Andes Highlights: Cusco, Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake
Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu,Titicaca lake, the islands of Uros and Taquile.

Overview

This tour offers you a great opportunity to have an insider’s view of some of the Islands of Titicaca Lake where you will visit communities that have successfully welcomed tourism in a way that it complements and preserves their lifestyle and traditions. Our adventure will start right in the heart of the inca civilization, the city of Cusco, home to a unique blend of precision Inca stonework with charming colonial churches and neighbornoods. We will visit the impressive ruins surrounding Cusco and throughout the Sacred Valley. We will take the train to reach the lost citadel of Machu Picchu, on the second day of visit, we will have an early wake up to catch the first rays of light over the citadel. After visiting Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machupicchu we head to the beautiful Titicaca Lake with a choice of overland tour bus or a luxury train. We will reach the floating island of Uros where the community will welcome us. The floating islands are inhabited by traditional fishermen, then we will continue to Taquile where the local people are experts in traditional weaving techniques.

Tour highlights

– Marvel at the incredible stonework of the Incas and the charming colonial mansions.
– Visit some bustling traditional Andean markets for a better idea of life in the Andes.
– Take the scenic train through the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas.
– Taste some great traditional Cusquenian cuisine.
– Take in breathtaking views with the sunrise at Machu Picchu
– Wander around traditional artisans’ markets and pick up some interesting bargains
– If you want, you may walk to explore the hot springs at Aguas Calientes.
– Travel through the beautiful landscapes of the Andes, en-route from Cusco to Titicaca lake.
– Experience traditional Andean lifestyles and and discover different ways to help them preserve it.

7 days – 6 nights
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

Arrival in Lima. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight Lima.

Flight Lima/Cusco. Afternoon Cusco city tour. Overnight Cusco.

Sacred Valley tour, late afternoon Vistadome train to Machupicchu. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Morning private tour of Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Afternoon, return to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco.

Bus Journey to Puno with visits to archeological places along the way

Visit Titicaca Lake and the islands of Uros and Taquile. Overnight in Puno.

Flight to Lima. A chance to enjoy seafood in Lima. Afternoon Lima city tour. Evening international flight.

Departures:

Daily departures year round

Destinations:

Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu,Titicaca lake, the islands of Uros and Taquile.

Reservation code:

TI7

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

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

This will be a full day tour where you will enjoy the varied landscapes of the beautiful Río Urubamba Valley, known as “Valle Sagrado de los Incas”, along the way we can see attractive colonial towns and isolated villages of indigenous communities that continue their tradition for weaving, pottery and agriculture. Main attractions will be the handicraft markets and the lofty Inca citadels of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, it is definitely the perfect match between a cultural experience, the andean sunlight and delicious typical food.

We will visit first the famous Pisac Colorful Indian market to see the handicrafts and taste delicious empanadas baked in huge typical ovens. Afterwards, continue to the Pisac ruins above the town for a visit of the Sun Temple and admire the many surrounding terraces. We will continue to Urubamba to enjoy lunch, then off to one of the original Inca towns of Ollantaytambo to be amazed by the ruins that sit in front of the quaint town.  After the tour you will take the train on your own to Machu Picchu town.

On your arrival, our representative will help you to get to your hotel. Our guide will visit you at your hotel to brief you about the next day activities.

You have the evening free to stroll in the town.

Overnight in Machu Picchu town
Breakfast and Lunch included

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

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.

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

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

Included

Hotels included:
One night in Lima, two nights in Cusco, one night in Aguas Calientes and two nights in Puno.

Entrance tickets:
All entrance tickets for the places to visit mentioned in the program.

Excursions:
All excursions as mentioned in the program.

Guide:
Professional guides during excursions.

Machupicchu:
Roundtrip bus tickets and entrance tickets to the Sanctuary for one day.

Meals:
Meals as mentioned in program

Train:
Train to Machu Picchu (roundtrip)

Train Andean Explorer:
First class bus Cusco – Puno

Not Included

International flights
Domestic flights Lima/ Cusco/Lima.
Tips: Tips at airports, hotels and tips for guides, drivers or other personal.
Insurance: Travel insurance

HOTELS

Choose your hotel category

Prices

* Prices for 2022 (we are working on it) Contact one of our Experience Travel Consultants to tailor this trip for you or if you have any questions, we are here to help you and strive to respond the same business day.