Southern Divide
21 days
from Lima to Santiago
From
$ 4099
Duration21 days
For those looking to experience the history, culture, and wilderness of South America, this three-week adventure through Peru, Bolivia, and Chile is packed full of some of the continent’s most iconic and popular highlights. Explore the Sacred Valley and uncover Incan history high in the Andes at legendary Machu Picchu. Explore incredible landscapes at Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert, and encounter vibrant culture at Lake Titicaca. Because we have years of experience and established operational offices in the region, we’ll take care of the hassles so that you can focus on the highlights. Get off the beaten track and embrace the best of this incredible region.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 21 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: LimaPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: SantiagoAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
If you booked the Lima Cooking Class it does not include extra time in Lima and we highly recommend booking pre-trip accommodation. You will be picked up from your hotel at approx 10:00 (10:30 from Aug-Dec) and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return back to your hotel around 13:00.
Please note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Latin America (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
Please note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Latin America (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
Day 2: Lima/Cusco
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city, and getting used to the altitude.
Hop a flight to Cusco. Enjoy a free day for shopping and exploring the city. Choose to pre-book an optional Cusco Cooking Class. Opt for a city tour.
Please note: if you pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. Return back to your hotel around 16:00.
Meals: B
Day 3: Cusco
Opt to visit and hike the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Spend a full day enjoying optional activities in the area.
Meals: B
Day 4: Cusco/Ollantaytambo
Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing used in the Ccaccaccollo community. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them.
Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa community restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community.
Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa community restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community.
Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa community restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).
Enjoy a buffet-style lunch at the Parwa Community Restaurant in the Sacred Valley.
Meals: B, L
Day 5: Ollantaytambo/Aguas Calientes
Board a morning train that winds through the spectacular Sacred Valley to the end of the line: the village of Aguas Calientes, a frontier town nestled in the hills beneath Machu Picchu.
Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the butterfly house, botanical gardens or hot springs. Opt for a day hike to Mandor Gardens to see orchids and a waterfall, enjoying the lush, green scenery en route.
Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the butterfly house, botanical gardens or hot springs. Opt for a day hike to Mandor Gardens to see orchids and a waterfall, enjoying the lush, green scenery en route.
Catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. Opt to visit the local hot springs or shop in the local market. Those who have pre-booked and purchased the '1-day Inca Trail' hike will disembark the train at km 104 and trek to the Sun Gate for the first glimpse of Machu Picchu before re-joining the group at Aguas Calientes for the night.
Those who have pre-purchased the "1-day Inca Trail" hiking option will disembark the train at km 104 to begin the trek.
Meals: B
Day 6: Aguas Calientes/Cusco
Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with your guide. Enjoy a guided visit of the ruins followed by free time to explore. When ready, head back down by bus to Aguas to meet up with the rest of the group and take a train back to Cusco.
Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Opt to visit the Inca Bridge before returning to Cusco in the evening.
Meals: B
Day 7: Cusco
Use a free day to explore more of Cusco or relax.
Meals: B
Day 8: Cusco/Puno
Travel through the high Altiplano region from Cusco to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Titicaca is also the largest lake in the world above 3800m, and the views from both Amantaní and Taquile Islands are stunning. The trip takes the better part of the day, with stark, beautiful scenery en route.
Travel day by bus from Cusco to Puno. Spend some time on arrival wandering the small city.
Meals: B
Day 9: Puno
Start place: Puno
Head out by boat across Lake Titicaca. Visit the community on the Taquile Islands and enjoy a local lunch with spectacular views. Visit the floating islands of Uros before returning to Puno. Opt to visit to Sillustani burial site.
Enjoy a guided tour of Lake Titicaca including a visit to Uros and Taquile islands.
End place: Puno
Meals: B
Day 10: Puno/La Paz
Start place: Puno
Enjoy the full-day drive around the lake and through the altiplano to La Paz. Bolivia is filled with spectacular views of the countryside. La Paz is at nearly 4000m (13,120ft) above sea level, so be prepared for cool evenings and mornings.
Travel by bus and cross the border into Bolivia, arriving in La Paz.
End place: La Paz
Meals: B
Day 11: La Paz
Start place: La Paz
Explore the city’s many fine museums or its historic structures, like the Iglesia de San Francisco. The city is also renowned for its many markets, including the Mercado de Hechicería (Witches’ Market).
With streets lined with market stalls and vendors, the pace on the street and the vibrant atmosphere is an incredible experience.
To the south of the city is the Valley of the Moon, with crater-like formations made of sand.
With streets lined with market stalls and vendors, the pace on the street and the vibrant atmosphere is an incredible experience.
To the south of the city is the Valley of the Moon, with crater-like formations made of sand.
Enjoy a free day in La Paz. Opt to visit the Witches' Market, the city's museums or the Valley of the Moon.
End place: La Paz
Meals: B
Day 12: La Paz/Sucre
Start place: La Paz
Optional activities include mountain biking, hiking, and searching for dinosaur footprints.
Fly to Sucre and explore this beautiful colonial city.
End place: Sucre
Meals: B
Day 13: Sucre
Start place: Sucre
Free time to explore the city, the former capital of Bolivia. For more active options opt to go hiking in the surrounding area or mountain biking.
End place: Sucre
Meals: B
Day 14: Sucre/Potosí
Start place: Sucre
Travel by bus to Potosí and get a view of the mountain Cerro Rico looming over the city.
Meals: B
Day 15: Potosí/Uyuni
Travel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni, the jumping off point for the three day 4x4 excursion to the Uyuni Salt Flats.
During the rainy season the locations visited may change due to some routes being covered by water.
End place: Uyuni
Meals: B
Day 16: Uyuni/Salt Flats
Start place: Uyuni
Enjoy a three-day 4x4 excursion to the Uyuni Salt Flats and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.
Meals: B, D
Day 17: Salt Flats
Continue exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats on a 4x4 excursion. Admire the spectacular scenery while passing red and blue lagoons along the route. Spot wild llamas, alpacas and even flamingos deep within the desert.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 18: Salt Flats/San Pedro de Atacama
From the high Bolivian altiplano descend almost 2000m to the edge of the Atacama Desert, arriving at the small desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, just across the Chilean border. Said to be one of the driest places on the planet, this little town is an oasis in an otherwise barren, dry landscape.
Rise early to cover more ground of the unique landscape of the Uyuni Salt Flats. Continue to see incredible scenery, including volcanoes, salt lakes and geysers. Travel to the border and descend by bus to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. It's a long but scenic drive.
End place: San Pedro de Atacama
Meals: B, L
Day 19: San Pedro de Atacama
Start place: San Pedro de Atacama
Enjoy an included excursion to the Valley of the Moon to learn about and appreciate the beautiful uniqueness of the landscape.
There are plenty of optional excursions in San Pedro de Atacama, including biking, exploring nearby ruins, and horseback riding. Despite its size, San Pedro offers some great restaurants as well as numerous handicrafts and artisan stores for those looking for souvenirs.
There are plenty of optional excursions in San Pedro de Atacama, including biking, exploring nearby ruins, and horseback riding. Despite its size, San Pedro offers some great restaurants as well as numerous handicrafts and artisan stores for those looking for souvenirs.
Enjoy an Included excursion to the Valley of the Moon. In San Pedro, opt to go sandboarding or mountain biking.
End place: San Pedro de Atacama
Day 20: San Pedro de Atacama/Santiago
Start place: San Pedro de Atacama
From the nearby city of Calama, fly to Santiago, the capital of Chile. The city is surrounded by mountains, and there are both internationally recognized vineyards and Andean ski resorts within a couple of hours from the city centre.
Explore the city’s many museums and parks and visit the vibrant neighbourhood of Bellavista with its handicrafts, trendy cafés, and San Cristobal Hill with its views of the city and the surrounding area.
Explore the city’s many museums and parks and visit the vibrant neighbourhood of Bellavista with its handicrafts, trendy cafés, and San Cristobal Hill with its views of the city and the surrounding area.
Drive to Calama and fly to Santiago, a vibrant capital city.
End place: Santiago
Day 21: Santiago
Start place: Santiago
Depart at any time.
End place: Santiago
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, Lamay Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Cusco Your Discover Moment: Sucre
- Sacred Valley guided tour
- Pottery making demonstration
- Train to Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu guided tour
- Floating islands of Uros visit
- Lake Titicaca guided tour
- 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni (3 days)
- Tour of Valley of the Moon (San Pedro de Atacama)
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Plane, Train, Boat, Public bus, 4x4 vehicles, Hiking -
Accommodation
Hotels/guesthouses (18 nts), G Adventures-supported lodge/basic hotels on Salar de Uyuni excursion (2 nts, multi-share)