The Andean Explorer train runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays with an additional service on Fridays between October and April only. In Potosí we stayed at Casa de Huespedes La Vicuña, a hostel in a charming old building full of ornate furniture and the odd piano. Santa Cruz, Bolivia’s largest city, is located in the country’s eastern tropical region at a much lower altitude than the destinations along the Andean backpacker route. Shared Tourist Bus Cuzco to Puno (L) Highlights: Machu Picchu – Lake Titicaca – La Paz – Uyuni Salt Flats – Atacama Desert. The surrounding area is also adorned with many unusual topographical features, such as many-coloured lagoons, oddly shaped rock formations and spouting geysers. Spend time at the ancient Incan site of Sacsayhuaman, visit the Inca Museum, and stroll around San Pedro market with its empanada and tamale vendors. Although a little more expensive than others, they are committed to high safety standards and put profits into improving working conditions in the mines. With our contacts in each destination, we can arrange for you to meet locals away from the crowds and ensure an authentic experience. The journey to Potosí is around three hours with buses leaving regularly. Bolivia, Discover the hidden city of Machu Picchu in Peru, Soak up the views on a train journey across the Altiplano to Lake Titicaca, Tour the Salt Flats of Uyuni with its endless sky and cacti, Visit the lagoons and geysers of the Atacama Desert. Information about attractions to visit, excursions, accomodations options and details of the whole tour Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Otherwise there is a daily bus service. We usually seek to save money on practicalities such as transport and accommodation, by using public transport and inter-city buses, and staying in hostels. ALL HOTELS IN La Paz, SEE Begin your Peru, Bolivia, and Chile experience with a short stop in Lima. On the islands, you can explore well preserved Inca ruins and enjoy the mountainous scenery around the lake. – that’s not a problem and we will continue to work with you to adjust the itinerary until it exactly matches what you’re looking for in your tailor-made South America holiday. Take your time to find a good deal; we paid just 45 bolivianos each at a laundry shop on Avenida 6 de Agosto. The Plaza de Armas houses the Cathedral, Municipal Palace and Presidential Palace where the changing of the guard can be seen every day at 12 noon. As usual, though, never compromise on safety standards and always check the company’s record. At the top you will find a beautiful city panorama view as well as local craft markets and the cobbled courtyard of Plaza de Anzurez. Try the house favourite americana or the siciliana. We primarily used buses to travel between the main destinations in this itinerary. We use only the best expert guides, and provide insider tips on the local customs, and everything from vibrant festivals to hidden Himalayan monasteries. Here are a few of the essentials you should consider packing: You would be unlucky to come to any harm in Bolivia, but to make sure you have peace of mind on your trip we highly recommend investing in some travel insurance (read more in our guide here). Flight from Lima to Cuzco Below I outline our suggested itinerary for four days and nights in La Paz. At the busy lunchtime stalls you can find all sorts of Bolivian fare at unbelievably low prices. For more places to stay in Sucre, look at the city’s section on booking.com. Day 2 – Lima city travel. Time at Leisure in San Pedro de Atacama Lunch Included on Tour, Dinner Included at Hotel Or 21-day backpacking trip or 600-day trip! If you are flexible with your travel dates, please list your range of availability. Overnight Aguas Calientes – 4* Hotel, Breakfast Included at Hotel Peru's capital has much to offer and many of the sights, including the city's two main squares the Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Martin, boast some fantastic sightseeing opportunities. After lunch continue to Moon Island. Time permitting, your Lightfoot Travel Designer can advise on activities prior to departure. Accommodation to suit most budgets. Lunch Included on Tour By doing this, you will almost certainly pay more than you need to. Uyuni Salt Flats, Uyuni Salt Flats Relax with a coffee and cake at Café Gourmet Mirador before making to the bus terminal. Don’t be deceived by the cold on Salar de Uyuni – you can still burn. We will arrange transfers between your hotel and the bus or train station at each end accordingly. It serves a great selection of local and international dishes in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Today you’ll be driven to the airport for your flight to Santiago. There was a fantastic free breakfast of eggs, ham, cheese, pancakes, avocado, fruit and coffee. Pique macho is an awesome national dish in Bolivia that is basically a huge heaped plate of beef, sausage, french fries, boiled egg, onions and tomato, drizzled in mustard, mayonnaise and ketchup. The Plaza de Armas houses the Cathedral, Municipal Palace and Presidential Palace where the changing of the guard can be seen every day at 12 noon. We had our best taste of this at Pub 4060, a local joint down a cobbled Potosí side-street. Everything was perfectly execute…“, “We just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your work and helping us have this amazing trip to Ecuador, Peru and Chile! Please add any additional comments regarding your quote that you would like us to know. Uyuni Salt Flats End the day with a visit to Thunupa volcano and Coquesa mummies. Throughout the city you can find generously portioned national dishes for remarkably cheap prices. Private Salt Flat Tour 3 Days/ 2 Nights (Day 3) (B, BL) Many of the stops on this itinerary are very high above sea level, including Copacabana (3,841m), La Paz (3,640m), Potosí (4,067m) and Uyuni (3,656m). Overnight Puno – 3* Hotel, Breakfast Included at Hotel This morning you'll return to Machu Picchu at your leisure without a guide. When you arrive in Copacabana you may be bombarded with vendors selling day trip tickets to the islands. The quote will clearly state what is, and what is not included in the quoted price. See the Sun Virgins Temple Iñak Uyu and cruise to Cocotoni by hydrofoil before visiting the Andean Roots Eco Village & The Altiplano Museum. Private Transfer from Hito Cajon to San Pedro de Atacama Overnight Cuzco – 3.5* Hotel, Breakfast Included at Hotel If you’re arriving from Peru, like we did, you should already be well acclimatised to the altitude. At the top you will find El Alto Market, the biggest market in Bolivia. Sunscreen. Roads are flooded, the heat is more oppressive and there are a lot more mosquitoes around. Spectacular full day's journey via Laguna Colorada, the hot springs and Dali Desert to reach Laguna Verde before crossing into Chile and transfer to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. While Peru gets far more yearly tourists thanks to its culinary prowess and Machu Picchu, Bolivia is vastly underrated. North Yungas Road was once renowned as the world’s most dangerous road, with an alleged death toll of hundreds every year. Return Train Journey from Aguas Calientes to Cuzco This itinerary is completely flexible – activities and departure dates will be modified to your personal travel preferences. Next, visit Isla Incawasi, an oasis with formations of algae and fossils, and an excellent spot for photography. Cities | Iguazu | Andes | Amazon | Galapagos, La Paz | Uyuni Salt Flats | Atacama | Santiago, Galapagos | Machu Picchu | Iguazu | Cities, Lima | Sacred Valley | Machu Picchu | Cuzco, El Chalten | El Calafate | Torres del Paine, Capital Cities | Northern Patagonia | Iguazu Falls, Australis Expedition | Ushuaia to Punta Arenas, Amazon | Incan Culture | La Paz | Santa Cruz, Amazon | Machu Picchu | Lake Titicaca | La Paz, Colca Canyon | Titicaca | Machu Picchu | Cuzco, Andes Adventure - Puerto Varas to Bariloche, Australis Expedition | Punta Arenas to Ushuaia. Grab an evening bite to eat in one of the spots along here. We offer a range of accommodation from three star standard hotels to five star luxury so please chat to our staff for informed advice and expertise to discuss arrangements for your tailor-made South America holiday. Finally, after stopping to marvel at the towering Licancabur Volcano, we crossed the border into Chile and took a transfer bus to the desert town of San Pedro de Atacama. In Copacabana we stayed at Hostal Piedra Andina, which I can honestly say was one of our best ever hostel experiences. There are various volcanoes, hikes, treks, and mountain biking activities also available. Flight from La Paz to Uyuni Make sure you come back after dark to see its golden features accentuated by night lighting. However, the itinerary can be adjusted easily to suit any entry and exit points. Let us know about your experiences in the comments below. Visit the Moon Valley and take the Teleférico-cable car ride over the city for epic views with Mountain Illimani in the background. If you have an hour to spare in the afternoon, hire a swan pedalo on the lake. After breakfast you'll be privately transferred (two hour drive) to the airport for your flight to Cusco. This Bolivia itinerary begins in on the shores of Lake Titicaca in the town of Copacabana, close to the the Peruvian border. La Paz Visit the pre-Incan ruins of Huaca Pucallana, go on a bike tour of Miraflores, San Isidro and the Barranco districts, check out Larco Musuem, or embark on a gastro tour focusing on the diverse cuisine of the region. South America Backpacking Itinerary: 4-6 Weeks in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile La Paz, Bolivia: Vistas from Jach’a Qhathu (16 de Julio) on the Red Line cable car. You have a few weeks off work – or even better and have quit your job to travel – and are looking for an itinerary. Free afternoon. For more inspiration on the city, read our article on 10 things to do in Sucre. Take a trip on the red line from Estación Teleférico Central up to El Alto for some of the most breathtaking views. From adrenaline-pumping activities and spectacular wildlife to beautiful indigenous villages and unique cultural experiences, there is something to suit every taste and travel-style. Free morning to return to Machu Picchu or to explore the market in the local village. While domestic flights between La Paz, Santa Cruz, Sucre and Cochabamba are available for around 50 to 100 US dollars, buses are much cheaper. Each ship has different names for their cabins. The bus journey, although much cheaper, is notoriously long and treacherous. Get in touch with our Lightfoot Travel experts and they will create a bespoke itinerary designed to your exact needs and budget. Salt Flats - Villamar Once the seat of national government, today its centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site identifiable by its old whitewashed buildings and quaint cobbled streets. For lunch, try out the local markets up the hill from Plaza 2 de Febrero.