10 Days Lake Titicaca & Machu Picchu

Short tour summary

This tour take takes you to South America´s largest and the worlds highest navigable lake, followed by a trip to see the highlights of the mystical Inca empire. Experience the floating reed islands of the Uros Indians, before heading onto the mystical and sacred new wonder of the world Machu Picchu. An exciting ten day tour that includes: Lima, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, The Sacred Valley and an overnight stay in Machu Picchu. Classic and luxury options are available.

 

Day 1

Today you will arrive in Lima from your international flights. We will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. There are no planned activities this afternoon, so you will have free time to relax or catch up on your sleep.

In the evening you may want to try some of the fantastic restaurants that Lima has to offer, or perhaps relax around the entertainment complex of Larcomar, in the up-market Miraflores district

 

Day 2

After a relaxing breakfast in your hotel, our English speaking guide and driver we will collect you for a half day tour of Lima. First you will travel to the beautiful colonial Lima Cathedral built in 1635, before moving on to the Convent and Church of San Francisco, world famous as the head quarters of The Museum of Religious Arts. In the afternoon there is the option to visit Lima´s museums, we recommend The Gold Museum, which has over 25,000 exhibits, The National Museum of the Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru.

In the evening we recommend a visit to the new water fountain display, considered to be the largest in South America, where the fountains synchronize to lights and music for an impressive and magical show.

 

Day 3

Today after breakfast you will take a morning flight to Juliaca, the closest airport to Lake Titicaca. We will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Lima airport for you flight south.

On arrival in Juliaca, our guides will meet you and transfer you to Lake Titicaca and onto your hotel. En-route, you have the opportunity to visit The Pre-Incan Funeral Towers of Sillustani; considered to be more complex and intricate than Incan engineering.

In the evening you will have free time to relax.

 

Day 4

The deep azure waters of Lake Titicaca, considered to be the birth place of humanity will be your home for the day, as you take a boat trip to the floating read islands of the Uros Indians. In the morning you will be met and transferred to the lake, where you will embark a medium size vessel for your guided tour.

The Uros islands are made by hand from woven totora reeds, which are found in abundance on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The islander´s houses and boats are woven from reed, and the largest Island - Huacavacani, has not only houses, but also a floating Seventh-Day Adventist church!

Lunch is included. You will return to your hotel in the early afternoon, where you will have time to relax and reflect on your day of discovery.

 

Day 5

Today you will travel from Lake Titicaca to the historic Inca City of Cusco. For the classic tour, the journey will be made on the first class Inca Tourist Bus. For those taking the luxury option we include the Orient Express - Andean Explorer Train.

For both options beautiful landscapes await you, as well as the animals that are symbolic to the Andes: llamas, alpacas and vicunas. The journey starts in the flat altiplanos of the highlands, increasing in altitude until the mid way point of La Raya at 4,335metres (14,100 feet). After which, the journey slowly descends towards Cusco, dominated by the magnificent Andean mountains which tower over the deep valleys of the meandering Huatanay River.

On arrival in Cusco you will be met and transferred to your hotel for the evening.

 

Day 6

Take your time to have a relaxing breakfast this morning, as there are no planned activities.

In the afternoon we will collect you from your hotel, and take you for a tour of Cusco and the surrounding areas. The tour includes a visit to The Inca Fortress of Sacsayhuam?n, the Inca sanctuary of Tambomachay dedicated to the worship of water, the Inca temple of the sun – Koricancha and more.

You will have free time in the evening to explore Cusco at you leisure.

 

Day 7

Today after breakfast, we will collect you for a full day tour to the Sacred Valley. First you will travel to the attractive village of Ollantaytambo, located at the western end of the Valley. The town is located at the foot of some spectacular Inca ruins, strategically built to defend the entrance to the Urubamba Valley. After your guided tour of the ruins, you will travel the short distance to the market town of Pisac; where you will rest for lunch (included). In Pisac you will have time to explore the famous bustling artisan market in the main plaza, set below the sprawling Inca ruins in the mountains above. 

In the evening you may want eat in one of the many excellent restaurants located around Plaza de Armas. Perhaps try the local delicacy of Cuy (Guinea-pig)!!!

 

Day 8

Today you will have an early start for your trip to the imperial Inca city of Machu Picchu. Should you take The Vistadome Train or The Hiram Bingham Train, you will be struck by the constantly changing and beautiful scenery of The Urubamba Valley as you make your way towards Machu Picchu.

You will be met at the train station and transferred by shuttle bus to Machu Picchu. Your private guide will give you a two hour guided tour of the citadel, including The Temple of the Sun, The Royal Tomb, The Temple of Three Windows and much more! For lunch we will take you to The Sanctuary Lodge Hotel, conveniently located next to the citadel for a relaxing buffet lunch. 

In the afternoon you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu, before heading down to the small town of Aguas Calientes and onto your hotel for the evening.

 

Day 9

Today you will have a free day to re-visit Machu Picchu. Today is your opportunity to explore some of the sights that are not included on the standard tour. You may wish to hike the small mountain of Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain) to see the amazing views that are offered from this vantage point. Or, perhaps a visit to the amazing Inca Bridge, built as a secret access route to the Citadel.

After lunch you will return to Aguas Calientes, where you can catch your early evening train back to Cusco. We will collect your from Poroy train station and transfer you to your hotel one stop before Cusco, saving you an hour on the train.

 

Day 10

After a relaxing breakfast, we will collect you from your hotel and take you to Cusco airport for your mid-morning flights to Lima. In Lima airport you can wait to connect to your onward flight, or alternatively we can arrange transport to take you in to Lima for some last minute shopping, or perhaps a spot of Lunch.

 

What´s included

All tours with qualified English speaking guides
Airport transfers
9 nights accommodation in our recommended hotels, including breakfasts
The first class Inca Bus from Lake Titicaca to Cusco
The Vistadome Train to Machu Picchu
Buffet lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge hotel
Flights: Lima – Juliaca / Cusco – Lima

Luxury option includes: The Andean Explorer Train from Puno to Cusco, The Hiram Bingham Train to Machu Picchu, Private tours in Cusco / The Sacred Valley and luxury class hotels.

 

What´s not included

International airfares
Local departure airport taxes
Other meals unless specified in the itinerary
Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident

 

Prices

Classic tour from US$ 1,995 / GBP₤ 1,330 / EUR€ 1,425
Luxury tour from US$ 3,625 / GBP₤ 2,415 / EUR€ 2,590