From the dizzying streets of La Paz to the white peaks of the Andes, this journey follows South America’s spine, salt deserts, ancient trails, sacred lakes and cities carved into cloud and stone
This route crosses the heart of the Andes, combining Bolivia’s wild landscapes with Peru’s ancient history.
Start in La Paz, one of the world’s highest capitals, where cable cars glide above a basin of red cliffs. From there, head south to the Salar de Uyuni, a vast salt desert stretching into infinity. Return north for the world’s highest navigable lake, Titicaca, before crossing into Peru to explore Arequipa’s colonial streets, Colca Canyon’s condors, and Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire.
End the trip with the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, then unwind on the coast with desert dunes and vineyards in Huacachina.
Salar de Uyuni: Salt, Silence & Stars
A white desert that bends perspective, endless horizon, mirror reflections, flamingos and fossil islands, where salt is the constant everywhere you look (including the walls of your accommodation!). A 3 day expedition here is the perfect amount of time to take it all in.
Salar de Uyuni: Salt, Silence & Stars
A white desert that bends perspective, endless horizon, mirror reflections, flamingos and fossil islands, where salt is the constant everywhere you look (including the walls of your accommodation!). A 3 day expedition here is the perfect amount of time to take it all in.
Salkantay trek to Macchu Picchu
Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca
Arrive in La Paz, Bolivia’s chaotic, breathtaking capital. The altitude hits fast so walk slowly and drink local teas.
Join a free walking tour through the Witches’ Market and colonial streets, and take the Mi Teleférico cable cars for panoramic rides over the bowl-shaped city. Each line offers a different view of the sprawling Andean metropolis and is a great way to see the city from above.
Spend an evening at Mirador Killi Killi or the rooftop bar of Selina La Paz. Prepare for the long overnight bus to Uyuni.
Start the 3-day 4x4 tour across the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat. There are many tour companies to do this through, all offering the same service at similar prices.
Day 1 covers the endless white expanse, Incahuasi Island with its giant cacti, and surreal mirror effects if it’s wet season. Spend the night in a salt-brick hostel, coupled with hot spring swimming.
Day 2 continues past red and green lagoons filled with flamingos, volcanoes, and geysers at 5,000m.
Day 3 finishes with the surreal Laguna Colorada before looping back to Uyuni town.
Expect basic conditions, freezing nights, thin air, but unbeatable views. Take the overnight bus back to La Paz on the final day.
Recover in La Paz, then take on one of South America’s iconic adventures: cycling the Death Road (Yungas Road). It’s 60km of switchbacks descending from snowline to rainforest, a full-day tour including safety gear and transport. There are multiple operators that offer this, with varying price ranges based on bike quality.
Back in town, try local street food at Mercado Lanza and the cholita wrestling shows in El Alto for something truly Bolivian.
Take a morning bus to Copacabana, the Bolivian town on the shores of Lake Titicaca (3,800m).
From there, hop on a ferry to Isla del Sol, the mythical birthplace of the Inca sun god. Hike across the island’s north-south ridge trail, blue water below, llamas grazing, snow peaks in the distance. Look
Dine at Las Velas, a no electricity, candlelit restaurant located in the Yumani community, renowned for its slow dining experience and fresh Lake Titicaca trout.
Stay overnight in a family-run guesthouse and return by boat the next morning to catch the cross-border bus into Peru, heading to Arequipa.
Arequipa, the “White City,” is framed by three volcanoes and built from pale volcanic stone. Stroll the Santa Catalina Monastery, explore Plaza de Armas, and eat at La Nueva Palomino for classic rocoto relleno (stuffed peppers).
For a day, trip take a dawn minibus to Colca Canyon, one of the world’s deepest gorges. Spot Andean condors gliding over the cliffs and visit small Quechua villages terraced into the canyon walls. Return to Arequipa by evening.
Take an overnight bus to Cusco, once the Inca capital. Spend a day adjusting to altitude and exploring the Qorikancha Temple, San Blas district, and San Pedro Market.
Days 13–15 are the Salkantay Trek, a 4-day hike that crosses high mountain passes and cloud forest en route to Machu Picchu. The trek is a cheaper, quieter alternative to the Inca Trail but just as spectacular.
Day 16: hike from Aguas Calientes to sunrise at Machu Picchu and take it all in. Try to climb Huayna Picchu for the iconic view if you can get a ticket. Return to Cusco by train or bus.
If you wish to do the trek through an agency, Machu Picchu Reservations provides the best quality-cost combination, and is very social.
Optional: if you have energy, visit Rainbow Mountain (4,800m) on your rest day after returning from Machu Picchu, but only after full acclimatisation.
Fly from Cusco to Lima and take a bus to Huacachina, a surreal desert oasis ringed by giant dunes.
Go sandboarding or dune buggying at sunset, then join backpackers for beers around the lagoon.
Visit the nearby Pisco vineyards to taste Peru’s national spirit and learn how it’s distilled, before getting an evening bus back to Lima.
Base yourself in Miraflores or Barranco, Lima’s creative districts.
Walk the Malecón cliffs, explore the Museo Larco, and eat ceviche at La Mar or Punto Azul. For views, head to Parque del Amor or the Bridge of Sighs at sunset.
Flight out on Day 20 (or extend towards northern Peru).
- Altitude: Take it slow; local remedies and hydration help
- Transport: ensure overnight buses have multiple drivers and an executive class. Horror stories exist of drunk bus drivers with lower price-range companies.
- Rest: the trekking takes it out of you. Account for rest days to not over-do it.
"The Salkantay Trek was one of the hardest but most rewarding things I’ve ever done. You earn every step of that Machu Picchu sunrise. Machu Picchu Reservations organises this trek methodologically, with all accommodation and food organised, and the vibes of the people in the group amazing, especially the pre-dawn hike Karaoke in Aguas Calientes!"
"The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia were unexplainable - the optical illusions associated with kilometres of salt water reflecting the sun created some colours I'd never seen before, and the rocky "islands" scattered across the landscape created amazing contrasts. 3 days here was the perfect length to truly appreciate the beauty of this place"
"An exhausting but unforgettablee trip: the landscapes don’t make sense: one day it’s a desert of mirrors, the next you’re watching condors at sunrise. An always at crazy elevations! You feel like your at the roof of the world in a mystical setting powered by ancient mythologies and legends."
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