This unique tour is truly an Andean adventure. Travelling from the Chilean city of Santiago, through breath-taking Bolivia, it concludes with the magnificent Machu Picchu in Peru - one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Delve into the vibrant metropolis of São Paulo with this stay. Brimming with cultural diversity and modern attractions, you will have free time to explore the city and gain deeper insights into its rich history and dynamic local life. Whether you're interested in art, architecture, or simply soaking up the bustling atmosphere, São Paulo offers a wealth of experiences to discover.
Depart the UK on your scheduled flight to Santiago.
On arrival, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy today at leisure.
Breakfast
Following breakfast your guide will take you on a half-day city tour of Santiago, visiting the main attractions of this charming capital city. Beginning at the Government Palace, you will then continue to the main square 'Plaza de Armas', known as the heart and soul of Santiago and the centrepiece of the city's grid pattern layout. Next stroll around Santa Lucia Hill, a beautifully landscaped park where back in 1833 Charles Darwin once proclaimed that the view from here is 'certainly most striking'. Finish your tour with visits to the exclusive residential neighbourhoods of Vitacura and Las Condes, then return to your hotel for some time to rest and relax.
Breakfast
This morning you will be transferred to Santiago airport for your flight to Calama, a city in northern Chile's Atacama Desert. Considered to be the archaeological capital of Chile as well as the centre of Atacama culture, San Pedro's people once roamed this vast expanse of desert which is thought to be the driest place on planet Earth.
Breakfast
An early start takes you to the Tatio Geysers, situated on the highest geothermal field, some 4,300 metres above sea level in the Andean mountain range. Ringed by volcanoes, over 80 gurgling geysers shoot steam fumaroles reaching 50 metres in height of multiple vibrant colours; a dazzling spectacle to behold. Admire the varied fauna, such as the vicuna, the smallest of the six species of camelid which has adapted itself to survive in the extreme and inhospitable climate of the Andes. In the evening your group will travel to Valle de la Luna to watch the sunset from this exquisite viewing point.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast you will begin your journey to the Bolivian Salt Flats via 4x4 jeeps to experience a full-day tour of this incredible landscape. The first stop will be at the Emerald Green Lagoon in the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve whose colour is caused by the moving sediments containing copper minerals. Then continue to the hot springs of Polques where you will have the chance to bathe before carrying on to the geysers of Sol de Manana to marvel at the pools of boiling mud emitting pressurised steam.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning travel to a chain of beautiful lagoons home to three different kinds of flamingo. Lunch will be served on the shores of the lagoon before continuing across the salt flats to this evening’s unique stay – a hotel built entirely of salt blocks!
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning journey to Isla Incahuasi, one of the main destinations within Uyuni Salt Flats. It was once a real island before the prehistoric lakes dried up, leaving a hilly outpost covered in hundreds of tall cacti growing haphazardly out of the ragged surface. Reach the top of the island and find your camera to take a panoramic shot of the 360-degree views over this spectacular sight. From here you will continue to see pyramids of salt piled on the land by salt miners who harvest the area for its lucrative minerals.
Breakfast
Depart the salt flats today after breakfast and transfer to Uyuni airport for your flight to La Paz, located 3,600 metres above sea level and known as 'the city that touches the sky'. Discover this dizzying city on a half-day tour, visiting the main square, Plaza Murillo, the historic centre of La Paz and home to the Cathedral and Presidential Palace. Next continue to the 16th century San Francisco church whose mestizo baroque facade features carvings of masks, dragons and tropical birds. Take the stone tunnel stairway to the roof for views across the city's skyline, then visit the charming colonial street of Calle Jaen. Finally, the tour arrives at Valle de la Luna - a dramatic change of scenery where erosion has produced stony forms resembling the moon.
Breakfast
Today you will travel by coach to Desaguadero to cross the border between Bolivia and Peru and arrive in Puno city. From there, travelling by motorboat, visit the floating Uros Islands, constructed entirely by the buoyant reeds that grow plentifully in the lake below. Meet the Uros women in their brightly coloured petticoat skirts who will be happy to sell you their charming handicrafts. Continue to your hotel in Puno, by coach, where you will spend the night.
Breakfast & Lunch
This morning you will travel from Puno to Cusco by coach and be able to appreciate the surrounding valleys' wonderful landscapes en route. The journey includes a stop at La Raya pass, 4,300 metres above sea level, from where you will be able to take in some amazing vistas of the Andean snow-capped mountains. You will also stop at the Raqchi ruins, known as the Temple of the God Wiracocha, and Andahuaylillas village where there is a beautiful church from the 17th century. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before arriving in Cusco and transferring to your hotel.
Breakfast
Today's morning tour of Cusco will introduce you to this amazing colonial city built on the foundation of Inca Palaces. Visit the Temple of the Sun where you can appreciate the incredible masonry of the Incas, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral with its carved woodworks, altars and paintings. Later you will drive to the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman whose peculiar huge granite stone slabs of up to six metres in length fit perfectly on top of one another. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the rest of Cusco.
Breakfast & Lunch
Rise early in the morning to take a train to Aguas Calientes then continue by road to reach one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu. Only re-discovered in 1911 by the explorer Hiram Bingham, this 500-year-old citadel is considered to be one of the most extraordinary examples of landscaped architecture in the world. Located on the saddle of a mountain, overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba River and in an area of lush tropical forest, it served as a place of worship, a site for stargazing and a private hacienda for the family of the Inca Pachacutec.
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Sao Paulo. On arrival into Sao Paulo, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for your overnight stay.
Breakfast
Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. The hotel is located in the heart of São Paulo’s lively Paulista Avenue district. Within walking distance, you’ll find a variety of attractions, shops, bars, and restaurants. You could explore the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), famous for its impressive collection of European and Brazilian art, including works by Renoir and Picasso. Close to the museum is Trianon Park, a peaceful green space with wide walking paths, perfect for a relaxing stroll. The avenue is also home to several shopping malls, such as Conjunto Nacional and Shopping Pátio Paulista. Plus, the hotel is ideally situated near multiple metro stations, making it easy to explore other areas of the city.
Breakfast
Enjoy a day at leisure, before your departure to the airport for your flight back to the UK. Please note that late check out is included on this day.
Your flight lands back in the UK today.
Use discount code TOUR200 at the checkout to save £200 per person on selected tours departing in February 2026, March 2026 and May 2026
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The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
British passport holders are not required to obtain a visa in order to travel to Chile.
British passport holders are not required to obtain a visa in order to travel to Bolivia. As a tourist, you get 90 days of visa-free travel in a one-year period.
British passport holders are not required to obtain a visa in order to travel to Peru.
Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you to check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up to date guidelines regarding passport validity.
Brazil
It is your responsibility to check your passport validity. To enter Brazil your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you plan to leave. Sources of information include; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
A visa is not required to Brazil for up to 90 days tourist visit, however further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity
Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure.
If you wish to arrange Airport car parking, lounges or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extra Tel. 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
Altitude sickness is a common condition that can occur when you ascend to a high altitude (generally higher than 2,500 metres above sea level) quickly. The decrease in atmospheric pressure can make breathing more difficult as the body is not able to take in as much oxygen. Most cases are mild with symptoms that can include: a headache, nausea, dizziness and exhaustion. Several of the places in Peru are located at high altitude (over 2,500 metres above sea level) including Puno, Lake Titicaca and Cusco. Therefore, you may find you experience some symptoms at this altitude. It is advised that at these high altitudes, you keep hydrated and avoid alcohol. If you do experience symptoms of altitude sickness during your tour, ensure you tell your guide immediately who will be able to advise the best thing for you to do. You can contact your GP before you travel for advice on medication for altitude sickness.
This tour is accessible to most people with a good level of fitness and mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
Each of the three countries visited on this tour have their own currency: Chile = Chilean Peso (Ch$), Bolivia = Boliviano (Bs), Peru = Nuevo Sol (S/). US Dollars are widely accepted in large hotels and restaurants but local currency will be needed for payment in smaller establishments. Therefore, it is recommended that you either take a mixture of currencies or take US dollars and change this into the local currency as and when you need to. Cash machines are available in the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency of the country. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in your local currency.
The currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real, known as BRL. (R$) You can exchange currency at exchange stores and Cash Machines are available in all major cities. Local stores only accept the Brazilian Real, however Credit and Debit cards are widely accepted.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £400 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour, depending on how much of a bargain-hunter you are!
It is at your customary to tip both your driver and guide. We would recommend to tip approximately USD$2-$4per person per day. This is a total of USD$30-$60 per person to budget for tips on your trip. Tips will be collected at the end of your tour. Tips are accepted in US dollars.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 15. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be with a local guide in each of the main destinations on the trip. In addition to the local guides, a national guide will meet you in Calama and remain with the group until Cusco. In Santiago and Lima, you will be accompanied by a local guide only.
For groups of 7 people or less you will have an English speaking Driver Guide or a Driver and Local/Monument Guides in each city.
Your stay in Sao Paulo is not escorted by a tour guide. Transfers will be provided by a local driver, and full details, including timings will be given to you in resort.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is important to note that drinking the tap water, even in developed counties, may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way as the UK.
On arrival in Chile you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Pure Chile, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Pure Chile representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. If you cannot see your representative they will be at Exit Gate 4. There are many illegal taxis operating around Santiago Airport and they have been known to steal from tourists. Official taxis are dark blue in colour. Your guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.
On your arrival in Sao Paulo, you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Blumar, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Blumar representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.
If you need to contact Pure Chile during your stay the details are: Pure Chile Nueva Providencia 2214, office 186 Tel: 0056 9 5681 6943 E-mail: Sales1@pure-chile.com or info@pure-chile.com
Emergency contact information: The arrangements in Chile, Bolivia and Peru are handled by our representatives ‘Pure Chile’ and ‘Pure Peru’. If you need to contact them during your stay you can find the 24-hour emergency contact details below: Pure Chile: 24hr Telephone Number: 0056 9 5681 6943 24hr Email Address: Sales1@pure-chile.com Pure Peru: 0051 998 754 080
BRAZIL: Blumar Rua Siqueira Campos, 43 - cob 02 Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, 22031-901
Telephone: 0055 21 2142 9300 E-mail: tathianalisboa@blumar.com.br
