6 Days / 5 Nights
Vacations in Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu And Puno
Explore Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Puno with this captivating 6-day tour. Immerse yourself in the rich history of Cusco by visiting the majestic Cathedral, the mystical Qoricancha, and the ancient ruins of Sacsayhuaman. Discover the charm of the Sacred Valley of the Incas as you visit Pisac and Ollantaytambo, before being amazed by the grandeur of Machu Picchu.
The journey continues to Puno, with stops at fascinating sites like Andahuaylillas and Raqchi. In Puno, sail across Lake Titicaca to explore the Uros and Taquile islands, where you’ll experience authentic local culture and breathtaking landscapes. Join us and experience the magic of the Peruvian Andes!
ITINERARY
CUSCO CITY AND SURROUNDINGS
Upon your arrival in Cusco, we will warmly greet you and provide a transfer from the airport to your hotel. After lunch, at around 1:00 PM, we will begin our city tour, starting with a visit to the iconic Cusco Cathedral. This remarkable structure, one of the most significant religious sites in Peru, consists of three buildings: the Basilica, the Triumph, and the Holy Family. Inside, you’ll encounter exquisite artwork from the famous Cusco school of painting.
Next, we will explore the Qoricancha, once a sacred Inca temple dedicated to sun worship, later transformed by the Spanish into a site for evangelizing the indigenous people during the colonial period. The Inca craftsmanship remains evident in the precisely constructed stone walls, now complemented by Catholic religious art.
Our journey continues with a visit to Cusco’s surrounding archaeological sites, beginning with the impressive Sacsayhuaman. Meaning “satisfied falcon,” this site was constructed using massive stone blocks and served as a key religious center, known during the Inca era as the “House of the Sun.”
Following Sacsayhuaman, we will visit Q’enqo, meaning “labyrinth” in Quechua, famous for its subterranean passages and intricately carved zigzag channels. We will then stop at Puca Pucara, the “Red Fortress,” built from distinctive red stones. Finally, we will visit Tambomachay, an Inca sanctuary dedicated to water worship.
The tour concludes at Cusco’s stunning Plaza de Armas, around 6:00 PM, where you’ll have time to reflect on the day’s discoveries.
Overnight in Cusco.
SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS – AGUAS CALIENTES
We will start our day with breakfast at your hotel. At around 7:30 AM, we will pick you up from your hotel and head to the Archaeological Site of Pisac, located 45 minutes from Cusco. Pisac will give you an idea of the advanced architectural knowledge the Incas achieved during their time.
Some studies reveal that it was not a fortress, but rather a royal hacienda during the reign of Inca Pachacutec, composed of terraces, domestic and ceremonial structures, and aqueducts that provided water for agriculture. Another compelling reason to visit Pisac is its craft market, where you can find unique and authentic souvenirs.
At noon, we will head to the town of Urubamba for a buffet lunch, where you can enjoy delicious Peruvian cuisine. Urubamba was one of the main agricultural centers of the Inca Empire. Today, the best corn in the world is cultivated here, and during the rainy season, the valley is filled with native fruits such as peaches, capulí, quince, and high-quality strawberries.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Ollantaytambo Fortress, which was an agricultural, religious, and astronomical center. This is evidenced by the colcas, storage facilities for agricultural products that utilized the wind for preservation, and by the finely carved, strategically placed stone blocks aligned with the Sun God to manage and control the Sacred Valley.
This archaeological site comprises a series of superimposed terraces, showing the impressive and large stone blocks located on the upper terrace. In Ollantaytambo, we’ll board the train to Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu early the next day.
AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU
Today, we embark on an extraordinary adventure to explore one of the world’s modern wonders: Machu Picchu. Our day begins early with a transfer to the bus station, followed by a short 25-minute ride to the awe-inspiring Archaeological Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Upon arrival, you will feel the magic of Machu Picchu’s serene atmosphere, temperate climate, and invigorating fresh air. You’ll be captivated by its stunning natural beauty, terraced landscapes, and impressive stone structures, including Inca temples and ceremonial sites.
The lush green terraces and towering mountains surrounding Machu Picchu create a mesmerizing backdrop, far exceeding expectations. The enormous, intricately fitted stone blocks are a testament to Inca engineering, showcasing Machu Picchu’s importance as a major religious, political, and cultural hub of the Inca Empire.
Our guided tour of Machu Picchu lasts about two hours, during which our knowledgeable guide will share in-depth insights and answer any questions. This journey through Machu Picchu’s mysteries and history will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Afterward, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes, where you can unwind in the hot springs or stroll through the town before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. We will pick you up and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Important: Train schedules are approximate and may vary depending on availability.
SOUTH VALLEY — PUNO.
Our journey begins early in the morning as we depart from Cusco and start an exciting tour to Puno. The itinerary includes the following schedule:
- Cusco (3,400 meters above sea level)
- Departure time: 7:30 AM
- Andahuaylillas (3,122 meters above sea level)
- Visit time: 8:30 AM
- Raqchi (3,450 meters above sea level)
- Visit time: 11:00 AM
- Sicuani (3,552 meters above sea level)
- Buffet lunch: Time: 12:10 PM
- Abra la Raya (4,335 meters above sea level)
- Visit time: 02:15 PM
- Pukara Museum (3,900 meters above sea level)
- Visit time: 03:30 PM
- Puno (3,800 meters above sea level)
- Arrival time: 05:00 PM
Upon arriving in Puno, we’ll pick you up from the bus station and transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Puno.
UROS – TAQUILE – PUNO
We will pick you up from your hotel at approximately 6:40 AM and transfer you to the port of Lake Titicaca. After a 30-minute journey, we will arrive at the beautiful floating islands of Uros, which are unique in the world.
We will continue our journey to Taquile, arriving at 11:30 AM. Then, we will take a 40-minute walk from the port to the town, where we will spend about two hours exploring Taquile. You will appreciate its landscape, the display of craftsmanship, and, above all, the way the islanders maintain and preserve their ancestral customs. Here, you will have lunch.
After lunch, we will embark on the return boat journey to Puno, arriving at approximately 4:30 PM. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to relax or explore the city of Puno.
Overnight stay in Puno.
PUNO – JULIACA – LIMA
We will have breakfast at the hotel, and at the appropriate time, we will transfer you to the Juliaca airport for your return flight to Lima.
Included
- Pre-tour assistance.
- All transfers in tourist transportation — equipped with oxygen.
- Professional guided tour, English — Spanish.
- All entrance tickets to archaeological sites and tourist attractions mentioned in the tour.
- Entrance to Machu Picchu circuit 2 (according to availability).
- Train ticket, Ollantaytambo — Aguas Calientes, round trip.
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes — Machu Picchu, round trip.
- Tourist bus during the South Valley, Cusco — Puno.
- Boat trip to visit the Floating Islands — Puno.
- 02 nights hotel in Cusco.
- 01 night hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- 02 nights hotel in Puno.
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba.
- Lunch in Sicuani.
Not Included
- Flights.
- Tips.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Other services not mentioned.