Machu Picchu And Lake Titicaca Tour Package

DAY 1. ARRIVAL IN CUSCO.

Upon your arrival in Cusco, you will be greeted and transferred by a driver to your hotel conveniently located in the historic center of Cusco. The rest of the day is free so you can acclimate to the high altitude. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 2. SACRED VALLEY / AGUAS CALIENTES.

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to begin your tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After a scenic 20.5-mile drive, we will arrive at the charming town of Pisac. Here, you can visit the vibrant artisan market and explore remarkable Inca ruins with stone structures, breathtaking valley views, and impressive Inca terraces.

Following the Pisac market visit, our journey continues to Urubamba, where you’ll enjoy traditional Peruvian cuisine at a local restaurant on the banks of the Urubamba River. This buffet lunch features regional specialties, including alpaca and trout.

Next, we head to Ollantaytambo, situated at 2,792 meters above sea level. The Ollantaytambo archaeological site served as a military, religious, and agricultural center for the Incas. Admire the panoramic views, the extensive Inca terraces, and the advanced irrigation system.

Ascend the steps to the top of the fortress to visit significant sites such as the ceremonial center on Temple Hill. We’ll explore the famous Wall of the Six Monoliths, also known as the Temple of the Sun.

At the scheduled time, you will board the train at Ollantaytambo station for a scenic one and a half hour journey to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, our staff will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Later, receive a briefing at your hotel about your upcoming Machu Picchu tour.

DAY 3. MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO.

Board the bus for a 30-minute ascent along a winding road to Machu Picchu, with stunning views of the Urubamba River and valley. The ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, meaning “Old Mountain,” will captivate you with its terraces, shrines, stairways, and urban sections. The mystical energy of the site is palpable.

After a two and a half hour guided tour, you’ll have free time to explore Machu Picchu independently or, if you wish, hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional).

Alternatively, you can return by bus to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch at one of the town’s excellent Peruvian restaurants (optional).

At the agreed time, board the train back to Ollantaytambo, then transfer by tourist bus to Cusco and be dropped off at your hotel in the historic center.

DAY 4. CUSCO / PUNO.

After boarding the tourist bus at Cusco’s bus station, we will begin a journey through the scenic south valley. Our first stop is Andahuaylillas, located at 3,093 meters above sea level.

This picturesque Andean town is home to a seventeenth-century architectural gem, often called the “Sistine Chapel of the Andes,” featuring stunning gold leaf decorations and paintings from the Cusco art school.

Inside the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, you’ll find a wealth of Baroque art, with ceilings and walls adorned by Peruvian master Luis de Reaño. This site is a must-see on your travel itinerary.

The journey continues for another hour and a half to the archaeological site of Raqchi, located at 3,450 meters above sea level. The Temple of Wiracocha, constructed beside the Vilcanota River in the fifteenth century, features enormous temple walls, aqueducts, and burial towers.

Here you’ll also see the circular storehouses known as Colcas, once used to store grains such as quinoa, potatoes, and corn. Notably, Raqchi is part of the legendary Inca Trail.

The bus tour proceeds to Sicuani, where you’ll enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant, offering Andean and regional dishes, vegetables, desserts, and traditional hot drinks like mate de coca.

After lunch, a 40-minute drive brings us to La Raya Pass, the highest point of the trip at 4,335 meters above sea level. This is the natural border between Cusco and Puno. We’ll stop to admire the snow-capped Chimboya mountain and capture the stunning Andean landscapes.

The last stop is the Pucara Museum, over an hour's drive from La Raya. The museum houses a noteworthy collection of monoliths, stone sculptures, and ceramics from the ancient Pucara culture, which developed in the highlands of Peru and Bolivia.

We continue by tourist bus for two more hours to reach Puno, passing through the heart of the Andes and the city of Juliaca, arriving at Puno’s bus station at 5:00 p.m.

Transfer to your hotel in Puno for an overnight stay.

DAY 5. UROS AND TAQUILE ISLANDS.

After breakfast at your hotel in Puno, you will be transferred to the lakeport to board a regular boat to the unique floating islands of Uros.

Enjoy a memorable experience with the local Uros community. They will share their traditional lifestyle and customs, with over 200 families residing here. The half-day tour of the Uros Islands concludes here.

Next, we continue by boat for an hour and a half to Taquile Island. Unlike other Aymara-speaking islands, Taquile is Quechua-speaking and was once part of the Inca Empire. Remnants of Inca culture are still visible in the island’s constructions.

Taquile is the second largest island in Lake Titicaca, covering 3.4 miles. Its renowned textiles are a UNESCO World Heritage, and the island’s highest point reaches 4,050 meters above sea level.

Afterwards, savor a delicious Andean lunch before returning to the port of Puno, where transportation will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.

DAY 6. SILLUSTANI AND TRANSFER OUT.

You will be collected from your hotel in Puno for a visit to the Sillustani archaeological site. This remarkable complex is perched atop a peninsula on the shores of Lake Umayo, 22.3 miles from Puno and Lake Titicaca.

Sillustani features around 90 funerary towers, or chullpas, built by the Kolla culture, an Aymara society that predated the Incas. Numerous mummies have been found in these towers, including priests, leaders, and nobles, positioned in fetal posture alongside their belongings such as gold, silver, and ceramics.

The Sillustani tour continues with a visit to a local family that raises alpacas. They will show you their traditional methods of food preparation, weaving, and maintaining ancestral customs.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Juliaca airport.