Explore Peru, Bolivia & Chile - 11 Days Adventure

Flying to South America

Today we begin our journey to South America. We meet at Istanbul Airport at 16:00 in the afternoon and complete check-in and passport procedures. We depart from Istanbul for Santiago de Chile at 1G:40 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 215.

Our flight to Latin America takes approximately 16 hours.

The direct THY flight TK 215 operates between Istanbul (IST) and Santiago (SCL). The departure time is listed as 19:40 and the arrival time as 08:30 (+1). We spend the night on the plane.

First Day in Santiago

Arrival in Santiago is at 08:30 in the morning. Entry into Chile is visa-free; a passport stamp is sufficient.

After passport control and baggage collection, a private vehicle takes you to the hotel in the city centre. Bags are left in the room, followed by a short rest.

The Santiago city tour visits Plaza de Armas in the historic centre, the Metropolitan Cathedral with its colonial architecture, and La Moneda, the government palace. Enjoy views of Santiago from San Cristóbal Hill. The tour also visits the Bellavista neighbourhood, known for its bohemian atmosphere and located near Pablo Neruda's house.

Lunch is at Mercado Central (Fish Market), one of Santiago's well-known dining spots. The menu features fresh seafood, Chilean fish and ceviche.

There is free time in the late afternoon before returning to the hotel. Those who wish can take an evening walk or stop for coffee in Bellavista.

Accommodation is at the 4-star Teclados Hotel or a similar hotel in Santiago. The day's meal is a seafood lunch at Mercado Central.

Valparaiso's Colourful Streets

After breakfast, depart for the Pacific coast. The journey takes approximately 2 hours, passing through the foothills of the Andes and vineyards to reach Chile's coastal towns.

In UNESCO World Heritage-listed Valparaíso, see colorful houses, steep streets and the historic port. Known as the street art capital of Latin America, the city has streets lined with murals. Old funiculars serve as historic means of transport. Enjoy views of the Pacific from the Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción hills.

Lunch is served at the seaside El Castillo del Mar restaurant, with dishes from Chilean cuisine.

In Viña del Mar, known as the Garden City, see white sandy beaches, flower-lined streets and villas. The Flower Clock (Reloj de Flores) is one of Chile's well-known photo spots.

Return to Santiago in the late afternoon and check in at the hotel. Accommodation is at the 4-star Teclados Hotel or similar hotels in Santiago.

The day's meals are breakfast and lunch at El Castillo del Mar restaurant.

On to La Paz

We leave the hotel very early and transfer to Santiago Airport for our itinerary covering the Andean Plateau, Witches' Market and Moon Valley.

We take a regional flight with LATAM Airlines from Santiago (SCL) to La Paz (LPB). The direct flight departs at 06:00 and arrives at 07:57, taking approximately 3 hours.

No visa is required to enter Bolivia; a passport stamp is sufficient.

At an altitude of 3.640 metres, La Paz is one of the world's highest capital cities. You may experience tiredness and headaches due to the altitude during the first few hours. Drinking plenty of water and moving slowly are recommended. Local coca leaf tea (mate de coca) is widely used in the region to ease these effects.

On our city tour of La Paz, we see the presidential palace and the cathedral in Plaza Murillo. During our visit to Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas), we learn about traditional products and the materials used in local rituals by the Aymara people. We enjoy panoramic views of La Paz from Mi Teleferico, one of the world's longest urban cable car systems.

In the afternoon, we visit Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna). In this desert-like area, we see rock formations shaped by wind and water erosion and stop for photographs.

In the late afternoon, we return to the city and check in to our hotel. We stay at the 4-star Hotel Europa or a similar hotel in La Paz.

Lake Titicaca's Floating Islands

After breakfast, travel by private vehicle to the Bolivia-Peru border. Complete passport checks and the Bolivia exit and Peru entry procedures at the Desaguadero border crossing, then enter Peru. Along the way, see the high plateaus of the Andes, local markets and scenes of traditional life.

In the afternoon, take a boat tour to the Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca. At an altitude of 3.812 metres, Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake. During the tour, meet the Uros people, who have lived on floating islands made of reeds for centuries. Learn about their handicrafts and traditional way of life from a local guide. Stop to take photographs on the lake's calm waters.

In the evening, return to Puno and check in at the hotel. Peruvian dishes are served for dinner. Stay overnight at the 3-star Casa Andina Puno or a similar hotel in Puno. The day's meals are breakfast and dinner.

Andean Road to Cusco

After an early breakfast, depart from Puno by private vehicle for the 8-hour journey to the Inca capital, Cusco. The scenic journey through the Andes takes approximately 8 hours.

Stop for photos at La Raya Pass (4.335 m). Observe the daily life of the Aymara and Quechua people in small local villages. Lunch is served at a selected local restaurant along the route. The meal features Andean cuisine, including quinoa soup, fresh vegetables and traditional Peruvian flavours.

Arrive in Cusco in the afternoon and take a city tour of the UNESCO Historic Centre. See Plaza de Armas and the colonial cathedral. Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) is known for its Inca goldwork and stonework. Take a short walk through the San Blas neighbourhood, known for its bohemian atmosphere and art galleries.

Cusco's elevation is 3.3GG m, lower than La Paz, but the city is still at a high altitude. Light activity is recommended on the first day.

Stay overnight at the 3-star Centro by Casa Andina Cusco Saphi or a similar hotel in Cusco. The day's meals are breakfast and lunch at a local restaurant.

The Road to Machu Picchu

After an early breakfast, travel by private vehicle through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo train station. Along the way, see the Urubamba River and traditional Andean villages. Ollantaytambo is known for its historic stone streets and Inca architecture.

Travel to Aguas Calientes on the Vistadome / Expedition Train. Enjoy views of the Andes through the glass-roofed carriages. On arrival in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), take a bus up to Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World (2007). Located in the Andes at an altitude of 2.430 m and known as the lost city, the settlement is an example of Inca engineering. Explore the site with a guide, with stops for photos.

The government of Peru frequently changes the entry requirements and routes for Machu Picchu. Our company makes advance reservations on behalf of your guests and provides current route information.

Stop for lunch at a selected restaurant in Aguas Calientes. Then return to Ollantaytambo by train and continue to Cusco by private vehicle.

Stay in Cusco at the 3-star Centro by Casa Andina Cusco Saphi or a similar hotel. The day's meals are breakfast and lunch in Aguas Calientes.

Colonial Lima

Leave the hotel early in the morning and transfer to the airport. The LATAM Airlines Peru flight from Cusco (CUZ) to Lima (LIM) departs at 06:50 and arrives at 08:20. The direct flight takes approximately 1,5 hours.

Upon arrival, travel to Lima city centre by private vehicle and leave your luggage at the hotel. Rooms are available if early check-in is possible.

The Lima city tour covers the UNESCO Historic Centre, with visits to Plaza Mayor, the Presidential Palace and Lima Cathedral. Explore Spanish-era architecture along streets lined with colonial balconies. The programme continues with Plaza San Martin and San Francisco Monastery, whose underground catacombs contain 10.000+ human skeletons.

Then head to Miraflores, Lima’s lively, modern district. See the Pacific coast and Larcomar shopping centre, and stop for photos at the El Beso (Love) statue.

Lunch is served by the sea, featuring local Peruvian specialities such as Ceviche, lomo saltado and pisco sour.

Enjoy free time in the late afternoon. You can walk along the Miraflores waterfront, go shopping or relax in cafés.

Stay in Lima at the 3-star Casa Andina Standard Miraffores or a similar hotel. The day’s meals are breakfast and a Peruvian lunch.

Lima's Farewell

After breakfast, check out of the hotel. Enjoy free time in Lima for some last-minute shopping, a visit to a café or a walk along the Miraflores coast.

Transfer to the airport at the time set by the guide.

The regional flight with LATAM Airlines Peru departs from Lima (LIM) and arrives in Santiago (SCL). Departure is at 17:50 and arrival is at 23:25. The direct flight takes approximately 3,5 hours.

Upon arrival in Santiago, transfer to the hotel. Overnight accommodation is at the 4-star Teclados Hotel or a similar hotel in Santiago.

Overnight Flight Home

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we check out and transfer to Santiago Airport. Our direct international flight, THY TK 216, departs from Santiago (SCL) at 10:15 and is scheduled to arrive in Istanbul (IST) at 11:15 (+1). We spend the night on board.

Arrival in Istanbul

Our 11-day tour of 3 countries in South America ends as we land in Istanbul at 11:15. We return home with memories of the Andes, the Pacific coast, Inca lands and Latin culture.

Thank you for choosing us for this journey from Santiago's Pacific coast to La Paz's high plateau, from Titicaca's floating islands to the heights of Machu Picchu, and from the culinary capital Lima to Valparaíso's art-filled streets.