17 JOURS & 14 NUITS - A partir de 6695 EUR TTC*

Departure guaranteed from 2 people - pension according to program * price based on 2 people.

Highlights of the trip

• Take the 19th-century elevators to admire the view of Valparaíso Bay

• Sunset aperitif in the Valley of the Moon in the Atacama region

• A visit to the altiplanic lagoons to enjoy the spectacle of the pink flamingos

• Breakfast at sunrise in front of the Tatio geysers to observe the steam columns

• Bathing in natural pools at 35°C in a surreal setting

• The South Lipez region and the famous "Dali Desert", with its emerald-green and red lagoons

• Sipping an aperitif at sunset on the Salar de Uyuni

• Sail on Lake Titicaca and enjoy a traditional Andean lunch on the Isle of the Sun

• Cross the Peruvian Altiplano and stop to discover Inca and historical sites along the way

• Stroll through the colorful stalls of the Pisaq craft market

• Visit the archaeological sites of Pisaq and Ollantaytambo in the heart of the Sacred Valley

• Discover the mysteries of the Machu Picchu citadel

• Stroll through the narrow streets of Cusco to fill your suitcase with souvenirs

• Discover Peruvian folklore during a dinner show in Cusco

• Travel in a small group limited to 20 passengers and guaranteed from 2 participants.

Itinerary

Day 1 - France ✈ Santiago de Chile - Overnight flight

Flight to Santiago de Chile.

✈ Paris - Santiago du Chili : plan de vol communiqués à la réservation.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 2 - Arrival in Santiago de Chile

Arrival in Santiago, welcome and transfer to your hotel to leave your luggage.

Optional: room at your disposal to rest from the fatigue of the journey

Santiago de Chile lies at the bottom of Chile's central valley, which ends at Puerto Montt, 1000 km to the south, at the foot of the southern Andes (average altitude: 500m).

It forms the head of the great valley. The cordillera plunges its roots into the heart of the city through various hills, the best-known and most visited of which are Santa Lucía (850m) and San Cristobal (900m). With the Mapocho River running through it, the city is a hub for overland communications, both North/South (Pan-American Highway) and East/West (routes to the coast, in particular Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, and Argentina: Mendoza is only 400 km away).

Bathed in a high-altitude Mediterranean climate conducive to vine-growing, it has a number of peculiarities that make it possible to enjoy skiing at its two nearby resorts of Portillo and Valle Nevado in winter (June to August), the rainy season.

Lunch at a restaurant in the central market.

City tour.

Your guide will take you on a tour of the city english-speaking. The tour begins in Constitution Square. You'll cross the Presidential Palace or "La Moneda" to arrive at the Bernardo O'Higgins Libertador Square, on the capital's main avenue, the "Alameda". On this same avenue, you'll discover the Errazuriz, Ariztía and Irarrazabal Palaces, part of the city's architectural heritage. In the Plaza de Armas (km 0 of Santiago), you'll find Santiago Cathedral. Heading east, you'll pass Balmaceda Park, the Mapocho River, the former train station built by Gustave Eiffel, now a cultural center, Estación Mapocho, and the very Parisian Forestal Park.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Santiago.

Jour 3 - Santiago - Valparaiso : visite de la ville

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning departure for Valparaiso on the Atlantic coast, west of Santiago (approx. 1h30 highway journey).

Located 120kms north of Santiago, Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was named in 1536 by Spanish conqueror Juan de Saavedra in homage to his birthplace. The port's activity took off in the 16th and 17th centuries as an extension of the port of Callao (now Peru). With Independence, Valparaiso opened up to wider world trade as a strategic enclave in Atlantic/Pacific inter-oceanic trade via Cape Horn. From the 19th century onwards, English, German and French migrants settled here and developed its commercial activities. Their capital allowed mining (copper and silver) to take off, followed by saltpeter mining in the north of the country, and facilitated the first major public investments.

Valparaiso became Chile's leading commercial and financial center, with the installation of the first banks and the first stock exchange. The city has preserved a magnificent architectural heritage from this period. A product of this economic and financial dynamism, until the first third of the 20th century, the city pioneered all the country's urban advances: public lighting, tramways, gas connections, telephone and telegraph. The construction of the Panama Canal between 1914 and 1930 sounded the death knell of this golden age, prompting the departure of elites and capital to Santiago, the seat of political power.

From the port to the hills, visit the 19th-century elevators and the "21 de Mayo" viewpoint. From the port, we'll take you to the heights of these mythical places, where we'll enjoy an exceptional view of Valparaiso Bay.

Lunch.

Return to Santiago late afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Santiago

Jour 4 - Santiago ✈ Calama : visite de la Vallée de la Lune

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the appointed time, transfer to Santiago airport for your flight to Calama. Assistance with formalities and baggage check-in.

✈ Santiago - Calama: flight schedule communicated at time of booking

Arrival in Calama.

Calama, or "water refuge" in the Kunza language, is the region's most important oasis, thanks to the Chuquicamata copper mine. The world's largest open-pit mine.

Reception and transfer to your hotel in San Pedro to leave your luggage.

Optional: room at your disposal to rest from the fatigue of the journey

Lunch

Return to the hotel and settle into your rooms.

Situated at an altitude of 2438m, San Pedro d'Atacama is considered the archaeological capital of Chile. The main center of the "atacameña" culture, the oasis was conquered by the Incas in 1450 and then by the Spanish in 1536. In the 19th century, San Pedro benefited from the development of the copper industry in the region and specialized in trade.

In the afternoon, excursion to the Valley of the Moon to contemplate the figures formed by erosion and covered by a veil of salt. Cocktails served by our team as you enjoy the beauty of this silent landscape, where you can enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the valley.

Located 8 km from San Pedro d'Atacama and declared a Natural Sanctuary, the Valley of the Moon is part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve in the Cordillera de Salta. We'll explore and observe a geological spectacle with sculptural forms resembling a lunar landscape. Visit the "Las Tres Marías" salt statues, and the Salt Caverns. Sunset and return to San Pedro d'Atacama around 8:00 pm.

Return to San Pedro.

Dinner in a restaurant.

Jour 5 - San Pedro de Atacama : visite du Salar d’Atacama puis des Lagunes Miscanti et Meñiques

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for an excursion to the Salar de Atacama.

The Atacama Salar, covering an area of around 3,000 km2 (100 km long by 80 km wide), lies at an altitude of around 2,500 metres. In the heart of the Atacama Desert, the driest on the planet, the air is also extremely dry, making it perfectly transparent. The view extends to the other side of the salar. Beneath the salar lies a salt lake, hidden by the solid salt crust. This ecosystem is home to three species of flamingo: the Andean flamingo, the Chilean flamingo and the James's flamingo.

Visit the village of Toconao, where the tradition of working with locally quarried liparite stone lives on.

We set off in the direction of Toconao. On the way, we'll be treated to an imposing view of the Licancabur volcano, as well as the various species of native vegetation and trees such as tamarugo and chañar. Visit to the village of Toconao and its church. An important aspect of this village is its construction in volcanic stone (liparite).

Transfer to visit the Chaxa lagoon.

Chaxa is a salt lagoon with a wide variety of flora adapted to the desert climate. The fauna consists mainly of Andean flamingos, Chilean flamingos and Andean seagulls.

Climb to the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, located at 4300m altitude in the national Andean flamingo reserve, with spectacular views over the high plateaus.

The Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons are located 138 km from San Pedro d'Atacama at an altitude of 4,300 mts. A panoramic view to appreciate the contrast between the greenery of the Jerez valley and the desert.

Then we start climbing the Andes to reach the Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons. These turquoise lagoons with their white borders are located in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. Surrounded by imposing hills and volcanoes, this landscape offers a unique view of the region.

Lunch

Return to San Pedro d'Atacama.

Dinner menu in a restaurant.

Overnight in San Pedro d'Atacama.

Jour 6 - San Pedro de Atacama - Calama : visite des Geysers du Tatio et du village de Machuca 

Very early in the morning (around 4.30am), departure by vehicle for the Tatio Geysers at 4,300m altitude: arrival at sunrise, when the geysers are at their most spectacular.

Located 90 km north of San Pedro de Atacama and with almost 80 active geysers, El Tatio is the largest site in the southern hemisphere. Despite the large number of geysers, they are not very high. The highest eruption reached 6 metres. The site is best visited at dawn, when the temperature difference (it can freeze down to -20°C) allows you to admire the formation of the steam chimneys.

We'll provide a picnic breakfast on site, so you can enjoy the scene without missing a beat.

For the more courageous, you can take a dip in the site's natural pools.

Return to San Pedro. En route, visit to the village of Machuca

This one-street village will give us an insight into life on the Andean high plateau.

Lunch at a restaurant in San Pedro.

Free afternoon.

Dinner menu in a restaurant.

Overnight in San Pedro d'Atacama.

Day 7 - San Pedro de Atacama - Hito Cajon (Bolivia) : Laguna Verde y Laguna Roja - Nord Lipez - San Pedro de Quemez

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the time indicated, transfer to Hito Cajon (Chile/Bolivia border). Pick-up at Hito Cajon, Chile/Bolivia border 09:00 (Bolivian time).

Customs formalities.

Continuation by vehicle with Spanish-speaking driver and guide english-speaking to Laguna Verde. (17.5 km - approx. 20 min.)

Located in the south-western corner of Bolivia, at the foot of the Licancahur volcano (5916 m), it has the particularity of changing color during the day (between 11:00 and 12:00).

When the wind picks up, the Laguna's dark green transforms into an intense emerald color, due to its high magnesium and arsenic content. These shades of color change according to the time of day. It dazzles like an incredible water mirror or a giant emerald.

Cross the "Dalí Desert", with its strange rock formations reminiscent of paintings by the Spanish master.

Arrival at Laguna Colorada, one of Bolivia's great natural wonders. (83.5 km from Laguna Verde - 2h20 approx. drive)

With a surface area of around 60 km², it is a multicolored lake where reddish tones predominate due to the sediments deposited on the surface and the pigments of various types of algae. Also known as "The nest of the Andes", it is home to three different species of flamingo: the Andino or "Chururo", the Chileno o "Tokoko" and the James or "Jututo", the latter thought to have disappeared from the region. The sheer number of flamingos makes it an ideal site for observing them, as well as other birds such as the Soca Cornuda, currently on the brink of extinction, the Suri (American ostrich) and mammals such as the vicuña, the viscacha (a type of Andean hare) and llamas.

Open-air lunch during the excursion.

Departure for the jewels of the Andes: colorful lagunas (small lakes) located between 4000m and 4200m.

Named Ramaditas, Honda, Chiar Khota, Hedionda and Cañapa, all these lagunas are of different shades, surrounded by impressive volcanoes (224 km from Laguna Colorada - approx. 5 hours' drive). 

Arrive in San Pedro de Quemez and check into hotel.

Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at hotel in San Pedro de Quemez.

 Please note:

• "Hôtel de Piedra: a small, charming hotel built of stone and volcanic sand (the materials that surround the site), with a solar heating system to keep rooms warm. Rooms are equipped with electricity, private bathrooms and hot water. Return to hotel and check-in.

• Transport times in Lipez and Uyuni are for reference only, and may vary according to weather and track conditions.

Day 8 - San Pedro de Quemez - Salar d'Uyuni: visit to Incahuasi Island - Uyuni

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, a short hike around the village: an opportunity to visit "El Pueblo Quemado", a relic of the War of the Pacific, and to see some camelid farms.

Then off to the Salar, the world's largest salt plain! Walk through this incredible white landscape and discover the spectacular Incahuasi Island (90 km from Laguna San Pedro de Quemez - approx. 2 hours' drive).

Things to note From December to March is the rainy season in the Salar region. During this season, it's not always possible to reach Incahuasi Island by car, as the Salar can be flooded. Nevertheless, the scenery is magnificent, with the sky reflected in the water. During the months of June to August, temperatures can drop considerably, so be sure to bring warm clothing.

In the past, the Salar d'Uyuni was part of a prehistoric inland salt lake or sea, Lake Minchin, which covered southwestern Bolivia. At over 12,000km2, it is considered the world's largest salt sea. Its only boundaries are the mountains and the sky, allowing us to observe unique images, mirages and optical effects, the result of radiation and other surprising phenomena. A succession of natural landscapes and capricious shapes, the Uyuni salar captivates and bewitches visitors. Islands rise up in the middle of the desert expanse and are home to immense cacti, up to 8m tall, with strange blooms. Incahuasi Island is the most spectacular of all. The colors here change constantly according to the light and the time of day, making it a photographer's delight.

Open-air picnic lunch in an exceptional setting.

At the end of the day, a unique activity: you'll watch the sun set over the Salar, a real spectacle accompanied by a light aperitif to share with the rest of the group.

Return to your hotel in Uyuni (99 km from Incahuasi Island - approx. 1h55 drive).

Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel in Uyuni for the standard category and at the salt hotel in Colchani for the superior category.

Optional supplement for the STD category: Overnight in a Salt Hotel (4*) in Colchani, including transfers and dinner in the selected establishment. A unique experience offering you the opportunity to extend your stay in the Salar!

Day 9 - Uyuni ✈ La Paz: visit the city and the Valley of the Moon

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, transfer to Uyuni airport (2.5 km from the hotel in Uyuni - approx. 10 min drive) to catch the plane to La Paz (approx. 1 h flight). Assistance with check-in formalities.

✈ Uyuni - La Paz: flight schedule communicated at time of booking

Arrival at El Alto airport.

The transfer to the city center is a spectacle in itself: you'll take one of the cable car lines that link the cities of El Alto and La Paz, with a panoramic view of the urban sprawl characteristic of Bolivia's other "capital", the administrative capital! (16 km from the airport - approx. 55 min drive)

Then visit the Valley of the Moon and the Historic Centre of La Paz (11 km from the city center - approx. 50 min drive).

Arriving at the Valley of the Moon, you'll enjoy a unique landscape of rock formations, giving you the sensation of discovering a veritable lunar landscape.

As for La Paz's colonial Republican tour, it begins in Plaza Murillo and continues through the Government Palace, the Legislative Assembly, the Cathedral, the Witches' Market and finally the Artisanal Market. You'll also visit some of the city's oldest, most authentic and dynamic working-class neighborhoods.

Lunch in a restaurant.

Free time to relax or shop for local handicrafts (time available may vary according to domestic flight schedule and program activities).

Check-in at your hotel.

Dinner in a restaurant or at the hotel.

Overnight at hotel in La Paz.

Jour 10 - La Paz - Copacabana - Ile de la Lune : Découverte du temple des vierges du Soleil - Ile du Soleil

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure by guided vehicle english-speaking for Lake Titicaca. En route, crossing the Tiquina Strait in a small local boat. (156 km from hotel - approx. 4 hours' drive)

Lake Titicaca, at 3810 m, is the highest navigable lake in the world. With a surface area of 8,564 km2, a length of 178 km, a width of 69 km and a depth of 284 m, it is a veritable inland sea between Peru and Bolivia.

It consists mainly of two bodies of water: Lake Maggiore or Chucuito and Lake Minore or Wiñaymarca, linked by the Tiquina Strait at a length of 800 meters.

Since 1998, the Bolivian side has been listed under the Ramsar Convention (Iran 1971), which seeks to protect wetlands of international importance for the conservation of the world's biological diversity, including migratory waterbirds.

Arrival in Copacabana, 3841m above sea level, and visit to the village.

Lunch included in a restaurant.

Board a motorboat with your guide english-speaking and sail to the Isla de la Luna (16 km from Copacabana - approx. 1? hours by boat).

Isla de la Luna (French: Île de la Lune), also known as Koati Island, is a Bolivian island on Lake Titicaca. It is 2.8 km long and 0.76 km wide, with a total surface area of 91.2 hectares. It lies to the south-east of Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun). Its orography is marked by winds, typical of an Altiplano island.

Arrival and discovery of the island and its inhabitants. Visit the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun.

The ruins of the ancient Inca temple of Iñakuyu, also known as the Palace of the Virgins of the Sun: it is said that the island was inhabited exclusively by women, who were destined to learn various crafts such as weaving, some of them becoming concubines of the Inca emperor. Only the latter could gain access to the island. There is also speculation that the island's female inhabitants were used for sacrifices.

Afterwards, board a motorboat and sail to Ile du Soleil.

Arrival at Sun Island. Check-in at the family inn.

Dinner included at the family-run inn.

Overnight at the inn on Sun Island.

Day 11 - Isla del Sol: visit to the south of the island - Kasani - Puno

Breakfast at the hotel.

Visit the Inca Gardens, home to the Sacred Fountain of Three Waters.

The Sacred Spring of the Incas: its three streams symbolize the motto of their people: Ama Sua, Ama LLulla and Ama Khella ("Don't steal, don't lie and don't be lazy") Pillkokayna: meaning "the place where the bird lands", where the bird represents the Inca, for whom a sumptuous second home was built. The walls, made of stone and mud mortar, feature several trapezoidal niches that served as altars for the "wakas", the sacred figures. The main door features a triple lintel and is oriented towards the Illampu, in homage to the spirit of this mountain, whereas the openings of Inca buildings are generally oriented towards the east, the rising sun.

Visit the Pilkokaina archaeological site. This is an ancient two-storey palace, the first of which is almost intact. It appears to date from the end of the 15th century (reign of Tupak Yupanqui).

Traditional Andean Apthapi lunch included in a small bay on the island facing the Cordillera Real.

Return to Copacabana aboard the same boat, (16 km from Isla del Sol - approx. 1h30 boat ride) visit the Basilica, then leave for Kasani (9 km - approx. 10 minutes from Copacabana) where you will cross the border between Bolivia and Peru and change vehicles.

Assistance with customs formalities and drive to Puno (Kasani - Puno border 134 km - approx. 02h20 drive).

Arrive at your Puno hotel and check into your room.

Dinner at the hotel or in a restaurant.

Overnight at hotel in Puno.

Day 12 - Puno - Cusco

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning departure for Cusco (approx. 10 hrs - 350 km, including lunch and sightseeing). The route crosses the Altiplano and many sites of tourist interest, such as Raqchi and its famous temple to the God Wiracocha, or Andahuaylillas and its "Latin America's Sistine Chapel".

At 4,335m, 210 km from Puno, La Raya is the highest point of the trip. The landscape is grandiose, dotted with glaciers, llamas and vicuñas. This is the dividing line between the two departments, and the geographical point of union between 2 cultures: Quechua and Aymara. The Quechua zone is characterized by its rivers and valleys, while the Altiplano zone is much drier.

Lunch on the way.

Raqchi, 120 km from Cusco, is an ancient Inca administrative, economic and military center. The most important architectural work is the "Temple of the God Wiracocha", with its monumental dimensions: 100m long, 28m wide and 14m high. Divided into 2 parts, each of its bases is made of 11 gigantic columns built of cut stone and topped with adobes. Not far away are other vestiges, such as the Inca baths and the "qolqas" (grain depots), which served as a reserve in case of natural disaster or war.

The Church of Andahuaylillas, also known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Andes" for its decoration, is a fine example of Andean religious folk art. A veritable jewel of the mestizo Baroque architecture that developed in Cusco, the nave is amply decorated with gold, silver and paintings by the famous Cusqueño school, and the magnificent ceiling is covered in gilding.

Arrival in Cusco (Δ 3,400m) and transfer to hotel.

Cusco is not only the capital of the Inca Empire, the Tahuantinsuyo, the navel of the world, it is also the archaeological capital of America, the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a city that offers an incredible wealth of treasures to tourists from all over the world. The city is an open book on the entire history of Peru, from its legendary foundation to its colonization by the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. Cusco, or "Qosqo" in the Quechua language, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Dinner menu in a restaurant or at the hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Cusco.

Day 13 - Cusco - Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes: visit to Pachu Picchu

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning transfer to Ollantaytambo station.

Departure by train for Aguas Calientes, the village at the foot of Machu Picchu.

Arrive in Aguas Calientes and transfer on foot to the restaurant.

Lunch in a restaurant.

In the afternoon, climb to the citadel of Machu Picchu by tourist shuttle. Visit the site.

The dream of every traveler, a legend that has yet to reveal all its mysteries, the citadel of Machu Picchu continues to bewitch and seduce visitors in search of magic. Machu Picchu's unique geographical location lends it an insolent, intoxicating beauty. Machu Picchu is much more than an archaeological site. It exudes a special atmosphere, giving meaning to Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's "Song to Machu Picchu"...

Situated in the upper Amazon rainforest, 112km from Cusco, the stone citadel of Machu Picchu is the emblematic monument of Peru, and indeed of the whole of South America. Discovered in 1911 by explorer Hiram Bingham, it is indeed one of the most imposing and impressive monumental ensembles on the planet, and has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Built at the highest point of the mountains in this area (Machu Picchu means, among other things, "ancient mountain" in Quechua), dominating and controlling the Urubamba valley, it was a productive, administrative, religious and military center, and the most accomplished expression of the perfection of Inca architecture.

Departure from Aguas Calientes station for the Sacred Valley.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Day 14 - Sacred Valley: visit to the fortress of Ollantaytambo, the ruins and market of Pisaq - Cusco

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure by vehicle for the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Visit the fortress of Ollantaytambo (Δ 2,792).

The archaeological site of Ollantaytambo is a fine example of the different styles and qualities of stonework from the pre-Inca and Inca eras.

Visit the local market, then the archaeological site of Pisaq (Δ 2,970).

Pisaq is one of the villages in the Sacred Valley built on pre-Columbian foundations by Viceroy Francisco de Toledo. Nearby are the ruins of the ancient Inca village of the same name. It was the narrow terraces below the Inca citadel, representing the wing of a partridge (pisac'a), that gave the place its name. The Inca site includes military, religious and agricultural buildings. There are theories that Pisaq defended the southern entrance to the Sacred Valley.

Transfer and menu lunch in a restaurant. Late afternoon return to Cusco.

Dinner at the hotel or in a restaurant.

Overnight at hotel in Cusco

Day 15: Cusco: visit of the 4 surrounding ruins, then walking tour of the city

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning visit to 4 ruins on the outskirts of Cusco: Saqsayhuaman, Q'enqo, PukaPukara and Tambomachay.

Thick gold plates covered the upper part of the walls of the Temple of the Sun, which also housed an enormous shield in solid gold, supported by a stone vault in the main altar of this ceremonial center. None of these treasures have been recovered; it is said that the Spaniards melted down these relics to send the gold to the King of Spain.

Sacsayhuamán ("the place where the puma rests" in Quechua)

Fortress located 2km from the city of Cusco: it consists of 3 superimposed platforms averaging 360 m in length. They communicate via staircases and stone access doors (one is 9 m high and 5 m wide). Along with the city of Cusco, this monumental complex is considered the first of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

A perfect example of the Incas' mastery of construction, the huge stone blocks that form it were perfectly assembled, without the use of cement or putty, and can weigh up to 125 tonnes.

Q'enqo ("labyrinth" or "zigzag" in Quechua)

Located 3km from Cusco, it is thought to have been a place of worship to Mother Earth ("Pacha mama"). It consists of an enormous 5.90 m-high stone block in the shape of a puma, plus corridors, canals and staircases bearing engravings depicting this animal.

Beneath this stone, a labyrinth of tunnels cut into the ground leads to a large underground chamber housing a stone altar.

PukaPukara("red turret" in Quechua)

Administrative and military center (checkpoint on the Inca Trail) located 6 km from town, in a strategic position on the trail to Antisuyo (Amazonian province of the Incas). It consists of platforms, staircases, corridors and turrets. It served as a resting place and staging post for the Empire's courier-men ("chaskis").

Tambomachay

7 km from the city and 3,600 m above sea level, Tambomachay is known as "the Inca bath" and is considered a place of worship for water, where the Inca's high degree of mastery of hydraulic engineering is once again expressed.

Return to Cusco.

Lunch in a restaurant. In this town, you'll have the chance to try a particularly tender and tasty camelid meat: alpaca!

In the afternoon, a walking tour of the city: the Place d'Armes, the Temple of the Sun or Qorikancha.

(duration of this walking tour: approx. 2 hours)

In Inca times, the Place d'Armes was called Huacaypata or Warrior's Square. It was the ceremonial site of the annual Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun. It was also here that Francisco Pizarro declared his possession of Cusco and that Tupac Amaru II was killed. This magnificent square is home to the Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus, two of the colonial city's most important buildings.

The charming San Blas district, dotted with steep streets lined with ancient white houses with blue shutters and doors. Also known as the craftsmen's quarter, it is home to the studios of renowned folk artists.

The Qorikancha, "Golden Garden" in Quechua, or Temple of the Sun, was built by the Incas and partially destroyed by the Spanish during the early years of the conquest. Some of its walls and rooms still bear witness to the perfection of Inca construction techniques (Imperial Inca). It is also said that the temple's garden featured golden sculptures of trees, animals and flowers, which would explain its Quechua name.

End of the afternoon at leisure (rest, final shopping, personal tour of the city...).

Dinner and show in a restaurant. You'll discover the rich folklore of Peru's different regions: fabulous dances, songs and costumes. If you feel like it, you can join in the dancing.

Overnight at hotel in Cusco.

Jour 16 - Cusco ✈ Lima ✈ France : vol retour

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the indicated time, transfer to Cusco airport for your return flight to Lima (duration: 1h25).

✈ Cusco - Lima: flight schedule communicated at time of booking

Transfer to visit downtown Lima.

Lima is also known as the "City of Kings". It was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, and its main attractions are the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Government Palace and the Convent of San Francisco. Return via the trendy residential district of Miraflores...

Visit to the interior of the Santo Domingo convent.

Farewell lunch in a restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

At the agreed time, transfer to Lima airport for your return flight.

✈ Lima - France: flight schedule communicated at time of booking

Assistance with baggage check-in formalities, then departure.

Dinner on your own.

Jour 17 - Arrivée en France

Hotels

• Cusco - Taypikala 3* / Royal Inka 3* - www.taypikala.com

• Puno: Casona Plaza 3* /Casa Andina Standard 3* - www.casonaplazahoteles.com - www.casa-andina.com

• Sacred Valley - Mabey Urubamba 3* / San Agustin Urubamba 3* - www.hotelesmabey.com/

• La Paz : Apart Hotel Ritz *** - www.ritzbolivia.com

• Uyuni : Jardines de Uyuni *** / Cristales Joyas de Sal *** ou Atipax *** (seulement si 1º option non disponible) -www.jardinesdeuyuni.com

• Ile du Soleil: Petit Hotel Familial Jacha Inti - Rustic

• San Pedro d'Atacama: Hosteria San Pedro 3*: www.dahoteles.com

• San Pedro de Quemez: Tayka de Piedra *** - www.taykahoteles.com

  Hotel categories are based on national standards. Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking. In the event of non-availability, they will be replaced by hotels of equivalent category.

  Upgrade to a higher category possible: please contact us