-day activities and traditions, such as weaving. Learn from skilful craftsmen who use ancestral techniques passed down through generations.
Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring local ingredients before boarding the speedboat once more. Stop at the famous floating islands of the Uros, built from bundles of totora reed, where you’ll learn about the islanders’ way of life and enjoy the serene sights. Prefer to paddle? Our Slow Travel Peru holiday explores the lake by kayak.
Day 13-14: La Paz, Bolivia
Saying farewell to Peru, your adventure continues into Bolivia. Be driven (around 8 hours, with comfort stops) along the shores of the lake towards La Paz, stopping off at Copacabana, one of the towns on the Bolivian side of the lake. With your local expert guide, discover the highlights of La Paz.
Begin in the strange, eroded landscape of the Valley of the Moon, then take a breathtaking ride on the cable cars from La Paz to El Alto, with unparalleled views of the city and the majestic Cordillera Real mountains. Enjoy a walking tour along Calle Jaén, Plaza Murillo and San Francisco Church, ending at the enchanting Witches’ Market.
Day 15-16: Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Fly to Uyuni, on the edge of the world-famous salt flats. Hop into your privately driven 4×4, which will be your vehicle for the next four days of adventure. Visit the eerie Train Cemetery, where the rusting remains of old locomotives tell stories of a bygone era, before entering the vast Uyuni Salt Flats. En route, see a traditional salt-processing plant.
Continue with visits to Ojos de Agua and Incahuasi Island, home to the famous giant cacti. Pause to take in the breathtaking sunset over the dazzling white expanse of the Uyuni Salt Flats.
On your second day, visit San Cristóbal, with its charming colonial church, and explore the Valley of the Rocks, where dramatic formations have been sculpted by centuries of wind erosion. Journey on to the Catal and Vinto Lagoons and marvel at the striking rock formation known as Italia Perdida (“Lost Italy”).
Day 17-20: Atacama Desert, chile
Your South American odyssey continues into Chile. Begin with a visit to Laguna Colorada, home to the famous colour-changing James’s flamingos, and the Sol de Mañana geysers, passing through hot springs on your way to Laguna Verde, at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano.
Enjoy lunch in the desert before crossing into Chile and continuing to San Pedro de Atacama, where you’ll stay at La Casa de Don Tomás.
We’ve included four full days here to fully explore everything this remarkable red rock desert has to offer, from hiking, biking and trekking to jeep tours, culminating with a visit to the iconic Moon Valley. For more ideas, see the best things to do in the Atacama Desert.
Day 21: Santiago, Chile
As your adventure comes to an end, catch your flight to Santiago for a final night at Rugendas Hotel Boutique or similar. Relax after your thrilling activities, enjoy some delicious food and wine from one of the many quality restaurants in the city, or explore some of Santiago’s fascinating museums. If you’re interested in extending your trip to include Patagonia, or a visit to a wine region, take a look at our other Chile holidays and speak to our experts to find out more.
Day 22: Departure
Transfer to Santiago airport for your flight home. Prefer to focus on one country? Browse all our tailor-made Peru holidays.
When to Go
Best time for a Peru, Bolivia and Chile holiday
The best time for this trip is May to October, the dry season in the Andes and on the altiplano, with clear skies at Machu Picchu, on Lake Titicaca and across the salt flats. From January to March, rain on the Uyuni salt flats can create the famous mirror effect, though some routes may be closed. The Amazon and the Atacama can be visited all year. Nights on the altiplano are very cold, especially from June to August.
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
- We design personal, genuine cultural connections & experiences
- From planning to travel, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact
- Our support is available around the clock during your holiday
- We take care of the details, so you don’t have to
Need More Inspiration?
Want to combine multi-countries, take less flights, or include a hike in Patagonia? Thinking of a longer sabbatical holiday, or staying in some luxury yurts? It’s all possible; all our holidays are tailor-made with a focus on responsible travel. Take a look at more ideas below, and contact our experts.
