Andes Highlights: Cusco, Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake.

Day 1 Arrival in Lima

On your arrival in Lima, our representative will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel. For customers arriving in the late evening we offer the option to use the four-star Hotel which is direclty connected to the airport. If you opt for the airport hotel make your own way over to the Airport hotel and check in. You will find that the hotel is just a short walk from the airport arrival lounge. Please pick up your Chaska Tours holiday hotel vouchers at the reception desk of the Hotel. 

Overnight in Lima
No meals

Day 2 Fly to Cusco - Cusco City Tour

This morning, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Cusco. You will high up in the Peruvian Andes to Cusco, once the capital of the Incas Empire where you will learn more about the Andean culture as the city itself represents the center of indigenous Quechua culture.
Cusco once the capital of the Incas Empire where you will learn more about the Andean culture as the city itself represents the center of indigenous Quechua culture.

In the afternoon we will pick you up for your City Tour. First, we will visit the Cathedral of Cusco on the Plaza de Armas and continuously the temple of Qoricancha, also known as the temple of the Sun. After these visits, we will continue to the upper part of Cusco to visit several archaeological sites. The first stop will be at Sacsayhuaman, a ceremonial complex of the Incas. We will also visit Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. At the end, we will return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
 

Note: In private service you will first have a tour by foot through the city, visiting Qoricancha the Inca Sun Temple, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, enjoying the atmosphere of the city by observing the well-preserved colonial architecture that conserves Incas original stone walls, evidence of a rich and complex history. We will continue our way until we get to San Pedro Central Market where the locals shop for Andean grains, fruits, natural medicine plants and more. Afterwards, drive up above Cusco for a visit of the spectacular Sacsayhuaman Inca complex with stupendous stonework, Qenko a place of rituals and then we will visit the house of Sulca to see the lovely textiles made by hand.

Return to your hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure

Day 3 Sacred Valley

Day 4 Machu Picchu

After breakfast your guide will accompany you for an early bus for the sunrise at Machu Picchu. The first buses start leaving at 5.30am and take 30 minutes to get to Machu Picchu. The doors to Machu Picchu open at 6am.You will have about 4 hours for your visit in the Citadel when you will be able to enjoy this magnificent place before the crowds arrive later in the morning. Our professional guide will slowly show you around the main areas recounting myths and legends passed down over the centuries and explaining about some of the advanced building techniques the Incas used. After the tour will be time to head back down to the town by bus. Here you can find many restaurants offering lunch and afterwards you will board the return train through the Sacred Valley to Poroy town with a transfer back to Cusco arriving at approximately 8.30pm.

Overnight in Cusco
Breakfast included

Day 5 Tourist bus from Cusco to Puno or Optional Titicaca Lake

Transfer to the bus station for your tourist bus to Puno in which you will visit 4 archeological sites along the way.  This will be a very active and interesting 9 hours journey.

This day long bus ride takes you through snow-covered peaks, high and wide Andean valleys where llamas graze on spiky grass. As you pass by villages with cobblestone streets and you will see people making adobe bricks by hand.

On our way to Cusco we will visit, The church of Andahuaylillas is known as the "Sistine Chapel of America". It is known as one of the best- preserved examples of Andean religious art, Raqchi, the temple of the God Wiracocha, La Raya, the highest point between Cusco and Puno (14234 feet / 3800 meters), then the litho-sculptures of Pukara. Lunch is served at a local restaurant halfway. Finally, we will get to Puno where a representative will transfer you to your hotel.

Alternative option: Upgrade to Lake Titicaca train to Cusco available at an additional cost. Train operates Cusco to Puno: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Travel in style on the Lake Titicaca train to Cusco. Morning transfer to the local train station of Puno where the train operated by Peru Rail is waiting for your spectacular rail journey to Cusco, which runs on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The glass-walled observation coach provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The journey is broken by a scenic stop at La Raya, which is also the highest point on the route.
 First class lunch is served aboard the train in style.
 A music and fashion show and a bar-tending lesson will also be part of your experience aboard.

Overnight in Cusco
Breakfast and lunch Included.

Day 6 Titicaca Lake

Today we will leave for the port where a boat awaits us to visit one of the highest lakes in the world (3800 meters / 12467.19 feet). We will explore the floating island of Uros inhabited by traditional fisherman, stepping on the island feels very much like a water bed but it is quite safe. We see the houses, the islands and meet its friendly inhabitants. Uros people are descendants of one of the oldest South American groups. Rides on traditional reed boats can be arranged.

After we will continue navigating the highest navigable lake in the world, the Titicaca Lake, for about 2 ½ hours enjoying the spectacular views to get to Taquile Island port, from where we will take a long path that gradually ascend until the indigenous community to know these textile experts and their weaving traditions. You will find handy craft textiles of high quality make by them at a good price. Lunch at one of the many local restaurants.

After this nice experience with the indigenous community, we depart back to Puno City, on arrival we will transfer you to your Puno hotel.

Overnight in Puno
Breakfast and typical lunch included

Day 7 Flight Juliaca / Lima -International flight

Morning transfer to Juliaca airport for your flight to Lima.

Optionally we can offer you a transfer service to Miraflores where you have plenty of restaurant options for lunch or simply walk down the Malecon and a convenient time a pick up for the airport for your international flight.

Breakfast included