A 17-day journey through two countries: Machu Picchu and Nazca in Peru, and the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
Explore the classic wonders of two South American countries, visiting the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, Lake Titicaca, and the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. The itinerary includes accommodation in a salt brick hotel, a small plane tour overlooking the Nazca Lines, a lakeside cultural experience, and a cable car ride through the high-altitude city – a journey that combines natural wonders with profound cultural experiences.
Itinerary information
Itinerary Description
Daily Itinerary
Daily Tour
Day 1
Taipei → Los Angeles → Lima
The mysterious and rich ancient civilization of South America is about to unfold.
Today we'll meet at the airport and depart for Los Angeles International Airport, where we'll transfer to a flight to Lima, the capital of Peru, an ancient South American country. With anticipation and a sense of adventure, we're about to embark on a journey through the rich and mysterious ancient civilizations of South America.
To allow our guests ample rest and time zone adjustment, they will check into the hotel immediately upon arrival and spend the night there. Enjoy a good night's rest tonight, and tomorrow we will embark on an exciting journey through Peru.
Day 2
Lima → Lima Old Town City Tour → Paracas
Weapon Plaza
It is the birthplace and heart of Lima, located in the city's old town, surrounded by the Government Palace, Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, Municipal Palace, and Presidential Palace. During the colonial period, the square served as a market and was also the site of the gallows. In 1821, José de San Martín declared Peru's independence in this square.
Lima Cathedral
The Lima Basilica is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lima, located in Plaza de Armas in the center of Lima, Peru. Construction began in 1535, and although it has undergone several reconstructions, it retains its Spanish colonial architectural style and facade. It is dedicated to Saint John. The Spanish conquistador Pizarro is buried in the cathedral.
St. Francis Abbey
Located in the heart of Lima, it is a 17th-century Spanish Baroque church. This large complex includes a monastery, temples, and two separate churches named "La Soledad" and "El Milagro," and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
A two-night stay at the five-star Paracas Hotel allows guests to properly adjust to the time difference. Taiwan is 13 hours behind Peru, requiring at least 3 days to adjust; a good night's sleep is essential for a proper trip.
Paracas is a coastal city with a rich and vibrant marine birdlife along its promontory jutting into the Pacific Ocean. It's home to many relaxing resorts offering excellent service. However, most tour groups only stay one night before driving four hours back to Lima the next day, preventing them from fully enjoying the beautiful Pacific coast. Therefore, we have specially arranged for two nights' accommodation in a five-star hotel in Paracas, allowing our guests to fully immerse themselves in the charm of the Peruvian coast.
[Disembarkation for sightseeing]: Plaza de Armas, Lima Cathedral, Presidential Palace, City Hall
[Tickets]: St. Francis Abbey
[Driving Distance]: Lima - 258KM Paracas
Day 3
Nazca small plane → Wakachina (sand dune bashing) → Paracas
The Nazca Lines, a World Heritage Site
The Nazca Lines, prehistoric giant patterns located on the Nazca Lines in Peru, South America, were drawn between approximately 200 BC and 700 AD, spanning nearly a millennium. Their forms include straight lines, geometric patterns, and animal motifs, such as enormous phoenixes, monkeys, spiders, aliens, and other animal figures that remain unexplained to this day. These orderly and geometrically systematic drawings on the vast desert landscape have been attributed to extraterrestrials. What do they represent? In this desolate terrain, these millennia-old mysteries await your exploration!
Wakachina
Dubbed the most beautiful oasis in South America, Huacachina centers around a natural lake, with palm trees, eucalyptus trees, and buildings clustered along its shores. Because of the lake's medicinal properties, it was once a popular resort destination in Peru, and it is now featured on the back of the 50 Nuevo Sol banknote. The turquoise lake is surrounded by sand dunes tens of meters high, attracting outdoor enthusiasts and leading to the development of sandboarding and dune buggy rides.
Sandboarding & Dune Off-Road Vehicles
You'll be taken on a dune buggy ride, hurtling up and down the dunes like on a roller coaster. At designated hills, you can lean over and glide down on a skateboard, enjoying the thrill of outdoor sports and soaring freely through the fine, white sand. As sunset approaches, you can also climb a nearby hill for breathtaking panoramic views of the Wakachina Oasis.
Southern Peru has a desert tropical climate, so please prepare sun-protective clothing and supplies.
[Tickets]: Sand dune viewing & sandboarding tour
[Driving distance]: Paracas - 77KM Wakachina
Day 4
Paracas → Barrestas Island (Bird Island) → Lima
Barrestas Island (Bird Island)
The yacht takes you to a small island in the sea, home to thousands of seabirds of various species. The island is inhabited by many marine animals and birds, including flamingos, seabirds, sea lions, and sometimes even Magellanic penguins. They perch on the rocks or soar in flocks, creating a unique spectacle. On a clear day, you might even spot pods of dolphins leaping and playing, a truly delightful surprise. Be sure to bring your camera and shutter; you're guaranteed to have a fantastic and unforgettable experience.
Barrestas Island (Bird Island)
The guano on the rocks of Bird Island was once a vital natural resource driving Peru's economic development. During the boat trip, you'll also see a giant trident candlestick pattern on the slope of a small island. Archaeologists believe it may have been a navigational marker for ancient ships, while others speculate it was carved by extraterrestrials into the mountainside. To this day, the age and purpose of this pattern remain a mystery.
[Tickets]: Barrestas (Bird Island) Eco Tour.
[Driving Distance]: Paracas - 22KM Bird Island - 266KM Lima
Day 5
Lima/Cusco → Alpaca Ranch → Pisac Market → Urubamba
Cusco
Cusco is one of the world's highest cities and the oldest inhabited city in the Americas. Due to its numerous ancient sites and ruins, it is known as the "Rome of South America." The entire city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
Alpaca Ranch
Known locally as "the palace of textiles," it's the largest alpaca ranch. It's mainly divided into a feeding area, a gift shop, and a dyeing workshop. Visitors are introduced to the process of making alpaca products. Since most alpaca hair is a single color, dyeing is a crucial step, and the ranch maintains tradition, using unique and environmentally friendly natural dyeing methods.
Pisac Market
It's one of the most famous markets in the Cusco region, and besides buying souvenirs, you can also explore the local traditional market. You can find a wide variety of handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, wooden products, and local delicacies.
[Disembarkation for visits]: Alpaca ranch, Pisac market
[Driving Distance]: Cusco - 60km Urubamba
Day 6
Urubamba → Maras Salt Fields, More Rice Terraces → Oyantaitanbo → Aguas Calientes
Maras Salt Fields
Composed of more than 3,000 salt caves, each 5 square meters in size, you can enjoy a commanding view of the salt fields. Sunlight shines on the vast expanse of snow-white salt fields, making them sparkle and shimmer, highlighting the reddish-brown soil, yellow stones, and green hills, creating a vibrant tapestry of colors.
Morey Circular Terraces
Six and a half kilometers from the salt flats lies a circular terraced field resembling a theater. Discovered in 1932, experts believe it to be an experimental farm built by the ancient Inca Empire to simulate different climates and cultivate various fruits and vegetables. The lower the terrace, the higher the temperature, and vice versa. This allowed the Incas to understand the optimal altitudes for growing fruits and vegetables, making a significant contribution to the empire's agricultural development.
Machu Picchu sightseeing train
Take a ride on what's touted as South America's most famous scenic train route, featuring specially designed wide windows offering stunning mountain views. The train travels along the Urubamba River Valley, arriving at Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu, where you can rest and spend the night.
The price includes: Rikugien Garden ¥300, and a seasonal scroll painting of flavors ¥12,500.
To allow you the convenience of exploring at your own pace, please note that you are responsible for your own expenses. For dining inquiries, please contact your travel advisor.
Day 7
Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu → Aguas Calientes ++ Oyan Tetambo → Cusco
Machu Picchu
The name means "ancient mountain" in Inca. Located at an altitude of 2,400 meters, this mountain city was built in the 15th century and sits atop towering mountains and sheer cliffs. The ancient city is divided into several areas, including temples, residential areas, cemeteries, palaces, and terraced gardens—exquisite stone structures that fully showcase the former glory of the Inca Empire. In 1911, American archaeologists unexpectedly discovered the ruins of this lost and mysterious mountain city, finally unveiling some of its mysteries.
[Tickets]: Maras Salt Terraces, Morey Rice Terraces, Machu Picchu Railway
[Driving Distance]: Urubamba – 20KM Oyantaitanbo+++ (1 hour 30 minutes) Hot Water Town
Day 8
Cusco (Plaza de Armas, Dodecagonal Stones, Temple of the Sun, Sacsayhuaman)
Weapon Plaza
Once a swamp, it was drained during the Inca Empire and became the administrative, religious, and cultural center of Cusco, the capital, where various ceremonies and Inca military triumphs were held. After the Spanish conquest, churches and mansions were built on the ruins of the Inca palaces surrounding the square, and stone arcades were erected around it. This square is the site of many important events in the city's history, such as Francisco Pizarro's declaration of conquest of Cusco.
Dodecagonal Stone
It is an ancient stone from the Inca civilization. Located on Harton Rumiyoc Street in Cusco, Peru, it features a megalith with 12 facets, each seamlessly integrated with the others, so tightly that even a piece of paper cannot pass through it. It is considered a national cultural heritage site of Peru.
Temple of the Sun
The temple, the religious center of the Inca Empire, retains its original structure with massive stone inlays, clearly demonstrating the Inca's power and prestige. It was rebuilt during the Spanish colonial period. Originally, the temple was constructed from over 700 pieces of gold, each weighing 2 kilograms. It once contained a golden altar and agricultural offerings made of gold and silver for harvest festivals, but today only the massive stone framework remains.
Sachs-Walman
This is a sacred ancient city where much of the original Inca architecture has been lost due to colonization. In the Inca language, it means "center of the world." Peruvians like to call it "the jewel in the crown of the Andes Valley." Its outline resembles a jaguar, with the central plaza located on the jaguar's belly and the head being the stone-built outer wall outside the city. Its Z-shaped outer wall symbolizes the jaguar's sharp teeth. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of the Inca capital, which resembles a jaguar.
[Disembarkation for sightseeing]: Plaza de Armas, Dodecagonal Stones
[Tickets]: Temple of the Sun, Sacsayhuaman
[Driving Distance]: Plaza de Armas - 3KM Sachseman
Day 9
Cusco (Plaza de Armas, Dodecagonal Stones, Temple of the Sun, Sacsayhuaman)
Angel Church
Built between the late 16th and early 17th centuries, this church was originally an Inca temple and later renovated by the Spanish. While its exterior is simple, its interior is resplendent, blending European Baroque with Andean elements. The walls and ceilings are covered with murals depicting biblical stories and incorporate South American flora and fauna motifs, showcasing an artistic treasure of cultural fusion during the colonial period.
Viracocha Temple Ruins
This site, built at an altitude of approximately 3,480 meters in the Andes Mountains, features a main temple measuring about 92 meters long and 25 meters wide. Constructed with a massive stone foundation and mud-brick walls, the central wall, over 14 meters high, once supported a huge roof. The temple is dedicated to the Inca creator god, Viracocha, and is surrounded by warehouses, residential areas, and an irrigation system, showcasing the Inca people's remarkable architectural and agricultural wisdom.
Lanaya Pass
Renowned for its magnificent highland scenery, the Laya Pass offers views of snow-capped peaks, grasslands, and herds of alpacas, making it a classic route for Andean mountain travel. Beyond its strategic location, the Laya Pass also serves as a window into local culture, where travelers often stop to admire the natural beauty and sample the handicrafts of the locals. Its high altitude makes it a highlight of the journey, offering both challenge and awe.
After a special arrangement, you will enjoy dinner at a hotel situated on the spectacular shores of Lake Titicaca. Savor your meal while admiring the world's highest freshwater lake, bringing your day to a perfect close.
[Tickets]: 17th-century Church of the Angels, Lochte Ruins - Viracocha Temple Ruins.
[Disembarkation for sightseeing]: Lanaya Pass
[Driving Distance]: Cusco - 180KM Laya Pass - 210KM Puno
Day 10
Puno (Lake Titicaca, reed-covered islands, special arrangement: Tagili Island)
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca covers an area of approximately 8,300 square kilometers and reaches a maximum depth of 280 meters, earning it the title of "Pearl of the Highlands." The lake contains several islands, including Sun Island, which preserves the ruins of an Inca-era temple, and the Uru people, who built floating islands using cattails, showcasing their unique culture. Lake Titicaca is not only a natural wonder but also a sacred lake in the hearts of the indigenous people, blending magnificent scenery with profound cultural heritage.
Reed Floating Island
Experience their way of life, learn how they use reeds to build their houses and boats, and how they live on reed-covered floating islands—a most primitive way of life. There are no modern electricity systems or gas facilities, yet the local indigenous people are content with their lot. Here, we admire the beautiful scenery of South America's highest inland lake, experiencing a life amidst blue skies and clear waters, a tranquil environment like an outdoor paradise.
Tagli Island
The island covers an area of less than six square kilometers, only about one-third the size of Green Island in Taiwan, and has a population of about 2,200. The island is entirely self-sufficient and preserves its traditions. Besides boasting stunning lake and mountain scenery, its handicrafts were recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2005, adding to its rich cultural and scenic character and making the entire island seem like a paradise!
[Disembarkation for sightseeing]: Lake Titicaca, Reed Island, Taguirre Island
Day 11
Puno → 145KM Des Guadelou → 40KM Tiwanako (Pyramid Ruins/Sun Gate) → 76KM La Paz
Tiwanaku
Scholars have determined that Lake Titicaca's water level was 100 feet higher than it is today, thus expanding its perimeter by 12 miles. Therefore, Tiwanaku, now located in the middle of the landmass and not directly on the water, once sat on the waterline of Lake Titicaca. Archaeologists have also unearthed numerous fossils of aquatic life, such as shells and flying fish, indicating that it was once a port city.
Sun Gate
This is a famous lunar calendar monument, its main figure being the creator, Viracocha. The Tiwanaku people are a polytheistic people. Because the Tiwanaku were an agricultural civilization, they worshipped many gods related to agriculture. They sculpted their creator god on a structure called the "Sun Gate."
Since four-wheel drive vehicles will be used throughout Uyuni, it will be inconvenient to transport large luggage. Please prepare an overnight accommodation in Uyuni (two nights) tonight. Large luggage can be stored at the La Paz Hotel.
[Tickets]: Pyramid Ruins, Sun Gate
[Driving Distance]: Puno - 145KM Desa Guadelou - 40KM Tiwanaco - 76KM La Paz
Day 12
Puno (Lake Titicaca, reed-covered islands, special arrangement: Tagili Island)
Salt Flats of Uyuni - Mirror of the Sky
The Salar de Uyuni, located in southwestern Bolivia, is the world's largest salt flat, stretching approximately 250 kilometers east to west and 100 kilometers north to south, covering an area of 10,582 square kilometers. It is rich in rock salt and gypsum. The stunning reflections here are perfect for taking breathtaking photos. We will enjoy a delicious lunch in the heart of the salt flat, surrounded by vast and otherworldly landscapes—a truly unique experience.
Train Cemetery
This area was once a hub for mining railways, where numerous locomotives and carriages were abandoned from the late 19th to the early 20th century. As mining declined, the railway ceased operation, leaving behind rusted steam trains and dilapidated carriages, creating a striking contrast against the desolate plateau landscape. Today, the train graveyard is a must-visit destination for travelers, serving as both a testament to history and a unique industrial relic with a distinctive beauty shaped by natural weathering, resembling an open-air museum filled with a poignant charm.
Eye of the Salt Spring
We will visit the salt lake factory in Colchani, where we will see how the locals use traditional methods to produce and extract salt, as well as some handicrafts made from salt rocks.
Afterwards, we will enter the stunning Salar de Uyuni, which contains over 12,000 square kilometers of pure salt. Led by a professional driver, we will search for the Ojos del Salar, the eye of the salt springs, and have the opportunity to witness the unique spectacle of highly concentrated salt springs gushing forth.Because of the natural landscape, the effect of the emergence needs to be determined according to the conditions of the day."Ojos" means eyes, and there are actually two relatively round salt lakes here, which look like eyes when viewed from above. Due to their specific acidity, they are used by locals for medicinal purposes.
To best appreciate the "Mirror of the Sky," the rainy season from December to March is ideal for viewing the reflections. However, this also increases the risk of flooding, and high water levels in the salt lake can prevent vehicles from accessing certain areas. For your safety, local professional guides and tour leaders will assess the situation. The itinerary may be adjusted daily. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Day 13
Uyuni (Cactus Island, Mount Tunupa, Salt Flats Night Tour)
Cactus Island
Covered in cacti that can grow up to 10 meters tall, it serves as an important rest stop on the journey across the Uyuni Salt Flats. Spanning approximately 25 hectares, the mountain is covered with giant cacti, *Echinopsis atacamensis*, some reaching over 10 meters in height. It is said that this area was once a vast lake approximately 40,000 years ago, and Cactus Island is the remnant of a subsided volcano.
Mount Tunupa
This magnificent dormant volcano is renowned for its legends and natural landscapes. The Aymara people believe that their tears transformed into salt flats, creating the spectacular scenery we see today. Climbers can start their ascent from the village of Khokssa, passing pre-Inca burial sites and mummies along the way. The summit offers panoramic views overlooking the hexagonal salt crystals of the world's largest salt flat, making it an unmissable cultural and natural landmark for travelers exploring Uyuni.
Whether a nighttime salt marsh tour is possible depends on the weather conditions.
Day 14
Uyuni/La Paz (cable car ride, Murillo Square, Wizards' Market)
La Paz Cable Car
A bird's-eye view of La Paz city. This cable car was originally built by the local government to solve traffic congestion problems, but tourists also enjoy taking a ride.
Wizard Market
This place is also a famous tourist attraction, selling many goods that cannot be found in ordinary markets, such as ritual props and medicinal materials used by witch doctors.
Murio Square
Located in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, the square was built to commemorate the martyrs of the revolutionary independence movement. A bronze statue of Murillo, the revolutionary pioneer who sacrificed his blood for the country's independence, stands in the square, which is surrounded by famous attractions such as the National Assembly Building, the Catholic Church, and the Wizarding Market.
Day 15
La Paz/Lima/Los Angeles
Day 16
Los Angeles/Taipei [Flying over the International Date Line]
Day 17
Los Angeles/Taipei [Flying over the International Date Line]
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A 17-day journey through two countries: Machu Picchu and Nazca in Peru, and the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
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