24-Day South America Expedition — Peru, Bolivia & Ecuador
Request Trip
Click the map to enlarge
Grandeur of South America is our most ambitious multi-country itinerary, uniting the three most famous wonders of the continent in 24 days: Machu Picchu, the Salar de Uyuni and the Galápagos Islands. In Peru you explore Lima and Cusco, hike to Rainbow Mountain, travel through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu and follow the Route of the Sun to Lake Titicaca. In Bolivia you cross to La Paz and spend three days by 4x4 on the world’s largest salt flat and the flamingo lagoons of the Altiplano. Then you fly to Ecuador for a week in the Galápagos: giant tortoises at Rancho Primicias, the Charles Darwin Research Station, Isabela Island, the Sierra Negra volcano and snorkeling with sharks at Los Túneles.
Your 24-day South America expedition at a glance: Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, from Machu Picchu and Uyuni to the Galápagos Islands. Tap any day to see the details.
Every day of your trip, with where you'll spend the night.
Day 1
Your South America expedition begins in Lima. After the airport reception, transfer to your hotel in Miraflores and rest from your flight; in the evening, enjoy Peruvian cuisine with ocean views.
Day 2
Explore Lima with your guide: the UNESCO-listed historic center with the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral and the San Francisco Monastery, then Miraflores and the bohemian district of Barranco.
Day 3
Fly to Cusco (approx. 3,400 m) and spend the day adapting to the altitude: rest, drink coca tea and take a slow walk around the Plaza de Armas and San Blas.
Day 4
An early departure to the trailhead of Vinicunca. Hike among grazing alpacas below the Ausangate glacier to the viewpoint at over 5,000 m and see the mountain’s stripes of red, ochre and turquoise. Horses are available for part of the trail.
Day 5
Follow the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley of the Incas: the terraces and market of Pisac, lunch in the valley and the fortress of Ollantaytambo. Stay overnight in the valley, close to the train station.
Day 6
Take the morning train from Ollantaytambo through the Urubamba canyon to Aguas Calientes and enjoy a free afternoon in the town at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Day 7
Explore Machu Picchu with your guide in the morning, then return by train and road to Cusco.
Day 8
Cross the Andes on the Route of the Sun, with guided stops at Andahuaylillas, Raqchi and La Raya Pass (approx. 4,335 m), where snowy peaks rise above grazing alpacas, and lunch on the way to Puno.
Day 9
Sail to the Uros floating islands, made of totora reeds, and on to Taquile Island for its stone paths, textile tradition and lunch with views of the lake.
Day 10
Travel along Lake Titicaca to the border, enter Bolivia and continue across the Altiplano to La Paz (approx. 3,640 m).
Day 11
Fly to Uyuni and set out by 4x4 to the train cemetery, Colchani and the Salar de Uyuni, with a stop at Incahuasi Island and its giant cacti. Overnight in a salt hotel.
Day 12
Explore the high lagoons of southern Bolivia, the Stone Tree and Laguna Colorada with its flamingos. Night in a basic lodge on the Altiplano.
Day 13
Visit the Sol de Mañana geysers at sunrise and the Polques hot springs, then drive back across the Altiplano to Uyuni for the night.
Day 14
Fly back to La Paz and spend the afternoon exploring Plaza Murillo, the Witches’ Market and the views from the Mi Teleférico cable cars.
Day 15
Fly back to Lima and relax in Miraflores before the last chapter of your expedition: Ecuador and the Galápagos.
Day 16
Fly from Lima to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city and the main gateway to the Galápagos. After the transfer to your hotel, walk along the Malecón 2000, the riverside promenade on the Guayas River, and climb the 444 steps of the colorful Las Peñas neighborhood to the lighthouse on Santa Ana Hill for views over the city.
Day 17
Fly to Baltra Island and cross the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz. In the highlands, visit Rancho Primicias, a private reserve where giant tortoises roam freely through the pastures and ponds, and walk through its lava tunnels before continuing to Puerto Ayora.
Day 18
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station with your guide to learn how scientists protect giant tortoises and land iguanas, then spend a free afternoon at Tortuga Bay or the Puerto Ayora fish market, a favorite spot of sea lions and pelicans.
Day 19
A morning speedboat (approx. 2–2.5 hours) takes you to Isabela, the largest island of the archipelago. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Puerto Villamil: the flamingo lagoon, the tortoise breeding center or the long white beach.
Day 20
Hike up Sierra Negra, an active shield volcano with one of the largest calderas in the world, about 10 km across. Walk along the rim through the misty highlands and on to the lava fields of Volcán Chico, with sweeping views over Isabela and the neighboring islands.
Day 21
Boat to Los Túneles at Cabo Rosa, where lava arches form natural tunnels over crystal water. Snorkel with white-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles and sea horses, and spot blue-footed boobies on the lava.
Day 22
Return to Santa Cruz by speedboat and enjoy a free afternoon — a last swim, souvenir shopping or a dinner of fresh fish by the harbor.
Day 23
Transfer to Baltra airport, watching for frigatebirds over the channel, and fly back to Guayaquil for your last night in South America.
Day 24
At the agreed time, transfer to Guayaquil’s international airport for your flight home. End of services.
A transparent breakdown of what's covered in your package and what isn't.
Per person based on double / twin room accommodation. Choose your preferred service level.
Your data is protected with 256-bit security encryption. No card details are stored on our servers.
Fill out the form below and our travel specialists will contact you within 24 hours.
Yes — that is exactly what this 24-day South America expedition does: Machu Picchu on day 7, the Salar de Uyuni on days 11–13 and a week in the Galápagos on days 17–23, connected by overland journeys and domestic and regional flights.
Start in Peru to acclimatize in Cusco, continue overland via Lake Titicaca to La Paz and Uyuni in Bolivia, then fly back to Lima and on to Guayaquil for the Galápagos. Ending at sea level after weeks in the Andes makes the islands the perfect relaxing finale.
The 3-day Uyuni expedition runs by 4x4 with a driver-guide. Day 1: the train cemetery, Colchani and the salt flat with Incahuasi Island, night in a salt hotel. Day 2: the flamingo lagoons, the Stone Tree and Laguna Colorada, night in a simple lodge. Day 3: the Sol de Mañana geysers and the Polques hot springs, then back across the Altiplano to Uyuni. All meals and park fees are included.
This is a land-based, island-hopping Galápagos program: you stay in hotels on Santa Cruz and Isabela and explore by day with speedboat transfers and guided excursions. It is more flexible and usually more affordable than a cruise, and ideal if you are prone to seasickness. If you prefer to sleep on board and visit more remote islands, we can replace the land program with a Galápagos cruise on request.
Every visitor to the Galápagos pays two fees on top of the tour price: the Transit Control Card (TCT), bought at the Quito or Guayaquil airport before your flight, and the Galápagos National Park entrance fee, paid in cash on arrival. At the time of writing the park fee is US$200 per foreign adult and the TCT US$20, but both are set by the Ecuadorian authorities and can change, so please confirm before you travel.
Rainbow Mountain is on your second day in Cusco and climbs above 5,000 m. If you are not used to altitude, we recommend moving it later in the itinerary or replacing it with a gentler excursion; horses can also be rented for part of the trail.
Entry requirements for Bolivia depend on your nationality: many passports enter visa-free, while others need a tourist visa, which in some cases can be obtained in advance or on arrival. Rules change, so please check with the Bolivian consulate or your government’s travel advice before booking. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. For Peru and Ecuador, most nationalities — including citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and the EU — do not need a tourist visa, but please confirm the rules for your passport.
The price depends on the hotel category you choose (Essential 2★, Comfort 3★, Superior 4★ or Deluxe 5★) and on the number of travelers. Open the Rates tab for the current price per person, based on double or twin accommodation. Domestic and international flights, the Galápagos National Park fee and the Transit Control Card are not included.