Cusco, Short Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca Tour

ITINERARY

DAY 1: CUSCO CITY TOUR

Upon your arrival in Cusco, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Receive a short briefing with the rest of the morning being at your leisure to rest and acclimatize. We will pick you up from the hotel in the afternoon and start to visit the Imperial City of Cusco, a living example of the mix of Andean and Spanish cultures.  Continuing our journey visiting the Santo Domingo Convent built over the Koricancha, as well as the ancient Inca Palace and the main worship center of the Sun God. Have time to enjoy these beautiful sights; proceeding to visit the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman with its military Inca architecture, which dominates the city.

Finally, we go to the north east of the city to the archaeological sites of Qenqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay. Afterwards we take you back to your hotel in early evening to rest and then you can enjoy Cusco by night in one of the many terrific restaurants surrounding the Main Square of the Plaza de Armas.

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

DAY 2:CUSCO- PISAC – MORAY- SALT MINES- OLLANTAYTAMBO

Start today at 7:30am, when your 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, see an impressive Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. 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. Here you spend the night at your hotel in Ollantaytambo, ready to start the Inca Trail the next day.

• 2* Accommodations: Veronica View Hotel or Tunupa Lodge
• 3* Accommodations: Pakaritampu Hotel or Albergue Hotel
• There are no 4* hotels in Ollantaytambo
• Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel

DAY 3: Ollantaytambo – KM 104 – WIÑAY HUAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU

We start this exciting day early; the guide will pick you up at 5:30am. When you arrive at the train station, you will receive a lunchbox to add to your daypack. The train departs Ollantaytambo at 6:10am and you will have just over an hour on the train to enjoy the scenery and have breakfast (not included). Your hotel can provide you a picnic breakfast to take with you or pack your own breakfast.

Get off the train at the famous Km104, where your trek begins! (2,000m/6,560 ft. above sea level). After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque foot bridge, show your passport at the checkpoint and visit the  first Inca site nearby. The first hour and a half are a gentle upward climb. Along the way, stop at several outlooks where you have an expansive view of the Urubamba River. You also pass through several microclimates, including cloud forest, so be ready for damp or even rain at any season of the year. The next hour and a half are a slightly steeper uphill with a beautiful waterfall as your reward at the end of the hike!

When you cross the bridge below the waterfall, be sure to take some time for photos and as you will find yourself gazing up at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna! (2,600m/8,500ft above sea level) These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. This close to Machu Picchu, you are hiking through lush sub-tropical jungle. The guide will tell you all about the ruins, plus the incredible flora and fauna of this microclimate and answer any questions you have before the short 5-minute walk to your lunch spot.

After lunch, you have a mostly flat walk to the Sun Gate, from which you have your first view of Machu Picchu! Though the hour-long walk is a gentle rolling up and down, it does end with a set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca.  As you turn the corner from the Sun Gate, you will enjoy your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. So, take some time to savor the moment and take photos. The last 60 minutes down from the Sun Gate provide many opportunities to take more photos of Machu Picchu from this unique vantage point. There are also a couple more important Inca sites between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, so ask your guide questions about these historical places on the last part of your hike to Machu Picchu.

Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site (Guard House), where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu. You will arrive in the afternoon, as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people in your shots. Take your time to enjoy this magical experience before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check into your hotel. Have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to your hotel to rest after such an exciting day.

• Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch & dinner at a restaurant in Aguas Calientes
• 3* Accommodations: Ferre´Hotel Machu Picchu
• 4* Accommodations: El Mapi Hotel or Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (superior room)
• Difficulty: Moderate

***You will leave an overnight bag at the Ollantaytambo train station to be sent by train directly to Aguas Calientes.

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel,  take one of the first busses 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.  See most of the important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel. You will also 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, you will 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 2:55pm, 3:20pm, 4:22pm 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, your 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 7pm 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: Maytaq Wasin or Waman hotels
• 4* Accommodations: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collections & Novotel
• Meal included: Breakfast at your hotel
• Difficulty: Easy

***IMPORTANT:

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

• On the 2-day Inca Trail, we will be doing the circuit #3 and there is no way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu.
• Early trains can be organized by requested and it has to be done by booking time.

DAY 5: CUSCO – ANDAHUAYLILLAS – RACCHI – LA RAYA – PUNO

We pick you up at your hotel at 6:30am to take you to the bus station (Inca Express or First Class). Both companies provide royal class service with an English-speaking tour guide and a waiter who is ready to assist you with hot and cold drinks on board. During the trip, stop to visit some Inca ruins, museums and the Andahuaylillas Church, which is considered to be the Sistine Chapel of South America because of its amazing frescos. Then, we stop at the Racchi Inca ruins, which used to be a religious and resting place for Inca travelers. The next visit is at La Raya, the border between Cusco and Puno, where the most traditional animals of Peru can be seen, llamas and alpacas. In Pucara, we will visit a museum where it is possible to see some pre-Inca remains. Finally, by 5:30 pm we arrive in Puno, where our representative will pick you up to take you to your hotel.

• Meals included: Breakfast & lunch
• 3* Accommodations: Casa Andina Classic Puno or Tierra Viva Puno
• 4* Accommodations: Casa Andina Private Collection or Sonesta Puno

DAY 6:  PUNO – UROS ISLANDS – AMANTANI ISLAND

After having breakfast in your hotel, the tour leader will  take you to the port of Puno. There, you will embark on a 30-minute boat ride to the floating islands. You will be welcomed by the locals, who will show you the island and the products they weave. Then, we will have a 3-hour boat ride to get to the Amantani Island. At 2:30 pm, we arrive at our destination where our guide will introduce us to the local families who are going to share their homes with us. After lunch, we will hike for one hour up to the mountain called Pachataita (Mother Father). There, enjoy an amazing view of the sunset over the lake and a chance to relax and enjoy the fresh air. Afterwards, we will come back to your local home for dinner and then you will have the opportunity to dress in traditional clothes provided by the locals and go to the local school where a party with them will take place.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
• Accommodation: Basic homestay

DAY 7:  AMANTANI ISLAND – TAQUILE ISLAND – PUNO

Have an early breakfast with your local family and then take a two-hour boat ride to Taquile Island. The inhabitants still live according to their ancestral traditions and dress with gorgeous colored traditional ropes. They are also famous for the magnificent weavings that the men do not the women. You will have some time to learn about ancestral farming techniques and try to use a few Inca tools. We will have lunch in a traditional restaurant and take the boat back to Puno and your hotel for the end of the Tour.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch
• 3* Accommodations: Casa Andina Puno or Tierra Viva Puno
• 4* Accommodations: Casa Andina Private Collection or  Sonesta Puno

Day 8: DEPARTURE FROM PUNO

After having breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your remaining time in Puno, then in the late morning or afternoon we will drop off at the airport in Juliaca to take your plane back to Lima or bus station in Puno. Transfer out costs $60 per group.

• Meal: Breakfast

***You have the option to do a one day tour of Lake Titicaca, without homestay, instead of 2 days.