South America Grandeur: Machu Picchu to Atacama

The grandeur of the Andes in 17 days: Cusco and Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and La Paz, the Salar de Uyuni and the Valley of the Moon in Chile’s Atacama.

  Multi-Country South America Tour Package — Daily Departures, All Year

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Route Overview

Trip Map

South America Grandeur map, 17 days: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno, La Paz, Uyuni, San Pedro de Atacama and Santiago

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South America Grandeur map, 17 days: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno, La Paz, Uyuni, San Pedro de Atacama and Santiago - enlarged

The Grandeur of South America: From the Incas to the Atacama

South America Grandeur strings together three of the continent’s most spectacular landscapes in 17 days. In Peru, Cusco and Rainbow Mountain prepare you for the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. In Bolivia, Lake Titicaca and La Paz lead to the Salar de Uyuni and the high lagoons of the Altiplano. In Chile, the Atacama — the driest desert on Earth — welcomes you with the Altiplanic Lagoons, the flamingos of Laguna Chaxa and the Valley of the Moon at sunset, before you fly to Santiago.

At a Glance

Itinerary Summary

South America Grandeur day by day: Peru, Bolivia and Chile in 17 days. Tap any day to see the details.

  1. Day 1Welcome to LimaLima
  2. Day 2Lima’s Colonial Center with a Local GuideLima
  3. Day 3Fly to Cusco: Rest & AcclimatizeCusco
  4. Day 4Cusco and Its Four Inca SitesCusco
  5. Day 5Rainbow Mountain Hike Above 5,000 mCusco
  6. Day 6Sacred Valley Day & Night in the Valleythe Sacred Valley
  7. Day 7Morning Train to Machu Picchu TownAguas Calientes
  8. Day 8Machu Picchu in the Morning LightCusco
  9. Day 9Coach Across the Andes to PunoPuno
  10. Day 10Lake Titicaca: Uros & TaquilePuno
  11. Day 11Border Crossing to La PazLa Paz
  12. Day 12Uyuni Salt Flat & Salt Hotel NightSalt hotel, Uyuni
  13. Day 13High Lagoons of the AltiplanoDesert lodge, Uyuni region
  14. Day 14Into Chile: Geysers to San Pedro de AtacamaSan Pedro de Atacama
  15. Day 15Atacama Desert Full Day: Lagoons & Valley of the MoonSan Pedro de Atacama
  16. Day 16Fly to Santiago de ChileSantiago
  17. Day 17Departure from SantiagoDeparture
In Detail

Detailed Itinerary

Every day of your trip, with where you'll spend the night.

Welcome to Lima – Peru Day 1

Welcome to Lima

Welcome to Lima, the first stop of your South America Grandeur journey. A driver takes you to Miraflores, where the evening is free to enjoy the ocean views and the city’s famous cuisine.

Overnight in Lima
Lima’s Colonial Center with a Local Guide – Peru Day 2

Lima’s Colonial Center with a Local Guide

See the best of Lima with a local guide: the colonial Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, the San Francisco Monastery and its catacombs, and the modern seafront districts.

Overnight in Lima
Fly to Cusco: Rest and Acclimatize – Peru Day 3

Fly to Cusco: Rest & Acclimatize

Fly to Cusco (approx. 3,400 m) and take the rest of the day to acclimatize, with coca tea and a gentle walk around the Plaza de Armas.

Flight Lima – Cusco Overnight in Cusco
Cusco and Its Four Inca Sites – Peru Day 4

Cusco and Its Four Inca Sites

Guided tour of Cusco and its four Inca sites: the Koricancha, the Cathedral, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.

Overnight in Cusco
Rainbow Mountain Hike Above 5,000 m – Peru Day 5

Rainbow Mountain Hike Above 5,000 m

Full-day excursion to Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain. Hike past grazing alpacas to the viewpoint at more than 5,000 m and admire its colored mineral bands; horses are available.

Hike to Rainbow Mountain Overnight in Cusco
Sacred Valley Day and Night in the Valley – Peru Day 6

Sacred Valley Day & Night in the Valley

Descend to the Sacred Valley to visit Pisac and the fortress of Ollantaytambo, and spend the night in the valley.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley
Morning Train to Machu Picchu Town – Peru Day 7

Morning Train to Machu Picchu Town

Take the morning train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and enjoy a free afternoon at the foot of Machu Picchu.

Scenic train Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu in the Morning Light – Peru Day 8

Machu Picchu in the Morning Light

Guided visit of Machu Picchu in the morning light, then return to Cusco by train and road.

Good to Know

  • Duration: the guided tour lasts approx. 2–2.5 hours.
  • Bus: the shuttle between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu takes approx. 25 minutes each way.
  • Tickets & circuits: entry tickets are sold for a specific time slot and circuit, and the route inside the citadel depends on the circuit booked. Re-entry is not permitted.
  • Passport: you must carry the original passport used to book your ticket.
  • Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain: these hikes require a separate ticket and must be booked in advance.
  • What to bring: sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, a rain jacket and water. Large backpacks, walking sticks without rubber tips, and food are not allowed inside the site.
Train back to Cusco Overnight in Cusco
Coach Across the Andes to Puno – Peru Day 9

Coach Across the Andes to Puno

Travel the Route of the Sun from Cusco to Puno on a guided bus, with stops at the colonial church of Andahuaylillas, the Raqchi temple and La Raya Pass.

Route of the Sun bus Overnight in Puno
Lake Titicaca: Uros and Taquile – Peru Day 10

Lake Titicaca: Uros & Taquile

Explore Lake Titicaca by boat: the Uros reed islands and Taquile Island with its textile tradition.

Lake Titicaca boat trip Overnight in Puno
Border Crossing to La Paz – Bolivia Day 11

Border Crossing to La Paz

Cross into Bolivia by tourist bus along Lake Titicaca and continue to La Paz, the city in the clouds.

Bus Puno – La Paz Border Peru – Bolivia Overnight in La Paz
Uyuni Salt Flat and Salt Hotel Night – Bolivia Day 12

Uyuni Salt Flat & Salt Hotel Night

Fly to Uyuni for the start of your 4x4 expedition: the train cemetery, Colchani and the vast Salar de Uyuni with Incahuasi Island. Overnight in a salt hotel.

Flight La Paz – Uyuni 4x4 expedition Overnight in a salt hotel near the Salar de Uyuni
High Lagoons of the Altiplano – Bolivia Day 13

High Lagoons of the Altiplano

Visit the high lagoons of the Bolivian Altiplano, home to flamingos, the Stone Tree and the red Laguna Colorada. Night in a basic lodge.

4x4 expedition Overnight in a lodge in the Uyuni desert
Into Chile: Geysers to San Pedro de Atacama – Chile Day 14

Into Chile: Geysers to San Pedro de Atacama

Rise early for the Sol de Mañana geysers and the Polques springs, then cross into Chile at Hito Cajón and descend to San Pedro de Atacama.

4x4 expedition Border Bolivia – Chile Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama
Atacama Desert Full Day: Lagoons and Valley of the Moon – Chile Day 15

Atacama Desert Full Day: Lagoons & Valley of the Moon

Full-day Atacama excursion: the blue Altiplanic Lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, the flamingos of Laguna Chaxa and the Valley of the Moon at sunset.

Atacama full-day excursion Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama
Fly to Santiago de Chile – Chile Day 16

Fly to Santiago de Chile

Transfer to Calama and fly to Santiago; free afternoon to explore the Chilean capital and enjoy a farewell dinner with Chilean wine.

Flight Calama – Santiago Overnight in Santiago
Departure from Santiago – Chile Day 17

Departure from Santiago

Transfer to Santiago’s international airport for your flight home. End of services.

Transfer to the airport · End of services
Know Before You Go

What's Included

A transparent breakdown of what's covered in your package and what isn't.

Included

  • Every airport, station and hotel transfer in Peru, Bolivia and Chile
  • 16 nights’ lodging with breakfast (2 of them on the Uyuni expedition: salt hotel and Altiplano lodge)
  • Lima walking and driving tour with a local guide
  • Cusco city tour with the Koricancha and the four Inca sites above the city
  • Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) day trek with transport
  • Sacred Valley excursion with Pisac and Ollantaytambo
  • Round-trip train between the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes
  • Machu Picchu admission, guided visit and shuttle bus up and down
  • Guided Route of the Sun coach between Cusco and Puno, lunch included
  • Lake Titicaca boat day to the Uros and Taquile Islands, with lunch
  • Puno – La Paz tourist coach with help at the border
  • Uyuni – lagoons – San Pedro de Atacama 3-day 4x4 crossing, all meals, reserve fees and border transfer
  • Atacama day tour: Miscanti & Miñiques lagoons, Laguna Chaxa and the Valley of the Moon
  • Road transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama airport
  • Entrance tickets for every visit in the program
  • Round-the-clock local support while you travel

Not Included

  • Flights Lima – Cusco, La Paz – Uyuni and Calama – Santiago (we quote them for you)
  • Visa for Bolivia where your passport requires one
  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Activities and entrance fees on free days
  • Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Optional horse on the Rainbow Mountain trail
Secure Booking

Tour Package Rates

Per person based on double / twin room accommodation. Choose your preferred service level.

Essential ★★

Comfortable stays, essential services
$2275Estimated Total
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Comfort ★★★

Standard premium service, upgraded hotels
$2699Estimated Total
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Deluxe ★★★★★

Top-tier luxury hotels & private experiences
$4150Estimated Total
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South America Grandeur 17 Days: Your Questions

Is this a multi-country tour package or a tailor-made trip?

It is a complete South America tour package — hotels, transfers, guides, trains, flights coordination and excursions are all planned — but it runs as a tailor-made trip: you choose the date, the hotel category and the group size, and any day can be adjusted. Departures are daily, all year.

Why end the trip in the Atacama Desert?

After weeks at high altitude, San Pedro de Atacama (approx. 2,400 m) is lower and warmer, and the desert is the perfect finale: lagoons, salt flats, flamingos and the Valley of the Moon, followed by an easy flight to Santiago.

Is the Atacama full-day excursion included?

Yes: the Altiplanic Lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, Laguna Chaxa in the Salar de Atacama and the Valley of the Moon at sunset. Stargazing tours can be added on request.

How do I get from Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama?

On the last morning of the 4x4 crossing you reach Hito Cajón (approx. 4,500 m), stamp out of Bolivia and into Chile, and drive down to San Pedro de Atacama (approx. 2,400 m) in about an hour. Chile’s agricultural inspection is strict: no fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, seeds or honey — eat or discard them before the border and declare anything you are not sure about.

Is Rainbow Mountain included, and is it hard?

Yes, on day 5. It is a moderate hike above 5,000 m after two days in Cusco; horses are available for part of the trail, and we can swap it for a gentler excursion on request.

Do I need a visa for Bolivia or Chile?

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. Most nationalities do not need a tourist visa for Peru or Chile, but please confirm the rules for your passport.

Which currencies will I need?

Bring a mix of payment options: soles (PEN) in Peru, bolivianos (BOB) in Bolivia and Chilean pesos (CLP) in Chile. US dollars are accepted for many tourist services and cards work in the cities, but cash is essential on the Altiplano, where there are no ATMs.

How much does South America Grandeur cost?

It depends on the hotel level you pick — Essential 2★, Comfort 3★, Superior 4★ or Deluxe 5★ — and how many people travel together. The Rates tab shows the current per-person price sharing a double or twin; domestic and international flights are quoted apart.

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