Luxury Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca Tour

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival to Cusco, City Tour & Archaeological Ruins

Upon your arrival to Cusco, we will pick you up at the airport to transport you to your hotel.  The morning is free time to rest in your hotel to acclimate.

In the afternoon, we will introduce you to the Imperial City of Cusco, a living example of the mix of Andean and Spanish culture. Continuing the journey, visit the Santo Domingo Convent built over the Koricancha, as well as the ancient Inca Palace and the main worship center of the Sun Inti. Our tour continues to the truly impressive archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman and its military Inca architecture, which dominates the city below. Finally, we explore the archaeological sites of Qenqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay, located in the north east of the city. We will head back to the hotel in Cusco by early evening.

• 3* Accommodations: Waman Qorikancha or Maytaq Wasin
• 4* Accommodations: Hotel Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection & Novotel

Day 2: Sacred Valley – Pisac to Ollantaytambo

We start this beautiful day at 7:30am, when the guide picks you up at your Cusco hotel in our private van. Our route to the Sacred Valley of the Incas leads us to Pisac. We stop first at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy an expansive view of the Urubamba valley and its traditional farming villages. See how the agriculture in the Sacred Valley has changed little in the past five hundred years. Onward, we drive to the archeological site of Pisac, where you can see an impressive Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. There, we can admire the carefully engineered farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important citadel. Here, we will spend about 2 hours, exploring the Inca city. Then, we head down to the colorful market of Pisac, then drive to Urubamba for lunch.

Our next stop is the fascinating archeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouse of the Incas” a deep basin of architectural wonder. Levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, which was carefully engineered by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are placed.  Archeologists believe that they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops and experiment in hybridization.

Continuing on our journey to the colonial town of Maras, we look down onto the pre-Inca salt “mines,” called salineras in Spanish. Thousands of salt pans have been passed down through countless generations and used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into salt pans and evaporated to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt!

Finally, we drive to Ollantaytambo, taking the time to explore the Inca village that has remained intact since Inca times and the massive Inca Ruins, with a tour provided by our guide. Visit the massive architecture of the Sun Temple at the top of the formidable terraces and learn about the importance of this site for the Inca during the beginning of the Spanish conquest.

After dinner, we take the train to Aguas Calientes, where you spend the night in our hotel. The train departs Ollantaytambo at 19:04 and arrives in Aguas Calientes at 20:45.

• 3* Accommodations: Ferre´ Hotel Machu Picchu
• 4* Accommodations: El Mapi or Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (superior room)
• Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3: Machu Picchu & Train back to Cusco

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel,  take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu, so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! The guide will give you a tour, which takes about two hours. You will see most of the important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel.  Learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.

The Vistadome train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at pm, 3:20pm, 4:22pm or 4:43pm or 6:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel between 8pm and 10:30pm.

Please note: In the rainy season, January through April, the Vistadome Train only runs to the Ollantaytambo station. We will drive you from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco.

• 3* Accommodations: Waman Qorikancha or Maytaq Wasin
• 4* Accommodations: Hotel Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection & Novotel
• Meals included: Breakfast, hot drinks and snacks on the train

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu Mountain, this tour is without a guide.

Day 4: Cusco to Puno by Andean Explorer Train

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up at 10am from your hotel in Cusco and transferred to the train station.  There, you will board the most luxurious train to Puno, the Belmond Andean Train.

The Belmond Andean Explorer train features an open-air observatory car, allowing you to take in the majestic views while enjoying the typical music and dances of the Peruvian Highlands. During your trip, you will have the chance to take panoramic pictures of some of the quaint essential Andean landscapes.

During the trip, lunch, & breakfast offers the finest in gourmet food. The quality of our personalized service is guaranteed.  You will sleep in your own private cabin as you travel to Puno arriving at around 7am.

Upon arrival, reception and transfer to your Puno Hotel.

• Accommodations: Cabin overnight on the train
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner on train

Day 5: Full Day to Lake Titicaca (Uros Floating Islands & Taquile)

You will have a 6:00 am breakfast on the train and be transferred to the Port of Puno for your tour at 8:30am.  Our first stop will be Uros Floating Islands. The Uros are natives, who live on these man-made islands created from Totora reeds grown on Lake Titicaca. Their houses are built on top while the cooking is done outside the homes to avoid fires. After spending time at the Island of Uros, you will proceed to the Island of Taquile. Here, you will notice that the locals speak Aymara instead of the predominant Quechua of the Cusco region. The Island of Taquile was once a part of the Inca Empire. The influence can be seen in the buildings these people create. Once you arrive on the island, you will get a briefing, traditional dances, artisanal craft displays and lunch. In the afternoon, the boat will take you back to Puno. From the port of Puno, you will be transfer to your hotel.

• 3* Accommodations: Casa Andina (standard) or Tierra Viva
• 4* Accommodations: Casa Andina Premium Puno and Sonesta Hotel Puno
• Meal included: Breakfast

Day 6: DEPARTURE FROM PUNO

After having breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your remaining time in Puno. Then, in the late morning or afternoon we can drive you an hour and a half to the Juliaca airport to take your plane back to Lima. (Transfer out is not included and costs $60 per group).

• Meal included: Breakfast