Small group overland vacation, Lima to La Paz

Environment

Low Impact Transportation: This trip experience gives you the chance to try out the public buses like Lima to Pisco to admire the Beauty of the national park of Paracas, Puno to Cusco and its outstandindg scenary of the Andean Plateau, overnight sleeper bus from Nasca to Arequipa and Arequipa to Cusco.

Getting around as the locals do not only allows you to experience the culture on a deeper level, but the same way it is at home, using public transport is the most sustainable way to go – after walking of course! Supporting local culture and businesses: There are a multitude of opportunities to support local businesses and immerse yourself in Peruvian culture on this trip. From the colourful local markets to the bustling food stalls and cafes, the choices for eating and handicrafts are endless and the money is staying in the local economy - a vital way for tourism to make a positive impact. Activities that take you to markets, locally-owned restaurants, locals’ homes and villages are vital to the local peoples’ ability to truly benefit from tourism in two countries Peru and Bolivia.

Community

Our style of trip, traveling, eating and staying with the locals, puts you right at the heart Peruvian and Bolivian culture. Peru’s multi-ethnicity is evident in the mixing process since the arrival of Europeans to the country.

In Lima you can appreciate the mixing cultural process on the facades of churches like La Merced and San Francisco church and its Catacombs, The Archbishop house and the presence of many well decorated balconies of colonial houses surrounding the central area of Lima, The colonial heritage in Arequipa with its Catholics festivals and baroque mestizo facades that churches holds on their entrances that surprizes any visitor walking around its buildings, Puno and the major carnival festival of Peru, also its well known reputation of the Folklore capital of the country due to its major variety of local dances and music and the colourful costumes that accompanies this festivities, to Cusco, the centre of the attractions around MachuPichu, the anniversary of Cusco Inca foundation or any catholic festival which happens mainly on weekends, To end in La Paz to enjoy the pluricultural heritage of the city. It may not be apparent that learning about and respecting other cultures is part of being a responsible traveler, but we believe that this discovery is a natural way for people of all backgrounds, nationalities, and religions to interact and learn from each other, fostering peace and understanding. An amazing experience!

Support World Heritage: On this trip there are numerous opportunities to visit important heritage sites on foot or by taking a local bus such as the famous Plaza Mayor in Lima, The Downtown area of Arequipa with its cobbled stone streets and colonial houses, catholic churches like The Cathedral, San Agustin, The Company and The Traditional district of Yanahuara, Puno and its inmaterial heritage as local dances and costumes for the many different celebrations held there according to the time of year , The Centre area of Cusco with its Inca streets and temples that still amazes people like Koricancha, The Cusco Cathedral and the Archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman near the city, the well known Machu Pichu and the quality of its construction , La Paz with its San Francisco church and Tiwanaku, The sanctuary of Copacabana as the main attraction for the history of the country held there, among others. Celebrating world heritage is an important way to participate in sustainable tourism. Many world heritage sites are designated for protection so that the entire world’s people can share in these fascinating and historical wonders for generations to come.

Other optional unique experiences on this trip that allow you to support the local economy and learn about Peruvian culture include: Ica winery experience where we get to know about Pisco history and production besides the sampling experience from the many local producers, Sandborading the driest dessert on earth at Huacachina, taking a local flight to appreciate the enigmatic Nasca lines, riding the Andes region on Arequipa to get the Colca Canyon, the deepest on earth and having the chance to have a hike around the canyon area or the valley with its largest area of cultivated terraces on Peru, hike the unique inka trail in 4D/3N to arrive into Machu Pichu, Cooking class in Cusco learning local recipes and how to make a real good pisco sour.
Take a local boat to explore the floating islands of Uros and experience a local homestay with a local family in Luquina community around the Titicaca Lake, sharing meals and daily activities, be a local for one day, walk around the Witches market in La Paz, Truly an authentic experience!