Inca Jungle: Rainbow Mountain & Salt Flats
11 days
From
$ 1849
Duration11 days
Do more than just cross destinations off your bucket list with this action-packed 11-day tour through some of South America's most iconic destinations. You'll experience Machu Picchu in the early morning light, led by a local guide that'll share stories about the ancient Incan culture, and visit the famed Salar de Uyuni including a stay in a community-run salt-brick lodge with salt floors and furniture. Sure, you'll be snapping pics to prove you went to the sites, but better yet, you'll have stories to tell and genuine experiences that you'll value even more.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 11 daysService level: Basic
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Physical Grading: Demanding
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Ends in: La PazAges: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco
Arrive early and spend some time exploring the city. Meet the group at the welcome meeting, check for the start time on the welcome note at the hotel.
Arrive at any time.
Please note: hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
Day 2: Malaga Pass
Pump up the excitement today on an epic mountain biking adventure. Start the exhilarating ride way up at Malaga Pass. Enjoy stunning Andean views, Incan archaeological sites, and rushing rivers on the way down to the jungle below.
Meals: B, L
Day 3: Santa Teresa
Start early today on a 16km (9.9 mi) hike, trek along the Urubamba river on the way to Santa Teresa. Opt to soak those aching muscles in the hot springs nearby.
Meals: L
Day 4: Santa Teresa/Aguas Calientes
Soar through the air on a zipline high above the jungle below. Head to Aguas Calientes and opt to visit the local hot springs.
Meals: B
Day 5: Machu Picchu/Cusco
Tick majestic Machu Picchu off your bucket list today. Explore the ruins with a local guide and opt to visit the Inca Bridge before returning to Cusco.
Meals: B
Day 6: Rainbow Mountain
Get a very early start to drive to one of the most instagrammable locations of the region, Rainbow Mountain. Today is a challenging hike, but well worth the reward.
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Cusco/La Paz
Catch a flight to one of the loftiest cities in the world, La Paz, Bolivia. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city, opt to check out the witches market or the valley of the moon.
End place: La Paz
Meals: B
Day 8: La Paz/Salt Flats and Desert Crossing
Start place: La Paz
Despite its isolation and challenging climate (cold and blustery most of the year), the town of Uyuni has earned the nickname of Hija Predilecta de Bolivia (Bolivia’s Favourite Daughter).
It is also the starting point for our 2-night excursion through the spectacular Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) in 4x4 vehicles.
Settle into your G Adventures-supported community salt-brick bungalow, complete with salt floors and furniture, after a guided walking tour up to the sacred Jukil mountaintop for sweeping valley views and a dinner of local ingredients prepared by ladies from the community.
It is also the starting point for our 2-night excursion through the spectacular Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) in 4x4 vehicles.
Settle into your G Adventures-supported community salt-brick bungalow, complete with salt floors and furniture, after a guided walking tour up to the sacred Jukil mountaintop for sweeping valley views and a dinner of local ingredients prepared by ladies from the community.
Fly to Uyuni to enjoy a 3-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano, with spectacular scenery. Today you will be heading into the Salar de Uyuni. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.
Please note accommodation in the salt flats is basic due to the remote location of the area. There may not be warm water for showers during your stay especially during winter months (May - Oct). During the rainy season, the locations visited may change due to some routes being covered by water.
Meals: B, D
Day 9: Salt Flats and Desert Crossing
Explore the desert altiplano on a 4x4 excursion. Admire the spectacular scenery while passing colourful lagoons and interesting rock formations along the route. Spot wild llamas, alpacas and even flamingos deep within the desert.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Salt Flats and Desert Crossing /Uyuni
Enjoy a final day of exploring the Salar de Uyuni before boarding an overnight bus back to La Paz.
End place: Uyuni
Meals: B, L
Day 11: La Paz
Start place: La Paz
Depart at any time upon arrival to La Paz by overnight bus.
The tour ends upon arrival in La Paz, to enjoy time exploring the city we recommend booking a post hotel night.
End place: La Paz
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha
- Mountain Biking (Malaga High Pass)
- Santa Teresa hike
- Ziplining
- Train to Aguas Calientes
- Rainbow Mountain hike
- 4x4 excursion to Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats)
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Public bus, Train, 4x4 vehicle, Plane -
Accommodation
Simple hotels (twin-share) (7 nts), G Adventures-supported lodge/basic hotels on Salar de Uyuni excursion (2 nts, multi-share), Overnight bus (1 nt)