Lima to Machu Picchu & Uyuni: 13-Day Tour Review

Okay, so you’re thinking about trekking from Lima all the way to Machu Picchu and then hitting up the Uyuni Salt Flats? Very cool. very ambitious! I get it. You are looking to cross off some major bucket-list spots, so I want to break down what you should anticipate. Basically, is that 13-day tour really worth it? In this article, I’ll walk you through my own take, chatting about the highs, the lows, and giving you some genuinely useful stuff to think over prior to committing.

First Impressions and Lima’s Allure

First off, landing in Lima is, very truly, something. The energy hits you right away. Maybe it’s almost that coastal air, or just a hint of the buzz of a sprawling South American city. Anyway, so before the tour really kicks into gear, it’s worth setting aside at least a day to snoop around Lima. Yeah, sure, some people might skip straight to Cusco, but I’m here to argue that Lima, very frankly, has an appeal of its own. The Miraflores neighborhood is usually your safest bet for hotels. By the way, you have this relaxed vibe, amazing ocean views, very cool parks.

Okay, so the historic center? Oh, it is totally another world! Arguably, you see colonial architecture everywhere you look, that is unlike something you have seen before. So wander around, see the Plaza Mayor, visit the catacombs at the San Francisco Church, yet it might sound kinda touristy, it really is memorable.

Plus, Lima’s food scene? Truly world-class! More or less, you gotta try the ceviche. Very fresh seafood cured in citrus, usually spicy – basically heaven! Try it at a local spot in Miraflores or Barranco for a genuine experience.

Machu Picchu: The Highlight Everyone Awaits

Right, Machu Picchu, is it not? Truly, the crown jewel of basically any trip to Peru, and rightly so. The tour handles the travel very well. You catch a flight from Lima to Cusco. Then you take the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town). From there, it is a short bus ride up the windy road to the entrance.

So seeing Machu Picchu appear out of the clouds, yet it might sound cliche, is genuinely breathtaking. Arguably, those ancient stones, those terraces clinging to the mountain, they do have this way of capturing your imagination, I will tell you. So our guide was pretty informative, you know, talking through the history. Usually he told us stories of the Incas, of how this place was found.

Listen, expect crowds, especially if you are traveling in peak season. It is so vital that you have your tickets way in advance, I am talking months in advance. The new ticketing system only allows a limited amount of people each day, so basically it’s better to plan.

From Highlands to Salt Flats: Onward to Bolivia

Next up, you say goodbye to the lush mountains of Peru. Next you head towards Bolivia. Be aware that, sometimes, it’s a lengthy bus ride from Cusco to Puno, near Lake Titicaca, basically, that is your jumping-off point. Then you take the next bus over the border into Bolivia, heading towards La Paz or Uyuni. Now, let’s stop right there.

So a lot of tours involve La Paz, you know, the capital of Bolivia, that truly has a cool city. Personally, it is almost one that is wedged in a valley, the city is almost intense. You can do some crazy things, like cycling the Death Road, if you feel daring! Just be cautious with the altitude there, allow your body to settle. The altitude can catch you totally off guard!

From La Paz, it is on to Uyuni, this time very often a night bus or a brief flight. Waking up in Uyuni is…different. Like, you are smack-dab in the Altiplano. The air is pretty thin, the area can be very stark, I will tell you.

The Uyuni Salt Flats: A Surreal Experience

Right then, The Salar de Uyuni? Arguably, it’s like stepping onto another planet. It is really that vast. And, by the way, it is an endless white plain. Usually, it is under a gigantic sky. It feels like so other worldly, it really is a mind blowing kind of thing.

Those pictures you have seen of people taking funny perspective shots? That is completely a thing, and of course, you gotta participate, right? Very much. That also goes without saying! Our tour was pretty good, to be honest, that made sure we visited spots like Incahuasi Island (it has gigantic cacti!) Very cool. That old train graveyard. Which basically it makes cool photo ops, you know? Then of course a hotel that is literally constructed of salt!

Another point, bring sunglasses, and wear them. When the sun shines on those salt flats, you know, you can get snowblindness, seriously! Also, pack layers of clothes, that is because the temperature shifts totally quick. Also it drops very seriously once the sun goes down.

Things to Consider Before You Go

Okay, so prior to booking this 13-day extravaganza, there are truly a couple of things you should mull over.

First, altitude. Machu Picchu and Uyuni are very both way up there. So, altitude sickness is a real concern. You will want to give yourself a couple of days in Cusco or La Paz just to get adjusted. Take it totally easy the first day. You drink plenty of water, chew on coca leaves. Also maybe consider medication.

About physical condition? The trip can be demanding. Those days are pretty packed with things to do, the touring around can be a bit much. The long bus rides will for sure give you numb bum! Okay, so pack light! Honestly, I learned this the very hard way.

Then the food. Basically, it is delicious, but very often it is completely different than what you are used to. Be adventurous, attempt new things. Be cautious about where you eat. Try to eat from spots that local people would frequent.

What I can share to you? I truly think a tour like this is excellent if you are comfortable being on the go pretty much everyday, very happy to allow somebody handle the logistics, then don’t worry. This is very likely for you! Basically, if you rather take things at your tempo, and truly want a less structured kind of trip, you know, it may be smarter to arrange your own accommodation.

Is That 13-Day Tour Worth It?

Now, to the biggie question. So, I consider that 13 days really, is it pretty rushed? Well, yeah, to be frank it might be a bit. You’re scooting across a very massive area in not much time at all, but let me tell you that the pros over weigh the cons, the time in these unique destinations far over weighs any rush to the next thing.

You see both of the Machu Picchu and the Uyuni Salt Flats. Arguably, it offers a somewhat reasonable taste of Peruvian and Bolivian culture, then you have people sorting out the logistics. If you merely have a pair of weeks off. What is not to adore?

So it is vital you look through what is basically included, and what add-ons can be had. That all adds up! Be alert for any of those added fees and any surprise expenditure! Is the included hotel and meal package really as alluring as what it sounds?

In General

Okay, to sum things up, the ‘From Lima 13 Day Tour to Machu Picchu and Uyuni Salt Flats’ is almost an unbelievable whirlwind adventure, it displays a small peek into the amazing marvels that Bolivia and Peru have to give. It might ask for a very sturdy soul (to truly survive those long bus rides). Plus those that enjoy letting somebody sort all the little details will basically, I will tell you, appreciate all it has to give.

The high altitude locations, will definitely make for photos, yet the main part is that any camera is just very hard pressed to be like the genuine reality in real life.