National Program: Cusco and Puno 7D/6N
National Program: Cusco and Puno 7D/6N
Overview
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco / City Tour
Upon your arrival in the city of Cusco, one of our representatives will be waiting at the airport to assist with your transfer to the selected hotel. You will receive an informative briefing, and we will provide you with all the tickets needed for the different activities included in your itinerary.
At 12:50 p.m., we will pick you up from your hotel to begin our first activity: the City Tour. We start with a visit to the Temple of Qoricancha, a palace that was the most important during the Inca period, filled with history and enclosures dedicated to various deities worshipped by the Incas.
Next, we head to the archaeological sites, such as Sacsayhuamán, known for its strategic location and massive polished stones. We continue to the mystical Inca temple of Qenqo, where religious sacrifices and mummifications were performed. We then visit the Inca military and control center of Puka Pukara, and finally, the Temple of Tambomachay, with its impressive water fountains. Our expert guide will captivate you with the fascinating history of each of these remarkable sites.
Before returning to Cusco, we will make a stop at the community of Huayllarcocha, where you can observe different species of South American camelids, such as llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas.
Finally, we return to the city of Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Day 2: Super Sacred Valley
At 6:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel to begin our tour of the Sacred Valley, an enigmatic and charming place.
We will travel for approximately 50 minutes to our first stop, Chinchero, where we will visit its church and archaeological park. We will also have the opportunity to visit a textile production center that preserves ancient weaving techniques.
Next, we continue to Moray, famous for its circular terraces, where the Incas acclimatized plants from different regions of the country. Later, we will arrive at the Maras Salt Mines, featuring more than 5,000 salt ponds still in use today, whose product is distributed in local and national markets.
Afterward, we will head to Urubamba to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. Later, we will visit Ollantaytambo, known as the “Living Inca City”, where we will admire its impressive Temple of the Sun, water fountains, and other monumental structures.
Then, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, where the hotel staff will welcome us and assist with the check-in. In the evening, a local tour guide will visit you to coordinate the activities for the next day.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Day 3: Machu Picchu
At the scheduled time, we will head to the bus station to begin a 25-minute journey to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
We will enjoy a guided tour lasting more than two hours, during which our expert guide will share fascinating details about the history and mysteries of this wonderful site. We will visit its main viewpoint, where you can take the best photos and the classic postcard picture. We will walk through the Inca citadel, exploring its main square and other significant archaeological structures.
At the end of the visit, we will board the bus back to Aguas Calientes. You will have free time for lunch on your own.
Thirty minutes before departure, we will meet at the train station to board the train that will take us back to Ollantaytambo station, where our private transportation will be waiting to take us back to the city of Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco.
Day 4: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
At 4:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel to begin the journey to the Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca.
We will travel for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, arriving at the town of Cusipata, where we will enjoy a delicious breakfast. We will then continue for two more hours along a winding road until we reach the community of Kayrahuiri. There, we will prepare for the hike, and our guide will provide the trekking poles we will use along the way.
After about one hour of hiking, we will reach the summit of Vinicunca, located at 5,200 meters above sea level. You will have time to take photos and listen to the guide’s explanation about this impressive place. We will enjoy some free time, depending on the weather conditions: if the weather is good, we will stay for about one hour; in case of rain, hail, or snow, the stay will be around 30 minutes.
We will return along the same path to our vehicle, which will take us back to Cusipata, where we will enjoy a hearty lunch. Finally, we will return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:00 p.m.
At the scheduled time, our vehicle will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the bus terminal, where you will board the bus to the city of Puno.
(Overnight on a sleeper bus.)
Departure time: 10:15 p.m. – Arrival in Puno: 5:00 a.m.
Day 5: Puno - Uros Island - Amantani
Upon your arrival in the city of Puno, our representative will be waiting at the bus terminal to transfer you to the selected hotel. We will use the hotel facilities and leave our luggage, as we will not occupy the room on this first day.
A few minutes before 7:45 a.m., you will be picked up from your hotel in Puno and taken to the main port. There, you will board a motorboat to begin the navigation across Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.
The first stop will be at one of the Uros Islands, home to an ancient culture of more than 3,000 years of history. The inhabitants build their homes on the lake using totora reeds, a native aquatic plant. You will have the opportunity to visit their houses, learn about their traditional way of life, and appreciate their ingenuity in living harmoniously with their natural environment.
Optionally, you may take a ride on a traditional totora reed boat.
Next, you will continue to Amantani Island, where some of the local families will welcome you into their homes. You will share pleasant and unforgettable moments with your hosts while enjoying meals prepared with natural, local products.
In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to hike to the top of the island, known as “Pachatata”, located at 4,130 meters above sea level. From there, you will enjoy a spectacular view of Lake Titicaca and a beautiful sunset.
Afterward, you will return to your assigned accommodation and spend the night on Amantani Island.
In the evening, you will attend a traditional Andean music show, where you can participate and enjoy the festive local atmosphere for a couple of hours.
Day 6: Amantani - Taquile - Puno
After breakfast, we will bid farewell to Amantani Island and set sail towards Taquile Island, which was used during the colonial period as a place of confinement.
On Taquile Island, you will have the opportunity to interact with the local inhabitants, renowned for their fine textile craftsmanship, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. You will also get to learn about their ancestral customs and explore less-visited areas of the island, discovering temples, tombs, and pre-Inca terraces.
At midday, you will enjoy a traditional lunch prepared with local ingredients, while admiring breathtaking views of Lake Titicaca.
In the afternoon, we will return by boat to the port of Puno, arriving at approximately 5:30 p.m. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your previously selected hotel, where you will spend the night.
This tour offers an authentic experience to explore the living culture and natural beauty of Lake Titicaca, providing the opportunity to connect with local communities and enjoy unique landscapes.
Day 7: Puno / Departure
At the scheduled time, we will transfer you to the Inca Manco Cápac International Airport in Juliaca for your departure flight.
End of our services.
Included:
- Transfer between the airport and the hotel in Cusco and Puno.
- 2 nights of Hotel *** in Cusco.
- 1 hotel night *** in Aguas Calientes.
- 1 night accommodation on Amantani Island.
- 1 hotel night *** in Puno.
- Buffet lunch during the Sacred Valley tour.
- Breakfast and lunch during the 7-color mountain tour.
- 1 LUNCH AND DINNER ON DAY 1 BREAKFAST ON DAY 2 IN PUNO.
- Tourist transport on all excursions.
- Accompaniment of professional guide on all excursions.
- BTG (General Tourist Ticket) in Cusco.
- Entrance ticket to Qorikancha.
- Entrance ticket to the salt mines
- Entrance ticket to Machupicchu.
- Tickes of Bus Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes.
- Tourist train ticket Voyager or Expedition (Ollantaytambo – Machupicchu – Ollantaytambo).
- Ticket de Bus bed (Cusco – Puno).
- Tourist ticket in Puno.
- First aid kit and oxygen supply on the trip to the mountain of colors (group use).
- Constant advice and follow-up to the passenger.
Not included:
- International air tickets.
- National air tickets Lima – Cusco / Juliaca – Lima.
- Unspecified meals.
- Entrance fee to salt mines (10 soles).
- Access rate to the Park of the Colors Mountain (25 soles).
- Personal expenses or individual consumption of passengers.
Recommendations
- Travel documents and money.
- Suitable clothing and footwear.
- Personal hygiene items and medicines.
- Sun protection and water bottle.
- Camera or phone.
- Plug adapter (if necessary).
- Map, travel guide and book.
- Padlock and resealable bags.
- Umbrella or raincoat (depending on the weather).
- Insect repellent (if necessary).
- Travel insurance and copies of itinerary and important contacts.
