Machu Picchu and the Titicaca Lake
Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, the Amazon Rainforest and Lima

Overview

We visit some of the Islands of Lake Titicaca with communities that have successfully welcomed tourism in a way that complements and preserves their lifestyle and traditions. We start our tour in Cusco, home to a unique blend of precision Inca stonework with charming colonial churches and neighbournoods. We visit the megalithic ruins surrounding Cusco and throughout the Sacred Valley. We take the famous and picturesque Vista-dome train to the highlands of Machu Picchu Sanctuary and wake up early to catch the magnificent sunrise over the long-lost city of Machu Picchu. We then head to the beautiful blue waters of Lake Titicaca with a choice of overland tour coach or luxury train. We are welcomed by the communities on the floating island of Uros inhabited by traditional fisherman and then 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 good idea of life in the Andes
– Take the scenic Vista-dome train through beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas
– Taste some great traditional Cusqueñan Andean cuisine
– Take in breathtaking views with a sunrise at Machu Picchu
– Wander around traditional artisan markets and pick up some interesting bargains
– Relax in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes
– Travel through the picturesque landscapes of the Andes en-route from Cusco to Lake Titicaca
– Experience traditional Andean ways of life and help them preserve it at the same time

8 days – 7 nights
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8

Arrive in Lima. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Lima

Flight Lima/Cusco and tansfer to the Hotel. Free time to adjust to the altitude

Cusco City Tour. Overnight Cusco

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

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

Tourist bus from Cusco to Puno. Overnight in Puno

Lake Titicaca excursion. Evening flight to Lima. Overnight in Lima

Departure international flight

Departures:

Daily departures year round

Destinations:

Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, the Amazon Rainforest and Lima

Reservation code:

TI8

On arrival to Lima, we wait for you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Miraflores. For customers arriving in the late evening we offer the option to upgrade to a four-star airport Hotel which is directly connected to the airport. If you opt for the airport hotel make your own way over to the 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 make your own way to the airport to take 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.

Overnight in Cusco.
Breaksfast included

Free morning to relax and explore on your own. 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.

Overnight in Cusco

Breakfast included

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. The town has been built on top of original Inca foundations and is the best surviving example of Inca town planning. The town is located at the foot of some spectacular Inca ruins, which protected the strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley. The temple area is at the top of steep terracing which helped to provide excellent defenses.

After the tour you will take the train to Aguas Calientes on your own. On your arrival to the town, our representative will contact you to walk you to your hotel. Our guide will visit you at your hotel to brief you about the next day activities.

Evening to relax in the town.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes 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 hop-on hop-off bus to Cusco 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 litho-sculptures of the temple of the God Wiracocha and Andahuaylillas. 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, the litho-sculptures of Pukara, belonging to a civilization of the name Pukara and La Raya:  the highest point between Puno and Cusco, at 14234 feet, where you can admire the snow-peaked mountains. Arrival in Puno and transfer to hotel.
 
Alternative option: Upgrade to Lake Titicaca train to Puno available at an additional cost. Train operates Cusco to Puno: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Travel in style on the Lake Titicaca train to Puno. 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 Puno
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

After breakfast transfer to the airport of Lima for your international flight

Breakfast included

Included

Hotels included:
Lima (1 night), Cusco (3 nights), Aguas Calientes (1 night) and Puno (2 nights)

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

Excursions:
All excursions mentioned in the program

Guide:
Official bilingual guides during excursions

Machupicchu:
Roundtrip bus tickets and entrance tickets to the Sanctuary

Meals:
Meals as mentioned in program

Train:
Train Roundtrip to Machu Picchu

Not Included

Flights:International flights
Flights: Lima/Cusco/Julica/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.