Route suggestion – North Chile & Peru (Machu Picchu)
Day 1 Putre/ Lauca National Park
( 141 km – 2:15 hrs )
Arica is the northernmost city of Chile. From here you can easily cross the border to Peru. Before
crossing the border, it is definitely worth it to visit the beautiful national park Lauca. You can stay
the first night in Putre to get used to the high altitude (between 3000m and 6300m) or you can
stay in the National Parc.
Day 2 Lauca National Park
Drive and walk around and enjoy the beautiful nature with his typical animals like vicuñas, llamas,
alpacas and guanacos. You will be amazed by the volcanos and lakes. Visit the village Parinacota
which has just a few habitants and end your day relaxed in a thermal bath.
Day 3 Putre – Crossing border - Coast in Peru
( +/- 300 km - 4:30 hrs )
Today you will cross the border to Peru. Start your day early in the morning because you never
know how much time it takes to cross the border. You will notices immediately you are in Peru
because of other road and traffic conditions. Follow the coastline and find a nice spot to camp.
Day 4 Coastline – Mollendo (Playa Catarindo)
( +/- 145 km - 2:25 hrs )
Continue the coastline and enjoy driving along the Pacific Ocean, which is the largest and deepest
of the Earth's oceanic divisions. After Mollendo there is a beach called Playa Catarindo. It is a nice
and quiet place to stay the night. On the beach is a nice restaurant where you can have dinner
with great view.
Day 5 Mollendo (Playa Catarindo) – Arequipa
( 128 km – 2:25 hrs )
After the tranquility of the beach, the beautiful colonial town of Arequipa is waiting for you.
Day 6 Arequipa
Admire this beautiful city and visit the Plaza de Armas and Santa Catalina Monastery
Day 7 Arequipa - Laguna Langui
( 335 km – 6:15 hrs )
Today you will drive through the Peruvian landscapes and end in Laguna Langui where you will
have a beautiful view of this lake.
Day 8 Laguna Langui – Cusco
( 181 km – 3:20 hrs )
Arrive to one of the most beautiful cities of South America. Once it was the capital of the Inca
Empire, and now it is known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture.
Day 9 Cusco
Visit the beautiful center, plaza de Armas and San Pedro market. You should also buy your
entrance to Machu Picchu if you do not have yet and plan how you want to get there.
Day 10 Cusco – Ollantaytambo or Santa Teresa
( 205 km – 4:20 hrs (Santa Teresa) )
If you book a tour from Cusco, you can leave the car there. Otherwise you can drive to
Ollantaytambo or Santa Teresa and organize a transfer who will bring you to the closest town of
Machu Pichu: Aguas Calientes.
Day 11 Aguas calientes
Prepare your hike to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Buy enough water, food and snacks. The next
morning your hike will start very early.
Day 12 Machu Picchu
You will start your hike early in the morning. From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu the trek takes
about 1 hour and 30 minutes. It’s definitely recommendable to take a guide who will tell
everything about this mysterious and beautiful place.
Day 13 Aguas calientes / back to camper
You probably will be tired but satisfied and fascinated after visiting Machu Picchu. Full of
impressions you will pick up the camper and continue your trip.
Day 14 Santa Teresa – Environment Cusco
( 205 km – 4:20 hrs )
Do you feel like a little rest or enjoy a bit more the center? If you feel like staying in the nature,
find a nice camping spot. If you feel like a delicious dinner in the center, Cusco is waiting for you.
Day 15 Cusco – Puno
( 386 km – 6:11 hrs )
Today you will drive through the beautiful landscapes of Peru until you arrive on your destination
Puno. The city of Puno is located in the south east corner of Peru, at 3,809m in altitude, on the
shores of the magnificent Lake Titicaca and only 126km from the frontier with Bolivia.
Day 16 Puno
Today you can visit Titicaca-lake and the Uros-islands. The Uru are an indigenous people of Peru
and Bolivia. They live floating islands in Lake Titicaca. You will see and learn about the traditional
culture.
Day 17 Puno - coast (Ilo district)
( 346 km – 5:45 hrs )
From the lake back to the beach. Arrive before the sunset so you will have a nice view over the
Pacific Ocean.
Day 18 Coast to Arica
( 178 km – 2:23 hrs )
Today you will bring back the camper in Arica.
18 days / 17 nights
( This trip is easy to expand or adapt to your own wishes. If you love hiking and nature, go to Colca
Canyon, for about 2 nights/ 3 days. )
Chile and its neighbors offer much to discover with a Camper, pleasantly surprising you from end to end. So that you can plan your trip as well as possible, making the most of your trip to meet natural places that will captivate you, we have prepared information and suggestions that will help you organize your expedition.
More useful tips for traveling by camper
Routes in North Chile
