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This adventurous 15 day trip takes you across the picturesque Andes of Northern Argentina and Chile, Southern Peru and Western Bolivia and is packed with places of interest:
be dazzled by the seemingly infinite white and glistening salt flats, admire the majestic volcanoes and the famous inca ruins of Machu Picchu, discover pre-inca ruins, isolated towns and much more. A chance to visit the cities of Cuzco, La Paz and Lake Titicaca as well.
An enjoyable journey across the solitary Andes!
 Total distance: Approx. 4500 KM, almost all on tarmac.
This trip is also available in 4x4!
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Day 1
A winding road across a woody landscape takes us to the city of Jujuy. From here, the road leads into the picturesque valley of Quebrada de Humahuaca, which has been declared a natural and cultural heritage site by UNESCO thanks to is impressive landscapes and rich culture.
We will have lunch in the traditional town of Purmamarca before continuing to climb La Cuesta de Lipán, a pass which takes us to 4180m above sea level where we'll find the plains of La Puna and the salt flats of Salinas Grandes. We will spend our first night in Susques.
Approx 300 km of tarmac.
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Day 2
After crossing the Argentinean Puna which is more than 4500m above sea level, we arrive in Chile and the town of San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis at the foot of Licanbur Volcano (5930m above sea-level) situated in the driest desert on earth: the Atacama desert.
We'll watch the sunset in the Valle de la Luna.
Approx. 300 km of which 20 km are gravel roads.
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Day 3
We will leave early to start the journey across the desert, passing la Calama and the biggest copper mine in the world, before dropping to sea level and arriving at the city of Tocopilla on the Pacific Coast. On a winding motorway, we will border the coast until we reach the beach town of Iquique.
About 500km of tarmac.
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Day 4
We move away from the coast to head up into the desert and continue our journey towards the north crossing 3 deep valeys. In the northernmost city of Chile, Arica, we will have lunch before crossing the border into Peru. We will spend the night in Tacna.
Approx. 300 km of tarmac.
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Day 5
Now in the zone of the Clemesi desert in Peruvian territory, we will continue in the direction of the beautiful city of Arequipa, also known as the White City.
Approx. 370 km of tarmac.
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Day 6
Leaving Arequipa, we will skirt the Misti Volcano and Nevado Chachani. To get to the city of Juliaca and the Peruvian Altiplano, we have to travel up to nearly 5000 metres, passing through the scenic national park, Salinas-Aguada Blanca. Leaving Juliaca, we cross pastures where llamas and alpacas graze and we have the chance to visit pre-incan ruins and Spanish churches, dating from the colonial period.
Approx. 420km.
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Day 7
On the way to Cuzco, there are various temples and ruins to visit, of which the most interesting is probably the Viracocha Temple Raqchi, the Incan Ruins of Pikillagta and Tipón and the irrigation systems and Gardens of O'engo. On arriving in Cuzco, we will have time to explore the area surrounding the plaza.
Approx. 150 km.
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Day 8
This day will be free for visting the centre of Cuzco and the surrounding area, with its Spanish churches and Inca temples.
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Day 9
Today is the awaited visit to Machu Picchu, the spiritual centre of the ancient Inca reign. We will start the trip by train, zig-zagging upwards to gain height and then continuing the journey through the ruins of Ollantayambo and alongside the River Urubamba until reaching the town of Aguas Calientes. From there we will take a bus up to the impressive ruins of Machu Picchu, elegantly situated on a hill and in between majestic mountains. After visiting the ruins, we will return to Cuzco by train.
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Day 10
We leave behind the furthest point of our trip and head in the direction of Bolivia. We head through the valleys and planes of La Cordillera de Vilcanota, passing Sicuani, crossing the Abra La Raya, before reaching Juliaca and finally the city of Puno where we spend the night. Near here live the Uru in their floating islands.
Approx. 400 km.
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Day 11
Skirting Lake Titicaca, we travel towards the border with Bolivia and the town of Copacabana on the shores of the highest lake in the world. The afternoon is free for you to explore the village, visit the cementery and the church with its impressive cave of candles.
Approx. 150 km.
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Day 12
We continue towards La Paz, crossing la nevada Cordillera Real. We will take a detour to visit the ruins of Tihuanacu, belonging to a developed culture which inhabited the zone in pre-incan times.
After visiting the ruins, we head towards La Paz and descend from El Alto into the centre of the highest capital city in the world.
Approx. 270 km of tarmac.
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Day 13
The first part of today's journey takes us through the planes of the Altiplano from the Cordillera Real to the city of Oruro, via Lake Poopó. From here, we will head into the mountains of Potosi and along an excellent tarmac road with ideal curves for bikers! This leads us to the mining city of Potosi, also the highest city in the world.
Approx. 550 km of tarmac.
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Day 14
After journeying through mountainous landscapes, we arrive at Tupiza and we continue the trip towards La Quiaca where we cross the border with Argentina. We'll spend the night in the historic village of Yavi.
Approx. 400 km, 100 km of which on gravel roads.
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Day 15
We leave behind the plains of the Argentinean Puna and travelling though la Quebrada de Humahuaca we pass the charming town of Humahuaca, the Tropic of Capricorn and the historic site of Hornillos. The winding cornice route finally brings us back to Salta where we end the journey with a well deserved asado courteousy of Horizonte Tours.
Approx. 400 km on tarmac.
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