Pato Andino
Summary of nights: Buenos Aires 2, Salta 2, San Pedro de Atacama 2, Uyuni salt flats 2, La Paz 3, Puno 2, Cusco 5, Machu Picchu 1, Cusco 1, Lima 1.
- A route of high drama links two fascinating capitals, Buenos Aires and Lima.
- Salta - cultured city in the less-visited but delightful Andean foothills.
- High pass over the Andean spine and on through the Atacama desert.
- Expedition to the luminous lagoons and astonishing desert scenery of remote southern Bolivia.
- Linger in the Inca heartland - Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the lost city of Machu Picchu.
- Opportunity to walk the original, classic Inca Trail (optional).
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1 Fly UK to Buenos Aires, arriving the next morning.
Days 2,3 At leisure in Buenos Aires.
Day 4 Fly to Salta, explore the city on foot.
Day 5 Excursion to Cafayate and wineries.
Day 6 Jeep crossing over the Andes into Chile, and the Atacama Desert.
Day 7 Visit the Moon Valley, outside of San Pedro de Atacama.
Days 8+9 Cross into Bolivia and across the Uyuni salt flats.
Day 10 Travel by private vehicle to La Paz.
Days 11,12 Explore La Paz
Day 13 Drive to Lake Titicaca.
Day 14 Visit the floating Uros Islands and pre-Inca site of Sillustani.
Day 15 Drive to Cusco
Day 16 Full day excursion into the Sacred Valley.
Day 17 City tour of Cusco, including the site of Sacsayhuaman.
Days 18,19 Further exploration of Cusco or optional 4 day Inca Trail.
Day 20 Train to Machu Picchu, overnight in nearby village.
Day 21 Return to Cusco.
Day 22 Fly to Lima.
Day 23 UK clients depart, arriving day 24.
Hike The Inca Trail
You can chose to walk the four day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (£400 per person). Early booking is recommended as permits are limited.
A few days spare?
Extend your trip by adding on a few days at the beginning or end of your tour on a tailormade, private basis. Click here to see our most popular extensions to the Pato Andino Journey or contact one of our consultants for more inspiring ideas.
Trip Profile
Transport: 2 flights (2¼ hrs and 1 hr), 2 train journeys (3½ hrs each), 4 road journeys (longest 12 hrs including stops).
Accommodation: Comfortable, simple hotels with private bathroom. Basic shared accommodation for 1 night in the Uyuni salt flats area.
Meals: Breakfast daily, full board in Uyuni salt flats days 8, 9.
Included excursions: Buenos Aires walking tour; Salta countryside; Moon valley at San Pedro de Atacama; La Paz walking tour; Uros islands on Lake Titicaca; Sacred Valley of the Incas; Machu Picchu; Sacsayhuamán; Lima walking tour.
Inca Trail: If you wish to take this optional hike you must book well in advance.
Group size: Min 4, max 16. Led by Journey Latin America tour leader. |  The mind-boggling landscape of the crossing into the Uyuni, Bolivia.
 Machu Picchu is as mystical as it is magical, straddling a ridge high above the Urubamba canyon.
 The Moon Valley in the Atacama Desert. View more images      |